AN: A Couple things really quick before we begin. First is that the pressure points of the two sticks over the join of the thumb. It's a real thing and it hurts like ALL HELL! So yeah, don't go doing it to anyone as a joke as it is seriously painful. Saw it done to a grown man who was crying within seconds. Second, I'm thinking of adding more chapters to the pre-Beacon Arc to better show this Jaune's growth, personality, and establish his bonds with those in Atlas. Don't want the pre beacon stuff to be this clump of rushed, choppy chapters with massive time skips in between.

A Personal Favor

Chapter 4

-Alexander Arc-

"Mail's here." Alexander grunted, tossing a stack of letters on the table as the girls got their slices of Pizza from that night's box. A letter for each of them, all of them from Jaune up in Atlas. "Maybe he's finally calling it quits." Alexander snorted with dry bemusement as the girls all opened their letters, pulling out photos that were attached. Opening his own envelope, Alexander saw that instead of a letter from his rebellious son, it was an official looking notice bearing the headers of both the boot camp he'd sent Jaune to and the Atlas Prep Academy.

Ignoring the excited muttering from the girls, Alexander started reading

Alexander Arc,

This is your notice as to the current enrollment status of your son Jaune Arc. Due to exemplary grades, work ethic, and attitude, Jaune Arc has been recommended for Atlas Prepatory Academy. As per the contractual agreement signed prior to Jaune Arc's enrollment, he was permitted to proceed to take the enrollment test set forth by the Headmaster.

Jaune Arc passed with flying colors and has earned a full scholarship for his tenure at the respected Atlas Prepatory Academy. We offer our congratulations for this achievement for your family and inform you that all future correspondence for Jaune Arc should be directed to the Prepatory Academy mailing service.

Have a good day,

Headmaster Payne, Atlas Prepatory Academy

Sargent Slaughter, Atlas Boot Camp for Troubled Youth

Attached was a photo of Jaune standing with three other teenagers. An older dark skinned dog Faunus, a young woman Jaune's age with skin as dark as the older boy and an incredibly serious expression, and a girl with orange hair and a sweet smile. All of them facing the camera and happily giving him the finger.

-Jaune-

"There we go," Jaune grinned as he finished hanging the dress Saber, he got from Graduating the boot Camp "that looks level."

"Not quite Friend Jaune!" the bubbly voice of Penny pipped up as she skipped over, adjusting the decorative blade by what couldn't be more than a centimeter "Now it is exactly level!"

"Of course, silly me." Jaune chuckled, amused by his new friend's eccentricities.

"Jaune, have you found a weapon to use yet?" Ciel asked from where she sat, back ramrod straight, by his desk.

"Not yet," Jaune shook his head, pulling out his notebook with various sketches or scribbled ideas "I know I want both melee and ranged capability, might be in separate weapons. At the moment though, all I have is the rechargeable flashbang from that fight." He waved the rod "the taser isn't enough charge to do much against most Grimm or someone with Aura, and those batons would shatter too easily so I got nothing right now." Glancing over, he handed his notebook to Ciel's open hand "What do you two use? I don't think you told me yet."

"My weapon is known as Floating Array!" Penny bounced happily as she twirled to show her backpack "It contains several short swords that I can control through cybernetic 'strings'. The blades are also capable of generating their own energy fields and, should enough be brought together, can fire high energy lasers!" Jaune gaped at the description of the Weapons of Mass Destruction his bubbly buddy apparently carried around with her "I'm combat ready!"

"My 'Weapon' is not what one would consider standard." Ciel tapped the side of the bag she wore over her shoulder "I prepare them in advance and carry a multitude of Dust mixtures. They're contained in a special shell that keeps the mixtures stable and safe until I add aura to the casing." she pulled out a small orb, a bit smaller than a ping pong ball "Then they activate on impact. I also carry a handgun should I run out of my Dust ordinances, or I not have a mixture that would be effective."

"I also know your Mentor, Marrow Amin, carries a combination assault Riffle and chainsaw boomerang." Penny adds in, only further breaking Jaune's brain with how intense these weapons sounded.

"I do believe your proposed notion of two weapons, one for range and one for melee, to be a wise one however." Ciel nodded as she finished flipping through his notebook "I would recommend a standard issue Atlas Assault Riffle for now. It is similar enough to your Mentor's weapon for him to be able to teach you and there would be enough Surplus for you to be able to maintain and modify as you needed."

"What about Melee though?" Jaune started a new page in the notebook as he thought of what sort of updates, he could make to an assault rifle "As I really doubt my old man would let me have the family sword."

"Based upon what you have shared of your family unit Friend Jaune, I would estimate the odds of him giving you this 'Family Sword' to be six point two five seven for nine percent." Penny stated proudly.

"That's…very specific." Jaune gave his friend a confused look.

"I can provide my math if you'd like." Penny seemed oblivious to the oddity of her statement.

"That…that's okay." Jaune couldn't help but pat Penny's head as she beamed happily from the gesture.

"We could ask Doctor Polendina." Ciel suggested "Penny's father is a respected Atlas Scientist who knows many top minds. He might have ideas if we or your Mentor fail to think of something."

"Let's hold off on that for now at least." Jaune shook his head, too many thoughts rushing by too fast at the moment "At the very least we have a starting point and I want to get comfortable with my first weapon before I start trying to get a second one."

"Okie-Dokie!" Penny bounced with a happy grin.

"Reasonable." Ciel nodded with her usual cool reserve.

"So…anyone up for Pizza?"

AN: A short little chapter but I wanted a transition done. Next chapter will involve Jaune and his new friends working on his gear and training.