I was planning on entangling Jaune with Blake's problem with the white fang. Since... Well, criminals and gangs, I guess. Which also means she'll get more screen time if that's alright.

I might have a knightshade bias.

There was also a joke from a mate on dc about Weiss being Ice queen and winter's blast, but I forgot to write it down for future use. So damn…

Also, this is my first test on a new writing style. Hope you enjoy as I'll be perfecting it like with Fitzpatrick on Cohen's masterpiece.

And thanks for waiting, and expect an even longer next time since I'm at the point of this story where I'll make and trash several drafts on where would I want to take it. But rest assure that when that time comes for me to publish it, will all be worth it. I hope.

Remember to leave a review, really helps me and my motivation out.

Upcoming: Chapter 5 Meow from a (pussy) cat (WIP name)

HELP: Also, why do I keep getting errors by uploading an image on the image manager? Can anybody privately message me about it for advice? I have several potential images to be used as cover art, but the site is having issues with the image.

UPDATE: Fix some spelling and some grammatical issues at the last part.


Chapter 4 - Thrill from Vale

Vale, out of the four grand kingdoms, this particular one has been the uncontested peaceful out of the other three. 'Course that didn't really mean much when there have been a string of dust robberies lately.

But that wasn't important; What is more is that one particular resident is feeling "lucky" for himself.

As he just got the biggest respite he could ask for, got to tag along with his good friend to relax a day out on the town, away from the stress of the classes her words; then to take his mind away from his dreams, his head fittingly paralleled the goth red-hood's idea with his own. The best of both worlds.

Jaune did get to try the secret food spots Ruby promised him and made extra sure for him to promise too, as apparently these are the places where she wouldn't even dare share with her sister.

What an honor to have.

Of course, it's Ruby he's talking about here; and the blond hooded-knight expected that certainty first when catching up with the young rose. Meaning that her secret spots are to be composed of mom and pop shops from bakeries to ice cream joints.

Not-actually surprising, all the locales were pretty good.

Fresh-baked cookies, cookie-dough ice cream, and a sausage link from a nearby deli he bought for Zwei to have his own treat after the trip to the vet. It scared the poor dog to death thinking he's getting another rabies shot, so Jaune decided to as well give the little guy something to calm down.

Unfortunately for someone with his grim financial situation, there are considerable causalities that were of course he faced that sustained during their excursion for sweets, as while he enjoyed himself with Ruby a day out on the town.

His wallet on the other hand, if it was alive then it would've felt a stinging betrayal burning long on Jaune's part, screaming for "bloody murder" every time a card of lien is pulled out as faulted by the blond's pride to be a sort of chivalrous knight took his finger on the extra cost to pay for his companions.

That feeling, he couldn't shake away his wallet he conceives coming off lighter right now.

Sure, he could remember times where Ruby offered to split the bill, persistently, many times as a matter of fact, but he paid her hospitality no mind, for he's content as long as the cookie goblin he called his friend was enjoying herself.

So, now here he was waiting on Ruby on some street corner.

Then just beside him is the lovable corgi, Zwei, who is all the while rocking the same sausage link like a meaty-smelling scarf casually wrapped around his neck as he enjoys gorging on one of the ends with his dumb-panting-smile that shows to everyone how worry-free he is at life, with his small tail wagging from side-to-side.

Of which, by now Zwei has turned to considered the short-haired not-Yang worthy as "other master" from now on after those amazing gifts of a "waterless bath" and a longer piece of tasty hot-dog.

It's stupid, but Jaune couldn't stop and just awe at how cute the corgi is just by being a corgi that it effortlessly surfaced a smile from him as he aimed his scroll at the cute sight before him and with a snap from the device he then continues tapping on his scroll.

"Don't worry about me, out with Ruby to bring her dog to the vet. Here's a pic with the little guy. Don't worry, we'll be back in a few…." And sent. A part of him where lies his logic suspected that the rest of his friends would be panicking by then and already flipping the academy upside-down to find him. Hope the message reaches Ren before Nora and Yang pop open Cardin's lips with their fists, thinking this was another one of his rocket-locker trips with the unfortunate passenger being Jaune on the front seats usually.

Right, now with that dealt with, he didn't and wasn't wanting a district-totaling sequel of team (R)WBY and (J)NPR causing wanton havoc across Vale thinking he got jumped and captured by Torchwick and his White fang that raises its own question on why they actually follow a human of all people.

Though, if he's being honest and setting aside the morality alongside the property damage bills, it's nice of a thought to know somebody cares about him fairly to level an entire city block to find him.

It's nice. Inside of him were the powerful emotions that were beginning to swell out as he brings his eyes to close for a bit, thinking about a certain someone he has been with since the beginning here at Vale.

Ruby Rose.

That girl. For some reason digging deep inside himself, Jaune feels ashamed for not putting much faith at that a weird girl who ended up a crater at the start to then would be the one to somehow pierced the spiraling dark void he was falling through and just pulled him back to the light just by being herself.

No more concerns, no more being tackled to the ground, most importantly no more questions.

He just wants everything to be back the way things were.

Suppose she was always with him from the beginning. This could be her way of helping him cope; and right now, he's just thankful for it.

Just back the way it is.

Yet through the rose-tinted glasses could he see it.

There it is. Unearthing itself.

That horrible feeling stewing all by itself at the back of his head with a single thought. He'd already grow accustomed to those thoughts filled with such regret and shame directed to no-one but himself.

Back then he'd been always inclined with a belief of such dismal conviction and views of himself being weaker than most and that he'd just accept it and improve upon those intrusive thoughts.

If he was the same person who stepped off the bullhead and ran towards the nearest trashcan, yet with a dream once.

Too bad now, he could only fathoms. There was no honey needed for the words he could describe himself for it. He's just weak. That's that.

Gods and Oum above, how much of a pathetic coward could he stoop lower? Here and even in his own dreams. Now that was just sad just by thinking about it.

If he knew better, a few more with these kinds of thoughts and that suicide theory might just actually become more than just. Best those intensive thoughts to be off in his head fast.

To be followed by just in the nick of time to quell those fears back to sleep, he hears.

"Here."

A pleasant, distinct voice greeted him by what his cerulean eyes came open and rolling over to scan the thing held up for him. His eyes were a hint of hazy, though nothing he worried about as he narrowed them to get a better look at what's he's being offered.

A plastic bag.

He accepts and inside is a box of a brand green tea. 34 pieces inside.

Not sure what he wants to think, he wasn't an idiot to realize what drinking this could mean.

On one side of the pendulum swung, he might return to being sleep deprived or just generally another night of rough sleeping that leaves him tired and this might just help him regain those lost energy to keep up during sunlight. Then by the swing to the right, he considered that possibility that it would mean he'll be having an extended stay to whatever trial by bullshit his dream will toss him right in the middle to.

What counts is that it's a gift from Ruby, a friend.

Seconds had passed that took him to note everything before coming to ask. "I never thought of you to drink tea?" With a sly smile, he gazes down at his friend as he anticipates her reaction. "Is Weiss finally rubbing her etiquette off onto you? Should I also stuck my pinky out too?"

But she went and froze. A look of fear overtook her, similar to witnessing a horrible revelation and having to face it in seconds, to sputtering her words out, denying to the best of her ability.

"No-no. I remembered my mom used to have sleeping problems and always drank green tea, said it helps." She repelled. "It's the low caffeine one. If you want, we could also go for milk. I always have one before sleep. Dunno, if it helps, though."

She must be really afraid of becoming like Weiss… He can't blame her for the comparison. Snow Angel's upbringing hasn't been the kindest childhood of most. That and the sleazy father of hers basically having the massive weight of expectation of the world on top of the youngest Schnee's shoulder to carry.

Why he bothers trying to melt the cold exterior, she always iced herself in with futile results, he admits, has eluded him to find out why.

"Huh, no it's alright. Tea is enough. Thanks for the gift..." Suppose he should drop it before it sours the mood further. Actually, isn't Weiss more into coffee... Must have forgotten about that. Whatever.

"But you didn't have to." He didn't know what warranted that reaction from what he said despite that he spotted a glimpse of Ruby's expression withering sullen; she reeled back from hearing those words, and from him of all people. Ruby didn't know where it came from, but she felt dismayed hearing it. They're friends, aren't they not?

"You know, you remind me of Zwei when you're cranky. Heh…"

"No-no-hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Releasing a comical grow with furrowing her brows as she scowls at the blond, albeit he notices it for being half-hearted. "That's what friends are for, right?" Right?

"Of course. I'll be sleeping like I got the comfiest bed in Remnant." Playfully sticking out his tongue.

Really, Jaune? Jokes? Why did it come back? Ruby hated that face. She had done everything she can to fix it yet the downer look her friend looked was still there. Hiding behind that false smile, he props up. Maybe she needs to work harder, yeah. With a newfound goal, she got her head to work on another idea. One that'll take some time to plan out.

So what if he's useless? At least he got friends to surround him that appreciate him for being himself. Jaune argued to the silent expanse of his head. Right now, it might be short, but life decided to throw him a bone and give him a break.

But now the sun was setting for the night to take its place, some shops starting shuttering and closing their doors for the day, while some turned on their flashy signs as Vale's night life was now coming back to life.

Back then, first arriving here, Jaune was floored at the beautiful sights of the multitude of lights from bars and clubs. It was something he couldn't see happening in a small village such as where he lives. But nothing could compare to what he sees when he closes his eyes.

Now?

He sees it for what is truly is, the time where the kingdom's seedy and less kind nature finally comes alive to the surface. Every time the sun goes down, the criminals went out of the woodworks, alleys and all, as they are sure they own the kingdom under the shadow of the night.

Jaune asks his sugar-loving accomplice. "Any last detour before we head back to Beacon?"

While It was a fun roller coaster of sweets, but every ride has its end and he decided that ride was close to near its conclusion. Looking towards Ruby who had brought a hand under her chin, as she's sent deep into her thoughts, while he paid no mind and waited for whatever she was on.

Nevermind. it was too obvious! How come she had realized her last trump card just had given her another bright idea? One where she practically glowed with a jovial smile upon finding out. Confident that this plan of hers is bound to work. Hoping for the merit of a shared interest only she and Jaune had would make him feel better once more.

Childish impulse to say what's on her mind couldn't contain the excitement any further, but surprises must be kept, so she only whispered so quietly that thankfully Jaune outright missed it.

"Comic books."

"I'm sorry. What was that? Didn't hear you there."


Ruby sighed. Darn, she had been too late. All while Jaune just kept rolling over back and forth at the definitely closed-up Tukson's Book trade, if the sign hanging by the door read as 'Closed' had any indication and back to the girl sullying herself with her trusty corgi trying to cheer his master up.

So, this has been her intention… He finally came to understand what she whispered to herself was earlier. She must have the idea of comic books next, since from what he remembered, that's kind of their own thing together. That's all he could read by her reaction.

On the same page of comics; He actually hasn't caught up on the latest edition of X-ray and Vav…

Then again, you can't have too much free time to enjoy when you're behind school work and feel like a slug for most of the day. It really makes you detract from comic books or anything that's not schoolwork from the threat of expulsion from poor performance is ever looming above him like a dark cloud that won't leave.

But somehow he kept latching on. The threat of being on the verge and slipping ever-so present still chose of not letting go. Persistent in the end.

"Erm… Too bad we're late." Rubbing the back of his head. He hauled a face, defeated.

It didn't last long, however, as his usual longing to lighten people set him back straight. "We could always try next weekend. Wanna hit up the nearest pizza shop to take home for the others?" Then it was her turn to get her hair ruffled as she looked at Jaune, who brought his hand to her head, grinning all the same. It felt off, she couldn't point out why but she just know.

"Yeah, sure…" she murmur, inclined her head in agreement before coming back slightly hanging down as she felt his hands retract back. Great, this was supposed to help her friend, and she blew it. Although a store closing wasn't entirely in her control to do something about, yet maybe she could've been faster. Doubt Jaune would appreciate having to his body flail by the force of her semblance.

Well, there's always next time.

"Actually, I just have to toss the receipts from today." They've been clogging his otherwise spacious wallet for sometime now. No need to keep the reminder of his spending spree haunting him for days to come. "Could you hold this? I'll make it quick."

She just gave a still look to her friend's back, strutting around the side of the bookstore, doing her best to hide her down-cast expression.

Her head filled with the blond knight, not in the yearning type of way, besides she's not sure where it came from, but what she was sure that it wasn't the time for that; What is going on with you, Jaune?

And that's all.

Both hands tossing away the last of those infernal reminders of his liens he's been saving up at his roving from dead-end job to another dead-end job he got from the side. But if you ask him, it wasn't all bad, of course. He just didn't want his self-pressure and self-doubts ridiculing him of his unrestrained spending for Ruby and Zwei.

Regrets? Not really. He got to have fun with someone who stuck with him from the beginning, which was first in a long while, so he's willing to give Ruby a hug after all of this is done.

"Think you know why Tukson left?"

Huh? He didn't know why, but hearing the owner's name mention made a raise on his brow as the voice coming from deeper into the alley raises his curiosity enough that it practically made his legs to shuffle closer towards the corner. Eventually to had his back hugging the wall as he listens intently from what he can see were two faunus.

"Dunno much, but from what I can tell. He was this high-up lieutenant until he just decided he called quits, then he left all that for Vacuo. How that sect didn't find him on their own turf is beyond me…" Both his ears perked up, Jaune's eyes widened from the bombshell. This Tukson person Blake mention is, or was, once with the white fang? "Then he practically just up and appeared here in Vale."

Another voice questioned. "And none of us realized it might have been the same Tukson from the old sect? How the hell did he slip under our noses?"

Old sect? If Jaune only hadn't neglected to listen in Doctor Oobleck's class, he could've known where this old sect is. He cursed at himself as going by how clueless his brain was to at least try to draw a guess, yet pulled blanks; Figures. He slept as usual throughout the entire lecture.

"Hey, anyone could be named Tukson. Not like we keep a list of names from of members from others branches like it's our problem 'less they appear on our doorstep."

"But you just said he was a lieutenant?"

"WAS a lieutenant. Remember how Ghira basically just stepped down after Sienna just took power? The man just left, no fights or confrontation, after the first public attack. Ever since then, Menagerie is split in the old ways and the new way."

Politics, Jaune hated that word. Politics here, politics there, politics everywhere. A lying man's game if his dreams are to go by always being filled with selfish corruptions; this Ghira and Sienna, they might be important being a sort of leaders for the white fang for these two schmucks somewhat adhere to, again he has no clue who Ghira, Kali or Sienna is.

Though he's mindful of taking to shelving those names at the back of his mind, might be important to remember them later on, suppose if it ever came up again. Hopefully, on Oobleck's teachings can provide him more context on who the two are.

"So? What does this have to do with Tukson? Did he have some dirt on Sienna or Ghira and Kali? Why pay him a visit? If he wants to cut ties and go straight then let him, not like he'll be any trouble for us in Vale." Names, names, too many names to memorize and barely enough care to muster to toss around who are they.

"Not really that. He was close to Ghira and Kali's belief in pacifism. Guess that's what took a toll on him after Mistral. I heard from a friend at the old sect that their leader practically outright erased Tukson's existence from the list, probably fearing that someone might take up his mantle and continue the pacifism belief and endanger the entire organization altogether."

"So that's why Adam had us sent to silence him…" Silence? His ears perked up. A very horrible word with horrible meaning to add. His time in his dreams practically always made him hear silence as something more than a shush. A more violent approach at that, if it ever comes to it.

Then not to mention it's the white fang, a violent terrorist organization; silence and them in the same context didn't really paint a pretty picture.

He needs to do something. To start, he shoves himself up from the wall as took a peek at what he comes to see were the two faunus conversing amongst to each other.

Then he sucks as much air through his gritted teeth before giving out a tremendous sigh. But he needs to do it quietly. Again keeping to heart his reminder for himself that he didn't need the unwanted attention and spotlight to shine on him after this.

He started to dig deep in his thoughts… of being discreet, obscure, out of sight, voyeur, spying.

Suddenly, his hand took on a translucent form, not entirely invisible, but enough to see through but for his veins to be entirely visible as it now occasionally flickers a faint, unnoticeable glow of white pulses coursing towards his fingertips.

Chameleon and peeping tom. What a wonderful combination when you're not up feeling for a confrontation; that or just avoiding the obvious chance of getting shot at.

"Whatever do you think happened to the old leader? Have heard nothing from Raoul after Adam stepped in as leader."

"Like if I know -wait, let me rephrase that; Fuck if I WANT to know." Again, more implications… Who was this Adam fellow? Certainly not the drug Jaune's been fueling himself with, that's for sure.

Okay, Jaune. You can do this. Just like in the dreams... Focus.

Everything is becoming clearer and brighter. His sights felt sharper.

The walls that had once shrouded his gaze inside the interior it hides soon open up to peep through and boy, there were lots of people inside the actual building, more than just the two grunts outside, and then there's someone laying on the ground. He froze for a moment, panicking that this must be Tukson and he was too late, but upon closer inspection saw the person was writhing. In pain, but alive still.

Good, he's still alive, somewhat. There was no time to even spare a sigh as Jaune soon couldn't ignore just how much and how long Tukson could keep himself alive was now the ticking question he wasn't keen to find out.

This is stupid, but any longer won't help Tukson if the police have to take minutes to arrive here and the noise from the sirens could alert the intruders and by then already escape to the alleyways.

So, the cops are off the table.

Great, and this dumbass in particular just so happens to be at the right time in the wrong place. Same dumbass who is a huntsman-in-training. If he doesn't help, then everything he learned at Beacon was for naught. Pyrrha, Miss Goodwitch, Port maybe too.

The clock was ticking. Someone's life is at stake and he's just around the corner, panicking like an amateur, which he is, over what to do. He needs to choose and choose quick, any more doubts or delay, and Tukson is another name on the news or on a statistic.


"Anymore of that and Deery will most likely paint the town red after that Romance guy -unf!" A slew of spit splattered down on the pavement after a brutal gut punch rearranged said guts, leaving the white fang grunt who received the attack left to crumpled onto his knees, wide-eyes and mouth parted-wide gasping for air in just a short second until.

What the hell just happened?

The air, it's the air. His own eyes couldn't have fooled him that there was nobody on the alleyway and yet he just got delivered an express swift punch out of nowhere. Was this karma for his actions against the people on the train? Time was a fickle mistress, and she didn't allow the white fang grunt a chance to reflect and tried as he did, couldn't catch to utter a single word to his mate, who got his back turned to him, before another fist connected towards his face, clean.

One that he was sure cracked his entire nose and sent his body flying towards a wall, leaving several cracks along the impact, but not to add insult to injury, the vibration also shook the mountain of garbage littered the place that turned into an avalanche of trash, burying the man.

Also, might his spine along receive cracks from that.

"What in the brothers?!" The other white fang mook just heard the sounds as he whirls to see absolutely nothing, his friend gone. But he's sure heard that crash loud and clear. Something wasn't right. His instincts were screaming at something, feet stumbling close to the side of the wall, until a clattering sound of the made him recoil for a bit. "Ayn, this isn't funny. Dude, stop!"

Yet only to be greeted by the distance honking of cars and crickets hiding in the nook and crannies.

However, it didn't ease the tension so much towards the grunt. His friend is still gone. Maybe he went inside with the rest, yeah.

Just then, the air started becoming thinner. It was getting harder to breathe, stupid mask, stupid night. The silence lasted once that his very eyes stared in complete shock. His entire weight shifted upwards, the feeling of the ground leaving the soles of his shoes as what he can only realize was an unsee-able force sent him tumbling back headfirst with a punch on the face falling inside the dumpster.

Time itself slowed to a halting stop.

There was stillness, quiet from crickets, nearby party-goers in their clubs all went silent.

All but his own self retained normal movement, and he took to kick back dust with a swift dash towards the last mook, fist raised and winding back and a single punch straight towards the grunt by the dumpster as he stumbled back in comical fashion, the lid closes in on itself, hiding the body.

Two white fang grunts taken care of. All there left for Jaune is to loosen his power on speed-boosters and peeping tom did time return to its usual pace to continue as normal. Sounds of the crickets came back fill the alley.

His body seemingly came to materialize into view out from thin air.

Peeping Tom, Aero-Dash, and Speed-Booster( Time Manipulation ).

There under the fainting orange gleam from the setting sun stood Jaune Arc, his muscles tensed all over, lips parted away for him heaving, taking the short moment he has to recollect himself, his back slumped over, tired with his knuckles bruised red and his hand ache, not to mention the twitching too. It was like his first fight in his dreams. First fight against people, no spar, him against many, kill them or they'll kill him.

Oh, Gods. The churning of his stomach flared painfully, yet chosen to be ignored. This wasn't the time to reenact himself after a ride on a bullhead. He steeled his himself once more for the road.

There was no time to reflect or celebrate, not when there was still trouble needed to be dealt with and he knew it as he picked up a falling white fang mask that had fallen on the ground before he rushes inside with his hoodie over his enters towards the back entrance.

Just then, around the same corner where the blond knight had first arrived, a voice calling out.

"Jaune? You there?"

Soon, a couple of heads popping out from the side belonging to Ruby with a concerned look overtaking her face, holding a pizza box in hand. Then beside her along is the lovable corgi, Zwei, who was also yelping for his other master who went missing. "Arf?"

Ruby was at a loss. She expected her blond best friend to be waiting for her around the corner, but searching the area made no avail with her friend. Where was, "Jaune?"

Six…

"The cabbage head?"

No, eight.

"Nah, the one that walks funny."

Make that twelve.

"The one silver hair? Kid's got a lot of bark, but I can't see no bite because of Adam. Would like for him to show some proper respect to his elders..."

Hold that thought. The actuality of white fang members present is toppling in seventeen grunts ransacking the place. Eighteen if counting Tukson tied up on the ground.

Well, that's more than he can physically handle, he deduces the chances of ever coming close to taking everyone out without making too much of ruckus, he should also mention everyone is close to each-other so taking one-by-one is out of the question.

But there are lots of books scattered about, thrown about on the ground, scattered around on the tables, and some still on the shelves left undisturbed.

This is a bookstore, after all.

Of course, he's Jaune Arc. May he forget about that fact for a significant minute given how his entire life has the universe takes some morbid entertainment by putting him in critical situations even his dry wit will be difficult to talk his way out of would definitely bite him in the rear for it.

"HoldonJaune -Woah!" That voice. Oh no.

Jaune just snapped his back to the shock of Ruby and Zwei, who bear equally shocked expressions as they stood idly with scythe and fangs at the ready to attack their friend's potential kidnappers by the door he came in earlier.

Holy Oum, he had just forgotten about her.

There was a pause. Absolutely no clue how to explain all of this to her. He's a pretty adequate liar, not that it helped him much, he just never saw most reason as to, but the fact he's standing over several unconscious white fangs and without his trusty sword by his hand is going to make some audacious mental gymnastics at Ruby to even somewhat believe what she and Zwei is witnessing.

Hey, Ruby! So, funny story, just walked into a possible criminal dealing gone wrong. Funny. Don't mention why I entered the building, which would also count as breaking and entering a private property. Totally forget about that part.

Yeah, Jaune knows the simple fact Ruby is childish and gullible sometimes, but she's not a child, and definitely won't fall easily to whatever lie when it's related to being a huntsman. She's too curious for her own good.

His head had so much in mind to revert to just deny and deny or downplay if possible. "H-hey, funny seeing you… guys here." Maybe it'll work, starting with straightening himself out of his stance comprising a hand gripping on some mook by the collar of his shirt as the blond shoves the man down and gave a little wave complete with slouched shoulders and a dumb smile he forced out.

"Funny story-"

"Y-you took all of them down!?" What? His confused cerulean eyes blinked for a few. Did he hear that right? "That's so cool!" Oh… Okay. "And without your sword. Oh man, without weapons, no less. Wait till Yang hears about this." No, not right!

Something to expect, Ruby practically zipped across the room, avoiding books and knocked out white fangs comfortably laying on the ground while Zwei was channeling his inner amphibian and hopped from the mountains of books to the unconscious bodies littering the floor and even emanating a groan from them each time when the good-boy lands.

She pulled herself closed, silver eyes assessing his body, possibly for injuries or something. There's a glistening sparkle in her eyes whilst she did. He didn't want to push his luck and just kept shut for her to be done with. "You actually beat all of them down? Pyrrha's training on you must be finally paid off!" Another compliment, yet felt undeserving.

There was another pause. Jaune's brain on full processing as he realized. Oh, yeah… her training… Totally her training. Sure, let's go with that.

"Yes."

Well, he tried to act cool with a deep voice and all, but ended sounding stupid. He dropped that stupid faux voice. "You're uhh… late for the party. Think you can give me a hand with mister Tukson."

"I'll say." She nodded, holstering her Crescent Rose back to somewhere he can't tell. She turns to crouch over to inspect the hulking man laid on the ground as she undid the restraints and places an ear near his chest. "He's breathing, thank Oum. But he'll be knocked out for sometime."

"Thank the eldest brother…" Finally, he felt the much deserved sigh. He felt relieved knowing he did something good, even if the credit is misplaced for the powers and not him entirely.

"So, how did you even manage all of this? Did you channel Pyrrha's strength and barged in guts and glory?"

"Uhm…"

"Ooh, wait. Did you follow Ren's teachings and use your skills and taken everyone by surprise one at a time like a ninja?"

"Ruby, now's not the time."

"Oh, right." A sheepish smile curls along her lips, looking away for a second before returning to flash a smile. "Good job still! I knew you had it in you." A big thumbs up from Ruby as he couldn't help but chuckle at her cute display.

"Think you can help me drag them outside and tie up loose ends? The cops will appreciate it once they arrived."

Jaune didn't know why; maybe at the time he didn't realize it. He must have been paying more attention helping Ruby drag the last of the white fang grunt and for Tukson to be set down where he can lay for a while until the police and paramedics arrive to take over.

Well, now for the tedious part.

Can't say, in the end, he ended up carrying all the mooks while Ruby had the most important job of making sure the rope Tukson uses to package stacks of books would be enough to tie everyone done, if the possibility of them waking up without the police. Even saw her making a little ribbon while she's at it.

Finished cleaning up the trash, the criminals, not the books, however; Ruby suggested they take one last look, be like junior detectives searching for clues why, without the training or know how on where to get started.

Then discounting that there's the fact that he didn't exactly bring up the fact Tukson used to be some white fang big-wig back in the day since it never really came up.

Ruby wasn't interested in who sent the hit and was more on rather the purpose of why. While she had the blond knight just straddle along for the ride.

To have the same ride came to an unfortunate end, as he crouches to deciding to check under the counter for something, anything to link Tukson to why he was targeted in particular.

The angle of pacifism didn't really bode well with the knight.

He's in the idea of a possible bigger picture he has yet to fully grasp. They could have just threatened Tukson into shushing the man, but outright silencing him was overkill. Didn't really shine a good light of faunus advocacy when you're murdering your own that thinks indifferent to the principles of the modern iteration of the white fang's actions.

Be it some ledgers about caches of weapons or terrorist plots, anything at this point.

Instead, his luck stood out in the form of a suspicious device with a spaghetti of colorful wires around it and an alarm clock visible in the middle as his eyes meet the red glow of numbers.

Ticking down.

"Ruby! Zwei!"

Four seconds!

The falling numbers was a cause for alert and Jaune knew it with no more than a moment of action he pulled himself away from the counter and picks up the corgi into his arm before literally into Ruby as he imitated how she would rush to hug him which usually ended in her crashing to his chest and him losing balance and butt on the floor, springing from his feet and onto Ruby's as their bodies clash together and arms of his wrapped around her small frame.

While everything went down, Ruby was confused both in mind and expression, "Heh?!" then again, also flustered at the sudden display of affection she's being shown as she just stumbled out of balance. What was even happening?

Out of her view, Jaune's hand gently grasps the back of her head in pushing her deeper into the embrace; that was enough for his other hand to be inconspicuous, as was it producing a dull-blue bubble-like energy bunched-up covering his hand in.

Hope this works, famous last words for Jaune Arc in his head.


Thank water-based plasmids and vigors... The real heroes.

Jaune let out the biggest sigh he's ever had in a while. The night today certainly deserved that honor, as he his hand ran across to the back of his hair. Today was certainly eventful.

No sarcasm there, it surely was from day to night.

Well, whatever. Turning to the cops writing his statement of what happened. Somewhat of a half skewed version of it. White Fang targeted Tukson because he didn't want to support the movement and was in turn made example out of him. Then that's where himself stepped in a bit too close then got caught up in the middle of it and fought, bomb goes off, he goes back in and stops the fire from spreading by bashing the pipe from the back room lounge area and stopped the fire. Besides that, everyone got out safe by his suggestion of removing everyone out of the premise which helped save lives, Tukson and the intruders, even if almost all of them are terrorist from what Jaune heard the police-officer muttered.

Again, half truth. As long as everyone is okay. A little white lie wouldn't harm no one.

Now the police won't normally take the words of a civilian at face value. But they'll hardly turn dissuaded when it comes from the mouth of a huntsman-in-training; That at least has some added merit from what Yang told him, and she once destroyed a bar for some-reason or another he doesn't want to know but somehow walked off a free woman.

He takes to let the officer do his thing and glances at Ruby where she already was staring at him where she stood holding Zwei, her undying gaze almost as if piercing him, which he felt a bit off but nevertheless gave a lopsided smile and a thumbs up. A good job.

Well, for not having an entire block razed to ashes type of good-job.

The blond's gesture helped Ruby finally snaps out of her daze and returned the gesture back. Jaune supposes Ruby smiled in mutual understanding. What he didn't realize was how her head was now filled with questions.

Ruby, for all of her eccentricities and quirks that defined who she was, didn't know how it happened or what happened. But what she did however know and saw with her own eyes. She wasn't crazy or having a sugar rush to see things that weren't real. That was again, her mind for the fourth time she can count, played the very moment over and over again where she manages to peek through one of the fallen debris while the fire raged inside the bookstore did she caught it. Her own eyes behold something she couldn't explain.

Jaune stood surrounded by the flame where he's spitting out a torrent of water from his fingertips, then summoning geysers from wooden floors and conjuring a waterfall from a hole in the roof. That is certain.

It's nothing short of amazing what Ruby managed to witness. Even now.

But here she is, quietly listening in how a pipe bursting helped stop a raging fire. It just made little sense; why would Jaune lie about such a thing? Why hide such powers? For the life of her she can't understand why all the secrecy? Does Jaune lie that much to hide his powers? Would he or did he already lie to her on about anything at all? Jaune could save a village from the grimm just by flooding down a pack coming close.

It was amazing, like those wizards in the fairy tale books her dad used to tell to her before she falls asleep back then.

Wizard…

That title, It hit Ruby like a feather from a nevermore. Her silver eyes began to glisten from being filled with realization and amazement that it widens as the possibility could just be actually there.

Jaune is a wizard! So that's how it is! He must be hiding his identity! That is cool, a wizard as her friend.

So many possibilities continue to swirl in her head, where it lied mainly how he can utilize those powers fighting against grimm. Could he cast electricity, fire? Maybe run fast, across the world maybe? Summon animals at will? Maybe fly!? Shoot from his fingertips while making gunshot sounds with his mouth?!

Wait, that time at the clinic, her racing mind stopped for a particular moment she had a talk with her blond friend's partner, Pyrrha Nikos, about she and everyone else in the clinic witnessed what they can be only described as just magically healed himself of his own injuries. That is so cool… Could that be his magic? Then there's earlier… the explosion was so close and yet, they managed to jump out completely unscathed, not even a single scratch as no matter how close they were by the blast.

It might as well be with Jaune being always tired at day because he's probably got wizarding duties that keep him up at nights. Ruby thought about that hypothesis and rated it as super likely after what he had witness from the blond knight.

Oh, man… She starts to feel like tonight's biggest loser, to not notice such a coolest thing, just strutting weakly at plain sight every day.

Can he teach her to shoot water out of her hands, too?!

In just a second of that thought, Jaune just sneezed inexplicably out of nowhere, must be the ashes, whcih takes the police with a notepad by surprise for a moment before the blond knight apologized, waving it off and continued with the question.

I'm sure going to be hearing about this to Miss Goodwitch tomorrow, if becoming more than likely, later after she arrives to pick the three of them up after an explosion such as this.

Maybe a glass of water is all I need…


What a wonder day Jaune just had. No nightmares and foiled an assassination attempt out of pure luck by stumbling on it. In just a single day, no less.

Now that's the things Nora would approve. Maybe a bit more leg breaking.

Then turns out he's probably a wizard in hiding, as quoted by Ruby's head.