The covid-19 needs to end already cause I want to work on this more.

As soon as he stepped out of the headmasters office he noticed Cinder and Vernal waiting for him. Closing the door behind him he walked between the two so they could walk and talk "you were in there for quite some time, anything we should know about" Cinder asked. Jaune shrugged his shoulders "nothing really, just giving our mistress a run down of all that's been happening while I've been in vale".

Cinder waved her finger side to side "oh jaune, you really shouldn't try to lie, you've never been good at it". A smile spread across his face "can't blame a guy for trying although the fact you can see through me after all this time makes me wonder if you've been spying on me". Cinder turned away from him but didn't deny his accusation, that was something he'd have to remember for later.

Vernal punched him gently in the arm to gain his attention "so what's the plan? We haven't been together like this in a while, we should celebrate with some drinks".

"I'd love to but unfortunately I've got people waiting for me and I think I kept them waiting long enough".

Vernal didn't seem very happy about that and she made that known when she pulled him into a headlock. Jaune struggled to get free but Vernal wouldn't let go "so what, your new friends are more important than us"? He turned his head slightly so he could speak "that's not what I meant" Vernal squeezed harder "then what you brought a girlfriend "?

When jaune didn't answer, both Cinder and Vernal exchanged quick looks with each other completely unaware that jaune couldn't answer because he was suffocating in vernals breast. Realizing where jaunes head was caused Vernal to drop him quickly "what the hell are doing" she screamed as she covered her chest. Jaune rubbed his throat as he took a deep breath of air "I thought I was gonna die, that would have been embarrassing".

Normally it took a lot to make cinder truly laugh but in that moment even she couldn't help the snicker that escaped through her hand as she covered her face. Vernals face turned red "what do you mean embarrassing" jaune gave her a deadpan look "you think I want people to remember I got killed by a pair of tits "? He waved a hand in front of his face before standing up "I'd rather fight Ozpin one on one then allow that to happen".

Vernal turned away angrily leaving jaune to speak a little more with cinder "I'm telling you she's definitely more violent lately". Cinder rolled her eyes at jaunes obliviousness "alright I think we've wasted enough time playing around, vernal it's time to go". Vernal sighed before following after cinder "it was nice to see you again jaune, do try to stay out of trouble" cinder said before she turned towards a separate hallway from the one he was on.

Vernal spun around to look at him "give me your number before we go since now you owe me a drink the next time we see each other".

"Sure" he exchanged numbers with her and waved her off before heading down the other hallway, now alone with his thoughts a frown formed. He had learned a lot, more than he thought possible when he first arrived and that helped lift the weight he felt but what about Saphron? If she learned the truth about what happened to their family she'd join Ozpin in a heartbeat if it meant she'd have a chance to get at Salem.

He couldn't allow that, he didn't want to choose between his families which is why this secret would stay with him only. While his mind was occupied with thoughts of possible future scenarios he ended up near the front entrance, pushing his thoughts aside he looked around. "I wonder where they took off to" he thought about it seriously but the longer he went without an answer the more worried he became.

Eventually deciding that he wasn't going to get anywhere by just thinking, he set off around the academy looking for anyone causing trouble. Yang would probably clobber him if she knew he considered ruby and her trouble magnets, honestly speaking they definitely were with how much trouble they get into. Just as predicted, he came upon a crowd of second year huntsmen that seemed to enjoy watching a few huntsmen in training take on a single girl.

Yang ducked and weaved past a few strikes until one second year aimed low and nailed her knee with his staff causing her to fall forward so two others could attack. Quite frankly four against one was definitely unfair and yet neither Coco nor ruby seemed to be up there helping her. Jaune pushed passed the crowd until he reached the front of the ring where he found both Coco and ruby watching the fight take place.

Ruby was so clearly focused on the fight that she didn't notice jaune come up behind her until he placed a hand on her head. Ruby's body froze until he spoke "hey guys I'm back" Coco and ruby turned to see him standing there watching the fight. "This fight is unfair, why aren't any of you up there helping her" ruby looked downcasted but Coco used her thumb to point to a few people nearby "if we try and help those fourth years will join in".

So they were obviously being threatened, he watched as yang was knocked off her feet leaving the four second years to surround her. Jaune sighed deeply before pushing forward to climb into the arena "well they never said anything about me" he said to his two companions. Yang quickly got to her feet and tighten her guard just in case she was attacked from any angle.

A sword wielder that stood just behind yang lifted his sword and was ready to attack when a hand caught his wrist before he could move. Yang and the rest of the students watched as jaune held the second year from moving with one hand while on his scroll with the other. "Yes headmaster there are a few of them, if you like I can take a video...understood" jaune aimed his scroll at the students that surrounded yang.

The students looked just as confused as yang felt until the sword wielder asked what he had just done. Jaune gave an innocent smile that yang recognized as one of neo's for when terrible things were about to happen. "Headmaster lionheart wanted to know which people he needed to expel for attacking an innocent visitor so I thought I'd oblige" he said as he tapped on the screen of his scroll.

Every student that was close enough to hear him began to back away but one of the fourth years stepped forward "calm down, it's obviously a lie so he could help his friend". Jaune turned to the fourth year and snapped a picture before typing something else in, after a few seconds of silence the loud speak started up and five students name's were called to lionhearts office. After putting his scroll into his pocket he turned to the fourth year once more and smiled viciously "still think I'm lying"?

The five students walked away looking very worried while jaune jumped off the stage. He'd have to remember to thank vernal for sending him Leo's contact info "didn't think I'd have to use this so quickly" he whispered to himself as he rejoined ruby and Coco. Yang was far from happy when she grabbed jaunes shoulder and spun him to face her "what the hell were you thinking butting in like that"?

He didn't really see any reason for her to be upset "maybe instead of yelling at me you should thank me for saving you". Yang gave a sarcastic laugh before rounding on him once more "save me? The only thing you did was make me look like a coward who couldn't fight there own battle" she said as she jabbed her finger into his chest. Jaune smacked her hand away "it wasn't your own battle in case you didn't notice-" he motioned to ruby and Coco "-otherwise they wouldn't have been threatened to watch helplessly while you fought and lost".

Yang clenched her fists but kept herself from just decking him and calling it a day "I didn't need their help anymore than I needed yours besides they were chumps anyways". Jaune laughed sarcastically "if they were chumps then I guess that makes you pretty weak since they were winning". Coco placed her hands on ruby's shoulders and pulled her away from the two blondes just as Yangs eye's switched from violet to red.

Her words came through gritted teeth, obviously trying to hold herself back "Don't you ever call me weak again". Jaune crossed his arms quickly but ruby managed to see the silver from his handgun "then stop acting like it". Their movement was quick as yang had ember celica pointed at his face and jaune had his gun pushed into her neck.

The angle he held his gun prevented her from punching him but she could still shoot him if she wanted to. Seconds ticked by before he spoke "we didn't come here for a fight so let's get back to enjoying are trip" yang didn't budge for a few seconds before she stood upright. Ember celica shifted back to it's compact form as she folded her arms and glared at him "I really hate you sometimes you know that". Jaune chuckled as he put his gun away "you'll love me again after I treat you to some food" yang smiled "Don't let neo hear you say something like that".

Jaune couldn't help but feel confused "why do they keep bringing neo up like that" he asked himself. Once they were all set they left back to the motel they were staying at to get some rest for the tournament tomorrow.

/

Outskirts of mistral

Quietly they waited for their assassin to reveal himself until Nora got bored "is he here yet"? Vernal ignored her leaving Ren to deal with her as usual "not yet" he said calmly. Sometimes she wondered why she made them her subordinates, Ren yes but Nora was a loose cannon with more energy than she knew what to do with. Vernal thought about it and remembered why, pity, that was the only reason why she took them in.

She looked to her side and saw emerald and cinder chatting about something so she decided to listen in on their conversation.

Emerald always admired cinders cold and calculating persona but seeing her act the way she did in the headmasters office puzzled her. She was nervous but she pushed through to ask "cinder" the older woman turned to regard her "about that boy we met". Cinder smiled "go on" Emerald fidgeted slightly "I was wondering who he was exactly" the question seemed innocent but cinder could read between the lines and could see the jealousy in her eye's.

Cinder mulled it over for a minute but it was vernal who answered "he's someone who's very important to are mistress". Vernal stood up and made her way over to them "he's the third person in are group who's been trained by master Alec". Ren and Nora exchanged looks with one another as Emerald frown at vernal "well he doesn't look like anything special".

This time it was cinder who spoke up "never judge a book by it's cover Emerald, that boy as you put it has the intelligence and skills capable to rival us if need be". Emeralds eyes widened in surprise "Sure he maybe good but surely he can't rival you cinder"? Cinder sighed in frustration when vernal spoke "your brown nosing makes you look like an idiot you know that".

Emerald glared at her but Vernal ignored it "what cinder said is more accurate than she's letting you believe, seeing as how she's never beaten him in a fight". Cinder frowned but didn't deny her claims "you make it seem like I'm the only one who hasn't beaten him". Vernal shrugged her shoulders "yeah, well there isn't any reason for me to see him as an enemy as you seem to".

Emerald looked between the two and couldn't really believe her ears, they both acknowledge that someone was superior to them "how"? Both cinder and vernal turned to her "how can he be better, he looked like a complete idiot that didn't know what he was doing". They were going to answer but were interrupted by a unfamiliar voice "well at least finding you all was easy".

Everyone turned towards where the voice came from to see a hooded elder man sitting on a rock "Marcus Black at your service if the price is right". Cinder quickly took charge of the situation "you were paid in advanced correct" Marcus nodded "that was just to get me out here, I'm talking about the fee for my services". Tension was rising but Marcus didn't seem to care "very well, you'll be paid an additional amount to get the job done, I'd say around what we paid in advance".

Marcus stood from his rock and smiled "I'd better get to work than" he stopped and turned to cinder "miss Nikos right"? Cinder nodded and Marcus took his leave.

"This plan of yours better work cinder" said vernal

"I've taken the time to carefully plan this and with any luck we'll have gained two new soldiers in are fight against Ozpin" she said happily.

Bad things are happening in the shadows, just what could cinder be planning. On a different note there's yang and her problem with being weak...yeah you can thank Raven for that.