She had thought herself strong, thought herself capable of both protecting herself and not having to run from danger any longer.

How naïve, how foolish had she been…?

Her muscles ached, and her bones screamed a song of misery and sorrow. She felt like hooks had pierced her skin into the ground, preventing her from moving an inch from her current, drowned spot.

She laid on the ground helplessly. Dark hair covered in dirt, grime, and her own blood. Her body was sprawled across it, several ugly bruises and deep wounds littered across her in a way that not even years at the Glass Unicorn had ever produced. She bit back thick sobs that threatened to slip past features, instead settling for a scream to be drowned out into her arm.

The night felt eternal, the sky an abyssal color she had never once seen before… a shade so dark it reminded her of charcoal. Not a single star appeared to pierce the skies in light, simply eternal blackness as far as the eye could see. Trees were far and few, yet the ones she could spot were ripped apart from the battle that was had, the ground raised in several areas, grass and mud flung in all directions.

The only thing she could see was red, bright… glowing red eyes, dozens even. Grimm surrounded her, watching her crawl the earth on her stomach like a helpless worm. They sniffed, howled, and they cried sounds of melodic carnage. One Beowolf in particular snorted it's snout close to her leg, causing her frozen face to break, to finally allow tears to tread down her cheeks.

"I told you, child. You do not yet understand true power."

All too suddenly, the Grimm stopped. Frozen like the statues she had cleaned at the hotel. She could not raise her head in the direction of the voice, so she instead just slightly managed to turn her head in its general direction.

The… 'woman' sat on a throne made of bones. Her skin, the shade of piercing moonlight, seemed to practically shine in the blackness around her. Her hair had been the same shade as her skin, the back tied like a twisted spiderweb that interlocked together. Her eyes stared Cinder down without a care, that gaze… like a scarlet, blood moon within a pitch black sky.

It frightened her.

Her raven gown draped across her pale figure like shadows clutched around her body. Like a demon, like… a Grimm.

A very powerful Grimm.

It had been six months since her departure from the hotel that claimed her freedom. For months she lived off of whatever scraps she could find, stealing when she could. Eventually she was chased down by the authorities, she wasn't sure if it was because of her murder of the people within the hotel, her stealing, or perhaps both.

Yet in her fleeing, in her dread at having to once again run… she was saved, saved by Grimm- and a thing that could control them. The thought had frightened her, and it still did. Yet the woman offered her a hand, offered her a chance at becoming powerful.

Cinder had snapped at her, declaring that she was already strong.

This… this was the result.

Her eyes could hazily make out the terrifying figure pushing herself off the terrifying throne. Walking towards her with slow, measured steps. Yet even then, every footstep from her heeled feet seemed to radiate a boom that roared in the silent night air. The sound gripped her heart, and her mind.

The woman paused just in front of her, a strangely gentle smile overtaking her lips.

"...and yet, Cinder. I can teach you true power." She paused, lowering a slow hand towards her. "I can make you, truly powerful, truly… free, safe."

The words were uttered with a honey-like tone, one that seemed unnatural on her gruesome features. Yet Cinder had been...gripped by the words, the promise.

The creature smiled at her.

"Do you want that, Cinder?"

/-/

It had been six days since her meeting with Adam. One in which she felt significantly more relaxed about. Perhaps a night out with a bottle of wine really did aid with her own rigid stiffness. The redheaded leader was foolish as always, he had been tremendously steadfast in his motivations; destroy Beacon to spread fear of the White Fang, and find Blake Belladonna. While a motivated man could be attractive at times, a foolish, obsessive one was not. Yet… he did remain easy to manipulate. Simply spread the kind words of the Faunus and target his hate towards Atlas… and he-like all men- was wrapped around the words of a woman.

Her own goals had been tremendously assisted as well. Having managed to already place the virus within the CCT and have the breach increase negativity. Despite the breach having been done ahead of schedule, it did work to increase the use of robotics displayed by Atlas, giving Cinder further manpower while simultaneously further invigorating the White Fang by the increased presence of Atlas.

That was without mentioning all the further advancements in intel Emerald gained from Rose, and the intel she managed to attain from Jaune.

He had been… a surprise of sorts. With their dinner last week, he had surprised her with the admission of how exactly he had entered Beacon. A golden boy having admitted to a serious crime simply so he could achieve his goals. It was… interesting, she had to admit.

That led to where they were right now.

Her daggers hissed against his sword as both weapons clashed together. After booking an actual room this time, they had begun a few drills before finally starting the spar itself. He had improved somewhat since they had begun training; the boy being more confident with his attacks and even going after her for once.

The blonde's eyes narrowed behind his sword as he attempted to quickly pull back and thrust the edge towards her hip. Easily, she sidestepped, placing her foot beside his own, twisting her hips as she thrust out her dagger towards his now open face. With gritted teeth he quickly raised his shield once more, the edge of her blade scraped along his shield, before he quickly leaped back to avoid more of her blows.

"You're learning," She stated with amusement. "-But not quick enough. Keep your shield arm raised when attacking at such a distance. Had I decided to attack you even a little faster, you would have been hit." She smirked, noticing the heat dusting his cheeks as he nodded. Though not for long; as the blond quickly leaped forward, slashing at a downwards arc towards her hip. Raising a brow, she leaped back from the strike, the sound of steel slashing across air like a gunshot from their vicinity. For a moment she considered aiming a blow towards his legs, but she quickly changed her mind, as instead of going for another attack with his sword, the blond would instead barrel forwards with his shield arm raised, attempting to ram into her like a battering ram. It was a sound strategy at such a vicinity, and against someone carrying weapons like her own.

Yet, an attack like that could never work against her.

She leaped into the air, her lithe form twisting around gracefully above the blonde knight. To some it looked like she had practically floated above him. Yet all she had done was use her backwards momentum to jump up and over him.

It was when she was in mid air, just above his body, that she saw it.

His front foot, having turned slightly as he whirled behind, the elbow to his sword arm being raised.

She twisted her body quickly, raising both her daggers just in time. Jaune had twisted his body fully and swung Crocea Mors towards her at an upward arc, using both his arm strength and momentum to throw a devastating backhand slash. Normally she could have parried it without too much of an issue, yet right now? The same could not be said. She had been caught off guard, and even more so she didn't have any leverage to her feet. Without too much of a choice; she clenched her fingers along the grip of her blades, blocking the strike as the edge of Jaune's sword impacted her daggers thunderously. Her arms buckled slightly, as she was then sent flying backwards from the force.

She grit her teeth, the bones in her arms aching in agony as her knees tucked in, feet meeting the ground as she slid along it to face him.

What…had happened?

Jaune wouldn't have had the time to realize what she was doing, use his momentum, and spot her all at the same time if he couldn't even see her. Had he purposely baited her into doing such a move? She was moving backwards so it would make more sense, but…

She would have never fallen for such a trick normally. She became careless, and in her carelessness the blond utilized it to his advantage. If he had been a stronger opponent she could have been in trouble from that alone.

Narrowing her amber eyes; she spotted him. He looked… surprised that his gamble had actually worked. Maybe even a little bit of astonishment and pride mixed in.

Her anger would rise like a bile up her stomach. Eyes narrowing into blazing candles that stared at him like the flames of an untempered inferno.

/-/

Jaune was positively giddy.

Jaune knew she was good, really good. She more than likely only half paid attention to him when they fought. Hell she could have read a book and fought him at the same time!

So he tried something different. He couldn't actually normally hit her most of the time. She usually just dodged, parried, or blocked everything he threw. Perhaps he may have landed a skinned slice once or twice, but it was weak hits that sparingly probed her aura.

So… he needed to try something different. Use her carelessness to his advantage. He couldn't actually hit her with a mighty swing because she just dodged. So he needed to put her into a place that didn't leave much room…

Pyrrha taught him the strongest blows were the ones you didn't see, and he knew she was right.

The subsequent plan that he totally didn't spend all night thinking about was enough to actually leave the raven haired woman surprised. That alone was enough to leave him frozen to his feet, Jaune simply stared at her with wide, happy eyes.

That did not last for long.

He usually didn't speak much when they were fighting, Cinder made sure to punish him every time they did by hitting him when he was distracted. Now though? He practically released a squeal as Cinder rocketed forwards. He briefly caught the sight of black hair whipping against smooth, fair coloured cheeks as angry eyes glared holes through him.

If looks could kill, he would be six feet under.

He backpedaled clumsily and quickly. Swinging his sword widely to ward her off. She merely ignored his attacks, and propelled herself to his side by going around him and angling herself properly to rotate around his vicinity. He had just the time to raise his shield towards the left side of his face, and block the slashing blow to his cheek, but not the foresight to block the kick to the side of his knee.

He fell onto one leg, practically kneeling at her feet.

...this actually isn't such a bad position to be in now that he thought abou-

The subsequent thoughts were cut off by a devastating kick to his cheek. His head snapped sideways as a ringing voice filtered into his scrambled brain. He had unintentionally jabbed his sword into the ground when he fell to one knee, and that leverage was enough to prevent him from getting sent flying from the kick, but as Cinder pulled back her leg and threw a kick to his chin, he was sent staggering away.

He fell onto his back, skidding along the ground like a pebble sent across a lake. With his grip somehow still firm around his sword, the boy turned his body to stop right at his knees.

Cinder stood a few meters away, one dagger pulled back into a reverse grip while the other was aimed in his direction. Her left foot was propped forwards, heel raised slightly off of the ground…

She looked good. Really good, even better with the coquettish smirk that danced on her lips.

...okay he really needed to get his head in the game.

"O-okay.." He just barely managed, shifting himself to get more leverage upon the ground. "H-how's about we Uhm...take it from the top?"

The look she sent him was all that he needed to know. She lazily sauntered over to him, swinging her hips and dangling her arms. He gulped, staggering to his feet as Cinder's smile only grew.

"This isn't over until one of us has lost."

Just like that she was on him. There were times when they fought that Cinder's movements seemed to quite literally blur. Blur in a way that even Ruby would be impressed by. This was one of those times. He clumsily swung in the direction of her movements, but ultimately hit nothing but air, before being sent staggering back due to a strike at his shoulder.

He grunted, gripping Crocea Mors tighter around his ironclad hold. She fought like a viper; striking him from all over with fast and precise blows that made him overwhelmed with such ferocity. He could do nothing but swing to try and ward her off, but that wasn't enough to give him the breathing room he needed. Raising his shield in time to block another slash, he attempted to barrel forwards once more, yet this time she rotated her body along with the shield and slashed at his ribs, groaning from the pain, he swung at her with so little skill that he may as well have been carrying a bat. Ducking under the sword she moved in, delivering a final strike to his face that laid him out on his back.

His aura protected him, yes, but it didn't protect him from his pain...or from his pride…

"Gahhh…." He groaned, clutching his aching head with a tight hold. He was used to getting this treatment, but with Cinder it almost seemed… worse. The way she struck him seemed to be designed to cause him as much suffering as she possibly could give.

"Couldn't hold back a little?" He whined, only for her to roll her eyes.

"I was holding back."

He gulped, pressing his sword into the ground as he pushed himself onto one knee. Cinder looked… fine. As if the whole ordeal had done nothing to her. His one good hit was completely forgotten.

He felt… bad. While he was still new to this whole thing, he had still been getting training from Pyrrha for months now, and by now he had been training with Cinder for at least a month. What did he have to show for it? Nothing at all. Getting a good fight in class once or twice maybe, but overall? He felt...slumped. Even worse; he felt like he was disappointing both Pyrrha and Cinder.

Tomorrow was their last class, too. It felt like the first semester had gone by in a blur… Initiation, Cardin, training, the dance, The Breach…

Their first semester would be ending soon, and after that; a two week break, followed by the second semester. His last chance to show them that he had improved would be coming tomorrow. To show them that their efforts in training him had not been for naught.

A gnawing feeling cut deep into his chest. Weathering away at his foundation as self doubt found itself flooding his consciousness. Could he really show them what he could do? Could he really prove to the others that he wasn't a lost cause? It wasn't just a matter of proving it to them…

It was a matter of proving it to himself too.

Proving to himself that their faith had not been misplaced, proving to himself that he wasn't a screw up, that he wasn't a failure. That the lack of faith his parents held for him wouldn't hold him back…

But what if he failed?

What if his parents had been right? What if he wasn't meant for his life? That his dream wasn't something attainable for someone like him? That his efforts were worthless, his dream nothing but a childish fantasy desired by a weak boy who wanted nothing more than to be strong, to save people, to be someone who his parents could be proud of. Someone that he could be proud of.

He could fail them, and fail himself.

He raised his head, sapphire orbs catching the sight of Cinder. She stood with both her hands raised, pulling her raven locks back and away from her eyes. Those golden irises shined like candles, and radiated like twin sunsets that lit up the skies. She tilted her stunning face towards him, and when their eyes met, he couldn't help but feel a tightness at his chest.

He could not, would not fail.

/-/

The day came and went, combat class approached like a devastating storm. The whole day he had been nervous. His knees felt like jelly, his head light, and his fingers constantly fidgeted with whatever he could get his hands on.

"...I can have a goal and still be nervous…" he muttered to himself as he sat down upon his usual seat. Miss Goodwitch once again stood at the center of the room with her usual scrutinizing look, usually he shied away from her every time her eyes passed by his form, yet this time he let it happen, he held his head high, he at least tried to show that he was ready.

His team hadn't been completely unaware of what he was going through. Nora had tried engaging him more than usual multiple times, Ren kept sending him concerned glances, and Pyrrha had tried to ask why he looked so nervous multiple times.

He bid them a silent apology, but this was partially for them, and definitely for Pyrrha.

After the initial proceedings of the class, Goodwitch returned to the center. "As always; do we have any volunteers to begin our class with?"

Nobody perked up as usual. Some simply preferred to wait to get picked on, and… well nobody really enjoyed being first.

It was with a slow and tentative pace that he raised his hand. Goodwitch caught his eye a moment later, raising a blonde brow as her sharp, jade colored eyes watched him with an analytical look.

"I'd like to volunteer… and Uhm, I'd like to challenge Cardin Winchester."

The class was silent, and he could practically feel Pyrrha's eyes bore into his skull. Ruby looked at him with concern, while Yang had a broad grin stretched across her lips. All eyes were on him- yet not a single person uttered a word.

"All right! Break his legs, fearless leader!"

...and then Nora happened.

Goodwitch blinked, sighing as she shifted and reaffirmed her eyes on him. "Very well, Mr. Winchester?"

"I'll do it." He huffed, pushing himself into a standing position as he made his way over to the change rooms. He made a move to stand up too, but paused upon feeling Pyrrha grip his wrist.

"Py-"

"Jaune." She interrupted, fixating him with a hard gaze. She was always so pretty, but when Pyrrha wanted to be stern… she could definitely look the part.

"Did Cardin set you up on this? Are...are you being-"

"This isn't like Forever Fall." He interrupted, eyes focused on her own with a reassuring look. "Trust me Pyrrha, I want this."

"But-"

"We do not have all day, Mr. Arc." Glynda interrupted, causing him to nod as he quickly pulled away from a hesitant Pyrrha, making his way down towards the changing rooms.

On his way down, his gaze would briefly find Cinder. She looked… amused? A single dark eyebrow was raised, while a small smirk was stretched upon her lips.

He tried his best to give her a smile, turning back with a breath of air leaving his lips. He made it to his locker and shakingly put on his gear, making his way out towards the stage with measured movements. His eyes met the hard gaze of Cardin, the taller boy crossing his arms over his chest. Jaune grasped his blade, sliding it from its sheath, raising it horizontally across his frame, before then grasping the sheath and deploying it into its shielded form.

"I don't plan on holding back." Cardin stated as he eyed up the blond, voice surprisingly not overly hostile. "So I don't know what you're planning here, Jauney boy."

"Yeah…" He sighed, putting together a weak smile. "Me neither."

So, this chapter and the next chapter are what I like to refer to as the "battle chapters". They are the first major "battles" we have within the fic. Originally it was all suppose to be one chapter, but I felt as though it was too long and having two battles in one chapter feels too cramped. So I will be cutting them into two.

So we had a little more Cinder Background, Jaune becoming more battle ready, and Jaune's feelings of wanting to be enough for his team, his self doubt, and finally Jaune deciding that he will show them how strong he is rather than be sad about it. This was actually one of the more fun chapters to write.

Hope you all enjoyed. Remember to comment what you guys think and if you liked the story then follow and fav- or don't- ;)

Until next time, folks.