*Ping!*

A notification interrupts an online game of Grimm Wars 2 with the new expansion: Death or Dishonor. Jaune was setting up for an amazing play with a grenade, putting it next to a tipped oil barrel, causing an explosion that would have killed several enemies on a roof. But alas…


The DLC for Grimm Wars 2 are named as a reference to Hearts of Iron IV's DLC. I like those kind of mapping games.


"Damnit! Who is it from!"

He checks. It is from Glynda? Why?

Hello Mr. Arc! Congratulations on your release from the hospital. I must inform you that you are to undergo more training at 2:00 PM. Do not be late!
-Professor Goodwitch

He checks the time. It's already 1:50!

He cancels the game, rushes to grab his weapon and other necessities, and sets off back toward the training arenas.

He makes it with but a minute to spare. Glynda still is not here, probably waiting to make her entrance at 2:00:00.0000 like last time.

His eyes take a quick look around. Where is Yatsuhashi? His presence is sorely missed in this otherwise empty room.

Time is up. Glynda arrives at 2:00 sharp with a large bag.

"Alright Mr. Arc! Today you will learn how to manipulate dust! This is a very important tool in fighting Grimm. These crystals will extend the boundaries of what you can do in battle."

She takes out several types of crystals and places them next to Jaune.

"I'm sure you know what these are, correct?"

Jaune stares at her with a blank expression on his face.

"No…"

Glynda looks at him disapprovingly. She expected him to not have too much knowledge, but this bad?!

"You do not know what dust is?"

"I-I don't…"

It takes a bit to compose herself. She knows what class is about to be added to the schedule…

"*sigh* I will give you a quick rundown. The red crystal is fire dust, it creates fire. The purple one is gravity dust. It can manipulate gravity. The light blue one is Ice dust. I think you can take it from there. The orange one is rock dust. The darker blue one is water dust. This light green one is air dust. Do you have any questions so far?"

"No ma'am."

"Good. Go into the arena on the left."

Jaune complies. This arena is as simple as can be, containing only one wall with a relatively small window.

He goes into the right side, Glynda puts down two crystals, one fire, and one water, right on top of each other.

"What do you think will happen If I combine these crystals?"

No need to have experience with dust to figure out this one.

"Steam!"

"Correct. Maybe you can learn the principles of dust."

She cracks her whip in the direction of the crystals, causing them both to explode, and the effects combine instantly to fill the left side with steam.

"Interesting behavior, is it not, Mr. Arc?"

"It is. It looks so cool!"

"Now that you know that Dust crystals can combine, I will let you try yourself."

Glynda edits some settings, and a single training droid pops out of the ceiling, unmoving.

"Due to your lack of a proper weapon, we will have to do this in possibly the most inefficient way possible…"

She stacks a fire and a gravity crystal on top of each other.

"Before you start this next exercise, I have to tell you one thing: You can change exactly what a Dust crystal will do with your thoughts. Gravity dust can be used to both go against gravity and increase its power, its the usage that makes the difference."


This was done because I had no real clue how Dust works. I just made this up because I really didn't understand the wiki's explanation of it, but after re-looking at it with better knowledge, this is actually pretty much the correct way to do it.

Although being tied in with Aura is a bit weird… if one was at 0% Aura, would they still be able to use dust? Would packaged things like Ammo still work, but not something like Myrtenaster? That's probably not the only questions that would be raised with this…

Also, one out of two on its/it's… dammit.


"Now, the goal is very obvious. Stab those crystals with your sword."

Jaune does so, and the effects combine, creating a positive fiery gravity well. Luckily, the smaller gravity Dust crystal means that Jaune and his sword are not stuck in place.

With effort, he moves his sword up to the sky with as much speed as he can, but can not reach the droid. The logical part of his brain kicks in and does another upward swinging motion, this time focusing more on pushing the fire upward. It works! The droid catches on fire and falls to the ground.

Glynda is impressed. For someone who has so little knowledge, he sure is picking up on things quite easily…

She presses another button and the wall collapses. A forest of training dummies then spawn all around Jaune.

He doesn't need instructions. Fire bursts forth from the sword at an incredible pace, mowing down the dummies like a wrecking ball mowing down little wooden huts. He even uses the curve of the arena to his advantage, throwing a special fire shot that takes a ring path all the way around. After 45 seconds, all 130 or so dummies are gone.

Glynda is cheering a bit on the inside, but that doesn't translate to the surface, where the normal emotionless look still reigns on her face.

"You are doing surprisingly well. However, these tests were easy. When you get a proper weapon, I will introduce movement into the equation. You will be given three days to think about your new weapon design. There will be severe consequences if you do not show up with a Dust-capable weapon."

Jaune's face breaks into a smile, as he can imagine all the good weapon ideas that he could use.

"You will get a deposit of 6000 Lien to get a new weapon. This will be enough for all but the most extravagant of weapon designs. Take inspiration from everyone around you, Mr. Arc. Every huntsman in existence has "borrowed" ideas from somewhere. This training is over. Go think about your future. But I advise one thing: no whip. There is only enough room for one whip user around here."

He goes off back to his dorm, mind set ablaze with new ideas. Maybe a sword that is infused with switchable Dust? How about a sword that can take the earth up with me to stand on? That would be amazing to tower over all the Grimm!


This training scene is criminally short. Also nice random perspective switch at the last minute.


-️-️-️-️Pyrrha POV-️-️-️-

This lunch sure is good! It is a salad today, with lots of lettuce and fresh vegetables to create a flavorful, healthy dish. I dig into my third bite. This salad is excellent. Then a lock of blond hair slides into my view.

Jaune.

Appetite gone. He's not stupid enough to come here this time, instead moving into the line. Why does he look so happy? Why does he get to stay here while I get to suff-

Mental reset. Focus on the food, Pyr…

But what gets me is that he doesn't even seem phased by anything! How?!

We should have scared his brains out last night! He should not be walking around here like everything is fine!

He made it to the front of the line. I watch him as he goes to get the food.

He doesn't get any food.

I ignore the dark vortex encroaching on my mind and continue watching.

I hear the short conversation go on between Jaune and the lunch person:

"Do you have any of that new cake?"

"The Lemon? No, we don't. It was cleaned out yesterday."

"By who?"

"That I cannot tell. But man, they sure did enjoy it… Those five cleared it out within minutes."

"Those five, huh? Of course. Thanks anyway."

That lemon cake sure did taste good. Wait, I need to focus!

I watch him continue on out of the line. He walks close by and sees me.

He stops dead in his tracks. Several reactions cross his face before he turns and runs far, far away.

Was I really that threatening?

I guess I was. Oh well, he deserves to be scared like that. Maybe it will get him out of here faster.

I return to my salad. The lettuce is now soggy. Oum dammit Jaune! Every time you show up my life gets worse!

I text the members of RWBY about what just happened.

Jaune is back again. He seems happy. Too happy. Why didn't the scare work on him?!

Several people are typing…

This many people have an opinion on him? Wow, he really is divisive, isn't he!

I take a quick check at the members. At the top is Yang, the one who started this whole thing. Then me, the rest of RWBY, Coco, and Velvet.

Where is Cardin? Whatever, not important right now. What is important is the reactions. I switch back over to the main chat and…


I wanted to make them separate from Cardin, but apparently they're the same. And Cardin is apparently liked. By Pyrrha of all people.


I don't know. Maybe it's the help he has been getting.

I knew we should have kicked his balls in!

Just wait. The isolation will eventually exhaust him out and he will leave.

I'm tired of waiting! Can't we just attack him?

No, because then Ozpin will just put another chip on his shoulder. Just take this one slow.

Not even a little nudge? Like tripping him or something?

Yeah!

You could, but then what?

Uhhh…

I don't really know what to think. I want him expelled from the academy, but is it really necessary to push him down like this?

I know what I can do! I'll just do some quick reconnaissance! Figure out where he's going, and just scare him again. If a simple stare can make him crumple, following him will be even better!

Look, look. Blake is right, don't be so hasty to hurt him. I'll go follow him around a bit. I'll give him another scare and this situation will be gone!

You go girl! Scare the drabby pants off of him!

Yeah!

I take the empty bowl up and scan around, looking for where he might have gone.

I leave the cafeteria and the path splits in two. Which one do I go down?

RWBY and NPR are on the right, so I doubt it would be over there. I turn to the left. It'll be so easy to scare him again. His reaction will be so priceless!

(A/N: And now it really starts.)