A month and a half had passed since team RWBY's first day of school. Since that time, everything was going quite well for Ruby.

Thanks to their one-on-one talk, Her and Weiss' relationship was slowly being patched up bit-by-bit. They occasionally traded notes and had study sessions with one another while occasionally giving tips and advice whenever they practiced combat with each other. Yang found it cute, while Blake was kinda baffled by it actually.

Speaking of which, nothing much changed with either girl. Yang was still the fun and loving sister that often teased Ruby at her social development. Blake was still fun to hang around with. She and Ruby still found time to read and exchange selections of books and genres (with the exception of Blake's 'spicy' taste in literature).

With all that said, there was almost no other problem and mystery that needed to be resolved. Key word being 'almost', because there was still one more mystery that Ruby had yet to crack.

RIIIINNNGGG.

Who the hell was Jaune Arc?!

"-Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your scroll in combat."

This would be the 4th battle Jaune had lost since the start of combat class. Each time he entered the ring, the match ended with the blonde either on his face or his back. Each fight, Ruby noticed, he fought like some child who found their parent's weapon and decided to play pretend with it. No defense or attack stances, terrible footwork, blind swings that caused either the weapon to bounce or him to lose grip and drop it (sometimes both).

Each battle left the rest of team JNPR to stare and watch their team leader get pummeled by his opponent. Ren's face showed no emotion, but he couldn't help but flinch each time Jaune got smacked around. Nora, for the least, kept cheering him and constantly yelled to 'break their legs!'. However, Pyrrha looked to be taking it the worst in comparison to the others. Similar to Nora, she kept cheering her team leader on and even yelled out some advice for him. But unlike Ren, Pyrrha always showed a pained expression each time Jaune was hit and tossed to the ground.

Speaking of whom, the blonde in question was, as well, not looking too great. While Professor Goodwitch was lecturing both him and his opponent, Cardin Winchester, Jaune looked to be a few seconds away from collapsing. He was, once again, sprawled on his back trying to catch his breath. His breathing was erratic and unfocused as sweat profusely came down his face. Honestly, he looked like crap, and probably felt like it as Cardin continued to smirk proudly at Jaune's defeat while the Professor continued to lecture about the mistake during battle.

Fortunately, the grilling from Professor Goodwitch was cut short by the academy bell ringing. With a sigh at the lost time, she quickly started her finishing remarks.

"Remember everyone. The Vytal Festival is just a few months away. It won't be long until the students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing. Keep in mind that those who are competing in the combat tournament would be representing all of Vale. Class dismissed."

And with that, all the students packed up their stuff and headed for lunch.

While Jaune was getting himself off the ground, he quickly winced in pain as the boot of Cardin trampled over his hand. With a widening smirk on his face, the tormentor hastily left before either team RWBY or the rest of JNPR could do anything.

Pyrrha was first by the blonde's side to check on him. "Jaune? Are you alright?"

"We'll remember that, Winchester! Your legs are next!" Nora loudly yelled after Cardin as he blended into the crowd of students.

Jaune lowered his head and was completely silent as Ren and Yang helped him back on his feet. The only evident emotion he had was the disappointed frown on his own face.


Jaune's dejected attitude continued through Lunch break. Team RWBY and NPR tried to go on like things were normal. Nora was narrating the story of some dream she had to Yang (with the occasional correction from Ren). Blake and Weiss were doing their own thing, reading a book and filing a nail respectively. While everyone around the table took notice of Jaune's mood, only Pyrrha and Ruby showed concern as he continuously picked and prodded his food.

"Jaune? Are you okay?" Pyrrha started.

Hearing her got Jaune to snap out of his own thoughts. "Huh? Oh, yeah…Why?"

Everyone around the table stopped what they were doing and gave the blonde boy an anxious look. But his attention was actually turned towards Cardin and his team, who are currently picking on a lone bunny faunus student.

"Jaune, Cardin has been picking on you since the first week of school."

"Cardin? Nah, he just likes to mess around. You know, practical jokes." quickly defended Jaune.

Weiss immediately countered. "Arc, you know Winchester has been nothing but a ruffian and a bully."

"Please, name one time."

Blake started. "First week of school, the first interaction he had with you was to trip you over, along with stepping on your dropped books."

"Well-"

Then Ren. "Same week, he stuffed you in one of the lockers and launched you far from school."

"I didn't land too fa-"

Finally, Ruby. "Earlier today, after beating you to a pulp, he still had the gaul to step on you while you were down. And I'm not even mentioning the other times in combat class"

The boy in question was silent as he nervously rubbed the back of his head. Pyrrha placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jaune, you know if you need help you can just ask us."

"Guys, really. It's not a big deal." Jaune attempted to soothe. "I can handle whatever he throws at me."

"Ow! That hurts!"

Their conversation would then be interrupted by the cries of distress. Turning, they all found Cardin pulling on the long ears of the same faunus he and his team were picking on.

"See! I told you they were real!" Cardin proudly said.

"What a freak!" another member of his team responded before going back to laughing.

Watching the scene completely infuriated Ruby. Back in her days as Robin, she had often encountered and stopped hate crimes against faunus in Mantle. Few of them allow her to witness inhumane crimes against faunus that made her stomach twirl. Hell, one of her old Titans friends was a victim of such a crime. It's because of that she and Bruce try to fix that inequality, whether it be in suit or not. But honestly, what bothered her the most currently was that nobody seemed to do anything to stop this. Has it become a norm for people not to act against this?

Before Ruby could do anything, she noticed that Jaune had already got up from his seat and was headed to Cardin and his team. This won't end well.

Once there, Jaune immediately confronted the leader. "Let her go, Cardin."

Seeing his often blonde victim, the bully just smirked and let the ears go. The faunus girl quickly thanked her savior before running off. That left Jaune against the entirety of team CRDL.

"You got pretty big kahunas, Arc. What were you going to do if I did otherwise, huh?" said Cardin as he stood taller than him. "Want me to remind you of combat class?"

"I'm not afraid of you, Cardin. And I don't care what you're capable of doing." Jaune bravely answered without hesitation.

His response only made the bully chuckled, which then evolved into a hearty laugh as the rest of his team joined in. Once they finished, Cardin raised his hands in a sort of 'surrender' as he took a couple steps back. Jaune internally sighed in relief. Just as his guard came down, Cardin immediately took advantage and threw a right hook at the blonde, knocking him to the floor.

However, Cardin's victory was only short lived as he felt his own air flow be immediately cut off. Fallen to the floor, he could only cough and choke on his own saliva as Ruby stood before him stretching her own fingers.

The rest of team CRDL stood frozen at their leader's immediate incapacitation. Members WBY and PR immediately went to check on Jaune while Ruby and RDL were left at a stare off on their next move. It was the 'calm before the storm'.

And that storm was one Nora Valkyrie.

"I told you I'd break your legs!"

Like a bowling ball, the ginger thunder crashed herself into the bodies of team CRDL.


And that's how Ruby found herself outside the elevator to Professor Ozpin's office. After the entire altercation with Nora and RDL, Glynda Goodwitch had no choice but to step in and separate the two. While the entirety of team CRDL were both sent to the infirmary, she and Nora were sent to the headmaster's office, with the latter being sent in first.

With nothing much to do but wait, Ruby used that time to go over what she learned about Jaune. Taking deep breaths, she began brainstorming.

Who's Jaune Arc? Male, late teens, descendant from a family of hunters. Wants to become a huntsman. Strategic yet, lacks any formal training and experience. Grades alone wouldn't be able to get him into Beacon.

How is he here? Not notable enough to gain a scholarship and not rich enough to buy his way in. Transcripts, not legally obtained. Can't be real or too wellmade, too costly. Faked transcripts, but still got in?

Arc. Arc. Arc. Where had she heard that name before? Previous case? No, that would imply someone was dead or incarcerated and he sounded very proud to talk about his family. Watchlist? No, generations of huntsmen don't often end with outlaws. Perhaps a patrol encounter? Maybe-"

Ruby's thoughts were immediately interrupted by the sound of the elevator door opening. Nora happily skipped out and hushed towards Ruby. "Ain't gotta worry about anything, pard. I ain't a snitch!"

Without another word, she continued to skip down the halls, most likely heading towards the dorms.

Nora, to say the least, was quite the oddball. A strong, dangerous, and hyper one, but still crazy. Makes you kinda wonder how Ren has ever been able to keep up with her.

Anyway, minimal time had passed until the elevator doors finally opened and Ruby was sat once more in front of the headmaster. The room itself was quiet, except for the occasional tick of the clock office and the tapping of a scroll.

"You've made quite the ruckus, Miss Rose." was all the Headmaster said before taking a sip from his signature mug, "Glynda seemed more stressed than usual."

"In my defense, Cardin Winchester attacked first. What we did was kind of self defense. Not that they could prove otherwise" answered Ruby as she leaned into her chair to get comfortable.

"Hm, so injuring Mr. Winchester's trachea and dislocating his team's legs were considered 'self-defense'?"

The ex-vigilante promptly shrugged. "Cardin tripped and knocked the wind out of himself. Nora tried to help them, but accidentally tripped and dislocated their legs."

Ozpin didn't ask anymore questions. Based on the smugness in her voice, he could've already pieced together what happened. Well, that and there were secret security cameras watching the scene. Quite an eventful watch, he'd say.

The headmaster then closed his scroll. "Well, based on what I've got to collect, it would seem that Mr. Winchester and his team were just in a very unfortunate school accident. Fortunately, they should be just fine in a week or so. You're free to go Ms. Rose, that is, if you don't have any further questions."

This got Ruby to sit up and into interrogation mode. "You knew Cardin Winchester was bad news. Why'd you still let him in?"

"Mr. Winchester got into and was accepted by Beacon Academy legitimately." He should've known that would be her first question. With a quick sigh, he answered. "Unless someone comes forward and gives evidence that would result in his expulsion, Mr. Winchester would continue his studies here in Beacon."

An answer Ruby hoped he wouldn't have given. It's easy for bullies to get away with their acts, as there won't always be substantial evidence to actually prove it. It's even harder for victims who are faunus. Not many faunus victims come forward, and whenever they do, they are often hit and miss cases, even with hard evidence. She could only sigh at the harsh reality of the situation.

"One more thing then before I go," Ruby said as she leaned forward. "I need to see Jaune Arc's transcripts."

Now this got the headmaster's attention. He straightened himself and spoke firmly.

"Unfortunately, Ms. Rose, I would be unable to do that." As he spoke, he opened his desk drawer and searched through a couple files. "It's Beacon policy to keep any student documents private from any other eyes besides faculty."

He then pulled out a file and opened it before dropping it onto his desk. "It would be a violation to give you Mr. Arc's transcripts and other documents."

With a quick glance around the room, Ruby nodded and read the folder on his desk. And what she read made her eyes widen.


It was around 4 pm when Ruby left the headmaster's office. Once she got out of the elevator, she immediately headed towards her own locker. She needed to talk to Jaune, and her scroll would help her do that.

Wasn't long too long before she made it to her locker. Ruby quickly unlocked her locker and grabbed her scroll to call the Blonde idiot. But before she closed and locked the door, something caught her eye.

At the very bottom was a bulky black suitcase with a note attached. She didn't recognize it and was sure as hell it wasn't in her locker that morning. Someone must've delivered it while she was still in the headmaster's office. However, picking up the note, she instantly knew who it was from.

'Congratulations to you and Miss Yang for your acceptance in Beacon! I wish you both the best of luck!' - from A.P

Her heart warmed at the note gifted to both her and Yang. But then curiosity got the better of Ruby and wondered what was in the case. It would seem that the case is locked shut through a fingerprint scanner behind the handle of the case. Without a second thought, she placed her thumb onto the scanner and unlocked the case. Automatically, the case itself opened itself up and revealed its contents, which quickly caused Ruby's eyes to widen and her blood to run cold. She stood frozen for exactly 30 seconds before…

"Uh, Ruby? Are you okay?"

The sudden voice quickly snapped her back into reality. Faster than she thought she could ever move, Ruby forced the case shut and slammed the door closed before quickly locking her locker.

Turning around, she was immediately greeted by the man she was looking for, Jaune Arc. He didn't look much different from the last time she saw him. Well, except for the slight bruising under his eye. He still hasn't fully grasped aura yet.

"Jaune! I was just looking for you. We need to talk."

The blonde was caught off guard how quickly she changed the subject. "Uh, sure. I think I have time for a quick chat. Although, I do have to have to meet Pyrrha on the roof around 8, so we have to-"

"Okay, good. Meet you at the school courtyard at around 7!"

Before Jaune had a chance to say anything more, Ruby had already left. The blonde was left dumbfounded by the entire interaction.


It was already after 7 when Jaune found himself alone in the school's courtyard. He arrived exactly at the given time, yet found nobody around. Maybe Ruby is just somewhere around here. She didn't exactly say where in the courtyard. With that thought in mind, he ventured around the courtyard to catch any glimpse of the girl in red.

The boy had been roaming around for quite some until he started to get tired. Seeing a nearby tree, he decided to take a short break before continuing on with his search. However, the moment he was finally under the tree, something snagged onto his foot and lifted him to the air. Next thing he knew, his entire world was reversed as he was hung upside down from a tree branch. Before he could wonder who was the perpetrator, his body was immediately spun around to come face to face with one Ruby Rose.

While in most cases, the victim of this trap would often cry in pain or forgiveness or repeatedly curse at her to let them down. But, in Jaune's case, it was quite the opposite. He looked like his entire mind was blown as his surprised expression shifted to excitement. It was as if his entire world started to make sense.

"Holy Cow….Ruby, you're Robin!"

Well that answered one question. Time to get another one answered.

"And you, Jaune Arc, are one hell of a fraud"


Next chapter is an Omake. It would explain where Ruby had originally heard the name 'Arc' before. Additionally, there might be a shift in chapter flows because I have an important omake that would connect to the final chapters of this story.

I do not own any of the characters. All characters and names used are owned by either Rooster Teeth and Detective Comics (DC).