(Chihiro's POV)

"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Leichter asks us. We're currently in our dorm room discussing an important matter. "Didn't you ask the exact same thing when we met ECRU and HYDW?" Stella questions. Leichter opens his mouth to respond, but suddenly pauses. "… Actually, yes." Stella brightens up immediately. "And we know that it ended up being a great idea! So what's different?" Roderick speaks up. "This time, we're dealing with someone who is already our friend. Or, at least, he was." We all nod. "Jaune's been scarcely hanging out with us lately. Moreover, he's been socializing with CRDL of all people." I explain. It wouldn't be that hard to discern this sudden change in behavior. "Worse, Cardin's been making Jaune do all the stuff CRDL would normally be doing to us. I'm finding it harder and harder to consider Jaune a friend anymore." Stella further elaborates. "True, our affinity with JNPR's leader has been strained lately, but we have reason to believe that it's not Jaune's fault. Leichter, you know why, right?" Roderick states. "Not entirely. All I know is that whatever Pyrrha and Jaune talked about on that rooftop a week ago, it must've been pretty bad. And I think Cardin's using it as blackmail against him." Leichter answers. "Have you talked with Pyrrha about it?" Stella asks. "I tried, but every time I bring Jaune up, she dodges the question, sometimes leaving the conversation entirely." Leichter answers. We all stay silent for a while, lost in thoughts. That's when we heard a knocking on our door. "I'll get it." Stella says.

When we open the door, we see something very concerning. Herald's hands stuck to a book, I assume super-glued, Midori trapped in a straitjacket, Uhai with black ink on his eyes, and Clive's armor painted pink. Looking at Clive without his armor ON, is a bit surreal. He wore a seafoam green T-shirt, brown shoes, and black gym shorts, all of which looked too big on him. He also looked underweight. His armor either must be murder on his muscles, or his armor has the capability of reducing it's weight on the wearer. Diane was right behind them, but nothing looked wrong with her. Emmet, Ruediger, and Kallyn were nowhere to be seen. "Let me guess. Jaune and CRDL?" Stella asks. Everyone at the door nods as if she answered correctly. "Come on in." Roderick says.

"So what are we going to do about Jaune?" Clive asks. "Whatever Cardin has over Jaune must be either very embarrassing, or very scandalous." Herald responds. "Not embarrassing." Uhai retorts. We all give him confused looks. Except Midori. "No, Uhai's right. Knowing Jaune, he's not exactly embarrassed of himself. At least, not easily." We all nod in acknowledgement. "Yeah. I remember seeing him in bunny pajamas first night here. And he seemed pretty proud of himself then." Stella responds. "So now that we-" Another knock on the door cuts Roderick off. "Who's there? He asks. The door opens revealing Emmet, Ruediger, and Kallyn with very wet hair. And… sweating? "What happened?" Leichter asks. "CRDL. We went into our dorms and they rigged the doors so that they'd dump buckets of paint on us when we walked in. We had to take showers before getting here." Emmet responds. So it's not sweat, it's water. I wonder what they looked like in the… STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT! "You okay Chihiro?" Kallyn asks. "Oh! No… I'm fine…" I lie. I hoped it was convincing, but it seems I didn't need to be. The CRDL-Jaune issue was more important.

"As I was saying, now that we established that whatever Cardin has over Jaune must be in the low moral ground somewhere, we just have to figure out what in order to help him cope with it. Assuming he's not a criminal or murderer, we should be able to help him." Roderick finally finishes. "Problem is, the only people who know are Cardin and Pyrrha, and neither seem to be willing to disclose that information." Ruediger states. "So what do we do?" I ask. "Diane's been awful quiet. Perhaps she knows a way to help?" Clive questions. Diane starts to look down in shame. "Not by choice. Diane, just show them." Midori says. Diane then opens her mouth, and there's a ludicrous amount of gum in there. "Cardin had Jaune sabotage her food with a bubblegum bomb. It hurt her for only a second, but the gum makes her unable to speak until it dissolves. Which, unfortunately, takes 12 hours." Kallyn says. "I was going to give her a pen and notebook, so she could write her responses, but wouldn't you know it, the one I had to pick was the one glued to my hands. I assume Jaune did this by Cardin's order." Herald explains. We all look a bit crestfallen.

Truth be told, we were not exempt from this misery either. Roderick was trapped in a freezer after Cardin made Jaune spike his drink with a sleeping drug. Jaune also informed CRDL when Stella was walking past their dorm to ours. Lucky us. Once Jaune was forced to give the signal, CRDL flung open the door on Stella's face, which hurt even more due to Stella's Iron-Will Semblance. And I was trapped in our own dorm thanks to CRDL putting a massive, and heavy object in front of the door, so I couldn't use my Semblance to move it away. In fact, the only one of us who hasn't been targeted yet is Leichter, which deeply concerns me with what they have planned for him. In the end, we all decided to sleep on it for the night and reconvene after the field trips our respective professors had planned tomorrow. We were all getting tired. After the others left, we all got ready for bed. Well, almost all of us. I, personally, went out for a walk, with Phasisstutter. After CRDL's constant abuse on us, all of us, RSCL, ECRU, and HYDW, decided it's not safe to be anywhere alone without our weapons until the whole thing is finally resolved. This causes a whole new set of problems with the teachers, but at the time, we didn't care as long as it saved us from being bullied. "Oh, Hello Chihiro!" I look up. And who do I see on my stroll, but the one who gave me the inspiration I needed to be ere in the first place. "Hey Yang."

"So what's been going on?" Yang asks me. "Well, apart from Jaune's sudden affiliation with CRDL and their constant bullying getting us into trouble, I'd say pretty good." I say, unenthusiastically. Yang catches on quickly. "Yeesh, that bad, huh?" Yang genuinely looks concerned. "You honestly don't know the half of it. You should've seen what they did to the others." I say, dejectedly. "Man, I really wish I could do something about it without getting in serious trouble." Yang says. "Yeah…" I said sullenly. "Hey, Chihiro. Sometimes, things like this happen. You just have to stand up for yourself sometimes. Let them know that you're not one who'll let people step all over them." Yang tried to cheer me up. It does work, for the most part. "You should tell Jaune that." I say. Yang eyebrow raises up. "Was that sass coming from you Chihiro?" It was only then I realize I said that in a snarky tone of voice. I immediately cover my mouth and start blushing profusely. Yang chuckles. "Don't worry, I'm just messing with ya." That didn't help my current problem. "Well, look on the bright side. You're already getting braver!" Yang says. "I-I guess that's true. I still think I wouldn't be able to do much in a one on one though…" I say. True, in close quarters, I don't necessarily have an advantage. Especially since my Semblance won't work on anything heavier than I am, which unfortunately includes most of the students at Beacon. I've been mostly sticking with a supportive role with my team. "Well, you'll just have to train harder and harder until you're able to hold your own. Right?" Yang encourages. "I suppose it is. Thanks Yang." I'm glad we had this little heart-to-heart together.

After some parting words, I went back to the dorm, but, then I heard something. Something close by, on my way to the dorm. I remember CRDL's dorm being three doors apart from ours, so we unfortunately have to deal with more of their antics. I hid behind a corner and listened in. It was Cardin. "Hey! It's your buddy Cardin. I know you're probably busy with that Dust project I gave you, buuut, I'm gonna need you to go out and get me a bag of rapier wasps." I then hear Jaune gasp a little. "And make sure they've got some reaaally big stingers. It's important, so don't screw this up!" Rapier wasps? What does Cardin need those for? I listen in again. "Hehehe! That know-it-all girl and fix-em-up boy won't know what hit them!" I widen my eyes. I make a small, portal, invisible from sight, to make sure Cardin enters his dorm before I enter mine. Once he's in, I rush as fast, and quietly, as possible. I silently open the door, however, as the rest of my team might be asleep. Sure enough, they were. I'll have to tell them tomorrow, as soon as possible. Pyrrha and Leichter might be in serious danger!

(Roderick's POV)

So the field trip to Forever Fall has come. Herald had gotten his hand unstuck from the book his hands were superglued to. I was the one who did it. Unfortunately, whatever was in that book was lost forever, as the only way to remove the notebook was to burn it. Herald quickly got to work and undid Midori's straitjacket. In addition, Diane's gum had completely dissolved. Clive had managed to get all of the pink paint off his armor, thanks to Leichter who made a color-restoration device. Lastly, Uhai simply washed the ink off his eyes with soap and water. Simple yet effective, perfect for a simple prank like that. After getting prepared, and a good meal, we left for the forest of Forever Fall.

On the trip, ECRU and HYDW were not going with us. They didn't have Professor Peach, like we did. The instead had Professor Obsidian, who instead had Oobleck take them, to the Remnant Historical Museum. Specifically, the Faunus Revolution exhibit. As far as I knew, none of Professor Obsidian's class had any racists against Faunus, so I guess it was alright. It gets Midori away from CRDL, who is unfortunately with us. Hopefully, Professor Goodwitch can keep them in check. As we walked through the forest, we all took in the breathtaking sights. "Yes students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest. And I'm here to make sure that none of you die while doing so." We all stop for a moment, in the center of the forest. Jaune stumbles into Cardin, who gives him a mean look. Speaking of Jaune, he was carrying seven jars, one for him, the others for CRDL. I wonder what the other two are for. He also had… a box? Why does he need that box for? No matter. What is needed is to learn and complete the assignment. Goodwitch continues. "Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at four o'clock. Have fun! I then hear Cardin. "C'mon buddy. Let's go." Jaune depressingly goes with CRDL, much to the chagrin of his partner, Pyrrha. Leichter and Stella decide to go in the same direction as RWBY and JNPR. I and Chihiro opted to go another direction. We decided that we need to learn how to fight with other teammates other than our partners. So that's why we split up like we did.

I know why Jaune is the leader of the team, his tactical prowess is second only to Strategist Mulberry McQuincy, who takes orders directly from, and is a close friend with my father, Corporal Zaffre Montague. I heard from my father that one of McQuincy's tactics had resulted in a flawless excursion against a horde of Grimm. No casualties, no injuries, only success. Also, according to my father, McQuincy was offered a promotion from his station to Corporal as well. Oddly, he declined, saying there was no better honor than helping his friend in the ring of honor. Mulberry McQuincy was a huge inspiration to most of the aspiring Huntsmen in Atlas. I wonder if Jaune learned a thing or two from his books. No seriously. McQuincy published numerous books on Chess strategies of all things. It actually served quite well. While it didn't expose any of the Strategist's secrets or techniques, it definitely improved the reader's way of thinking to be more strategic in a given situation. I find myself reading his books on numerous occasions. My train of thought is interrupted by Chihiro tapping on my elbow. I turn to face her. "Yes?" Chihiro looks worried. "We need to talk. It's about Cardin and Jaune." Chihiro says. "We said we'd talk about it after the field trip, Chihiro." Chihiro shakes her head. "No, we need to talk about this now! Pyrrha and Leichter might be in danger!" That got my attention. "What's happening?" I ask. "I don't know. Cardin asked Jaune to get some rapier wasps and-" "RAPIER WASPS?!" Chihiro nods her head. I curse under my breath. What has Jaune done this time? Rapier wasps are attracted to the sap in the trees here… "Oh no…" It was at this moment I realized what Cardin had planned. "Chihiro! WE need to get to the others. Now!" WE immediately run towards the rest of our team, hoping to save them from a cruel fate.

(Jaune's POV)

Collecting all that sap for SIX jars is exhausting, believe it or not. SEVEN is when it starts becoming horrible. When I get them to my 'friends' I collapse on the grass. "Hey. Great work, Jauney boy. Now that wasn't too hard, was it?" I feel horrible, and not in the emotional way. The physical way. "I think I'm allergic to this stuff." I say. Cardin, as always, doesn't seem to care. "Great, great, great. So, Jaune, I bet your asking yourself, 'Why did my buddy Cardin ask me to collect seven jars of tree sap when there's only five of us?', right?" I start regaining what little composure I have again. "That is one of the many questions that I have asked myself today, yes." I get up on me knees. "Well, come with me and you'll find out." I groan and gulp in worry. What does Cardin have planned this time?

We all crawl up to the hill. Why crawl? Does Cardin not want us to get seen by someone? Then, who? I look over the hill, and see my teammates, all of RWBY, and half of RSCL. Wait, half? Where's Roderick and Chihiro? I turn towards my 'buddy' and ask, "Cardin, what's going on?" Cardin doesn't bat me an eye, and simply says, "Payback." I look closely at who Cardin is staring at. As I trace is line of sight, I see Pyrrha and Leichter collecting sap from the same tree. "Pyrrha? Leichter?" I ask. "What are you-" I am cut off by Cardin. "That's them all right. Red-haired know-it-all thinks she's so smart. And Orchid-haired sleepy-headed fix-em-up wise-guy." This can't be good. "Alright, boys. Last night, ol' Jaune here managed to round up an entire box of rapier wasps. And now, we're gonna put 'em to work." Russel pats me on the back and shakes me a little as I laugh nervously. "Now, according to one of the essays he wrote for me last week, these nasty things looove sweets. I'm thinkin' it's time we teach them a thing or two." He holds his hand out and gestures for me to grab it. He then pulls up a bit too quickly. "And you're gonna do it. Well, at least half of it." He then shoves one of the jars into my hands. "Do half of what?" I ask. "Hit one of them with the sap. Sky'll get the other one. That, or I'll have a chat with Goodwitch, and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon." I look at CRDL, and see all of their mal-intent-filled faces. But what choice do I have. I stand up, and aim.

I eye them both, wondering which one I should hit with the sap. Pyrrha's my partner, but Leichter's been helping me fine-tune my shield. I originally though for a second that Leichter would be the obvious choice, considering Pyrrha's on my team. But then something Ruby said to me rung out. 'We have to put our teammates first, and ourselves second.' That's when it hits me, that there IS a third option. "No."

"What did you say?" I hear Cardin ask me from behind. "I said… NO!" I throw the sap at Cardin. Then immediately regret it. A sap-covered Cardin grins. But not happily, not maliciously, angrily. "Oh-ho-ho. You've done it now!" He then grabs the sap out of Sky's hand, who is surprisingly taken aback by this. He then throws it at me. Now we're both covered in sap. He then reaches out to grab me, and I can only think how this could possibly get worse.

(No POV)

An Ursa Major sniffs the sudden smell of a honey-like substance. It begins to track it to its origin. It passes another Ursa Major on the way. However, one chooses to follow behind, instead of rushing to catch up. But both are after the same thing. Hunting for the smell, and any prey that happens to be nearby.

Author's Notes

Yeah, yeah, I know. This isn't the entirety of Forever Fall. But I wanted to practice something new; Cliffhangers! How will Jaune be able to deal with, not one, but TWO Ursa Majors. (Even though watchers of the original RWBY already know what's going to happen, probably.) I do not own RWBY or any of it's characters. I only own Teams, RSCL, ECRU, HYDW, and the character; Zaffre Montague. I don't own Mulberry McQuincy, but a friend of mine, who wishes to stay anonymous, wanted me to add him into this story. We felt like Mulberry would help expand on Roderick a little, so I decided to put him in. You won't get to know what he looks like until he physically appears in the story. RWBY watchers should have a feint idea of when that will be. What's that? The disclosure was too early, and I didn't give a date for the next chapter before-hand? Well, if you look on my profile, you'll notice that THREE new stories are currently in production, two with first-chapter release dates confirmed. I'll be releasing those first, then finish Volume 1 of RWBY here, then go on to A Soul-bound Soldier, then cycle between the four. Surprisingly, if things go well, Soul-bound Soldier should be the first one to be finished, and then the stories in queue move up from there. So because of this, next chapter here will be somewhere between 12/8 and 12/14. Hopefully, things go well. This would've gone up a few hours ago. But, whoop-de-doo, the website decided to crash on me! Also, the 11/20 story still has letter hidden (See if you can guess what it is) while the 11/30 story, Data Mine, has a definitive genre and title. Why? I accidentally switched that one for another story WAY down the line (It's the fully hidden one [not the birthday one]). There was no point in hiding THAT then. Enough rambling, see you 11/20 for the story that HASN'T been fully revealed yet. Until then, I'll stay Enigmatic.

-UltimateEnigmatic