Hello, and welcome to Chapter 5 of Awake in Remnant! This chapter will feature my combat prowess against everyone's bullies, Cardin Winchester and his cronies. Also, be sure to vote for my future love interest in the story on my profile. So read on for more! Don't forget to be awesome, and stay creative!

Darkness everywhere, my eyes flutter open as Ruby holds me in her arms, yelling "Wake up! Wake up!"

"Wake up!"

I'm getting used to this. The dream, then waking up to Ruby staring me in the face. I struggle to rise.

"What's the main event?"

"Your first student combat match!" Ruby replied cheerfully, "Against Team CRDL!"

"Oh, great. I'll need to take on those losers?"

"Yup. Hopefully they'll bet you on something, and you beat them, and they have to do what you say!"

"Or I'll get my ass kicked around the block, and I'll be their servant for eternity."

"Let's hope for the best."

"And prepare for the worst. That'll be my motto. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."

Everybody was hyped for the new kid to take on their tormentors. Everybody was cheering me in the halls, passed notes to me in class, and generally worshipped me. When I finally met Cardin, I sized him up. He was a good deal wider than I am, but I have height and reach to my advantage. Russell was thinner, but he had a lot more speed. Dove was about equal with me, and Lark was taller, yet he had a harder weapon to fight with. Cardin went right up to me with that mocking grin of his.

"You're the newbie we have to fight? You better put up a good fight, I'd hate to see you squashed." The rest of his team laughed with him.

"Lucky for you it's a test of combat prowess, Cardin. If it was a battle of wits, you'd be completely unarmed." I reply smugly.

A crowd started to form around us. Cardin started to back away, which only made me smile wider.

"What? Are you nervous? Is it me standing up and not lying down making you afraid? Because I don't want to take it easy with a bunch of assholes like you. I know who you are, what you are, and what you did. I don't care if you're better than me, because if I'm beaten, you can be damn well sure others will take my place. See you in the arena." I turn and walked away, leaving Cardin and his team in the dust.

I go into the locker room, take out my equipment, and do a quick diagnostic of my equipment. It's all in perfect condition, and I take 10 reloads of ammunition for each gun.

'I'm overthinking this, but you can never be too careful. Even with those guys.'

I decide to learn a few abilities before I go into battle.

'Hello, Tyler. What would you like to learn?'The feminine voice in my head asked.

'What abilities do you think I should learn for a combat situation?'

'The most likely ones you'll need is Jet and Psycho. Jet is an ability that slows your mind down when you get too agitated, and Psycho increases your skill in battle at the expenditure of Aura.'

'Please teach me them.'

'You knew when you conceived the thought. Now go, and conquer.'

My mind leaves me with two abilities I will need to use in the battle. I see Team CRDL entering, and Cardin walking up to me.

"I wanna make a bet. You win, we'll do one thing each for you. We win, you'll do one thing each for us."

I consider this. I would enjoy making Team CRDL suck up to everyone they ever bullied, but what if I lose? What would I do for them? Still, I have to hope for the best. Ruby told me so, and I take friends' advice.

"You got a deal."

"You'll regret it." Cardin said as we shook hands.

"In your dreams." I shot back.

In the ring, I stood on one end of the ring, while Team CRDL is on the other. I have my anti-mat out, while CRDL has their weapons out and ready. The timer ends, and I speed off. Cardin reaches me first, mace out and blood-hungry. I stick Crimson Reaper in anti-mat form into his outstretched armpit, and blast him. He reels from the shock, but recovers quickly. I activate sword form, then do a few moves I have in memory. Each move hits, sending Cardin into the defensive. I activate Pan-Vis, set to all directions, and see Russel Thrush above me. I switch to shotgun mode, and blast him. The cone of shot connects with a lot of power, and Russell is sent flying into the ground, barely missing Sky. I switch to LMG mode, and let loose at the four people, aiming for the unarmored parts of them, and they slow their onslaught and focused on defending themselves. I felt emotions rise higher. Feelings of doubt, apprehension, and white-hot anger.

'Calm yourself.' I thought.

I remembered my abilities, and used Jet. My mind instantly calms, and I continue. I take a look at the screen. Russell has the most Aura, with the other three not far behind. I focus my attacks on Russell.

'I might need to finish this quicker.'

I activate Psycho, and 25% of my Aura is expended. I gain skill at a rapid rate, and I fight all the better. The aggressive style I practiced wasn't one usually practiced because of its wild strokes and seemingly pointless "show moves." But it works for me. I look at the Aura bars, and see they are weathered pretty quickly. I switch to shotgun mode, and blast away. The final bits of fight they had flew away as pellets hail from the steel dragon. Finally, I put my shotgun away, and do an overdramatic bow. Everyone cheers. Glynda silences the crowd by waving her hand.

"Congratulations, Mr. Mayflower. You should have no trouble qualifying for the Vytal festival. Anyone else would like to try out?"

"Actually, Miss Goodwitch, may I challenge a player or team?"

Glynda stared at me in surprise, then she and I both notice that my Aura has fully recharged.

"Um, of course, Mr. Mayflower."

"I'd like to fight... team RWBY."

Everybody's jaw dropped. Surely just one man couldn't beat Team RWBY, the legendary team that mostly contributed in routing the White Fang?

"Are you sure, Mr. Mayflower? I don't think you will like the results."

"I am sure, Miss Goodwitch. I'd like to set the bar high."

"Very, well. If you insist."

The match started quickly, Ruby intercepting me with Crescent Rose as soon as I had taken my first step. I aimed a well-placed kick to her gut, and she was sent flying, trailing rose petals as she went.

Weiss came next, Myrtenaster flashing in and out of its conservative stance. I grab the blade when the opportunity presented itself, then pulled her closer, right into my waiting elbow. Normally, she would've had a major concussion, but lucky for her Aura, she only was disarmed. I stab the weapon into the ground, using my Semblance to make it stick in there further than it should normally.

Blake flashed at me, Gambol Shroud in the katana form, and she also had her bladed scabbard. I grabbed my shotgun, pulled the trigger, and it clicked empty. Iswitch to anti-mat, and fire five shots in rapid succession. All of them hit Shadow Copies, and I take a minute to reload shotgun mode. I wait until she is in point blank range, then hold Blake in place momentarily with my Semblance. I fire a shot, then send her flying back at the same time.

Yang was the final member of the first wave. I dodge blow after blow, occasionally using my Semblance to avoid a wild blow. I deflect one shot, then shot her open gut, sending her reeling. I cock it, then fire again. This continues until she falls over, Aura out before she could get a good hit in. I take the time to reload about six shots, then cock the gun.

Ruby has Crescent Rose out and ready to snipe, so I zigzag a path towards her, and when I'm in range, I fire shell after shell. She avoids most of them, enabling me room to switch to LMG mode, and spray her with bullet fire. Ruby's Aura is at 6% when I was done.

I find Weiss still trying to lift Myrtenaster out of the stone I had put it into. I do a side kick to her back, then let loose. Weiss couldn't stand up to the barrage, and fell over, her Aura drained.

Blake was the final one standing. I switch to anti-mat. I fire shot after shot at the feline ninja, and the cat either moves out of the way or Shadow Copies when the blow takes her. Her Aura is at 50%, so I have a long way to go. I turn Crimson Reaper to a Zanpau-to, and rush up to her. She's fast. Deadly fast. I deliver swing after swing, and she just won't get hit. My Aura is at 25%, while she's at 40. So I decide to use Psycho. I expend 10% of my Aura, and then I see her much more slowly. I am able to get a few hits on her when she was least expecting it. I'll need more aura to win this. I think. Suddenly, Blake looks at the screen and stares in shock. I look as well. My Aura went from almost nothing, to full. I look at her, and use my newfound Aura to my advantage. I wield my sword in a fury, never missing, and once I'm done, her Aura is at 8%, enough to knock her into the red. I smile, then turn and leave. At the locker room, I put away my gear, and go up to Team RWBY, who had finished putting their things away.

"No hard feelings, right?"

They all gave me little nods.

"Oh, good. 'Cause I got four favors from Team CRDL. And I'm gonna make them pay."

The four heroines look at me with a mix of surprise and intrigue.

"I made a bet with them, and I won it. I'll first make them apologize to anyone they tormented. I'm pretty sure that'll take all year. Then, I'll ask you guys for the next couple. And finally, I'll make them use their force for good instead of personal gain."

The girls look at each other, then look to me.

"Wow, you know how to push people's buttons and how to really inflict pain upon them." Ruby says with what I hoped was respect.

"Well, it comes with being a not so heroic guy. I push people's buttons, then accept the consequences as they come." I reply.

"That's payback for ya!" Yang says cheerfully.

"He is good." Blake added.

Weiss just stares coldly at me. I enter her mind and read it.

I wish I had done this earlier! Why does he have to beat me to it? Oh, if he's reading my mind, he'll be so mad.

I mentally roll my eyes at her.

"If you don't mind, I'm going to see a certain person. I just need a hot second."

Blake narrows her eyes at me.

"Nuh-uh. You've got some explaining to do, Tyler. How did your Aura regenerate like that on the ring?"

I shrug.

"Truth is, I don't know myself. I just thought I needed more Aura to beat you, and I got full because of it."

Blake took my answer as I sped off. I just needed to check on a certain rabbit Faunus I had saved from a terrible ordeal. Damn myself! I should have done it the next day! I chastise myself as I race down the halls. I ask around about where Velvet is, and when I find her, she's talking with her team. As I approach, Coco, leader of the team, moves to intercept me.

"You must be the one who stopped a certain team from… deflowering our precious Velvet. It is a pleasure to meet you, and a partial surprise. You're a human, and yet you choose to help Faunus in need." Coco said in a cool, even tone.

"Well, where I come from, a person is a person, and an asshole is an asshole, no matter what color skin he is or whether they have an extra set of ears. I accept that there is a diverse culture in our world, and the way I see it, just because you may have a part of an animal in you, you shouldn't be treated like one." I reply in a similar tone

"How sweet. Well, we need more people like you. My team gives you their thanks in saving Velvet from a distasteful future."

"Well, I hate people taking advantage of others because they won't fight back. Like that day, Team CRDL was planning on using Velvet to pleasure themselves. They're five-star wankers right there. If I didn't stop them, they would've been back, and have attacked her again, over and over. I can't let assholes do that to anyone. "

"Hmm, interesting. Normally, people would've passed them by, or even just stood there while it happened."

"Like I give a fuck that she has a pair of bunny ears on her head! I told you, I don't care if you're one of the divine spirits residing in Heaven. I help people in need, and deal with the asshats who started it."

"Where do you come from? We need more people from there."

"I lived outside the kingdoms. Some could say I just showed up here."

"Hmm, intriguing. Well, thank you, again, and I hope you have a nice day."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I just came to talk with Velvet. May I speak with her for a minute?"

"Of course."

I walk over to Velvet.

"How are ya doing?"

"I'm fine." she replied.

"Have they tried anything further?"

"Not since you came and stopped them, no."

"Good. They try something like that again, let me know. I'll give them hell for ya."

"Thank you. I've never met a human like you before."

"Aw, shucks. I'm just any normal, decent human being."

"Well, I need to get to class. I'll be seeing you."

"Yup, see ya around."

Team CFVY and I part ways, and I decide to read Ruby's mind.

'Where did Tyler go? I didn't see him when we searched. Oh, well, he'll turn up sooner or later.' The cheery leader thought.

I focused and sent her a message.

'Can you hear me?'

'Hmm? Tyler, is that you?'

'Yup.'

'Where are you?'

'Heading towards the cafeteria, you?'

'We are too. We'll meet you there.'

'Sure. See ya there.'

I pull my influence back in my head. I go over to the cafeteria. Sure enough, Team RWBY is there.

I say "Hi, girls. I think I need to have a chat with Ozpin about teams. I may have appeared only four days ago, but I still need to have a team to be on until such event as I get back to where I came from, or I graduate, whichever comes first."

"Really now?" An oh-so-familiar voice said from behind me. I turn my head to see the owner of the voice, Professor Ozpin.

"Professor Ozpin! Where did you come from?" Ruby exclaims in surprise.

"I have my ways and places." Professor Ozpin says cryptically, "Well, I'll settle that after lunch. Girls, be ready for an assembly."

The girls groan.

"What's the big deal? Does he do this often?" I ask.

"No, but when he does, they are so long!" Weiss groaned.

"Ok, well, now I have an idea of what to expect." I say, mostly to myself.

We have our lunch, and promptly afterwards there was a booming voice of an intercom.

"May all students gather in the auditorium for an assembly?"

I hear groans and "Arrgh!" all over the café. We all head over to the auditorium, and we all wait for Ozpin to start speaking.

"I'll make this brief." Ozpin begins with the new student orientation line. "You may have heard rumors of a boy walking around with a certain team. You may have heard of him from when he defeated two entire teams single handedly. You may have heard of him through him saving a certain girl from a terrible fate. But I am here to confirm those rumors. Tyler Mayflower, would you please step up to the podium?"

I struggle every step to dash away from here, to try and make my life as something else. But my legs kept moving forward, and I found myself looking from Ozpin's vantage point.

"This is Tyler," He continued, "a new student. He has capabilities well beyond our average Huntsman here, even one of our fourth years. He will be a Rover, and be able to pair with any team he wishes. The name of the team will remain the same, however, as he may join and leave teams as he wishes. Take heed though, as if he should leave here, he might not return. So please, shelter him if he asks. Don't hesitate to help if he needs it, and treat him as you would your own teammate. That will be all. Return to your studies as normal."

I dash out the door as fast as I can, hot with embarrassment. The rest of the school quickly follows suit. The day progresses as normal, and as I settle down to bed, I start to wonder if this all a dream. If I was in a dream, I probably would've woken up by now, right?

Well, that was a chapter! Again, don't forget to vote on my profile for the love interest you think I should have, don't forget to be awesome, and stay creative!