A/N: I enjoyed myself way too much on the first part than I should have. Sorry if it's quite short as I'm still balancing academics and getting my groove back on writing so I hope you guys and gals don't mind.

I'd like to thank the peeps who sent my Pms when I came back!

Don't mind the first part! It's just me giving some love to something.

If the chapter is short, I'm sorry, again. Hope the next can finally be something I usually write.

Grimm, the soulless creatures of the night. Abominable beasts shaped by the spite of the youngest brother to undermine his oldest sibling's creation, are the harbingers of destruction, killing and leaving nothing behind in their wake. Fear was the driving force, their progress leaving a trail of destruction, wiping out cultures in their wake, leaving ruins as indications of their existence.

Standing against the soulless horde of the darkness are the huntsmen and huntresses, the sworn defenders of the oldest brother's creations. Dedicated to a brighter tomorrow for those who have the will to live another day.

To ensure the survival of life in Remnant, soon the conception of multiple academies with the sole purpose of training the next generation who would give everything for the world to be rid of the dark abominations. So far, these institutions became a crucial part of everyday lives for the surviving kingdoms.

As it stands in recent history, Atlas as a fledging kingdom rapidly became a bright vision technology for both everyday use for the masses and military purpose for defense in its first day and as it stands, earning its name through its sheer prowess of developing colossal technological feat of engineering not seen since the great war.

In the ensuing years after being founded, the kingdom and its academy established itself among its other counterparts all south and west of Sanus to the East of Anima as a juggernaut that has otherwise surprised all that it built up a powerful influence until to this day.

Today, somewhere in the many dorms of Atlas Academy, a young, aspiring huntsman-in-training sleeps. He is someone who will always do what is right, no matter the cost.

"Arghh!"

Apparently is close to be late on his first day. A fearless feat of sacrificing his dreams of becoming a huntsman for a few more minutes of sleep.

In one of the very doom lay a student curled up into a ball as it, clutching his face with both his hands that his shrieks went muffled. He was scuffling around in his bed like a feral animal going feral after a large metallic object had struck his face.

Thankfully, the collision wasn't that bad. His aura absorbed some of the impact, with his cries to die down.

Cracking his eyes open did Jaune saw a girl.

The girl he saw is about his age, a slight tan to her with light emerald hair styled in a spiky design swept to the side, which contrasts her sleek gray suit with white, long sleeves and a matching gray skirt.

At first glance, she appeared to be a poser or a punk rebel without a cause.

However, she isn't just some rebel. In fact, he knew her name, Reese Chloris. Because she's his partner.

"That ought to wake you up. Bossman. Jaune, come on! We're gonna be late!"

Jaune Arc's partner for his life at Atlas Academy.

"Would it really be a bother for you to wake me up like a normal person!?" Whined Jaune as he slowly rose from his bed and faced his partner, the one who had thrown her weapon at his face to wake him up.

Not cool, but Reese wasn't at all a bit taken off by her partner's outburst. Not one bit.

In fact, she grinned instead in her response. "Unless you're planning on showing up late to professor Birch's class. Yeah, so go get your ass to a shower fast and some snappy threads. Heard the professor is apparently a perfectionist, and he's also a big egomaniac. A bad combo if you ask me. So, unless you want to be the first one in class to have a taste of his wrath at the start of the year, the door is always open."

Jaune sighed as memories of yesterday flood his mind; One where he remembered this whole aura thing from Reese's explanation. How she trusted him enough to unlock his own, which was apparently sacred or intimate or something and honestly, never an ounce of second did he really understood her words, or actually understood anything about that part during initiations.

Though he learned some unfamiliar words from her. Spicy words.

He owes her big time basically and probably his whole life in the long run and rightfully so, since this whole aura thing is an important aspect of becoming a huntsman, apparently.

Reese returns the gesture kindly with a simple smile. She watches her blond partner wave off while she crosses her arms. Seeing at no point to continue his spat, Jaune marched his way to the bathroom.

First day. Became a leader, somehow. Welcome to Atlas…

So Jaune took care of business with a quick rinse himself off to recoup himself after a rude awakening.

Then got dressed in a uniform similar to his partner, leaving the skirt instead for a white slack pants. He is sure nobody should see such a disturbing image; only his sister could endure.

Jaune must now take the time to make sure his new outfit is properly arranged and he must get used to its more professional style. Unlike his basic winter coat and black hoodie, all tied together with an orange scarf to combat the cold climate of Mantle. Now wearing a uniform like this, he feels out of place.

Safe to say, they did the job.

It's just that his body itself will need to train in order to get used to the drop in temperature itself being a native of Vale, which is definitely not a tundra hell-scape. Though, he hopes May can help him after classes to teach him how to control this aura thing - worth a shot than freeze my behind on my first mission…

Actually, where was the rest of his team? He didn't see the recluse sniper and party cat anywhere when he awoke. "Say, where's May and Neon? Reese, you still there?" Jaune called out from the adjacent room, fiddling with his tie to hear a response.

"They're outside waiting for us. But knowing May, she's probably taken off to lurk in the hallways for the prof." Stake? What?

"Erm, for what exactly?" asked the blond as he buckle his belt and attached his trusty family heirloom.

"You know, like spy stuff? Shit, or maybe like those stalker stories on the CCT…" She answers; The walls muffling her voice from the main room.

That didn't really answer his question. Like the awkwardness he's feeling right now, a figurative sweat bead trickling down his head. "I meant why?" Reiterating his question clearer.

"Keep us in the know for when prof Birch is about to get close to our class." Ah, our lookout. Jaune noted.

…

After finishing up, Jaune left and meet with another member of his team. Her tail bouncing along to the beat playing from her ear-buds as she removes one. "Well, you sure took your time. Was the initiation just as you expected to be?" Said Neon as she raise a brow at Jaune, still with a casual smile on her face.

Jaune scoffs a bit at that. "Cut me some slack. That fall was brutal on my back."

"Alright, Neon, lay off on Bossman. We gotta haul ass." Chuckled Reese as she also joined in, patting him on his battered back with a strength of a huntress-in-training, with enough force that she's earning a couple of "Ow" from him.

"I gotta admit you do look sharp in that. Not half as bad as when you rode that Goliath." Truth be told, Neon was exactly being earnest about saying that.

She wasn't exactly sure of this Jaune guy at first when May and she got paired up with the skater chick with a mouth of an Argus sailor and someone who stumbled his way into Atlas Academy. But after seeing him bulldoze a pack of Beowolves on a Goliath from overwhelming other teams, she came to realize he has guts and skills to back up his appearance at the initiation.

Even though he was screaming like a girl the whole time.

That being said, from what she can gather about Jaune, he sucks talking to people and even more of a virgin with his pickup game. She means, "Rolls of the tongue". Really? Who in their right mind actually thinks that would work, someone from the past? Oh, she hasn't forgotten his god-awful swings with that sword of his. Everything about it has the writing of "rookie" and by that, she meant IT everything about Jaune.

Reese is a whole can of catnip Neon might hold off for now.

Which combat school sat down and think to themselves before they considered Jaune is skilled enough to graduate? They have to be fluent in lying to explain their way after seeing their former student almost got ripped to shred by a juvenile Beowolf.

Although, his planning is pretty impressive, being the Goliath ride being a testament to his adept tactics, no matter how weird it is to hear him explain it to her. He knows how to lead people, even when shit hits the fan.

So, he's secretly skilled or just plain stupid enough to actually act on being brave.

Seems like my time here is gonna be interesting, Neon concluded. "Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." A smile grew on her face.

Which Jaune only pursed his lips in an ambiguous smile. "Please, don't remind my back." He said. Although the fact he isn't about to admit it in front of the Reese and Neon, he did sheepishly accept the compliment.

"Chill, you just missed a beat and failed. Hilariously might I add!" Jaune was too slow to react from Neon sliding by his side and by now already taking her turn to pat her poor leader on the back. A couple of "Ow" came out rhythmically this time.

"Gee, thanks." Grumbled the blond. How kind.

"No problem!" A big thumbs up raised by Neon.

Meanwhile, Reese felt her scroll buzzing to life as she checked in, already expecting an update from their last member as she read the message.

…

"FUUUUCK! MAY GOT FUCKING PINCHED! WE'RE GONNA BE LATE! Screamed Reese as she zipped across the hallway. Her yells of colorful profanities also filling the empty corridors as she rode her on her hover-board with speed like a bat out of hell.

Meanwhile, Jaune was hot in her tracks. Well, Neon is to be more specific while her leader is being carried on her arms while she race to their first class on her roller-blades, trying to catch up to the skater.

That was fun. But as luck would have it, his head having an intimate close moment with the door while entering the class wasn't.

Chapter 5 - Chasing Shadows by Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli & Quintette Du Hot Club de Valean

Everything hurts. His head is throbbing badly as if something blunt smashed into it, and the powerful odor of salt pervades the air, burning his nostrils.

"Urghh…" Jaune groaned as his body lay in a shallow pool of water, struggling to get back to his feet. He gritted his teeth as he awkwardly walked out of what used to be a pool, now drained.

What the hell was that dream? Sure as hell wasn't his life story. As far as he knew, he never even applied for Atlas Academy, let alone actually consider; and who the hell were Reese and Neon? Or May? Are they even real people?

Of course, they couldn't have. Jaune dryly chuckled at his nonsensical questions. They were just from a dream, after all.

If honesty was something an abundant commodity for him to flounder nowadays, he'd admit in full that he'd prefer that type of dreams not putting his life in peril instead of whatever mess he keeps getting involved in.

Though a goddamn door thought otherwise…

Once off of that dredged pool. Jaune examined his surroundings. He realized he had never been here before. He even noticed colonies of coral infiltrating the floors and walls. Apart from that, the standard dilapidated look of Rapture was something he had grown accustomed to.

Where in the world was he now? He is in Rapture, but where in Rapture had he just woken up?

Then a realization suddenly came to his attention. Something made him unease to pat the side of his waist to retrieve his revolver. Only to realize it was missing.

The cursed Arc luck strikes again!

At least, his plasmids are still there. So, he's not completely naked.

His fingers massaged his temples as he recalled the memories. Sofia Lamb, the little sister… then a gun aimed beside his head. This whole thing felt wrong. It's enough to clench his teeth as a wave of irritation invaded his head.

All the points leading to nowhere to a decisive conclusion. His only remaining lead was Tenenbaum, but she had disappeared after leaving with him to the surface alongside the little sisters he had rescued.

So, that's also a no show.

The place resembled a resort spa of sorts…

But under the water... He figured there'd be some irony in that.

Well, whatever.

Jaune looked around the derelict spa for anything useful. Now back to square-one, or at the better term, square-ten. He rummaged through the corpses littering near the poolside for anything useful now, with a renewed sense of purpose.

Someone needs saving, and he's here for a reason.

A soggy Creme-filled bread, a thermos filled with stale coffee and a couple of bucks. Well, if faith thinks that's going to stop Jaune Arc. They're dead wrong. It's just a slight setback.

But first, he IS hungry, and parched from being unconscious for who knows long…

…

Tasteless, salty and all-around, not at all filling. It's something, at least.

While the corals blocked the path in the large hall, there was a smaller path on the opposite end of the room. As Jaune stepped inside, he found the place to be barren. It reminded him of a changing room.

Jaune still continued to search around, however, and his efforts paid off as he found a handful of fire-dusts wrapped in a towel held by two corpses. He had no clue what happened here, but now he was back on track to get the hell out of here while not wasting his eves.

Jaune stretched his arm deep into the fluorescent caverns of the corals until he's satisfied, then slid a piece of fire-dust before taking cover and igniting, causing a tremendous explosion rocking him for a moment.

With the corals gone, the path had opened up for him. He found himself facing a grand staircase, with water flowing down from a crack in the ceiling glass. The place was more in disarray as debris had blocked off some of the hallways, leading the stairs his only option of proceeding.

There was no sense in wasting time with telekinesis through it or using dust, so he ignored them and continued onward.

Written on the wall opposite the grand staircase, Jaune saw mad scribbles of a quote in chalk over a decorative depiction of the underwater city. Mysterious and deranged both in words and in writing.

Fallen. Fallen is Babylon.

Just below it were numerous pictures of people plastered on the wall. Not a face was familiar to Jaune. Though, the message is obvious to him.

Warning taken.

He continued on his way, while keeping in mind his growing agitation that summed up the situation: Lost deep in this cult's territory. What a way to dream.

Jaune couldn't believe that he got hit by a hypnosis polyp and leaving him unconscious, stripped of any means to defend himself in a place controlled by a cult led by a control-freak of a woman.

Part of him hoped he could find a weapon before things got worse, but another part just wanted to wake up from this nightmare, even though he knew that was going to be difficult to guess when his time in Rapture would be up.

—

Last weekend was something else.

Where to start? Oh yeah, so my first friend has magical powers, and he's been keeping it quiet for some reason.

The recent event that had taken place at Tukson's book trade had completely consumed the young Grimm Reaper's attention. Sleep seemed pointless when she might be on the verge of making a discovery of a lifetime with Jaune.

So, here she sat under the cover of her blanket with a pen in hand, furiously scribbling in her secret diary. Her drawings featured characters with pointy hats and long flowing beards shooting various squiggly lines and stars out of their hands.

The afternoon had been uneventful, which gave her ample time to devote to her diary, which she had stashed safely under her pillow.

She thought about if Jaune could be like the wizards from the old fables. An old tale had come to her mind when her mother recounted the legend of a vagrant storyteller who could expel water from his hands to help the people of Vacou during the great drought that was ravaging the kingdom. That drought had eventually led to the formation of the desert along the western edge of Sanus many years ago.

It was tough for the young reaper to overlook the similarities between Jaune's "semblance" and that fairy-tale before, and it's even more difficult to do so now. The coincidences were far too many to ignore.

Although it wasn't clear to Ruby, her imagination conjured up an image of her first friend at Beacon as emerging from a fairy tale book. Jaune had a large, pointy hat that accentuated his purple cloak, which was decorated with items from gold to bronze. Necklaces with sparkling gems that glowed with power and rings of varying designs adorned his fingers.

She was ecstatic at the thought, riled up what she may have stumbled across. It was cool! It was impossible for anything in Remnant to change her mind.

This might just be the very culmination of many stories she had ever heard from her mom, dad, and uncle. An actual wizard! Her excitement was palpable.

So much so that she her inner curiosity fueled her to find out more with a scroll on hand and a pocket notebook and head to spy, she means, observe the possible wizard in hiding.

That very afternoon, many janitors wept in despair, knowing they would not be rewarded for their work as the scent of roses filled the air and mountains of petals cover the hallways. One student scaled the highest of peaks and proudly planted a flag with their team's acronym while a few students were still on their way with ropes and clawed-hooks following a trail towards the top.

A certain second-year team then had a novel idea with an enterprising-minding attitude and set up a stand to sell fashionable coats, scarves and woolly hats for the courageous travelers determined to ascend Mt. Rose. Now, if only that team actually realized or even bothered to sell climbing equipment as well, could have actually helped the hikers to their adventure.

Despite the sweet smell of fresh roses filling the air, were went ignore for the majority of the students who actually have other things to do paid it no mind and went on with their business.

Meanwhile, Glynda was in her office, handling the property damages cost to last weekend's ordeal since a huntsman-in-training intervened, which was decided by the council to be ruled in technicality.

Suddenly, she dropped everything and scowled, a vein popping in frustration. Her educator's instincts kicked in, and she felt the need to discipline a particular first-year student.

One-five-four-zero.

"Huh, thank you." To the mysterious writing on the glass, Jaune muttered with a grin on his face as the sliding doors finally awaken to open aside.

Hot steam swarmed his face for a moment but he soldiered on to reap his reward as he stepped on in and pocketed the loose change of cash on the ground and an audio diary. There was also some small canister of fuel of what this dream of his called 'gas', but it was pointless either way since Rapture runs on electricity as far as he's concerned he left it.

Heading back on the main path to follow the signs of advertisements for plasmids, he stumbles upon what looked like a reception area where he saw and was quick to abuse an eve vending dispenser until he flushed his pockets full put a smile on his face.

Then, owing to the fact he had some replenishments of eve to spare, directed one needle-end of an eve hypo at his wrist.

"Hng!…. Haaaah…" A deep, hollow grunt escaped his mouth as he plunged the contents deeply into his veins, watching as a transient blue light down his forearm and a tingling sensation coursing around his body before tossing the drained injector onto the ground.

He's back in business

"My daddy's SMARTER than Einstein, STRONGER than Hercules and lights a fire with a SNAP of his fingers. Are you as good as my daddy, Mister?" There it was, the voice played like a beautiful symphony to breakthrough the monotonous discord of chaos he just went through.

Are the holidays already here? This must be that silver-lining…

There's no helping Jaune after the almost never-ending wave bullshit he's been through lately. Finally, for once, he cracked a well-deserved grin as he followed the fabled sing-song voices. A trail leading for more power.

Life with snow: Mantle Life by Joseph Cummings.

Lady with a Spear by Eugenie Clark.

An autobiography of Paul Berg. Hugh Everett III: Year 19.

The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos by Brian Greene.

...

Curious. No correlation between them.

...

"Aren't libraries for reading?"

"Well, yes… But I was reading."

"Was. Are you still now?"