Chapter 6: Forever Falling into Madness

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This. This was a true test of my skills. I've been putting my complete focus on this one thing. This, will show what kind of man I am. I make my move. Then Ozpin makes his.

"Checkmate."

"Damn it! I was so close too!" I wasn't. Ozpin was really good at chess.

I had told him about the incident a few hours ago. My negotiating skills worked. For the next three months, every other day I'd have to help around the school and double the length of my current assignments in each of my classes right now. I'd have fainted and opted to take any other punishment had I still been in my original reality. Better than getting expelled I suppose.

After that, I saw his chess set and asked for a friendly game. This was the seventh loss I've had.

"How do you do that?"

"Just predicting every move you'll make each time you move a single piece."

Should have played more chess in the past.

"Also, people say I cheat. 'I have no idea why they always say that.'"

My head shot up at that. 'Oh, you're good. But I'll get you someday!'

"Well, Oobleck's class starts soon. I'd better get to that. See you later, Professor."

Man. Dr. Oobleck moves and thinks fast. I better get used to that. I'm going to meet Mordin Solus in one of my other lives. 'Difference is he's naturally hyper. Oobleck just drinks a lot of coffee.'

"This is prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the Faunus War, Human kind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie."

He also was quite the supporter for Faunus equality. So I had a lot of respect for him.

As for mankind keeping the Faunus down? I actually wasn't surprised whatsoever. Humanity's history just about everywhere I go, unfortunately, mostly consists of racism and the oppression of others throughout the centuries.

That, and war. Humans are very good at war.

A sad day when one can expect cruelty from a whole race, even if there are people among them who are different.

"Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?" He asked the class. There were only a few Faunus in the room. And aside from Blake, they all rose their hands. I scowled. 'I hate racism.'

"Dreadful, simply dreadful. Remember students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence." He then drank more coffee, and continued his lecture.

Jaune really shouldn't be sleeping right now. I'd have to adjust his after class training to allow him some rest once he and I start. And I'll have to start a study group. If he gets called to answer any question, he won't get any right.

And Cardin didn't the message I'd given him apparently. He was still screwing with Jaune. He simply knew I couldn't do anything to him thanks to my current punishment.

However, I had an idea how he was going to try to "make me pay." And self-defense was an exception to any punishment.

The bully made a paper football and flung it at Jaune, waking him up.

"Hey!" He said at the contact.

"Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! Excellent, excellent! What is the answer?"

"The answer uh… the advantage, uh the Faunus had over that guy's… stuff… was…" I and Pyrrha were trying to give him hints. Her making hand signals, and me blatantly mouthing the words 'Night-vision.' He was horribly interpreting us though.

"Night-vision goggles!" He exclaimed. And the class laughed. Pyrrha and I both just face-palmed, I was louder though.

Oobleck wasn't amused though. "While you are close Mr. Arc that is still wrong. Cardin? Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject?"

"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal, than a soldier." In response to that, I growled like an animal. Which made Blake really shocked, and…? 'Oh, I'm not looking! I'm not looking!'

"You're not the most, open-minded of individuals are you Cardin?" Pyrrha asked.

"What? You got a problem?"

"No. I have the answer. It's just Night-vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly perfect sight in the dark." She said.

"General Legume was inexperienced and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the General was captured. Perhaps if you'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure." Blake said, looking at Cardin while finishing. 'Good. She got a handle on herself.'

"You could learn a lot from that, Winchester." I added.

He got up and looked at us three with hate.

"Mr. Winchester, please take your seat." Oobleck sighed. Jaune was snickering at that. Unfortunately, the teacher heard. "You, Mr. Arc, and Mr. Verser can see me after class for additional readings." Jaune groaned.

Once class was over, we three were still there. Then the History teacher said…

"You two have been struggling in my class since day one." He told the other two. "Now I don't know if it's a lack of interest, or just your stubborn nature. But whatever it is, it stops now." He firmly ended.

"You've worked hard to gain entrance to this school and we only accept the best of the best. So, I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen. If you can't learn from it, you're destined to repeat it. Pages 51 to 91, I want an essay on my desk by next class. One from you as well, Mr. Verser. The headmaster already called ahead and informed me of your punishment. Now, run along."

"Pyrrha was waiting for Jaune at the end of class. Blake was there too, waiting for me? I didn't anticipate that. Cardin just walked away, frowning.

Pyrrha was already taking Jaune to the roof. I'd have to get there quick to help Jaune with the problem he was about to have, but Blake had something to say.

"Duncan, can we talk sometime? Soon? There's some things we need to discuss." She said. What did that mean?

"…Yeah. No problem. My door's always open to you. Except when it's locked, and you then proceed to pick said lock." I had a feeling I knew what she wanted to talk about. I felt the same for her, despite a growing affection for Yang at the same time. But, she gave the impression there was more to it than that.

"Thanks. I'll talk to you later."

I passed Pyrrha on the way to the roof. That means Jaune already spilled his 'secret' to her. And that Cardin overheard. I quickened my pace.

"Don't worry Jaune. Your secret's safe with me." I heard Cardin say as he climbed down, back to his team's dorm. I could see Jaune mortified at the guy knowing he faked his way into Beacon. I silently walk up to him and say…

"Jaune, sometimes you make some serious mistakes."

"AH! No, not you too. How many heard that."

"I just got here. I have to say, I get the feeling you're going to try and skip our training sessions. And that you didn't get Pyrrha either."

"No, I didn't. I want to show that I have what it takes, and I need to do that alone."

"Thinking that way is the stupidest thing one can ever do. Every great hero has always fought alongside others when they needed to, and learned from the experience. And I've met many a hero, been one of them too often times." Not that anyone around here will ever know that.

"And now Winchester's got you on a leash. We're going to have to cut it, real soon. After that happens, you're apologizing to Pyrrha."

"How do you-?"

"I saw her, looking depressed, on the way up here. Dammit Jaune, she likes you, like likes you. And whatever you just said to her, hurt, badly. Don't bother talking to her right now. Wounds too fresh. It'll heal quickly, as long as we play our cards right."

"How am I supposed to get Cardin to stop then?" Good. He was starting to actually accept help.

"For now, go along with him. Make him think he has you under his thumb. I assume he started off with telling you to do his assignment for him? I'll do it, I already finished the book a couple weeks ago so I've got time. I'll make it seem like it's all correct information, to him at least. To Oobleck? He'll fail it instantly. I've also got a little information to really help, but it's a surprise. Especially for you."

"For me?"

"Yeah. Now let's go. We need to sleep."

Back at Team RWBY's dorm, Blake just entered the room.

Only Yang was there.

"Where've you been partner?" She asked.

"Nowhere. Just coming from class. Where're the others?"

"I think they're doing a little extra studying in the library."

"Ah."

They stood there for a few moments in silence. Then Yang broke the ice.

"Blake." She sighed. "We need to talk about Duncan."

"I… don't know what you mean." Said Blake.

"Look, I know you like him. It's pretty obvious. And I think he has some good thoughts about you too."

"But…?"

"But, I'm sorry. It's just… I like him too, you know? He's got this thing about him that says he knows how to get you to like him. But, he holds back. Instead, he tries to play it off as him just being a big goof. With some rather extreme habits and methods."

"I know what you mean. And from what we all have seen, there's a lot more to him than he's telling us. I think he's hiding something, but not because he doesn't trust us. And, I guess you and I have really been wanting to figure it out, huh?"

"Yeah."

The two stare at the ground, no idea where to go from this.

"Are we… are we going to start hating each other over this? Because, I really don't want us to fight. I like us being friends." Yang said.

"Me too. I… don't know what we should do about this. I've never really been in a situation like this before."

"Neither have I, but I know it usually never ends well."

"I think… I think we should just think this over for a while. There's some things we both need to get off our chest to him. We should talk to him first before we tell him how we feel. Then, we'll see what happens."

"But, no matter what happens, we'll still be friends, right?" Yang asked Blake.

"Yeah, we shouldn't let this get between us as friends and as team mates."

"Besides… there's always the off chance we could share him, right? It'd be fun to see his head spin if we came to that conclusion."

"I'll agree with you on that."

And so the two team mates prepared to sleep. No matter what happened between them and their team's extra member, they wouldn't let it get between them.

And that was a fact.

It was a week since Jaune started getting blackmailed. I already gave him the essay to give to Cardin, Oobleck was still grading them all. Now we were closing in on our fieldtrip to the Forever Fall Forest.

I also noticed this thing going on between Blake and Yang. It wasn't competition, thank the stars, but I had a feeling it still concerned me. I'd let them go at this at their pace though. It would be stupid of me to force this to a conclusion.

I was in my dorm, watching an old Batman movie. I could overhear Ruby and Jaune talking outside. Ruby seemed even more "unreasonable" with Jaune than in the show. 'Guess my little story made an impression on her.'

I paused the film and decided to tell Jaune what I needed him to do tomorrow to get Winchester off his back.

"Hey, it's your buddy Cardin." I heard over Jaune's scroll. "I know you're probably busy with that dust project I gave you. But~ I'm gonna need you to go out and get me a bag of rapier wasps. And make sure they've got some really big stingers. It's important, so don't screw this up."

"I see this is all coming to a head finally." Came my voice, shocking him.

"So, what now?"

"Tomorrow, we go to the forest. Whatever Cardin needs those wasps you're gonna get, it'll be tomorrow that he uses them. I assume me and Pyrrha will be targets. He'll likely tell you to do whatever it is he wants. When that happens, which I know it will, he's going to make me the first one you do it to."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want to you to listen to him, and do it to me. I know he'll target me first. He despises me. I'm a 'freak' who keeps getting the better of him. Once that happens, I'll handle the rest. You won't have to worry about him anymore. I promise you that."

"Okay." He said. Then went off to get the aggressive insects.

The next day, we were in the forest. Professor Peach wanted us all to collect a full jar of red sap each from the trees. Cardin hauled Jaune away. 'It's just about time to end this.'

I stuck as close to them as possible, I needed to be sure they could see me when Jaune had to throw a jar at me. The wasps wouldn't hurt me.

Pyrrha still looked rather depressed. I knew it hurt, but it would all be fine soon. And she'd be there to help Jaune every step of the way throughout his stay here at the Academy. I hoped the two of them would be happy when they finally got together.

Guys like Jaune deserve some happiness in life. And it's a shame not many ever did back where I came from.

They were already in position, I could tell. I heightened my hearing to ensure that'd I'd be who they go for first.

"Duncan?" I heard Jaune ask Cardin.

"That's the one." He growled. "Stupid hood, crazy, and thinks he can get away with everything."

Bingo. I knew he couldn't resist.

He handed Jaune a jar to throw at me. But, Jaune still hesitated. I couldn't let him.

'It's okay. Everything will be fine Jaune.' He could hear my voice in his head. 'Now do it.'

And he did.

As soon as the sap hit me, they let loose the wasps. I let them get to me.

The others were horrified. They looked up to see Jaune had thrown the jar, Cardin and his gang laughing the whole time. I was 'screaming' the whole time.

"Jaune! How could you do this?!" Pyrrha screeched.

Slowly, my screaming stopped. Then it was replaced by a growing manic laughter.

"…hehehehehehehe…AH HAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The wasps seem to melt away as they stung me. I was grinning, much like Alucard from Hellsing Ultimate. Then I looked at the bullies.

"Using Jaune to strike out at his friends? A pathetic tactic, Cardin. And look at this. It didn't work. And you wanna know the really funny thing?" I asked. While doing that, I commanded the cells in my body to imitate the Mercer strain of the Blacklight virus and changed my hands into claws.

"The funny thing is your information on Jaune wouldn't have worked anyway. Ozpin already knows about the fake transcripts. I told him myself months ago. And Jaune is allowed to stay, thanks to yours truly." The look on his face was priceless.

"And now? Now you just blackmailed a fellow student into assaulting another student. What do you think your punishment's gonna be, hmm? I bet it will be just as bad as that Ursa Major walking up behind you."

They turned back to see the Ursa was there, and it looked very vicious. Cardin was paralyzed with fear as his team fled. He was on the ground, the jar in his hand spilled onto him and attracted the beast.

"Jaune! You need to kill that thing! And fast!" I called out. "And remember to use your shield."

'Pyrrha.' I said within the confines of her mind. 'Give him a boost if he needs it.'

He did. But man was it glorious to see that huge bear get decapitated.

"Good job… warrior." I called out to Jaune, the claws disappearing.

As Pyrrha told the others how her semblance was polarity, Jaune was ordering Cardin to never threaten him or any of us ever again. After what happened today, I knew he wouldn't. Too scared.

As the bully left, Jaune turned to me and asked…

"Is…is it true? Ozpin already knows?" He quietly asked.

"He does." I confirmed. "I asked him to let you attend anyway because you do have potential. Goodwitch already knows, she might not be happy about it, but she's accepted it."

"I-I don't know how what to say."

"Say you're sorry to Pyrrha. Then get ready for training in a couple of days. She and I will make a hero out of you yet." He let out a small smile at that.

Yang and Blake had got Goodwitch. Jaune was explaining the situation, and what I told him to do to catch him in the act. While he was talking to her, Pyrrha, Weiss, and Ruby walked up to me.

"Okay, Duncan." Weiss began. "I don't know how you apparently knew that Jaune faked his way into this school. But, I won't ask about that right now." Good. I don't think they were ready for that yet anyway.

"But…" Ruby started to say. "This whole time we've known you, you've done things that no one, no one, can do."

"What is your semblance?" Pyrrha finished.

"Reality. Reality is my semblance is what you can say." I told them. "Anything I can think of, I can do. The fabric of possibility is mine to shape how I see fit."

"Such a power has never existed before." Pyrrha stated.

"And it's unlikely you'll ever meet another like me. Don't be mistaken, there are others like me. But I've had yet to meet any of them. Some of the people who do have the power I have, remain unaware of it indefinitely. But, as soon as they discover the potential within themselves, the power they hold will be quite massive indeed."

I left them on that note. I had to explain myself to Goodwitch. Cardin would be punished, along with his entire team. Justice, no matter where I go, does exist.

The Vytal Festival would be soon. I don't know what will happen right now, but I will soon enough. The future lays itself before me as it writes itself.

I was confident I and the others would be able to handle whatever came next. And any other challenge afterward.

Okay. I'll be frank. Laziness prevented the first chapter to Verser Age: Origins. I won't lie to you about that. The cover images will be up soon as well though, so that's something. But, my new classes start tomorrow. So MLTI VRSE might and my other projects might become harder to update. Just a warning. But holy crap! Over 700 people have read this! I love you guys! In a total manly way though. Seriously though, you guys are cool. And more comments! I'm starting to get them. Just like I told ResurgentClone about Multiverse Effect. If you guys have any ideas, I'm willing to hear them out! I want to know your thoughts! Am I doing well or am I not? I ask this in each chapter of my fics. With that in mind, I hope you all do well, and have had a great start off to the year 2014. I knew 2012 wouldn't happen. It was disproved long before the date happened. On that note, I CALLED IT TOO! There was a second calendar! And we're still alive today! See you around folks!