Hey, yall, I'm still alive and just got finished with the finals. Took me out for weeks just to rest and clear my head of the stress I was under while finishing them.

I'm sorry for the sad new I'll be abandoning this story for a rework of the same idea here. Just a different execution, one from my original idea for the story before I had to change things. It's still going to be Jaune and his dreams in bioshock, just things happened differently for him.

Sorry to anyone who follows the story might get let down by this news as I felt my I lost control of the plot and many of my ideas could no longer work with this and I no longer feel satisfied with it as I lost control over my own stories as Ideas clashed that led to one of the reasons why updates now took longer besides academics and my life outside because I've been dumping many version of chapters I keep writing as I wasn't satisfied with what I wrote, not quality wise, just that the idea in them wasn't something I'd do and just keep writing until one stuck out and I felt somewhat okay with it to release. But there was no satisfaction in them being published, just the relief knowing I at least thought of something. I was already tired from academics and writing was my main escape and now turned into a chore.

I also know the main complaint in the story is padding out scenes and fillers and I'll be trying my best to address them in the rework.

I hope you understand and this is really hard for me to announce, but here we are and check out the rework going to be releasing chapter 1 and 2 soon. Hope you guys stick around, because it's going to be a hectic one.

What could have been (In no order and varying stages of development):

It's so nice to feel the cool night breeze.

The experience from the gentle touch of the wind on your face and your hair flowing back, as if all your worries and problems are blown away.

Once in a while, taking nightly strolls really helps the nerves ease down and just look back on life. Taking things slow with the hectic life one could experience in Vale.

Except for Jaune Arc, of course.

Who's grumbling to no-one in particular. "Stupid criminals… Stupid goosechase…" among colorful words being thrown out of his mouth. Being the only sound that entered his head was the clanking of metal, hitting the soles of his boots as he continued to make his way up the stairs.

Why couldn't he stay away? It wasn't his problem anyway, and he didn't want to be involved with any of this. He clearly didn't need anymore interest being garnered to him.

Remember your plan? Not to get myself into attention?

Well, like he followed his own advice either way. How long did his little plan last? Just a day?

As he finally reached to the top, the metal stairs now replace with the thumping of the cement roof. He took a brief moment to scan his surroundings, his eyes wandering around the place in search of something of interest.

Nothing, thankfully. Just a sea of rooftops with neon lights glowing down the streets. Distant lights from the more luxury districts and the various bullheads' lights passing by.

"Jaune? How did you?"

Oh, right… Now he remembered why he went along with this.

Jaune eyes caught sight of a familiar brunette bookworm, Blake, climbing up from a ledge nearby, clear surprise etched on her face, which was a thing, apparently. Usually, he just sees her bored expression all the time.

Huh, it's actually a pretty good breath of fresh air seeing her with emotions. Not those half-closed eyes scanning the room all the time.

…

She wasn't for one to be jealous of someone else's ability being superior to her own. It wasn't like her to be that way. While her eyes bore holes through the blond boy, scrutinizing him as if he's laid under a magnifying glass.

Like she was looking for something. Anything off about him. How did he get first on the rooftop?

No, it's mostly stem from her suspicions that flared at Arc for arriving at the top faster than she did with his poor physical record being known to the academy. It was the fact he looked nonchalant at all of this shocked her.

"How did I -what?" She watched as he just blinked at her, replying as if it's the most cumbersome activity he just partook in.

"That." She almost sounded out as a demand. Even her hand was raised, pointing to Jaune, who just raised a brow and further strike home how he responded like he's playing feint with her.

"What is "that" exactly you're on about?" Her past was already a problem coming back to her. It buried her in stress and guilt every moment and this only made it worse, causing her to become more infuriated, as she pointed out the obvious.

Was the fact so simple and in her face that it eluded her? Was it only Jaune's physical growth that caught everyone by surprise?

"H-how did you manage to get here? Fast?" Again, she wasn't jealous, but gods, her voice didn't help with the tone that sounded she was.

Jaune gave her a questioning look. He spoke with uncertainty. "I… used the stairs…?" Aha, so it was a trick! On her!

"The stairs?" She echoed, now having him caught in his lies. She walked closer to the blond. Her eyes sharp in trying to read him like a book.

Blake needed to confirm her suspicions by passing Jaune and examining the path he took to reach the roof; and lo-and-behold… The obvious that she had missed: a fire-escape by the alley he ascended from. Blake found her answer.

Of course, the fire escape… it was so obvious why didn't she think of that…?

"Uhh, Blake. Are you okay?" Blake was sure she heard Jaune call out to her, but got drowned out by her more important matters.

"Blake!" So much for all that climbing to get up here… Almost felt unnecessary compared to Jaune being astute enough to go checking around the corner…

"Uuhh.. Huh!?" Not again. Lost in thought, her eyes blinked rapidly when she was jolted back to reality.

Jaune said. "Get yourself together." She scolded herself, realizing that lack of sleep could make the situation worse if more of those "thoughts" of Jaune to return.

Speaking of Jaune… She turns back to face said blond boy once more to apologize. She must own up to the fact that her tone was uncalled for, and so were her suspicions about him.

"Jaune... I'm… I listen, I'm not in the proper state right now. I'm sorry if I come off as-"

"Hey, it's alright." She almost flinched at the sudden rough texture of his hands landing on her bare shoulders, but in the end the warmth itself didn't arouse any sudden movement. It calmed her to an extent as she heard him continue. "I know that Tukson is like an uncle to you and finding those books is as important right now. So how about we keep our heads on the game and find those boxes and wrap this evening over?"

But why does he care? He has no stakes in this, no connection to pull him along with her. Why go through all the mess for someone you barely knew or talked with?

"Jaune, for the last time, you don't have to do this. Just… Just go back to Beacon, tell the others I decided to stay with Tukson at the hospital. For both of our sake, please."

"Yeah, that isn't happening." He just shook his head in disagreement. It almost made her balled her fist upon his stubborn response. But she refrained from her outburst, choosing to question him instead.

"Why?" Blake is perplexed by it. Maybe if they're partners, she guesses it could probably make sense.

"Yeah, well, you're a friend of my friend and my mom always said that "strangers are just friends you haven't met yet". There's nothing really deep going in, even if you try. I just see a friend who needs help. I'll happily lend a hand. An Arc's word."

Seeing as there's no point in changing his mind, she accepted Jaune's answer. Altruism it is then.

"I'll see through it if you'll keep your word, then." Blake gave a smile. Quite rare for her to show to people.

Following that, both of them resumed their pursuit of the target, although Jaune paused for a moment to glance back, rubbing the back of his head before continuing to move forward.

Somewhere down in the dank alleyway that was previously the topic of the duo, a small mesh fence door is swinging lightly by the wind.

The stairs of the fire escape are usually only accessible through the use of a key barred by the fence entrance. However, upon closer inspection turned apparent that an icicle caused the lock to have shattered. Its edge is sharp enough to puncture through metal.

…

"So, white nondescript van. Gods, this is like the start of a cheesy crime drama already. Though, I don't think the thieves are literate enough to realize that half of the boxes they stole are books." Jaune quipped as he looked for the said vehicle through the sea of parked cars along the streets.

From the middle ground that the average blue-collar worker could comfortably afford to the opulent high-end sports car that exuded Atlas-like grandeur that litter the road. No matter which street of the town, someone always has something to satiate everybody's taste to flock to at the right price.

But none of the creepy white van they're after was in sight.

"Here!" Just in time, Jaune felt a nudge on his shoulder as Blake called, extending her arm to pass the binoculars. "Near the convenience store by the cul-de-sac." and a peep through finding their stolen goods. As per the stereotype, the white van was just as eerie as the social media said as it laid parked in a back lot of a convenience store alongside what appears to be a bar.

How convenient indeed. "Blake, call it a hunch, but I have a sneaking feeling that our goods are being loaded to that bar nearby," Jaune commented as he took in the sight of the bar. It was a rustic and old structure, clearly intended for the less affluent residents of the kingdom.

A nondescript spot in plain sight that can serve as a hub for thieves to deliver stolen goods to fixers.

"You too, huh? Too obvious to ignore. Alright. Care to hear my plan?" Blake added.

Jaune's nod indicated that he was ready to listen. "Go right on ahead."

So a plan was set, a fairly simple plan. It wasn't a great war era level of tactical strategy by no means. But even Jaune got the gist of the important stuff… One sneaks off to the back quietly, that being Blake of course, to find their goods while another enters the front door and acts as a diversion to bring more eyes to him and pry away from Blake if needed.

Hence, the word diversion, which is defined as a fancy way of describing the act of thoroughly beating up everyone in sight, is crucial in this situation. This is because it will attract the attention of even those in the backrooms, thus providing an opportunity for Blake to slip in unnoticed.

Easy enough, hope the there's enough alcohol to go around for the patrons to forget his face.

"We'll communicate through our scrolls in case things get too heated. I'm sure mister brawler like you wouldn't break a sweat like Yang though?" She pulled out her scroll as she explained to which the two exchanged numbers. It's funny that they haven't been be able to even when hanging out in the same friend group for such a long time.

"Blake." Just then, Jaune placed a hand of his on hers as she held her scroll, which caused her to pause. "You'll call if anything happens. Please."

"Of course, we're a team now, right?" To which she smiled as she pulled out Gambol Shroud and, in Blake fashion, used the ribbon as a grappling hook to zip ahead, leaving Jaune to watch as her swing through the night with her weapon. "I Promise!" Being her last word spoken.

"You better…" To a murmur out of Jaune.

The last thing he wished for this night to end was not carrying Blake to a hospital in his arms, bloodied. That wasn't going to happen, though.

Not when he's around. Just as he watches Blake's figure swing away, the veins on Jaune's hands began to glow with a pulsing, white light.

Jaune stood on the roof, pondering and using his remaining brain cells to figure out how to jump to the other building. However, after carefully evaluating the distance and height added with the sum of his self-preservation, he came to a conclusion he felt sensible... "Back to the stairs for me."

"Blake?"

So he did chose to come.

Blake turned to the blond knight as he scurries to her. Waving his hand while panting. "So, what's up?"

She can't quite figure it out, but there's certainly something different about him. Her slit pupils narrowed as her gold eyes scanned the sea of her fellow students, and finally landed on the blond, noting the details of his outfit.

Why does he look like he walked out of a wild west movie set?

"So, catch any bandits lately?"

"Huh?"

"Tied them up with your lasso?"

"What? Oh! har har. Says the person who looked like sleep wasn't on her dictionary."

"… You know, Jaune… I could just as easily apply that statement of yours to yourself, you know?"

"Touche"

"See? I don't think that's magic material right there."

Ren opened the door to JNPR's dorm with groceries only for him to be met by Ruby and Nora, arguing about which magic is better

Ren then proceeds to place the paper bag and shoved it inside before closing the door, not wanting to be part of whatever the two were on.

"REN, WAIT!" The two stop Ren

The two ask Ren where Jaune is and the Mistralian monk explains to Ruby that Jaune might be probably hunting to expand his weapons.

Wakes up back to Rapture with him laying on the ground with a splicer slowly crawling close to him until he unloaded the rivet gun at its face.

Jaune then continued to scrap metal.

While finding metal...

Jaune finds a small compartment through a wall panel.

The space was cramped but enough for a small child to hide and to hit the idea home is the various colorful chalk drawings and scribbles akin to a child.

Illustrations depicting a yellow stickman and another of what looks to be a gray fat stick man with oval limbs and body covered in orange splotches... And lots of yellow eyes...

A big daddy?

Then there are doors, lots of them.

And a name, specifically calling out to him... Mister Angel.

It was a strange sight to behold.

Over by the ground sat a red plastic carriage that sat inside were jars of strange blue butterflies and multiple were fireflies.

All burying a book underneath.

Jaune fished out a book and read...

Alyx in Wonderland.

Can't say he's familiar...

BONUS gag at the end:

Show everyone's dream while sleeping

Jaune's dream is him in the backrooms

The monotonous buzzing from the fluorescent light droning endless buzz that might as well be deafening him to madness. Then the pungent smell of wet carpet is not to the point of nauseous and but noticeable enough to cringe at every time he has to use his nose.

He's clutching the sides of his head until ending to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"Gods damn it…"