A month and a half had passed since team RWBY's first day of school. Since that time, everything was going quite well for Ruby.
Thanks to their one-on-one talk, her and Weiss' relationship was being patched up bit-by-bit. They occasionally traded notes and had study sessions with one another while occasionally giving tips and advice whenever they practiced combat with each other. Yang found it cute, while Blake was kinda baffled by it actually.
Speaking of which, nothing much changed with either of the girls. Yang was still the fun and loving sister that often teased Ruby at her social development. Blake was still fun to hang around with. She and Ruby found time to read and exchange selections of books and genres (with the exception of Blake's 'spicy' taste in literature).
With all that said, there was almost no other problem that needed to be resolved. Key word being 'almost', because there was still one more mystery that Ruby had yet to crack.
*RIIIINNNGGG*
Who the hell was Jaune Arc?!
"-Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your scroll during combat."
This had been the 4th battle Jaune lost in combat class. Each time he entered the ring, the match ended with either his face or back on the floor. Each fight, Ruby noticed, he fought like an amateur. No defense or attack stances, terrible footwork, blind swings that caused the weapon to bounce and lose grip. It was almost like he never fought anyone before.
Each battle left the rest of team JNPR to stare and watch their team leader get pummeled by his opponent. Ren looked indifferent to the entire thing, but he couldn't help but flinch each time Jaune got smacked around. Nora, at the least, kept cheering him on, constantly yelling to 'break their legs!'. Pyrrha, however, looked to be taking it the worst in comparison to the others. Similar to Nora, she kept cheering her team leader on and even yelled out some advice for him. But unlike Ren, Pyrrha always showed a pained expression each time Jaune was hit and tossed around.
Speaking of whom, the blonde in question was not looking too great.
Jaune looked to be a few seconds away from collapsing. He was sprawled on his back, once more, trying to catch his breath. His breathing was erratic and unfocused while sweat profusely came down his face. Honestly, he looked like crap, and most probably felt like it as his opponent, Cardin Winchester, continued to smirk at his defeat while the Professor continued to lecture about the mistakes they made during battle.
Fortunately, the grilling from Professor Goodwitch was cut short by the academy bell ringing. With a sigh at the lost time, she started her finishing remarks.
"Remember everyone. The Vytal Festival is just a few months away. It won't be long until the students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing. Keep in mind that those who are competing in the combat tournament would be representing all of Vale. Class dismissed."
And with that, all the students packed up their stuff and headed for lunch.
While Jaune was getting himself off the ground, he quickly winced in pain when the boot of Cardin trampled over his hand. With a widening smirk on his face, the tormentor promptly left before either team RWBY or the rest of JNPR could do anything.
Pyrrha was first by the blonde's side to check on him. "Jaune? Are you alright?"
"We'll remember that, Winchester! Your legs are next!" Nora yelled after Cardin as he blended into the crowd of students.
Jaune lowered his head and was completely silent while Ren and Yang helped him back on his feet. The only response they got from him was his downtrodden look and his avoidance to look at them.
Jaune's dejected attitude continued through Lunch break. Team RWBY and NPR tried to go on like things were normal; Nora was narrating the story of some dream she had to Yang (with the occasional correction from Ren) while Blake and Weiss were doing their own thing, reading a book and filing a nail respectively. Even though everyone around the table took notice of Jaune's mood, only Pyrrha and Ruby showed concern as he continued to pick and prod at his food.
"Jaune? Are you okay?" Pyrrha asked.
Her voice snapped Jaune out of his own thoughts. "Huh? Oh, right, um, yeah. I'm good…Why?"
Everyone around the table stopped what they were doing and stared at the blonde.
"Jaune, Cardin has been picking on you since the first week of school."
"Cardin? Nah, he just likes to mess around. You know, practical jokes." Jaune defended.
Weiss countered. "Arc, you know Winchester has been nothing but a ruffian and a bully."
"Please, name one time."
Blake started. "First week of school, the first interaction he had with you was tripping you over and stepping on your books."
"Well-"
Then Ren. "Same week, he stuffed you in one of the lockers and launched you far from school."
"I didn't land too fa-"
Finally, Ruby. "Earlier today, after beating you to a pulp, he still had the gaul to step on you while you were down. And I'm not even mentioning the other times in combat class"
The boy in question kept silent as he rubbed the back of his head.
Pyrrha placed a hand on his shoulder. "Jaune, you know if you need help you can just ask us."
"Guys, really. It's not a big deal." Jaune attempted to soothe. "I can handle whatever he throws at me."
"Ow! That hurts!"
Their conversation was interrupted by the cries of distress. Turning, they found Cardin and his team picking on a bunny faunus student by pulling on her long ears.
"See! I told you they were real!" Cardin yelled.
Other members of his team laughed. "What a freak!"
Watching the scene infuriated Ruby. Back in her days as Robin, she often encountered hate crimes against faunus in Mantle. Hell, one of her old Titan friends was a victim of such a crime. It's because of that, she and Bruce did their best to fix the inequality among faunus, whether it be in suit or out. But honestly, what bothered her the most was that nobody seemed to do anything to stop this. Has it become a norm for people not to act against this?
Before Ruby could do anything, she noticed that Jaune had already gotten up from his seat and headed straight to Cardin and his team.
This won't end well.
Once there, Jaune confronted the leader. "Let her go, Cardin."
Seeing his often blonde victim, the bully just smirked and let the ears go. The faunus girl quickly thanked her savior before running off. That left Jaune against the entirety of team CRDL.
"You got pretty big kahunas, Arc. What were you going to do if I did otherwise, huh?" said Cardin as he stood taller than him. "Want me to remind you of combat class?"
"I'm not afraid of you, Cardin. And I don't care what you're capable of doing." Jaune answered without hesitation.
His response made the bully chuckle at first, before it evolved into a hearty laugh as the rest of his team joined in. Once they finished, Cardin raised his hands in 'surrender' before he took a couple steps back.
Jaune internally sighed in relief and was about to leave.
Just as his guard came down, Cardin took the immediate advantage and threw a right hook at the blonde, knocking him to the floor.
"Know your place, Ar-"
His victory was short lived when he felt a sudden pain in his throat and his air cut off. Fallen to the floor, Cardin could only cough and choke on his own saliva as Ruby stood before him, stretching her own fingers from the strike.
The rest of team CRDL stood frozen at their leader's immediate incapacitation. Members WBY and PR went to check on Jaune while Ruby and RDL were left at a stare off on their next move. It was the 'calm before the storm'.
And that storm was one Nora Valkyrie.
"I told you I'd break your legs!"
Like a bowling ball, the ginger thunder crashed herself into the bodies of team CRDL.
And that's how Ruby ended up outside the elevator to Professor Ozpin's office. After the entire altercation with Nora and RDL, Glynda Goodwitch had no choice but to step in and separate them. While the entirety of team CRDL were sent to the infirmary, she and Nora were sent straight to the headmaster's office, with the latter being brought in first.
With nothing much to do but wait, Ruby used that time to go over what she learned about Jaune. Taking deep breaths, she began brainstorming.
Who's Jaune Arc? Male, late teens, descendant from a family of hunters. He wants to become a huntsman. Obvious inspiration. Strategic? Yes, but lacks any formal training and experience. Grades alone wouldn't be able to get him into Beacon.
How is he here? Nothing he's done so far was notable to gain a scholarship nor is he rich enough to use influence to get his way in. Meaning, his transcripts were not legally obtained.
Fake transcripts, and still got in? I don't care how well made they are; if Ozpin can dig up my past and deduce my identity, then fake transcripts should be an easy identifier. Would wellmade documents slip past him?
Arc.
Arc.
Arc.
Where had she heard that name before? Previous case? No, that would imply someone was dead or incarcerated. He sounded very proud to talk about his family. Watchlist? No, generations of huntsmen don't often end with outlaws. Perhaps a patrol encounter? Maybe-
Ruby's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the elevator door opening. Nora happily skipped out and hushed towards Ruby. "Ain't gotta worry about anything, pard. I ain't a snitch!"
Without another word, she continued to skip down the halls, most likely headed towards the JNPR dorm.
Nora, in Ruby's opinion, was quite the…peculiar character. A strong, dangerous, and hyper. A combination destined for trouble. Makes one kinda wonder how Ren has ever been able to keep up with her.
A short ride through the elevator and Ruby was sat once more in front of the headmaster. The room itself was quiet, except for the occasional tick of the clock office and the tapping of a scroll.
"You've made quite the ruckus, Miss Rose," The Headmaster said before taking a sip from his signature mug. "Glynda seemed more stressed than usual."
"Oh, you know, accidents happen." answered Ruby as she leaned into her chair to get comfortable.
"Hm, so injuring Mr. Winchester's trachea and dislocating his team's legs were considered 'accidents'?"
The ex-vigilante merely shrugged. "Cardin tripped and knocked the wind out of himself. Nora tried to help them, but accidentally tripped herself and dislocated their legs."
Ozpin didn't ask further questions. Frankly, he wasn't sure if he wanted to. Based on the smugness in her voice, he could've already pieced together what happened. Well, that and there were secret security cameras watching the scene. Quite an eventful watch, he'd say.
The headmaster chuckled to himself before closing his scroll. "Well, based on what I've been able to collect, it would seem that Mr. Winchester and his team were just in a very unfortunate school accident. Fortunately, they should be just fine in a week or so. You're free to go Ms. Rose. That is, if you don't have any further questions."
This got Ruby to sit up and slip into interrogation mode. "You knew Cardin Winchester was bad news."
"Mr. Winchester got into and was accepted by Beacon Academy legitimately." He should've known that would be her first question. Sadly, his hands were tied. "Unless someone comes forward and gives evidence that would result in his expulsion, Mr. Winchester would continue his studies here in Beacon."
An answer Ruby hoped he wouldn't have given. It's easy for bullies to get away with their acts, as there won't always be substantial evidence to actually prove it. It's even harder for victims who are faunus. Not many faunus victims come forward, and whenever they do, they are often hit and miss cases, even with hard evidence. She pinched the bridge of her nose at the harsh reality of the situation.
"One more thing then before I go," Ruby said as she leaned forward. "I need to see Jaune Arc's transcripts."
Now this got the headmaster's attention. So she finally caught on. He straightened himself and spoke firmly.
"Unfortunately, Ms. Rose, I would be unable to do that." While he spoke, Ozpin opened his desk drawer and sorted through a couple files. "It's Beacon policy to keep any student documents private from any other eyes besides faculty."
He then pulled out a file and opened it before dropping it onto his desk. "It would be a violation of student privacy to give you Mr. Arc's transcripts and other documents."
A quick glance around the room, Ruby then nodded and read the folder on his desk. And what she read shocked her to say the least.
It was around late in the afternoon when Ruby left the headmaster's office. Once she got out of the elevator, she headed straight towards her own locker. She needed to talk to Jaune, and her scroll would help her do that.
Wasn't long too long before she made it to her locker. Ruby quickly grabbed her scroll to call the Blonde idiot, but halted before she closed the door. Something caught her eye.
At the very bottom was a bulky black suitcase with a note attached. She didn't recognize it and was sure as hell it wasn't there that morning. Someone must've delivered it while she was still in the headmaster's office. However, picking up the note, she instantly knew who it was from.
'Congratulations to you and Miss Yang for your acceptance in Beacon! I wish you both the best of luck!'
Yours truly,
A.P
Her heart warmed at the note from Alfred. It's been months since she and Yang last saw him. Perhaps they should pay him a visit during the break. But a thought for a different time. Curiosity got the better of Ruby and wondered what was in the case.
The case itself was locked shut through a fingerprint scanner behind the handle of the case. Without a second thought, she placed her thumb onto the scanner and unlocked the mechanism. Automatically, the case opened itself up and revealed its contents, which quickly caused Ruby's eyes to widen and her blood to run cold.
It….It can't be…
Time itself stilled for the Girl Wonder. Her fingers trembled at the sight of the case's contents. Her legs took a couple steps back, almost in fear. It shouldn't be here. WHY was it-
"Uh, Ruby? Are you okay?"
The sudden voice snapped her back into reality. Faster than she could ever move, Ruby forced the case shut and slammed the door closed before locking it behind her.
Turning around, she was greeted by the man she was looking for, Jaune Arc. He didn't look much different from the last time she saw him. Well, except for the slight bruising under his eye. He still hasn't fully grasped aura yet.
"Jaune! I was just looking for you. We need to talk."
The blonde was caught off guard by the sudden change of subject. "Uh, sure. I think I have time for a quick chat. Although, I do have to have to meet Pyrrha on the roof around 8, so we have to-"
"Okay, good! Meet you at the school courtyard at around 7!"
Before Jaune had a chance to say anything more, Ruby had already left. The blonde was dumbfounded by the entire interaction.
His gaze then shifted towards the girl's locker. Was he seeing things? It couldn't have been. Was it because…
Nightfall had already covered the sky when Jaune found himself alone in the school's courtyard. He arrived exactly at the given time, yet found nobody around. Maybe Ruby is just somewhere around here. She didn't exactly say where in the courtyard. With that thought in mind, he ventured around the courtyard to catch any glimpse of the girl in red.
The boy aimlessly roamed around. His eyes were constantly scanning his surroundings for a hint of red, but found no such luck. He did this for quite some until he started to get tired.
Seeing a nearby tree, he decided to take a short break before continuing on with his search. However, the moment he was finally under the tree, something snagged onto his foot and lifted him to the air. Next thing he knew, his entire world was reversed as he was hung upside down from a tree branch.
Before he could wonder who was the perpetrator, his body was spun around to come face to face with one Ruby Rose.
Whenever someone gets caught in this trap, there were often 3 reactions that were common; crying in pain from the snare on their legs, asking forgiveness for whatever thing they've done, or the most common 'curse whatever language they know to let them down'. But, in Jaune's case, it was quite the opposite. He looked like his entire mind was blown as his surprised expression shifted to excitement. It was as if his entire world started to make sense.
"Holy Cow….I knew it! I knew that that suit was real!" Jaune said and grinned. "You're Robin!"
"And you, Jaune Arc, are one hell of a fraud."
Sorry for the long wait. I have re-edited almost the entire story (Omakes included) by fixing some errors, rewrote some scenes, and even adding more scenes to enhance aspects of the story. Volume 1 of the story is almost about to wrap up so I hope ya'll enjoy this in the mean time. I would like to thank you all for the support, please leave a review or a comment on the story, and I hope you enjoy.
I do not own any of the characters. All characters and names used are owned by either Rooster Teeth and Detective Comics (DC).