I'm glad to see people enjoyed the talk between Qrow and Jaune. I felt it was really realistic myself and Qrow really only had partial knowledge himself. Remember, he finds out different things later in the series too. When Jaune finally gets to chat with Ozpin, that's going to end up with some interesting twists. Then the second most commonly talked about topic in the last chapter: Blake. Will Blake kill Jaune before he can tell her the whole story or not? No idea. I'm toying with ideas for that. Right now, Jaune and Ruby have a lot going on. Pyrrha does too. Our heroes are all going through their own trials.

Thanks to nBappo for betaing again and it's thanks to his persuasion, I've decided to end on my famous cliffhangers. Or not. You'll have to read and find out.

If you continue to enjoy my stories, feel free to check out my p a treon.

P a treon . com (Slash) Dark Betrayer

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

"Knock, knock, squirt!" Qrow's voice came from the door. "Are you done chatting? I need to talk with you?"

"Yep, I'm finally finished!" Ruby exclaimed, her hand instinctively slapping her cheeks to alleviate the lingering embarrassment. In truth, she had completed her task quite some time ago, but she had been concealing herself within her cloak, desperately attempting to comprehend the cryptic conversation between Yang and Weiss. Why was she experiencing these impossible hallucinations? It wasn't as if she had any issues with her vision. The most frustrating part was her inability to seek guidance from Jaune. Not only was he engaged in conversation with his own team in another room, but she also didn't want to divulge the intricate details surrounding her predicament. "What can I assist you with?"

"Come on," Qrow gestured to her as she opened the door. "Let's find Jaune and I'll explain our next objective."

"You already know?" Ruby gasped in surprise. "We just got back!"

"Time waits for no one." Qrow huffed. "There's a big assignment that needs our attention. Oz thinks you two are ready after I told him what we've been through."

"Yes!" Ruby fist pumped excitedly. "Who are we helping now?"

"You'll see," Qrow laughed, but he didn't provide any further details. Ruby tilted her head in curiosity, but Qrow simply started walking down the hallway, leaving her to scramble after him. "I wish you two would just stick together. Saves me time," He remarked casually.

Ruby huffed in response, defending their decision to have separate rooms. "We respect each other's privacy, and there are plenty of empty rooms here. We both need to talk to our teams about personal stuff." She couldn't help but worry about what might happen if Jaune overheard her conversation with Yang. Her mind played out scenarios where her life would be over or where Jaune might change his behavior and stop flirting with girls to focus solely on training. Perhaps she should tell him about it!

"Hey, brat!" Qrow yelled, rapping on the door. "You done yet?"

"Qrow's yellign for me," Jaune's voice said from behind the door. "I have to go. Talk to you when I can."

"Bye, Jaune!" Nora's loud voice reverberated in the room. "Take care! We miss you!"

The next moment, the door opened and Jaune stood there.

"Good, you're done." Qrow pretended not to have heard him saying goodbye. "Come on. I need to talk to you two about our next mission Oz assigned… Squirt, you alive there?"

Jaune and Qrow both turned to look at Ruby, who was gaping at Jaune with her mouth open.

"T-Those c-clothes…" Ruby stammered, her face reddening.

The gray shirt hugged Jaune's body perfectly, complementing his dark jeans. Ruby couldn't help but notice how the white jacket with gold trimmings resembled her own cloak, except it was tailored to fit a guy and even had a hood. They were practically fashion twins! If only he made it red like hers and Qrows, but white suited him.

"Noticed, huh?" Jaune grinned, extending his arms to showcase his outfit. "Yeah, Atlas really hooked me up. I don't know much about fashion, but I thought it looked cool."

Ruby's words stumbled out, her face turning as red as a ripe tomato. "Th-they're...uh...really...good..." Why was she so flustered? It was just clothing! If Jaune had gotten a cool new weapon, she would understand her reaction, but this? She needed to stop staring, but her eyes seemed drawn to his shield, clinging tightly to his torso. She mentally scolded herself for her inability to look away.

Qrow interjected with a chuckle, playfully pushing Ruby on the shoulder. "Close your mouth; you're drooling." That remark finally snapped Ruby out of her trance, and she looked mortified by her own actions.

"They suit you perfectly, Jaune."

Why couldn't those words come out earlier?!

"Thanks, at least they had some color." Jaune chuckled. "After Atlas, I figured it would be all white and light blue."

"You're lucky they did." Qrow chuckled, his amused gaze still on his niece. If they had more time, he would have had some fun at her expense. They had matters of importance to discuss. "Now come on so I can debrief you on our mission. If we stick around, we're going to have to call the janitorial staff on Ruby's drool puddle."

"UNCLE QROW!"

Okay, there was always time to embarrass his niece.

Ruby purposely avoided meeting Jaune's eyes as they headed to a soundproof conference room. Once inside, Qrow closed the door and sat down at the table, gesturing for them to do the same. Once they took their seats, he leaned forward and looked from one to another.

"We're going back to Vale."

"Really?" Ruby gasped. "All right! We're going home!"

"Where to in Vale?" Jaune asked.

"The city proper." Qrow replied simply. "I've been tasked with investigating some things relating to the attempted Breach in Vale recently by the White Fang and Roman Torchwick. I'm pretty sure both of you know about it by now if your team has been keeping you up to date. Do you?"

"Yes," Ruby answered with a nod. "Our teams went on a mission to Mt. Glenn and discovered a White Fang base where they were storing the stolen Dust. They took a train into some underground tunnels to blow up a barrier and let the Grimm into Vale."

"They managed to stop the train just in time." Jaune added, remembering learning about Pyrrha's Semblance.

"Which means the situation isn't as dire as it could have been," Qrow concurred, tapping his finger on the table. "But Oz and I have to consider the bigger picture. This kind of action isn't typical of the White Fang. They've been known for violence, but it's usually targeted at specific individuals and businesses. Indiscriminate destruction and summoning Grimm into a city populated with Faunus go against their usual methods. The same goes for Torchwick. He's a criminal, but his expertise lies in thieving, not mass murder. He won't kill unless absolutely necessary."

Jaune, connecting the dots, posed the question, "Do you think someone convinced them to do this?" He had already pondered this possibility during his conversation with Ren and Nora.

"Bingo!" Qrow pointed at him. "I'll be looking into some contacts in Vale, and you two will be joining me. It's about time you both understood that being a Huntsman isn't just about battling Grimm and criminals. We also conduct investigations."

Ruby let out a dejected sigh. "So, we won't get to see our teams again."

"Not immediately," Qrow corrected her, and the girl's silver eyes widened with hope as she looked up. "Depending on what we uncover, I might have to swing by Beacon and discuss matters with Oz. Additionally, there's a good chance I'll need to remain close by for added security if the situation turns out to be as dire as we fear."

"What do you mean by that?" Jaune zeroed in on those words.

"If there's a group of people who can get not only Torchwick and the White Fang to throw their beliefs aside and work on trying to destroy Vale, they aren't going to stop just because this one plan failed." Qrow locked eyes with the boy. "They have to be working with someone very powerful to achieve this. We need to figure out who that is and stop them."

"What can we do?" Ruby asked worriedly. "I talked a little bit about this with my team, but they don't have any leads or even an idea who could be doing this."

"Yes, because you are children, I'm an adult with decades of experience." Qrow almost sounded like he was bragging. "Along with Ozpin, we have leads you brats don't. Plus, I'm actually connected with several groups in the criminal underworld of Vale."

"Why am I not surprised?" Jaune rolled his eyes and Ruby gave a nervous giggle. "Met them at a bar?"

"You'll be surprised what information you can get out of criminals if you're not trying to take them in and buy them a round or two." Qrow pointed out. "I'll ignore minor stuff, like gambling, a few thefts, and I'll be able to get information on serious criminals, like murderers."

"It's okay to just let people go for breaking the law?" Ruby's mouth had a bitter taste in it.

"Minor stuff can be left to the police," Qrow told her. "There's only so much we can do by ourselves, so we have to prioritize. When you have the choice to take in someone who stole a few hundred Lien of items from a large business or use them to find the person who's killed three people already, what should you do?"

Ruby's eyes fell to the ground but she didn't argue.

"It's not that we don't want to help out, Squirt." Qrow's tone softened. "But we have to help the most people we can with the limited resources we have. It's why we always try to train better Huntsman and Huntresses so we can do more. When you finally graduate Beacon, you'll be able to help a lot of people. Until then, understand your limits or you risk running yourself ragged and too exhausted to face the serious threats."

"I know… but I just don't like it." Ruby muttered.

"There's a lot of things in the world we don't like, but have to accept that's how things are until we can find a way to change it."

"So are we just going to accompany you to listen in because if that's the case, I feel like they wouldn't trust us." Jaune changed the topic. "A bunch of Huntsmen coming in and asking questions? Won't that make us obvious targets?"

"It depends how you go about it." Qrow shrugged. "Walk in guns ablazin' and threaten criminals? Might get you the initial information you want, but you also risk ending up in a gunfight and any future endeavors won't be pretty. There's a balancing act."

"Criminals probably cover for each other." Ruby muttered.

"Sometimes." A shrug from her Uncle was the answer she received. "Other times, they will toss their rivals under a bus the moment they get the chance." He looked over at Jaune. "What do you think?"

"Feels like there's a certain code of honor among thieves." Jaune rationalized slowly and outloud. "If you're known as a squealer, you'll be targeted to keep your mouth shut, but if you're really a threat to the others, they'll do what they can to stop them. In our case, those people will be a threat to their way of life. Can't be a criminal in a city that is destroyed by Grimm."

"So most of the criminal groups would want us to catch the people behind the White Fang and Torchwick!" Ruby gasped. "If they aren't strong enough to do it themselves, why not use Huntsmen?"

"Exactly." Qrow confirmed. "It's a matter of survival. As long as we phrase it in a way that we're going to take responsibility. It's a 'I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine' situation. As long as they feel it wont' get traced back to them, I'm sure we can get some important information. I know a broker who deals with information I've used in the past."

"And we're going to actually go with you to gather intel?" Ruby asked a little hesitantly. "You usually go off on your own to do this while we train."

"I'm planning for you two to join me," Qrow agreed. "At the very least, you'll be good cover. I might need you two to cause a distraction or act like we're just enjoying ourselves in a night on the town."

"Bait, huh?" Jaune raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.

"Hey, I'm warning you this time like you wanted."

"I know, and it's a good plan."

"Of course it is. I came up with it."

"Your uncle is so modest." Jaune loudly whispered to Ruby, who tried and failed to stifle her laughter.

"It's one of his strengths." Ruby whispered back, her hand up against the side of her mouth, making Jaune grin himself.

"Crack your jokes now, because once we get into Vale, we're going to have to get serious." Qrow warned. "I already told Ash we're leaving and he's setting up transportation to Argus. Once there, we get a long distance flight back to Vale."

"Probably won't have time to stop by and see Saphron and Terra, huh?" Jaune asked.

"Probably not. At best, we'll have a little time for some sparring at the base." Qrow admitted with a shrug. "I would call her on the ride over just so she knows you're safe. Last thing I want is your sisters hunting me down."

"Yeah, Saph was always good at hide and seek."

"We'll be ready, Uncle Qrow." Ruby promised quickly. "Though I'm not the best at social situations…" Ruby was always socially awkward and Jaune was too. Well, he used to be. Ruby realized how good he was at talking to people now while she remained stagnant. Maybe. It was easy to talk to Kali and that woman was a stranger until not too long ago.

"Good, there's not much else I can really tell you about where in Vale we'll be going after the first stop," Qrow stood up. "It all depends on what I find out."

"What's the first stop?" Jaune asked.

"Oh, just a popular club," Qrow shrugged nonchalantly. "It's run by some gangsters. The club itself is legitimate, but they're involved in some shady business on the side. They pay off inspectors to turn a blind eye to certain individuals who frequent the place. If you're not part of the law or the criminal underworld, it's quite the happening spot."

"Oh no! We have to go to a club?" Ruby's face paled.

"No drinking for you. But Jaune can." Qrow smirked and couldn't resist teasing her again,

"Not fair! How else am I supposed to blend in?" Ruby protested.

Meanwhile, Ash did come through with arrangements for a Bullhead to transport them back to the Argus military base, and although it felt like an eternity, they finally found themselves back in the bustling city. The Atlas airport was abuzz with constant arrivals and departures of airships. As soon as they landed, a short, elderly woman with gray hair and a stern expression approached them, engaging Qrow in conversation and leaving Jaune and Ruby to stand awkwardly by the side. That was one downside of having Qrow around—he could handle almost everything, leaving little for the two of them to do.

"Everything on track?" Ruby asked when Qrow eventually returned to them.

"There's a small delay," Qrow answered. "A couple of Bullheads encountered some Grimm and are going to be late. Nothing that unusual. We'll hang out a bit before heading to Vale." He grinned. "Speaking of which… I believe I owe one of you some extra training." He put his hand on Jaune's shoulder.

The boy gulped, but Ruby bounced up and down on the balls of her feet.

"Yes, we haven't sparred in ages!"

"Luckily this is an Atlas military base," Qrow pushed Jaune forward. "There's plenty of training grounds."

"Maybe it would be best if we waited a bit." Jaune suggested. "In case the Bullhead arrives early."

"No, basic training is important and sparring will make sure you don't forget your foundation."

"I don't like that grin on your face!"

"I don't enjoy smacking you around," Qrow assured him, that amused smirk never leaving his face. "It's purely to help you grow. Definitely not getting back at you for all your smartass comments."

"That doesn't sound convincing at all!" Jaune cried out as he kept being pushed forward.

Ruby couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle as she observed her best friend and uncle. Despite their banter, both of them seemed genuinely happy. Deep down, Ruby knew that Qrow secretly wanted a nephew, despite his protests. She didn't feel too jealous about it. After all, guys needed their guy time just like girls needed their girl time. Qrow was still the best uncle to her and Yang, and Ruby had no complaints. He always made an effort to spend time with them whenever he returned. Now, she had a greater understanding of what he went through each time he left.

His job was tough, and having a place to call home meant a lot to him.

"Alright, you two brats," Qrow announced, securing an area for them to spar at the base with the caveat of no live ammo. People tended to get nervous when they heard gunfire. "You'll both be facing me at once. We'll follow our usual rules." He positioned his Scroll on the fence to ring when his Aura reached a critical point, not that it mattered much for him. Jaune and Ruby, on the other hand, needed the reminder.

Plus, the reason he pushed this match was he needed to see something.

How much had Raven gotten to them?

"You don't need me to go too easy on you, right?" Qrow drew his blade and held it out at them. "It has been a while. I can keep one hand behind my back if it helps."

"We're going to make you eat those words!" Ruby huffed, her finger clicking the button on her gun, causing the gears to grind and the metal to shift. She swung her scythe with a confident grin on her face. "Right, Jaune?"

"Actually, I wouldn't mind the handicap," Jaune chuckled, drawing his sword and effortlessly flipping his sheath into its shield form. Stepping up in front of Ruby, he raised the barrier.

Qrow couldn't help but resist a smirk as he observed how much Jaune had changed. Gone was the doubt in his eyes, replaced by a resolute determination to prove himself during their sparring sessions. He wasn't hiding behind his shield anymore; he was actively using it. It might not be noticeable to a novice, but any seasoned professional could see the difference.

"Here I come!" Qrow warned, pushing off the ground with enhanced speed and strength granted by his Aura. In an instant, he closed the distance between them, bringing his blade down towards Jaune.

CLANG!

Jaune stepped forward, pushing his shield to meet the powerful strike head-on. By matching the momentum, he was able to absorb the blow more effectively. In the past, he would have been sent flying if he hadn't positioned himself properly. His strength had also improved significantly during their travels. Qrow could still feel the strain in Jaune's muscles as he held his ground, but he was holding it.

As Qrow pulled his sword back, preparing for another strike, a scythe blade slashed horizontally from behind him. He had grown accustomed to Ruby's attacks, but this time she was aiming directly for his neck. There was no hesitation in her assault; she was going all out to win. It was dangerous, especially if she were fighting someone who couldn't match her speed. Qrow frowned, ready to grab her cloak and slam her to the ground, only to be forced to dodge Jaune's blade slicing at his arm.

There was no hesitation from Jaune, either.

Jaune's biggest weakness had always been his reluctance to attack. It was something Qrow had been working on with him from the beginning. He had made significant progress, but there had always been a shadow of hesitation when it came to taking his life. Not against Grimm, but against people. However, after spending time with Raven and her tribe, that hesitation seemed to have disappeared. Qrow knew all too well the kind of training those kids went through under Raven's watchful eye.

Weakness was beaten out of them.

Sparks flew as Qrow raised his sword, blocking a strike from Ruby. She had become exceptionally skilled at follow-throughs, catching her opponents off guard with her swift circular motions. Blow after blow rained down, increasing in speed as she picked up momentum. At the same time, Jaune circled around, preparing to strike from Qrow's blind spot. It was a smart strategy, as most people would be preoccupied with Ruby's fierce assault.

Qrow retracted his sword, causing Ruby's attack to not bounce off his blade as she had anticipated. While her scythe would have struck him, Qrow simultaneously stepped back to avoid it. His backward motion wasn't random; it was a planned strike to intercept Jaune. A ripple ran through Qrow's arm and Aura as his sword collided with metal.

But it wasn't Jaune's sword.

Shield met Qrow's blade.

"Shit!" Qrow's eyes widened as he saw Jaune drop his own sword in a vertical slash downward. The boy had predicted his movement. After sparring multiple times a day, every day for weeks, it was only natural that Jaune had picked up a few of Qrow's combat patterns. It was different for him, as Jaune and Ruby were constantly evolving and changing their styles. Still, Qrow hadn't expected the boy to adapt this quickly.

Qrow wasn't one to be underestimated, though.

Sliding his blade upwards against the shield, sending sparks flying, the tip of his sword made contact with the hilt of Jaune's weapon. With a flick, Qrow attempted to dislodge the sword from Jaune's grip. Jaune refused to let go, but his attack lost all its power, and Qrow easily sidestepped it before twisting his body to intercept Ruby's strike.

Both kids were relentless.

It could have been a problem if they neglected their defense in pursuit of landing hits on their opponent. But that wasn't the case. While they had become more aggressive, especially Ruby, they hadn't forgotten the defensive skills Qrow had instilled in them. Ruby dodged, never fully committing herself to an attack that would leave her vulnerable if evaded, and constantly kept moving. Staying still would make her an easy target. Jaune, on the other hand, used his shield to disrupt Qrow's footing almost as much as he used his sword. There was a clear distinction between using a shield and merely hiding behind it.

As much as Qrow hated to admit it, Raven must have imparted some of the most fundamental lessons from their tribe onto Jaune and Ruby. Hesitation meant death. Recklessness meant death. Actually, now that he thought about it, most of their lessons were focused on survival in the Grimm-infested wilderness. To endure, one had to be strong and smart. As Qrow parried a strike from Jaune and swung his blade to knock Ruby's scythe off balance, he decided it was time to step up the intensity.

Gears began to turn as Qrow's sword blade segments separated. The straight sword curved into a crescent moon shape, and the handle elongated. In an instant, a large battle scythe materialized in his hand as he swung the transforming weapon. Ruby flickered out of range, and Jaune braced himself for the impact against his shield.

He really should have tried to dodge.

"OOMPH!"

Using two hands impacted a much bigger wallop than one. Jaune found that out the hard way. Even leaning into the attack, one foot acting as a brace, Qrow's strength was absolute. To Jaune's testament, he didn't go flying, but he knocked back and landed on the flat of his ass. Scrambling to his feet, His shield was brought up to take Qrow's follow up attack.

None came.

Partially thanks to Ruby's constant flow of deadly slashes, Jaune managed to scramble to his feet. As he looked over his shield at his teacher's face, he noticed a grin and a twinkle in Qrow's eye, impressed by how quickly Jaune had recovered. It dawned on him that the reason Qrow had brought out his battle scythe so early in their spar was that both he and Ruby had earned that privilege. They had grown stronger.

A grin formed on Jaune's face as he charged forward.

"Damn it, kid," Qrow grumbled, standing over the broken and bruised bodies of his wards. "You nicked my cloak." He examined the end of his tattered and frayed red cloak, similar to Ruby's but shorter, shredded near the end, and lacking a hood.

"How can you tell?" Jaune groaned.

"Please, I know every hit that almost got me, and this one right here was Ruby," Qrow pointed out, gesturing over the boy's face.

"Hehe, I win!" Ruby attempted to raise her hand in victory but winced in pain. "Ugh, why were you so rough, Uncle Qrow?"

"You have time to rest on the flight back to Vale." Qrow smirked. "Now get up and stop slacking. Pretty sure that's our ride." He looked at a couple Bullheads heading toward the airfield. "Last chance. Do you have everything?"

"Yeah, Ash hooked us up with everyone, including a new hammock." Jaune slowly pushed himself up. "Glad to have one again. They are so useful."

Qrow wasn't sure if they knew the truth about that item and were just messing with him or not.

"Hmm?" Mercury sat up on his bed as his Scroll buzzed. He had been absentmindedly browsing a comic to kill time. "It's our resident champion. Wonder what she wants?" Cinder and Emerald both turned to face him.

"Probably breaking up with you." Emerald sneered.

"Silence, Emerald." Cinder cut her off and the green haired girl clammed up. "Well, Mercury?"

"She wants to talk about something." Mercury frowned. "Must be important to her since she's being more direct. Maybe the bullying is finally getting to her." His frown instantly shifted into a shit eating grin. "Luckily, I'm here to lend a helping hand through these tough times." Emerald rolled her eyes, but found herself grinning too.

"Good, keep it up." Cinder nodded. "Make sure she can turn to you for anything. Even the smallest inconvenience. Once she fully trusts you, bring her here and I'll work on getting closer. Soon, our team will be the only one she will feel comfortable with. If Ozpin chooses her, she'll be easy pickings. She might even lead you to our target, Mercury."

"What can I say?" The boy pushed his hair back as he stood up. "I'm just that desirable. Maybe I'll even get a chance to bed her. You won't be too jealous, right Em?"

"She'll probably laugh at how small you are." Emerald countered.

"Don't push your luck, but if the opportunity arises and it will help you achieve her trust, then go ahead." Cinder crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "If you force her and it ends up blowing your relationship with her, expect my displeasure."

A visible shiver ran through the boy.

"Nope, I'll play it perfectly." Mercury assured her. "Now I should get going. She's waiting for me."

"Go." Cinder waved him off and he darted out of the room before Cinder could be anymore annoyed at him.

"I still can't believe he's so good at this." Emerald muttered.

"From what I gathered, it's because he's similar to Jaune Arc," Cinder answered. "Though with better combat skills. I still find it interesting that Ozpin let someone with fake transcripts enter Beacon. His guard dog Goodwitch is quite capable. She should have caught it."

"And he got some special apprenticeship." Emerald pointed out. "It does sort of feel like there's more going on."

"Didn't Yang tell you that those two leaders will be back soon?" Cinder asked.

"Month at the most." Emerald answered. "So with plenty of time before the tournament."

"Hmmm…" Cinder pondered this for a few minutes, wondering what that headmaster was planning and how much of her plan he knew.

Meanwhile, Mercury raced through the halls of Beacon and out the back. It needed to look convincing that he hurried there. Being the kind, attentive, caring boy he appeared to be, Pyrrha needed to think he really wanted to help. Plus, he was interested in what that girl wanted to whine about now. It was kind of tiring sometimes, and he couldn't give her the real advice he wanted to give. All those people that annoy her? Just kill them and hide the body.

But Pyrrha wouldn't like that.

"Pyrrha!" Mercury waved as he saw her sitting on a bench.

"Ah, Mercury." Pyrrha gave him a small smile. It was genuine, but there was a hint of sadness there. As an Assassin, Mercury was used to reading people. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Hey, when a friend says she needs me, I'm there!" Mercury declared, plopping down next to her. "And your text made me think something was wrong. What's up?"

"Nothing much…" Pyrrha's tone indicated that was not the truth. Her hands were fidgeting with her school uniform's skirt.

"Uh huh." Mercury looked at her. "We both know that's a lie. Come on, Pyrrha. You can tell me. I promise I won't laugh."

"It's stupid…"

"You called me out here for a reason." Pyrrha looked at him and Mercury gave her a reassuring smile before placing a hand on hers. She looked down at that gesture and her cheeks tinged pink. "I want to help with whatever is bothering you, but if you don't tell me, I can't."

"You're already helping." Pyrrha admitted faintly. "It's just… you know how I'm having some trouble with my team…?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, Nora apologized to me for how she was acting." Pyrrha took a deep breath. "It was a welcome relief to know she wasn't upset at me."

"Sounds like that's a good thing." Mercury pointed out. "Though you never told me what the fight was about. Just that you spilled a secret."

"That was the case… It was just a really big secret." Pyrrha muttered. "I did it to help, really, but I realize now I took matters into my own hands when I should have talked to my team."

"I don't want to pry." Mercury lied convincingly, rubbing his head with his free hand. His other hand was still resting on Pyrrha's. "But does this have to do with Jaune?"

"H-How did you know?!" Pyrrha spluttered. "I was trying to keep it a secret!"

"It was kind of obvious with all the rumors spinning around." Mercury admitted. "It can't be that bad, can it? I mean, if it's true he had fake transcripts, he's strong enough to do some mentorship program so I don't really see the issue."

Pyrrha looked away and started thinking. Finally, she accepted the fact she needed to talk about this. Mercury was the closest friend she had at Beacon now. Even with Nora apologizing, it didn't make up for the weeks of silence and angry glares. Ren tried, he really did, but it was obvious he wasn't good at it and would always go back to appeasing Nora. Jaune… well Jaune hated her.

"Can you keep a secret?" The champion asked.

"Sure!" This was true, as Mercury was really good at keeping secrets. Now, was he going to keep this one? Of course not. Cinder wanted all the juicy information. "I promise I won't tell anyone."

"I was the one who told Ozpin about Jaune's transcripts." Pyrrha explained quietly. "It was me. I found out and went to the headmaster because I was afraid he would get himself killed on a mission. I just wanted to help him. As a friend. But it led to my team hating me, everyone else keeping their distance, and I got isolated… until you came." Pyrrha looked up at him. "You didn't care I was the 'Invincible Girl.' You saw me as another student who you could test your skills against."

"You still hit hard." Mercury rubbed his jaw.

"Sorry!" Pyrrha apologized quickly.

"Okay, so the rumors Jaune's transcripts were true, a lot of people figured that much." Mercury muttered. "I never met the guy, so I didn't know. But if he comes back and can fight, hey, all the power to him." He looked Pyrrha in the eye. "So the whole fight was about you telling Ozpin this?"

"Yes, my mistake was not telling the others first so we could decide what to do with it as a team." Pyrrha sighed. "That was my oversight. Then my Semblance got revealed and everyone's acting like I'm cheating! I'm not! I worked really hard to get where I am."

"I know." Mercury patted her hands. He felt like a loser being so sappy, but this was part of his mission. It was also so easy to get this girl to open up. After being isolated by everyone she knew, she was desperate to talk to someone. Anyone at all. And of course, he was there to lend an ear. Invincible in battle maybe, but this girl was an emotional wreck.

So easy to exploit.

It was almost… criminal.

"For the most part, people are jealous." Mercury continued. "You're Semblance is cool and really useful. Maybe not against Grimm, but being able to pull your weapon if you drop it? Will probably save your life. Everyone else? It's more of the fact that it's easier to believe that other people cheat over the fact you're just not good enough."

"But they are good enough." Pyrrha protested. "The fact they made it into the academies is proof of that."

"Good enough to beat you." Mercury amended his words. He had to be careful here. "The fact is, in tournaments, there's always skill levels. Someone's going to end up on top. Sure, you were blessed with a great Semblance, but plenty of people are. It's how you use it." He leaned forward. "Come on. You have to have a funny story of when your Semblance caused you some problems."

Pyrrha's face instantly matched her hair.

"HAH! I knew it! Come on! Tell me! Pleeeeeease. I'll keep it a secret."

"There were a few times…" Pyrrha admitted slowly, deliberately looking away from him. "I tried to pull my shield back to me and instead of catching it, I missed and it hit me."

"In the face?"

"NO!"

"Bet it did. You just don't want to say it." Mercury poked her shoulder. "Admit it."

"Fine! It happened once!" Pyrrha buried her face in her hands. "Just once!"

"Knew it!" Mercury fist-pumped in victory. "But see! You proved my point. It was all that training. You weren't instantly perfect at birth. If you were, maybe the others would have a point. They're just jealous, and if you let jealous people dictate how you feel and act, you might as well give up on everything."

"I don't want people to give up because of me," Pyrrha muttered. "Remnant needs many Huntsmen and Huntresses to protect the kingdoms."

"Listen, Pyrrha." Mercury placed a hand on her shoulder, turning to face her. "People like that, who blame others for their own weaknesses, won't get anywhere. If it wasn't you at the top, they would vent their frustration on whoever was. The best thing you can do is focus on yourself. Find the people who genuinely want to be around you and spend time with them. You might have to go through a lot of unpleasant experiences, but then you'll find someone like me, and it will all be worth it."

A giggle escaped the champion's lips.

"I do enjoy your company."

"Same," Mercury grinned. "Honestly, when I first met you, I thought you'd be stuck up like many other celebrities. But you're not like that at all. I'm glad I took the opportunity to get to know you."

"You don't know how much I appreciate that." Pyrrha smiled. "Maybe I will try your suggestion and focus on my own wants and needs for a while."

"And if it helps ease your mind, I think you did the right thing," Mercury continued, pressing forward. "If your leader truly wasn't trained, he would have ended up dead sooner or later. You probably saved his life, and if I were him, I'd be constantly thanking you."

Pyrrha fell silent.

Mercury wasn't entirely wrong. She did save Jaune's life during initiation. Even after discovering that Jaune had cheated his way into Beacon, she still offered to teach him. And how did he respond? By yelling at her. And for what? For caring? It really did seem like Mercury had a point. Jaune could be selfish. The mistake Pyrrha made in discussing her team paled in comparison to his. Then Nora sided with him without really listening to her.

Her hand tightened on her skirt.

"Let's not talk about Jaune right now." Pyrrha suggested. "I spilled some of my secrets. Let's hear one of yours."

"Hmm, well… there was this time when Em and I first met…"

As Mercury talked, Pyrrha leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled.

"Welcome to Vale, kids!" Qrow held out his arms as they stepped off the Bullhead in Vale's main airport. "I hope you two can take in the sights while we're here."

"Very funny." Ruby giggled and then looked back at Jaune. "You okay?"

"Of all times to run out of those motion sickness pills Winter gave me." Jaune moaned, stumbling out of the ship behind them. "But I held it in… mmmph!" The boy rushed to a trashcan and proceeded to empty his stomach.

"That's why you need to learn not to rely on shortcuts like that medicine." Qrow warned. "Your body gets used to it, and then when you don't have it, the effects are worse because you haven't learned to adapt. The best thing for you to do is constantly fly until you no longer get sick… or at least hold it in easily enough."

"Duly… noted…"

"We still have some time before the club opens," Qrow checked the time on his Scroll. "Let's grab some grub. My treat. We can get some real food today."

"Can you eat, Jaune?" Ruby asked, worriedly, turning around to check on her friend.

"Yeah, I'll be fine in a few minutes." Jaune gave her a thumbs up as he pushed himself away from the trash can.

"So what do you kids want to eat?" Qrow asked as they walked down the street.

"Tacos!" Ruby said instantly.

"Really, Tacos?" Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Not cookies?'

"I eat other things besides cookies." Ruby glared at her friend. "Strawberries and chocolate too."

"Yeah, but tacos?"

"I'm craving tacos, okay!?"

"I could go for some too." Qrow agreed a little too easily.

"Ruby," Jaune sighed. "You missed your chance." The girl tilted her head in confusion. "You should have chosen some expensive place since Qrow's treating us."

"I heard that brat!" Qrow snapped as Ruby laughed, understanding it was a joke. However, he didn't needle them anymore about that. Instead, he led them through downtown Vale to a small restaurant that fit his niece's requirement. The place wasn't very busy and there were only a dozen or so tables set up. The smells wafting out began to cause Jaune's stomach to rumble.

Until they heard a commotion inside.

"Get out. We don't serve your kind."

"Hey! I have money and what do you mean by your kind?"

Qrow, Jaune, and Ruby peaked inside through the door and saw a cashier berating a guy in front of the counter. They weren't sure what was going on and waited back to observe the situation. Jaune had an enticing feeling he knew what was happening based on only a few words. He hoped he was wrong and the customer was just being belligerent. Ruby was biting the corner of her lip next to him as she stared transfixed at the two.

"I told you, get out!" The Cashier said. "We've had too much trouble with Faunus here. Humans want to enjoy our food in peace!"

"I have the right to be here!" The man in front of him said.

"Is there a problem, here?" Qrow asked, stepping forward and looking between the two.

"A Huntsman?" The Cashion looked him up and down, taking in his appearance and weapon. "Great. This person is trespassing here."

"This asshole isn't taking my order because he's a racist!" Jaune noticed the customer had a couple small tusks in his mouth.

"We have the right to reserve service to anyone, especially those who have dine and dashed." The cashier said flatly.

"I haven't stolen anything!" The man shot back.

"Other Faunus have."

"See, he's racist." The customer turned to Qrow.

"He can refuse to serve you due to your insults," Qrow remarked passively. "However, Vale law does state that you can't refuse service based on race. Not sure why you would want to eat here though when people like this treat you so poorly."

"You got a point, but it's not like even if I report this place, anything will happen."

"We'll help!" Ruby piped up, surprising Jaune. "We're Beacon students and can verify your claim!"

"Definitely," Jaune agreed, stepping up too. He was aware of the few customers in the shop looking at them. They were all uncomfortable, but none of them were speaking up. Just like what they learned about. Even if people were against racism, they wouldn't do anything about it because they didn't want to get involved. He and Ruby weren't going to stand back and ignore it anymore. "As Huntsmen, we're required to report law breakers."

Jaune wasn't sure if this was technically true, but the cashier suddenly went pale. One table had two people grinning at each other.

"Is there a problem?" An older man came out from the manager's office.

"No, sir!" The cashier said quickly. "But I thought you were off today."

"I finished the meeting early, now what's going on."

"Your employer refused to serve me because I'm a Faunus." The customer said instantly. "These Huntsmen are witnesses."

"What?!" The manager rounded on the cashier, who had gone rigid.

"I'm sure you can handle the rest of this." Qrow added. "I think we're going to go somewhere else. Not sure I want to patronize an establishment who lets their employees discriminate."

"Me either!" Ruby shook her head. "Let's go get hamburgers."

"Sounds good." Jaune agreed without any argument and the three left. Not long after, over half the other customers got up and followed suit. Once they were out of sight of the restaurant, Jaune turned to Qrow. "You didn't just call him out?"

"No, if I did that, I would be the bad guy." Qrow answered. "I had to appear neutral until we knew what happened. Then hit them where it hurts. Their reputation and wallet. Huntsmen are respected, you know this. If they start speaking out about racist practices, the businesses are going to have to take note. I doubt that employee is going to make it the rest of the day."

"And the other people there followed suit!" Ruby cheered. "It seems to fight discrimination, you have to speak out. Doing nothing doesn't solve anything. It just emboldens racists."

"We promised ourselves we wouldn't stay silent about that." Jaune acknowledged with a nod. "This time it wasn't as bad as being kidnapped and sold…"

"...but if we let the small stuff slide, it just cascades into bigger stuff." Ruby finished.

"You two learned a lot." Qrow complimented. "Glad to see you're picking up stuff. But yes. That kind of discrimination is more common in the major cities. Places won't serve Faunus, employees follow them around in stores to make sure they don't steal anything, that kind of stuff. Less outright violence, but it does happen. Once you're fully licensed Huntsmen, you'll have more sway in helping out. I know you want to help, but you have to focus on training first before getting swept up in social injustices."

"We don't just stand by and be quiet anymore." Ruby protested.

"I don't expect you to, just don't go looking for problems to solve. You'll never finish."

They stopped at a burger joint to get their fill of greasy fast food they couldn't enjoy on the road. When the sun fully set and night rolled around, rather than going to sleep, which Jaune's body instantly felt like doing, Qrow led them further into downtown Vale. The buildings were getting older and slightly more rundown, but plenty of businesses were operating in the area. Bright lights eventually came into view in the distance, followed by music.

One large building looked new, surrounded by people and vehicles, with a line winding down the streets. Bright neon sign showed the name of the club and their destination.

Junior's

"Wait!" Ruby stopped in her tracks. "I know this place! Yang destroyed the club shortly before we started Beacon!"

"You were serious about that?" Jaune gaped at her. She had mentioned it before but Jaune figured Yang had just gotten into a fight at a club or something. Not that she destroyed the club. No wonder the building looked new. "Is it wise for us to come here?"

"As long as you two don't say Yang's your friend, you'll be fine." Qrow chuckled. "Besides, Beacon helped cover this up. It helped that the owner didn't want extra attention. Remember, he runs a gang and deals with other criminal organizations. If the word got out his group got beat up by a single girl, he's going to lose a lot of reputation. That's how Yang got away with it. But she really needs to control her temper."

"Don't mention Yang." Jaune muttered to himself. "Shouldn't be too hard."

"Good, now remember." Qrow turned toward them. "Stay calm, confident, and follow my lead. Stick close unless the circumstances dictate otherwise. I might tell you to go off and have some fun when I need to talk to Junior privately."

"Didn't you say you would let-...!" Ruby began to protest.

"Let you be part of the investigation, yes." Qrow interrupted. "But understand these things are delicate matters. He might not tell me anything in front of you. You'll be kept in the loop, but I might need you to distract other people too. Junior has a couple hangerons Jaune's probably going to have to deal with."

"Me?" Jaune was confused as he pointed to himself. "What do I have to do?"

"Be yourself." Qrow had a huge shit eating grin as he turned around, not bothering to explain himself anymore. Instead, deciding to strut up confidently to the bouncer out front, skipping the line. A few people complained and pointed at him as the man in a black suit suit, matching hat and shoes, red sunglasses, and a red tie watched him approach.

Ruby thought he looked familiar, but she was having a hard time remembering where.

"Name." The man told Qrow.

"I'm here to see Junior for some business." Qrow whispered.

"Name." The man repeated.

"I'm a Drunk bird here to sample his alcohol."

Jaune thought Qrow was purposely antagonizing the bouncer for a moment until the man nodded and whispered to a man behind him. The second guy ran off into the building and vanished. The bouncer then eyed Jaune and Ruby, who were standing behind Qrow.

"The boy can enter with you, but the girl's obviously too young to drink."

"Hey, I'm a Beacon student." Ruby protested angrily.

"I'll be responsible for her." Qrow waved her silent. "Make an exception."

"Damn it… fine, whatever. I don't get paid enough for this." The man grumbled and let them buy. "Go to the bar."

"A place I am intimately familiar with." Qrow laughed, strutting by with Jaune and Ruby following him. Once they were inside, the music began to really drown out everything around them. They could barely hear themselves standing right next to each other. "Okay, follow me and act like you belong here. Remember, if I indicate you should leave, do so."

"Got it." Jaune and Ruby agreed.

Navigating through the pulsating crowd, they paid no mind to the packed dance floor, skillfully maneuvering between tightly spaced tables towards the secluded bar at the rear. Behind the counter stood an imposing figure, a towering giant whose stature dwarfed Jaune's own. Clad in a black vest accentuating his broad frame, it contrasted sharply against the pristine white dress shirt underneath, perfectly complemented by a striking red tie. The man's hands, encased in sleek black gloves, moved with a practiced grace as he wiped a glass, his steel-gray eyes surveying their approach. His short black hair, meticulously styled, framed a strong face adorned with a meticulously groomed beard and mustache, mirroring the dark hues of his attire. As they drew nearer, he placed the glass down, his gaze lingering on them with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny.

"Strongest drink you can legally serve me then a little more." Qrow replied.

"What about them?" The man jabbed a finger at the two.

"Something half the strength of his." Jaune replied. "I don't want to drink paint thinner."

"Good call," The bartender agreed with a laugh. "Been trying to poison this guy for years and he's still alive."

"Hardest working liver on Remnant." Qrow bragged, tapping the wooden counter. "You'll have to do better than that."

"What about her?" The man's eyes shriveled to Ruby.

"M… beer!" Ruby corrected herself quickly.

Jaune, Qrow, and the bartender stared at her.

"Are you sure?" The man asked, glancing over at Qrow, who sat there passively.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't want one." Ruby declared, glaring at the man. She was really trying to follow her uncle's words of acting like she belonged. Maybe a little too well.

"Fine, whatever." The man got them their drinks and slid it along to them before speaking up again. "You wanted to see me Qrow?"

"Heard some rumors when I was out of town." Qrow admitted, sipping at this drink. "Any truth to them?"

"Depends what those rumors are." The man called Junior replied.

"Heard you decided to open a pet store."

"You know me. I love exotic animals."

As Jaune took a sip from his drink, he observed the easy banter exchanged between Qrow and the barman, their conversation flowing effortlessly as if they were old acquaintances. It was a reminder of just how well-connected Qrow was, with his involvement with Ozpin's missions exposing him to a wide array of individuals, including those immersed in the seedy underbelly of society. Jaune couldn't help but acknowledge the reality that, compared to the heinous crime of slave trading, the illegal gambling, occasional thefts, and instances of bribery seemed relatively minor. While he grappled with the moral dilemma of turning a blind eye to those breaking the law, he understood the practicality behind their choices as hunters. The world was vast, and their resources were limited—they had to carefully select their battles. A deep sigh escaped him as he continued to empty his glass, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.

'At least the drink's good.'

The boy then glanced over at his friend and almost spat out his drink.

Ruby's face was scrunched up in anguish as she tried to drink her beverage. Every sip caused her to shudder. For someone who preferred sweet things, the bitter taste of beer was a big contrast. To her credit, Ruby was trying to drink it, hoping it would taste better. Beer was an acquired taste to many. That's why Jaune preferred liquor himself. This was Ruby's first drink and the girl was having trouble. When she chugged the last half and slammed the glass down on the table, Jaune had to hold back his laughter.

"Another!" Ruby demanded.

"You okay, kid?" Qrow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm thirsty." Ruby huffed. "Another one!"

Junior shrugged and began to fill up another glass for her as Jaune and Qrow shared a look. Ruby grabbed the beer the moment Junior slid it over and began to gulp it down again.

"Hey, Junior." A female voice mused interestedly. "Who are your guests?"

"Especially the hot, tall, blonde one." Another girl said, sounding almost identical.

As Jaune turned around, his gaze was met with the sight of two stunning twin girls, their resemblance uncanny. It was clear that they shared the same striking black hair and mesmerizing green eyes, yet their individual styles set them apart.

The first girl captivated his attention with her elegant presence. She donned an enchanting off-white strapless dress that gracefully transitioned into a vibrant cyan hue as it cascaded towards the skirt. Adorning her slender figure were white thigh-high boots, intricately laced with a vivid shade of red. Her ensemble was further accentuated by forearm-length white gloves and a delicate white flower-shaped hairpin adorning her left ear. A flowing feather scarf, predominantly cyan, adorned her neck, with two short red feathers flanking a resplendent long cyan feather on the left side. The captivating sight was enhanced by the bold application of cyan makeup, artfully highlighting her eyes.

In stark contrast, her twin sister exuded an aura of edgy allure. Her short black bob-cut hair framed her face, while the intensity of her gaze was emphasized by the striking application of heavy red makeup around her eyes. Her attire, a daring combination of red and black, featured a mesmerizing strapless dress adorned with snippets of newspaper articles, creating an intriguing pattern. A black, off-centered bow cinched her waist, adding a touch of flair. Completing her ensemble were eye-catching red thigh-high boots, their heels exuding a confident sophistication. Her hands were clad in black fingerless forearm-length gloves, accented by a bold red lining. Above her left ear, three feathers stood out—a wing-like red feather flanked by two shorter white feathers. To top it off, she draped a short black fur shrug over her shoulders, held in place by four beaded chains adorned with a striking white gemstone.

'Wait, did one call me hot?'

"Old friend of mine." Junior answered gruffly. "We're catching up."

"But you're not using this guy, right?" The twin in white smiled, putting a hand on Jaune's shoulder. "He looks bored. Mind if we take him off your hands?" Ruby's face darkened and she glared at them angrily.

"We'll make sure he has an enjoyable time." The twin in red agreed.

"Eh, I don't know." Jaune considered. While part of him might enjoy having two very attractive girls, the other part of him wanted to see what Qrow was doing and learn how to gather information. The poor boy was torn between his sense of duty and teen hormones. "I'm kind of busy."

"You're turning us down?" The red twin's eyes widened before narrowing dangerously.

"Bad move kid." Junior grinned.

"Jaune, I thought I taught you better than that." Qrow spun around on his bar stool.

"Huh?" Jaune and Ruby cried out together, both completely confused at the turn of events.

"Yeah, you know you don't turn down an invite by a couple of young ladies." Qrow shook his head. "Do you know how rude that is?"

"He gets it." The white twin laughed.

"Go and have some fun," Qrow encouraged, smacking Jaune on the back. "Tell them about some of your adventures as a Huntsman. I'm sure they'll be impressed."

"You're a Huntsman?" The girl in red looked him up and down. "Hmm… I can see that. He's even hotter up close."

"Uh.. oh…" It dawned on Jaune what Qrow was doing. His words before they entered the club weighed on his mind. "I guess that's fine. It's not everyday I get such company."

"Good boy." The girl in white patted his cheek. "I'm Melanie. My sister here is Miltia."

"Enough talking, why don't you show us some moves out on the dance floor." Miltia huffed, pulling Jaune up from his chair.

Qrow watched Jaune get dragged off by the twins. Chuckling to himself, the man knew he not only did the boy a favor, but he got rid of the two most annoying people at the club. Those twins bothered him a bit when he joined too, thinking he was just a simple drunk. The nerve of them. However, Jaune didn't seem to realize how much he changed. The girls called him 'hot,' not cute, adorable, or scraggly. Because the change happened overtime and naturally, the boy didn't see how he grew into himself. He wasn't thin and weak anymore. People could see the developing muscles and along with his height and decent looks, girls would be over him.

Maybe that would finally help him with his confidence issues.

"Stupid Jaune…"

Qrow turned his head slightly to see Ruby transfixed on Jaune's retreating form as she held her beer with two hands. Her silver eyes were filled with irritation before she began to down the rest of her second glass.

"... going with hussies."

Qrow didn't even know where his niece learned that word. Turning around back to Junior, he locked eyes with the man.

"Cut her off."

"I gave her non-alcoholic beer. It's obvious she's underaged."

That changed things and now Qrow really wanted to watch what Ruby did next. She had never been drunk before and didn't know how it felt. Now she believed she was drunk and probably imitating him or Yang. This was sure to be quite a show.

Feel free to leave a review, comment, suggestions, or ideas, I love reading them. If you have a question you wish to ask and would like a quick answer, feel free to message me directly. I try to respond to those within a day or two. Comments, I tend to respond to in the next chapter.

nBappo: A lot left unfinished in this chapter but it is what it is, used to it now. Next chapter is going to be fun to edit, I can see Ruby's 'drunk' antics already. But please man, give my girl Pyrrha a break. Anyways I'm just as much of a reader as the rest of you so I wanna know what info Qrow is going to dig up. Also, pray for Jaune not to get torn apart by women… or Ruby.