AN: I hope this chapter shows the last wasn't just one final attempt to keep a story from dying. I've seen it often, where you'll see a story that doesn't update for a while, you get another chapter and it dies. I hate it when other writers do it and I'll do everything in my power to keep myself from doing it.

I'm not going to do that, in part because this a re-write and the only way I would stop is if I felt this was inferior to the original. And with all modesty, I do feel this a better story.

But on that note, I'd like some feedback, from people who have read the first. How do you feel this compares to the first version?

What would you like to see change? What would you like unchanged? Just some general feed back to know what the readers like and so on.

Chapter 5

Thor

Yang was mad, or if not mad at least very, very upset.

"We need to talk." Was all she said as she left the room gesturing for him to follow. Which he did, putting on clean shirt and pants and followed her out.

They didn't talk as they walked, which suited Thor fine, he wasn't in a mood to be chewed out by an overprotective sister. After some time, Yang lead him to roof of dorm where they were alone.

Yang didn't look at him right away, just looking out at the view of the school and the wild lands surrounding it for several minutes before she said anything.

"I'm mad at you." She said, which Thor already knew. "But it's not about getting my sister her first drink though."

"How's she doing by the way? I didn't see her in her bed."

"She's with Blake, and she's fine, no hangover, though I guess she wasn't much more than tipsy all things considered, I don't know why she threw up on you." A ghost of a smile flashed on her face and faded.

"Then why are you mad at me."

"Because" she started before taking a deep breath "You reminded me that my little sister is…well, I kind of forget how dangerous this life is, even as a student. Ruby, she's good, really good at this, I mean they let her in two years early, hell even you and Pyrrha didn't get that." Pride shown on her face. "But, last night also reminded me that Ruby is…well not totally connected to what this like." She took a deep breath and sighed. "She think life is like a story, that things just work out for the best no matter what, and we both know that's not true at all."

"Indeed. So, you not really mad at me, but rather worried about your sister."

"No, I'm mad at you over that two." She said, but the ghost smile was back. "I had my first drink when I was fourteen, so I don't think I've got much of moral stance on this. Still, I don't like the fact you just took her to a bar. I know I'm not her mom, but…I kind of was when we were younger and I'm…protective of her."

"I understand." She smiled at him in way told him she didn't believe he really did understand. Well of course she'd think he didn't, as far as she knew, he had no family. But when he was a child, he had looked out for and had been very protective of Loki, before their relationship soured. "Well maybe I don't." He said, letting her have it, thinking it might also help calm her. "But I promise not to overstep the boundary's again."

"Thanks." She said, but Thor sense there was more she wanted to say, and he could now tell there was something else on her mind, and it was possibly the main reason she'd brought him up here. "She likes you, I'm sure you know."

"Oh, I know." He said, recalling the night before, but thought I might be prudent to keep that little piece of information himself.

"Ruby…she'd sweet, and great, but she's a total dork." Yang said, and it was amusing to hear her say they word with such affection laced into it. "She's never shown much interest in…dating or even in boys or girl, to obsessed with making her like into one of the favorite stories, and her favorites were the warriors and hero's, not princess finding prince charming."

"So…what do you want from me?" He asked even though he had a good guess.

"Just…what ever or how ever that goes, just…try to keep her feelings in mind okay? She's actually really sensitive."

"I'd figured that out, and I would never hurt her." He said before adding "Or any of you, you are my friends. I'm sorry I've caused such an un pleasant situation. I hope Wiess and Blake aren't to angry with me."

"Well, Blake I'm not as sure about, she play's her card close to the chest, but Weiss was pretty mad last night, I think you might want to make piece with the Ice Queen sooner rather than later, she can be a terror when she's upset with someone."

"Aye, I can tell, she reminded me of someone I used to know." He said smiling. "A long time ago." And his smile faded as the memory made him miss his friends and family from before.

Blake

Ruby was doing terribly this morning. She wasn't sick or hungover, but she still had a lot of on her mind and was extremely distressed over it.

"It was stupid Blake, I can't believe I did that, and I threw up on him right before, what was I thinking? I just want to crawl in a hole." Her face was in her hands and even then, Blake could see her face was flushed red.

Blake felt a little weird Ruby was telling her thing and not Yang, but she got the feeling that Ruby just needed to tell someone about her unfortunate incident. Wiess was gone to who knew where, and Yang was have her talk with Thor.

"Well, he didn't seem upset right?" was all she could think to say. Thor was one of the most relaxed people she'd ever meet,

"Blake, I threw up on him and then I decided that was a good time for my first kiss."

Yeah, it sounded bad. Still, despite Blake couldn't help but think it was sweet, in a messed-up way. Ruby had stolen her first kiss from her first crush, and despite it not being ideal, Thor hadn't crushed her. And even given her a kiss back.

Thor was many things but cruel was not one of them, and while she'd been upset with him last night, Ruby's story had softened her to him. She still didn't think he'd made a wise decision to take Ruby to a bar, he'd been kind to her despite her vomiting on him.

Thor was, despite how loud and boisterous he was, a good guy. She'd known people who'd of turned the same situation Thor had been in to a much darker purpose. Of course, that alone didn't make him good, but how he'd handled Ruby was surprisingly gentle for someone most people would think was more like Cardin. Of course anyone who knew Thor knew that the similarities between those two boys purely superficial, aside from both being large, loud and confident had little to nothing in common.

"Ruby." She began, trying to think of something to comfort her "Try not to worry about it." Weak advice, but she couldn't think of anything better.

"Blake you don't understand, I've never liked anyone like this before and I embarrassed myself right when I told him." Her voice was cracking in her panic.

"But he didn't care right? He wasn't made, he was worried, and he didn't reject it, overall, If anything I'd say that was pretty good result." Ruby just moaned in despair "Well try to think of it like this, if this was how you told him, and he even kissed you back, that's probably the best possible way for it to have gone, it means he likes you back, and not just a little, but he really likes you."

Ruby looked up from her hands and her face was losing some of its color, and her eyes didn't look so forlorn "You think so?"

Wiess

Wiess was more than a bit jealous. Ruby was her partner, and last night all of a sudden, it felt like Thor had usurped her position. It was foolish of course, but still, her and Ruby didn't always get along, as different was they were and her and Thor got along very well. It would have been easier if the two were more alike, but Thor was out going, boisterous and confident. Ruby was introverted, meek and unsure of herself in many situations.

But they had meshed in a way she and Ruby hadn't. That, was of course partly her own fault, she knew she was cold and distant at times, or maybe most times.

But on the other side of things, it made her jealous that Thor gave Ruby so much more attention than her, which was of course insane. She didn't like him like that, but she was used to boys trying to get her attention, Jaune had been particularly persistent, but he wasn't the only one. But not Thor. It was another blow to her ego.

What did Ruby have that she didn't? Sure, she was a "prodigy", but still, what drew people to her that she didn't have? Not looks, that was for sure. Not that Ruby was ugly, far from it in face, she had a natural beauty that most girls would wish for, but she didn't care for her appearance like Wiess did or Yang or even Blake.

Wiess's whole experience at Beacon had been such a culture shock. Which was what she had wanted, something different, but she hadn't been expecting to have her own sense of self worth be challenged so heavily.

"Why?" was all she could think, and for so many reasons.

Monday

Thor

As he walked into combat class, Thor felt oddly energized after his little weekend adventure. He and Ruby hadn't addressed the incident directly, but they did seem closer now. She laughed more he noticed, and he spoke more easily.

Taking his seat, Ruby sat next to him, smiling, but with a slight flush to her cheeks.

She was so…pure. Yang had clarified something about her he'd suspected for some time. He didn't call it innocence's, because that wasn't right, but she seemed untouched by the darkness of the world.

"Okay everyone settle down." Goodwitch said to the class. "For out first match I'd like Pyrrha Nikos and Thor Odinson to come to the ring."

And Thor felt the tension in the air.

Wiess

Wiess of course had been expecting this sooner or later, and the excitement in the air was palpable. Thor and Pyrrha were tied for the top spot in combat classes. And they both had managed to keep their semblances hidden from the larger student pool.

She'd faced Thor and he'd made her feel slow. While she was thinking of what to do, he'd made his attacks. His battle sense was better than hers was right now, he didn't need to think, he acted. She'd never faced Pyrrha, but she moved with similar ease, and no one seemed to able to touch her.

As the two got ready to face each other, she started to figure out who's win. Without know semblances, a major factor, she knew her guess wouldn't be truly informed, but she did it anyway.

Thor had the advantage strength, Pyrrha was nimbler. Thor's weapon didn't have multiple forms like Pyrrha, and he carried no shield. But he'd made his maul, so he could throw it and call it back, a good disrupting weapon if he could control how it returned.

Thor was also the better improvisor from what she'd seen. He was dynamic and ever changing in how he approached opponents. But that may be simply the fact Pyrrha's techniques worked so well she didn't need to adapt like Thor had to.

She hadn't made up her mind when the two entered the ring and had forgotten it once the match started.

She watched Thor rushed Pyrrha swinging his maul one handed, and Pyrrha slipped it, only for Thor to bring it back around for another attack, which was dodged again. And Thor kept swinging and kept missing.

Then Pyrrha countered attacked, slicing Thor across the chest, sending his staggering back, swinging his maul at her, only to miss.

This was one-sided, and Wiess found herself disappointed, Thor wasn't living up to his reputation. But she knew it wasn't his lack of skill, Pyrrha was just too hard to hit.

Then Thor threw his maul, again Pyrrha dodged and charged, only to have to roll to avoid the maul as it came back to Thor's hand who swung it again, this time landing a solid hit, but only on the Pyrrha's shield.

But Wiess smelled something burning, like the ozone after an electric surge or lighting strike. And before she puzzled it out, a bright flashed appeared on the points of maul connecting with shield and heard a loud thunder clap, that made her cover her ears and the flashed made her blink several times to try and clear them.

The next thing she saw was the melted and shattered remains of Pyrrha's shield cast aside. And Thor standing in the ring, with his hair whipping around him like he was in a wind storm., but Pyrrha looking like he was being pushed around by a hurricane, her footing uneven, and even being moved slightly. She even felt a slight breeze in her seat, despite being inside.

This had to be Thor's semblance, some sort of localized weather manipulation? That was strong, but would Pyrrha responsed with hers? Or maybe hers was subtler.

Soon the match had flipped, with the wind as strong as it was in the ring, Pyrrha couldn't move like before, and with her shield gone, her defenses were lower. And Thor was sending lighting arcing towards her, and she somehow redirected it, not making contact.

And Thor was somehow, when ever he got close, pushed away or tripped, but kept the pressure on Pyrrha, forcing her back and back.

Then he threw his maul again, thing time it glowed blue and arced lighting off it and Pyrrha charged and struck a clean hit on him.

But instead of backing away, he stepped into it, and wrapped his armed around her torso and lifted her up and slammed her into the ground hard enough to make her bounce off it. And raising his foot, lighting arced off his boot and he stomped down on her, only for her to raise her hand in defense, and the lighting arced off in every direction away from her.

"Enough!" Goodwitch yelled and separated the two her own semblance, throwing them apart. "This match ends in a draw. Both of you did well, but please try to remember, we are inside surrounded by other students."

Wiess looked down as some of the students sitting nearer to the fight and noticed several of them had minors burns. Goodwitch had stopped the fight because it was starting spill outside the ring. First years didn't typically have that issue, but these two did. There was reason combat class for older students was held outdoors, and she was seeing why.

And she was sure she'd seen both of there semblances, Thor's for sure, but Pyrrha was less clear, although she was certain he had of used it, with how the lightning was deflected.

She had certainly put up and excellent show, but it had become clear she was on the back heal in the second half of the fight. Of course, she wouldn't know who would have won now, but Thor had been winning when it had ended. Still one never knew what would happen.

"Next up." Goodwitch called "Jaune Arc and Cardin Winchester."

Ruby

Thor and Pyrrha's match had her blood pumping, it was the first time she'd seen the both push their limits in class, and the first time she'd seen a dual end in a draw.

But as Thor took his seat next to her, she watched as Jaune entered the rings against Cardin was worried for him. Thor had been training him, but how much that would help would be seen.

The fight started with Cardin bull rushing Jaune, but with skill she wouldn't have thought he had, he pushed his shield out to meet the mace and let it roll to the side. And in that instant, he sliced at Cardin's neck, dropping his aura by a fair amount.

Cardin was surprised and angered at his and spun to strike again, but fell for the same trick again, only Jaune struck twice.

Jaune was winning, but it was clear as soon as Cardin wised up, things wouldn't stand. Jaune put up a good fight, but with one massive and well-placed strike, was thrown from the ring and the match was called.

"Well done both of you." Goodwitch said "Mr. Winchester, it may be to your benefit you to be more conservative, Mr. Arc, you've show improvement, but I believe you should focus on your physicality."

Both left the ring, Cardin scowling despite winning and Jaune smiling, despite losing his match. He was much better.

Thor

As class got out, Thor looked for Pyrrha. She wasn't just the better than her peers, she was on a whole different level, and for first time sense he started here, he had to try to win. Granted her semblance had made it much more problematic than he expected. It only took him a few attacks to figure it out, he'd faced similar powers before and hers were weaker and he'd adjusted.

He'd have won if Goodwitch hadn't stopped the match. But he may of also cause more damage than he'd intended. He didn't have as much practice with his semblance as he probably should have, and its very nature made it hard to control.

But still his blood was on fire from the fight, and Jaune had proven his worth as well. The standard of his class mates was rising, and he was getting excited.

"Thor." Ruby's voice broke his thought.

"Yes?"

She rushed up to him and grabbed his hand. "I'm…impressed with how you fought." And while blushing, kissed him on the cheek.

Thor noticed several students looked with curiosity, some with jealousy, he smiled a kissed her on the top the head.

She squealed and laughed in surprise but was clearly overjoyed with it. He found himself over joyed with her and picked her up.

"Thor stop!" she squealed laughing, but clearly didn't mean, and he placed her on her shoulder to carry to the next class.

Jaune

He felt better than he had in weeks. Thor had helped him in ways he hadn't imagined. Such simple tricks made his performance so much better.

But in his heart, he felt sick. Not in his performance today, he'd done much better. But more about himself. He couldn't help but compare himself to Thor and Pyrrha. His partner and teacher.

He was associated with the two best students in his year, possibly in the school. And he was the worst by any regard.

Still, they both treated him well and showed faith in him. Which he didn't feel he deserved.

But seeing Thor's interactions with Ruby, ending with him putting her on his shoulder made his blood run hot and he didn't know why. Ruby was the first friend he'd made here, and she was better than him by a huge margin as well, with the added fact she was accepted two years early.

His overall outlook right now was mixed, and the conflicting emotions made his stomach stir. Yes, he was on the up swing overall, but at the same time, he was still trailing behind all the people was closest to and it was only through the generosity of people more talented than himself he made any progress.

He couldn't pay them back, for the kindness and support they'd given him, but one day, he hoped he could.

As he left, his eye's feel on Cardin, who glanced at him and looked away. Jaune may have lost, but he could tell Cardin hadn't been expecting the fight to be as close as it was. Honestly, if they had another match right now, Jaune suspected he wouldn't fair nearly as well, he was better, but Cardin hadn't taken him seriously at the start.

Honestly, while he knew his skill was better and his conditioning had improved, the biggest change was he was much calmer and collected. Still, it was better and that did make him feel like less of a burden.

"Jaune are you coming?" Ren voice broke him from his thoughts and he rushed out of the class.

Ruby

"Thor!" She yelled with her laughter, "Put me down!" but didn't stop laughing. It was funny to remember how strong he was, or maybe how smaller she was, how he just carried her on his shoulder. But he laughed and obliged her and with a shrug managed to launch her a few feet into the air caught and put her down.

Her stomach was fluttering and while she blushed, this all felt good, it felt right.

Next was history, not exactly a riveting class, but her mood was so good right now she thought she could tolerate it. She'd been nervous after the whole, incident from Saturday, but Thor had been kind and even seemed to think it was funny. Still embarrassed, but glad it hadn't damaged their relationship she'd been in a good mood.

Still, she was unsure if they were…anything. Friends for sure, but she'd told him she liked him, and he'd even kissed her. But they hadn't discussed what that meant.

This was her first ever crush so she didn't know how this was supposed to go, she felt like there was way too much time between the reveal and any sort of definitive idea of what this meant. But that wasn't all that bad at the end of the day honestly. It may not have been what she really wanted, but at least it kept potential rejection away.

Thor was just…so great. He was so strong, his match with Pyrrha was amazing. She hadn't seen either of them be pushed until now. And Thor had such a cool semblance, lighting and wind. His last move, where he'd tried to stomp on Pyrrha was so cool. Not that she wanted to see her hurt, but it was cool to see the quick transition Thor made from using his semblance in his weapon to with his body. That was a skill not all semblances lend themselves to and they were always a joy to see in action.

And he looked like a hero, his height and build, how he carried himself, his good looks, even how he spoke had a slight air of an ancient hero.

There had never been anyone she'd felt this with before. It was an alien, but pleasant feeling. She remembered being worried about coming to Beacon with no friends, now she had a good number of them, and maybe something more with one.

That night

Thor

Jaune deflected another blow and actually made Thor step back as he countered, but Thor bated it away and stepped on Jaune's foot hard, stopping his movement for a moment and shoulder checked him, sending him to the ground.

Jaune landed with an "umph!" and took a second to regain his composure. Sitting up, he had a scowl on his face "That wasn't fair!"

"It's a fight Jaune." He said, walking over and helping him up "Fair doesn't apply."

"Still." Jaune mumbled.

"You've grown quickly Jaune, no shame in losing to a better more experience fighter."

"Which is everyone right now."

Thor laughed "Indeed, but you'll not shame yourself in combat class or missions now, and who knows, you may even catch up to out classmates sooner than you think." Thor said, but something scratched at the back of his mind. Jaune needed to unlock his semblance if he was to truly be competitive. Without one, he'd always be behind. The problem Thor was seeing with this was, everyone unlocked there's in different ways and at different points in training. Some, like himself and Ruby and Pyrrha from what she'd told him, they come soon and naturally. Other's, like Yang and Blake, trained them up. Wiess was unique in her knew what here's would be. But Ren and Nora for example unlocked them in moments of stress or panic. And for some people they came all at once, other's they came in small pieces and in small growth.

This was an area he couldn't help Jaune, only push him to keep improving. Still with just that, he'd done well in a short period of time. Jaune has aura, and fairly decent physicality, what he really needed, and what Thor had focused on was mental training and technique refinement. The other aspects would improve as well, but Jaune tendency to panic and rush in head first had been his weakest areas'.

Jaune sat on the ledge and took a drink from his water bottle and just sat looking pensive.

Thor didn't bother him, just rehydrated himself.

"So." Jaune said "What's going on with you and Ruby?"

Thor was mildly taken aback by the question. Jaune didn't typically ask these types of personal question. "Why?"

"Nothing…" Jaune said "Just, you two seem closer lately, I've seen her…kiss you."

"On the cheek Jaune, on the cheek." Thor assured him.

"Still, she was so shy at the beginning the year." He said "Unsure of herself. What did you do?"

"Jaune." Thor said, "What is this about?" Jaune didn't answer but took a drink of water. "Jaune?" Thor said again.

"Well it's just…" He said, "There's this girl I like…a lot." He said. "But she's…cold and distant, even though I've tried everything." He looked Thor in the eye "Hoe did you get Ruby open up?"

Thor smiled at this, he knew who he was talking about. "I was true to myself." He said, "I didn't in fact do anything, other than have fun and be myself around her." He looked around and at the sky before looking at Jaune again "Don't try to be someone you're not."

"Huh?"

Thor smiled "Be sincere, don't do what you think she'd want, just come to her as you."

"But what if she say's no?"

"Then she say's no." Thor said "If she doesn't like you for your true self, then why pursue her? Find someone who likes you for you."

"You sound like my mom." Jaunes said.

"Well, it's true." Thor smirked as he said it. "Why try to be someone that doesn't like who you are? That is a path to misery."

"Yeah." Jaune said "I guess, still…I can't help these feelings."

"Love is the one universal equalizer." Thor said, "Even the greatest of beings is helpless before."

Jaune was quiet for a moment. Looking a Thor with a confounded look, and after a minute or two he said, "That was pretty deep, did you just come up with that?"

"No." Thor said smiling "My father said it."

"Ahh, I guess he was pretty smart guy." Jaune said standing up and stretching "But I think I'm done for the night, I'm heading to bed."

Thor nodded and started packing up "Well goodnight then, I'll see you tomorrow."

Jaune

Jaune was feeling good, great even, after the training. He normally did, even if was beaten up pretty bad. His endorphins were up for sure, but the idea he was working to improve himself made him just feel better about himself.

But tonight, while he had the usual high, something was bothering him. Not exactly upsetting him, but more a feeling of something being off. He wasn't sure what, but he felt like it was something Thor had said.

He thought it might have been his advice on being with someone who liked the real him. That felt wrong somehow. Close, but not quite right. He'd has this sort of thing happen before and knew once he got it right it would hit him like a ton of bricks.

Still he wasn't sure. He changed for bed and climbed into his bed for the night but couldn't fall asleep. This thought was like worm niggling at his brain and he couldn't let it go. What was he put off about?

He went over the night in his head, and then it hit him like he knew it would eventually.

"My Father said it." Thor had said. But Thor had grown up in an orphanage, from what he'd told them.

That of course didn't mean he didn't know his parents, depending on when he'd been taken in at the orphanage, but still that was it. Thor had, through simple carelessness, reveled the tiniest bit about his past.

It didn't seem like it should be that big of a deal, but Jaune had a feeling it was important in some way.

AN: Okay, so here I'd like to make the request again. Feedback is much appreciated and if at all possible, a compare and contrast to what you like and don't like between this version and the previous.

Thanks for reading.