I have WAY TOO many Ideas. Sorry.

Evil Knows Evil

Jaune Arc / OC / Pyrrha Nikos / Cinder Fall / JNPR / RWBY

Jaune saw something, everyone else was ignoring. It was insidious and subtle. It drew his friends away from him, isolating him. So he made a choice to get stronger, by whatever means he could. He would stand before the rot invading the school, and save his friends; from what no one else was noticing.

/==/

It had been two months since the members of JNPR had seen their former leader Jaune Arc. There had been barely any teething issues as Jade Primrose was appointed as the new leader, by vote of Pyrrha, Ren and Nora. Comparing Jade and Jaune on paper it was no contest, and for the month leading up to the change of leadership Jaune slowly watched from the sidelines as Jade was accepted and drawn into his circle of friends. He couldn't fight it. Jade was just what everyone wanted as a friend. Fun, intelligent, skilled, outgoing. She was the antithesis of what Jaune's most commonly associated traits.

He didn't fight it, when JNPR and Jade all attended the Headmaster's office; and made their request. The Headmaster was hesitant to approve of the change of leadership, so Jaune made it easy for everyone.

"I formally relinquish my position of leadership, and my withdraw from my team." he choked as he said the words. His eyes watching the lack of response from those he once considered his friends. Memories of all the good times, and support they offered each other flooded his mind, as Headmaster Ozpin made the formal approval and installed Jade Primrose as the new leader of JNPR.

He wanted to bolt at that point, but he held himself back. He studied his former team members. His blue eyes narrowing and paid particular attention to Jade. She was a pretty young woman, of average height, sporting shoulder length dark brown hair, and soft cinnamon eyes. Wearing her Beacon uniform, enhanced her pale complexion, modest bust, and rounded hips. She was the picture of the girl next door. She so outclassed Jaune, he couldn't even begin to catch up.

But there was something about her, that just didn't seem right; and it wasn't the cold attitude she had for him. Or the snide comments and rather unflattering backhanded compliments made at his expense. He would swear on his family name she had purposely made motions to isolate him. She succeeded, and prior to the fateful meeting in the Headmaster's office; he was soon floundering in class, and with the trials of dealing with Cardin and his other bullies.

It tore at him to see his friends and teammates being dawn away from him. Something wasn't right with the whole situation, and as angry as it was making him; he was just as concerned for their welfare. He took in a long shaky breath as the newly reformed JNPR, turned to leave the office. He was basically all but ignored. He was forgotten by them, well most of them. Pyrrha struggled for a moment her eyes shining with wetness as she gave him a soft smile, before she blinked and it all but vanished. Jaune's lips pressed together as Jade gave him a knowing smirk before stepping into the elevator and leaving with her team.

"So Mr. Arc, shall we discuss your options?" Ozpin addressed the former teamleader.

"And what would those be?" Jaune replied flatly, "Let me guess, without a team I have to withdraw from Beacon and try again next year?"

"That is an option, but not the only one."

"There are others?"

"Yes there are. Mr. Arc you can continue as your are now on your own. You can withdraw and attempt again next year, or you can transfer to another academy that may at some point have open team slots."

"And if I choose to stay?"

"We would need to arrange alternate housing for you, and that's about it."

"I would like to stay, but I would like to request two weeks of leave, to consider the options you have offered."

"That can be arranged. Will you be staying..."

"I'll make my own arrangements to go to Ansel or Argus."

"Very well, and unless you contact me or Professor Goodwitch directly, we will assume you have withdrawn from Beacon if you do not return. Fair?"

"Fair."

"Alright. I am sorry for what has happened. It can't be easy to feel as if you have to step down from leadership, and vacate your team. However if you do choose to return we will make every effort to accommodate your needs, be it assigning you to a new team, or providing the resources you require to continue your studies solo."

"Thank you."

"So if there is..."

"There is something else."

"And what would that be."

"Keep an eye on Jade Primrose. There is something up with her. I know it."

"And why would you say that?"

"I just feel it." Jaune answered coldly, before nodding to the Headmaster. Turning about he left the office, and headed towards his former dorm to retrieve his personal affects.

/=/

Jaune shook his head, shaking away his reminiscing thoughts. The motion threatening to override the motion sickness pills he had taken. The two weeks had passed much faster than Jaune would have liked, but in the end he was able to make his decisions. His family wasn't happy about his running away, but they had quickly forgiven him, after he confirmed he was safe. When the question of why he was home came up he gave them the full story. They quickly threw their support behind him, and pushed him to return and prove his worth. So he chose to transfer to Haven to continue his training. He worked and studied mainly solo, with only the occasional team up when someone was needed to be replaced for missions or exercises; due to illness or injury. It made him a very flexible individual, and with his new found focus he quickly gained ground on his classmates, and exceeded them in some aspects.

He was an early transfer for the festival; a vanguard of sorts. With his previous knowledge of Beacon, and this early arrival; he would become Haven's ambassador, and the first point of contact for the other Haven teams that would be arriving the near future. Part of him was apprehensive to see teams RWBY, JNPR, and others. The other part couldn't wait to see his friends from Haven like ABRN, and SSSN arrive in the next week or so.

Jaune lifted his right hand, and looked at the intricately etched black-sliver clawed gauntlet, vambrace, and rerebrace; he now wore. He had left Crocea Mors at home with his family, so it could once again hang in it's place of honour above the mantelpiece. During his time home, conversing with his father and mother, he made some important decisions. This was one of them. His parents had spent hours speaking with him, and listening to his responses. They gave advice and pointed to items and strengths he was overlooking about himself.

He rose from his seat as the bullhead shook as it landed. Picking up his bag with his left hand he moved towards the rear of the aircraft, and waited for the hatch to open. He coiled his fingers of his right hand, savouring now slight stiffness of the gauntlet. He rolled his shoulders under his sleeveless hooded duster coat that hung over his cuirass, and down past his slightly worn jeans to the ankles of his black and silver greave covered boots. He looked like a half armoured knight from a fantasy novel.

The hatch opened and after take a sharp breath he walked down the landing ramp. His feet touched the landing pad, and he let the breath out. He was back. Setting down his bag, he reached up and pulled his hood up and over his head; hiding his face in shadow. Retrieving his bag he walked forward and made his way to the Headmaster's office.

/=/

Ozpin choked on his coffee as he watched Jaune step out of the elevator. Glynda looked at him with concern as he slapped the front of his chest, while trying to clear the irritation from his lungs and throat.

"Why is that here?" Ozpin croaked out as he pointed towards Jaune, as he stopped his approached and lowered his hood.

"That is Mr. Arc. We requested to see him, when he arrived from Haven."

"Not him!" Ozpin coughed, his voice quickly starting to regain its former strength. "That!"

"Is there a problem with my weapon Headmaster?" Jaune asked as he held up his completely armoured arm. "After speaking with my parents, we decided that I should use a different family heirloom."

"Heirloom? What do you mean? Heirloom. Crocea Mors is the Arc family weapon."

"It is. But my mother is an Arc in name only. As her son; I have a blood right to use her family heirloom. Hence I now have this."

"Your mother was a Le Fay?"

"Yes. Jasmine Le Fay."

"And she granted you rights to use that?"

"She did. It was during the two week leave of absence, that the offer was made, and after a week of testing It became apparent that the Le Fay heirloom was a better fit, than Crocea Mors."

"So it is fully bonded with you. How much aura have you lost?" Ozpin asked as Glynda stood there trying to understand what was going on between the Headmaster and her former student.

"It sits at about 90 percent constantly. It will drop lower; depending on what I'm doing."

"I'm sorry Headmaster, but I'm not following what is going on. Mr. Arc is not the first huntsman or huntress in training to choose to change weapons during their training."

"The issue is that no one should ever be using the Pendragon's claw." Ozpin sighed, "How it continued to exist after so long a time, baffles me."

"I'm still not following." informed Glynda.

"The Pendragon's Claw is akin to a relic. It's an extremely potent item, that exacts a extreme cost for its use. It is completely bonded correct?"

"Yes. To take it off would require the removal of my entire arm."

"Are you telling me he can't take that off?"

"Yes. Glynda, I am. That is one of the costs. The first is the constant aura drain, the second is that once it starts being used, it melds with its host; and if enough time passes it can no longer be removed. To do so either requires the amputation of the arm, or..."

"Or what?"

"My death." Jaune replied in an even tone.

"Shit! Shit!" Ozpin rubbed his face with his hands. "Why Jaune? Why would you choose to use that?"

"To save my friends, I'll do whatever I have to. Nothing will stop me."

"Why do you feel that your friends are in danger? They have been excelling, holding top spots in just about all of their classes. So I'm sorry how you can justify using the Pendragon's Claw, with that reason."

"I know because I've seen it."

"Seen what?"

"An evil, worming its way in under your very noses."

"I very much doubt a first year student would notice something amiss that the staff haven't noticed." Glynda focused her stare on Jaune, who didn't even flinch. "But let us humour you. If there is such danger here why did you go to Haven? Surely it would have been better for you to remain close to protect your friends."

"I needed to train. I needed to gain strength. So I made a choice, a hard choice. Struggle here while watching things I couldn't prevent happen, and ultimately fail them; or leave, get strong and return to save them. It is obvious what I chose."

"Does this have anything to do with Ms. Jade Primrose, and her position as leader of JNPR?" Ozpin asked, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses, "I shouldn't need to remind you, that you, yourself voluntarily vacated that position. I do hope that you are not allowing some form of petty jealousy cloud your judgment Mr. Arc."

"I know what I saw."

"Mr. Arc, I caution you now. Your transcripts from Haven show you as a talented and remarkably versatile individual. Do not mar those records with some juvenile notion of getting back at people you THINK wronged you."

"Only one person has wronged me. I will free them from her."

"I will now warn you. You will take no hostile actions against Ms. Primrose, or any member of JNPR; or for that matter any student currently enrolled or staying here at Beacon. Nor will you harass them. Do not tarnish the respect and accolades you have garnered at Haven. Understand?"

"I will..."

"Mr. Arc!" Ozpin slaps his hand against the top of his desk making Jaune and Glynda both start at the unexpected sound. "Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes, Headmaster."

"Very good. Professor Goodwitch will escort you to your lodgings, and we will extend the same courtesy that Professor Lionheart has... due to your situation, you are excused from having to wear a uniform." Ozpin leaned back from his desk, and reached for his almost forgotten mug, "And Mr. Arc..."

"Yes, Headmaster?"

"Welcome back to Beacon."

/=/

Jaune sat on the furthest of the four beds that decorated his assigned dorm room. His bag sat on a different bed. He looked around, memories of being at Beacon filtering through his thoughts. Taking a slow breath he pushed those thoughts away, and focused on the now. Lifting his right hand he pointed towards the centre of the room and spoke.

"Morgan, Sibyl... prodire."

Before him two wispy, ethereal forms gathered, and in seconds two breath taking young women appeared. Their forms were hazy, and slightly transparent. Their long hair and elegant robes floating about them as if being pulled by invisible air currents.

"Master." replied the one with fiery red hair, and dark violet eyes.

"What do you wish?" asked the brunet, with her flashing amber eyes.

"I require information." Jaune address the pair of phantom women. "Morgan."

"Yes?" asked the red head.

"Seek out Ruby Rose."

"As you wish." Morgan replied.

"What do your require of me, master?" asked the brunet.

"Sibyl, seek Pyrrha Nikos."

"Of course, master."

"I want the secrets they hide in the darkness. All of them."

"We will lay them bare before you." the pair of ghostly women replied in unison.

Jaune gave them a slight twisted smile, and nodded his head. The pair giggled darkly, before fading from sight. Jaune flexed the fingers on his right hand, before picking up his scroll off the bed. He thumbed the aura tracer application. He saw his level sitting at 86%, and a few seconds later watched it start to climb back upwards.

"Guess I should get something to eat." he muttered to himself as he stood. Putting his scroll in his pocket, he then reached up and pulled his hood over his head, casting shadows over his face. Without another word or sound he moved to the door and exited the room.

/=/

Jaune frowned from underneath his hood, when he saw them. Team RWBY and JNPR seated together, chatting, laughing and being like how he remembered them. Like how they used to be with him. He closed his eyes and forced those memories down. He had a job to do. He had to discover the truth of what he knew; and expose the worm that was rotting this school from the inside. Opening his eyes again, he took one last look at those he would always hold so dear, and then turned away from them. He grabbed a tray and made his way to the buffet style counter. He was hungry, and hadn't had anything substantial in his stomach for much of the flight here.

"Ow it hurts! Stop it! Please!" cried a voice that he knew.

"Velvet." he whispered as he turned his head and took in a sight he never thought he would have ever seen again."Cardin."

Setting his tray aside he stalked forward, the fingers on his right hand flexing in a rhythmic pattern. He closed on the members of team CRDL, his eyes glaring from under his hood. The man that had been his bane, was still acting as he remembered. His eyes narrowed as Velvet called out again, as Cardin yanked on her ear, while his team mates laughed at her plight. He shouldered his way past Dove and Russel; and before anyone could react he slammed the palm of his gauntlet covered hand into the centre of Cardin's chest.

"DOLOR!" Cardin's utter shriek of agony ripped through the noisy cafeteria. Instantly making the expansive room as silent as a grave.

Heads turned and scrolls were whipped out as the gathered students saw Cardin convulse on the floor. The remainder of team CRDL just stood there in complete shock, as Jaune moved over and helped the weeping Velvet to her feet and escorted her out into the hall.

/=/

Teams RWBY and JNPR looked up at the first sound of Velvet's voice, and frowned. They shook their heads and sighed. It happened like clockwork. Every lunch Cardin and his ilk would find someone to push around and abuse. More often than not it was Velvet or another faunus student. They looked around at each other as if asking whose turn it was this time to go break it up.

"DOLOR!"

Cardin's shriek had them all half out of their seats, attention focused on the hooded form helping Velvet off the floor. Everything was over before anyone could truly contemplate what had happened. CRDL pulled thier leader off the floor and dragged his rag-doll like form over to a nearby table.

"What just happened?" Ruby asked her gathered friends.

"Looks like someone put Cardin in his place hard." Yang replied.

"What are you thinking about Weiss?" Blake asked.

"That voice."

"I know. I could swear I've heard it before." Nora added.

"So does anyone know who that was? Never seen them around before." Jade questioned as her cinnamon eyes roved over her gathered circle of friends. A slight glint of concern flashing across them.

"I want to say a new student, but they didn't have a uniform on." replied Ren.

Pyrrha said nothing, her emerald eyes just staring at the doorway that velvet and her saviour left through. A soft touch on her shoulder brought her wandering mind, back to the present. Yet still something was familiar, that voice. She knew she had heard it before. But where? The answer was so close yet just so out of reach.

"You okay Pyr?"

"Ah what?"

"I asked if you were okay. You seem like something is bothering you." Jade inquired as gave the red head's shoulder a light squeeze. "You know you can always tell me what's wrong."

"Get a room you two." Yang snickered, as the rest of JNPR and RWBY just shook their heads..

/=/

"Are you okay?"

"Yes... Yes... just hurts a little. But I'll be fine." Velvet sniffled as she looked down at her hands while witting a bench just outside the cafeteria doors. "Thank you, but..."

"No buts. You needed help, and when people need help I have to step up."

"Still you shouldn't have. He'll just go after you now."

"He can try. Nothing he can do will hurt more than what I've already suffered through."

"Thank you again." Velvet sniffed once more, and started to raise her head, "Do I know you? Your voice sounds... Jaune?"

"Hey Vel."

"What happened to you? You just left... Where did you go? Why didn't you get hold of anyone? When did you get back? Why are you back? Who knows you're back?"

"Slow down Vel. Slow down."

"Sorry." She gave him a shy smile. "Just excited to see you again. I know Cocco, Yats and Fox will love to hear that you're back."

Jaune just chuckled, and pulled back his hood before rubbing the back of his head with his left hand.

"So..."

"Can we go somewhere else to catch up? I really don't want too many people knowing I'm back... at least for now." Jaune gave Velvet a slightly sad smile.

"Why?" she asked concern underlining her words. "What happened? Why did you leave?"

"Can we go somewhere else? Please?"

"Of...of course." Velvet rose to her feet, and clasped her hands before her, "How about CFVY's dorm. Cocco should be there. Feel like saying hello to her at least?"

"I could do that."

Velvet smiled, reached out and grabbed Jaune's left hand, and hauled him behind her. As he stumbled along behind her; he struggled to raise his hood.

/=/

The impromptu reunion with CFVY took longer than he wanted. While it was great to reconnect, even though it required promising to join Cocco on a shopping trip as compensation for not staying in contact. The gossip was worth hearing, and it made him laugh as the antics of the first years were retold through the words of their elders. Even if more than a few of the stories had to deal with RWBY and JNPR. The questions had come and he answered them. The glare of Velvet and Cocco made him instantly promise a second shopping trip to keep the fashionista and her team from declaring open war on RWBY and JNPR.

While he appreciated the gesture, he did what he could to diffuse the situation. In the end it came down to just one things. Jaune swearing, making one of his unbreakable promises to stay in contact, and if he ever needed help that he would come to them. It was a promise he was readily willing to make. Adding in all the "talk to you later", and the "we should do something later" made him even more crunched for time; meaning he ended up walking into combat class after Professor Goodwitch was preparing to start.

"Is there a reason that you are arriving at this time?"

"I just lost track of time Professor." he replied with a bow of his hooded head. "It wont happen again."

"It better not. Take a seat." Professor Goodwitch turned her attention from his retreating form, to scan her assembled students. "Today we will be having team exercises, to better prepare you for the start of the upcoming Vytal Festival. I will be appraising group dynamics, such as tactics, formations, and ability to adjust to changing situations."

Jaune had made his way past RWBY and JNPR without them catching sight of his face; taking a seat at the very rear of class. He let his eyes dance over the gathered first years. He knew so few of them, and he could guarantee most if not all of them didn't know of him.

"So our first match will be..."

"I challenge!"

"Mr. Winchester, today is not the time. Today's lesson is for team matches. I will not have you interrupt my class for your selfish need for petty retribution. Now sit down."

Cardin grumbled and then withered under the glare of the authoritarian professor. Who for added measure let her eyes rove over the entire classroom, daring anyone to try and make a scene. With no takers she moved back towards her desk and activated the holographic display. The class was slightly interesting. Neither RWBY nor JNPR were selected, so he didn't study the other teams as in-depth as he would have his former friends.

Without a team he had to neither worry about being selected, or concern himself with anything other than gathering information for SSSN and ABRN. Which was part of the reason he arrived first. He made the promise to give them a heads up on anyone they should be wary of. So combat class wound to a close, and like everyone else he prepared to leave as Professor Goodwitch left stating she had a meeting with the Headmaster. Reaching the main floor he proceeded towards the entrance, make sure to keep his face shadowed. Even though CFVY knew he was here, he wasn't ready for anyone else to know just yet. He would rather keep himself as the anonymous Haven student; at least for now.

Or at least that was the plan. Keeping his attention on hiding his face, he didn't sense their approach. A set of hands slammed into the back of his shoulder blades sending him stumbling to the side, before landing face first into the combat ring. Pushing himself up on to his knees he closed his eyes and sighed when he heard his voice.

"Not so tough, when you're the one getting blindsided are you!" Cardin taunted, "So come on, show us what you can do. You've spent all day watching us. It's only fair; right everyone?"

The students who had yet to fully file out of the room, didn't reply, and just looked at the semi circular formation CRDL was taking around the downed visiting student. They watched as he slowly rose to his feet. His blonde hair visible due to his hood having been knocked loose. He stood with his back to the smirking members of CRDL, and rolled his shoulders.

"FIGHT! FIGHT!" came the shout from the gathered Beacon students, causing a sudden returning crush of those that had been in the hall, returning to see what going on.

"Hey look it's Jauney-Boy!" Cardin laughed as Jaune turned around to face him. "Surprised you're even here. Thought Beacon was for actual Huntsmen. Not failures, who get kicked off their own teams."

"Single or team?"

"What?"

"You just want to do a one on one, or you want to use your whole team?"

"Seriously? You think you could take on all four of us, when you couldn't take me solo!" Cardin openly laughed, "But you've always been bravely stupid, even when you bite off more than you can chew. So yeah let's do it you against the four of us."

"Fine." Jaune responded as he walked into the combat ring.

"You want any rules, so you don't get hurt?"

"Just one."

"And what is that? Stop when aura hits red?" Cardin gave a smirk.

"No. If you go unconscious you're out." Jaune replied, as he let his blue eyes take in gathering mass of students. He sighed when he saw Ruby and Nora pushing themselves to the front of the pack. Of course they would want to see. "Sound fair?"

"Whatever." Cardin sneered, "Your funeral."

"So you want to go to death, instead of unconsciousness , now?"

"What? NO!" Cardin took a step back seeing the serious face Jaune was holding, "You must have been knocked around too much, to say something like that."

"So," Jaune rolled his shoulders, and cracked his neck, "DO I get to bring in some help to even numbers,or you just want a four on one?"

"Go ahead, see if any of these losers will join you. We can wait."

"I don't need to ask them." Jaune replied with a smirk. Reaching out with his right hand he holds it palm forward, "Portas aperi et puellam scholam evoca.

CRDL took a step back, a questioning look on their faces, as a purple sigil forms on the palm of his hand forms, with a human sized purple vortex opening up beside him. A second later, a small, thin framed, teenaged girl in a school uniform steps through and stands next to Jaune. Her eyes sat closed behind a pair of round framed glasses; and her waist length raven hair is split evenly into a set of twin tails, hanging from behind her ears.

"Whose, the kid?"

"My back up." CRDL laughed. "Oh you think I should have more? I can do that."

"Aperite portas et clamate militem et vinctum." Jaune chanted as two more portals opened on either side of him. Stepping out a completely platmailed knight carrying a massiv kite shield and holding a long sword took his place next to the little girl. On his left a gaunt male figure appeared, stringy and matted hair hid its features, but what really stood out was the chains wrapped around his torso, and hanging to the ground from his arms."Better?"

"I... I... don't know what tricks you're using but it wont help you." Cardin tired to sound confident, as his eyes rove over the three figures at Jaune's side.

"What is the MEANING of this!" came Professor Goodwitch's stern voice. She strod back into her classroom, the massed students parting before her like rushing water around a rock.

"Just a friendly spar." Cardin tried to placate the annoyed teacher with a flimsy excuse.

"Enough! All of you detention with me tonight!"

"Dimissus" Jaune commanded, as he nodded toward Professor Goodwitch. Everyone took a step back as the three figures all nodded towards Jaune, before turning and walking through a purple vortex that appeared behind him. "My appoligies Professor."

Cardin growled and moved before anyone could stop him. The surprise of the action catching even Professor Goodwitch flatfooted. She recovered alsmot instantly and grabbed for her Riding Crop, on;ly to watch as Jaune intercepted Cardin's strike with his armoured hand. Claw like fingers curled around the half of his mace, stopping it before it connect with his head. Cardin grunted as he tried to pull the weapon free as Jaune raised his left hand.

"Somnum exterreri." he almost whispered as he touched Cardin's forehead with his index finger.

"Mr. Arc!" Glynda snapped, as a gasp of astonishment moved like a wave through the onlooking students. They all watched as Cardin's body went limp. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, before he fell to the floor. Then the screams of terror started. "What did you do?"

"I defended myself. Don't worry it will end shortly." he replied. As Glynda snapped out her weapon and caught the remainder of CRDL as they attempt to rush forward. Less than a minute later the screams stopped, and Cardin lay still, his chest rising and falling steadily. "If there is nothing else Professor, I will see you tonight."

"You are dismissed Mr. Arc." Glynda instructed with a stern gaze. "Be sure you are on time."

Jaune nodded as she stepped away from the combat ring. His annominity was ruined, so he didn't bother to put up his hood, as he closed upon the gathered students. He caught Nora and Ruby trying to push their way closer to him, and he sighed. It wasn't time yet, so he turned from them, and shouldered his way through the mass of bodies. Once outside the classroom, he ended up face to face with the remainders of JNPR and RWBY. His eyes narrowed. He knew he wasn't prepared for this meeting yet. The fingers of his right clenched.

"Jaune?" Pyrrha asked her voice wavering slightly.

Jaune turned and started to walk away, only to have Jade Primrose step in before him.

"Someone asked you a question... Arc." she sneered.

"I'm on to you." he whispered as he leaned down and brought his face so close to her that thier noses were nearly touching. "I will know your secrets."

"I don't know what you are..." she stammered slightly.

"Evil knows Evil." he cut her off, before straightening himself up and shouldering his way past her as Pyrrha closed upon him.

"Jaune, please?" Pyrrha pleaded as Jaune still continued to walk away. "Where have you been? Can you talk..."

"Sorry, Pyr. I'm not ready yet." Jaune replied over his shoulder.