The next day, Cardin Winchester with The Executioner perched on his shoulder and Jaune Arc opposite of him with Crocea Mors drawn, Juane leaning on his weapon as if exhausted, standing in the spotlight shining on the Beacon Academy auditorium stage. He looks at Cardin, who laughs at his opponent's tiredness, and Jaune gathers his strength to charge forward and swing his blade at Cardin, only for him to jump out of the way. Jaune looks back, surprised, as The Executioner sends Jaune's shield - and himself - flying back. Now only armed with his sword, Jaune continued to try and attack, but is blocked by the mace's hilt. Their weapons locked, Cardin forces himself up, towering over a struggling Jaune.

"This is the part where you lose."

"Over my dead-OOF!" Jaune gets a knee in the gut as he falls down, Cardin was about to finish the fight with his mace up to Jaune's head, until Glynda stops the fight.

"That's enough Winchester." She explains the how the aura system works for tournament duels. During this, Pyrrha watches Jaune in sadness of his defeat.

Then he goes back to Jaune. "Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your scroll during combat. Gauging your aura will help you to decide when it is appropriate to attack or when its better to move to more defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf."

Cardin scoffs. "Speak for yourself..." As everyone was excited for the recent announcement of the Vytal Tournament, Jaune is shown to be not in the festive mood, along with Pyrrha.

In lunch, Nora speaks her outlandish tale of battling Grimm along with her partner Ren, but Jaune's sad mood would only get everyone's attention instead. Pyrrha being the first to speak. "Jaune? Are you okay?"

He was startled by her question. "Huh? Oh yeah. Why?"

Ruby tries to explain. "It's just that... You seem a little... Not okay."

Jaune tries to be optimistic. "Guys. I'm fine. Really!"

Pyrrha is not convinced. "Jaune, Cardin has been picking on you since the first week of school!"

"Wha? Nah! He likes to mess around!"

"He's a bully." Ruby said it straight.

Pyrrha nods and adds on, "Jaune if you ever need help you can just ask."

Nora gets an idea. "Oh! We can break his legs!" She is very enthusiastic about that idea.

Jaune then stood up with lunch at hand. "Guys, its fine. Really! Besides, he's not just a jerk to me. He's a jerk to everyone." Acting like its fine. Then they overhear Cardin and his gang picking on a young girl in bunny ears.

While this occurred, a moment later Aiden would walk up behind Cardin, oblivious that Ruby and Juane were talking about them, and would forcefully turn Cardin to face him, "Leave the girl alone, Cardin." he said with a threatening look.

He and his men walk over to him. "Oh? And what are you gonna go about it?" The boys chuckle.

Aiden, in a flash, would grab Cardin's arm and bend it in a way it almost breaks the boy's arm, and he holds it there, "I really don't think you wanna know, buddy. There's a reason I was top of my classes before I came to Beacon, and I'm not afraid to show you, and your little posse, if you really wanna go down that path." He bends his arm more, making the boy in even more pain, "Now… Listen carefully… You will leave this girl alone, and won't even associate with her… Or if I find out you have… I won't be so merciful. It's truly scum like you who make me sick..." Aiden says with an emotionless stare, as his eyes seem to drill into Cardin's soul, "Now then, are we clear?"

He nods and whimpers in acknowledgement, and Aiden would shove Cardin away, his boys also shook. He and his boys run off in a hurry, afraid of Aiden. Everyone is glaring at Aiden after that.

Aiden, not caring, would look at the girl, "You be safe now. Holler for me if they bother you again, miss. I'm sorry they treated you so poorly…" He gives a slight bow, "May the Lord bless you with a wonderful rest of your day." He says respectfully with a warm smile, as he turns and leaves to his seat, ignoring the glares. Anyone he got close to would avoid him, which he just shrugged off.

The girl would be bewildered at first, but was grateful that someone stood up for her. Pyrrha was impressed with this person, and so would Blake.

Yang smirks, "That's our pal there!" Ruby was embarrassed with Yang drawing attention to them, but is happy Aiden did that for the girl. Jaune was surprised with him just taking Cardin on that easily. Although it makes him feel more weak that he is unable to do that.

Aiden waves at them with a warm smile, and instead decides to come over to their table, smiling, "Hey guys, is there a free seat around here?" He asks nicely, "I wouldn't want to eat alone this time…"

Ruby waves. "Hey Aiden!"

Yang grins. "You seem to becoming popular mister one man team."

Aiden laughs at this, "Nah, I wouldn't say that. Really, I just did what anyone else who had a heart would do. I personally have seen people like that before. Really, it's sad how they treat people whom have a few different assets than them... The Lord made us all the same, just some of us have somewhat different features." He'd then take a seat, his seat being next to Ruby's. Blake would look long at Aiden, studying everything about him as he was talking to Yang and Ruby. Her staring eventually caught his attention after quite a bit, "You ok, Blake?" Aiden said with a friendly smile, and Blake, realizing she was staring, would blush and say that she was fine. Aiden raised a brow for a moment, but just shrugged it off, as Juane decided to speak.

"Hey uh, Aiden... How did you do that?" He asked sheepishly. Aiden would raise a brow at the question.

"Do what?" Aiden asked Juan would mention the arm trick, and Aiden thought for a moment, "Well, I studied him and realized he was wide open, and by his body language, his arrogance was blinding him, and so I took advantage, and was able to quickly take his arm and put it in a hold. In any case, always observe your opponent, and find open points, which there always is, one way or another, and quickly find a way to execute. That's what my dad taught me anyways, heheh." Aiden said rubbing the back of his head, "You just need to focus, and observe. It's easy with enough practice, and you find many of your fights to be quite easy if you are patient enough... Least, that's how I approach things. Did that help, Juane?" Juane thought about it for a moment, it sounds simple; he makes it sound like the easiest thing. He isn't sure, but he'd sound like an idiot now if he said he was completely clueless.

"Y-Yeah! I'll do that next time!"

He smiles, "Glad I can be of somewhat help!" He says, in a relieved tone. Later on in the day, Jaune Arc has his head resting in his hands while a constantly-zooming and fast-talking Professor Bartholomew Oobleck is in the middle of his hyperactive lecture, educating Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Pyrrha Nikos, Velvet Scarlatina, and a leaned-back Cardin Winchester directly behind Jaune, with Aiden also nearby, as he listens attentively.

During the Faunus history lesson, involving the nature of their second class origins, he would ask the class if they felt any discrimination. The bunnie girl named, Velvet being the only one raising her hand. "Dreadful, simply dreadful. Remember students, this is the type of behavior that breeds violence." He sips his coffee and continues. "Now, which of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point of the Faunus War?"

Weiss raises her hand and answers with confidence. "The Battle of Fort Castle."

"Precisely!" He almost jumps to that. "And who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over Captain Lagunes forces?"

This is where Cardin shoots his paper plane he made and spitefully hits Jaune's head with it, waking him up on his nap. "Ow! Hey!"

"Mr. Arc!" Oobleck appears in front of Jaune. "Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?"

Jaune finds himself on the spot. "Uuuuuh, the... Answer... The advantage... The Faunus had... Over..." He notices Pyrrha trying to direct him to the answer, making circular hand signs over her eyes. "Bi-Binoculars!"

Everyone proceeds to laugh. Even Pyrrha can't help but facepalm. Ooblack would hide his disappointment back to his table. "Very funny Mr. Arc. Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!"

Cardin replies with an uncaring tone after having his fun with Jaune. "Well, I know its a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier." This gets the Professor to shake his head of disapproval.

Then Pyrrha spokes up. "Your not the most open-minded of individuals, aren't you Cardin?"

He frowns at her talking back to him. "What? Got a problem?"

"No. I have the answer. It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly perfect sight in the dark." This gets Cardin to growl in annoyance.

Aiden nods, and adds, "General Lagune, from what I remember, was very inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep, which to me was a very cowardly move to even attempt, if I may say... But his massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured: thus granting swift victory for the Faunus." Aiden says as he sits back

Cardin was mad to the point of standing up, until the Professor halts him. "Mr. Winchester... Please, take your seat..." Showing an even more disappointed tone. Cardin would reluctantly comply. Jaune giggles to this, until Oobleck is again in front of him. "You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings." This gets Jaune to slouch in defeat again. Jaune would then see Aiden, as he gives him a reassuring nod and a smirk, before going back to paying attention to class. This made Juane feel a little bit better in the moment.

Jaune and Cardin hears Oobleck's talk about their failing grades and he warns them to do better and a homework assignment. As he blurs out of the room, Jaune walks out with Pyrrha waiting for him. Until Cardin shoves him down. Pyrrha helps him up as he leaves.

"You know I will break his legs." Letting out a hint of anger she rarely shows. Jaune sighs a bit, although with a bit anger since he wants to be tougher thanks to Aiden's inspiration. Pyrrha then gets an idea.

"I have an idea! Follow me!" She drags the bewildered Jaune out.

Pyrrha shows Jaune the roof, showing the view of Beacons largest tower. "Um Pyrrha? I'm depressed. But not that depressed."

She wondered what he meant until she realized he was focusing on the ledge of the roof than the tower. "N-NO!" She shoves him away from it. "Jaune I know your having a difficult time at class. And your not the strongest in class. So... I want to help you!"

Jaune was confused on this. "What?"

"We can train up here after class so no one can bother us!" Pyrrha happily said.

Jaune was unsure. "You... Think I need help?" His insecurities beginning to show again.

"N-No! That's not what I meant!" Afraid that she might have offended him.

"But you just said it."

"Jaune, everyone needs a push from time to time! It doesn't make you any different from the rest of us. You made it to Beacon! That speaks volumes of what your capable of!" Pyrrha tries her best to encourage her friend.

Jaune turns his back on Pyrrha in shame. "... I don't belong here..."

Pyrrha was shocked to hear this. "That's a terrible thing to say! Of course you do!"

Jaune thought about what Aiden said and it only makes him feel more pressured. "I... Pyrrha... Don't tell anyone this... I... Never got enrolled... I never went through any kind of combat test... I got my hands on some transcripts... And I lied..." He is filled with shame.

The red head was confused. "But... Why?"

The blonde answers. "This.. Is what I want. My father, and grandfathers were warriors. They were heroes. And I wanted to be like them. But... I'm not them..."

Pyrrha felt bad for him and places her hand on his shoulder. "Then let me help you."

"Perhaps I can help as well." Aiden says as he slowly steps out. "You do have the makings of a wonderful warrior, Juane. You have the heart, you just need a small bit of guidance."

Jaune didn't think he'd hear this from someone as great as Aiden, while Pyrrha was grateful for his help. Although something was on her mind. "How did… You know we'd be here though?"

"It wasn't so discreet when I saw you through the hall... I knew you were up to something, that, and I was gonna ask Juane if he was alright."

Jaune rubs his head in embarrassment. "Am I... That not alright?"

Pyrrha pats his shoulder. "It's okay to need to help. We're only human after all."

Aiden nods, "Chin up! I assure you, from here, things can look up. Just need to think positive, and work hard."

As they talk, Cardin overhears from a room just below the roof. He looks pissed off.

As Aiden and Pyrrha leave after reassuring Juane, Aiden gives Juane a thumbs up, and says, "You just need to believe, and have faith, my friend." Once they are gone, Juane sighs in relief, thinking about everything he was told, until he hears a mocking laugh and Cardin appears on the roof from his window.

"Well…you made some friends."

Jaune was confused. "Cardin? What are you-"

"I just so happen to hear all that. And let me tell you, you made some good friends that understand you for lying your way to get here." Jaune tenses up. "It's a shame not everyone would most likely not be as understanding."

Jaune knows Cardin would be the type to reveal it all. "Wait! Don't tell anyone! Or else I'll-"

"Hey, we're friends aren't we?"

Jaune flinched. "Friend?"

"Yeah. I won't tell on anyone. Just as long as you help me out. I mean, friends help right?"

Jaune felt something uncomfortable about him. Carding would continue, "That being said, I really don't have time to do those extra readings Dr. Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that for me, buddy?" He said, leaning down to rub Jaune's hair, "That's what I thought." He says as he heads back to hang onto the edge, "Don't worry, Jaune; your secret's safe with me." He says in a mock innocence, as Cardin drops back down to his room , with Jaune rubbing his neck in pain and worry, unsure of what to do now. Jaune feels like he should fight back but this is different from a fight. He now has his grip on him. So he complies shamefully. Soon, we see Pyrrha looking out her window in her team's room, carrying a sad expression, as Lie Ren loads StormFlower, and Nora Valkyrie is jumping on her bed in the room for Team JNPR.

"How come Jaune gets home so late?" Nora asks.

Ren checks on his weapon. "He seems rather scarce ever since he's been fraternizing with Cardin."

Nora keeps on jumping on her bed. "That's weird... Doesn't he know we're going on a field trip tomorrow?"

Pyrrha watches on the window with sadness, but also slight annoyance. "I'm sure..." She sighs. "I'm sure he knows what he's doing..."

Nora then lands back first in her bed. "Hm...I guess so." Jaune watches from behind the door and just sighs.

"Hey Jaune!" Ruby suddenly says, making him jump, "Long time no see! Did you lock yourself out again?"

Jaune recovers from the shock. "Oh! Uh... Nope! Right here!" Shows off his keys.

"So where have you been?" Ruby says, tilting her head.

"I uh..." The blonde would stutter until he sighs. "I messed up... I've done something I shouldn't have and now Cardin has me on a leash. I'm... Starting to think coming to this school was a bad idea..." He leans on the wall defeated. "I'm a failure..."

"Nope!"

"Nope?"

"Nope!" Ruby walks in closer to him. "Your a leader now. Your not allowed to be a failure."

"But, what happens if I'm a failure of a leader?" Jaune asks.

Ruby thinks about that. "Hm... Nope!"

Jaune chuckles. "You know, your not the easiest person to talk to about this."

"Nope! Jaune you might have been a failure when you were a kid. And maybe you were a failure when we first met." Words that weigh on Jaune. "But you can't be one now. Wanna know why?"

"Uuuuh, because...?"

"Because its not just about you now." Ruby states. "You've got a team now Jaune. We both do. And if we fail then we'll bring them down with us. We have to put our teammates first, and ourselves second. Your team deserves a great leader, Jaune." Ruby then gets up and says her last thing to say before going back to her room. "And I think it can be you. Goodnight, Jaune."

After speaking with the optimistic Ruby, this gets Jaune thinking. Suddenly, Juan's scroll beeps and he pulls it off of his side to open it, seeing Cardin's contact relaying a message. He asks for some Rapier Wasps with very sharp stingers. Jaune would wince knowing how intimidating they are. But Cardin's gaslighting would convince Jaune to do as he is told.

On the day of the field trip, Teams RWBYA, JNPR, and CRDL walking through the forest, led by Glynda. Red leaves fell gently on the ground from the gray stumped trees, as the wind gently blew.

Glynda states what Forever Fall Forest is. A beautiful landscape; if not dangerous. "Each of you is to gather one jars worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm. So stay with by your teammates. We will rendezvous here at 4:00. Have fun." Cardin smirks seeing Jaune carrying a huge piles of jars for his team. Jaune notices Pyrrha looking at Jaune in disapproval; Aiden, also looking at Juane with disapproving eyes, would follow RWBY after Ruby tells Aiden to join them. While Yang Xiao Long and her sister smile at one another, Jaune attempts to quietly sneak away from Cardin to his team, but the blackmailer sees this and grabs Jaune by the back.

After putting the work for Carin's whole team, he would collapse in front of them. "Great work Jaunny boy! That wasn't so hard wasn't it?"

"I think I'm allergic to this stuff..." Jaune felt himself weaker and his nose suddenly stuffed.

"Yeah yeah, so Jaune, I know what your thinking. 'Why did my buddy Cardin ask me to collect six jars of tree sap, if there is only five of us?'"

Jaune couldn't think of an answer. "That is one of the many questions I been asking myself that today."

"Well, come with me, and you'll find out." Cardin smirks, knowing he will love this.

The group would observe Ruby's team working for their sap. Jaune wonders what are they even doing. "So uh... What's going on?"

Cardin looks in anger. "Payback."

Jaune notices his attention at one of the only males of the team. "Aiden?"

Cardin is now angry. "That guy messed with me back at the cafeteria. Now he's gonna get his. You see, Rapier Wasps has a thing for sweets. Now we'll put them to work. And your gonna do it." He then gives Jaune one of the jars. "Hit him with the sap. Or I'll have a chat with Goodwitch. And you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon."

Aiden is looking around aimlessly, admiring the view, as he ensures the others on his temporary team are doing fine collecting sap. Jaune looks down at the jar of sap in his hands and then up at the four grinning teammates waiting to see what happens. Jaune turns towards the group and aims his throw at Aiden whom seems oblivious, as Jaune is trying to steel his nerves and shaking hand to do the deed, but ultimately steels himself for what he's about to do. He In the moment, Jaune remembered Aiden's words, remembered how he handled situations. He remembered Pyrrha. Juane felt inspired to defend himself thanks to them.

"No..."

Cardin barely heard him. "Excuse me?" His men begins to become hostile.

"I said..." Jaune then turns around to face them, "No." He then throws the sap to Cardin. The brunette took awhile to process what happened, until he glares at him in silent rage.

"Now you done it."

Jaune gets grabbed in the shoulders and laughs nervously, knowing he is about to be in a world of hurt. Cardin is then tapped on the shoulder, and when he looks, he is punched in the face, and falls to the floor.

"I knew I smelled a rat..." Aiden says as he stands over Cardin, whom was feeling his jaw. He then turns to Cardin's goons, whom were still holding Juane, "Well then, are you wanting some too, boys?" Aiden says, cracking his knuckles. The two boys looked at each other, and thought they had him outnumbered, so they went after him, as Aiden swiftly, with his hands behind his back, ducked a punch from one of them, and shouldered him, then swiped his leg on the other, with Cardin, now enraged, would attempt to hit Aiden, but Aiden backed away, but almost got hit. Jaune had to choose to run away, or aid Aiden in that moment. After thinking about it, Jaune felt bad for even considering throwing the sap and comes back to join Aiden in fighting Cardin's team.

As they scuffle, Jaune smiles, knowing in his heart he made the right choice, and glad he has a friend who has his back. In a moment, they then hear a crash, and a roar, as an Ursa looms... But it seemed different, as it looked more beast like, with longer and sharper teeth, and tendrils coming from its back. It seemed to be attracted to the smell of the sap, as Aiden, whom pushed back one of Cardin's goons, looked up in horror, as Cardin, whom was recovering on the ground from Juan hitting him, would also look up, as the monstrous Ursa Major towers over them, and slowly opens its maw, revealing yet another row of teeth, as it lets out another roar. The forest seemed to grow a bit darker in the area, as a dark aura hung around, surrounding the corrupted beast. it wouldn't be long before RWBY also noticed the beast.

(Fight theme: https/youtu.be/fZ0HVD02xZ8?si=zqwo74hmHrL6YA0O)

Jaune remembers what Aiden told him about his enemies weak points as one big Ursa towers him. And is on guard. He looks for his chance. Then he uses his shield to block the attack. Then he finally finds his opening, and strikes. The beast struck down, and he would dodge, and strike at its arm, and would cut it off, making it bleed out black ooze. The beast caught sight of the struggling Cardin, and would go to bite down on the weakened hunter, but Jaune would cover him and use his shield, sending the beast back, disorienting it. Jaune would then take the chance and decapitate it, finishing it off. Pyrrha walks in after hearing the commotion and sees Jaune decapitate the Ursa on his own. She was in shock of the sight of it, with Carding dropping his jaw, and Aiden too, was impressed, and knew that Jaune had it in him. RWBY would come over, also amazed

Aiden put a hand on Juane's shoulder, "Good, you are learning!"

He was tired from letting out all of his strength to pull this off. But he was happy to hear this from Aiden.

Aiden would then narrow his eyes at Cardin, and was about to rip him a new one, but Jaune would step up and grab Cardin's collar, telling Cardin to never try to hurt his team, or his friends, ever, to which Cardin held both hands up and shakily nodded his head,. Jaune tossed him back, as Aiden, becoming more impressed with Jaune, would then give a murderous glare at Cardin, "That goes for team RWBY as well…" He says seething, before joining up with the others.

Cardin was looking down in defeat. Jaune leaves, not feeling any glory or gratification; Only that he's glad he's alive, and no one got hurt. But something was still bothering him. He would stand alone in the roof again once night hits. "No Cardin? I thought you two were best buds." Pyrrha walks in.

Jaune couldn't contain his shame. "Pyrrha. I'm sorry. I had this macho stuff going on and-"

"Jaune. It's okay." She assured him. He smiles for her forgiveness, and his happiness is hers. "Your team needs their leader you know. You should come down. Ren made Pancakes. But no syrup. You can thank Nora for that." She walks off.

But Jaune had something to say first. "Wait! I know I don't deserve it after all that happened. But...will you be still willing to help me? To help me become a better fighter!" The red haired young warrior couldn't help but smile wide at this proposal. In response, she walks up to him and shoves him down. "Hey!"

She puts her hands on her hips. "Your stance is all wrong. You need to be more wider and lower to the ground." She helps him up. "Lets try that again." The two partners train to their hearts content.

Aiden watches from afar and smiles, "I see a true warrior in the making…" He says to himself, before going back to his group. Blake asked if Aiden was ok, to which he replied that he was. Ruby would then cling to Aiden's arm, saying she was glad everyone made it out pretty well in the end.

Later in the day, where the corpse of the beast laid, with no one around to inspect it, instead of melting into the black substance, it simply disappeared, an echoing laugh emanates through the forest, and all is still.