Closing out the Jaundice events.

We return to the roof with Pyrrha and Hedge, with the later now standing up.

Hedge: "So, Cardin upped his bullying game and now is putting it out on Jaune, huh? To be honest, I didn't think he'd continue bullying after what I did to him, with both situations. Not to mention all of the detentions both myself and Goodwitch have given him and his team."

Pyrrha responds, "I think it was because of what you did to him that made him turn up the heat, and with how Jaune is regarding, well…you know."

Hedge continues her thought. "His fighting style and not having a semblance, made him easy pickings." She nods at him. He sighs. "You and I both know that if either one of us, or Ren/Nora or even Team RWBY, decided to really put Cardin in his place, Jaune wouldn't want to continue being here and be a team leader. He has to learn to stand up for himself."

Pyrrha lowers her head. "Yeah, he said the exact same thing to me. He didn't want to be the 'damsel in distress.'"

Hedge: "And why is that?" His curiosity was peaked. "I can tell he doesn't have a refined fighting style/stance like yourself or Ruby for that matter. I have an idea as to why, but judging from how you reacted to what I just said..." He took notice that she grabbed one of her arms and looked guilty of something. He walks up to her and places his hand on her shoulder. "Hey, if you're afraid of telling me what it is, I understand, but I'm pretty sure Ozpin might already know what it is. We need to let Jaune overcome this obstacle first."

She nods in agreement, "Right."

Hedge smiles, "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't you offer to train Jaune too?"

The next day, in the Forever Fall Forest

"Professor Peach has asked you to gather samples from the trees deep inside the forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die, while doing so." Professor Goodwitch leads the students through the forest to gather sap from the trees. Jaune is forced to follow Cardin and his team, while Pyrrha looks on.

She messages Hedge on her scroll. "I just hope he doesn't end up getting himself killed."

Hedge responds back, "Let events follow through as normal. Only intervene if he calls upon it."

Jaune returns to Team CRDL with 6 jars of red sap, wondering why when there was only 5 of them. Cardin explains it's to get payback on Pyrrha for being a know-it-all in class, also mentioning that he also has payback planned for Hedge since he humiliated him in combat class and in the cafeteria. Jaune realizes what Cardin wants to do is throw the sap at Pyrrha then release Rapier-Wasps on her. He instead throws the jar at Cardin, which causes Team CRDL to start beating him up, but an Ursa Major jumps in and smells the sap on Cardin. When everyone catches wind that Cardin is trouble with the Ursa, Pyrrha, Ruby, and Weiss go to save him and Jaune, while the others go and get Professor Goodwitch. Pyrrha even mentally debates calling Hedge since he could just teleport to them, but she decides against it.

When the girls arrive, they see Cardin about to get swiped by the Ursa, but Jaune jumps in to save him. Although Jaune has some trouble, thanks to Pyrrha using her semblance, which she has control over metal, to angle Jaune's shield to block the Ursa's attack, he manages to land the killing blow. Jaune tells Cardin to leave his friends alone, including Hedge. Cardin doesn't respond but does have a look of guilt on his face since Jaune had risked his own life to save his. Jaune turns away and leaves Cardin. Pyrrha sends Hedge a message. "Meet me on the roof of our dorm tonight."

Pyrrha finds Jaune back on the roof of their dorm, asking where Cardin was.

Jaune: "Pyrrha, I'm sorry. I was a jerk. You were only trying to be nice, and Hedge was also trying to get me to fend for myself, but I just couldn't do it." Jaune turns his head away. She places her hand on his turned away cheek and turns him to look at her.

Pyrrha: "Hey, it's ok. Your team really misses their leader." She starts to head back inside. "Ren made pancakes by the way. No syrup, you can thank Nora for that."

Jaune: "Pyrrha, wait." She stops at the door and turns back to him. "I know I don't deserve it after everything that has happened, but…" She looks at him intrigued. "Would you be willing to help me? To become a better fighter." She smiles and knocks on the door that leads back inside. The door opens, and Hedge walks out. "Hedge? Wait, what's going on?"

Hedge looks at Pyrrha and then back at Jaune. "I heard what happened with you and Cardin in the forest. But to answer your question: we're going to help you become a better fighter, together."

Next chapter we'll be able to see the rest of HAZL come to Vale, and get to see best bean and Mr. Monkey Man. Volume 1 Finale just around the corner.