At last united, Remnant crowned its king,

The dual arcs and star, his sigil's ring,

But Julius knew the burden was too great,

For one alone to bear the kingdom's weight.

Jaune Arc sat perched on the edge of Beacon Academy's rooftop, his legs dangling over the side as he gazed out at the fractured moon hanging low in the night sky. The spot beside him, where Pyrrha usually sat during their late-night training sessions, remained painfully empty. Despite the mild spring evening, a chill ran through him that had nothing to do with the weather.

The airship ride back from their mission in Glacier had been unbearably tense. Jaune had hoped to make amends, but the silence that permeated the cabin was so thick he could almost taste it. He'd kept his mouth shut, fearing that even a whisper might ignite an argument. Nora had positioned herself as a buffer between him and the others, while Yang did the same for RWBY. It felt less like a team returning from a mission and more like a prisoner transfer, with Jaune as the convicted.

Their return to Beacon hadn't improved matters. Professor Ozpin, his expression unreadable behind his small, circular glasses, had granted them a three-day weekend – ostensibly a reward, but Jaune couldn't shake the feeling it was more of a cooling-off period. The familiar halls of the academy, usually a source of comfort, now seemed alien.

Ren and Nora stuck together as always, their bond as partners making him feel worse. Pyrrha... Pyrrha was a ghost in their shared room, always asleep – or pretending to be – when Jaune woke. He lacked the courage to disturb her, to face those emerald eyes that now seemed to hold a mix of disappointment and something else he couldn't quite name.

Breakfast had become a quiet affair, shared with either Yang or Blake in the bustling cafeteria that somehow felt emptier than ever. It wasn't that Jaune was avoiding anyone, not really. He'd tried reaching out to Ren, attempted to speak with Pyrrha, but their responses were terse at best. Conversations, if they could even be called that, were one-sided or limited to the bare minimum required for coexistence.

Jaune raised his hands to his face, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes until he saw stars. He exhaled slowly, the weight of recent events pressing down on his chest like a physical force. His gaze drifted back to the shattered moon.

"Shit," he cursed quietly, the word carried away by the gentle breeze.

The heavy metal door to Beacon's rooftop closed with a resounding clang, startling Jaune from his thoughts. He whirled around, heart leaping. "Pyrrha?" A flash of red caught his eye, but instead of his partner's flowing crimson hair, he found himself face-to-face with Ruby Rose. The young team leader stood frozen, silver eyes wide with uncertainty.

"It's... me. Ruby," she stammered, fidgeting with the edge of her red cape.

Jaune's gaze dropped to the ground, where Crocea Mors lay beside him. The ancestral sword gleamed in the moonlight. "H-hey, Ruby," he managed, his voice barely above a whisper. Concern flickered across his face as he took in her nervous demeanor. "Are you okay?"

Ruby pressed her fingertips together, a telltale sign of her discomfort. "Not really," she admitted. "Can I sit with you for a bit?"

Jaune nodded, shifting Crocea Mors to his other side as he crossed his legs. Ruby shuffled over, plopping down next to him with a soft thud. Both teenagers fixed their gaze on the sprawling view of Vale below, the city's lights beginning to twinkle as dusk settled in. An awkward silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant sounds of Beacon's clocktower chiming the hour.

"I'm sorry," Jaune finally broke the silence, his words heavy with regret.

"I know," Ruby replied softly, her hands fidgeting with the pleats of her Beacon uniform skirt. The fabric rustled gently in the evening breeze.

Jaune swallowed hard, steeling himself for the question that had been gnawing at him. "Do... you hate me?"

Ruby's head snapped up, silver eyes wide with shock. "No! I don't hate you, Jaune!" she exclaimed, "You know, when I first came to Beacon, I felt so out of place. Everyone was older, more experienced. But you... you were kind to me from the start. You didn't care that I was younger or that I was awkward. You were just my friend."

"I know we haven't hung out much since classes started and you've been training, but we're still friends." Her voice trailed off, uncertainty creeping back in.

Jaune's shoulders sagged with relief. "I... I didn't mean to make you think I hated you," she said, running a hand through her red lockes. "It's just, during the battle, we were getting overwhelmed. I thought I was going to lose Yang, and then it turns out the guy who threw up on my sister's shoes is actually some kind of super-powered..." Ruby hugged her knees to her chest, her gaze distant. "And all this time, Yang's been keeping secrets from me."

Jaune leaned back, his palms flat against the cool surface of the roof. The rough texture grounded him as he searched for the right words. "I never wanted to cause problems between you and Yang," he said earnestly. "I just... I didn't want to tell anyone about my... abilities... until I knew I could control them."

Ruby tilted her head, meeting his gaze. "I get it, Jaune. And I'm not really angry about that. It's more the whole keeping secrets thing. I don't like secrets." She paused, chewing her lip. "I mean, I know everyone has some, but I really don't like them."

"And me being a cheater who snuck into Beacon and is basically a walking Dust bomb... that's a pretty big secret," Jaune said, his voice laced with self-deprecation.

Ruby's eyes widened in alarm. "You're not a bomb!" she protested vehemently. "And yeah, you might have fib- um, been creative with your application, but you survived initiation! My dad says there are even trained students who don't make it through that." She puffed out her cheeks, a determined gleam in her eye. "If I'd known you weren't trained, I would have helped you myself!"

Jaune's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Ruby seemed to shrink a bit at his reaction, but pressed on. "I mean, that's what friends do, right? We watch each other's backs. If you needed training, I would have been there for you." Her voice softened. "I don't want you to get hurt, Jaune."

Ruby ran a hand through her short, dark hair, a hint of red at the tips catching the fading light. "When you took out all those Grimm and passed out, I was terrified. I ran out to get you, but..." She held up her palms, revealing faint, pinkish blisters that pulsed softly as her Aura worked to heal them. "I got burned. I wanted to do something, to help, but I couldn't because I didn't know how. You're my friend, Jaune, and friends help each other."

Jaune flinched as Ruby thrust her hand towards his face, pinky extended. "I'm a little hurt," she admitted, "but I get why you hid your powers. And I don't know if I could have handled keeping a secret like that either. But I do know what it's like to have a dream you'd do anything to achieve." Her pinky finger wiggled insistently. "So, from now on, no more secrets! We're besties, and you need to be honest. Tell me when something's wrong, and I'll do my best to help. That's what besties do!"

A smile tugged at the corner of Jaune's mouth as he raised his hand. "I promise," he said, wrapping his pinky around hers. Ruby squeezed with surprising strength for someone so small, eliciting a startled yelp from Jaune. She grinned, satisfied, and released his hand.

Jaune turned to Ruby, concern etched on his face. "What about you and Yang? Are you two okay?"

Ruby nodded, a slight frown tugging at her lips. "Things are... off. Not terrible, but weird. Yang's trying to be friendly, but I'm still a bit mad. She was all like," Ruby deepened her voice in an exaggerated impression of her sister, "'I didn't want to tell you because you could get hurt!' But I can take care of myself. I'm a big girl after all! I-"

"Drink milk," Jaune interjected in a high-pitched falsetto, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

Ruby's silver eyes widened in indignation as she pounded lightly on his chest. "It's true!" she whined, reminding Jaune of his younger sisters back in Anima.

"Alright, alright," he chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. Ruby huffed, pushing herself away from him.

"So," she asked, her tone sobering, "how are things with your team?"

Jaune sighed, the brief moment of levity evaporating. "Not great. Nora's... Nora, I guess. But Ren and Pyrrha are distant. I haven't been able to really talk about... this... with them."

Ruby's gaze dropped to her hands, fidgeting with the hem of her combat skirt. The air between them grew heavy once more.

"You two are loud," a familiar voice cut through the night, causing both Jaune and Ruby to jump.

Jaune whipped around towards the door, expecting to see Blake there. Ruby let out a startled "Eep!" as Jaune's head snapped back to the space in front of them. There, balancing effortlessly on the edge of the roof, was Blake Belladonna. She wore a long, black yukata that fluttered gently in the evening breeze.

"Where did you come from?" Jaune sputtered. "And what are you wearing?"

Blake tilted her head to the side, her amber eyes blinking slowly in a almost feline manner. "Pajamas," she stated matter-of-factly. "You're both sitting right above a window in the hallway. It's loud."

With a grace that belied her precarious perch, Blake slipped down onto the rooftop proper, settling carefully beside them. "Yang snuck out to the Emerald Forest," she said, turning to Ruby. "Maybe you should go see what it's about." Then, almost as an afterthought, "Yang said it's time for you to go to bed."

Ruby's face scrunched up in protest. "I don't need a bedtime, Blake! We aren't doing this again!"

Blake's bow twitched ever so slightly, her eyes narrowing by a fraction. It was a subtle change, but the effect on Ruby was immediate. The young team leader slumped in defeat.

"Goodnight, Jaune," Ruby sighed, trudging towards the door with the air of someone marching to their doom.

As the door closed behind Ruby with a resounding clang, Jaune turned to Blake, bewilderment clear on his face. "What's that about?"

Blake shrugged, the movement causing her yukata to rustle softly. "Yang says that when Ruby doesn't sleep early, she sleepwalks. So usually one of us reminds her when it's time for bed."

Jaune's eyebrow arched skeptically. "Isn't she the team leader?"

"Yeah," Blake nodded, "but she's also the youngest. We've got to look out for our teammates." There was a warmth in her voice that Jaune rarely heard from the usually reserved girl.

Blake reached over, her hand hovering near Jaune's shoulder for a moment before she thought better of it. "Yang's been going out to blow off steam in the forest for a few nights now. You should go out there and talk to her. She shouldn't be dealing with this alone."

"Blake," Jaune called out, his voice cutting through the night air. The black haired girl paused, her amber eyes flicking up from the ground to meet his gaze.

"Everyone other than Nora and you were angry," Jaune continued, his voice tinged with confusion. "Nora was alright because she had her suspicions. But you... you were calm about it."

Blake's bow twitched slightly. "We all have secrets, Jaune," she said softly. "Some more dangerous than others."

Jaune looked away, memories of the decimated Grimm flashing through his mind. "But you weren't angry. Not at the fact that I lied, or that I'm a fraud, or even that I'm some weirdo who doesn't have a lick of training and is in way over his head-"

Blake raised a hand, silencing his self-deprecating spiral. A ghost of a smile crossed her face, barely visible in the moonlight. "I understand the weight of a hidden identity better than most," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The fear of discovery, the constant vigilance... it's exhausting."

Her amber eyes focused on him with an intensity that made Jaune want to step back. "But I've learned that running from who you are only leads to more pain – for you and those around you. No one should have to be afraid of themselves."

Realization dawned on Jaune's face. "Is that why you looked through the records? You were searching for something to help?"

Blake shrugged, a hint of embarrassment in her gesture. "Knowledge is power. I thought it might help you understand your abilities better."

"Thank you," Jaune said earnestly, his voice thick with emotion. "I... I'm trying to be more open now. To face who I am, powers and all."

Blake's expression softened, a sadness creeping into her eyes that seemed to speak of personal experience. "That takes courage, Jaune. Don't lose sight of that."

As Jaune stood to leave, Blake spoke again, her words carrying a weight that seemed to hang in the air between them. "And Jaune? Remember, a team is strongest when it stands together – secrets and all."

With that, Blake rose to her feet, pulling her yukata closer around her. She moved towards the heavy door Ruby had disappeared through earlier, her footsteps barely making a sound on the rooftop.

As she reached for the door handle, Blake paused, looking back over her shoulder at Jaune. "Your power... it's a part of you, but it doesn't define you. It's your choices that make you who you are."

The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving Jaune alone on the rooftop once more.

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The shattered moon hung low over the Emerald Forest, its pale light filtering through the canopy. Yang Xiao Long stood in a small clearing, her lilac eyes scanning the shadows. The night was eerily quiet.

Suddenly, a low growl broke the silence. Yang's gauntlets, Ember Celica, expanded with a metallic click. "Come on then," she muttered.

Three Beowolves burst from the underbrush, their red eyes gleaming. Yang met the first with a devastating right hook, her gauntlet firing on impact and sending the Grimm flying back into the trees.

The second lunged, claws slashing. Yang ducked, the attack missing her by inches. She countered with an uppercut, her fist connecting with the Beowolf's jaw. The creature howled in pain but didn't fall.

Yang spun, using the momentum to deliver a powerful kick to the third Beowolf's midsection. It stumbled back, giving her a moment's reprieve.

But the fight was far from over. More red eyes appeared in the darkness – a pack of at least a dozen Beowolves.

"Great." Yang said, falling into a fighting stance.

The Grimm attacked en masse. Yang was a blur of motion, her fists flying as she fought off the onslaught. She ducked under slashing claws, weaved between snapping jaws, and countered with explosive punches.

One Beowolf managed to rake its claws across her back. Yang's eyes flashed red, her hair igniting with golden flames. With a roar, she unleashed a barrage of punches on the offending Grimm, reducing it to smoke.

But for every Grimm she felled, two more seemed to take its place. Fatigue began to set in, her movements slowing. A particularly large Beowolf caught her with a vicious swipe, sending her tumbling across the clearing.

Yang struggled to her feet, breathing heavily. The Grimm circled, sensing victory. The large Beowolf, clearly the alpha, stalked forward, teeth bared.

Just as it tensed to pounce, a ball of golden fire streaked through the air, catching the alpha squarely in the chest. The Grimm howled in agony as it was engulfed in flames, collapsing into ash.

Two more bursts of golden flame spread around Yang, her semblance flaring to life. The fire parted around her like waves breaking against a rock, catching a few unfortunate Beowolves in its wake. She stood at the center of this inferno, a figure of barely contained power.

"Vomit Boy," Yang called out, her voice carrying over the crackling flames.

"Yang?" Jaune approached cautiously, his hand instinctively moving to Crocea Mors.

Without turning to face him, Yang asked, "You down to train?"

She didn't wait for an answer. In one fluid motion, Yang whirled around, Ember Celica clicking into place. A massive burst of fire erupted from her gauntlets, hurtling towards Jaune.

Instinctively, Jaune raised his hands, palms flat in front of him. He took a wide stance, moving his hands in opposite directions as if waxing an invisible car. The fire parted like an ocean wave, curving around him. With a spin, he brought his hands together, combining the parted flames and sending them back towards Yang.

Yang sidestepped the returned fire with a dancer's grace. She ducked beneath a horizontal slash of flame, bringing her fist upward towards Jaune's chin. Ember Celica clicked, another round sliding into place. Fire Dust exploded outward, engulfing Jaune's face in flames.

But Jaune didn't flinch. The massive burst of fire wrapped around him, and through the inferno, his blue eyes stared unflinchingly at Yang. As the flames dissipated, a fiery crown remained atop his head, flames seeming to hover over his ocean-blue eyes.

"Yang," he began, but she cut him off.

"You're holding back," Yang said, her voice gruff as she pulled her hands away. "You've been holding back this entire time."

"I'm trying not to," Jaune protested weakly.

Yang shook her head, running a hand through her wild mane of golden hair. "Look, we need to talk about things."

Jaune nodded, a flicker of relief passing over his face. "I... I talked with Ruby."

Yang's eyebrow arched questioningly.

"We made up," Jaune continued. "I promised not to keep any more secrets. And I'm sorry for putting you in a position where you had to keep a secret from her and your team."

"That's not what I'm talking about," Yang said, her tone serious. "You almost burned yourself out during the fight. If you'd pulled that stunt and there were more Grimm, I don't think we would have made it. You can't keep doing that."

"I didn't have a choice," Jaune protested. "People were in danger!"

Yang's eyes flashed red for a moment, her semblance threatening to activate again. "And what about the people who care about you? Do you have any idea how scared I was when I had to carry you out of there?"

Jaune looked away, guilt washing over him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

Yang's expression softened slightly. "I know you didn't. But Jaune, you can't save anyone if you're dead. That's why we need to work on your control."

As Yang tried to pull away, Jaune caught her gauntleted wrist. "We need to talk about this," he said, emphasizing the 'we'. "Why did you agree to help me? Even before everyone knew the truth?"

Yang shook her head. "I thought I already explained this."

"'Because I was nice to Ruby' doesn't cut it," Jaune pressed. "If that was it, you would have told her."

Yang was quiet for a moment, her gaze distant. When she spoke, her voice was uncharacteristically soft. "Because I know what it's like to have a power you don't fully understand. To be afraid of hurting the people you care about." She turned to him, her lilac eyes serious. "But I also know that running from it only makes things worse. You have to face it head-on."

She jabbed a finger towards his chest. "You might be some super-powerful Starman or whatever, but at the end of the day, you're still a dunce who's in way over his head. But on some level, I get it."

Yang looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers. "My sister jumps into things without thinking... she gets it from me, but still." She sighed. "I knew if I told her about this, she'd offer to train you in a heartbeat, and she'd probably get hurt. The last thing I want is for Ruby to ever get hurt on my watch when it's something I could have prevented. So if it was keeping a secret or telling a lie to guarantee she was safe..." Yang trailed off, her lilac eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "Then it was worth it."

"Blake hasn't said anything," Yang continued. "Hell, maybe she's known all along somehow. But Weiss is still distant. I'll admit, she was a bit hysterical, even cruel, but I know it's because she's just scared. We all were."

Yang raised a hand, and for a moment, Jaune thought she might strike him. Instead, she gently passed her fingers through his flaming crown. "We all thought you were going to die. Forced to fight to save us when we couldn't act, having to rely on some dunce who can't even swing a sword correctly." She chuckled dryly. "But here you are."

Her voice grew quiet. "If you're going to talk to Weiss, know that she doesn't hate you. She didn't mean a lot of what she said. She was just worried that you weren't going to make it back. Hell, my dad did the same thing when I got accepted into Signal. Asked me how I expected him to break the news to Ruby if I ever got taken out by a Grimm."

Yang punched his shoulder playfully, but there was a gentleness to it that Jaune hadn't felt before. "Weiss might not act like it, but she admires the fact that you keep trying. No matter how much you get the snot beaten out of you, you keep trying to do better." A mischievous grin spread across her face. "And apparently, you have a better grade than her in Hunting Theory."

As the last embers of their impromptu training session faded away, Jaune felt a weight lift from his shoulders.

"Thanks, Yang," he said softly. "For everything."

Yang's grin widened. "Don't thank me yet, Vomit Boy. We've got a lot of work to do, and I'm not going easy on you anymore."

/-/

By the time Jaune returned from training with Yang, the first rays of sunlight were breaking through Beacon's windows, painting the hallways in a warm, golden glow. Standing before the door to Team JNPR's dorm room, Jaune took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

"Don't be a wuss," he muttered to himself, echoing Yang's earlier advice. "A leader has to fess up to their mistakes and keep the team together. No matter what."

With a trembling hand, Jaune pushed open the door. Inside, he found Ren and Nora in their usual spots. Nora was sprawled on her bed, idly tossing Magnhild's grenade canister in the air, while Ren stood by the window, his back to the door. To Jaune's left, a scarlet bed-covered cocoon likely contained Pyrrha.

"Hey guys," Jaune said softly, closing the door behind him. "Can we talk?"

Nora sat up immediately, a bright smile on her face. "Jauney! We were wondering when you'd show up!"

Ren, however, didn't turn around. His voice was cool when he spoke. "What is there to talk about?"

Jaune winced, his fists clenching until his knuckles turned white. The guilt threatened to overwhelm him, and for once, Crocea Mors remained silent at his side. "I wanted to apologize," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know it was wrong to keep secrets. There's no excuse, especially since you're my team. We're supposed to trust each other with our lives."

"Aw, it's okay, Fearless Leader," Nora said, bouncing to her feet. "We all have our secrets. Remember that time I accidentally used Lightning Dust to supercharge Ren's Semblance? Oops, was that supposed to be a secret?"

"Nora," Ren said, his voice carrying a note of warning. He finally turned to face Jaune, his usually calm magenta eyes hard with disappointment. "You were supposed to believe in us, Jaune. How can we trust you if you don't trust us?"

Jaune felt the weight of Ren's words like a physical blow. "You're right. I messed up, big time. I was scared and... ashamed. I thought if you knew the truth, you'd think less of me."

"Less of you?" Nora exclaimed, her turquoise eyes wide. "Are you kidding? You're like a superhero now! Can you imagine the pancake-making possibilities with fire powers?"

Despite the tension, Jaune couldn't help but smile at Nora's enthusiasm. But Ren remained unmoved.

"This isn't about your abilities, Jaune," Ren said, his voice steady but cold. "Hiding Semblances isn't a crime, and I couldn't care less if you went to a combat school. It's that you went through all this by yourself. You didn't believe we'd be capable of helping you." Ren's eyes softened slightly, revealing the hurt beneath his stoic exterior. "It's about trust. We've faced danger together, relied on each other. I considered you one of my best friends. And yet, you kept this from us."

Jaune felt a pang in his chest at Ren's use of past tense. "I know, Ren. And I can't tell you how sorry I am. I want to make it right. No more secrets, I promise."

"Promises are easy to make," Ren replied, turning back to the window. "It's keeping them that's difficult."

Nora looked between her two friends, her usual smile faltering. "Come on, guys. We're a team, remember? We've faced down Grimm together. We can work through this."

Jaune took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of his newly discovered power simmer just beneath his skin. "Ren, I understand if you can't trust me right now. But I'm asking for a chance to earn that trust back. I'll do whatever it takes."

For a long moment, Ren was silent. Finally, he turned back, his expression softening slightly. "It won't be easy, Jaune. Trust, once broken, is hard to repair."

"I know," Jaune nodded, his blue eyes shining with determination. "But you guys are worth it. You're more than just my teammates. You're my friends... my family."

Nora's eyes welled up with tears. "Aww, group hug!" She launched herself at Jaune, wrapping her arms around him tightly, her strength nearly knocking the wind out of him.

Ren hesitated for a moment before joining them, his embrace more reserved but no less sincere. "Remember, Jaune," he said quietly, "a team is only as strong as its weakest link. We need to be able to rely on each other completely."

As they broke apart, Jaune felt a mix of hope and determination. The road ahead would be challenging, but with Nora's unwavering support and the chance to rebuild Ren's trust, he was ready to face whatever came next.

"So," Nora said, bouncing on her toes, electricity crackling in her hair, "when do we start fire training? I've always wanted to roast marshmallows without a campfire!"

Jaune and Ren exchanged a look – Ren's cautious, Jaune's apologetic, but both tinged with a hint of fondness for their energetic teammate. It was a start, and for now, that was enough.

As the morning sun rose higher, bathing the room in warm light, Jaune's gaze drifted to the scarlet cocoon on Pyrrha's bed. He knew there was still one more bridge to mend, Jaune felt ready to face that challenge too.

"Nora? Ren?" Jaune asked. Ren crossed his arms and Nora stood at attention "I need to ask a favor." Nora pulled ren closer to jaune and he began whispering to the two.

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Jaune's heart raced as he shot a glance towards Nora and Ren. Nora, ever the bundle of energy, flashed him an exuberant thumbs-up, while Ren offered a characteristically stoic nod. His eyes then darted to Pyrrha, who stood off to the side, her emerald gaze deliberately avoiding his. The tension between them was palpable, thick enough to cut with Crocea Mors.

The click of heels against the polished floor of Beacon's combat arena drew everyone's attention. Professor Glynda Goodwitch strode out from a nearby storage room, her riding crop clasped firmly in hand. Her sharp eyes surveyed the assembled students before she addressed them.

"Good afternoon, students," she began, her voice crisp and authoritative. "Today, at the special request of one of your peers, we will be conducting an interteam duel." A ripple of excitement coursed through the crowd.

Jaune's hand instinctively found the hilt of Crocea Mors. The ancient blade seemed to vibrate beneath his touch, as if sensing the impending battle. "Trust me," he whispered to the sword, and it quieted, almost seeming to hum in response. A familiar warmth began to spread through his palm.

Professor Goodwitch continued, "Furthermore, Headmaster Ozpin has authorized the use of our most advanced Dust-powered shield system for this match. This will allow for the unrestricted use of firearms and other ranged weapons within the arena."

The announcement elicited a chorus of excited murmurs from the students. Some leaned in to whisper to their neighbors, while others wore expressions of eager anticipation.

Jaune's gaze flickered upward to where Ruby sat. His first friend at Beacon gave him an enthusiastic double thumbs-up, her silver eyes shining with encouragement. Beside her, Yang leaned back in her seat, lilac eyes open wide with interest, one eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"The combatants for today's match are..." Goodwitch paused for effect, tapping her scroll. The massive holoscreen above the arena flickered to life. "Pyrrha Nikos."

Pyrrha's face appeared on the screen, and the champion stood, her expression a mask of disinterest. She scanned the bleachers, her eyes briefly locking with Jaune's. He offered a small, nervous smile, which only seemed to deepen her confusion.

"And Jaune Arc."

As his own face materialized on the screen, Jaune could feel the shock ripple through the arena. Pyrrha visibly stiffened, her composure cracking for just a moment. Ignoring the less-than-encouraging comments from his peers – words like "dead meat" reached his ears – Jaune stepped forward, Crocea Mors clipped securely to his belt.

The blonde knight paused beside Pyrrha, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Let's give it our all out there, alright?" he said, flashing her a smile that was equal parts determination and nerves.

As they entered the arena proper, a shimmering hexagonal barrier sprang to life around them, briefly visible before fading to transparency. The two partners faced each other.

"Jaune, what are you doing?" Pyrrha asked, her voice a mix of confusion and concern.

With a metallic rasp, Jaune drew Crocea Mors from its sheath. The blade gleamed under the arena lights, seeming to pulse with an inner fire. "We've trained together, Pyrrha. You've helped me more than you know," he began, his voice growing stronger with each word. "I want to show you how far I've come. But more than that, I need to talk to you. Things haven't been right between us, and I'm going to fix that – even if it kills me."

Jaune raised Crocea Mors, mirroring Pyrrha's stance with a newfound confidence. His voice carried across the arena, filled with determination and a hint of vulnerability.

"I'm not going to be Jaune Arc, future Huntsman in training, or Jaune Arc the fraud," he declared. "I'm just... Jaune. That night on the rooftop, I didn't understand what you meant about the difference between the Invincible Girl and Pyrrha Nikos. But now, I get it."

Pyrrha's emerald eyes widened slightly as she drew Miló, her weapon shifting seamlessly from sword to rifle form. Jaune continued, his voice growing softer but no less resolute.

"These last few days, I couldn't bear the thought of never talking to you again, of my partner never looking at me with that smile I've come to cherish. JNPR is more than a team – we're family. I know now what I did was wrong." He took a deep breath. "So I'm not asking you to see me as your leader, or the fraud, or whatever. I just want you to look at me as Jaune. So I can look at you as... Pyre."

The use of her nickname seemed to strike a chord in Pyrrha, her stoic mask slipping for just a moment.

The buzzer rang, signaling the start of the match. In an instant, flames erupted from beneath Jaune's feet, propelling him towards Pyrrha with a speed that shocked the audience. He mimicked the stance she had used countless times in their training sessions, bringing Crocea Mors down with tremendous force.

Pyrrha's Aura flared, a brilliant scarlet shield materializing just as their blades met. Sparks flew as Crocea Mors slid down Miló, the ancient sword humming with an energy of its own. Jaune's shield shifted, altering his center of mass, and he used the momentum to push forward.

With practiced ease, Pyrrha parried, her shield snapping outward to launch Jaune back. He twisted in mid-air, his feet connecting with the arena's barrier. For a split second, the entire shield wall erupted in a dazzling display of flames before Jaune rocketed back into the fray.

In a fluid motion, Jaune's heater shield collapsed into a scabbard, which he swiftly attached to his belt. He punched forward, and three rapid fireballs streaked towards Pyrrha. Her shield, Akoúo̱, absorbed the impacts, but each hit slowly chipped away at her Aura.

Pyrrha sidestepped the last fireball, hurling her shield in a wide arc. Jaune, anticipating the move, swung his off-hand, sending a wave of fire through the air. The champion slid forward, ducking beneath the flames with grace that belied her armor's weight.

As Pyrrha flipped through the air, narrowly avoiding another blast of fire, Jaune jumped back. Akoúo̱ whizzed past, curving through the air to return to its wielder. In one smooth motion, Pyrrha caught her shield and transformed Miló into its javelin form, letting it fly.

The spear soared over Jaune's shoulder, and he turned just in time to see it crack the hexagonal barrier behind him. His momentary distraction cost him as Pyrrha charged, slamming her shield into his back and pinning him against the wall.

"You're holding back still," she said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Jaune shook his head, a sad smile playing on his lips. "I only did that before because I was afraid someone close to me would get hurt. I could have died. But I would never use that power against you, Pyrrha."

As he spoke, a golden crown of fire shaped like Pyrrha's circlet materialized on his forehead. Pyrrha's eyes widened as she realized the flames emitted no heat.

"I got stronger because of you, Pyrrha," Jaune explained, his voice filled with gratitude. "Now, though, I'm not keeping anything from you."

With those words, Jaune erupted into a brilliant inferno. The sudden burst of energy sent Pyrrha flying back, her Aura flickering as it absorbed the impact. Jaune pressed his advantage, charging forward with a stance eerily reminiscent of Yang's brawler style.

His fist connected with Akoúo̱, the impact reverberating through Pyrrha's arm. She winced, feeling the heat even through her shield. Adapting quickly, she dropped low, spinning around to deliver a powerful kick to Jaune's neck. He managed to block with his forearm, his Aura absorbing the worst of the blow.

The two partners exchanged a flurry of strikes, Jaune's newfound prowess in hand-to-hand combat forcing Pyrrha on the defensive. The heat emanating from his attacks caused her armor to warm uncomfortably.

Seizing an opportunity, Pyrrha stomped down, kicking her fallen shield up like a skateboard. In one fluid motion, she caught it and bashed it against the side of Jaune's head. The impact sent him reeling back, giving her the chance to retrieve Miló from where it was embedded in the barrier.

Jaune recovered quickly, unleashing a concentrated stream of fire from his fist like a flamethrower. The roar of the flames was punctuated by the crack of a gunshot. Before he could react, Jaune found himself pinned to the wall, Miló having pierced through his hoodie.

As the air rushed from his lungs, Jaune felt Crocea Mors hum at his side. He looked up to see Pyrrha standing over him, her boot pressed firmly against his chest. Despite his position, a smile spread across his face.

Glynda Goodwitch's voice echoed through the arena: "The match is concluded. Jaune Arc is incapacitated. Victory goes to Pyrrha Nikos."

The barrier faded, and the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and astonished murmurs. As Pyrrha helped Jaune to his feet, their eyes met.

As the crowd's murmurs began to die down, Jaune and Pyrrha stood face to face in the center of the arena. Jaune's hand moved to the back of his neck, a familiar gesture of awkwardness creeping back into his demeanor despite his recent display of prowess.

"I'm sorry if this was awkward or weird," he began, his voice carrying a mix of nervousness and sincerity. "Or not exactly how you would have wanted this to go down, but..." Jaune slid Crocea Mors back into its scabbard with a metallic rasp. "I've been told I'm the type of guy who needs some sense knocked into him sometimes."

A smile blossomed on Pyrrha's face, her emerald eyes closing briefly as she let out a soft chuckle. Her hand found its way to Jaune's shoulder, and he felt a shiver race up his spine at her touch.

"Two weeks," she said, her voice sweet but with an unmistakable edge of challenge. "Every single night. Double drills."

Jaune gulped but nodded, a grin spreading across his face despite the daunting prospect. "Yes, ma'am," he replied, wincing slightly as Pyrrha's grip on his shoulder tightened. He could have sworn he heard his pauldron creaking under the pressure.

As they made their way up the bleachers, Jaune couldn't help but notice the wide-eyed, almost terrified stares from the other students. Even Cardin Winchester, Beacon's notorious bully, seemed shaken. Jaune spotted him clutching the hand of a Faunus girl with long rabbit ears, as if his life depended on it. The sight was so unexpected that Jaune had to shake his head in disbelief.

Before he could ponder this bizarre turn of events further, a familiar, exuberant voice rang out across the arena.

"JNPR back together again!" Nora cried, her turquoise eyes sparkling with unbridled joy. In a flash, she had bounded over to them, wrapping both Jaune and Pyrrha in a bone-crushing hug.

However, the celebratory moment was cut short as they all sprang apart, wincing and yelping in unison.

"HOT! HOT! HOT!" Nora shouted, blowing frantically on her fingers. The residual heat from Jaune's fiery display had turned their metal armor into impromptu hot plates.

Ren, ever the voice of reason, calmly produced a bottle of water from his bag. "Perhaps we should cool down before any more hugging," he suggested, a hint of amusement in his typically stoic voice.

As Team JNPR laughed together, the tension of the past few days seemed to melt away.

AUTHORS NOTE

I don't enjoy writing drama chapters or reconciliation scenes. Frankly, after writing 88,000 words of it in another fanfic, I've found that it requires exceptional skill to execute well; otherwise, it falls flat.

Also, I apologize for the late chapter. I'm currently writing this alongside another fanfic titled "Summer of Your Love," where Jaune becomes an agent of death and is haunted by the ghost of Summer Rose. It's a comedic Summer Rose and Jaune shipping fic, so please don't expect the highest quality writing.

Yes, it's inspired by Coeur Al'Aran's fic "Beyond Death." I really enjoyed that story, though I wasn't fond of the ending. Additionally, I have a preference for older women, so I'm writing this with that in mind. If you're interested, make sure to check out both "Summer of Your Love" and "Beyond Life and Death." I wouldn't be writing RWBY without Coeur Al'Aran, College Fool, or Mallobaude.

Thank you for your understanding and support.