Ruby wandered through the towering streets of Atlas, the cold wind nipping at her face as she adjusted the hood of her red cloak. The gleaming city was a strange mix of pristine silver buildings and the dull gray of an ever-busy military presence. Everything in Atlas seemed to move with purpose, unlike the more laid-back atmosphere of Vale. There were soldiers everywhere, patrols moving in sync, and a heavy air of control that hung over the city like a cloud...but wasn't as heavy like before

"Well, guess... General Ironwood softened up? I guess Oz's right that he was just lost," She stuffed her hands in her pockets and kept walking, unsure of where she was headed but happy to be out for a stroll. Her mind was racing with thoughts of everything that had happened for the past few months — the Grimm attacks, the fall of Beacon, and the battles they had fought. Her team, her friends, had been through so much. But even so, it felt like there was always more coming, always another battle just over the horizon.

As she turned a corner, Ruby froze mid-step. Up ahead, near one of the Academy courtyards, she spotted a familiar face. Jaune Arc. But not the Jaune she remembered from those early days at Beacon. No, this Jaune was different. He was in full Atlesian uniform — crisp, formal, his shoulders broader than she remembered, and his posture stiff with discipline. He was staring at something in the distance, his expression distant and unreadable. The sight of him in military attire stirred a jumble of emotions in Ruby, especially after everything she saw what happened at Fort Arrowfell.

She hesitated for a moment, thinking back to the slaughter at the fort. It was hard to reconcile the boy she had briefly known — the goofy, awkward boy trying to sneak into Beacon with the hardened soldier who they saw tore through an entire compound of enemies. Even so, she wonders if she was the same Jaune.

With a deep breath, Ruby walked up to him, trying her best to keep the air light.

"Hey, Jaune," she called out as she approached.

Jaune's head snapped toward her, his eyes narrowing for a brief moment before recognition softened his gaze. "Ms. Rose," he said, his voice steady but formal, too formal for Ruby's liking. "Good to see you."

"Ms. Rose?" Ruby repeated with a raised brow. She crossed her arms, tilting her head playfully. "What's with the formality? We're friends, remember?"

Jaune blinked, as if her words took a second to register. His face softened, but he still seemed distant. "Right. Sorry," he said, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Ruby, then?"

Ruby smiled, but it faltered when she noticed how tense Jaune still looked. Something was different about him, something beyond the uniform and the muscles. There was a heaviness to his expression, a weight he was carrying that hadn't been there before. Not that she remember him other than the nice first friend who helped her when in trouble and lent her a hand. She glanced at him up and down, noting the polished boots, the perfectly pressed uniform, and how much more serious he seemed. This wasn't the same boy she had met during their Beacon days indeed.

And Ruby felt like Jaune needed a hand like she did when she exploded herself with Weiss's dust. He looked lost.

"What are you doing wandering around?" Ruby asked, trying to lighten the mood. "On official Atlesian business or just taking a break from, you know, kicking butt?"

Jaune shook his head slightly, shifting his weight as he glanced around the courtyard. "I'm looking for Ms. Nikos," he replied, his tone still formal.

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you mean Pyrrha?"

"Yeah, Ms. Pyrrha Nikos," Jaune confirmed, his eyes scanning the area. "I've been reassigned to guard her by General Ironwood's orders."

"Guard her?" Ruby blinked in confusion. "Jaune, Pyrrha doesn't need a guard. You know that, right? She can kick butt just fine on her own. I mean… she's THE Pyrrha Nikos."

Jaune nodded slightly, but didn't respond immediately. Instead, he seemed to consider her words before answering. "I know," he said quietly. "But orders are orders. And… well, General Ironwood believes it's necessary. There are certain… risks involved, apparently."

Ruby tilted her head, trying to make sense of it. "Risks? What kind of risks?"

Jaune gave her a look that said it was classified, and Ruby held up her hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I won't pry. I think know what you mean by the way. But seriously, Jaune, this is Pyrrha we're talking about. She's like… one of the best huntress in Remnant. She doesn't need someone following her around."

"I know," Jaune repeated. "But that's the assignment given to me."

Ruby frowned slightly, watching Jaune's stiff posture. "Wait… does that mean you're a Huntsman now?"

Jaune hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. I wasn't, but the reassignment came with a Huntsman's license. It's... strange."

A smile tugged at Ruby's lips. "That's amazing, Jaune! I mean, I always knew you had it in you." But then her smile faltered as she took in how formal he still was, how distant. She took a step closer and nudged his arm lightly. "Hey, don't be so stiff. We're friends, remember? You don't have to call me Ms. Rose, or anything like that. Just call me Ruby. You know, like when we first met."

Jaune blinked, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Thanks… Ruby."

That small shift in his demeanor was a relief to Ruby, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She didn't press further, though. Instead, she changed the subject.

"So, where's Pyrrha now?" Ruby asked, looking around the courtyard.

Jaune sighed softly. "That's the thing Ms. Ros—, Ruby. I was supposed to be with her, but she, Mr. Lie Ren, and Ms. Valkyrie disappeared earlier again. They're not answering their scrolls either."

Ruby frowned. "Really? That doesn't sound like Pyrrha. She's not the type to ditch someone. She's like way too nice for something like that."

"I was told," Jaune said, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I'm guessing it was Ms. Valkyrie's idea. I don't know if they are testing me… but that seems to be the case."

Ruby chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds more like Nora alright. She probably dragged Pyrrha and Ren off on one of her spontaneous 'adventures' or just playing a prank. Please don't take it to heart... Nora's... eccentric.'"

"It's alright. I understand," Jaune's expression softened a little at that, but he still looked frustrated. "But I've been searching for them since yesterday. I just want to make sure Ms. Nikos's safe."

"Then, well, lucky for you," Ruby said, pulling out her scroll, "I can find help you find them!"

Ruby then led the way through the grand halls of Atlas Academy, her silver eyes darting around as she scanned the area for any sign of Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora. Jaune followed closely behind her, his formal Atlesian uniform catching the glances of a few students passing by, but he paid them little mind.

"Weiss! Hey, Weiss!" Ruby called out suddenly, spotting her teammate walking down the corridor toward them.

Weiss Schnee, in her elegant attire, raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow as she approached, her icy blue eyes locking onto Ruby first and then shifting to Jaune. She looked him over from head to toe, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than usual. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if trying to place him in her mind.

"Ruby," Weiss said coolly, before turning her full attention to Jaune. "And you... are?"

"Oh, oh, do you remember Jaune?" Ruby asked with a grin, oblivious to the sudden tension in the air. "He was in Initiation, you know?"

Weiss gave a sharp, haughty nod, as if remembering something unpleasant. "Oh, yes. I remember you. It's hard to forget someone who tried to hit on me during initiation at Beacon."

Jaune, visibly uncomfortable, straightened his posture and gave a formal bow. "I formally apologize, Miss Schnee. I acted inappropriately back then."

His tone was so formal, so stiff, that it caught Weiss off guard. She blinked, clearly taken aback by his change in demeanor. She waved a hand dismissively, her voice faltering. "I-It's alright. You… um… You look... mature now, so it's fine."

Ruby's head whipped around to Weiss. "Mature?"

Weiss turned away quickly, coughing awkwardly into her hand. "Ahem. Yes, well, I was just asking what you're doing out here, Ruby."

Ruby grinned, sensing Weiss's discomfort but deciding to let it slide. "I'm helping Jaune find Pyrrha! He's been reassigned to guard her."

Weiss blinked again, this time in clear disbelief. "Guard Pyrrha? Of all people? That's… absurd. She's more than capable of handling herself."

Jaune nodded. "Believe me, I know that, Ma'am. But I'm simply following General Ironwood's orders."

Weiss crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed but also intrigued. "And have you tried contacting them? You do have Scrolls, don't you?"

Ruby sighed, scratching the back of her head. "We tried, but their scrolls are off."

Weiss shook her head, clearly skeptical. "Pyrrha is far too polite to ditch anyone."

"Exactly!" Ruby said excitedly, pointing at Weiss as if she had just proven her point. "That's what I said!"

Weiss rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile creeping up. "Alright, fine. Let's see if we can't find them." She pulled out her scroll and started checking for any sign of their location.

As they walked through the hallways, the tension between Weiss and Jaune began to ease. That is, until Weiss asked the question that Jaune seems to have been dreading.

"So... what happened at Arrowfell?" Weiss asked quietly, her voice softening just enough to show concern.

Jaune's face darkened, his expression tightening. He didn't want to talk about it — especially not here, not now, but he also knew she deserved an answer, as if trying to justify what he had done in that place.

"They killed my squad… my friends," Jaune said curtly, his voice devoid of emotion. "I just returned the favor."

Weiss flinched slightly at the coldness of his tone, realizing too late that she had touched a sensitive nerve. She looked away, guilt flashing in her eyes. "I'm... sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

Jaune's expression softened. "It's alright. It's over now."

There was an awkward silence between them, broken only by Ruby's nervous laugh. "Okay! So, let's keep looking. I'm sure they're around here somewhere."

They continued through the halls, asking students if they had seen Pyrrha, Ren, or Nora, but to no avail. As the day wore on, they grew more and more frustrated. Finally, Ruby led them out of Atlas and down to Mantle, the icy wind biting at their faces as they scoured the city for any sign of the missing trio.

"Why would they come down to Mantle?" Weiss asked, pulling her coat tighter around her.

"Maybe they wanted to get away from the top for a bit?" Ruby suggested, her breath fogging in the frigid air.

Jaune kept his eyes scanning the streets, his mind racing. He couldn't help but feel like he had failed in his duty. Not only had he lost track of Pyrrha for two days now, but now he was dragging Ruby and Miss Weiss into the search as well. As a soldier, it was his job to protect her, not involve others.

After another hour of searching through Mantle's crowded streets, they finally stopped in a small café to warm up. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows over the buildings, and Jaune exhaled sharply, trying to compose himself.

"Well, this has been... frustrating," Weiss said, setting down her cup of tea. "They're clearly avoiding you, Arc."

Jaune nodded slowly. "Yeah, I know. And... I get it. They don't want someone following them everywhere. I wouldn't want that either."

Ruby frowned, leaning forward on the table. "Don't take it personally, Jaune. I'm sure they're just trying to... I dunno. Have some fun without worrying about being watched."

Jaune looked down at his hands, his frustration finally giving way to understanding. "I'm just trying to do my job. But yeah... I get that it's unwanted and I really don't think much of it... it's not personal."

Weiss sighed, taking a sip of her tea. "Well, what do we do now?"

Jaune ran a hand through his hair, glancing out the window at the streets of Mantle. "I'll find them. I'll keep looking. But... thank you. Both of you."

Ruby smiled warmly. "Of course! I'm happy to help. We'll help you look for them, right, Weiss?"

Weiss raised a brow at Ruby, before nodding in agreement, though she still seemed a bit unsure about how to handle the situation as she turned to Jaune with some few words of comfort. "Just... try not to be too hard on yourself. You're following orders, after all."

Jaune managed a small smile in return. "Yeah. Thanks, Ma'am."

As they stood up to leave, Ruby clapped her hands together, her usual energy returning. "Alright! Time to find Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora! Let's go, team!"

Jaune and Weiss shared a glance, both of them silently grateful for Ruby's optimism. Despite the frustrations of the day, Jaune couldn't help but feel a little lighter as they stepped back out into the cold night air.

They spent more time looking around Mantle. It was then a message from Yang and Blake had come at just the right time. Weiss glanced at her scroll, eyes narrowing as she scanned through the details. "Yang and Blake think they might have gone outside Mantle for a mission. Something about a nearby SDC Dust mine."

"A Dust mine?" Jaune asked, immediately perking up.

Weiss nodded, looking up from her scroll. "Yes, near a Schnee Dust Company mine northeast of Mantle. It seems they might have gone there to help with a situation. Most likely Grimm."

Jaune's expression shifted, his focus sharpening as he asked, "Do you have the location? I'll head there right now."

But Ruby cut in before Weiss could answer, her smile disarming and full of energy. "Hold on there, big guy. If you go alone, they might give you the slip again. Better let us come with you so I can give them some a few words."

Jaune hesitated, glancing at Ruby and Weiss. "I've already taken up a lot of your time. I can't impose on you further."

Ruby waved him off, not giving him the chance to argue. "Impose, blah. We're friends, Jaune. Besides, if Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren are out there dealing with Grimm, they'll need backup. And who better back you up than us? Two badass huntresses?"

Weiss rolled her eyes, though there was a faint smile on her lips. "Ruby's right. You might as well have some help tracking them down. It'll save you from having to chase them across Mantle again. They do listen to Ruby."

"Exactly!" Ruby said, punching her palm with enthusiasm. "Now, let's find a bike and get going!"

Weiss tapped her foot, clearly not as excited as Ruby. "Ruby, you know we can just ask for a bullhead, right? It's a lot faster than running around Atlas looking for a bike."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Ruby replied with a grin. "But a bike is more fun."

"No, we're taking a bullhead. That's final."

With Weiss handling the logistics, the group quickly secured transport, and soon they were flying over the snow-covered mountains northeast of Atlas, the cold winds buffeting the bullhead as they made their way toward the SDC Dust mine. The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows over the icy landscape, making everything look more desolate than usual.

Jaune sat in silence, staring out at the mountains below, deep in thought. His mission had been clear — guard Nikos. But it was more than just orders. From what Ruby was telling him. They'd lost a teammate in the Fall of Beacon and perhaps why they don't want someone to impose on them.

The bullhead jolted slightly as it began its descent toward the Dust mine. As they approached, the first thing Jaune noticed was the unusual amount of Grimm. There was far more than he would have expected. His hand instinctively went to his side, gripping the hilt of his Crocea Mors.

Ruby noticed too, her silver eyes narrowing as she scanned the area below. "Looks like we've got company."

Before anyone could respond, the ground shook violently, and a pink explosion lit up the sky in the distance. A thunderous crash followed, sending up a plume of dust and debris.

Ruby winced, looking to Jaune. "Yeah... that's probably Nora alright."

"Is it always like this with them?" Jaune asked, already standing and preparing himself for what was ahead.

"You have no idea, Arc," Weiss muttered as she straightened up, pulling Myrtenaster from its sheath.

Jaune quickly assessed the situation, his eyes landing on a series of SDC vehicles scattered across the mine site. They had clearly been not been evacuated, but the signs of a struggle were everywhere. Grimm was still swarming the area, drawn in by the chaos.

He pulled out a small communication device, catching Ruby's curious gaze. "What are you doing?"

"Calling my Paladin," he explained calmly. "I'll use it to deal with the Grimm and keep them off your backs. I think the miners might be in trouble and I might give them time."

Weiss raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you a Huntsman now? Don't you think you can handle this without the Paladin? It'll take time."

Jaune's response was matter-of-fact. "The Paladin was loaned to me to protect Ms. Nikos. I'm still... lacking in some areas. I'd rather not take unnecessary risks, not when civilians are involved, Ma'am."

Ruby, looking at Jaune's determined expression, glanced at Weiss before asking, "Won't that take too long? The Grimm won't wait."

"It's fine, Ruby," Jaune didn't miss a beat. He clicked into the comms, his voice steady and authoritative. "This is Knight to Command Post, requesting a drop near my location. Lots of and SDC workers might be trapped and lot of Grimm."

There was a brief pause before the voice on the other end responded. "This is Command Post to Knight, dropping Juniper to your location, over. Please intervene, Lieutenant. We've confirmed their distress and SDC gave permission."

Ruby's eyes widened as she looked up, watching in amazement as something launched from below Atlas, streaking through the sky toward their position. The pod, carrying Jaune's Paladin, fired its retrorockets as it approached, slowing its descent before landing with a heavy thud on the snow-covered ground. The doors to the pod opened, revealing the massive, armored form of the Paladin.

Ruby's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's... so cool!"

Jaune, ever the soldier now, nodded politely. "I'll handle the Grimm from here. You and Ms. Weiss should focus on rejoining Ms. Nikos, Mr. Lie Ren, and Ms. Valkyrie. I'll redirect the Grimm toward me."

Weiss gave him a long look, her skepticism fading slightly. "You're sure you'll be alright, Arc?"

Jaune smiled, though there was an icy determination in his eyes. "I'll be fine, ma'am."

With that, Jaune approached the Paladin and activated the belt around his waist. The power armor wrapped around his body, the sleek metal plates locking into place before he climbed into the cockpit of the Paladin. Inside, he began channeling his aura, the familiar flare of blue energy surrounding the massive machine as it came to life.

As the Paladin powered up, Jaune's hands moved over the controls with precision, the targeting systems locking onto the first wave of Grimm. His heart raced, but his mind was clear. The blue glow of his aura intensified into a red glow as he fired off the Paladin's chain guns, mowing down the approaching Grimm with practiced ease.

"Then we'll find Pyrrha," Ruby called out as she and Weiss began heading toward the explosion. "Good luck, Jaune!"

Jaune nodded as he refocused on the task at hand. He would buy those workers as much time as they needed. He fired off a volley of rounds, watching as the Grimm was drawn toward him, their roars filling the air as they charged his position.

Weiss glanced back one last time before following Ruby. The sight of Jaune in his Paladin, channeling his aura into the machine, was something she hadn't expected to see. He really was different from the boy she briefly met in Beacon. More responsible… more… mature.

She shook off the thought, sprinting to catch up with Ruby as they made their way toward the source of the explosion. They needed to find Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora, and with Jaune covering them, they had no time to waste.

As they reached the edge of the dust mine, another shockwave rocked the ground, sending snow and debris into the air. Ruby skidded to a stop, her eyes wide as she spotted the unmistakable pink aura of Nora Valkyrie in the distance, hammer raised high above her head as she brought it down with a deafening crash on a massive Ursa.

"That's our girl," Ruby said with a grin.

Weiss simply nodded, already summoning a glyph beneath her feet as she prepared for the battle ahead.

Jaune, in the distance, kept firing, drawing more Grimm toward him as he gave the others the cover they needed to rejoin Nikos' team.

As Jaune sat inside the cockpit of his Paladin, his eyes scanning the battlefield through the glowing HUD as he relentlessly fired into the endless horde of Grimm. The situation was getting worse by the minute. He had heard whispers of the Grimm migration sweeping through Solitas during his time in Mistral, but now that he was seeing the sheer number of creatures up close, it made him grimace that there might be truth to that. His hands tightened around the controls, his movements precise but tense.

The Paladin's 36mm chain guns and 120mm cannons had been effective so far, mowing down the younger, more fragile Grimm with ease. But the bone-plated Beowolves and Ursa Minors were another story, their thick white armor deflecting most of his rounds as they charged headlong into the fray. The Paladin, faster and more powerful than anything Jaune had piloted before, was holding its own, but the Grimm were endless.

Jaune gritted his teeth, adjusting the targeting reticle as he spotted something new in the sky. A massive, terrifyingly familiar Grimm —a Griffon, its bird-like skull and massive talons casting a shadow over the battlefield as it swooped down, aiming directly for his Paladin. It had the body of a lion, the wings and talons of a raptor, and rows of sharp, bone-like spikes lining its wings. Four blood-red eyes glowed with malice as it shrieked, its form darkening the sky.

Jaune reacted instinctively, raising the Paladin's left arm, engaging the hard-light shield. The Grimm crashed into it with a force that rocked the entire mech, the impact sending shudders through Jaune's body. His aura flared, protecting him from the worst of the blow, but he felt the strain of it in his bones.

He gritted his teeth, stabbing forward with the Paladin's right melee armament — a massive, serrated blade designed for close combat. The blade bisected the Griffon cleanly, splitting it in half as it screeched one final time before its body disintegrated into dark smoke.

Jaune spun the Paladin, engaging the shoulder-mounted 120mm cannons. The rounds exploded in the middle of the Grimm swarm, creating craters where clusters of the creatures once stood. He followed up with a salvo of missiles, the streaks of fire lighting up the sky as they struck home.

Despite his efforts, the Grimm just kept coming. His chain guns clicked empty, and the ammunition reserves were running dangerously low. With the Grimm continuing to swarm his Paladin, Jaune inhaled sharply, feeling the familiar strain of his aura amplifying the machine. His aura-infused Paladin tanked most of the blows, but the pressure was mounting. There were too many of them.

He gritted his teeth and activated the melee armaments again, slashing and tearing through the creatures that clung to the Paladin like ants on a giant.

What the hell was attracting the Grimm to this place? It's like they were moths to a flame!

Suddenly, a blur of red petals zipped in front of his Paladin's cockpit. Jaune's eyes widened in recognition as Ruby Rose, her silver eyes gleaming with determination, materialized from a flurry of rose petals, Crescent Rose slashing through a Beowolf in one smooth, lightning-fast motion.

Ruby grinned up at him. "Need a hand?"

Before Jaune could answer, Ruby was already in motion, her Semblance propelling her across the battlefield at speeds Jaune's Paladin could barely match. She moved like a blur, slicing through the Grimm in a whirlwind of slashes, her scythe tearing apart the horde with an effortless grace that made his amped up Paladin feel slow in comparison.

Then came Weiss. Jaune spotted her skating through the Grimm on her glyphs, her movements precise and controlled. She summoned more glyphs, launching herself into the air, a flurry of ice and dust forming at the tips of Myrtenaster. With every flick of her rapier, a storm of ice shards rained down on the Grimm, freezing them in place before shattering them into pieces.

Nora Valkyrie wasn't far behind, laughing maniacally as she swung Magnhild like a wrecking ball. The shockwaves from her hammer flattened entire waves of Grimm, and her aura flared bright pink, lighting up the battlefield with every powerful swing.

Lie Ren moved with deadly precision, taking down the Grimm with his StormFlower pistols, his form darting between the shadows, always hitting his mark with unerring accuracy. He was like a ghost, his movements swift and silent, the Grimm falling before they even realized he was there.

And then, Pyrrha Nikos.

Jaune watched in awe as Pyrrha Nikos, her eyes blazing, unleashed what Jaune assumed was her Semblance in a way that left him breathless. Metal bent to her will, lifting from the wreckage around them like a storm of steel. She wielded it like a force of nature, sending shards of debris flying through the air, slicing through the Grimm as if they were nothing. Fire and ice followed in her wake, her mastery of her Semblance complementing her natural abilities in a way that made her seem untouchable. She moved like a goddess of battle, her spear spinning through the air, her shield always ready to deflect any attack that came her way.

As Jaune continued to fight, watching them in action, a thought crossed his mind — one that had been nagging at him ever since he had been assigned this role.

Did Pyrrha and her friends really need guarding?

He slashed through another Ursa, his Paladin's melee armament cutting deep into its hide, but his mind was elsewhere. Watching Nikos's Team and Weiss and Ruby in action was like watching a well-oiled machine — each of them moving with a grace and power that left him in awe. They were Huntsmen and Huntresses, some of the best in their class and from the looks of it, they were used to working together.

What was he even doing here?

Jaune hesitated for a moment, lost in thought as the battlefield raged around him. His role as Pyrrha's guard seemed redundant, almost pointless in the face of their strength. He had seen how powerful Pyrrha was firsthand — he didn't need to protect her. She was more than capable of taking care of herself, and the rest of her team, too.

But orders were orders, and Jaune knew better than to question them. He tightened his grip on the controls, focusing back on the fight. His job was to protect Nikos, even if she didn't need it. He would do his duty, no matter how unnecessary it felt. Personal opinion and feelings be damned.

The Grimm were relentless, but with the combined efforts of Jaune and the others, they were finally thinning. The Paladin moved through the field like a giant, swinging its armaments with lethal precision, crushing any Grimm that dared to get close. With Ruby zipping around the battlefield, Weiss freezing and slicing through enemies, Nora smashing anything in her path, and Ren providing deadly cover fire, the fight was as good as over.

Nikos, standing tall and commanding the very metal around them, looked unstoppable.

Jaune couldn't help but admire her. She truly was a force to be reckoned with. But even with all of her strength, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this assignment than just guarding her. General Ironwood had hinted at something bigger — something dangerous. And Jaune couldn't ignore the nagging thought in the back of his mind that maybe, just maybe, there was something coming that even Pyrrha couldn't face alone despite their strength.

The last of the Grimm fell, and the battlefield grew quiet. Jaune powered down his Paladin, stepping out of the cockpit and breathing in the cold, crisp air. His body ached from the strain of amplifying his aura for so long, but he pushed the pain aside.

Ruby Rose approached him first, her silver eyes wide with excitement. "Nice work out there! Your Paladin is so cool! Why does it glow!?" she said, beaming up at him. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but Jaune could only muster a small smile in return.

"Thanks," Jaune said, his voice quieter than usual. "But honestly, you were all incredible. I don't even know why I'm here. You clearly don't need me."

Ruby tilted her head, her cheerful expression faltering just a little. "Hey, it's alright, Jaune. You killed a lot of Grimm too."

Weiss Schnee, still brushing off the dust and debris from her outfit, joined them. "It's not about whether we need you or not," she said, her tone more measured. "It's about working together. We don't mind getting help."

Weiss's words echoed in Jaune's mind, but they didn't dispel the feeling of inadequacy gnawing at him. He glanced over at the rest of Niko's Team and half of Team RWBY, watching as they regrouped after the battle. They were powerful, graceful, and experienced. He had seen it all up close — Nikos controlling metal and the elements with precision, Weiss using Dust to weave of ice and fire, Ruby slicing through Grimm like they were paper, and Nora smashing her way through everything with her unrelenting strength. They moved like a well-oiled machine, every motion purposeful and efficient. These were huntsmen and huntresses. Not some faux huntsman like him who had needed a Paladin — a hulking, powerful war machine to keep up. He had been assigned to protect Nikos, but watching her in action made it clear that she didn't need protection. She was a force of nature, capable of handling far more than anything they could throw at her.

Nikos walked over to him, her face softened with an apologetic expression. "Lieutenant," she began, her voice gentle, "I'm sorry for ditching you. That wasn't fair to you."

Jaune took a deep breath. "It's nothing to apologize, Ma'am." he admitted, his tone not angry, but tired. "You could've just told me you do not require my presence and made a request to the General. I'm sure he'd understand."

Nora came bounding up beside Pyrrha, her usual energy somewhat dampened by the guilt that flickered across her face. "Yeah, I'm really sorry too, man. I didn't mean to make things difficult... it was just a prank?"

"It's fine, Ma'am, I didn't take it personally," Jaune said clearly.

Then a mischievous grin returned. "But hey, if you're guarding Pyrrha, does that mean we can get free rides in the Paladin? I mean, think about it — Nora Valkyrie and team in a giant robot!"

Ren, ever the calm voice of reason, placed a hand on Nora's shoulder. "Nora, behave," he said in a quiet but firm tone.

Jaune raised a brow at Nora's antics, but then he turned to Nikos, his expression more serious. "I know you don't need a bodyguard, Ma'am. It's obvious. But… I have a job to do. Please, just let me do it. Even if it's unwanted, just let me be here."

Nikos hesitated, guilt flashing in her green eyes as she looked at Jaune. Nora Valkyrie's usual playfulness faded, and even Lie Ren seemed to shift awkwardly at Jaune's plea.

They all knew he was just trying to do his job.

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant," Pyrrha said, her voice sincere. "I didn't mean to make things harder for you. Please, do your job. I'll respect it."

Behind Pyrrha, Ruby gave Jaune an exaggerated thumbs-up, her grin wide and encouraging. Jaune blinked, caught off-guard by the gesture, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. Weiss, standing next to Ruby, rolled her eyes in exasperation at her team leader's antics, but there was a faint smile on her face as well.

"Thanks," Jaune said, his voice soft and paired with a genuine smile. The tension in his chest eased slightly, though the weight of his responsibility still lingered. He had come to terms with the fact that his role might feel unnecessary, but it was still his duty. And if that meant sticking by Niko's side, then that's what he would do.

As they made their way back toward the mine to check on the SDC miners on his Paladin, Jaune couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this assignment than what met the eye. General Ironwood had been adamant about guarding Pyrrha Nikos, about the need to protect her power from being stolen. But Nikos didn't seem like the kind of person who needed protecting. Not from an enemy that Jaune could imagine, anyway… but it also dawned on Jaune that perhaps it's because she was powerful that surely powerful people were going to attack her.

The silence stretched on as they continued moving, the SDC Mine looming in the distance. Jaune couldn't help but think back to everything that had happened recently.

Pyrrha Nikos could tell something was on his mind. "Lieutenant, are you okay?" she asked, her voice pulling him from his thoughts.

He blinked, realizing he had been staring into the distance. "Yeah," he said, shaking his head to clear it. "Just… thinking, Ma'am."

"About?"

"About why I'm really here. I mean, guarding you doesn't exactly seem necessary. You're one of the strongest people I've ever seen in action, Ma'am. I just don't see the point, to be honest."

Pyrrha glanced away for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. "I'm strong, sure. But there are things out there — things that even I can't handle alone."

Jaune frowned, her words leaving an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. "What do you mean?"

Before Pyrrha could answer, Nora interrupted, bouncing back into her usual energetic self, hanging off dangerously at the Paladin's cannons. "Enough doom and gloom! We just kicked some serious Grimm butt! Let's focus on that! We're awesome!"

Ren nodded in agreement, though he remained quiet as he stood so still on the shoulder of the Paladin without moving an inch.

Jaune stared. Nora Valkyrie's energy was… contagious.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they continued their journey, but Jaune couldn't help the nagging feeling that there was more to his assignment than protecting Pyrrha from physical threats. Whatever it was, he knew he would find out, eventually. For now, he was just grateful that he could finally do his job.

As they reached the outskirts, Jaune glanced over at Ruby, who was still smiling brightly. Her unwavering optimism was something he admired, even if it seemed a little naïve.

"Thanks for helping me find them, Ruby," Jaune said quietly as she sat on the Paladin's shoulders.

Ruby waved it off. "No problem! I'd always help a friend."

A warmth spread through Jaune's chest at her words.

Maybe it was nothing more than a passing act of kindness from Ruby.

But what she did meant something to him.

No wonder they seem to listen and follow her, Jaune thought as he pushed the Paladin forward.