Threads of Light and Shadow In remnant

by lodiosgamer

In the world of Remnant, a mysterious man begins to interfere with the story of RWBY. While Jimmy grows up in a peaceful village under the shadow of an Gaurdian tree that seems almost alive, his life is far from ordinary. His friends, Jane and Ranger, excel in combat and aura mastery, while Jimmy's aura remains a puzzle—constantly shifting through colors and manifestations.

5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Date and School Life

"I hate these clothes. These shoes are uncomfortable, and this shirt is way too tight," Jimmy grumbled, tugging at the collar of his uniform as they walked down the busy street outside the hospital. His clothes were given to him by the staff as his clothes had to be incrinderated.

Having just been discharged, Jimmy's mood hadn't improved much, and his companions couldn't help but laugh at his complaints.

"So… why exactly were you running around shirtless and shoeless in the first place?" Nora asked, her tone curious but amused.

Jimmy hesitated, scratching the back of his head, his face tinged with embarrassment. "Well, there's a reason. Don't laugh, okay? I thought stealing was bad—like, really bad—so I only ever took shorts or pants when I needed them. I figured being shirtless was, y'know, less bad."

"And the no-shoes thing?" Nora pressed.

"Uh… I just forgot, honestly," Jimmy admitted with a shrug. "At first, walking barefoot hurt like hell—sometimes it even made me bleed. But after a while, I got used to it."

Nora chuckled. "You know, if you'd just stolen a shirt and some shoes, I don't think anyone would've minded."

Jimmy shrugged again, his expression sheepish.

"Alright, everyone, let's split up and head back," Ruby said, grabbing her sister's arm. "Yang, you're with me."

Yang protested for a moment but eventually let Ruby drag her off. Jaune and his team followed soon after, leaving Jane, Ranger, Jimmy, and Monica behind.

Monica turned to the others. "You two, get Jimmy some proper battle clothes and a sword sheath. Here's some money. While you're at it, grab some food. Maybe a haircut, too. I'll be heading to headmaster Ozpin"

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Wait a second. I thought you didn't trust Ozpin?"

Monica sighed. "I don't. But I'm going there to confirm a few things."

"Alright, fair enough," Jane said. She glanced at Jimmy. "How about the haircut? You could definitely use one."

Jimmy hesitated, rubbing the ends of his shaggy hair. "I'd rather just get it cleaned for now."

"Why? Short hair would suit you better," Ranger added.

Jimmy blushed, looking away. "Because… I promised Yang I'd take her on a date. I want to surprise her with better hair."

Jane smirked, clearly amused. "You're taking that pretty seriously, huh?"

Jimmy nodded, his cheeks turning even redder. "Yeah. I, uh, marked her, so now I'm kind of connected to her… and Ruby. I feel like I should take responsibility for it." His voice was quieter by the end of his explanation, and he was practically glowing red by now.

Monica crossed her arms, her curiosity piqued. "So… I have a question for you. Which one are you going to date for real?"

Jimmy froze. "W-What?"

Monica continued, her tone calm but firm. "You're connected to Ruby the strongest—you've been searching for her for so long. But with Yang, you two just… click. So, which one is it going to be?"

Jimmy's face burned with embarrassment. "I, uh… right now, it's Yang. But I also like Ruby, and it's confusing…"

Jane couldn't help but laugh at Jimmy's predicament. "You've got yourself into quite the mess, haven't you?"

Jimmy sighed. "Yeah. I guess I have."

"Well, that's… weird. But first, we need to get you some proper clothes and help you adjust to society. Then we can worry about girls," Ranger said with a chuckle.

Monica waved dismissively and hopped onto her bike. "I'll meet up with you later. Don't get into too much trouble."

Jimmy, Jane, and Ranger continued walking down the bustling street. Jimmy was captivated by everything around him: humans and faunus selling goods, the vibrant stalls, and the unfamiliar sounds of the city. He kept pausing to examine various clothing styles in shop windows, searching for something that caught his eye.

"Jimmy, over here!" Jane called, beckoning him toward a nearby shop. Just as he started heading her way, they were interrupted.

"Excuse me, boy," a man in a police uniform said, stepping in front of them. His stern gaze was fixed on Jimmy's unsheathed blade. "Your sword isn't sheathed. What's your name?"

Jimmy straightened up nervously. "Uh… Flame Swordsman, sir. And, uh, I don't have a sheath yet."

The officer's eyes narrowed. "Flame Swordsman doesn't enter cities. He travels through the forests and vanished recently. Now there are reports of him reappearing. Don't call yourself that. What's your real name?"

"Uh… Jimmy. My name's Jimmy," he replied hesitantly.

The officer nodded but didn't look entirely convinced. "Alright. First, go to that shop and get a sheath for that sword. Are you enrolled in an academy?"

Jane stepped in before Jimmy could respond. "Sorry, sir. This is our friend. It's his first time in the city. We're getting supplies for his stay at Beacon Academy. That's where we're headed."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'll let it slide this time. But listen—don't go calling yourself something you're not. If you run into the real Flame Swordsman and he hears you using his name… well, let's just say he won't take it lightly."

The officer walked off, leaving Jimmy confused. "Okay, is it just me, or did he not believe me? And I was telling the truth!"

Both Jane and Ranger smacked their foreheads in unison.

"Look, just use your real name," Ranger said. "I know you haven't used it in a long time, but here, people think of the Flame Swordsman as a phantom. They don't trust what they don't understand."

Reluctantly, Jimmy nodded, and they entered the shop.

Inside the Shop

A man with a grizzled beard and kind eyes greeted them. "Welcome, kids. Name's Frankie. Let me know if you need help." His gaze shifted to Jimmy's blade. "Well, well… now, that's a remarkable sword. What's it made from?"

Jimmy hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh… I think my soul? Maybe?"

Frankie raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Your soul, huh? That's a good one, kid. I'd almost believe it if you said you were the Flame Swordsman. But they say his blade is all rusted and—"

Jimmy interrupted, gripping his sword tightly. "Ignite my strength," he whispered.

The blade burst into flames, casting a fiery glow across the room.

"I am the Flame Swordsman," Jimmy said firmly, his voice steady. "And I need your help. I'm looking for a sheath—something resistant to every element and strong enough that my blade won't cut through it."

Frankie's jaw dropped as he stared at the sword and then back at Jimmy. "You're really him… the Flame Swordsman. Why are you in town? And how am I not burning alive, like the stories say?"

Jimmy smiled slightly. "I've learned to control the flames. I don't hurt people accidentally anymore. And I'm going to Beacon Academy to improve even more. Can you help me with this?"

Frankie's expression softened, and he nodded. "For the Flame Swordsman? No problem. You saved my niece a while back. I owe you."

He pulled out three sheaths—a wooden one, a stone one, and a metallic one—and set them on the counter. "Let's see what works. First, try the metal."

Jimmy swung his blade into the metal sheath, slicing through it effortlessly.

"Alright, metal's out. Try the wood," Frankie suggested.

Jimmy placed the blade in the wooden sheath. The wood immediately burst into flames, disintegrating in seconds.

"Yeah, I should've seen that coming," Frankie muttered. "Alright, last one—stone."

The stone sheath was white and seemed to shimmer faintly. When Jimmy slid his sword into it, the flames dimmed, and the blade cooled instantly. He swung the sword, testing it, and the sheath held firm without cracking.

Frankie grinned. "That's a special stone infused with ice dust. Looks like it's a perfect match for your sword."

Jimmy nodded, satisfied. "Thanks, Frankie. This'll do perfectly."

Frankie waved him off with a smile. "Anything for the Flame Swordsman. Good luck at Beacon—and try to stay out of trouble, kid."

"What? You can't do that. It's impossible. You can't infuse dust with simple rock." Ranger said, his voice filled with disbelief.

"It's a secret method, but I keep it to myself. Only the great Flame Swordsman knows about it," Frankie replied with a wink.

Jimmy held the temporary sheath, turning it over in his hands. "I like it, but I'm not a fan of the color. The weight is perfect, though."

"That's fine. I'll adjust the design to your liking. Do you have a specific look in mind?" Frankie asked.

Jimmy nodded and described the details of his custom design. After finalizing the plans, Frankie waved them off. "Come back in a week. The finished piece will be ready by then. In the meantime, take this temporary sheath—it should hold up for now."

As they left the shop, Jane couldn't help but smile. "I can't believe he's giving it to us for free. All because he gets to put his shop's symbol on the sheath."

"It's a good deal," Ranger said. "Now, we need to get Jimmy some proper battle clothes. That's our next stop."

"Actually," Jimmy interjected, running a hand through his messy hair, "I'd like to get my hair washed and brushed first."

"There's a faunus shop I visit. They'll love to fix you up," Jane said with a grin. "It's just a block away. We can grab Angela while we're there."

"Sounds good," Ranger replied. "And maybe this time, we won't get stopped by any cops."

As they walked, a faunus sprinted down the street ahead of them, clutching stolen food while being chased by two police officers. Jimmy froze, noticing the desperation in the faunus's eyes. Acting on instinct, he subtly moved his blade, tripping one of the pursuing officers. The cop stumbled and fell over a rock, crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

"Ouch! Watch it, kid! You made me—" The officer stopped mid-sentence when he saw the blood dripping from a scrape on Jimmy's shoulder. "Oh… sorry, kid. I thought you tripped me on purpose. Anyway, be careful. This area's always crawling with crime."

As the cops walked away, Jimmy's sly smile gave everything away. Both Ranger and Jane exchanged knowing glances—they could tell he'd done it on purpose.

Inside the faunus hair salon, a cheerful voice greeted them. "Welcome!"
Another woman approached, smiling. "How can I help you today?"
Jane stepped forward. "We're looking for Angela."
The receptionist glanced at Jimmy, then back at Jane. "Oh my gosh! Tell me he's here to fix that—" she motioned at Jimmy's unruly hair—"that rat's nest on his head."
Jane smirked and nodded. "You guessed it."
"Well, Jane, because it's you, we'll take him now. Sir," the woman added, addressing Jimmy, "please place your sword next to the chairs. We don't want any accidents."
Jimmy reluctantly placed his sword down, knowing it would leave him powerless for the moment. He followed the woman to a chair, and soon, Angela emerged from the back, her face curious.
"Why am I needed for an emergency?" she asked, before her eyes fell on Jimmy. Without a word, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the sink.
"What is this?" Angela exclaimed as she examined his hair. "It looks like it hasn't been brushed in years! There's dried blood stuck in here—and is this dye?"
Jimmy shook his head. "It's not dye. My hair's naturally dirty blond."
Angela sighed and called for help. Jane laughed at the sight, while Ranger looked genuinely worried for Jimmy's well-being.
In the back, the women dunked Jimmy's hair into a bucket of water and applied what felt like an endless amount of shampoo. "Why is this grime so stubborn?" one of them muttered.
"It's just how it is," Jimmy replied sheepishly.
Angela stared at him as she worked. "Hmm… you actually fit the description of the Flame Swordsman," she said thoughtfully.
Jimmy shrugged. "Well, that's what people call me."
All three women froze. One of them stepped closer, her semblance activating as her hand glowed faintly. She touched Jimmy's forehead, her eyes locking onto his.

"Tell me, are you really the Flame Swordsman?" one of the women asked.

"Uh, yeah, after all, my semblance is awakening. Why did I just say that?" Jimmy responded, feeling embarrassed.

"My name is Elizabeth. My semblance is Truth Witch, which allows me to know when someone is lying to me," she explained.

"The Flame Swordsman, huh…" Angela mused as she continued brushing the knots out of Jimmy's hair before dunking more water onto it. "Sit in this chair. Lay back now." She used a spray to clean the dried blood off his hair. "Jane used to come here every month with her mother. She'd always cry about a boy—a boy who trained her to use her faunus heritage to its fullest. This same boy unlocked her semblance, enhancing her senses. I feel bad, as she cried about him. I started putting conditioner in his hair, making it shiny and soft. 'She always cried, and then she'd come in with Ranger and you, both smiling. Who are you, Flame Swordsman?'"

"My dead name is Jimmy, and I was her first friend," Jimmy said quietly.

"I see. How did you survive, and why didn't you return to your friends?" Angela asked, her voice softening.

"I couldn't. I had to stay away from humanity until I found something to control my flames. You may have heard of the last group that helped me—one of them had burned through their aura almost completely, disabling them. Even then, he gave me his food, thanking me for saving a town. Even to this day, I wonder why I couldn't control my flames and make them less hot."

"You couldn't control your flames back then, right?" Angela said gently. "Don't feel bad. You saved the town. I know it's hard, living with the mistakes that cost lives or damage people for the rest of their lives. But remember, it's good that they're alive for their families. Please keep that in mind." She paused, adding more conditioner. "Then I ask—why not send letters?"

"It was best for me to stay away until I had control, so they wouldn't follow me and risk being killed," Jimmy explained.

"I understand," Angela said, her voice full of sympathy. "But I'm glad she has you back. Are you at Beacon?"

"Yes, actually. I'm the leader of JJR, a three-person team. I'm happy to be on their team," Jimmy smiled.

"Wow, it's already been two hours," Angela remarked, finishing up his hair and blow-drying it. "Your hair is very interesting. It's multicolored, which is very rare."

"It's strange. My mother and father had different colored hair," Jimmy said, still unsure of his unique look.

"Finished! Follow me." Angela led him to the front, where he stopped to ask one last question.

"Can I come back sometime? I have a date, and I want to surprise her in the future."

"Of course! Any friend of Jane the Beast is welcome anytime," Angela said with a smile.

"Wait, Jane the Beast?" Jimmy asked, confused.

"Wow, your hair looks amazing now. So much cleaner! I wish you'd gotten it cut, though," Jane commented as they met up again.

"Thanks, but what's with Jane the Beast?" Jimmy asked, still curious.

"Oh yeah, I competed in a tournament for younger groups and almost won. I was always able to beat a lot of people by turning my faunus heritage into my greatest strength, where no one could beat me," Jane said with pride.

"Ah, I remember—I helped you get in touch with your animal instincts and used them," Jimmy recalled.

"Yeah, I couldn't compete, but I was skilled too. The two of us became the ultimate combo team. I would stay hidden while using my semblance to weaken opponents, and Jane would use her power to overwhelm them. If they didn't go down right away, I'd finish them off in their weakened state," Ranger added. "I was called Ranger Rouge. It was my nickname. Grim couldn't touch us until an army of them appeared out of nowhere." He looked at Jimmy and whistled, then diverted his eyes from Ranger.

As they walked out, Jane grew a little sad. It had cost them more money to clean Jimmy's hair than she had expected. It would have been cheaper if he'd just gotten it cut. Next, they headed to the clothing store. As they entered, they saw a lot of battle armor.

A man walked up to Ranger. "Hello, Sir Ranger, are you looking for more stealthy options?" the older man asked.

"No, sadly we're here to help our friend, the Flame Swordsman, find battle gear for his education at Beacon," Ranger replied.

"I see. You must be him. If I remember correctly, you wore no shirt or shoes, just shorts or pants with a longsword," the older man said.

"Yeah, that was my preferred outfit when I lived on the road," Jimmy said. "But I'm actually having a hard time with these clothes. They're restricting my movement."

"Hmmm... I see. Perhaps you need battle armor that's less about defense and more about offense. That sounds like your taste. We should also find you some day-to-day clothes. And from now on, call me 'Sir.' I'll be teaching you proper etiquette while we find you a good match for your clothes, sir." The man's tone was scolding, making Jimmy nervous.

"Sir, if I may," Ranger interjected, "Jimmy here hasn't been around many people at all. He's only ever stolen clothes and food. But he is incredibly kind and fearless. I can assure you that his power will save this world from the Grimm."

The man didn't show any emotion as he listened.

"I understand, good sir," he said, addressing Ranger. "But his education needs to be taught, or he will act like a barbarian. I believe I should take on this responsibility as long as he's here." He looked at Jimmy. "Please come with me, and from now on, call me 'Teacher.'"

As Jimmy was led to the back, he mouthed "Help."

"Should we be worried?" Jane asked, concerned.

"Yes," Ranger replied. "This man taught me etiquette, and he was very strict. In the next hour, we'll leave him be and get some dinner."

"Um... okay," Jane said, still unsure.

"Also, I want to ask you something, if you're willing to listen," Ranger said, his voice quieter.

"Yeah, sure. Are you okay?" Jane asked, sensing something serious.

Ranger took a deep breath and asked, "I know Jimmy's back, but I really want to ask you out properly."

Jane was shocked. This wasn't like Ranger—he would usually wait for the right moment, but something inside him told him this was it. She didn't reject him. Instead, she looked at him, and with Jimmy's return, the fear of losing him had vanished. With a smile and a blush, she stared into his blue eyes, leaning in to kiss him. She paused for a few seconds, smiling, her heart fluttering as they locked eyes.

"I'll plan it out in a few weeks when Jimmy settles in," said Ranger.

With Monica

Monica was exiting the elevator where Headmaster Ozpin was sitting.

"Why haven't I seen you in a while?" the headmaster asked.

"I want to talk," Monica replied.

He sighed, taking a breath. "I know Jimmy—or the Flame Swordsman. What name should we use?" He smiled as he stood with the support of his cane.

"Jimmy. What do you know about him?" Monica asked.

"Ah... well, not much. His aura is most likely red, and his semblance is awakening. His semblance transforms his aura into something like flames. I have a theory, though—I believe he can summon a beast with incredible strength."

Monica looked at him suspiciously. "Is that all?"

"Of course not. He's protected by a spirit of unknown origin. Also, his blade is his life and power. The sigils mark disappears when he uses a big attack or, as I theorize, when he exerts a certain amount of power. What I'm wondering is... why didn't you tell me about him?"

"Summer... that's why. What really happened to her?" Monica asked, her eyes narrowing.

Ozpin grabbed his coffee, took a sip, and then finished it before responding. "I don't think you're ready for that information. Unless you tell me more about him." He smiled, which caused Monica to get angry. She wanted to grab her weapon but stopped herself.

"Like hell I would tell you. I'm his guardian, and I won't let him die," she responded angrily. "There's one thing I want to know from you. What's your plan with the Maidens?"

"Where did you hear that?" Ozpin asked.

"I have my sources. What is your plan?" Monica demanded.

He sighed, looking at her with a sad tone. "Nothing, for now. A new generation will rise, and two of the Maidens are either incapacitated, near death, or about to die of old age."

"I see... well, I'll tell you something. His flames have been taken by a man named Adam Taurus of the White Fang. But don't kill him. Capture him... or else." Monica walked away and entered the elevator.

"That's concerning, don't you think, Headmaster?" said a woman from the shadows.

"Very," Ozpin replied. "I feel like the Flame Swordsman needs that man to take back his flames. Make sure our resources are used properly, Glinda," he added, his tone serious.

With Jane and Ranger

After they finished dinner, the darkness had settled in. They were heading back, eager to see the new clothes Jimmy had received. As they entered, they saw a familiar figure standing with his back to them.

"Hey, guys! What's up? How do you like my battle outfit?" Jimmy said, then slammed a stick onto the table.

He cleared his throat. "Jane, Ranger, I have chosen my battle attire. What do you think?"

His clothes were unusual. He wasn't wearing a shirt, but his pants were black, and his waist was wrapped with cloth that naturally bent around his body like four larg ribbons, each outlined in blue. There were white circles on the ends of two of them, and a ruby symbol was etched onto one. A red rose appeared to be falling apart, while a heart-shaped yang symbol made of yellow and blue flames decorated another. On his side, his blade was sheathed in white. His shoes were simple flats, allowing him to move freely.

"Your attire is very similar to the Flame Swordsman's. Are you sure you want this?" Jane asked.

"Yes. I want it to look like this. In the future, I'll add new symbols depending on where my path takes me." Jimmy spoke calmly, his tone measured, learning to speak appropriately depending on his audience.

"This is your day-to-day clothing, not including your Beacon uniform. That's already been made, and it's in this bag. You children should start heading back," the man said as he handed Jimmy the bag and told him to change into his day-to-day clothes.

Now, Jimmy wore a purple button-up shirt, some slacks, and sleek black shoes. His hair was tied back in a neat ponytail.

"Wow, handsome! Now let's get Yang jealous," Jane teased. "Also, why the Ruby symbol?"

With a whistle, Jimmy said, "Because she saved me from the forest and gave me a new life. And Yang, because she took my power and she's my partner."

"Partner? That's good, soon to be lovers if this continues," said Ranger.

Jimmy blushed, carrying multiple bags. They were nearing Beacon when Yang was looking around outside alone. Jane decided to stop Jimmy. She unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt, moving the collar aside to show off his chest.

"Our playboy better make Yang blush," Jane teased before taking the bags. "We'll meet you in the dorms," she added, and the two used their abilities to run off.

Jimmy saw Yang standing there, waiting for something. He moved his hair back, his sleek and clean hair giving him a confident look, just like when they first met. "Oh, my blonde bombshell, waiting for me? Expecting a show?" Jimmy grinned.

Yang turned toward him, noticing his outfit and his sleek hair. She instantly blushed, giving him that stunned look. But she regained her composure when she realized he was right in front of her. "Oh my, a playboy. You're really making sure I stay with you. Are you trying to bed me?" she teased, playing along.

"I don't think I need to, since we haven't even kissed or gone on a date yet." Jimmy leaned closer to her ear. "But you should expect more from me, or I'll have to demonstrate my darker side," he whispered before walking past her. She stood there, stunned, trying to wrap her mind around this new bad-boy version of Jimmy.

He whistled, giving her a wink. "Hey, now that we're in the building, how doesn't school life work?" he interrupted her thoughts.

"Oh, right, you've never been to school. I forgot. Well, we have a few classes throughout the day. Did you get notebook paper and pencils?" Yang asked.

"Yes, I did. I also got a battle outfit. I think you'll like it, but I won't wear it unless I have a fight I want at school," Jimmy said.

"I wonder how I'll like it." Yang stretched, putting her arms behind her head.

"I made sure you're going to get a good view," Jimmy teased while pushing yang head up for their eye meet.

Yang's nose started to bleed. "Shit, how are you doing that?" she asked, a little flustered. "You forgot, I do the teasing around here."

"Sorry, I hate to blush and go, but I need to see the others for more information. Can we see everyone?" Jimmy asked, his tone shifting to one of more confidence.

Yang didn't want to stop the conversation, but she knew Jimmy still wasn't familiar with the environment. She could tell he'd been learning all day. She grabbed his arm, using her figure to make him blush again. It worked, and they found the others in Team RWBY's room.

As Yang entered, she showed off Jimmy. He gave a nod and said, "Hello, everyone."

Nora was the first to speak. "Damn, a good cleanup really does wonders."

Jaune added, "I'm so jealous of you right now."

Ruby couldn't tear her eyes away from his chest. "Ummm..."

Weiss said, "Your tone of speaking has changed. I like it. And your hair... What a playboy look now."

Ren smirked, "I gotta get some tips."

Pyrrha commented, "Looking good." She ignored Jimmy and focused on Jaune's response.

Blake was silent, just staring at him like he was completely different.

"Told you guys, he looks way better and like an actual person. Hot, but still a person, nonetheless. But Ranger looks better, though," Jane said.

Jimmy grabbed a chair for Yang and sat next to her on the nearest bed, which happened to be next to Blake.

"So, I bet you want to learn about school life, you bumkin," Ranger said with a grin.

"Yes, I do. A day of lessons on high status doesn't fit here, though. I'd like to know how to talk as a normal student," Jimmy replied.

As the night wore on, it was time for bed. Everyone left, and Ranger and Jane took Jimmy to their dorm.

"So, we live together as a team. Interesting. Don't do any funny business," Jimmy smiled at the two of them.

"I won't be too loud," Jane said softly.

Ranger gave Jane a look of embarrassment but simply rolled his eyes. "We put your combat outfit in your locker. I'll show you tomorrow. Your normal clothes are in the last closet, and your uniform is on your bed. I thought you'd like the window to remind you of the sky," he added.

Jimmy smiled. "Thank you, Ranger. I'd miss the night sky," he replied.

As night fell, Jimmy opened the window, holding his sword and its new sheath. He wore green pajamas with low-cut shorts. Standing there, he pondered quietly to himself, "Can I live here happily? Can I belong here? Was it right for me to mark Yang? What about Ruby? They're sisters, but I feel an urge to protect them both. And... I think I might have feelings for them. What's wrong with me?"

As Jane slept and Ranger snored, Jimmy continued to wrestle with his confused emotions. He thought about earlier — how he'd acted. It was funny, but maybe he'd taken it too far. Even Yang hadn't said anything. His so-called gentlemanly training seemed ridiculous now.

With Ruby

"Okay, Jimmy changed really fast. He even grabbed Yang and a chair," Ruby said, still processing what had happened.

"I think he was trained by a true gentleman," Weiss mused.

Yang hesitated before admitting, "I have to admit something. When I was alone with Jimmy, I tried to tease him, but he reversed it on me. I... I got a bloody nose."

Ruby looked at Yang, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her sister, the master of teasing, had gotten a nosebleed?

"I'm guessing that doesn't happen to you often," Blake said, smirking.

"At least you weren't staring at his chest like Ruby was," Weiss teased.

Ruby blushed furiously, clearly embarrassed by the attention.

"This sounds familiar," Yang said with a grin.

"How so?" Blake asked, curious.

"Ruby, remember the Great Wolf? What she said about the pack?"

"You mean... it doesn't matter if he had multiple mates? It would be recommended for him?" Ruby recalled. "I remember…"

"But I have a question," Ruby continued. "Why are there beast-like creatures in that world? And what exactly is that world?"

"Wait, the wolf told you two to be with Jimmy at the same time?" Blake asked, surprised.

Weiss was stunned as she heard more. "Wait, you said a giant wolf and a giant turkey? I'm trying to figure something out. What about the sea and the structure?"

Both Ruby and Yang realized something important. The wolf had told them that ruby needed to return. "Actually, now that I think about it, both me and Jaune were told to return to that world. The giant turkey looked like a dragon grim — shiny feathers, fiery red, and a huge head," Ruby added.

Yang nodded, "I hate to say this, but is their are four spirit-like creatures that control the flame and wind. The other one must be water, and the structure... maybe earth?"

"Ruby, remember, he told you about seeking knowledge," Yang said. "And the wolf told Jaune to become a defender."

"So maybe it has to do with that," Blake suggested, piecing it together.

Weiss looked thoughtful. "Can I see your semblance, Yang? You said it changed."

Yang nodded, then closed her eyes as her hair started to glow with blue fire. The wind around her shaped her body, and her eyes glowed a bright blue.

"I feel the wind. It's powerful, but it's strange," Yang said, her voice trembling. "It's much weaker than before."

"Remember, Jimmy has to use his emotions to call on his flames — rage and anger. Try that," Weiss encouraged.

Yang focused, thinking about the memory of her and Ruby searching for their mom. But her semblance flickered, and her aura drained. "Stop!" A voice called out. "That will only weaken you."

Yang faltered, fainting into Ruby's arms. Ruby was terrified but relieved to see that Yang was okay. She looked to Weiss, confused.

"Okay, so... anger and rage are not needed, but is she okay?" Weiss asked.

Blake knelt next to Yang, checking her pulse. "She's fine, just breathing heavily. Her aura completely disappeared, though."

"It must be a different emotion for Yang than for Jimmy," Ruby said, her worry easing. "Let's get her to bed and talk more in the morning."

During the night

Yang found herself in a familiar forest. She looked around, trying to remember where she was. "Um... is this...?" she murmured.

The Great Wolf appeared, looming over her. "That was foolish. If you tried to use anger, you would only bring despair. I won't tell you how to use your power, but I'll give you a hint. The pack revolves around one thing: the wind flows like emotion. Don't do that again," the wolf demanded.

The forest started to disappear, and Yang woke up, her eyes opening to see Ruby looking at her with concern.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked, her voice soft.

"Yeah... the wolf came to me in my dreams," Yang replied, still startled.

Blake and Weiss exchanged surprised glances, both startled by what Yang had said.

"Wait, the wolf came?" Blake asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Yang replied, still processing. "She told me not to use that emotion again, then gave me a hint about my power. She said, 'The pack revolves around one thing, the wind flows like emotion.' What kind of description is that?" Yang shook her head.

"Maybe that's the point," Weiss said, trying to make sense of it. "Unlike his flames, the wind isn't as dangerous, but it comes from an emotion that... um..." Weiss sputtered, unable to find the right words. "Okay, I have no idea. It's not like a normal semblance. It's more complicated than that."

Blake nodded in agreement. "I agree, but I'm worried about the cost of power. As we saw, if the wrong emotion is used, it backfires on the body."

"Then there's the risk of emotional overload if one emotion is used too much," Ruby added thoughtfully. "That's probably why the wolf exists — to guide and help manage it."

As they thought it over, a knock interrupted the conversation. The door opened, revealing Jimmy standing in his new uniform with a white tie ribbon holding his hair back.

"Guys, I overslept and was wondering where I can get some food?" Jimmy asked.

All four of them, still in their pajamas, stared at him for a moment before Weiss quickly responded. "Class starts in five minutes. We need to go."

"No food, Jimmy. Wait here. You don't know your way around yet," Weiss said firmly, eyeing him carefully. "Where's Jane and Ranger?"

"Well, I froze the room and left the window open. Jane wasn't happy about that, so she saw me hugging my sword and kicked me out the window. Ranger told me to find you guys, as Jane was mad at me," Jimmy explained, shrugging a little.

Before he could continue, Ruby pushed him out the door, saying, "Just wait here for a second." After a few minutes, they exited and started running toward the classroom. Jimmy followed, but Weiss glanced back to see him still carrying his sword.

"Hey, you can't bring your weapon to class," Weiss called over her shoulder.

"No, it's connected to me," Jimmy said seriously, his expression darkening. "If I lose it or if it's taken from me, I lose my power."

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

"Wait, you lose all your aura and semblance?" Ruby asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Yeah, my biggest weakness is my greatest strength," Jimmy replied quietly.

Weiss sighed and rolled her eyes. "Never mind. Jimmy, you'll deal with the professors when we enter class."

In the Classroom

The bell rang as the students filed into the classroom, and Jimmy was about to take in his seat when the professor walked in. The professor took one look at Jimmy, who still had his sword at his side, and grabbed him by the collar pulling him to the front dangling.

"Now that all the students are here, can someone tell me why this student isn't following the rules?" the professor demanded, his eyes narrowing at Jimmy.

The students stared at Jimmy's sword — a blade with a fiery feather adorning the hilt.

A student stood up. "Because he's got his weapon."

"Correct, Cardin," the professor said, before turning his gaze back to Jimmy. "Now, tell me: why do you have your blade?"

"Because I can't afford to be without it," Jimmy replied, his tone serious.

The professor raised an eyebrow. "Can you give me a better reason?"

Jimmy glanced at Ruby for a moment before answering. With a confident smile, he said, "Because a flame swordsman can't be without his sword."

The class fell silent for a moment, everyone exchanging bewildered looks. Some were unsure whether to take him seriously or laugh.

"Okay, I understand that you lived in the forest, attacking all sorts of Grimm, saving people, but even you, a pseudo Huntsman, need to follow the rules," the professor said sternly, grabbing Jimmy's sword, making sure it wasn't taken away. "Looks like I'm going to have to take this away."

"Wait, don't," Jimmy warned. "If you do, the blade will crush you."

Cardin, snickering from the back of the class, stood up. "You think our professor, a Huntsman, is going to get crushed by a longsword?" he scoffed.

A smirk curled at the corner of Jimmy's lips. He already didn't like Cardin. "Let's make a bet, professor."

The professor, shaking his head, gave a nod for Jimmy to continue.

"If Cardin can lift my sword, I'll put it in the locker. If not, I get to keep it with me at all times," Jimmy said, locking eyes with Cardin.

The professor smiled, and agreed. "Deal."

Jimmy raised his sword at an upward angle, holding the hilt tightly and waiting for Cardin to try and grab it. Ruby and Yang exchanged knowing glances, already anticipating what was about to happen.

"You can let go," Cardin said, his devilish smile spreading across his face as he reached for the sword.

As soon as Jimmy released it, the sword dropped. The weight was too much for Cardin, and he yelped in pain as it broke his arm upon impact. The professor rushed over, trying to lift the sword off him, but it wouldn't budge.

Jimmy calmly grabbed the blade and sheathed it on his belt, a satisfied grin on his face. "I won the bet. I get to keep my blade," he said.

As Cardin was escorted to the nurse's office, Jimmy couldn't help but smile, enjoying his little victory. The professor, meanwhile, started his lesson, recounting tales of being a Huntsman. Jimmy only half-listened, zoning in when the lesson aligned with the class.

The professor then asked, "Who here has what it takes to become a Huntsman?"

Both Jimmy and Weiss raised their hands. The professor smiled and said, "Huntsmen sometimes have to work together, even if they're not on the same team."

Weiss prepared herself for the next part of the lesson, but Jimmy stayed behind, waiting for her.

"Why aren't you getting ready?" the professor asked him.

"Easy. I don't want to show off my battle outfit just yet," Jimmy answered with a mischievous smile, glancing toward Ruby.

The professor raised an eyebrow. "If you're not able to change, then fight in what you have. That's what I learned living in the forest."

The professor gave him an approving smile. "I've never thought of it that way, but you're right. I'm glad to have a student with experience in the field. It's refreshing."

Weiss, looking determined, stepped forward in her battle outfit with her rapier in hand. Jimmy grabbed his blade and stood ready. A box containing a boar-like Grimm appeared, ready to charge.

"Weiss, I'll jump in if you need help," Jimmy called out.

She glared at him, knowing full well he had more experience than any of the other students. It felt like he was testing her ability.

The box opened, and Weiss immediately sprang into action, blocking the boar-like Grimm's charge and countering it with swift precision. The professor continued his lesson, but Jimmy kept his eyes focused on Weiss, noticing when she lost her rapier.

The Grimm, now furious, charged toward Weiss, but before it could trample her, Jimmy's sword was already in the ground, blocking the beast. He grabbed the tusk and tossed it away with ease.

"Go for the stomach, it's its weakness!" Ruby shouted from the sidelines.

Jimmy kicked the weapon back to Weiss. "I'll take it from its back. You go for a downward stab," he instructed.

Weiss nodded in acknowledgment and took her position. *Ingite my strength* Jimmy ignited his blade with flames, the fire swirling around it.

With a powerful burst of speed, Jimmy charged at the Grimm, sliding underneath it in one fluid motion. In a burst of flames, he made a wide circle, sending the boar flying onto its back. At the same moment, Weiss moved with deadly precision, stabbing downward into the Grimm's belly. The Grimm let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing.

The class watched, impressed by their teamwork. Jimmy smiled, proud of their coordination.

"That's perfect teamwork," the professor said, nodding with approval. "And I'm glad I got to see the flame swordsman's power in action, too. I can't believe you actually created your own flames."

Weiss huffed, clearly in a bad mood. Jimmy, sensing her frustration, wanted to find out what was bothering her. When the class dismissed, he noticed Weiss quickly walking away. Yang tried to say something to him, but before she could, Jimmy darted off toward Weiss.

"Why do you have so much rage?" Jimmy asked, catching up with her.

"Rage? No, I'm angry," Weiss retorted, still walking briskly.

"No, rage is different," Jimmy said, his voice steady. "Rage leads to dangerous conclusions. Anger leads to thought-out responses. You weren't thinking and allowed your blade to be taken away. Also, when Ruby spoke, you were angry."

Her emotions started to stabilize, and the rage began to fade. "I'm frustrated. Ruby doesn't care or even focus on the class," Weiss admitted, her tone softening.

"Look, I don't like him entirely either. He rants and focuses more on his life than the actual lesson," Jimmy said, trying to ease the tension.

Weiss considered this for a moment, understanding where Jimmy was coming from. "Even so, he's experienced. There's a reason he's saying that."

Jimmy nodded, acknowledging her point. "I'm gonna sound like an ass, but I'd focus better if he didn't bring it up. But that does tell me why you're angry at Ruby."

Weiss hesitated, then decided to lie. "It's because... Ruby's too young and doesn't understand."

Jimmy stared at her, his expression hardening. "I know when people lie to me. Always have, always will. You're lying because you don't believe in it. Now, tell me the truth."

Weiss' heart raced. Jimmy's hair shifted, the tips turning fiery red, and his eyes shifted to a bright purple iris. His aura seemed to overwhelm hers, making her feel small.

"It's because I think I should be the leader, not Ruby," Weiss confessed in a low tone.

Jimmy released her, his hair and eyes returning to normal. "Okay. Thank you. I'm sorry I lost control. Why you?"

Before Weiss could answer, Ruby approached them.

"Hey, what's going on? I saw Jimmy get violent. You know better than that with your teammate," Ruby scolded, clearly worried.

"Ruby, please understand. It's between me and Weiss. I'll talk to you later, okay?" Jimmy said, his voice calm but firm. His right eye shifted, becoming a lizard-like slit, his conviction evident.

Ruby looked at Weiss, her expression softening. "Be careful," she said before leaving them alone.

Jimmy nodded and motioned for Weiss to follow him. She hesitated but complied. As they left the campus, Weiss protested, "We still have classes."

"Follow me," Jimmy said, leading her out of Vale and toward a quiet spot by a tree.

They sat down, and Weiss frowned. "So why bring me here?"

"Because I don't want Grimm entering the school," Jimmy said simply.

Before Weiss could ask more, three Grimm suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She immediately dropped into a combat stance.

"Kill these Grimm with your rage, and you'll understand what I meant," Jimmy instructed, his tone calm.

Weiss hesitated but then charged at one of the Grimm, her anger fueling her strikes. She killed it quickly, but the second one caught her off guard. She was kicked back into a tree. Jimmy just sat there, observing. He could sense her true rage building. She fought back with more intensity, her movements becoming more agile and focused as she learned to control her anger.

Finally, after a grueling battle, she killed the last Grimm, her breathing heavy and blood trickling from a wound on her head. She leaned on her sword for support.

"Do you understand now?" Jimmy asked quietly.

Weiss nodded, breathing heavily. "Yes, I do. I still believe I should be the leader."

Jimmy sighed, shaking his head. "Look within yourself and ask if you truly understand how to organize your teammates and listen to each one."

Weiss looked at him, her eyes searching for the right words. After a pause, she lowered her gaze, feeling a sudden wave of sadness. "You have the skills and conviction to be great. But... there's something I believe you missed. You had a cushioned lifestyle. You don't think about others the way Ruby does. She analyzes and knows more about Grimm than most. Now, tell me something—could you go after people blindly, without hesitation?"

Weiss paused, contemplating Jimmy's words before answering. "Then why should I work hard, if not for myself?"

Jimmy shook his head, his expression turning serious. He released his conviction, and before Weiss could respond, more Grimm appeared. "Watch me," he said, his voice full of determination. "Flames of conviction!" Five more Grimm appeared, their growls echoing through the air. Jimmy unsheathed his blade. *Ingite my strengh.* igniting it with flames. In a fluid, swift motion, he struck, taking down all the Grimm with a single, fiery arc of his sword.

He turned to Weiss, his expression softening as he spoke. "I wanted you to see this, not to show you the difference in strength, but to show you how to deal with your emotions. I agree with you—your conviction to help everyone is what I want. But..." He hesitated, his voice quiet. "I just... I don't know. Not all people are good in this world."

Weiss narrowed her eyes. "Like the Faunus? I mean, I get it—the White Fang is terrible—but it's wrong to lump an entire group in with one extremist faction."

Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?" she asked.

Weiss looked away, her voice quieter now. "When we were in the hospital, and I told me about the White Fang... you seemed... different. You became enraged almost wanting to kill. It was like you had a personal history with them."

Jimmy nodded slowly. "I did. Then i felt anger... It was like Blake's anger towards herself."

Weiss blinked, confused. "Blake was angry at herself? Why?"

"I don't know," Jimmy admitted, his gaze distant. "But don't mention it to her. She'll tell us when she's ready."

Weiss frowned, but nodded. "Won't that cause problems for the team?"

"Maybe," Jimmy replied. "But Blake needs to open up on her own terms. If we force it, we could risk breaking trust."

Weiss thought about it for a moment before shaking her head in understanding. She followed Jimmy as they walked back into Vale, but he suddenly stopped and pulled her into an ice cream shop.

"We're getting ice cream?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jimmy smiled. "Yeah, I was hungry, and it's rude to not get you some. Besides, I got an allowance from Auntie, so why not?"

Weiss studied his reasoning. There was something thoughtful about it—something she hadn't expected. She couldn't help but feel a bit of warmth in her chest as she accepted the ice cream, allowing herself a small smile.

As they ate, though, Weiss felt a wave of emotion she hadn't anticipated. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Was your family that bad?" Jimmy asked gently, noticing her sudden shift in mood.

Weiss blinked, trying to stop the tears. "What do you mean?"

"When I was being taught, I was told how to act, how to speak. It wasn't easy, but my teacher did it for me... for my own good. Were you forced to think only about yourself?"

Weiss wiped her eyes and took a deep breath before speaking, her voice low. "My grandfather was a mighty warrior and a great Huntsman. When he died, my father took over the family company. But then the White Fang started attacking us, and my father... he did nothing. All he cared about was making sure my brother and I had the best education. My brother changed, and my father just kept pushing me to act a certain way. He told me how to be, how to speak. I wanted to reclaim my grandfather's company and become a great Huntsman, like him. That's why I'm doing this."

Jimmy listened quietly, processing her words. "That's very noble of you," he said after a long pause. "I think your grandfather had a good head on his shoulders. If you want to be like him, though... talk to Ruby. Tell her how you really feel."

Weiss bit her lip, anxiety creeping into her chest. "What if Ruby gets mad at me? What if she calls me a terrible person?"

Jimmy leaned in, meeting her eyes with a soft but firm gaze. "Ruby is your teammate. She'll understand if you're honest with her. It's okay to feel uncertain, Weiss. It's okay to be vulnerable."

Weiss stared at him for a long moment before nodding, feeling a mixture of fear and relief. She wasn't sure what the future held, but Jimmy's words had given her a little more courage to face it.

"Then accept it," Jimmy said, his tone calm as he stared at Weiss, who looked at him in disbelief. He continued, "Changing yourself is hard, but knowing how to is easy."

Weiss took a moment to process his words, storing them in her mind for later. "Yang's going to be pissed with me," she muttered.

Jimmy gave a nonchalant "hmm" in response.

"She's pissed because I'm with you and not her," Weiss added with a sigh.

"My Yang will understand so don't worry." Jimmy's eyes widened in realization. "Wait—what did I just say?" he blurted.

Weiss smirked, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, your 'Yang'? Well, now I have to tell her you said that."

Jimmy immediately started backtracking, flustered, while Weiss laughed. They walked back toward campus, and as they turned a corner, Ruby appeared, looking around for them.

"You guys okay?" Ruby asked. "You didn't come to any more classes. The day's over. Yang is pissed at you, Jimmy."

Jimmy cut her off. "I took Weiss to kill some Grimm."

Ruby glanced at Weiss for confirmation, and Weiss shook her head. "I had to learn about rage and anger," she said. "Jimmy made me fight to understand it. You should talk to her. I'm going to go talk to Ruby."

Jimmy smiled and gave Weiss space, walking off toward Yang's location.

As he walked, Jimmy heard a new, feminine voice in his head. Yang is in that room, fighting some dummies. Tell her what you did. He glanced around the corridor, but the voice didn't seem to match anyone he could see. Shrugging it off, he entered the training room, where Yang was taking out her frustration on the training dummies.

He jogged up to her, grinning. "Hello, good-looking. You seem pissed."

"Of course I'm pissed," Yang retorted, not missing a beat. "You took Weiss on a date."

Jimmy blinked. "Who said it was a date?"

"Some hookies told me you had ice cream with Weiss," Yang shot back, a playful glint in her eyes.

"I did, but I was hungry. And we fought some Grimm," Jimmy explained.

Yang raised an eyebrow. "What Grimm? There are no Grimm near Vale."

Jimmy sighed, realizing it was time to tell her the truth. "I attract Grimm when I use my conviction. So I had Weiss fight to understand her own emotions, to see that she wasn't in the right headspace. Can you forgive me? I know you're probably mad, but I had to do it."

Yang seemed to soften at his words, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "I'm just thankful you helped Weiss. I noticed her anger—thanks for stepping in." She paused.

Jimmy then grinned. "Wanna spar?"

Yang blinked, surprised. "Spar? You're gonna kick my ass."

"Nah," Jimmy smirked. "I won't have my sword, so I'll be weaker. I want to show you my dodging ability without it."

Yang grinned, sensing where this was going. "If it's from you, I don't mind taking it."

Jimmy chuckled, rolling his shoulders. "After all, you were the first to resist my flames."

Jimmy moved toward the door, placing his sword against the wall before stepping into his stance. He crouched low, one foot extended, one hand on the ground—ready.

Yang assumed her brawler stance and lunged at him. She threw a punch, but Jimmy's low stance allowed him to easily dodge, slipping behind her and blowing in her ear as he moved.

Yang flushed, but her frustration quickly turned into determination. She spun around to face him, her punches coming faster and fiercer. Jimmy dodged every strike, his movements almost fluid, and each time, he stayed just out of reach.

Yang, growing more frustrated, dropped to a lower stance and tried to get closer to him. "Why can't I touch you?" she muttered, gritting her teeth.

Jimmy smirked. "You're close. But not quite there." He dashed beneath her, getting in her face. "This is what I used with Ranger and Jane. It's what helped them improve their abilities. I can do the same for you... if you're willing."

He paused, giving her a knowing look, insinuating something more as he stayed low to the ground, close to her.

Yang's eyes narrowed, a playful smile forming. "You think you can teach me, huh?"

Jimmy shrugged casually, his grin widening. "If you're up for it, I can show you how it works."

Yang smiled, then threw a quick uppercut. Jimmy dodged with ease, almost twisting his body 90 degrees before flipping away from her. "I wouldn't mind that at all," he said with a grin. "But I'll be on top."

Yang's smile grew wider, and the two continued sparring playfully for the rest of the day. As dinner approached, they made their way to the dining hall. When they walked in, Ruby and Weiss seemed a little happier and closer, a noticeable shift in their dynamic.

"So, did you finally solve your problem, Weiss?" Jimmy asked, looking between the two.

"Yes, thanks to you," Weiss replied. "Ruby and I talked, and we've decided to work together to understand each other better."

"That's good," Jimmy said, nodding. "I thought you were trying to steal Jimmy from me," Yang teased.

Weiss smirked. "Oh, well, when we got ice cream, Jimmy did say something about you, Yang."

Jimmy's face turned beet red. "No! Don't repeat it, please. It was an accident."

Before Weiss could elaborate, Jaune and his team entered the room, and their attention immediately turned to the group.

"Hey, guys, what's going on?" Jaune asked, sensing the tension.

Weiss leaned in with a cheeky grin. "Oh, I was just saying how Jimmy said his Yang will be fine and that he'd 'deal with her.'"

Yang froze, staring at Jimmy in stunned silence. "What did you mean by 'deal with me'?" she demanded, sitting next to Weiss, her glare fixed on Jimmy.

"You are a dead man," Jaune muttered with a grin.

"Very dead," Ren added.

"Hey, Jimmy, our great leader, what did I say about claiming women, especially saying you can control them?" Jane chimed in.

"Wait, I didn't mean it like that," Jimmy said, panic creeping into his voice.

"Then maybe I'll ask what you meant by 'deal,'" Jane said, leaning in with a teasing smile.

"You're screwed, my friend," Ranger added.

"Let me eat at least!" Jimmy pleaded, trying to ease the tension.

Yang didn't even look at him, her face a mix of embarrassment and confusion. She was mad, but also unsure of how to feel—especially since she couldn't land a single punch on him. It was like his body moved on its own.

"Hey, Jane," Yang suddenly said, trying to shift the focus. "When you were younger, you told us you could never land a punch on Jimmy. So, how did you manage the time you did?"

"Oh, Jimmy's special ability is dodging anything," Jane explained. "The thing is, when he attacks, he becomes defenseless. So, when he's attacking, you strike back. Well, maybe not anymore, but still."

"Actually, I wanted to ask about this morning," Blake said, turning to Jimmy. "Your sword—if it's not on you, you lose your aura and power?"

"Yeah, I discovered that when I was captured," Jimmy replied. "If my sword is more than six feet away from me, I lose all my power. I can still use my abilities in other ways, but there's a price."

Ruby looked confused. "Why's that? Your aura is connected to your soul. How can you just lose it when your sword is gone?"

Jimmy hesitated for a moment before responding. "I think it's because I sold a piece of my soul to the flames."

The group fell silent. They all stared at Jimmy as though he had just said something outrageous.

"Guys, why are you looking at me like I have two heads?" Jimmy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You said you sold a piece of your soul for power," Yang said, her voice a mix of disbelief and concern.

"I had to," Jimmy replied softly. "To save everyone from pain. I needed the power to protect them. That's how I got the flames and my sword."

Weiss's voice was quiet but filled with curiosity. "What does it mean to sell your soul?"

Jimmy clutched his chest, his expression grim. "It's like a part of you is gone forever. There's nothing you can do about it. But I'd do it again, if it meant saving everyone. All my pain means nothing compared to the pain of that village."

"So, you took the power and wiped out the village to save everyone?" Pyrrha asked, her voice filled with empathy.

Jimmy nodded slowly, the weight of his past hanging heavy in the air.

"In a figurative sense, yes," Jimmy replied, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.

Nora, looking confused, asked, "I'm sorry, what does 'figurative sense' mean?"

"It means to say something, but not literally mean it," Weiss explained.

"Again, what does it mean in this context?" Nora asked, her confusion deepening.

Ranger stepped in, his tone somber. "Our original home was burned to the ground. No survivors."

"No, that's not true. Jimmy was here," Nora said, shaking her head.

Jimmy's smile faded as he sighed deeply. "I'll say this: I killed all of them," he said quietly, the weight of the admission hanging in the air.

"Why kill them if they could've been saved?" Nora asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Half of them were already dead, and the rest were on the brink. Over 30 grimm were there," Jimmy explained. "It was the first time I used Flame Nova. I killed everyone to free them from the pain. The flames I used back then were under my complete control. The flames danced, and I felt all the emotions—happiness, destruction, grief. It was... overwhelming. I can never use that form again."

"Form?" Ren asked, intrigued.

"Yeah," Jimmy continued, his voice softening. "When I first got this power, I had a cloak, and my blade was completely different. I could feel everything—every life, every emotion. It was freeing. I thought I could guide the world into a new era." He paused, letting out a breath. "But now, I've lost it. That form... I can't use it again unless I want to die."

"So, let me get this straight," Yang said, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You have another form? Wait, a cloak... I think I know what it looks like. The swords were light and dark, twisted together, almost consuming each other with blue streaks wrapping around them."

Jimmy looked at her, surprised. "Okay, what do you mean by swords? Also, how did you know?"

Yang smiled, a bit sheepish. "Well, we went to that world you told us about. We saw your form. And yeah, there were two swords."

Jimmy stared at her, processing. "Now that you mention it, I remember being calmer, more aware, but I'm not sure why." said ruby.

Jaune added, "I noticed you were calm—almost serene. It seemed like being there made you more... grounded."

"Maybe," Jimmy said, unsure. "I don't know."

Ruby, always inquisitive, asked, "Do your eyes change when you use your power?"

Jimmy shook his head. "No, I can't—my power only affects my sword."

Suddenly, there was a commotion. "Stop that! It hurts!" a voice cried out.

Jimmy turned to see Cardin, tugging at a bunny faunus's ears. He stood up immediately, recognizing the situation. "Don't you know touching people like that is harassment?" Jimmy said sharply.

Cardin sneered. "Oh, it's the boy with the sword that weighs hundreds of pounds, breaking my arm."

"You got cocky," Jimmy retorted, "should've said no."

"Doesn't matter, freak," Cardin growled, continuing to tug on the faunus's ears.

"Last time," Jimmy warned, his left eye glowing gold.

Cardin sneered again. "Freak or Flame Swordsman. Because in the end, you aren't anyone important." He twisted harder, causing the faunus to cry out in pain.

Jimmy clenched his fist, and the blade at his side transformed. A rusty green glow surrounded him, and his body became hard, radiating an almost unnatural energy. Everyone in the cafeteria stared in shock as the glow intensified.

Cardin, in a fit of anger, punched Jimmy with the arm that had been broken. His hand shattered on impact, and he cried out in pain, his body now wracked with agony.

Jimmy stood still, breathing deeply, as the glow around him slowly faded, his blade returning to its fiery red form. Only Jaune noticed the blade change though. He exhaled, visibly calming. But the transformation had taken a toll on him, and he fainted, collapsing to the floor.

Yang and Jane rushed to his side. "Jimmy!" Yang called, kneeling beside him.

Suddenly, Yang, ruby, and Jaune heard the voice again—the wolf's voice. "Something's wrong. He shouldn't have access to that power yet. Get him back to his room. He needs rest."

Ruby looked at the group. "Help me get him to his room. I'll explain everything on the way."

The teams quickly gathered around, helping Jimmy to his room. Once inside, something strange began to happen. His blade continued to glow, and his energy began to fluctuate wildly.

Ruby, struggling under the weight of his blade, touched the eye part of it. "What... is happening?" she murmured. Then, a new voice, this time more distinct, spoke to her almost wise.

"Get the blade center of the room. Call for the Turtle. He will explain."

Ruby's eyes widened. "What?" She looked around, trying to make sense of the situation. "Turtle?"

She glanced at the blade again, noticing the strange energy pulsing from it. "I... I need help with this." She managed to lift the heavy blade, knowing it was part of something bigger than she understood. The mysterious voice told her to call the Turtle for answers.

Nora's eyes widened. "What's a turtle?"

As if answering her question, the sword glowed green and transformed into a medium-sized creature, taking up most of the floor space. "Hello, young Ruby and Nora, I'm a turtle," the turtle said, its voice deep and ancient.

Ruby stared at the creature. "So you are him?"

"Yes, I am the Defensive Turtle, Michaelangelo. I reside in the endless ocean," the turtle said, its voice carrying an air of authority. "I control his emotions—retribution, protection, and avoidance."

Yang leaned in, eyes narrowing. "You mean the sea, the endless ocean?"

"Yes, as I control his power and emotions, but I must warn you," Michaelangelo continued. "He shouldn't have access to that power yet as he is not emotionally ready."

"Wait, what do you mean? How did he gain access?" Ren asked, confused.

The turtle's gaze shifted to Ren. "There are things you need to know, but I can't reveal everything right now. The answer is complicated. We're dealing with it."

Blake crossed her arms. "Okay, but why were you called to come out?"

"I've come with a warning," Michaelangelo replied. "Jaune, Ruby, both of you need to find your inner power. After that, you need to enter his inner world."

"Inner world?" Weiss asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

Michaelangelo nodded. "Yes. Jimmy has an inner world where his power resides."

"So, how powerful is he?" Weiss pressed, clearly intrigued.

The turtle sighed deeply. "His body can't handle it, nor can his mental state. He has access to a certain abilities, but it's dangerous. Don't let him fight outside of this group."

The green glow around Michaelangelo faded, and the sword transformed back into its fiery red version. The turtle disappeared without another word, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Blake broke the silence, shaking her head. "That didn't answer anything."

Jaune, looking deep in thought, muttered, "Inner power...?"

"I think the turtle wants you to unlock your true potential," Pyrrha said, her eyes focused on Jaune. "You have so much aura. Maybe it's time to truly learn about your semblance."

Jaune blinked. "Wait, you think my semblance is connected to this inner power?"

"I unlocked mine thanks to Jimmy," Ranger said. "Maybe it's time to focus on your semblance, Jaune."

Ruby, who had been lost in thought, finally spoke up. "But I already know my semblance."

Yang, watching Ruby carefully, added, "Remember the silver eyes? Maybe they're connected to your power. They might mean something more."

Ruby furrowed her brow, thinking about her mother's silver eyes. "I don't think so. I think they were just a way to identify me."

Everyone paused, considering Ruby's words. They all seemed to agree with her.

Jaune then spoke up. "Hey, I have a question for Jane and Ranger."

Jane and Ranger both turned to look at him. "Go ahead," Jane said.

"Jimmy taught us how to use our semblances, but... Jane, you never learned yours from him," Jaune pointed out.

Jane nodded. "That's right. When we were younger, Jimmy helped Ranger understand his wants."

"Wants?" Jaune asked, looking puzzled.

Ruby stepped in. "A semblance is linked to what someone wants inside them, their deepest desire."

Jaune thought for a moment, then slowly said, "I want to be a hero. Like my father... like his father. I want to follow in their footsteps, but... I'm not sure how."

Pyrrha moved closer and hugged Jaune, offering him comfort. As she did, the blade at the center of the room turned blue.

Then, the sword suddenly transformed again, this time into a large wolf. "Mark her as yours idiot. She's giving you all the answers you need. Honestly, it's right in front of you."

Yang, who had been quiet until now, snapped, "Did you come out just to say that?"

The wolf's voice was dry, almost mocking. "Yes, I hear everything around him. Trust me, we all know this. I can tell you're into Weiss, but she doesn't care about you. Go for the girl who's been there for you, the one who's trying to help. You're into her—just do it. And don't get me started on you, Yang, that mark also links me to you."

Yang fell silent, her eyes narrowing as the wolf's words cut through the air like a blade.

"Okay, enough," Pyrrha said, breaking the tension. "Love is natural. It takes time for feelings to be reciprocated."

The wolf's expression changed. He smiled, then frowned. "You're right, but wrong too. Love's an emotion that gets locked behind bars easily. If it isn't released, it leads to eternal despair or even worse regret."

The group grew somber as the wolf's words settled in. Even Nora, who was usually full of energy, grew quiet, glancing at Ren with a sad look in her eyes.

The wolf changed back into the sword, and the room fell into a heavy silence. Everyone was deep in thought, the weight of the conversation pressing on them.

"Okay, I need to go to bed," Nora muttered, running out of the room. Ren watched her leave, his expression unreadable.

Jaune, too, stood up and left, his mind clearly preoccupied with the conversation.

Pyrrha, left behind with the others, sighed. "I think we all need some time to process everything. Jimmy's situation is more complicated than we thought."

Yang and Ruby placed the sword near the window, both of them staring at it, unsure of their feelings. Ruby felt confused, a strange connection to Jimmy pulling at her, like he would always protect her. Yang, on the other hand, knew she wanted more from Jimmy—but she understood that he needed time to adjust.

"Ruby, I need to know," Yang said softly, "How do you feel about Jimmy?"

Ruby hesitated, the emotions swirling inside her. "I'm confused. There's this... link between us, like he'll always protect me."

Yang's eyes softened. "As he almost died for me. But you know... you deserve him, Yang. You've spent so much time trying to find a solution for all of this."

Ruby wrapped herself in a hug, feeling torn.

Jane, watching the two sisters, spoke up. "Hey, this might be rude, but maybe you should wait a little while before Ruby and Jimmy fight."

Everyone looked at Jane, and she put a finger to her lips. "Spoilers."

Ranger smiled, guiding everyone out. "See you all tomorrow," he said, his tone light as he ushered everyone out.

Once everyone had left, Jane and Ranger shared a quiet moment, looking at Jimmy. "That was a lot to process," Jane said, "but at least we know what's coming."

Ranger nodded, his thoughts on the upcoming battle. "We'll be ready for whatever happens next."

As Jane kissed Ranger, she smiled. "The wolf was right. We might need to move the date up for us."

Ranger shook his head as he held Jane close, leading her to her bed. He turned off the light, and soon, he was asleep in his own bed, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on him.

With Team RWBY:

Blake sat back, her thoughts still swirling. "So, he has his own world inside him? That's a lot to take in."

Weiss, looking thoughtful, nodded. "He can't remember it either. He only enters when he needs power."

Ruby frowned. "But I don't think the wolf or turtle said anything about that."

Yang spoke up, her tone matter-of-fact. "She's right. Remember, he was meditating in the center of everything. That world, it's tied to his power."

Blake crossed her arms. "There's definitely something in that world they're hiding, but what is it? Even from him?"

Weiss scoffed. "That wolf was way too blunt. Who talks about love like that?"

Yang raised an eyebrow. "You know, she had a point. People don't express their feelings unless they're pushed."

Ruby, her thoughts still racing, added, "It's the same with Jaune, isn't it? He's afraid of disappointing Pyrrha—not just as a leader, but as someone close to her."

Weiss shot a glance at Yang. "So, if he knows, why won't he just admit it?"

Yang's voice was firm. "Unlike you, Weiss, he's already admitted it. He just doesn't know how to act on it."

Ruby leaned in, her eyes softening. "Pyrrha is special, and her abilities are beyond all of ours."

Yang sighed, a hint of worry in her voice. "But someone can easily cripple Jaune's mind. If we don't help him, he's at risk."

Weiss suddenly had an idea. "What if Jimmy trains Jaune?"

Ruby shook her head. "Jimmy won't train someone unless they really want it. He doesn't waste his time."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "So, what now?"

Yang's voice became determined. "Then we have to get Jaune pumped up, make him realize what he's capable of."

With Team JNPR:

Jaune sat in his room, leaning against the wall. "Why did you leave, Nora?" he asked quietly.

Nora, who had been standing near the window, turned to face him. "Same reason you did. I don't understand what's going on either."

Jaune tilted his head, guessing. "You like Ren, but you don't want to ruin your current relationship, right?"

Nora nodded, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "I've had that feeling for years. When Jimmy saved us from the Grimm, I realized I can't see myself apart from him... like Jane and Ranger."

Jaune looked at her, his expression understanding. "I see. But you're scared of losing Ren?"

Nora's voice dropped, her fear clear. "Ren's my best friend. I don't want to lose him. Was the wolf right? This is just the first day of school. It's not supposed to be this hard."

"I agree," Jaune muttered, feeling the weight of it all.

The two of them decided to rest for the night, but outside, Pyrrha and Ren were sitting just beyond the door, overhearing their conversation.

"I didn't know Nora felt that way," Ren said quietly.

"I knew about Jaune, but I didn't expect it to create such a gap," Pyrrha replied, her voice filled with concern.

They both fell into a pensive silence, considering the wolf's warning about love leading to despair. After a while, they left for a walk, their thoughts heavy with everything that had been said.

Back with the Group:

The next week passed in tense silence. The group's atmosphere felt strained, but Jimmy ignored it, letting the awkwardness hang in the air. By the time their next class came around, Mrs. Goodwitch stood before the group, preparing for a duel.

"Enough!" Jimmy's voice was firm, sharp as a blade. "I'm done with all this silence. What's going on with you two?" He pointed to Ren and Nora. "And you, Pyrrha and essential Jaune you've been getting bullied and doing nothing about it, what's this fear I'm sensing?" He then looked directly at Ruby and Yang. "You two are acting like something's off, too. What's going on? Talk. Now."

There was no immediate response. The weight of Jimmy's words hung in the air, each person's silence amplifying his frustration.

Jimmy let out a deep, exasperated sigh. His fingers dug into his eyelids as he rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me none of you are going to say anything. Fine." He narrowed his gaze. "But I want this sorted out by the end of the week. Or..." He clenched his fists, his anger and power rising, sending a subtle chill through the room. "I'm gonna fight and burn every single one of you if this tension doesn't break."

The room stiffened. Fear crept into their expressions, and they realized just how serious Jimmy was. He wasn't just frustrated—he was ready to explode if things didn't change. His tone had shifted from frustration to something darker, as if he could snap at any moment.

The team felt a ripple of anxiety, each one caught in their own thoughts, unsure of what to say. They had all felt the tension growing, but none of them had the courage to address it directly. Now, Jimmy had put them all on the spot.

They needed to confront their feelings—fast. But how could they unravel everything they were holding inside without breaking even more? Jimmy turned on his heel, striding toward the classroom with the others trailing behind him. His pace was quick, his steps purposeful, and his tension palpable. As they entered, the atmosphere shifted. The usual energy in the air had dissipated, replaced by the weight of unsaid words and unresolved feelings. Entering the classroom, Ms Goodwitch began to explain the day's events.

She explained the rules of the duel: if a fighter's aura dropped to red, they lost. If they surrendered, they lost.

"First match: Cardin vs. Jaune," she announced.

Cardin stepped forward, his smirk widening as he knew about Pyrrha's crush on Jaune. He was eager to prove himself, especially after his hand had taken a week to heal.

As the match began, Cardin fought dirty, landing brutal hits on Jaune. Every blow seemed designed to break his spirit, targeting Jaune's pride more than his physical body. Jimmy, watching from the sidelines, grew increasingly irritated.

Finally, Cardin saw an opportunity and made a final, vicious move. "It was a mistake for you to come here," he sneered as he walked away, leaving Jaune on the ground.

Mrs. Goodwitch didn't intervene, and simply announced, "Cardin wins."

She then called the next two competitors. "Ruby, Jimmy, you're up."

Ruby stood and walked to the arena, followed by Jimmy. The tension was palpable as everyone wondered what would happen next.

The class had settled into an expectant silence as Jimmy stood at the entrance, taking a deep breath. Everyone had their eyes on him, wondering what he would show today. With a quick glance at his teammates, he gave them a nod before stepping forward into the room. Today wasn't just any day—he was about to reveal his battle attire.

"Are you actually gonna wear your battle clothes?" Ms. Goodwitch asked, eyeing Jimmy with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

He smirked, giving her a playful look. "You'll need to give me an extra five minutes, Ms. Goodwitch. I want to take my time to show everyone."

She sighed, nodding in acknowledgment. "Five minutes. That's it."

As the others whispered amongst themselves, Ruby couldn't help but wonder what Jimmy had in store. What would his new look be? Her thoughts ran wild, imagining the possibilities. She had seen him in his flame swordsman form, but this—this was different.

When Jimmy finally reentered the room, it was as though the entire class held its breath. His attire wasn't like anything anyone had expected. His shirtless figure, his pants wrapped around his waist with long ribbons, each adorned with marks representing the people he cared about, left the room in awe.

The ribbons on his waist had the marks of Ruby and Yang. His sheath, which now had a black, white, and blue spiral pattern, completed the look, representing a fusion of strength and symbolism. His shoes were flats pure white, matching the colors of his attire.

"Whoa," the entire class whispered.

Even Professor Goodwitch took a moment to look through the student handbook, making sure there was no rule against his outfit. The silence that followed was only broken by the soft sound of Ruby's breath catching in her throat. She stared at Jimmy, her mind racing. His look, his presence—it was unlike anything she had imagined.

Yang, however, wasn't as surprised. She saw the mark on one of his ribbons barely touching the floor—the one that represented her—and her heart fluttered in her chest. It was a silent, powerful gesture. He respected her, saw her as more than just a friend. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she realized what it meant.

His hair flowed freely, the top slicked back with a pin, adding to the overall majestic aura.

"Is this similar to your flame swordsman persona?" Ms. Goodwitch asked, breaking the stillness.

Jimmy gave a small nod, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yes, I wanted it to be very similar to who I am."

Ruby, however, had lost focus entirely. She stood there, eyes wide, staring at his four pack as he is well trained. Her own pubescent mind started to imagine. Before she realized it, her nose began to bleed.

"Umm, Ruby, are you okay? Your nose is bleeding," Jimmy asked, his voice filled with concern as he looked at her with genuine worry.

Ruby snapped back to reality, her face flushed red with embarrassment. She grabbed a tissue to wipe her nose, trying to regain her composure. "I—I'm fine, just... surprised."

Ms. Goodwitch, looking a little perturbed, waited for Ruby to re-focus before signaling the start of the match. Ruby gripped her weapon tightly, uncollapsing it, making it two feet larger than normal. She took her stance, ready to fight.

Jimmy stood there, calmly balancing on one foot, his hand behind his head, and winked at Ruby, a playful glint in his eye. Ruby's face went even redder.

The bell rang, and the match began.

Ruby didn't waste time. She charged at him with speed, but Jimmy didn't move. He closed his eyes, waiting, anticipating. Ruby hesitated, unsure if he was trying to provoke her. She attacked again, faster this time, but Jimmy dodged every move. No matter how fast she was, he was always one step ahead.

Her semblance allowed her to use rose petals as distractions, but Jimmy didn't even flinch. He didn't need to open his eyes to sense her moves. He simply dodged, waited, and let her tire herself out. But Ruby wasn't one to give up easily. She kept attacking, refusing to give in.

Finally, Jimmy stepped back, smirking as he called out, "So, are you ready for the real fight?"

Ruby, now a little frustrated, prepared for his next move. Jimmy raised his sword and whispered, *Ignite my strength* and the blade burst into flames.

Ruby shot bullets toward him, but he danced around them, his sword twirling in a mesmerizing display of skill. The flames moved with him, like a dangerous but beautiful dance. As he turned his back to block one of Ruby's attacks, the fire flickered around him, the bright flames illuminating the room.

Ruby stood in awe as she saw the flames swirl around him, each move graceful, controlled. But then, something unexpected happened. The flames began to form fireflies. They surrounded him like a swarm, each ember glowing brightly.

"Fireflies, come from the blade," he announced, as the fireflies circled around him. "Looks just like your semblence right?"

Ruby watched in awe as they flew across the room, their glowing light mesmerizing her. They reminded her of her semblance—the rose petals, the beauty in the chaos. But she wasn't sure how to feel about it. It was beautiful, yes, but it didn't quite feel like her semblance at all.

"I hate to say it," Ruby began, "but this doesn't really resemble my semblance."

Jimmy blinked, confused at first. Then, his eyes widened as he realized his mistake. "I thought it did... but now that you mention it, maybe I misinterpreted it."

"I guess you were just trying to recreate something beautiful, huh?" Ruby said, blushing slightly.

Jimmy nodded. "I just remembered how beautiful your semblance was and tried to capture that feeling."

Ruby shook her head, but her smile was genuine. She was flattered by the thought, even if it didn't quite match her expectations.

Jimmy then turned back to face her, his eyes sharp as he prepared for the real fight.

Ruby dashed forward again, but this time, as she got close, a firefly flew into her path, and before she could react, it exploded on contact.

"Ohh, yeah, avoid them, some exploded while others set you on fire," Jimmy joked with a smirk. The class groaned while Yang laughed.

"So, I'll catch on fire?" Ruby asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Just like a rose—beautiful, but the thorns make it dangerous," Jimmy teased.

Ruby smiled, twirling gracefully and cutting through the fireflies with her weapon, pushing the rest away with her semblance. "Like rose petals, easily pushed away and wilts quickly. Let's stop this trick, though—let's focus on weapon combat."

She swiftly attacked with her Crescent Rose, and Jimmy blocked each attack, studying her fighting style. He was using one hand to block her bullets and both hands to defend against her weapon. His defense was flawless—front and back. It was clear he wasn't attacking; his style seemed purely defensive, a strategy that hadn't been seen before.

Ruby was puzzled, noticing how he blocked everything without making any counter-attacks. "Hmm, his weakness is counterattacks. He has no defense for them," she thought. When he activated he flame swung at her. That was the moment to strike.

She moved in with a powerful strike, aiming for his side, and used her semblance to deliver a devastating blow. The impact sent Jimmy flying into the wall, his aura flashing red.

"Winner is Ruby," announced Professor Goodwitch.

Jimmy groaned, lying on the floor as his aura flickered. He had became overconfident, and had been overpowered by Ruby's calculated attack.

He slowly sat up after a few fights happened laying on yang's lap as a pillow, rubbing his head. "Ouch... my head hurts," Jimmy groaned.

Yang couldn't help but laugh. "You got one-shotted by Ruby. She couldn't land a single blow on you before, and now—bam, down you go!"

"I was trying something new," Jimmy replied with a grin, though he seemed a little embarrassed. "I blocked and dodged, but I didn't really strategize. I was focused on defense."

"That's impressive," said Pyra, her voice tinged with respect. "You were dodging and blocking like your body just knew what to do. It was like you didn't even have to think about it."

"Yeah," Jimmy said, a little sheepishly, "it's just how I fight. When I first started, I fought against it, but now I just let my body move on its own. It's... hard to explain, but it's like I can feel the fight before it happens."

Jane blinked, trying to process the information. "Wait, so you didn't realize that your body was doing all of that on its own?"

Jimmy chuckled. "Not at first. But after a Ursa fight, I realized my body could move without thinking. So, I stopped fighting it and just let it happen. It's like a reflex at this point."

Everyone stared at him, shocked. "You're saying that all this time, you've been fighting on instinct? Without even thinking about it?" Yang asked, still processing the idea.

"Yep, but it's more like I know it," Jimmy said casually. "My body moves before I even realize what's happening. It's like a sixth sense. I can feel everything around me, the air, the movements, the tension in the room. I don't know how to explain it, but it's there."

Blake was the first to speak. "That's... insane. Nobody can dodge like that. It's practically impossible."

"I think it's like an awareness," Jimmy said with a shrug. "I can feel everything around me, like I can sense the room. It's not perfect, but it helps."

Ruby's eyes lit up with excitement. "So you can sense everything around you, even when you're not looking? That's amazing!"

Jimmy smiled, feeling a little more at ease now that he'd explained. "Yeah, it's pretty helpful in fights. But like I said, I can't always rely on it. It has its limits."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "So you're telling me, you just let your body do whatever, and it's like it has a mind of its own?"

"Exactly. It's like it's synced with the fight," Jimmy said. "That's how I block, dodge, and move. It's all instinct. But it took time to trust it."

"Unbelievable," Yang said, shaking her head. "So, you've been fighting like that all along?"

"I guess so," Jimmy said with a shrug. "It's just how I do it."

Just then, a boy from the other team was tossed near Jimmy, and in response, Jimmy just relaxed, knowing what was coming next.

"Well, looks like we're back to the real fight," Jimmy said with a grin.

As Jimmy's stomach growled, he shot Jane and Ranger a sheepish look. "Can I have an early dinner?" he asked, clearly hungry after a long and intense day.

Jane and Ranger exchanged a glance before nodding. "Sure, let's go to the cafeteria," Jane replied, her tone calm but with a hint of something unspoken between them. They all headed towards the cafeteria, the halls quieter now that most of the students were either heading to their dorms or finishing up their activities.

Team JJR arrived at the cafeteria. Team RWBY and JNPR were absent. Jimmy grabbed a tray and piled it high with food, his hunger evident. Jane and Ranger sat down at a nearby table, both glancing over at him but giving him the space he needed. They knew that the upcoming team meeting would be difficult, but it was necessary.

As they settled into their meal, Jimmy looked up and noticed the tension between Jane and Ranger. He paused mid-bite, sensing the shift in the air, but decided to let it go for now. He didn't want to press anything. After all, they'd been through a lot, and he didn't want to add to the weight they were all carrying.

"You guys okay?" he asked, trying to keep the mood light, though he could tell there was something they needed to address.

Jane sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "We will be," she said softly, before quickly changing the subject. "So, how's the team?"

Jimmy shrugged, his mouth full of food. "Same as always. But I'm curious about this meeting. What's going down with team RWBY?"

Ranger leaned in, his voice lowering. "They're dealing with... well, everything that's been going on. It's better if we let them talk it out."

"Yeah," Jane added. "They've got some things to clear up, but they'll figure it out. It's just a lot of tension building up."

Jimmy nodded, understanding that they needed this time to work through their issues. He finished his food in silence, letting Jane and Ranger lead the way. As they finished their meal and made their way back to the dorms, Jimmy couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. What would happen after the meeting? Would things change? Only time would tell.

As they walked back to the dorms, Jane turned to Jimmy. "Hey, I just want to say... Thanks for being patient with us. We're all trying to sort things out."

Jimmy smiled, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "No problem. I know how these things go."

They reached the dorms, and as they headed toward their team's room, Jane and Ranger exchanged a final glance before stepping inside. About to have their own Meeting.

While with Team RWBY and Team JNPR was about decided today what their going to do.