At a Combat class in Beacon Jaune Arc is participating in a duel against Cardin Winchester, his mace perched on his shoulder and Jaune opposite of him with Crocea Mors drawn, leaning on his weapon as if exhausted, in the spotlight shining on the Beacon Academy auditorium stage. He looks at Cardin, who laughs at his opponent's tiredness, and Jaune gathers his strength to charge forward and swing his blade at Cardin, only for him to jump out of the way. Jaune looks back, surprised, as Cardin's mace sends Jaune's shield - and himself - flying back. Now only armed with his sword, Jaune continued to try and attack, but is blocked by the mace's hilt. Their weapons locked, Cardin forces himself up, towering over a struggling Jaune
"This is the part...where you lose!" Cardin mocks, smiling
"Over my dead-!" Before Jaune could finish, Cardin knees Jaune right at the nuts. Everyone sitting on the bleachers wince at this, but River continues to watch, unimpressed by Jaune's skills
"Oh, now that's just uncalled for!" Crimson cringes
"If he'd predicted the incoming attack, he would've blocked it." Jotaro adds, caressing his chin
"How the heck did he make it into Beacon?" Fenrir asks, glancing to River who shrugs.
Cardin raises his mace and was about to finish him off
"Mr. Winchester, that's enough." Noticing the lights coming back on, and Professor Goodwitch standing on stage, Cardin decides to back off and slowly lowers his weapon as Goodwitch shows the results on the massive screen
"Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match." After Glynda finishes her explanation, she turns her attention to Jaune. "Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your Scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more... defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now, would we?"
Cardin raises up his mace and rests it on his shoulder.
"Speak for yourself..." Cardin scoffs
"Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!" Glynda informs, exciting the students.
"Ha ha, I can't wait!" Fenrir fist pumps.
"I should keep an eye on Weiss once the students arrive..." Jotaro says, mostly to himself.
"Hey guys!"
The team look to their left noticing Ruby and her team approaching.
"Hey little red, what's up?" Fenrir asks.
"We were heading to the cafeteria and have lunch with Team JNPR." Ruby answers
"Care to join us? It should be fun!" Yang offers, smiling
"Why would we-,"
"We'd love to!" Crimson interrupts River, grabbing the latter by his neck and pulling him closer.
"Agreed, let's go while there is still some food for us to take." Jotaro nods, standing up.
*
Later, Teams CJVR, RWBY and JNPR are having lunch where Nora was telling her story. Fenrir and Yang were listening with interest while the others were focused on either eating or reading
"So there we were...in the middle of the night." Nora starts.
"It was day." Ren corrects.
"We were surrounded by Ursai." Nora continues.
"They were Beowolves." Ren corrects again.
Nora stands up from her chair
"DOZENS OF THEM!!!!!!" Nora shouts, bolting up from her chair.
"Two of them."
"But they were no match, Ren and I took them down and made a buttload of Ursa skinned rugs!!" Nora finishes, sitting down
"She's been having this recurring dream for nearly a month now." Ren sighs.
"And I thought MY dreams were bizarre." Fenrir laughs.
Ruby, Jotaro and Pyrrha look at Jaune, who appears to be lost in thought as he's staring at his food
"Jaune, are you ok?" Pyrrha asks, nudging Jaune's shoulder.
Jaune looks up from his plate and at his friends
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. why?" Jaune asks.
"It's just that you seem a little...not ok." Ruby points out.
"Yeah, leave the quiet act to Blake, or River." Crimson jokes, receiving offended glares from the quiet students.
"Guys I'm fine, seriously look!" Jaune puts up a non convincing smile, then he sees team CRDL picking on a Faunus Rabbit girl, irritating Fenrir and the others, but he sets aside his irritation for the conversation
"Blondie, Cardin has been picking on you since the first day at Beacon."
"Who me? Nah he just likes to mess around, practical jokes." Jaune assures.
"He's a bully." Ruby says, a hint of dislike in her voice.
"Oh please, name one time he's 'bullied' me!" Jaune chuckles
"He knocks your books out of your hands every passing chance he gets." Jotaro answers.
"He activated your shield so you'd get stuck in the door on your way out." Yang adds.
"And let's not forget the incident where he shoved you into your locker and launched you off school grounds." Crimson finishes
"I didn't land far from the school!" Jaune laughs nervously.
"Jaune you know that if you need help you can just ask!" Pyrrha tells Jaune.
"Oh! We'll break his legs!!" Nora stands up excitedly, flexing her muscles
"Or better yet, we crush his balls!!!" Crimson cheers, clenching his fist for emphasis
"No, absolutely not! We'll get expelled for that!" Jotaro quickly discourages, pulling Crimson down.
"I agree, that's a bit excessive." Ren says, pushing Nora down gently.
"Guys I'm fine. And besides, it's not like he's a jerk to me...he's a jerk to everyone!" Jaune points out as he stands up.
"Ow!! That hurts!!!"
The group turn their attention towards Cardin and his group, seeing him pull one of the Faunus' bunny ears
"I told you they were real!!" Cardin laughs.
"What a freak!" Sky says, laughing.
Seeing the discrimination from the four bullies was enough to anger Fenrir, making him stand up from his chair, hands on the table
"Clearly, Cardin didn't learn his lesson last time..." Fenrir growls
Before Fenrir could make his move, Jotaro puts a hand on his partner's shoulder and gently pushes Fenrir down.
"There are peaceful ways to deal with bullies, leader. I'll handle this one." Jotaro volunteers, standing up and walking towards Cardin and his group.
"I mean look at this! How could you make stuff like this up?!" Cardin mocks, not noticing Jotaro behind him.
"Hey Cardin, look who's decided to show up!" Russel says, pointing behind Cardin.
Cardin looks over his shoulder to see Jotaro standing behind him.
"Well well well, if it isn't the honor student of Beacon Academy. Come to grace us with your nerdy presence?!" Cardin asks, turning his body around to face Jotaro.
"No...I'm merely here to ask you cease on bullying this poor girl." Jotaro politely asks.
"Girl? What girl? I don't see no girl, just this freak of nature that actually got accepted into Beacon." Cardin says, pulling on the Faunus' ear again
"People of all species are allowed to enter this academy with the right skill...skill you're using only on the weak." Jotaro accuses.
Cardin lets go of the Faunus' ear, getting his full attention as the bully stands up, towering over Jotaro
"I'm sorry, are you trying to start something? Cause your leader still owes me for the embarrassment he gave me last month."
"That was your own mistake, and the only thing I wish to start...is by contacting your mother about your actions." Jotaro says, smirking.
For the first time, Cardin felt intimidated by Jotaro's words.
"...You wouldn't..." Cardin mutters, tone shaking in fear.
"I would...and I still have her number" Jotaro says, raising up his scroll and slowly shake it to prove his point further
"Uh...come on guys, let's get out of here! We've got better things to do." Cardin and his team walk away as the Faunus approaches Jotaro
"Uh...thanks for that, really!" The Faunus bows her head in appreciation
"Think nothing of it, I truly apologize for his behavior...he was dropped on his head when he was a baby." Jotaro says, adding a little humor to his last sentence.
"Ha ha! Well...I should go back to my team now, bye!" The Faunus waves goodbye as she leaves
"Farewell." Jotaro waves back.
Jotaro walks back to his team and sits down to his table, smiling.
"Wow...that was awesome, Jotaro!!" Ruby cheers.
"How'd you talk him out of it?! What did you say?" Yang asks.
"Only that I would call his mother in case he ever kept up his antics." Jotaro answers
"You can do that?" Pyrrha asks.
"Yes, as much as it pains me to say it, both of our mothers are related...making him my...cousin."
"...What?!" Weiss asks in surprise.
"Seriously?! Why would anyone marry that family?!" Crimson asks
"It wasn't by choice, I assure you..."
"Well, at least you stopped him from discriminating that Faunus." Ruby sighs.
"It's still atrocious, I can't stand people like him." Pyrrha growls, just thinking about the Faunus and their discrimination.
"You're not the only one." River speaks up, glaring at the path Cardin left.
"It must be hard to be a Faunus..." Yang sighs.
"Imagine if there was a Half-Breed..." Fenrir starts.
"They would no doubt face even worse discrimination." Blake finishes.
Fenrir and Blake exchange knowing glances.
*
Later, Fenrir and the others are now in History class with Dr. Oobleck, who was speeding around the class, a mug of coffee in hand.
"Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution-more popularly known as the Faunus War-," Oobleck zooms up to the front of the class and the map covered in papers behind his desk. "Humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie." Oobleck points at the map and takes a sip of his coffee. "Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!"
Oobleck zooms behind his desk
"What the hell is he drinking?" Crimson asks, trying to keep up.
"Caffeinated sugar...?" Fenrir guesses, shrugging.
"Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?" Oobleck asks. A few students raise their hands and even the girl with the bunny ears rose her hand up. "Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!"
Oobleck takes another sip of his coffee
"I mean, I mean, I mean just look at what happened to White Fang! Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the War?" Weiss raises her hand. "Yes, Miss Schnee?"
"The battle at Fort Castle." Weiss answers.
"Indeed! Who else can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?"
Cardin flicks a piece of paper and it hits Jaune in the back of the head, who wakes up just as he's dozing off
"H-hey!"
Oobleck zooms up to Jaune's desk
"Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?" Oobleck asks.
"Uh the answer..." As Jaune tries to figure out the answer, he looks past Oobleck to notice Pyrrha making hand motions. "To that guys stuff..."
Pyrrha then cups her hands to her eyes, giving Jaune the answer he thinks is correct.
"Uh binoculars!!" Jaune answers with full confidence.
Pyrrha facepalms and the students begin to laugh
"I wonder if he's embarrassing himself on purpose or if he's just naturally stupid." River says, earning a bump to the shoulder by Jotaro.
"Very funny, Mr. Arc!" Oobleck says after sipping his mug, then looks at Cardin. "Cardin, perhaps you would like to open up on the subject?"
"Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier." Cardin says, earning a disapproving nod from the teacher
"You're not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?" Pyrrha asks.
"What? You got a problem?"
"No, I have the answer! It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark." Pyrrha answers.
"General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured." Jotaro adds.
"Perhaps if he would have studied like someone else we know, he wouldn't have had to become such a failure." Blake says, glaring at Cardin and earning a snicker from Fenrir.
Cardin gets up angrily from the disrespect he was getting by you and the others until Oobleck takes a sip from his mug
"Mr. Winchester, please take your seat" Oobleck requests, noticing Jaune's laughter. "You AND Mr. Arc can join me after class for additional readings."
Jaune sighs after hearing he has to stay in class.
"Now! Moving on!!"
*
After class, Teams CJVR and JNPR were the last to leave the classroom until Jotaro and Pyrrha stop walking
"You guys go ahead, I'll wait for Jaune." Pyrrha says, rubbing her arm.
"Ok!" Nora nods.
"See you later." Ren says as he and his partner leave.
"You coming, partner?" Fenrir asks Jotaro.
"No, I'll meet you back at the dorm, there is something I would like to discuss with Jaune." Jotaro replies.
"Is it more important than curfew?" River asks.
"Yes, it is." Jotaro nods.
The others leave as Pyrrha and Jotaro wait. Inside the classroom Dr. Oobleck was talking to Jaune and Cardin
"You two have been struggling in my class since day one! Now, I don't know if it's a lack of interest, or just your stubborn nature, but whatever it is... It stops now! You've worked hard to gain entrance to this school, and we only accept the best of the best, so I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen! If you can't learn from it... you're destined to repeat it. Pages fifty-one to ninety-one! I want an essay on my desk by next class! Now! Run along!!" Oobleck dashes out the classroom
Jaune and Cardin exit the class, Cardin pushes Jaune to the floor and runs away.
"You know...I really will break his legs." Pyrrha says, helping Jaune up
Jotaro just sighs in annoyance from Cardin's actions. Pyrrha grabs Jaune's arm with a smirk on her face
"I got an idea, come on!!" Pyrrha grabs Jaune's arm and leads him somewhere with Jotaro following behind.
*
Pyrrha leads Jaune to the roof of the dorm. They both look at the view and Jaune looks at Pyrrha
"Pyrrha, I know I'm going through a tough time right now but I'm not THAT depressed." Jaune says, looking over the edge. "I could always be a farmer or...something."
"Jaune, no!! That's not why we brought you up here!" Jotaro says, pulling Jaune away from the edge by his arm.
"Jotaro's right! Jaune, we know you're having a difficult time in class and that you're still not the strongest of fighters, so... I want to help you!" Pyrrha offers
"W-what?" Jaune asks, a bit surprised
"We both wish to help." Jotaro adds. "You can improve your skills, train up here after class where no one shall bother us."
"You guys think I need help?" Jaune asks, rubbing his arm
"That's not what we meant." Pyrrha clarifies.
"But you just said it." Jaune points out
"Jaune, everybody needs a push when they feel vulnerable. It doesn't make you any different from the rest of us." Jotaro assures.
"Jotaro's right." Pyrrha nods. "You made it to Beacon! That speaks volumes of what you're capable of!"
"You're wrong...I don't belong here." Jaune says, turning around
"That's a terrible thing to say, of course you do!!" Pyrrha assures Jaune, a hand on his shoulder
"No I don't!!!" Jaune snaps, shoving Pyrrha's hand away. He faces the view saying: "I wasn't really accepted into Beacon."
"What are you talking about?" Jotaro asks, surprised and slightly curious.
"I mean I didn't go to combat school, I didn't pass any tests. I didn't earn my spot at this Academy!" Jaune looks at Pyrrha, then Jotaro "I lied! I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I lied!"
"But...why?" Pyrrha asks, dejectedly
"Cause this is always what I've wanted to be! My father, my grandfather, and his father before him were all warriors! They were all heroes! I wanted to be one, too. I was just never good enough." Jaune explains
"Then let us help you!" Pyrrha presses only for Jotaro to grab Pyrrha's shoulder, telling her to keep Jaune's space.
"I don't want help! I don't want to be the damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!" Jaune vents, taking a breath afterwards.
"Jaune..." Pyrrha reaches out to Jaune only for him to step away
"Just leave me alone."
"If that's what you want." Pyrrha leaves the roof and Jaune looks into the distance, Jotaro approaches Jaune with some words of wisdom
"Jaune, even heroes need help from time to time. It's how most of us made it into Beacon at all...rushing into danger would only get you killed...think about that..."
Jotaro takes his leave, as he reaches the open door he looks at the frame for a moment then sighs, walking down the stairs. After Jotaro leaves, the door closes from behind to show Crimson who looks outside and sighs. As Jaune continues to look at the distance, he hears someone laughing
"Oh Jaune..."
Jaune looks at the edge and see's Cardin climbing up
"I couldn't help but hear you two at my dorm room. So, you snuck into Beacon huh? I didn't know you would be such a rebel." Cardin crosses his arms
"Please, Cardin! Don't tell anyone!" Jaune begs.
"Oh Jaune i would never rat out a friend like that!" Cardin assures suspiciously
"A...friend?" Jaune asks, confused
He traps Jaune in a headlock under his arm despite his struggling
"Of course! We're friends now, Jauney boy!" Cardin traps Jaune in a headlock under his arm despite Jaune's struggling. "And the way I see it, as long as you're there for me when I need you, we'll be friends for a long time." Cardin drops Jaune, making him fall on the floor. "That being said, I really don't have time to do those extra readings Dr. Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that for me, buddy?"
Cardin pets Jaune's head and goes back to the edge, climbing down.
"Don't worry Jaune. Your secret is safe with me." Cardin climbs back down to his room, leaving Jaune terrified about what will happen next
*
A few days later, in team JNPR's room Nora was jumping on the bed and Ren was working on his weapon, Pyrrha was sitting on a chair looking out the window
"How come Jaune gets home so late?" Nora asks
"He hasn't been around much since he's been fraternizing with Cardin." Ren answers, cleaning his gun
"That's weird, doesn't he know we have a field trip tomorrow? We need our rest!!" Nora lands her back on the bed
"I'm sure our leader knows exactly what he's doing." Pyrrha says, a hint of disdain in her voice
"If you say so..." Nora says in uncertainty
Pyrrha continues to star at the window while Ren and Nora exchange worried glances. Pyrrha sighs, standing up.
"I need some air." Pyrrha says, walking to the door.
"It's almost past curfew." Ren hastily informs.
"I won't be long." Pyrrha assures, opening the door.
Outside the dorm room, Jaune quickly hides behind the door as Pyrrha exits, walking to her right and out of Jaune's sight. He closes the door and sighs.
"Hey Jaune!"
Jaune turns around and sees Ruby, startled from her sudden presence.
"Whatcha doing? Did you lock yourself out again?" Ruby asks, pointing at him
"Uh nope!" Jaune shows his scroll, to make sure that he still has a key. "Got it!!"
"So, why you up so late?"
Jaune tries to think of a good lie...but what really is a good lie? What is there to say for a perfect excuse? He drank too much coffee? That's Nora's schtick. Couldn't sleep because he had nightmares? Believable, but flat out lame to him. In the end, Jaune sighs as he decides to tell the truth in a vague perspective.
"I messed up." Ruby tilts her head curiously at Jaune's response. "I did something I shouldn't have, and now Cardin has me on a leash, and Pyrrha won't even talk to me, and... I'm starting to think coming to this school was a bad idea." Jaune presses his back against the wall and sits down. "I'm a failure..."
"Nope!" Ruby replies
"N-nope?" Jaune repeats, a little surprised
"Nope! You're a leader now, Jaune. You're not allowed to be a failure."
"But...what if I'm a failure at being a leader?"
"Hmm...nope!"
"You know, you're not the easiest person to talk to!" Jaune chuckles.
"Nope!" Ruby replies, sitting next to Jaune
*
Outside of Beacon, Pyrrha arrives at the cliff where initiation began. Stepping near the cliff's edge, she looks up at the broken moon in the night sky. She shouldn't be mad at Jaune...he has every right to reject her help...and Jotaro's...but why can't she let it go? Why can't she understand Jaune's position even if she tries? Only a sigh escapes from Pyrrha's lips; she can't find the answer...and she may never.
Her thoughts are put to a halt when Pyrrha hears a snapping twig in the forest behind her. Could it be Grimm? This close to school grounds? Can't be...it's secure...right? Pyrrha can sense something speeding towards her, through reflex.
Pyrrha catches it and throws it right back with twice as much force. Fenrir ducks from the incoming rock as it bores through a tree.
"Damn, that's one helluva throwing arm, sport." Fenrir chuckles as he stands up
"Fenrir? What are you doing here?" Pyrrha asks, a little surprised
"That's what I was gonna ask, you don't normally stay up past curfew." Fenrir crosses his arms. "Something must be bugging you."
"It's...nothing. I don't wanna bother you with my own problems." Pyrrha says, turning her back towards Fenrir
"Pyrrha, you're my rival. And the last thing I want is my rival getting distracted by her own little problems. So, if you confess your problems to me, I might be able to help you." Fenrir explains. "And let's be honest, that sour look on your face doesn't suit you at all."
"I guess you don't know me that well...then" Pyrrha sighs
"Pyrrha..." Fenrir puts a hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. She sighs; Pyrrha can feel that Fenrir won't let this go, so she has no other Just but to talk to him.
"It's not exactly something I should speak of...Jaune has told me a...very surprising secret."
"Is Jaune a woman?" Pyrrha shoots an offended glare towards Fenrir who raises his hands in defense. "Sorry, sorry, just trying to lighten the air...keep going."
"Anyway...he told me something he knows would get him in trouble. Jaune merely wanted to be like his ancestors, to protect the innocent and save the day...but he felt useless ever since he entered Beacon." Pyrrha sits beside the cliff, Fenrir sits next to her as she continues. "We tried to help him, Jotaro and I, but he only pushed us away. And now he's hanging out with Cardin. I thought...I thought Jaune would be different from everyone else I knew...but clearly I was wrong. And I feel betrayed because of him..."
"Should that really be an excuse to give up on him?" Fenrir asks, Pyrrha looks at him, confused. "Just because he pushed you away and is hanging around with the school douche, that shouldn't be an excuse for you to avoid him!"
"It's not that simple, Fenrir. You don't know what Jaune told me, the secret he's kept for so long!"
"Does it matter? Have you ever stopped to think about WHY Jaune's hanging out with Winchester? Maybe he figured out his secret after telling you!"
Pyrrha tries to argue against Fenrir, but sighs, knowing they'll be in vain.
*
"Jaune, maybe you were a failure when you were a kid..." Ruby starts, making Jaune slouch. "And you maybe a failure when we first met." Jaune slouches more. "But you can't be a failure now. Do you know why?"
"Uh because?"
"Because you have a team now Jaune, you, me and Fenrir, and if we go down, we'll just be dragging them down with us, so we gotta put our teammates first, and ourselves second." Ruby stands up and walks back to her dorm but not before giving Jaune one last look
"Your team deserves a great leader Jaune, and I think you have the potential to be that leader."
*
"When it comes to friends, you should never ever give up on them." Fenrir starts. "Sure, it's ok to tease, make fun of, sometimes even roughen them up. But that's a way to show you CARE, because you've been around each other long enough you can tolerate their antics. Yes, Blondie may not be the perfect Huntsman...but I can tell he has the drive to be one. He may not want your help, but that doesn't mean he won't NEED it. You have to be there for him even if he doesn't want you to. If you give up on Jaune...you've already lost him."
Pyrrha looks out at the forest's horizon, thinking on Fenrir's words.
"Just give the guy another chance...and who knows?" Fenrir stands up, offering Pyrrha a hand. "One day, Jaune'll do something to surprise you."
Pyrrha looks at Fenrir's hand, then smiles; she takes his hand, pulling herself up.
"Thank you, Fenrir...you've given me a lot to think about. I'm glad to have you as my rival." Pyrrha says, smiling.
"Someone's gotta make sure you're not distracted...that's a point for me by the way." Fenrir smirks.
"Wh-wha...?" Pyrrha blinks in surprise.
"I gave you a speech to snap you out of that little slump earlier. That means, I get a point of encouragement."
"No, you don't, that shouldn't count!" Pyrrha laughs.
"It does to me, that means I'm ahead of you!" Fenrir argues, walking away.
"No it doesn't! You only caught me off guard!" Pyrrha chases Fenrir
"Didn't you catch me off guard with that chair mishap?"
"That's different! Don't turn this around on me!!" Pyrrha laughs, hitting Fenrir's shoulder
*
As morning arrives, Jaune is currently in the Emerald forest, holding a cardboard box marked "W" on it. Jaune sighs, still thinking on Ruby's words...how can people rely on him now that he's Cardin's personal errand boy? Speaking of which, why would Cardin need rapier wasps? To have them chase Jaune around endlessly? Just the thought is enough to make him shiver.
As Jaune looks around, he hears the buzzing of wasps coming from a tree to his right. A small hive of Wasps are settling on a tree branch, an entire hive of those things should be enough...but how the heck is gonna get them in the box with getting stung?
"Hey Jaune!"
Jaune yelps at the sudden call of his name, dropping the box and to his knees in cowardice. When Jaune looks behind him, still crouched to his knees; it was only Crimson who called him
"Oh, hey Crimson...what are you doing here?" Jaune asks, standing up.
"Looking for you, River told me he spotted you entering this forest looking for Wasps...may I ask why?"
"It's a long story..." Jaune sighs. "I found their hive up that tree...but I haven't figured out how to get it in here." Jaune picks up the empty box.
"I've got an idea. Put that thing on the ground and under the hive." Crimson says, walking towards the Wasp infested tree.
"Why? Why are you helping me?" Jaune asks, a little surprised.
"Because there's a couple things I'd like to say to you. Just hold the box down, and when it's ready, close it as quick as you can."
"O-ok!" Jaune quickly sets the box under the hive, holding it to the ground in ready formation.
Seeing Jaune at the ready, Crimson puts his hand on the tree's trunk, getting a feel for it. He looks at Jaune, giving him a nod; Jaune nods back, giving Crimson the opportunity to slam the trunk with his fist, sending a shockwave into the tree hard enough for the hive to drop it's branch and lands into Jaune's box.
"Now! Close it!" Crimson urgently shouts.
Jaune quickly closes the box, pulls out a roll of tape from his pocket and seals it up so no Wasps could try and escape for their angry vengeance.
"Ha, that got them. Thanks for the help." Jaune sighs, standing up. "So what'd you wanna talk about?"
"This." Crimson walks up to Jaune and punches his jaw, knocking the blonde knight to the ground in pain.
"OW!! What the heck was THAT for?!" Jaune cries, caressing his jaw.
"First of all, it was for hurting Pyrrha's feelings!"
"Was that really worth a punch to the face?! It's bad enough I feel like a jerk, I don't wanna be your personal punching bag for that too!"
"There's more...it was also to knock some sense into you." Crimson continues, hands on his hips. "I mean, come on, Jaune. Following Cardin around like a puppy? Doing everything he tells you to? Collecting dangerous bugs most likely for his amusement?! When will this end?!"
"It's not like I'm doing everything Cardin tells me, because I could leave him whenever I want!" Jaune shouts, standing up.
"Ok, so why don't you?"
"Because I–well he can't–he doesn't–," Jaune tries using whatever excuse he can think of while Crimson folds his arms, knowing he has the upper hand in this argument. "Ok, you got me...Cardin will never leave me alone...but it's not that easy, he's got me by the leash and if I don't do what he says, he'll have me expelled from this academy, and that's the last thing I want! What am I supposed to do?!"
Jaune leans against a tree behind him, sliding down in a sitting position. He looks at the ground in shame.
"How can I be a great leader if I already let them down?"
Crimson looks at Jaune in silence, thinking of whatever words he has to say. Instead, he can only pass on a lesson he learned.
"Jaune, a long time ago, I used to be afraid of everyone bigger than me."
"Really? You, of all people, were scared?" Jaune scoffs.
"Let me finish, wise-ass." Crimson nonchalantly snaps, followed with a sigh. "As I was saying, I was scared of any kind of confrontation. Used to be a cowering rat in the streets. But a few years after I joined a clan, our leader offered me a choice which defined my entire life. 'Crimson, do you wanna exist as someone who cowers under the bed like a chicken, or as someone who's able to stand up for the little guys, someone you could eventually inspire and raise an entire generation who'd follow your lead?' It was that very choice that lead me into becoming who I am, and who I wish to be. And when I look at myself in the mirror, I see that I made the right choice...that I didn't have to be afraid of anyone now."
"Why are you telling me this, Crimson?" But Crimson doesn't answer that question; instead, he walks up to Jaune and kneels in front of him.
"Let me ask you a question, Jaune. Would you rather be Cardin's doormat just because he's holding some baggage over your head or are you gonna act like a real hero and stand up to assholes like him?" He offers Jaune a hand with a smirk on his face.
*
The following hours, Teams CJVR, RWBY, JNPR and CRDL are following professor Peach through the Forever Fall forest, who inhales the forest's leaves in joy.
"Oh the Forever Fall forest is quite breathtaking isn't it students?! I could stay here forever, but unfortunately, we are here on an important field trip, I will need every one of you to collect samples of tree sap all around the forest." Peach requests, turning to the students with a gleeful smile.
"What would we need with sap?" Crimson asks, only to get a shrug from River
"Forever Fall tree sap is one of many ingredients to create Valean Syrup, though it originated here, there are many Syrup houses in Patch which are highly popular in crafting said syrup. I would know because my family did a few dealings with their houses in Patch for years." Jotaro explains with a smirk on his face.
"Yet another info dump by the glorious Kurozaki of Vytalpedia." Fenrir jokes with a smirk. Jotaro's expression changes from pride to annoyance after receiving the title.
"And I'm here to make sure you children are safe and not mauled by any Grimm! That happened on one of my last field trips, and boy was Goodwitch not happy." Peach laughs nervously. Jaune was carrying a box full of bottles and bumps into Cardin. Cardin gives Jaune an angered look and Jaune just quickly looks away whistling. "Now then, details! Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here by 4 o'clock. Have fun!"
Cardin grabs Jaune by his collar just as the blonde knight was about to sneak away.
"Come on buddy! Let's go."
Jaune looks upon his team but Pyrrha only gives him a hurtful look as he is dragged away by Cardin and his team.
*
Time later, Team CRDL is making themselves as comfortable as possible by leaning on stones, trees, and the ground. Jaune approaches the group with six jars of sap, he drops them to the ground and falls down face first
"Great work Jaune! That wasn't so hard was it?" Cardin asks happily.
"I think I'm allergic to this stuff..." Jaune responds, a little nasally
"Yeah that's nice, anyway, I bet you're wondering 'Why did my buddy Cardin, send me to grab six jars of sap when there's only five of us?'"
"That is one of many questions, yes." Jaune nods. Cardin then helps Jaune back up to his feet with a smile
"Well come with me, and I'll show you"
They approach the hilltop and they look over the edge to see other students
"Cardin, what's going on?" Jaune asks, slightly scared of the answer
"Payback." Cardin responds with venom in his voice
Jaune looks at what Cardin was looking at and see's he was talking about Fenrir, who's gathering his own sap
"Fenrir? What about him?"
"That's the guy! No good eyepatch wearing punk!! Thinking he's better than us!! I've been wanting to get back at him for weeks...and I finally have the opportunity." Cardin pulls out a box with a "W" on it. "Last night, old Jaune here managed to round up an entire box of Rapier Wasps, and now, we're gonna put him to work. Now, according to one of the essays you wrote for me last week, these nasty things loooove sweets. So I was thinking we can teach that punk a lesson." Cardin gives the jar full of sap to Jaune. "And you're gonna do it!"
"What?" Jaune asks, surprised.
"Hit Calavera with the sap! Either that, or I'll have a chat with Goodwitch and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon."
Jaune looks at Fenrir and raises up the jar, ready to throw it at him, but as he does, he slowly remembers the words his friends told him.
"Jaune, even heroes need help from time to time"
"Your team deserves a greatest leader, Jaune"
"Would you rather be Cardin's doormat just because he's holding some baggage over your head or are you gonna act like a real hero and stand up to assholes like him?"
"...No" Jaune lowers the jar in defiance
"What did you just say?" Cardin asks, a little surprised.
"I said...NO!!" Jaune tosses the jar at Cardin and looks to notice, he's now covered in sap
"Oh ho you've done it now." Cardin laughs, mostly to mask his own anger as his team grabs Jaune and drag him into the woods.
*
In the woods, Cardin grabs Jaune, who has a few bruises, and picks him up
"You know that wasn't very smart, Jauney boy. I'm gonna make sure they send you back to mommy in teeny tiny pieces."
"Do whatever you want with me, but I'll NEVER let you hurt my friends!" Jaune growls, tired of being Cardin's personal doormat after everything he's been through.
"What? You think talk like that makes you tough? You think you're a big strong man now?" Jaune puts up a smile to answer his question and Cardin punches him again only for Jaune to emit a bright light and Cardin drops Jaune and holds his hand in pain. Jaune looks at himself and sees that he is glowing
"Whoa..." Jaune looks up to see Cardin and his team approaching him.
"Let's see how much of a man you really are."
Then, they hear a growl behind them. Looking behind, they see an Ursa Major roaring at them
"That's a big Ursa!!!" Russel screams. Cardin's team starts to run away like little girls while Jaune and Cardin were the only ones left. The Ursa lets out a giant roar. Meanwhile the other students heard the roar from a distance
"Did you guys hear that?" Ruby asks.
"That sounded far." River adds
Cardin's team continues running away from the direction of the roar.
"Ursa, Ursa!!!!" Russel exclaims only to bump into Yang who grabs him by his jacket
"What? Where?!" Yang demands
"Back there it's got Cardin!!" Russel points behind him, struggling out of Yang's grip.
Pyrrha drops her jar
"Jaune!!!" Pyrrha gasps, realizing he could be in danger.
"Yang, Blake! Find Professor Peach!" Ruby orders.
Pyrrha looks at Nora and Ren
"You two! Go with them, there could be more." Pyrrha suggests to Nora and Ren who nod in understanding.
"Jotaro, give Ruby and Pyrrha a hand, we'll go get the Professor!!" Fenrir orders, with Crimson and River standing behind him
"Understood!" Jotaro nods
Pyrrha, Ruby, Weiss and Jotaro go to where Jaune and Cardin are. Meanwhile, Cardin was crawling away from the Ursa
"Crap crap crap!!" Cardin tries bringing out his mace but the Ursa knocks it off his hands and before the Ursa could kill Cardin, Jaune saves him by using his shield. Jotaro and the girls show up and Weiss was readying her weapon
"Wait!" Pyrrha raises her hand to stop them, implying they should observe for now.
Jaune tries to charge at the Ursa but it hits him in the face causing him to fall to the ground. Jaune gets back up and looks at his scroll, checking his aura level. Jaune charges at the Ursa and before Jaune could attack it, Pyrrha stretches her arm and Jaune's shield blocks the Ursa's attack. Jaune cuts the head off the Ursa and Pyrrha moves her arm down
"Uhh what?" Ruby expresses confusion.
"How did you...?" Weiss starts
"Well, Ruby has her speed, you have your glyphs and Jotaro has his Detective Vision. my Semblance, is polarity." Pyrrha explains
"You can control poles?" Ruby asks
"No you dunce! It means she has control over magnets." Weiss scolds.
"Magnets are cool too."
They notice Pyrrha walking away and sheathing her weapon
"Where are you going?" Weiss asks
"Yeah! We have to tell what happened!"
"We could...or we could make this our little secret."
"Agreed, let's allow Jaune to revel in his own victory."
*
Time later at the roof of the dorm, Jaune was looking out in the distance, breathing in the nightly air
"No Cardin tonight?" Pyrrha approaches Jaune from behind with Jotaro.
"Didn't you say you two were best buds?" Jotaro asks, with an amusing tone.
Jaune turns around, facing Pyrrha and Jotaro.
"Guys...I'm sorry. I was a jerk! You were only trying to be nice, and... I had all this stupid macho stuff in my head-"
"Jaune! It's okay!" Pyrrha assures, hand on Jaune's cheek.
"There is no need for apologies."
"Jotaro's right! Your team really misses their leader, you know." Pyrrha turns around and walks to the door. "You should come down! Ren made pancakes! No syrup, though - you can thank Nora for that!"
"It's Crimson's fault for challenging her into an eating contest." Jotaro chuckles, following Pyrrha
"Wait!!" Jaune calls. Pyrrha and Jotaro stop and turn around to face Jaune. "I know I don't deserve it after all that happened, but... would you still be willing to help me... to help me become a better fighter?" Jaune looks at Jotaro. "And can you help me with proper sword play?! Perhaps learn skills that can help me survive?"
"I...suppose it would not hurt to offer you a few lessons..." Jotaro smirks, turning to Pyrrha. "Pyrrha...?"
Pyrrha begins to think and she goes up to Jaune then suddenly pushes her leader to the floor
"H-Hey!"
"Your stance is all wrong. You need to be wider and lower to the ground." Pyrrha lectures, taking Jaune's hand and now pulls him up. "Let's try that again
"And once Pyrrha is finished, we should also focus on your sword stance to give you an advantage." Jotaro smiles, earning a nod from Jaune, ready for more of his training.
End of Chapter 10