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.

7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Bonds and Promises

A few weeks had passed, and the three teams seemed to be in a better place emotionally. Ruby spent her time studying history with Jimmy, while Yang trained with Ren and Jane to help Yang refine her power. Jaune, however, barely spent time with his team—he was constantly hanging around, or rather being ordered around, by Cardin and his group. Meanwhile, Weiss often trained with Pyrrha, and Nora… well, calling what she did with Ranger "training" didn't seem accurate. It was more like pure torture for him. However, their unlikely partnership turned out to be beneficial—Ranger's endurance improved, and he helped Nora refine her aim, focus on hidden techniques, and sharpen her ability to detect people in stealth.

During a sparring session in Professor Goodwitch's class, a massive explosion erupted. Jimmy's Firefly Technique had once again devastated the arena. His opponent lay on the ground, burned and in need of medical attention.

"Winner: Jimmy! Also—HOLD BACK!" Professor Goodwitch yelled, exasperated.

"I am trying to control it!" Jimmy shouted back in frustration. "But my new training is making my flames even stronger!"

Yang, watching from the sidelines, burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Professor Goodwitch waved her riding crop, instantly restoring the damaged training area with her semblance.

"Next time, I'll be your opponent," she declared, her sharp eyes locking onto Jimmy. "And I will force you to control your power."

Jimmy gulped, a shiver of fear running down his spine.

"Next match—Yang versus Cardin."

Yang grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Finally! I've been meaning to test a new way to beat that bitch ass."

"Swear jar," Ruby chimed in.

"I'll pay you after my date tomorrow, deal?" Yang countered.

Ruby sighed. "Fine."

As the match began, Cardin activated his semblance, which allowed him to analyze his opponent's weaknesses. But something was off—when he focused on Yang, he found… nothing. No weak points. No flaws.

He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and checked again. Still nothing.

Confused, he stood frozen, hesitating instead of attacking. She even let out a yawn.

This didn't go unnoticed. Professor Goodwitch narrowed her eyes. Normally, Cardin would have rushed in, exploiting his opponent's vulnerabilities. The fact that he wasn't attacking meant one of two things—either Yang's skill had improved dramatically, or something else was at play.

What was she hiding?

And why hadn't she used her semblance once since arriving at Beacon?

"So, are you ready? Because I am." Yang grinned, her confidence radiating. "Or are you afraid of me?"

She knew she was perfect—her skills and semblance protected her effortlessly, even without activating it.

Cardin charged at her, mace in hand. But Yang moved like the wind, weaving around him with precision. She focused on the air currents, sensing where his defenses were weakest, then delivered a single, devastating punch.

His Aura shattered instantly.

Cardin barely realized what had happened until Professor Goodwitch called the match.

Defeated and humiliated, he clenched his fists in anger, but Yang just smirked and returned to her team, not even acknowledging his frustration. She wanted to hit him where it hurts—his pride.

Jimmy watched the match, excitement bubbling within him at his partner's sheer ferocity. But then his mind drifted into dangerous territory.

Good thoughts, not those thoughts, he scolded himself.

The wolf spirit within him stirred, whispering in his mind. It craved more than just battle—it wanted lust, power, and experience.

'He's thinking about it,' the wolf murmured to Yang.

'Oh, I know. I can feel it from here,' she replied, blushing slightly.

Ruby, sitting nearby, noticed and frowned, feeling a twinge of jealousy. She had been growing more sensitive to the bonds between them—sometimes even asking to speak with the Beasts just for conversation.

Drowning out her thoughts, she threw herself into her books, studying with Weiss. But Jimmy could sense she was pushing herself too hard. With a smirk, he picked up a small empty can and casually tossed it at Ruby's head.

She glared at him, then at the can, before looking back up.

Jimmy mouthed, 'Stop. You're reaching your limit.'

She rolled her eyes but set the book down. Then she mouthed back, 'I wanna fight later.'

Jimmy grinned and gave her a thumbs-up.

Professor Goodwitch, ignoring their silent exchange, launched a training orb straight at Jimmy's head.

THWACK.

"No throwing things in my class," she said firmly.

The students chuckled. The teacher always seemed extra aggressive toward Jimmy—he had a habit of causing trouble, even if it wasn't intentional. But they all knew he had a good heart. He never acted like a clown, but he always found ways to cheer people up, even if it meant embarrassing himself.

Ranger, watching the interaction, couldn't help but laugh. Some things never change.

Late That Night

Jane and Ranger had kicked Jimmy out of their dorm, forcing him to crash with Team JNPR for the night.

"Why are you here again?" Jaune asked, watching as Jimmy dragged in a pillow and blanket.

Ren just smirked, while Pyrrha burst out laughing at Jaune's confusion.

Nora, however, turned bright red when she realized why Jane wanted Jimmy out of the room. And she hadn't even warned him!

The next morning, Ren prepared breakfast, and Jimmy, feeling inspired, decided to bake something sweet. He ended up making a full tray of brownies—and then proceeded to eat them all himself.

He sighed, slumping back in his chair. "Man… I want more."

The rest of Team JNPR just laughed at the Flame Swordsman's childlike behavior. Despite his strength, he was still just a guy who loved sweets.

School life was going well. The Inner City had taken a liking to Jimmy, supporting him wholeheartedly. However, some businesses weren't so lucky—shops that earned his disapproval struggled, and a few even closed down.

Like the candy shop that had to relocate because Jimmy avoided it. And since people followed his lead, its business collapsed.

Sometimes, he even dragged Weiss into the city to help with community efforts—cleaning buildings, assisting Faunus workers, and lending a hand to struggling families. She complained about it, of course, but deep down, she understood his reasoning.

It wasn't just about charity.

It was about changing her image.

The Schnee name had always carried weight, but now it was beginning to gain a positive reputation—not just among humans, but even among some Faunus.

However, this shift didn't go unnoticed.

One evening, Weiss received a threatening phone call from her father. He had seen a viral video of her helping Faunus clean graffiti off a building.

His voice was cold. "What do you think you're doing?"

Weiss simply hung up.

Jimmy had made an unsettling discovery—Ren's semblance completely nullified his senses. Normally, Jimmy could detect emotions with ease, but against Ren, he was blind.

This realization frustrated him.

But then, another revelation struck—despite his lack of emotional awareness, he could still dodge attacks in seemingly impossible ways.

This pushed Ren to refine his semblance even further, attempting to vanish completely from Jimmy's awareness. With time, he started seeing some success.

Meanwhile, Jane had been pushing herself harder than ever. She spent her days challenging second-year students, sometimes even engaging in brutal sparring matches against other Faunus. She sought to sharpen her beastly instincts, honing her raw physicality over reliance on weapons. However, despite some victories, she often found herself overwhelmed by even the most basic attacks when left unarmed.

Everyone was growing stronger.

And yet, Jimmy felt alone.

The voices in his head—the ones that had always been with him—had gone silent.

For the first time in a long while, he wasn't needed.

That loneliness crept into his bones, an unfamiliar weight settling on his chest. Did he still have a purpose? Was he really a good leader… or just a lone wolf?

Whenever those thoughts threatened to consume him, Yang always seemed to find him—as if sensing exactly when he needed her most.

Outside Vale

Jimmy sat outside the city, hugging his knees, lost in thought.

"Hey, you okay?" Yang's voice was gentle yet firm.

He exhaled slowly. "Yeah… It's just… my team is getting stronger, but I can't help them anymore." His hands clenched around his legs.

Yang sat beside him, stretching her arms behind her head. "Well, yeah. You can only train someone up to your level—after that, it's on them." She nudged him with her elbow. "But don't forget, you've been training me. I took out Cardin's aura in one hit thanks to you."

Jimmy forced a small smile, but the doubt in his chest didn't fade. "Am I a good leader… or am I just a lone wolf?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "Am I even a good partner to you, Yang?"

She frowned, sensing something deeper—something dark stirring inside him.

"Jimmy." She grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly. "You're my partner. Get used to it." Her voice softened. "And you've been there for Ruby too. I mean, I couldn't ask for someone kinder." Then, she smirked, teasing, "Besides… you've been getting pretty bold with your actions toward her lately."

Jimmy met her gaze, his chocolate brown eyes darkening slightly.

Yang noticed the shift—the primal hunger behind them.

Something inside her burned.

An idea sparked in her mind. If he was falling into his instincts, then maybe…

"Our date," she said suddenly, her tone shifting. "What should I wear? I've been waiting half a month."

Jimmy blinked, momentarily thrown off. But then, a slow smirk crept across his lips.

"Oh, I have ideas…" His voice dipped, teasing, taunting.

Yang recognized that look—that tone—and heat rushed to her cheeks. But she didn't back down. She had expected this. She had wanted this.

"Ohhh, I see where you're going with this," she purred, her body warming as her instincts flared.

Jimmy leaned in, his fingers tilting her chin up toward him, his wolf-like irises glowing faintly.

"A short skirt," he murmured. "Something that shows you off—shows everyone that you belong to me."

His grip was firm, yet careful. His power, his lust, it was consuming him.

And she loved it.

Because he only became like this when they were alone.

Her mark pulsed, the bond between them growing hotter, stronger, deeper. The wolf inside her whispered: Become his mate. Become the pack leader.

Her breath hitched.

She resisted the thought—she wasn't ready for that step yet. But still, the idea of belonging to him, of being claimed, sent a shiver down her spine.

Jimmy's eyes glowed brighter. He wasn't controlling himself—he was following his instincts.

Yang's voice wavered, barely above a whisper.

"What will you use… to claim me?"

There was hesitation, but also a plea. She wasn't afraid. She wanted to be his.

"I have a gift for you when the date begins," Jimmy whispered in her ear.

Yang shivered, her body reacting to each word.

Before she could respond, a raven suddenly fell from a nearby tree, startling them both.

A strange emotion radiated from the bird—something neither of them could quite place. It was almost like… love.

The raven shakily stood, glanced at both of them, then flew away without a sound.

Yang blinked, still processing. "Uh… can animals even carry love in their hearts?"

Jimmy furrowed his brows. "Yeah, they can. But… that was strange. And where did it even come from?"

The moment snapped them both out of the lingering tension—the mix of lust and the power of the pack mark.

Jimmy exhaled, gathering his thoughts. "Hey, I'm sorry. I actually wanted to ask about your father and uncle. You've told me about them, but… what about your mother?" He hesitated, sensing he might be treading on painful ground. "I'm sorry if it brings up bad memories."

Yang simply waved him off.

"My mother left me and my father a long time ago," she said, her voice softer. "But… I believe she'll return one day." She touched her mark absentmindedly. "Sometimes, I feel her love—like she's close."

Then, she smirked. "By the way, my dad called me recently. He was mad at me—because of you."

Jimmy's eyes widened. "What did I do?" He nearly raised his hands in mock surrender, which made Yang laugh.

"Maybe because both me and Ruby like you?" she teased. "Oh, and because you marked me." She chuckled. "He demanded to see it, and when I showed him, you know what he said?" She lowered her voice, mimicking her father. 'A lady this young should NOT be getting tattoos!'

Yang burst into laughter. "So, when you meet Dad… dodge."

Jimmy smirked. "Well, even if I don't, my body will. You know that, don't you?"

As he stood, he reached out, gently pulling Yang up with him. He held her close, trying to be romantic, calculating each move carefully.

Yang knew what he was doing—but she didn't mind. He was trying, and that's all she wanted.

She leaned into him as they walked together, her fingers lacing through his, grasping his arm for warmth.

Then, in one swift motion, Jimmy drew his blade, flames igniting along its edge. In a single slash, he cut down three Grimm that had been lurking nearby.

Yang watched, smiling. His conviction, his power—he wanted to protect her. And that alone made her happy.

Jaune trudged through the halls, doing Cardin's dirty work again.

The blonde bully was in a sour mood, still bitter about how easily Yang had defeated him. His wounded pride festered like an open sore, and Jaune was the one paying the price.

Homework. Beatings. Humiliation. Jaune took it all, silent and patient. But Green eyes watched from the shadows, smiling.

'You are doing well as a defender. These past weeks, you've improved. But tell me—why do you wait?' The voice of the turtle spirit echoed in his mind.

Jaune clenched his jaw and answered internally. 'Because you taught me… retribution only comes when our friends or family are hurt. I'll act when I need to protect the school from him.' The turtle chuckled.

'You are learning well. I feel you are close—close to unlocking your semblance. But I will be busy soon… so don't expect me to be around for a while, my defender… my paladin.'

Jaune blinked.

"Paladin? What is that?" he muttered aloud.

Nearby, Pyrrha overheard and turned to him, concern in her green eyes.

"What happened?" she asked, noticing the dark bruise near his eye.

Jaune shrugged. "Nothing bad. Actually… something good. I learned more about myself."

Pyrrha frowned. "You're injured—and I'm just supposed to ignore it? You're important to me, and you're acting like this is nothing."

Jaune hesitated before gently cupping her face, his dark blue eyes locking onto hers.

"I know this is hard for you," he said softly. "But I'm training. This is part of it. I'm training… for you."

Pyrrha's breath caught. "For me?"

Jaune's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Isn't it obvious? I want to surpass you—so that I can truly be yours."

Pyrrha's face burned red, her mind racing. He wasn't just trying to prove himself. He was becoming better for her.

"You don't—" she started, but Jaune interrupted.

"I know," he said simply. "But I'm working on my spirit training with the turtle. Soon, you'll see my power."

Before she could say anything else, he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Then, with a soft smile, he walked away.

Pyrrha stood there, frozen, watching him go.

Her mind raced a mile a minute before she finally stopped thinking altogether.

"I want you to understand something, young Pyrrha," a voice spoke in her mind. "The turtle isn't harming him; he is making him stronger. All warriors must walk their own path. For men, that often means a need to protect. He will achieve his goal."

Pyrrha clenched her fists. "Solomon, right? I want you to hear me. If you hurt Jaune badly, I will come back and stab both you and him for forcing this whole situation."

No response came, but the message was understood.

Dinner was lively, filled with laughter—mostly at Yang's antics. Even Jaune managed to join, taking a break from his burdens.

Jimmy, sitting beside Ruby, took her book and held it, looking into her eyes. Without hesitation, she kissed his cheek.

"So… how's this whole relationship thing working out for you three?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, it's strange," Ruby admitted, "but it's almost serene when one of us is alone with him."

"He doesn't push too much, and he's really good at figuring out what we need. He's there to balance us out and make sure we don't overload each other," Yang added.

"I will say, when all three of us watch a movie, we never react the same way. And our discussions—especially when Ruby is studying—are always interesting. I feel like myself with them," Jimmy said.

Blake blushed. "I wonder what home life would be like with all three of you."

"Oh, you mean bed?" Yang grinned. "We're not that far yet. We're barely dating—our first dates are coming up soon."

Weiss turned red and fumbled for words. "It's great after the first time," Jane teased.

"NO talking like that! We are students training to become Huntresses! I don't want to hear anything like this anymore," Weiss huffed.

Yang smirked. "Oh? Has Weiss not had the talk yet?" she teased.

Weiss turned even redder, banging her head on the table, while Blake discreetly wiped a nosebleed, having imagined something a bit too vivid.

Jaune turned to Jimmy. "Hey, when was the last time you talked to your beast?"

"It's been a while—since initiation, I think. Why?" Jimmy asked.

Jaune frowned. "It's just strange that you don't communicate with them."

Everyone looked at Jimmy, waiting for an explanation.

"Well… I only talk with the flames occasionally. But they never respond unless I'm in danger. As for the wolf—I've never met them or even heard their voice."

Most of the group hid their reactions. They talked with his beasts quite often. Why didn't Jimmy? They tried reaching out mentally but stopped when they realized there was no connection—his beasts weren't responding or were actively avoiding contact.

"Well, maybe they're just focused on your training," Yang said, trying to shift the conversation.

"Yeah, actually—Jane, Ranger, did you finish the thing I asked for?" Jimmy asked.

Both of them grinned. "Everything's accounted for and ready for deployment," Ranger confirmed.

Yang blinked. "Why am I afraid now?"

"I'm very worried for you," Nora added.

"I think it's cute that he's going all out," Pyrrha admitted.

"Yeah, but it reminds me of a military operation," Weiss muttered.

Everyone nodded in agreement just as Cardin barged in, grabbing Jaune and demanding he come with him. The mood shifted instantly from laughter to tension.

Jimmy clenched his fists, flames rising within him. Yang felt the mark react—his rage simmering. Then Ruby felt something else—a foreign chaos lurking within him. It wasn't his. A laughter—thousands of voices—echoed inside her mind.

Jimmy noticed her fear and gently grabbed her face, snapping her out of it.

"It's okay. I'm fine. I just heard something… I don't remember what, but whatever," Ruby muttered, confused as the memory faded.

Jimmy turned his attention back to Cardin. "Why are you bullying my friend?"

Cardin smirked. "Why does it matter to the Flame Swordsman?"

Jimmy's flames ignite his fist. "Don't make me use techniques that consume my own life."

Cardin showed no reaction, just scoffed. The flames around Jimmy's hand extinguished, leaving behind pink and blackened skin.

"I'm not afraid of you," Cardin said. "I've noticed something... You're strange. You don't belong in this world."

Before anyone could react, he continued, "Your power—something about it—tells me you might end this world."

A heavy silence fell over them. There was no anger, just unease.

"You're telling the truth," Jimmy said after a moment. "Why do you believe that, if I may ask?"

"To be honest, I used my semblance on you to find your weakness," Cardin admitted. "I had to focus on you for a long time. Then I found it."

He paused, seeming unsure, before pointing downward. Everyone was confused by the gesture. Then he pointed to Jimmy's chest.

"The first is the planet. Meaning, I'd have to blow up the entire planet to kill you," Cardin stated. "The second is... yourself."

Everyone froze. His weakness was the planet itself? Or something inside him?

When Cardin finished speaking, he called his team over and walked away, leaving Jaune behind. His mood had soured, and the tension in the room was unbearable. The three teams shivered at his words, unsure if he was speaking the truth.

Then, both Ruby and Yang felt it. Fear. A wave of overwhelming terror that didn't belong to them—it belonged to Jimmy.

"Jimmy, are you okay?" Ruby asked cautiously.

But before Jimmy could respond, a voice came—one only the others could hear.

It was Solomon.

'Can he really feel them...?'

Jimmy's expression remained stone-cold. "I have to go. I'll meet you guys in the morning," he said, his voice too calm, too controlled.

Solomon sighed, his voice filling their minds.

'I'm sorry, but I need to tell you all something important. Cardin was right, in a way. Destroying the planet wouldn't be Jimmy's weakness—but the people on it would be. He would die for them. And as for the second thing… I hope it never gets out.'

'Tell us what this threat is!' Yang demanded. 'If Jimmy is carrying something dangerous, we need to know so we can help him!'

Another long pause.

'I can't tell you,' Solomon finally admitted. 'The man I used to serve sealed something away, and Jimmy carries that power. I just hope… I'm wrong.'

'I'm not accepting that,' Jane thought, nearly yelling. 'Tell us now!'

The wolf's voice came next. 'Please… don't make us say it.'

'We don't want him to lose you,' the turtle added.

'Even I'm afraid you'll leave him,' the dinosaur admitted.

Jaune clenched his fists. 'I can't believe what I'm hearing. You think we'd abandon Jimmy just because he has something he can't control?'

'That's not what we're truly afraid of,' Solomon responded.

Pyrrha's voice was firm. 'Then what? Please, tell us.'

A long silence. Then, Solomon finally spoke.

'Fine. We are afraid of freedom… and enslavement.'

The room grew even quieter.

Blake's voice was barely a whisper. 'He has… that power?'

'No, he does not.' Solomon's voice was sharp and final. Then, all at once, the connection between them was severed.

Weiss shuddered. "Why were they afraid of those words?"

"There was only fear in them," Pyrrha murmured. "Those two words—freedom and enslavement—they meant something. But the beasts are forbidden from explaining."

Ranger straightened. "Whatever it is, we need to stay by Jimmy's side. Whatever this power is, whatever it might do to him—it's going to hurt him. And he's going to need us."

Ruby nodded, determination in her silver eyes. "Yang, go check on Jimmy. I'll deal with this."

Yang hesitated but eventually agreed. Ranger and Jane followed her as she left.

"Guys," Ruby said, addressing the rest of them. "Let's head to Team JNPR's room. We need to talk about this."

Everyone got up and followed her.

With Jimmy in His Dorm

Jimmy sat by the window, staring blankly at the sunset. His eyes were dull, empty.

Jane let out a breath of relief. "Oh, thank god."

"Hi, guys," Jimmy said with a fake smile, eyes closed.

"Okay, stop faking," Jane said firmly. "I know what your closed eyes mean. You're feeling off."

"You can tell us if something's wrong," Ranger added.

Jimmy didn't move. He just kept staring out the window, watching as the orange sky slowly faded into night.

"Today, my power fluctuated. I was trapped in chains. Then, before my emotions started to go haywire and dark thoughts crept in, I wanted to kill Cardin—for a second—before I regained control. Something is happening, and those beasts aren't telling me anything," Jimmy said.

"I understand the whole killing thing. Everyone thinks that way sometimes, but it's okay." Yang grabbed his face, making sure he met her lilac-eyes.

"That's not what I meant. I wanted to decapitate him," Jimmy admitted.

Yang hugged him tightly. "As long as you don't do it, you'll be fine."

"Is Ruby okay? I felt something in her—something that made her afraid, but then she forgot," Jimmy asked.

"She's fine, trust me. Ruby wants to help you by trying to figure out what's wrong with everyone… and Jaune. She'll find out soon," Yang assured him.

'Do not tell him we are communicating with all of you. There is a reason for this—we hope to gain control. He needs connections from outside of us. If he relies on us too much, he will fall into despair,' the turtle said to Yang, Ranger, and Jane.

"Hey, Jimmy, it's been hard for everyone—especially for you. You were alone for years, then you started a new life, gained a girlfriend… You just need time," Jane said.

"Time." Jimmy repeated the word, as if trying to grasp it. Then, determination filled his eyes. "Jane, Ranger—we need to go to the Guardian Tree on Sunday. I think my soul needs it."

They both nodded in agreement.

"There's a train we can take. Let's make it a trip for all of us," Ranger suggested.

"With Team JJR, RWBY, and JNPR, right?" Jimmy asked, confirming.

"If the tree allows us," Jane added.

Yang hesitated, sadness creeping into her voice. "We don't have to go on our date then…" She tried to hide her discomfort, but it was clear.

"Fuck no! Do you know how much work I put into making this date better than anything in your amazing life?!" Jimmy practically yelled.

His conviction made Yang's heart race. She turned away, blushing. Jane, watching the moment unfold, suddenly had an idea.

"Let's fight," Jane said.

Jimmy grinned. "I bet there's an open training area. I don't mind a match. Yang, I want to see your semblance."

Yang smirked.

Ranger pulled them all out of the room, leading them to an empty training area. He quickly hacked the security cameras, setting them to loop so no one would know they were there.

"Everything is set. No restrictions—just the pure power of wind and flames," Ranger announced.

"Sounds good. Let the wind of the pack be unleashed," Jimmy declared, changing his blade to a glowing blue.

"I like this," Yang said, activating her semblance. Her golden hair flared into blue flames, her eyes glowing like the sky.

Ranger climbed up to a higher vantage point. "If you guys don't mind, I'd rather watch."

"Oh, but I'm not missing out," Jane grinned, dropping to all fours like a predator, baring her teeth.

They stood in a triangle, all three facing each other. Then, Yang made the first move. She fired earth bullets from her gauntlets, forcing Jimmy to dodge.

"Wind, guide the pack," Jimmy whispered, using the wind to bounce off the ground, shifting positions effortlessly. A confident smile spread across his face as he realized they couldn't touch him.

Jane was next—she rushed in from behind, throwing a flurry of punches aimed at his legs, targeting his pressure points. The moment she finished, Yang was in front of him, pushing him even harder. But this time, he couldn't dodge.

The wind surrounding him wasn't his—it was Yang's. Her control over it was distinct, almost overwhelming.

Jimmy's wind couldn't compare.

Instead, he adapted. He used his wind like a blade, cutting through hers.

Yang's wind was defensive, like a shield. His wind was offensive, a cutting force.

Even Yang was surprised by how different their elements were.

Jimmy's attack went through, striking her, but her wind absorbed the hit, fueling her power.

"Don't tell me the wind itself can absorb attacks now," Jimmy said as he leapt back, using the wind to propel himself further.

"Yes, I'm sorry if this blows for you," Yang quipped.

Jimmy smirked. "Sorry, but I'm quite a fan of yours."

Yang chuckled, momentarily distracted.

Jane took advantage, rushing at Jimmy from behind. But at the last second, Jimmy used the wind to launch himself over her, dodging completely—sending Jane's punch straight into Yang instead.

The impact shattered Yang's aura and wind barrier.

"Well, that was breezy. Jane, can't you pack it up?" Jimmy punned.

Yang was knocked back but quickly got to her feet. "I can take it."

Then, she retaliated, punching Jane and sending her flying, knocking her out cold.

Now, only Yang and Jimmy remained.

Yang grinned. Jimmy was smiling too—not just because of the fight, but because of something deeper. He wasn't just enjoying the battle; he was connecting with Yang, absorbing her emotions, feeling her excitement.

Their bond was growing stronger.

As the fight came to an end, Jimmy changed his blade back to red. "Let the flames forge strength. I wanted to say thank you, guys. A lot has been going through my mind… I'm starting to not trust myself."

"Don't remind me that you're unstable sometimes," Ranger said. "But that's okay. As long as we're here, don't worry—we'll pull you back."

In the JNPR Room

Ruby stood in the middle of the room, glaring at everyone. "I know everyone is listening, and I mean everyone."

This got a strange reaction. Inside Jimmy's inner world, all the beasts—except for the building—turned their gaze toward the sky. The building started to shift and laughed, making sure Ruby couldn't hear him.

"Okay, let's talk. I thought after our discussion with the beasts, we came around and forgave Jimmy. Now, we're all acting like he's not human," Ruby said, crossing her arms.

"I don't distrust him," Jaune admitted. "I just didn't expect Cardin to say his weakness was everyone on Remnant."

"I'll get to you in a minute," Ruby shot back. "Pyrrha, what's going on right now?"

Pyrrha sighed. "I have to be honest. The turtle is pissing me off. He keeps pushing Jaune into training that hurts him."

'That hurts, you know, and I'm not forcing anything,' the turtle responded.

"Oh really? Then why are you giving Jaune your power, like Yang and the wolf?" Pyrrha challenged.

'Because he's not ready, and I can't. Only Jimmy can give the mark,' the turtle explained.

"He's right. Only Jimmy can awaken a person," Ruby confirmed.

"Wait—there are rules before you can receive this mark?" Pyrrha asked.

'Yes, it depends on Jimmy's relationship with the person, but also, they have to fulfill a requirement,' Solomon explained.

'Flames require taking a life,' the dinosaur added.

'Wind requires a life partner,' the wolf said.

'Defense requires self-sacrifice,' the turtle stated.

'Finally, knowledge requires finding a secret hidden in plain sight within this world,' Solomon finished.

"Wow, that actually sounds difficult. A life partner… How do you even know if it's the right person?" Weiss asked.

'I don't know. It changes all the time, but the mark binds them together permanently, making them soulmates,' the wolf explained.

"So, you could end up with the wrong person?" Blake questioned.

'Nope. The mark and the wind won't allow that. You have to be at least compatible. After all, the future isn't all black and white,' the wolf snickered.

"Great. Now we know the mark predicts the future," Ren muttered.

"Guys, Ruby is right. We're acting horribly toward Jimmy. We're not doing it on purpose, but think about it," Nora said. "Before, we just thought the Flame Swordsman was a kid who walked through the fire alone, his only goal being to kill Grimm. But then we found out he killed his whole village to save them from suffering. He's been hunting Grimm to find Ruby—not just for himself, but to save people."

Blake was deep in thought when the dinosaur suddenly spoke. 'Sorry, I have to go. I need to do my routine.'

"Huh? You're leaving his inner world?" Ruby asked.

'No, I have to take care of something to help Jimmy. I'm heading back to the Firelands,' the dinosaur replied.

"Hey, wait! I have a question!" Blake called out.

'Sorry, he's gone,' the wolf said.

Blake frowned but refocused. "Can you answer something? Does the pack bond only connect Jimmy to Ruby and Yang, or does it connect to his friends too?"

'That's a good question. I want to say yes, but it's not as effective as the mark. It does link him to your emotions, but not as strongly,' the wolf answered with a small smile.

"So the mark directly connects emotions to Jimmy. Is this just your mark, or do all the marks he gives work that way?" Blake pressed.

'I don't like where you're going with this. I recommend you stop right there,' the wolf ordered.

Blake froze. She could feel the wolf's presence looming behind her—even though nothing was actually there. It sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"Jimmy can sense Adam Taurus, can't he?" Blake whispered. "And his mind… it's influencing Jimmy's."

This time, there was no response. Ruby felt Solomon shake his head.

'Ruby… I'm sorry. You need to end this conversation. Because she's right. I don't want them to think any less of Jimmy… but he has no control over it.'

"Blake is right—he can," Ruby said.

Solomon was surprised that she went against him. "That's why we need to help him get through this. That's why he needs us."

Solomon smiled, realizing he had been wrong. This Ruby was far wiser than he had expected.

He spoke to everyone in the room now. 'I'm glad Ruby corrected me. Please, help him—he needs you all.'

"I want something from you first, then I'll decide," Nora said. "Can I become strong like Jimmy?"

A deep laugh came from Solomon. 'Yes, yes, you can, young one. You're just like the dinosaur himself. One day, when Ruby discovers what she needs, come to me, and I'll tell you a story about a Valkyrie who created an afterlife.'

Everyone was shocked. Nora's last name was Valkyrie, and for Solomon to mention such a connection was no coincidence. But Nora, instead of questioning it, was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Maybe I am her!" she said, her energy infectious.

Solomon's laugh echoed through their minds.

'Ruby and the rest of you, I want all of you to get some sleep. Jimmy finished his fight, and Yang has planned a trip for Sunday.' said the wolf.

"I agree," Ruby nodded. "I think we all have a lot to process. Blake, do you think Jimmy is dangerous?"

Blake hesitated before answering. "I think… I want to get closer to him. I want to understand more about what happened."

'Blake, I need to tell you something important,' Solomon's voice cut in.

"What is it?" she asked, slightly irritated.

'Young lady, do not give me attitude. I have been around far longer than you can imagine. Now, apologize and sit up before I talk about your past.'

Blake tensed but took a deep breath before bowing her head slightly. "I'm sorry. Please, go on."

'Good. Now listen carefully. Leave your past behind. Forget your godmother's goal. You must forge your own path—the one that makes you happy.'

"That's harder than you think, Solomon," Blake said, her voice laced with uncertainty.

'I know,' Solomon admitted. 'So let me tell you something about myself. I made mistakes. And because of those mistakes, my home was destroyed. My power meant nothing in the end. Don't let your life be consumed by the past like mine was.'

A heavy silence filled the room. They all felt it—the tear that ran down Solomon's cheek. Even someone as powerful as him carried regret.

'All of you, it's bedtime. You need your rest.'

They all agreed, feeling an unexpected sense of peace. Even Solomon, in his own way, wanted to help them.

As Ruby, Blake, and Weiss—who had been unusually quiet—left the room, Jaune finally spoke.

"Guys, I want to know something," he said, his voice uncertain. "Do you not trust me?"

"We do trust you," Pyrrha assured him. "It's that turtle I don't trust."

Jaune sighed in relief. "I'm glad he's not listening right now. His name is Michelangelo. I get why you're wary, but trust me, they're not evil. Yes, they're hiding things… but I think they have a good reason. At least, I hope they do."

"That's the point—they are hiding things. They don't even talk to Jimmy, yet they talk to us. It's like their goal is to make sure Jimmy doesn't reach out to them," Pyrrha said, frustration lacing her voice.

"I know things have been bad lately, but they're trying. Besides, their original master told them to do this," Nora added.

"Nora, he didn't expect this to happen. They're overcompensating because they don't know what to do. In that sense, they're almost human," Ren said.

"Oh… I never thought of it like that," Nora admitted, her expression shifting. "Maybe they're just as stressed out as Jimmy is. His mental health has been getting worse because of all this. And since he's connected to our emotions, we could be overwhelming him."

Pyrrha fell silent as Nora's words hit her hard. She nearly collapsed under the weight of the realization.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but… here goes," she finally said. "I've been going through one-tenth of his emotional training, and it's overwhelming. My mind starts to break, and my body barely keeps up. I want to be strong enough to protect everyone here, but Jimmy's training is brutal. I want you all to understand—I've felt just a fraction of his pain. So please… be patient with him. This world won't go down without a fight."

Jaune stepped forward, his voice steady. "Nora, Ren, Pyrrha—Solomon is right. It's time to sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

Pyrrha glanced at him, noticing something different. He was taking command more than usual. He's learning to become a hero…

"I see now," she said softly. "But I still don't trust them. And as for you… your goal of being a hero is closer than you think."

"Nah," Jaune said with a small grin. "I won't be a hero. I'll become the bringer of the Aura of Golden Light—a Paladin."

His confidence radiated through the room, his aura glowing faintly around him. Pyrrha stared, taken aback. His strength… his presence had exceeded her expectations.

Before she could say anything, he suddenly scooped her up in his arms, carrying her bridal-style to her bed.

"Don't get shy," he teased, a warm smile on his face. "I don't trust them either… but I do trust Michelangelo. So don't worry—I'll protect you from everything."

He switched off the light, leaving Pyrrha blushing, her thoughts racing.

Did he just… propose?

Meanwhile, Jaune felt a strange sensation. Something was watching him. He glanced around but saw nothing—just an eerie connection lingering in the air.

'That was smooth, little Jaune.'

Jaune froze as the Wolf's voice echoed in his mind.

Jaune ignored the Wolf's voice and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, as Team RWBY walked back to their dorm, Weiss kept staring at Blake. Blake tried her best to ignore it, but after a while, she snapped.

"Weiss, I want to know something. You were awfully quiet during the meeting. Why?" Ruby asked, breaking the silence.

"I had no input," Weiss responded coolly. "I'm collecting information before I decide whether to trust them."

Blake scoffed. "Is that how you feel about me too?"

Weiss frowned, taken aback. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"There are days when you're nice, and then other times, you just stare at me, like you're trying to figure me out. Why?" Blake pressed.

Weiss hesitated before replying, "Look, I'm here whenever you want to talk about your past."

Blake narrowed her eyes. "Why do you want to know?" she asked, her tone laced with warning.

Weiss pursed her lips, recalling something Jimmy had once said. Then, she finally spoke. "Maybe if you opened up to us, we could help you."

"I don't need help, Weiss. Especially from you."

Weiss stiffened, genuinely stunned by Blake's cold response. Even Ruby flinched at the sudden hostility.

"Okay, guys," Ruby interjected, trying to defuse the tension. "I get that this is a lot, but Weiss is just worried about you, Blake. And Weiss, we shouldn't pry into someone's personal business if they're not ready to share."

"I would agree," Weiss said, regaining her composure, "but even the Beasts know more about her than we do. So tell me, Blake—how often do you talk to them?"

"I don't." Blake's voice wavered slightly. "I don't even know how they know about me… about my godmother."

Weiss's expression shifted as she realized just how much the Beasts truly did know—more than any of them understood.

"I'm sorry," Weiss said after a moment. "I just want to help. Our team is strong, but it could fall apart if we're not careful. I know this is scary, especially if you want to hide."

Before Blake could respond, a voice entered Ruby's mind alone.

'I want you to know something, Ruby. This could change how you see us, but I trust you. We know everything about you, Yang, Weiss… and even Blake. We also know about Team JNPR. We do not want to cause more problems, but I want to be somewhat transparent.'

It was Solomon.

Ruby hesitated before thinking back, 'I want something from you. And please… answer me honestly. Do you know what happened to me and Yang's mothers?'

A long sigh filled her mind. 'Yes, I do. I also know where Yang's mother is… and I want you to know—you'll be meeting her soon.'

Ruby took a deep breath. 'Thank you for telling me.'

She opened her eyes and found Weiss and Blake staring at her, waiting for her response.

"You're right, Blake," Ruby finally said. "They do know more than they let on. But we should respect them… they're doing everything they can to make sure Jimmy stays stable." She turned toward the dorm. "In time, I would like to hear about your past, but right now isn't the best time. Let's go to bed. I think Yang is waiting for us."

Without another word, she walked away. Blake hesitated for a moment before following, her posture tense, her eyes glossy with unshed tears.

Weiss, however, stood frozen, shifting uncomfortably. The realization weighed on her—her life was an open book to the Beasts.

The door to their room was open. Yang sat in her pajamas, flipping through a magazine about the perfect date. She glanced up and immediately noticed the defeated expressions on Ruby, Weiss, and Blake.

"The Beasts didn't say much, did they?" Yang asked.

All three shook their heads in acknowledgment.

"I feel like they're manipulating us," Yang admitted, "but at the same time, they're trying to prevent something."

Weiss, sensing how deeply connected Yang was to this, narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by prevent?"

Yang closed the magazine and sighed. "Jimmy had homicidal thoughts about Cardin today. But the Beasts stopped him."

Blake's ears twitched. "Wait… he wanted to kill Cardin?"

"Yes," Yang confirmed. "But I stopped him. I told him that if he ever feels like that again, he needs to talk to us first."

Weiss folded her arms. "Why is he having those thoughts in the first place?"

"I don't know," Yang admitted. "But he doesn't want to hurt anyone. It's like… something is trying to take control. Oh, and Ruby—he told me that your thoughts became dark too, but then you forgot."

Ruby's eyes widened. "Yeah… I remember that much. But I don't remember what I was thinking."

"The Beasts could've erased that memory," Blake suggested.

"No, it wasn't them," Yang said firmly.

"How do you know?" Weiss asked.

"Because if they were that controlling, they would've done it already—with all the drama we've been putting them through."

"…Fair point," Ruby muttered.

Weiss and Blake exchanged glances before both groaned, realizing how obvious that answer had been. Weiss, however, still had one more concern.

"What about the other thing?" she asked.

The others looked at her in confusion.

"The thing the Beasts were all so worried about," Weiss clarified.

Silence. None of them had an answer.

Yang sighed. "Time for bed. We've got a lot to deal with tomorrow." She flipped off the lights.

Everyone climbed into bed, lost in their own thoughts. But while Ruby and Weiss eventually drifted off, Blake lay awake, her heart heavy with worry.

Her past was catching up to her.

After what felt like hours, she finally whispered, Solomon…?

No response. No presence.

She knew he was leaving her alone.

Inside the Inner World

The enormous library shifted, its towering shelves moving like clockwork. Books fell from their places, landing in scattered piles across the floor. Solomon, wrapped in his usual robes, browsed through psychology texts, reviewing his notes.

"Hey, Solomon—you there?"

The voice was gentle.

He glanced up to see the Wolf standing nearby. That was… unexpected.

"Yes?" Solomon asked, closing his book. "Strange of you to come to me."

"We need to hold a meeting about the humans," the Wolf said. "Can we make it immediate? I'll alert the Turkey—you get the Turtle."

Solomon sighed but nodded in agreement. He grabbed another book as he mentally reached out to the Turtle.

Moments later, the three Beasts stood together, waiting. Then, with a creak, the doors of the great library swung open and slammed shut again.

A man stood before them.

He was tall, with a long white beard, wearing a flowing toga patterned with golden stars. A darker outline fused the cloth together, giving it an ethereal glow. He stepped toward the table—massive enough for even the Beasts to sit around.

The Dinosaur scoffed. "Solomon, you never leave your library unless it's important."

Solomon adjusted his robes. "I believe it was the Wolf who called this meeting."

"I did," the Wolf confirmed. She took a deep breath. "I'm starting to think we're doing more damage to the kids than helping."

Solomon nodded. "I agree. We're hinting too much instead of letting them discover things for themselves."

"I wish we could take a step back," the Turtle said, "but he and I have to be involved. We need to train them."

"I hate training Adam," the Dino grumbled. "He is worthy of my flames, but I don't like how he's using them. Our old master said he needed the flames, but I don't see why."

"Our old master had his reasons," the Wolf responded. "We must follow them."

Solomon adjusted his robes, deep in thought. "Do you think making Jimmy valuable was the right move? Giving Adam the flames?"

"Yes," Solomon answered. "Jimmy would never have given them to him otherwise—his will is too strong."

The Turtle sighed. "Wolfy, I had to train Jaune. He needed it. If Pyrrha dies, it could send this world spiraling into chaos. We need her. Jimmy needs her."

The Wolf nodded. "Our master wanted things to unfold this way. I trust him more than anything—he protected everything… from them."

The Dino's tail slammed against the ground. "Then why are they starting to stir? To awaken? What can we do to stop it?"

Solomon's expression darkened. "We can't. It's their job to stop it. We can only stall it. But if they've started to awaken… then we won't be able to hold them back forever."

The Wolf exhaled deeply. "We've interfered too much with these humans. What do we do now?"

"We cut off contact," Solomon decided. "Only two of us will interact—one with Adam, the other with Jaune."

The Dino shifted uneasily. "And Blake? She's slipping into despair. If Jimmy finds out, he might kill her."

"He won't," the Wolf said with certainty. "Ruby keeps him grounded. He has a relationship with each of them—even if Blake avoids him, they're still part of the same pack."

"Which is why he won't be alone," Solomon added. "Jane knows Blake is a Faunus. She'll keep him steady if it comes to that."

The Dino snorted. "And what if Jane decides to go after Blake herself?"

"She won't," the Turtle answered. "Jane, like Jaune, is a protector. Her loyalty is to Jimmy. She won't allow him to kill. We already saw that today."

The Wolf hesitated. "But Jane and Ranger… they weren't supposed to exist. We have no future for them."

Solomon's gaze turned toward the shifting sky. "We'll deal with that when the time comes. After the Sunday trip, I will expose myself to Jimmy on Monday morning. Jane will be there. Then, he will spend the day with both Jane and Blake. Michaelangelo," he turned to the Turtle, "you will alert your student about our decision."

"Yes, I understand," the Turtle replied. "I'll continue training him. His semblance will be unlocked very soon."

The Wolf glanced at the others. "Anyone else have anything to add before we end this meeting?"

The Dino huffed. "Yes. I think I should stop Adam's training. He's getting too powerful."

Solomon's brow furrowed. "Has he learned the Spirit Release technique?"

The Dino growled. "I don't want to teach him that."

"We need him to learn it," Solomon said grimly. "If they come, he'll be one of the few who can fight them."

"Then I'll put restrictions on it," the Dino relented. "But don't come crying to me if he kills someone with those flames." With that, he stomped off into the Firelands, lost in thought.

Solomon sighed. "I hate training Adam… but we need to." He turned and walked back toward his temple.

The Beasts remained for a moment longer, gazing at the divided sky—two golden lights, two shrouded in darkness.

All of them hoping—praying—to hear the voice of their true master once more.

The Next Day

"Jane, you ready to go? You said you'd help," said Jimmy.

"Yeah, I got you. I have the bag. Now, you really need that haircut—I've got the perfect style for you," Jane smirked.

"Too bad, long hair. You have to go," Jimmy chuckled. Then, he turned to Ranger. "Sorry to steal Jane. Remember, make sure Yang doesn't leave until three o'clock in the afternoon."

"I got you," Ranger assured him. "Just make sure you actually communicate that to Yang and me."

As Jimmy and Jane walked out of the room, Ranger sighed, stretching as he grabbed a shirt. I wonder what's for breakfast this morning… He groaned internally.

Just then, his scroll rang. Seeing Monica's name on the screen, he answered, "Hey, Monica. What's up?"

"Nothing much," she replied. "I heard you went out with Jane recently. I just finished a mission and was wondering if you, Jimmy, and Jane wanted to hang out."

"Not today," Ranger said. "Jimmy's got a huge date with Yang. But I'm glad you called—I actually have a question for you."

Her brow twitched slightly as she remembered what Raven had said about Jimmy. "No problem, buddy. What's up?"

"It's about tomorrow morning. Do you mind helping all three teams get to the village?"

"Kakariko Village?" Monica asked, sounding surprised. "Why? There's nothing there except the tree."

"Yeah, I know," Ranger admitted. "But it's time for Jimmy—and all of us—to see it. The Guardian invited us, and I bet she'd like to see you, too."

Monica went silent for a moment. "…That's not a sight I'd like anyone to see," she muttered. Then, after a deep breath, she added, "If you want, I can arrange transport. But are you sure everyone should go? I haven't been there since… it happened."

Ranger exhaled slowly. "Neither has Jimmy. But it's time to face our past… even if it hurts us. Especially Jimmy."

Monica hung up the call and sat on her bike, staring ahead. "He's right… it is time for us to return and fully explore what happened." She clenched her fists. "Jimmy needs it. And Ranger… he needs to see his family home."

A single tear slipped down her cheek as the painful memories resurfaced. She wiped it away, regaining focus. It's time for me, too… Time to face my failure.

At the Breakfast Hall

As Ranger walked into the lunchroom, he spotted everyone already sitting and eating. He grabbed a tray and took a seat next to Weiss, who seemed particularly annoyed.

"Did I miss something?" Ranger asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yep. A lot, actually," Jaune answered with a sigh. "The spirits have decided that, because of them, they're no longer going to speak or listen to us."

Ranger blinked in surprise. He took a bite of toast, chewed, swallowed, then asked, "Any reason?"

"They believe they interfered too much and caused more problems than they solved," Jaune explained. "They think it's best to stay away for a while. But Michaelangelo will still train me—he just won't answer any of my questions for the foreseeable future."

Ranger thought for a moment before responding. "Maybe they think they've failed us, and it's better to leave us alone until something happens."

"I'd say the same, but honestly? They're just being cowards," Weiss huffed, irritation lacing her tone. "They tell us so much, then suddenly decide to disappear just because they feel bad?"

"It's my fault… I kept pushing them," Pyrrha said, guilt evident in her voice.

"It's not just you. It's all of us," Nora countered, trying to make sense of the situation. "They wanted to help, but maybe we made it harder for them."

"I think what they're doing is for the best—for everyone," Ren said calmly.

Blake narrowed her eyes. "What makes you think that?"

"Think about it," Ren continued. "We needed to trust them, but every time they gave us too much information, our lives got worse. We overthought everything, we started splitting apart from Jimmy… Maybe this separation will let us get closer to Jimmy. Maybe it'll even make us stronger."

The room fell silent for a moment before everyone slowly nodded in agreement.

Yang, however, ignored the conversation entirely, looking around before asking, "Where's Jane?"

"With Jimmy—getting the date ready. Also, you're not allowed to leave Beacon until three o'clock," Ranger said dryly.

"What?! That's not fair! He can't control me!" Yang protested.

"If you do leave, you'll spoil your date with Jimmy," Ruby teased with a cheeky grin.

Yang groaned. "Ugh, I hate waiting…"

With Jane and Jimmy

Inside a Faunus-owned shop, Jimmy walked up to the counter and requested, "Is Angela available?"

Angela appeared from the back, smirking. "So, today's the big date, huh, Flame Swordsman?"

Jimmy chuckled. "Yeah. I have a style in mind—think you can make it work?"

Angela grinned. "Of course I can. I always do."

Jimmy sat down in the barber's chair as Jane plopped onto a nearby seat, scrolling through the news on her scroll. At first, it was just the usual conspiracy theories about Atlas mining operations. Then there was the White Fang—their protests had decreased lately.

Then she froze.

"Flame Swordsman Unites with White Fang."

Jane reread the headline. It came from an independent news source, but the article was filled with holes.

Her anger flared.

The story claimed that recent Faunus activity in Vale had increased because of Jimmy. It twisted facts, implying he was more likely to attack humans, highlighting only the times he had lost control of his power. It painted him as a danger, conveniently ignoring the people he had saved.

Frustrated, she scrolled down to the comments.

A lot of people were calling out the article, pointing out that Jimmy had saved far more humans than Faunus. But others… agreed. They argued that the people he burned were now disabled.

One comment, however, stood out:

"I was disabled because of the Flame Swordsman, but I could never call him a terrorist or an ally of the White Fang. He's at Beacon. Headmaster Ozpin personally let him in—that tells me he has a good heart. He's going to be the greatest Huntsman ever born."

Jane's frustration softened slightly.

At least some people see the truth, Jane thought.

"Wow, I can't believe this style—it actually looks good on you," Angela said, still surprised.

Jimmy stepped forward, revealing his new look. His hair was now super short, neatly trimmed around his ears, with about an inch of spiky hair on top. The change made him look completely different—even his face seemed slightly altered, his once-chubby cheeks now more noticeable.

"Okay, how does cutting your hair short make your cheeks look bigger?" Jane asked, baffled.

"I know, right? How is that even possible?" Angela added, equally confused.

Jimmy rolled his eyes. "Really, Jane? You know I've always had chubby cheeks."

"Oh yeah… but that was, like, four years ago," Jane teased.

He just sighed in response.

Checking the time, Jane's eyes widened. "Oh, it's almost the afternoon! We need to head to the gym to wash up before three, and we still need to grab that outfit we saw."

She quickly waved to Angela before paying for Jimmy's haircut, then practically dragged him toward a nearby gym. It had a small shower area where he could freshen up before their next stop.

While waiting outside, Jane was approached by two young Faunus children.

"Jane the Beast! How are you?" one of them called out excitedly.

"Hey, kiddos," she greeted with a warm smile.

"Is the Flame Swordsman here?" the boy with bat ears asked eagerly.

Jane chuckled. "He is, but he can't play today."

Both kids pouted just as two women, likely their mothers, approached.

"I'm so sorry to disturb the Flame Swordsman's teammate," one of the mothers said apologetically. "I hope our kids weren't bothering you."

Jane waved off her concern. "No worries, he's just inside getting dressed after a haircut."

One of the women, a fox Faunus, blushed slightly, absentmindedly wondering what he would look like with short hair.

Her friend, a rat Faunus, smirked before nudging her. "He's way too young for you."

"I know," the fox Faunus admitted, still flustered. "But if I had the chance, I'd totally steal him from Jane."

Before Jane could respond, Jimmy stepped outside, finally dressed for his date.

He wore a fitted black t-shirt underneath a long-sleeved blue shirt, its sleeves neatly folded at the elbows. A pair of dark blue jeans completed the look, accented by a silver chain looping from his front pocket to the back. His shoes were black and gold, featuring an intricate twisted circle emblem on the sides.

The two women gasped—even the kids looked confused.

This wasn't the Flame Swordsman they knew.

Jane smirked at their stunned expressions.

"So, Jane, who are your friends?" Jimmy asked casually, adjusting his sleeves.

"They were just asking if you could play today," Jane replied, still amused.

One of the boys squinted up at him. "I'm sorry, but who are you? I thought the Flame Swordsman was supposed to be here."

Jimmy knelt in front of the boy, offering a kind smile. "I am him."

The entire group froze.

His new haircut and outfit made him almost unrecognizable—young, tall, and undeniably handsome. His short hair was a rare style, almost unheard of, and the way he carried himself had completely changed.

Then, standing up straight, Jimmy bowed slightly in respect before saying, "I would love to stay and talk with such a lovely young mother…" His voice was smooth, almost regal. "But I have a very special date to prepare for."

The fox Faunus woman turned bright red. Jane simply burst out laughing. As the women shook their heads, they remembered they were married and quickly gathered their sons. The boys resisted at first, nearly throwing a tantrum—until they were promised dessert. Instantly, they fell in line, following their mothers with unwavering loyalty, a complete contrast to their earlier protests. "Wow, you handled that really well," Jane commented.

Jimmy smirked. "My teacher once told me, *'Older women who are stunned must be met with a gentle hand.'"

Jane raised an eyebrow. "I don't know how to feel about you having that kind of power over women." He just laughed, leading the way toward the town square.

"I think it's time to set up—I've got two hours left." Jane nodded, helping with decorations. They spent the last hour preparing before it was time for Jimmy to hide and wait. This wasn't just a date—it was for Yang. She had always been an adventurer, living life from one thrill to the next, never staying in one place too long. Most guys she's dated never really understood that. They always made her choose, always expected her to lead. While that was fine, it had left her feeling like the weight of the relationship was entirely on her shoulders. Jimmy refused to make that mistake. He wanted her to experience something different—to take things slow, to enjoy the little things, to live hour by hour instead of day by day.

And then, he saw her. Yang's outfit was completely different from her usual style. She wore a long, flowing skirt with slit showing low-cut heels that wrapped around her upper thighs. A split-sleeve blouse framed her figure perfectly, her blonde hair styled into a half ponytail. One shoulder was bare, revealing the mark he had given her. The subtle touch of makeup—her soft lilac eyes highlighted by long lashes, her lips painted a bold red—told him one thing.

She had asked Weiss for help. Despite all that, she still couldn't see him, even though he was sitting right next to her. With his tan hat pulled low, he was completely unrecognizable. He waited until exactly three o'clock, then finally spoke.

"Ugh, five minutes," Yang muttered, crossing her arms. "I got all dressed up for nothing." Jimmy grinned and decided to tease her. Changing his voice to sound more feminine, he leaned slightly toward her.

"May I ask what's wrong, beautiful?" Yang turned sharply, glaring at him. His hat still hid most of his face, so she simply sighed and sat back down, looking tired and disappointed.

"It's a boy," she admitted, resting her chin on her hand. "His friend told me to stay right here until the right time, but I left early on purpose. And now… he's late."

Jimmy chuckled. "Hmm… but you're actually fifteen minutes early. Maybe he knows you're here. If I were him, I'd just sit and stare at you." "I know—wait." Yang suddenly frowned, narrowing her eyes. "How did you know I had to be here at three?"

That was his cue. Dropping the act, Jimmy took off his hat, revealing his new haircut and a playful smirk. "Well," he said smoothly, "even I can't resist a good view."

Yang blinked, stunned. Before she could react, he winked and motioned toward the square, now filled with laughing children running around. The entire area felt softer, warmer—almost like a memory frozen in time.

"I told you to come at three," Jimmy continued, his voice gentle, "because I wanted to show you something." He reached for her hand. "I want you to live hour by hour with me. No pressure, no rush." Jimmy smiled. "Let's start with a game."

As he spoke, Yang noticed families walking by with their children, and a few dogs trotting alongside their owners. A blanket had been placed on the grass without her even realizing it. "A picnic?" she asked, surprised.

"To talk about our future," Jimmy replied casually. "Also… I got something to help us relax. Just don't tell anyone." He winked, revealing a basket filled with sandwiches, drinks, and a few board games. Just then, a big dog ran toward them.

Jimmy spotted a ball nearby and tossed it to Yang, who caught it instinctively and threw it back toward the family. She smiled, watching the children laugh as they played. For the next couple of hours, they played cards—Jimmy kept winning at first, but then Yang started dominating the next few rounds.

They finished a bottle of 'juice', drank some water, and simply enjoyed the peace. The soft chirping of birds, the cool breeze, the setting sun—it was all perfect.

Yang had completely lost track of time until Jimmy began packing up. When he folded the blanket, she could tell he was lying when he said, "I'll come back and get this later."

She knew he was just going to leave it there for someone else to find. But she didn't call him out on it. It was okay.

As they left, Jimmy gently wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her toward a small restaurant.

When they entered, the main waitress immediately recognized him, grabbed two menus, and led them to a table.

"Wow, I heard this place isn't very popular," Yang mused, looking around. "Why'd you pick this place?"

Jimmy smirked. "Look around—the brick walls, the sunset shining through the window, and to the right… the broken moon."

Yang followed his gaze, taking it all in. The aged brick, the worn wooden tables, the nostalgic atmosphere—this place felt frozen in time.

Her eyes softened. "I think I get it now. You're making me slow down… focus on us and what's around me."

Jimmy pouted playfully. "Oh, you think I planned this whole date just to teach you something? How dare you?"

Yang laughed. "Well, am I wrong?"

He grinned. "I do want to show you something, but mostly… I just want to live with you. Hour by hour."

Just then, the waitress returned. "Have you decided on your order?"

Yang thought for a second, then looked at Jimmy with a mischievous smile. She waved a hand toward him.

"You sure?" Jimmy asked. She nodded.

"Pepperoni pizza with some chicken wings," he told the waitress. Then, flashing a teasing grin, he added, "Make them as hot as my date."

The waitress blushed and stammered, "W-well, that's going to be hard… she's beyond anything we could make."

"Well, perfection is hard to imitate, but you can try." He winked.

The waitress, flustered, quickly glanced at his sword before hurrying off.

Yang smirked. "I see your blade's getting famous."

Jimmy turned to the window, staring at the moon as it began to rise. "You should know… we'll be out past curfew. After this, I'm not done yet."

Yang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What else do you have planned?"

He turned back to her. "Something I dreamed about."

She leaned forward. "Dreamed?"

Jimmy nodded. "Every now and then, I have these strange dreams. In them, everyone has this short haircut—no facial hair, wearing the same kind of clothes… it's weird."

Yang frowned. "That does sound weird. Actually, it kinda reminds me of a history lesson. Before the war, creativity and self-expression were heavily restricted. Your dream kinda sounds like that."

Jimmy tilted his head. "I don't think so. In the dream, it felt like a choice."

Yang shrugged. "Well, let's change the subject. I think it looks good on you." She smiled, clearly trying to steer away from the unsettling topic.

Right then, the waitress arrived, placing a steaming hot pizza on the table alongside a plate of spicy chicken wings and some breadsticks.

They dug in, enjoying the food, though Yang immediately regretted challenging the heat level. Her eyes widened as the spice kicked in.

Her semblance activated on instinct, using her growing pain as fuel.

Jimmy chuckled as he watched her face turn red. "Having fun?"

She coughed, drinking some water before grinning. "Oh yeah. I Love it."

"That's cheating—no semblances!" Jimmy coughed, struggling against the heat.

"Sorry, like you said, use everything to your advantage." Yang smirked.

Somehow, Jimmy's thoughts drifted into the light—his love for her. He didn't want to claim her. He wanted to stay with her, to protect her, to be part of her pack.

"Don't say that… unless you're willing to let me."

Yang's breath hitched. This wasn't something Jimmy would normally say in public. It was calculated, deliberate. Her mark tingled, confirming his words were true. Her body reacted instinctively, craving more.

"That better be the truth," she murmured.

When they finished eating, the moon was partially visible in the night sky. It wasn't midnight yet, but Jimmy still felt uneasy.

"Why are you nervous?" Yang asked.

"The next part… isn't ready yet," he admitted.

"Well then, I get to choose where we go next." She placed her hands on her hips. "Which direction should we avoid?"

Jimmy pointed to his left. "Not that way."

"Got it." Without hesitation, Yang grabbed his hand and led him in the opposite direction.

They wandered into a wide, open field. A small pond glistened under the moonlight, reflecting the stars above. Fish swam lazily beneath the surface, their movements sending ripples across the water. Yang pulled out a small piece of bread from dinner and crumbled it, tossing it into the pond. The fish eagerly surfaced, nibbling at the floating crumbs.

"You've been here before, haven't you?" Jimmy asked, watching her expression soften.

Yang nodded. "Yeah, once… when I first came to Vale. I was here with Ruby's mom. She brought me here when Ruby was just a baby." She smiled wistfully. "She taught me about the fish."

Jimmy's face fell. "I see… I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Yang shook her head. "Ruby was more affected than I was, but thank you." She turned toward him with a determined grin. "You were right about slowing down. But next time, let's go on a Grimm hunt together."

Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You noticed?"

"Uh, duh. You disappear all the time, and Jane and Ranger get pissed about it. Even if you try to make it seem random."

Jimmy sighed. "I attract Grimm. If I'm too happy, I have to hunt them before they get near the school or Vale."

"Then take us with you," Yang insisted. "You need a team to hunt Grimm, not just yourself."

Jimmy hesitated. "I don't know… I haven't worked well with my own team yet. I haven't tried. I don't want them to get hurt."

The mark on Yang's shoulder burned lightly—his fear of loss was bleeding into her.

"Then don't lose us," she whispered, stepping closer. "Work with me. With your team. Train with us. We'll become stronger together."

She cupped his face, tilting it toward her. Her lilac eyes bore into his. "Please… let us help you. This isn't okay."

Jimmy exhaled slowly, then smiled—soft, genuine. He leaned in and kissed her.

Yang melted into it, closing her eyes and letting her emotions flow through her. The warmth of his lips, the way he held her—it wasn't rushed or desperate. It was real.

When they finally pulled apart, a thin strand of water connected their lips before breaking. Their foreheads rested against each other as they caught their breath.

Without a word, Jimmy took Yang's hand and lifted her into his arms. She instinctively held onto him as he led her through the darkness. They reached a secluded square with a fountain at its center. There were no lights—only the soft shimmer of water reflecting the moonlight.

Yang glanced around, noticing objects scattered around the fountain. "Why is it so dark?"

Jimmy smirked. "Remember when I first showed Ruby my Firefly technique?"

"Yeah… why?"

"I showed her how to use it for combat." He pulled out his sword. "But for you…" He looked at her, his eyes full of warmth. "I wanted to show you something different. A burn that reminds me of when we first met—an endless, flickering flame that never gives in."

He raised his blade.

"Ignite my strength—Fireflies."

A wave of fire erupted from his sword, swirling into the air like embers carried by the wind.

Tiny flames, hundreds of them, hovered around him—dancing in the night, flickering like real fireflies. Jimmy swung his blade in a wide arc, sending the glowing embers toward the candles scattered around them. One by one, they ignited, bathing the square in a mesmerizing glow.

Yang's breath caught in her throat.

The flames flickered in every shade—red, orange, blue, even gold. Bright yellow flowers surrounded the fountain, their petals illuminated by the candlelight.

It was beautiful.

Yang had never thought Jimmy's technique could be used for something other than battle.

This was something he had practiced—just for her.

"How long did this take you to master?" Yang asked, her eyes still wide with amazement.

"In all honesty? Not long. But for this display, I spent the last few weeks perfecting it." Jimmy admitted.

With a snap of his fingers, all the flames went out at once. The remaining embers spiraled around them before suddenly pushing both of them into the air. Yang gasped as she felt herself lifted off the ground, Jimmy holding her close.

He pulled out a thick cloth, shaking it midair. The fireflies that had once danced around them were now drawn to the fabric, floating toward it like moths to a flame.

Yang kept her eyes shut, the unfamiliar sensation of flying making her stomach twist.

"You should open your eyes," Jimmy whispered.

She hesitated, then slowly did as he asked.

Her breath caught in her throat.

The endless sky stretched above them, the moon at its very pinnacle, casting a silver glow over the world. Below them, Vale sparkled with city lights, vibrant and alive, yet completely unaware of the two figures soaring above.

She looked over at Jimmy, his face illuminated by the flickering embers.

"You really went all out for this, huh?" she murmured.

He just smiled.

As the city below began to slow down for the night, Jimmy guided them downward. As they descended, he kicked off a tree branch to control their landing, touching down gently in a secluded clearing.

They were alone.

Jimmy spread out the thick cloth on the grass and lay down, letting out a relaxed sigh.

Yang sat beside him, staring up at the stars. That's when she noticed another blanket tucked neatly against a tree trunk.

"What's that for?" she asked.

"Just in case it gets too cold." Jimmy shrugged.

Yang laughed. "You checked the weather, didn't you? It won't."

"It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it," he countered.

Shaking her head, she grinned before moving closer, resting her head against his chest. His arms instinctively wrapped around her.

At first, it was just warmth and comfort—a sense of belonging. But as her body pressed against his, she felt his emotions shift. Lust flickered through him, but he made no move to act on it.

Yang smiled.

Slowly, she leaned up and kissed him, soft at first, then deeper, coaxing him to let go. His hesitation melted away as the kiss grew more passionate, as if she were stealing the air from his lungs.

His hands hovered at her waist. She took one and guided it where she wanted.

And for the rest of the night, neither of them spoke. Just only had their actions.

A/n

Yes they did.

Meanwhile, in Team RWBY's dorm...

Ruby sat cross-legged on her floating bed, flipping through a magazine on weapon modifications while listening to a newly released song.

A knock at the door made her pause.

Weiss and Blake exchanged confused glances. Yang wasn't that polite when she came back late.

Another knock.

This time, Weiss stood up and opened the door. Her posture straightened instantly.

"Professor Goodwitch," Weiss greeted. "Is there something we can help you with?"

"Good evening, Miss Schnee. Is Jimmy here?" Goodwitch asked, glancing past Weiss into the room.

"No, ma'am," Weiss replied smoothly. "May I ask the reason for your visit?"

Professor Goodwitch studied her for a moment. "May I come in?"

Weiss hesitated, glancing at Ruby, who just shrugged before pulling out her earbuds.

Weiss stepped aside, allowing the professor to enter.

As Goodwitch scanned the room, she seemed to take note of a few odd details—but chose to ignore them.

"So, girls," she began, "I wanted to ask about Jimmy and his… emotions."

The air in the room stiffened slightly.

Then, Goodwitch's sharp gaze flicked around. "Where is Yang?"

Nobody answered.

She exhaled through her nose, clearly not surprised. "Never mind."

Ruby quickly spoke up. "Jimmy's currently in the city. I can pass along a message when he gets back."

Goodwitch nodded slightly before folding her arms. "Tell me, have you noticed why Jimmy has been skipping classes randomly?"

The three girls exchanged glances. They had noticed, but none of them actually knew why.

"We've been aware, but… we don't know the reason," Blake admitted.

Professor Goodwitch hummed in thought. "And have you also noticed an increase in Grimm activity?"

Ruby grew nervous as if she had just been caught red-handed. A metaphorical busted stamp might as well have been on her forehead.

"Grimm activity near Vale? That shouldn't be possible," Weiss said, furrowing her brows.

Professor Goodwitch's gaze sharpened as she turned to Ruby. "Answer the question, please."

Ruby hesitated before sighing. "Yes, I knew. I've heard that Jimmy has been dealing with the Grimm—sometimes leaving behind scorched grass and burned leaves."

"So, you're not entirely sure, but you do know why the Grimm are appearing," the professor clarified.

"Kinda… but I don't fully understand how," Ruby admitted, avoiding eye contact. "All I know is that Jimmy knows why."

That wasn't the whole truth, but she didn't want to risk him being removed from Beacon.

Professor Goodwitch studied her for a moment, then nodded. "I see. If you see Jimmy, tell him that Headmaster Ozpin and I need to speak with him. We'll be available all night."

She turned toward the door but paused. "Also, I'll ignore the state of your beds this time. But don't let him stay out like this again."

With that, she walked out, leaving a lingering tension in the air. The weight of her presence disappeared, but the unease remained.

After a moment of silence, Weiss spoke up. "Did Jimmy attract the Grimm?"

"Kinda," Ruby answered, rubbing her temples. "It's… complicated. His negative emotions doesn't draw them in… but his positive emotions do."

She frowned. She still didn't fully understand it herself.

"Wait… what do you mean? His positive emotions attract Grimm? Grimm are supposed to be drawn to darker emotions," said Weiss.

"For Jimmy, it's the opposite. They're naturally attracted to him, but I don't know why—neither does he," Ruby admitted. "I kept it hidden because it could ostracize him from everyone. Please understand."

"Okay, so that's important. Now we know why he leaves classes," said Blake. Then she became sad, thinking, So that's why sometimes he just oozes negative energy. She had felt it from time to time—when he was very happy, his attitude would shift so fast it gave her whiplash.

Earlier That Morning

Yang stirred, pulling the covers around herself. Flames still circled the tree they had been under. She remembered how, at their climax, Grimm had come. Jimmy had been pissed, surrounding them in fire, burning the creatures away before looking at her with a smile—then resuming their activities.

But now, the moon had moved far across the sky. They had stayed out too long. She sighed, grabbing the blanket before giving Jimmy a light chop on the head.

"We need to go back."

Jimmy, lying on the ground, only smiled up at her. "Sorry, I was already awake. And yeah, I agree—it's time to go." He looked down, shrugged, and grabbed his clothes, handing Yang hers as well.

Once they were dressed, he retracted his flames.

"Ready to go?" Yang checked her scroll, realizing Ruby had messaged her. "We should leave now. The headmaster is looking for you."

"What did I do?" Jimmy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know—it was just a warning. Let's go."

They sprinted back toward the school. As soon as they arrived, Yang rushed to the showers while Jimmy tried to sneak around—only to suddenly feel himself floating. He turned his head to see a professor behind him, a riding crop in hand, glasses fogged with frustration.

Jimmy sighed. "I'm guessing you won't believe me if I say I was just going to the bathroom?"

Professor Goodwitch said nothing, only keeping him suspended as they floated down the hall.

"I guess that's an answer…" he muttered.

She led him into another building, entering the library before finally lowering him to the ground. The elevator doors opened, and with a flick of her wrist, she threw him inside. Jimmy barely caught his footing as Goodwitch stepped in after him.

She looked at him, arms crossed. "Before anything, do you have any questions?"

"Umm… yeah. Could I get a clue about why I'm here?" he asked, anxiety thick in his voice.

"It's about your classes—and your unauthorized hunts outside of Vale," she said.

Jimmy flinched, exhaling in relief. So, this is about that. I was going to have to explain my defect sooner or later…

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped into the headmaster's office. He took a moment to look around—not to memorize it, but because every detail suddenly felt important.

Ozpin smiled, then stood. "How was your night?" His tone was neutral, but Jimmy could sense the irritation behind his words.

Jimmy gulped, his throat dry. "Since you already know… yeah."

Ozpin's expression didn't change. "I won't condone your actions last night, but I want to ask you about our Grimm problem—the one only you and I seem to have noticed."

Jimmy's shoulders tensed. "Look, I know hunting without being a licensed Huntsman isn't a good look, but they're after me."

"I don't know what you mean—you seem happy here," Ozpin said, watching him carefully. It was a concern, as Jimmy didn't seem particularly negative outside of classes.

"Well… I have this problem. When I use my flames, I have to channel three specific emotions," Jimmy admitted.

"Oh? I see. I wasn't aware of that," Ozpin said, taking a sip from his mug. "And what are these emotions?"

Jimmy hesitated, surprised that no one had told him. He took a deep breath. "Anger, rage, and conviction. The latter is a positive emotion—conviction helps me focus on accomplishing my task."

Ozpin placed his mug down, thinking deeply. "Well, I'm glad to learn that your rage and anger attract Grimm. Then use them less, please."

"Actually… that's not what attracts them. It does the opposite," Jimmy corrected.

Ozpin, mid-sip, suddenly choked and spit out his coffee. Professor Goodwitch rushed over to help him as he coughed. Once he had settled, he looked at Jimmy, stunned. "Wait—you're saying your negative emotions make Grimm run away?"

"Yep. But when I use conviction, they swarm me," Jimmy explained. "It's not really a negative feeling. It's always a positive one that draws them in." His voice became distant as memories surfaced. "Even as a child, I noticed there were always Grimm around me when I was happy. But then… that day came." He froze, the weight of his own realization sinking in. "Wait… I only used my negative emotions for years after that. And yet, barely any Grimm came near me. I had to hunt them down just to find one."

As he spoke, alarm bells rang in his mind. He had always known this to be true, but saying it out loud made it feel real.

"This is… something," Ozpin murmured, his eyes wide with shock—almost fear. He could see the gears turning in Jimmy's mind. "I suppose now that you've spoken it aloud, you're realizing the real problem."

Ozpin exhaled and leaned back in his chair. "Look, I want you to stay and train as a Huntsman. But with this new information… I need to reconsider how we handle this. I have an idea. I was planning to increase Huntsmen and Huntresses patrolling the area, especially since I've noticed burn marks outside Vale. You've been hunting Grimm alone." His tone grew serious. "I will allow you to continue fighting them—but only under the supervision of a professor. This way, you gain field experience while also managing your problem in a controlled environment.

"Monica will be stationed here at Beacon. She will take over hunting Grimm outside the city during class hours. I will be adjusting your schedule accordingly. For now, please leave—we will be in touch."

Jimmy didn't move. Something felt wrong. He felt it—Ozpin was hiding something.

Then, before he could stop himself, his mouth moved on its own.

"Is your name really Ozpin?"

The air in the room shifted. Goodwitch's eyes sharpened into a glare.

"Yes, it is. Why do you ask?" Ozpin responded smoothly.

But alarm bells went off in Jimmy's mind. A lie.

He stared at the headmaster, his instincts screaming at him. He's lying. His name is Ozpin—so why does it feel like a lie?

Then, after a long silence, Ozpin sighed.

"My original name was Ozmin."

Both Goodwitch and Jimmy reacted immediately.

And this time… the alarm bells didn't ring.

"Why use a fake name? And how did you know about my sense for lies?" Jimmy asked, narrowing his eyes.

Ozpin gave a small, knowing smile. "Well, I had a suspicion. I figured you would at least sense that I lied. And technically, I did tell the truth." He leaned forward slightly. "Also, I didn't know you could feel when someone lies to you, but judging by your reaction, you don't hide it very well. You might want to work on your poker face."

Professor Goodwitch, standing beside him, frowned. "Headmaster, are you sure it was wise to tell him that?"

"If I had lied again, then we would have had a real problem," Ozpin replied calmly, taking another sip from his mug. "For example, the Flame Swordsman might have decided to gather students and leave Beacon, or worse, he might have viewed me as a direct threat."

Jimmy crossed his arms. "I don't kill people… but I was thinking about gathering people and getting the hell out of here if I thought you were secretly a murderer."

Ozpin chuckled lightly, but his expression remained serious. "I understand. Please know this, Jimmy—this is my honest opinion: I like you. Your powers are fascinating. But at the same time… I cannot trust you yet.

"One day, if you become strong enough, I may ask you to do something terrible in the future."

Jimmy held Ozpin's gaze, unflinching. "Maybe… it depends on the situation. But I will become a Huntsman, and I will master my power."

Ozpin nodded approvingly. "Good. Please continue to update me on your progress. And I will call for you when I make my decision."

Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, and I hear you're returning to your village soon."

Jimmy's eyes widened slightly. "Yes, sir. How did you know that?"

Ozpin leaned back, tapping his fingers on his desk. "It was easy to figure out. Monica is a Huntress. She requested a bulkhead for a retreat—and considering the timing, I assume it's for you."

A/N
This chapter ended up way longer than expected—sorry about that! I guess the Guardian Tree will have to wait until next time