Secrets of Arc

by The Builder's Return

The Worker of Secrets is reborn into the body of a deceased Jaune Arc. Watch as the worker of Secrets embarks on a new journey to fulfill Jaune's dream of being a hero. Romances are not determined but may be possible later on. Rated M for trauma and darker themes. Infinity Blade and other games/RWBY Crossover.

11. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

---

Ruby wasn't thinking.

Her fingers twitched over her Scroll, hovering over Jaune's last message. We know. It had been haunting her since she read it. Two words, simple but final. She had told herself not to think too much about it, but that was a lie. She had been thinking about it. Nonstop.

They left.

Jaune, Ren, and Nora had left.

Without saying a word.

And Ruby… she hadn't even known how much that would hurt until she was standing in that empty hangar, staring at where The Tempest should have been. The absence had hit her like a gut punch, something cold and hollow sinking deep into her stomach.

She needed to know.

Needed to hear his voice.

Needed to see him.

Her thumb slipped before she could stop herself.

The screen lit up.

Calling… Jaune Arc.

Her breath caught in her throat. Oh no. No, no, no, no—what was she doing?! She wasn't ready for this! What if he didn't answer? What if he ignored it? What if he saw her name pop up and simply… let it ring?

The dial tone stretched on.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Her heart started sinking, a painful lump forming in her throat. He wasn't going to pick up. This was stupid. Why did she even—

The screen changed.

And Jaune's face appeared.

Ruby froze.

Her emotions slammed into her all at once, like a storm breaking through a fragile dam. Relief. Shock. Desperation. Sadness. And something painfully raw curling up in her chest.

He had picked up.

He had picked up.

The weight that had been pressing down on her cracked, just a little. The fear of losing him, of being pushed away forever—just for a second, it didn't feel so inevitable.

Jaune was there.

Dressed in dust-covered mining gear, looking like he had just stepped out of some industrial hellscape, his helmet pushed back onto his head, blue eyes calm and unreadable.

His expression didn't shift. Not even a flicker of surprise.

"Good morning, Ruby."

Ruby, on the other hand, was losing her mind.

He SAW HER.

IN HER CURRENT STATE.

HER HAIR WAS A MESS.

SHE WAS STILL IN HER DRESS.

SHE LOOKED LIKE SHE HAD BEEN THROUGH AN EXISTENTIAL BREAKDOWN BECAUSE SHE HAD.

And now Jaune was looking directly at her with that same calm, unreadable expression like he wasn't looking at a completely disheveled, half-panicked, sleep-deprived wreck of a Huntress-in-training.

Her breath hitched.

A strangled noise left her lips. Then, before she could stop herself—

She burst into tears.

Not a soft sniffle. Not a quiet, dignified display of sadness.

No.

This was a full-body, ugly cry explosion of emotions. A choked sob tore out of her throat as her entire face crumpled. Her shoulders trembled as she sucked in a ragged breath, her fingers clutching at the fabric of her dress like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

Jaune blinked.

And then blinked again.

He didn't react much beyond that. His expression remained carefully neutral, but Ruby had known him long enough—known him before everything—that she could see the subtle flicker of something behind his eyes. Not concern. Not quite. But something.

She tried to speak. Failed. Tried again.

"J-Jaune—!" Her voice cracked painfully. "Y-you—you picked up."

Jaune's head tilted ever so slightly. "…Was there a reason I shouldn't have?"

That just made her sob harder.

Jaune let out a slow exhale, glancing away for a brief moment, as if assessing something off-screen. The background behind him was a cavernous mine, dimly lit by industrial lamps, conveyor belts moving ore through massive machinery.

Ruby barely noticed.

She wiped at her face furiously, trying to get herself under control. "I-I just—I thought—" she hiccupped, sucking in air, "—I thought you hated me."

Jaune's brows barely lifted. "That's illogical."

Ruby wailed.

He was still the same! He was still that weird, calm, logical, impossible Jaune Arc!

She laughed through her tears, pressing the sleeve of her dress against her face as she struggled to breathe. "You—you sound just like Weiss—!" she gasped between hiccups.

Jaune said nothing. He simply watched her. His gaze wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm either. It was… steady. Unshaken by her emotional outburst, letting her feel without interfering.

But he hadn't hung up.

And that meant everything.

Ruby sniffled, taking a shuddering breath, forcing herself to calm down. She was a leader. She was supposed to be good at talking. She needed to fix this.

Her voice was small. "Are… are you okay?"

Jaune studied her for a long moment before answering. "Yes."

Simple. Direct. No hesitation.

Ruby's fingers curled against her dress. "Are… are Ren and Nora okay?"

Jaune nodded slightly. "They're fine."

She swallowed. "Are… they mad at us?"

A pause. Then, Jaune gave a slow blink. "Not anymore."

That stung.

She tried not to let it show, even as her breath trembled.

Jaune shifted slightly, adjusting his grip on whatever equipment he had in his hands. He was clearly still working, standing in the middle of a mining operation. He had things to do. Important things. And yet—

He hadn't ended the call.

He had picked up.

And he was still here.

Ruby latched onto that.

"I—I know we should have called," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "I know we should have talked to you. To Ren and Nora. I just… I don't know why we didn't."

Jaune didn't nod, didn't confirm or deny. He simply watched her, his expression betraying nothing.

Her lip trembled. "Then… why didn't you tell us you were leaving?"

Jaune exhaled softly. Then, slowly, deliberately—he tilted his head.

"Why didn't you tell Ren and Nora that you were leaving?"

Ruby's breath caught.

It hit her all at once.

She hadn't called Ren and Nora. None of them had. They had just… left. Without thinking. Without asking. Without considering what it would feel like to be the ones left behind.

She opened her mouth. Closed it. Her brain scrambled for an answer—any answer.

But she had nothing.

Jaune's eyes remained steady. "As a leader, what would you do in my position?"

Ruby froze.

Her mind reeled. What would she do? If she had been left behind? If she had called and no one had answered? If she had realized that her teammates—the people she was supposed to trust—had chosen to walk away without saying a word?

Her stomach twisted.

She would have done the same thing.

Her fingers curled against her Scroll, gripping it tightly, her breath shaking.

Jaune's voice softened—just slightly.

"We'll be back tonight. Or early morning, depending on how tired Ren and Nora are." His blue eyes flickered, unreadable. "It'll only take The Tempest an hour to get back."

Ruby swallowed hard, nodding shakily. "Promise?"

Jaune regarded her for a long moment. Then, finally—

"Yes."

She almost cried again.

Then—

"Lava."

Ruby blinked. "Huh?"

Jaune glanced off-screen, his gaze shifting as a voice in the background called out.

It was muffled, but unmistakably Nora.

"JAUNE! IT'S LAVA! I NEED AN ADULT!"

A small exhale. "Busy right now," Jaune said, returning his gaze to Ruby. "Call later."

And before she could process that—

The screen clicked off.

Ruby sat there.

Completely still.

Processing.

And then—

She laughed.

Despite everything, despite the pain, despite the guilt—

Jaune had still picked up her call.

And maybe, just maybe—

Everything wasn't lost.

---

Jaune turned away from the lava pool, his mind settling back into the present. There was still work to do, but before that…

"Nora," he called out, his voice even.

A familiar head of orange hair popped up from behind a crate of ore, her expression bright as ever despite the dust smudged across her face. "Yeah, boss?"

Jaune let the moment settle for a beat before he continued, his tone casual, as if he were simply mentioning something in passing.

"Ruby called."

That was all it took.

Nora froze mid-motion, her hands gripping the side of the crate like she had just heard something impossible.

Then, in true Nora fashion—

"WHAAAAT?!"

Jaune barely had time to brace himself before she bolted toward him, eyes wide with something between shock and satisfaction. "She called you? Like, on purpose? Like, she actually wanted to talk to you?"

Jaune exhaled. "Yes."

Ren had paused his work as well, though he remained far more composed, watching the conversation unfold with a quiet sort of curiosity.

Nora's hands flailed as she paced in place, energy practically sparking off her. "Oh, oh, oh—what did she say? Did she ask about us? Did she finally feel bad for leaving us out?"

Jaune glanced at Ren, then back at her, and nodded. "She asked about us."

The sheer satisfaction that exploded across Nora's face could have powered Atlas itself.

"Hah! I knew it! I knew it wasn't just us feeling weird about everything!" She threw her arms up in triumph, then spun back toward Ren, jabbing a finger at him. "See?! What did I say, Ren?! She noticed! They noticed!"

Ren merely sighed, adjusting the last crate before replying in his usual, measured voice. "I didn't say they wouldn't notice, Nora. I just said it wasn't worth worrying about until we had confirmation."

"Well, boom!" She pointed aggressively at Jaune. "Confirmation!"

Jaune crossed his arms, watching the exchange with quiet amusement before his gaze flickered back to the Worker of Secrets buried deep within his consciousness.

Even as he let Nora revel in the small victory, he knew the truth.

Yes, Ruby had called. Yes, that meant there was still an ally in that team. Yes, it meant that—not all at once, not immediately—but a reconnection was possible.

But at the end of the day…

It didn't change this.

Didn't change the two standing before him.

Nora Valkyrie. Lie Ren.

The two people who had chosen him the moment he had chosen them.

When Team RWBY and even Pyrrha had drifted away, when they had all walked their own paths without so much as a word, it had been Ren and Nora who remained.

They had been lost—abandoned without answers, without warning, forced to watch as the people they trusted left them behind.

And Jaune hadn't hesitated.

He had accepted them.

He had picked them up without question.

And in that moment, he had gained something far stronger than companionship.

He had earned their loyalty.

Not the shallow kind, not the fragile sort that could waver under pressure or buckle under doubt.

No.

This was the kind of loyalty that a thousand men would falter at.

This was the kind of loyalty that endured.

Jaune turned his gaze fully to them now, seeing past the dust and sweat, past the exhaustion of their work, past the playful bickering.

The next time they had to walk into hell itself…

It wouldn't be Ruby.
It wouldn't be Weiss.
It wouldn't be Blake.
It wouldn't be Pyrrha.

It would be Ren and Nora who stepped forward first.

Without question.

Without hesitation.

Because they knew.

And he knew.

Jaune let the thought settle before shifting his attention to the materials they had gathered.

Tungsten.
Titanium.
Iron.
Copper.
Gold.
Silver.
Bronze.

The raw foundation of something greater.

Something that could be shaped.

Something that could be reforged.

Jaune's mind spun through possibilities.

Ren—disciplined, fluid, adaptive. He needed something that moved with him, something that wouldn't just complement his speed but elevate it.

A weapon wasn't enough.

He needed armor—lightweight, layered, reinforced. Something that would allow him to phase in and out of combat like a ghost, to disappear and reappear like the specter of a storm.

And Nora…

Nora was a force of nature.

Her power wasn't just in her strength—it was in the sheer momentum of her existence. She didn't just hit hard, she overwhelmed.

Her next weapon needed to match that.

A hammer? No.

Something more. Something that could shift between blunt destruction and precise devastation. A weapon with multiple forms—lightning-fed, conductive, a conduit for raw energy.

Legends weren't born.

They were made.

And he would make them.

Jaune exhaled, a quiet certainty settling deep in his chest.

Ruby had called.

That was good.

But this?

This was better.

He turned back toward Ren and Nora.

"Let's head up," he said simply. "We're done here."

Nora grinned, dusting off her hands. "Finally! If I stay down here any longer, I'm gonna start melting."

Ren nodded, rolling his shoulders. "Agreed."

Jaune took one last glance at the lava pool—one last glance at the fire that would forge them all.

Then, without another word, he turned and led them back to the surface.

---

Ruby zoomed through the Task Force building, a streak of red petals and energy that hadn't been there just the day before.

The exhaustion, the guilt, the endless gnawing thoughts that had weighed her down for the past two days?

Gone.

Or at least, mostly gone. There was still a tiny ember of guilt, but instead of dragging her down, it fueled her—pushing her forward, making her move.

Because now?

Now she had something she could do.

Something that wasn't just waiting, worrying, or second-guessing herself.

Jaune wasn't mad at her.

He wasn't trying to punish them.

He wasn't even being petty about what happened.

He was protecting his friends.

And for the first time since all of this started, Ruby finally understood.

It wasn't about proving a point. It wasn't about showing them what it felt like to be left behind.

Jaune had chosen to protect the people who stayed.

And Ruby?

Ruby respected the hell out of that.

In fact, if anything—

Jaune had somehow become even cooler after that call.

She still couldn't believe he actually picked up.

That he answered like normal, with that calm, steady voice of his, even though she had been a panicked mess barely able to form coherent words.

She snorted to herself, remembering how she had completely lost her mind the moment he appeared on screen.

The sheer chaos she had unleashed with just that one accidental call—

Her heart warmed all over again.

She spun into the living area, eyes scanning the aftermath of yesterday's adventure.

There were discarded jackets, a few empty water bottles, and Yang's boots still half-kicked off in the corner.

Not to mention the couch pillows, which had somehow ended up on the floor thanks to Yang's dramatic flailing before she passed out.

Ruby grinned and cracked her knuckles.

Time to make this place look awesome.

She started with the pillows, fluffing them back into shape before setting them neatly in their proper spots.

Then, with a flash step, she scooped up Yang's boots and tossed them into the shoe rack by the door.

Next? Trash duty.

Bottles? Tossed. Crumbs? Swept.

By the time she was done, the room was spotless.

She beamed at her work, hands on her hips.

It wasn't much—but it was something.

And the weight that had been pressing on her for days?

It felt lighter than ever.

Ruby practically skipped into the kitchen, because now—

Now she could bake.

And you know what was great about baking right now?

The rest of the team was still out.

Which meant—

No Yang to steal cookie dough.

Ruby grinned mischievously as she pulled out ingredients, the scent of flour and sugar filling the air.

No distractions. No missing batter. Just her, a clean kitchen, and the best cookie-making operation in all of Beacon.

She was in her element.

As she mixed the dough, she found herself humming happily, the lightness in her chest making her almost float.

Jaune was coming back.

Ren and Nora were coming back.

And when they did?

She was going to be ready.

She was going to welcome them back properly.

Maybe things weren't perfect yet.

Maybe she still had some things to figure out.

But for now?

For now, she could smile.

And for the first time in days—

She really, really meant it.

---

The hum of Vale's evening crowd filled the air, a steady blend of casual conversations, sizzling food, and the occasional shout from vendors trying to draw in customers. Lanterns hanging overhead cast a warm glow over the open-air food court, the smell of grilled meats and fresh bread drifting through the evening breeze.

Pyrrha and Weiss sat across from each other at one of the metal tables, dressed far more casually than usual.

A compromise.

Yang had insisted they take a more relaxed approach to this outing, which Weiss had initially resisted.

She had begrudgingly accepted it, though, and now she was sitting here in a simple but elegant blouse and skirt, watching as the common people of Vale went about their business.

It was…

Acceptable.

Not that she would ever admit that out loud.

She turned her gaze toward the vendors where Blake was waiting for her seafood order, standing patiently with her arms folded, blue eyes scanning the street as if already planning her next move. Yang, on the other hand, had taken a far more enthusiastic approach to ordering. She was leaning against the counter of a burger stall, grinning as the cook stacked an obscenely large amount of meat and toppings between two buns.

Weiss sighed, adjusting the napkin in her lap.

"She's going to regret that later."

Pyrrha, stirring the tea she had ordered, gave a soft chuckle. "She does seem rather proud of her choice."

"Enthusiastic," Weiss corrected with mild exasperation. "She's going to single-handedly drive up Vale's livestock demand at this rate."

Pyrrha hummed in amusement, her emerald eyes following Yang for a moment before turning back to Weiss.

"Weiss, I know you won't say it, but you're enjoying yourself, aren't you?"

Weiss scoffed lightly, lifting her cup of tea with practiced elegance. "I am merely tolerating it."

Pyrrha's knowing smile said otherwise.

"Yesterday was fun," Pyrrha continued, taking a small sip from her tea. "It's not often we indulge in something so extravagant. It was… a welcome change."

Weiss exhaled slowly, not quite willing to agree, but not denying it either.

"It was well-planned," she admitted after a beat. "At the very least, it was an evening of refinement. I won't complain about that."

Pyrrha nodded, a quiet amusement in her gaze.

"And today?"

Weiss tapped her nails lightly against the table, glancing around the bustling food court.

It wasn't bad.

Certainly not what she was used to—there were no reserved tables, no private dining rooms, no personal wait staff catering to her every request.

And yet—

Despite the open space, the casual atmosphere, and the fact that their food was being delivered to them rather than plated before them with a flourish—

It was…

Comfortable.

She flicked a strand of hair over her shoulder. "It's… fine. Not my first choice, but fine."

Pyrrha's warm chuckle told Weiss that she wasn't fooling anyone.

"It's good to step outside our usual expectations once in a while," Pyrrha said.

Weiss huffed. "Tell that to Yang and that monstrosity she's about to eat."

Pyrrha laughed, shaking her head. "That's different. I meant us, specifically. You and me. You can't deny that this is a welcome break from everything that's been weighing on us lately."

At that, Weiss fell silent.

She knew exactly what Pyrrha meant.

The shift in team dynamics, the distance forming between them and their former allies, the unspoken weight of every choice they had made leading up to this moment.

For now, though—

Just for tonight—

Weiss allowed herself to let it go.

"If nothing else," she said, giving a small smirk, "at least the food is actually being brought to us properly."

Pyrrha chuckled. "I had a feeling you'd say that."

They sat in quiet understanding, waiting for their meals, enjoying the rare moment of normalcy.

The quiet lull of conversation between Weiss and Pyrrha was interrupted by the arrival of their food—two elegantly plated dishes of Mistrali cuisine, arranged with care despite the casual setting of the food court. Pyrrha appreciated the familiar flavors of home; the spices, the textures—each bite carried a nostalgic comfort.

Weiss took a small, measured bite before speaking, her voice carrying an air of curiosity, but also something else—knowing.

"Are you considering that man's offer?"

Pyrrha didn't react outwardly, but her mind knew exactly who Weiss meant.

The prince of Mistral.

A man of regal bearing, dressed in the subtle yet unmistakable finery of Mistrali nobility. He had introduced himself simply, his presence commanding yet graceful, and when he recognized her—the Invincible Girl—he made his intentions clear.

He had been traveling across Remnant, seeking the finest warriors, the most exceptional fighters that each kingdom had to offer.

And when he found Pyrrha Nikos in Vale—

He had to make her an offer.

Not just an offer to fight for Mistral. Not just a sponsorship.

But an invitation to train among the Mistrali Royal Hunters.

The name alone carried weight.

A shadowed association, known only in whispers—a secretive but elite faction beyond even the most seasoned Huntsmen.

They were more than warriors. They were legends.

They only accepted the absolute best—the candidates who had not just proven themselves in their field, but had exceeded all expectations.

And even then—only a fraction survived their training.

Those who did were forged into something beyond Huntsmen.

True Mistrali warriors.

Pyrrha's grip tightened slightly around her fork.

"My parents were overjoyed when I told them about it this morning," she admitted, her voice calm, composed. "They have always wanted me to represent Mistral. To honor our traditions. To stand as something more than just another Huntress in the world."

Weiss gave a small hum of understanding. "I've heard of them before," she mused, sipping her tea. "The Royal Hunters are incredibly prestigious. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Pyrrha nodded. "Yes. It is."

And that was what made it so easy to consider.

Her mind drifted back to Beacon.

To her team.

To her leader.

Jaune Arc—

The man who didn't need her.

She had watched as Jaune had surpassed everything she had trained for.

His strength, his skill, his absolute command in battle—he didn't need a partner. He didn't need a teammate.

And even when they had been together as Team JNPR, Jaune had never leaned on her. Never sought her guidance.

Not anymore.

Not after what he had become.

Ren and Nora?

They had chosen him.

There was no room for Pyrrha in the world he was building.

And if that was the case…

Why was she staying?

Her fingers traced the edge of her plate, thoughtful.

"This could be my chance," she said quietly. "My chance to step out of the shadow I've been standing in at Beacon."

Weiss studied her carefully.

"You mean Jaune's."

Pyrrha didn't respond immediately.

Then, slowly, she nodded.

The words felt heavier than she expected.

"I trained my entire life to be the best," she murmured. "To be Mistral's champion. To be someone that others looked to as a symbol of strength. And yet…"

Her emerald eyes flickered with something unspoken.

"I don't think I can be that at Beacon."

Weiss was silent for a long moment.

Then, with a quiet breath, she set down her tea.

"You deserve to be somewhere that sees your worth," she said plainly. "Somewhere that doesn't leave you in the background."

Pyrrha's gaze lifted to meet hers.

For the first time in a long while—

She felt like she had clarity.

The choice wasn't difficult.

It wasn't even painful.

Because for the first time since arriving at Beacon

She saw a future without it.

And she wasn't afraid.

---

The food court was buzzing with life, the scent of freshly grilled meat, fried food, and exotic spices filling the air. Neon lights flickered above them, casting a warm glow over the bustling crowds. Yang and Blake walked side by side, the two having split off momentarily to place their own orders before rejoining Weiss and Pyrrha.

Yang was stretching, rolling her shoulders with a satisfied sigh. "Man, I gotta admit, Weiss might actually be onto something with these casual outings. Feels good to cut loose, y'know?"

Blake hummed noncommittally as she walked beside her, arms crossed. She wasn't entirely against the idea of spending time together, far from it. She had been the first to agree that Team RWBY needed to re-establish their own identity. But as her sharp golden eyes flicked to Pyrrha, sitting primly next to Weiss at a distant table, her tail flicked in irritation.

Bringing Pyrrha had been a mistake.

"Yeah," Blake muttered, her tone flat. "Spending time as Team RWBY is a good idea. But bringing her along wasn't."

Yang blinked, looking at her with a raised brow. "Pyrrha? What's the problem?"

Blake sighed, shifting her weight. "She's not one of us."

Yang shrugged. "I mean, yeah, but we've all been hanging out for months now. She's pretty much been part of our dynamic since Jaune started leading the Task Force."

Blake turned her head to look at Yang directly. "Exactly," she said, voice quieter but firm. "Since Jaune."

Yang frowned slightly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Okay, you lost me."

Blake exhaled sharply. "Pyrrha isn't here to strengthen Team RWBY. She's here because she feels like she's losing her place."

Yang's eyes narrowed. "That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"

Blake shook her head. "No, it's the truth. We wanted to step away from Jaune's influence, right? To function as our own team again. But Pyrrha? She's different. She's not stepping away from him because she wants to, she's doing it because she doesn't think she has a choice."

Yang's lips pressed together, an uneasy feeling settling in her gut. "I mean… she has been kinda weird lately."

Blake nodded. "She's been quiet. Distant. But only toward Jaune." She glanced at Pyrrha again, noting how she was speaking with Weiss, her expression calm, but something about her posture was too composed. "She's not trying to bring Team JNPR back together. She's trying to find something new before she loses everything she had."

Yang crossed her arms, her carefree attitude dimming slightly. "So what, you think Weiss dragging her into this was a mistake?"

"Yes," Blake said bluntly. "She doesn't fit with us. Not in the way she wants to. If she stays, she'll just keep trying to turn us into something that replaces what she lost."

Yang let out a long sigh, rubbing her temples. "Ugh. Alright, I get what you're saying, but what are we supposed to do? Kick her out?"

Blake shook her head. "No. That would only make things worse. We just… need to be careful. She's not a bad person, but she's here for different reasons than we are."

Yang grumbled under her breath. "Why can't anything be simple?"

Blake smirked slightly. "Because you're friends with complicated people."

Yang snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Alright, fine. Let's just get our food and head back. But if Pyrrha starts acting weird again, you let me know."

Blake simply nodded, and with that, the two grabbed their orders and made their way back to the table, where Weiss and Pyrrha were already deep in conversation.

As they sat down, Blake observed Pyrrha again, watching the way she responded to Weiss's words, the way her fingers tapped idly against her drink, the way her gaze flickered briefly, but unmistakably toward her Scroll.

Toward the message from that man.

The prince who had extended an invitation to train with the Mistrali Royal Hunters.

Blake didn't know what Pyrrha would choose in the end.

But she knew one thing for certain.

Pyrrha Nikos was already halfway out the door.

---

The smelting process had begun.

Thick, molten streams of tungsten, titanium, iron, copper, silver, and gold glowed with a radiant intensity, swirling like a captured sun as it was channeled into reinforced casting molds. The air inside the makeshift forge was heavy with heat, an almost oppressive wave that rolled outward as Jaune observed the refining process with a clinical eye.

The cavern they had used for their mining operation was now barren, stripped of everything valuable. The Tempest's industrial-grade mining equipment had ensured precision extractions, and the trip back up to the surface had been efficient. Now, all that remained was turning raw ore into something worthy of their use.

Jaune adjusted the heat settings on the plasma furnace, watching as the elements separated, impurities burning away under the extreme temperature. His fingers danced over the control panel, shifting between different temperature thresholds and ensuring that nothing was wasted. The automated refinery systems from The Tempest handled the finer details, but Jaune never trusted automation alone.

He always worked with his hands.

Not far from him, Ren and Nora were busy organizing the processed ingots, stacking them into proper containment units, carefully cataloging each metal type as per Jaune's specifications.

"Okay, so this one's tungsten, that one's titanium, wait, or is it iron?" Nora asked, tilting her head at the gray slab in her hands. She squinted, then knocked her knuckles against it.

Jaune barely glanced over. "That one's tungsten. Titanium has a duller sheen."

Nora pouted. "Man, why does everything look the same?!"

Ren, who had been stacking the iron ingots, sighed. "If you stopped grabbing random slabs and actually checked the labels Jaune made, you wouldn't have this issue."

Nora groaned dramatically before hugging the copper ingot in her arms. "At least I know what this one is! And it's so pretty. I kinda wanna keep it."

Jaune finally turned to look at her, one brow raised. "Nora, you do know that copper oxidizes into green over time, right?"

She gasped, horrified. "YOU MEAN IT BETRAYS ME?!"

Jaune sighed, but there was warmth in his voice. "It's just chemistry."

Nora stuck her tongue out. "Boo, chemistry. Yay, copper."

Ren was already tuning her out, stacking the rest of the iron before turning to Jaune.

"We have everything categorized," he reported. "All that's left is the final refining and shaping process."

Jaune nodded. "Good. Then we move on to crafting."

Nora perked up immediately, tossing aside the copper ingot with reckless abandon (which Ren quickly caught before it could land in the molten smelting vat).

"Yes! Finally! No more boring rock-moving, time for the real fun!"

The heavy hum of The Tempest's cargo lift filled the cavern as the last of the refined materials were secured into reinforced storage crates. The ten tons of metals—tungsten, titanium, iron, copper, silver, and gold—were neatly organized, each crate labeled and stacked with military-grade precision.

Jaune observed as Ren and Nora secured the final load, his mind still focused on what came next.

The mining was done.
The refining was complete.
Now, it was time to build.

Jaune exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he turned to face his two teammates.

"Nora," he began.

The redhead perked up immediately, grinning wide.

"Yesss, fearless leader?"

Jaune tapped a console, and a holographic projection appeared beside them, displaying a detailed blueprint of Magnhild.

"I'm upgrading your hammer."

Nora gasped, grabbing Ren's arm and shaking him violently. "DID YOU HEAR THAT, REN?!"

Ren sighed. "I'm right next to you, Nora. I can hear everything."

Jaune ignored them, pointing at a new component in the design.

"I'm installing a gravity impactor in the head of Magnhild. Every time you swing, the hammer will charge kinetic energy. At the moment of impact, it will release a controlled gravitational burst, launching enemies farther and hitting harder than before."

Silence.

Then—

"OH MY DUST, THAT'S THE BEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD!" Nora practically vibrated with excitement, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Jaune, you beautiful, brilliant, tactical genius!"

Jaune smirked slightly.

Ren, still recovering from being shaken like a ragdoll, rubbed his temple. "And me?"

Jaune swiped to the next holographic blueprint, showing an intricate boot mechanism with force amplification nodes built into the soles.

"These are for you," he explained, gesturing toward the modular force-multiplying boots.

Ren narrowed his eyes, intrigued.

"These boots use a specialized momentum-redirecting system," Jaune continued. "They'll absorb kinetic energy from your movements and release it on command—letting you move faster, close distances instantly, and hit harder when you need to."

Ren's eyes flickered with recognition.

"That would allow for—"

Jaune nodded. "—unmatched battlefield mobility."

Ren's interest was fully piqued now.

Nora beamed, slamming her hands on Jaune's shoulders. "Fearless Leader, you are SPOILING US."

Jaune merely smirked internally.
Because he wasn't stopping there.

These were just the first of their upgrades.
Ren and Nora had stuck by him.

And Jaune Arc rewarded loyalty.

With their excitement lingering in the air, Jaune gestured toward the cargo crates.

"Let's move the last load into The Tempest. Then we start working."

Ren and Nora nodded, still visibly thrilled by what they had just learned.

Nora, still high off the idea of a gravity-launching hammer, grabbed one of the crates and threw it over her shoulder like it weighed nothing.

"LET'S GOOOO!"

Ren merely sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression as he lifted his own load, following Jaune up the ramp into The Tempest.

Jaune walked ahead, eyes sharp as he watched the cargo be loaded into his ship's personal forge.

Their weapons would be stronger.
Their abilities would be enhanced.
Their enemies wouldn't stand a chance.

And this?

This was only the beginning.

---

The first batch of cookies came out perfect.

Golden brown, just slightly crisp at the edges, with gooey chocolate centers that made her mouth water.

Ruby grinned, satisfied as she set the tray down on the counter, the warm scent of fresh-baked goodness filling the entire room.

"Yes!" she whispered to herself, beaming. Just right.

Without missing a beat, she reached for another tray, quickly rolling more dough into little spheres before placing them down with precise care.

This time, she added even more chocolate chips. Because there was no such thing as too many chocolate chips in a cookie.

The oven hummed softly as she worked, the rhythmic motion of scooping, rolling, and placing coming naturally.

Ruby found herself humming along to some tune she barely recognized, her entire body light with energy.

She hadn't felt this relaxed in days.

Not since…

Her hands paused for half a second, before she shook her head and kept going.

Nope.

She wasn't going to think about it.

She wasn't going to waste another second feeling bad about something she couldn't change.

She had let them pull her away.

She had known, deep down, that going along with everything had been a mistake.

That she should have said something, done something.
That she should have stood her ground instead of just giving in because it was easier.

And what had it gotten her?

A day full of awkward silences and unspoken doubts.
A night spent pretending that everything was fine when it wasn't.

Never again.

She wouldn't let herself be dragged along by other people's choices.

She was tired of trying to be the peacekeeper, of going along just because everyone else wanted to.

Next time?

She'd speak up.

She'd make her own choices.

And if they didn't like it?

Too bad.

The second batch went into the oven, and Ruby sighed in satisfaction, wiping her hands on her apron.

The warmth of the kitchen felt soothing, the scent of sugar and chocolate wrapping around her like a soft blanket.

This was her moment.

A little piece of normalcy in the middle of everything.

And for once, she wasn't going to let anything ruin it.

She smiled, grabbing a cookie from the cooling rack and taking a bite.

Delicious.

---

The topic of Pyrrha's potential departure still lingered in the air, unspoken but pressing.

She had nearly made up her mind.

Weiss knew it.

Blake suspected it.

And Pyrrha herself had already begun looking ahead to what came next.

That was why this moment felt off.

Like they were sharing a table with someone who wasn't really here anymore.

Weiss, ever perceptive, placed her napkin down neatly before breaking the silence.

"We were talking about your offer earlier," she said, directing her words toward Pyrrha. "From that Mistrali prince."

Yang raised a brow. "Offer?"

Blake, who already knew, simply watched Pyrrha's reaction.

Pyrrha didn't flinch or hesitate, but the way her fingers curled just slightly around her cup didn't go unnoticed.

She nodded.

"Yes. He offered me a chance to train with the Mistrali Royal Hunters."

Yang blinked. "Wait. Hold up. The Royal Hunters? The ones that are, like… super secretive and supposedly better than Huntsmen?"

Pyrrha hummed. "That's the one."

Yang let out a low whistle. "Damn. That's… kinda big."

"It is," Weiss said, her tone even, measured. "And she's considering it."

Yang's chewing slowed. "Huh. Well, I mean, if that's what you wanna do—"

Blake cut in. "You've already decided, haven't you?"

The table fell silent.

Pyrrha exhaled softly, looking down at the delicate ripples in her tea.

She didn't deny it.

She didn't confirm it, either.

But in that single moment of hesitation, the answer was clear.

Yang set her burger down, suddenly more serious. "You're really leaving?"

Pyrrha met her gaze, eyes steady. "I'm considering my options."

Blake scoffed. "No. You're making an exit plan."

Weiss's eyes narrowed. "Blake—"

"No," Blake said, sharper this time. "Let's not pretend we don't see it. Pyrrha isn't here because she wants to be part of this. She's here because she feels like she has nothing left in his team."

Yang frowned. "That's—"

"—The truth," Blake finished. "She's not staying with us because she believes in what we're doing. She's looking for a replacement. A backup plan."

Pyrrha's grip on her cup tightened.

Weiss's fingers curled against the table. "That's unfair, Blake."

Blake shook her head. "No. What's unfair is letting someone pretend they're part of this when they're already halfway out the door."

The tension at the table spiked, sharp and cutting.

Pyrrha slowly placed her cup down, her posture still graceful but her expression guarded.

"I won't apologize for wanting something more," she said, her voice calm, but firm. "I trained my entire life to be the best. I've fought for it, bled for it. But I can't be that at Beacon."

She looked at them then, really looked at them.

"You've all chosen to move forward as Team RWBY again. To step away from Jaune. To redefine yourselves. And that's fine."

A pause.

"But I need to do the same."

Blake exhaled, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. "Then why are you still here?"

Weiss's jaw tightened. "Blake, that's enough."

Blake didn't look at her. "She doesn't belong here, Weiss. Not with us."

Yang ran a hand down her face. "Gods, can we not do this here?"

Blake ignored her. "If you wanted to be with us, Pyrrha, really be with us, you wouldn't still be considering that offer. You'd be focused on strengthening our team, not looking for an escape."

Pyrrha met Blake's gaze without anger.

Without frustration.

Just understanding.

"I wanted to see if I was wrong," Pyrrha said.

Blake blinked.

Pyrrha smiled, but it was soft. Small.

"I wanted to see if there was still something here for me. If I could find a place with you all. If I could make this… work."

Her eyes drifted down to her plate, untouched now.

"But I think I've always known the answer."

Weiss looked at her for a long moment before speaking, her voice quiet, but firm.

"You're not wrong for wanting more, Pyrrha. You're not wrong for wanting to stand on your own. But don't let someone else tell you that means you don't belong."

Pyrrha looked at her, and for a brief second, there was something like gratitude in her expression.

Blake, however, only sighed. "Then decide already."

Yang let out a slow breath, running a hand through her hair. "Damn."

Weiss's lips pressed into a thin line.

And Pyrrha?

She simply closed her eyes for a moment, exhaled, and nodded.

The decision had been made.

And Team RWBY knew it.

---

The sky stretched wide above The Tempest, the hum of the engines steady, constant, cutting through the quiet night as they soared toward Beacon.

Jaune stood near the command deck, his eyes fixed on the expanse of land below. Shadows of forests, rivers, and mountains blurred past, illuminated faintly by the moonlight.

Ren and Nora sat further back, resting against the seats, their exhaustion finally catching up to them after hours of hauling and refining materials.

It was Nora who had insisted they halt the upgrades.

Her reasoning had been simple. She was tired, she was hungry, and she wanted to see Ruby before she fell asleep.

Jaune had considered continuing—there was always more to do, always more improvements to make.

But the Worker of Secrets had approved of Nora's choice.

Not for the reason she might have expected.

Forgiveness.

It was a powerful trait. One rarely given freely, and even rarer in those who were useful.

Nora's desire to mend ties with Ruby was not an emotional indulgence.

It was an investment.

Jaune—no, the Worker—saw the board shifting. Pieces falling into place.

Weiss Schnee was the driving force behind Team RWBY's separation. He suspected as much.

She was observant. Analytical. Suspicious.

She was the one keeping their team focused on moving away from him.

But he had lost nothing.

Pyrrha's distance? Expected.

Ren and Nora? Unshaken. Loyal.

And Ruby?

Ruby still called.

Ruby still cared.

She had reached out, and while the Worker of Secrets held no sentimental attachment to the girl, he acknowledged her value.

Her role was not eliminated from the board.

Not yet.

Everything I have gained outweighs what I have lost.

He clasped his hands behind his back, the edges of his coat shifting with the soft vibrations of the ship.

Pyrrha…

He did not yet know what she was planning, but he could sense her hesitation.

Jaune Arc—the persona, the illusion he played—may have ignored it.

But the Worker of Secrets saw it clearly.

Something would arise.

A choice. A shift.

And when it came, he would be ready.

The board was transforming.

And it was transforming in his favor.

---

Ruby let out a content sigh as she pulled out the final batch of cookies, the warm scent of chocolate and vanilla filling the air.

She placed them carefully on the cooling rack, stepping back to admire her work. Golden brown, perfectly baked.

A job well done.

She wiped her hands on her apron, smiling in satisfaction. The kitchen was spotless, the counters wiped clean, and for the first time in weeks, the air around her felt lighter.

The weight that had pressed against her chest for so long had eased—maybe not completely, but enough.

The guilt that lingered?

She had used it.

She had channeled it into something good, something warm and welcoming.

Because tonight, they would be coming back together.

And this time, she wouldn't hesitate.

She wouldn't let herself get dragged along by the choices of others.

She had given in too easily before, listened to what everyone else wanted.

Not again.

This time, she was going to stand her ground.

She reached up, stretching her arms overhead, a yawn slipping past her lips—

—only for her eyes to catch a glimpse of red fabric in her peripheral vision.

She blinked.

Paused.

Looked down.

Her breath hitched.

She was still in the dress.

The deep red cocktail dress from yesterday's outing.

The same dress she had been running around in—baking, cleaning, humming like a fool.

Oh no.

Her hands flew to the fabric, now wrinkled, stained with traces of flour and cookie dough.

Her hair?

A mess.

She was a mess.

Her mortification came crashing in all at once.

If anyone saw me like this—!

A high-pitched noise of distress escaped her throat as she bolted from the kitchen, nearly tripping over her own feet in her rush to get out.

Shower. Now. Before anyone comes back and sees me like this!

She scrambled to her room, throwing open the door, grabbing the first thing she could find—

Cookies and Roses PJs.

Her favorite ones.

Soft, warm, comforting.

Perfect.

She didn't hesitate, practically launching herself into the bathroom, turning the shower on full blast.

As the warm water poured over her, she let herself breathe.

The steam curled around her, washing away the flour, the lingering exhaustion, the weight of the past few days.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt clean.

Not just physically.

Everything.

The worst of it—it might actually be over.

Tonight…

Everyone was coming back together.

And Ruby Rose couldn't wait.

---

The Tempest hummed with quiet efficiency, its sleek hull cutting through the night sky with the same effortless grace as its master. Inside the cockpit, Jaune sat at the controls, one hand steady on the yoke as the other adjusted their approach. The glowing lights of Beacon Academy stretched out below them, familiar yet distant.

A small sigh left him as he opened the comms.

"Beacon Tower, this is Tempest. Requesting clearance to land."

A brief pause. Then—

"Tempest, this is Beacon Tower. Standby."

There was a familiar click before a smoother, more refined voice replaced the generic operator.

"Ah, Mister Arc. You return sooner than expected," Ozpin's voice carried an edge of pleasant surprise. "I trust your expedition was fruitful?"

Jaune glanced over at Ren and Nora. The two sat near the back of the cockpit, tired but satisfied. They had worked hard. They had earned this.

His voice remained even. "More than expected, Headmaster. Ren and Nora pulled their weight. Because of them, we wrapped up early."

Ren gave a small nod of gratitude. Nora, however, perked up instantly.

"Wait, did you just give us credit? In front of the big boss?" she grinned, eyes wide with exaggerated delight. "Oh man, that's going in the scrapbook."

Ren chuckled softly, clearly pleased by the acknowledgment, even if he didn't voice it aloud.

Ozpin's warm chuckle followed through the comms. "I see. Then allow me to extend my compliments. It is always a pleasure to see young Huntsmen and Huntresses applying themselves so diligently."

Nora beamed, rocking back and forth in her seat.

"We also have some things to discuss with our friends," Jaune added smoothly, his tone light, but the meaning behind it was not lost on anyone in the cockpit.

Ozpin's pause was brief but noticeable.

Then, his voice returned, this time with something softer beneath it.

"I understand."

There was another moment before Ozpin exhaled, his tone shifting ever so slightly.

"One more thing, Mister Arc. Before I let you go… I thought you should know. Miss Rose took your absence rather poorly. It may be wise to check on her once you return."

A beat of silence stretched in the cockpit.

Jaune's fingers paused over the controls.

Ruby.

His mind turned over the pieces. Her voice on the call, the way she tried to hide how relieved she was that he picked up.

His expression didn't shift.

But he understood.

"Understood, Headmaster. Thank you for the notice."

Ozpin let out a quiet hum, as if he expected nothing less.

"Clearance granted. Welcome back to Beacon."

With that, the transmission cut out.

Jaune guided the Tempest into its descent, the automated landing system engaging as the ship eased into the ship touched down with its usual precision, the hiss of depressurization filling the bay as the engines cooled.

As the last vibrations settled, Nora stretched her arms over her head, letting out a dramatic groan. "Phew! Home sweet home!"

Ren nodded, already rising from his seat with his usual calm demeanor.

"Should we pack up?" Nora asked, shifting her weight as she looked at Jaune expectantly.

Jaune shook his head. "Not yet."

Nora blinked.

"Just Ruby called," he clarified, his voice measured. "Let's see what the rest have to say first."

Ren and Nora exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement.

Jaune exhaled silently, his thoughts already several steps ahead.

Ruby had called.

The others hadn't.

He could already see the shifting pieces on the board.

Let's see how they move next.

---

Ruby paced back and forth in the dorm, her hands twisting together, bare feet padding rapidly against the wooden floor. Her heartbeat was a rapid staccato, her emotions tangled in an impossible knot of excitement, nervousness, and something dangerously close to relief.

They were coming.

Jaune. Nora. Ren.

They're coming back.

She bounced slightly on her heels before forcing herself still, then immediately resumed her pacing. Her mind raced in circles. Would they be mad? Would they be distant?

She had talked to Jaune, but that wasn't enough to tell her how things would actually go. What if Ren and Nora were upset with her? What if they resented them for leaving?

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.

But at the same time—

They were coming.

She felt like she was bursting at the seams, so happy she could hardly stand still.

She glanced toward the plate of cookies sitting on the table, fresh, warm, and waiting. She had done everything she could to make sure tonight would be welcoming, that everything would feel like it used to be.

A part of her knew she was reaching.

A part of her knew that things had already changed.

But another part of her refused to believe that what they had before was truly gone.

Then—

The doorknob clicked.

Ruby froze.

A second later, the door swung open, and a familiar, bright, bounding presence filled the room with the same energy and warmth that Ruby had missed more than she could admit.

"RUBY! We're home!"

Nora's voice rang out, cheerful and loud, arms spread wide as she stood in the doorway, grinning like nothing had changed.

That was all it took.

Ruby barreled into her.

She threw herself forward, slamming into Nora's shorter frame with so much force that the older girl stumbled back with a yelp, but she caught her instinctively.

"NORA!"

Ruby hugged her tight, her arms locked around Nora's shoulders, her face buried into her friend's shoulder.

And just like that—

Everything she had bottled up for days finally broke through.

Her tears spilled over.

She clung to Nora like she would disappear if she let go, every ounce of pent-up emotion rushing out of her at once.

Nora blinked in surprise, her arms still lifted in the air before she softened completely, warmth blooming across her face.

A heartbeat later, she hugged Ruby back just as fiercely.

"Aww, Rubes!" Nora laughed, her voice touched with something deeper. Something genuinely moved. "Did you miss me that much?"

Ruby couldn't even talk.

She just nodded rapidly, sniffling into her shoulder, squeezing tighter.

Nora squeezed back.

Ren stood just inside the doorway, watching the moment unfold. His usual calm, unreadable expression was still present, but something softened in his gaze.

For the first time in days, Ruby felt whole again.

Ruby held onto Nora for a long time, her shoulders shaking slightly as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

She pulled back just enough to look at them—both of them.

Ren and Nora.

Her eyes flickered between them, guilt pooling in her stomach.

"I—I'm sorry," she stammered, voice small but firm. "For everything. For not—" She swallowed thickly, shaking her head. "For not talking to you guys before we left. For letting it all happen without saying anything. I—I should've done more. I should have—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa."

Nora cut her off immediately, wrapping her arms around Ruby again, hugging her from the side with an almost protective squeeze.

"Rubes, it's okay," Nora said, grinning, though her eyes were gentle. "I mean, do I wish things went differently? Sure. But am I gonna let you sit here and cry about it when we're back together?"

She pulled back slightly, giving Ruby a reassuring shake.

"Nah," she said simply. "Not happening. No bad vibes allowed."

Ruby sniffled, her lips trembling slightly before a small, watery laugh bubbled up.

She turned to Ren, her silver eyes searching his face. "Ren—?"

Ren, who had been watching quietly, exhaled softly, then reached out to place a firm, reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"I understand," he said simply. "You did what you thought was right at the time. And I know this wasn't easy for you."

Ruby bit her lip, fighting back more tears.

Ren offering his understanding so easily—it meant more than she could say.

She nodded quickly, wiping her eyes. "Still… I really, really missed you guys."

"Yeah, we got that from the tackle," Nora teased, nudging her playfully.

The warmth in the room was palpable, a sense of belonging settling over them again.

Then—

The door creaked open again.

Ruby stepped back, turning toward the doorway—

And there he was.

Jaune.

He stood just inside, arms crossed, his blue gaze sweeping over the scene before him.

And in those sharp, knowing eyes—

Approval.

Ruby blinked rapidly, brushing at her damp cheeks, but her smile was already forming.

She breathed out.

"Come in already!" she said, voice lighter now, the weight in her chest finally lifting. "The cookies are getting cold!"

She turned quickly toward the small kitchenette. "I'll get the milk!"

At that, Nora perked up immediately, her excitement practically radiating. "Milk and cookies?! Now you're speaking my language!"

She bounced after Ruby, leaving Ren and Jaune to exchange an amused glance.

Ren shook his head, his lips twitching upward before following inside.

Jaune lingered for just a second longer, taking in the energy of the room.

The warmth.

The reunited friendships.

And then—

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

The walk back to Beacon was almost completely silent.

---

The night air was crisp, the campus lights casting long shadows across the pavement as the four girls made their way toward the dormitories.

But no one said anything.

Not at first.

The only sound was the soft crunch of their footsteps on the stone pathway, the faint rustle of trees in the distance, and the occasional murmur of passing students.

Weiss walked ahead, her posture stiff, arms folded tightly across her chest.

Pyrrha was beside her, hands at her sides, fingers occasionally flexing, as though she was stopping herself from clenching them into fists.

Blake trailed slightly behind, arms crossed, her golden eyes flickering toward Pyrrha every so often, the tension in her expression barely contained.

And Yang—

Yang was fuming.

Her shoulders were squared, her arms rigid at her sides, her normally relaxed features set into an increasingly visible scowl.

It was suffocating.

The air between them was heavy, thick with unspoken words that had been building for days now, maybe even weeks.

And then—

Right as they neared their building—

Yang stopped dead in her tracks.

Her boots scraped against the stone, her hands clenching into fists.

The others took a few steps before noticing, turning toward her.

Then, without warning—

"No. I'm not going in there like this."

Her voice cut through the silence like a blade.

Weiss turned on her heel, eyebrows shooting up in irritation. "Like what, exactly?"

Yang threw out a hand. "Like this! This whole weird, moody, silent, I'm-too-good-to-talk-to-anyone atmosphere we've got going on!"

She gestured toward them all. "Seriously, what the hell is wrong with us?"

Weiss huffed sharply, placing her hands on her hips. "Nothing is wrong, Yang, we're simply tired."

"That's such bull—!" Yang cut herself off, running a hand through her hair, visibly trying to keep her temper in check. "We're not tired, Weiss. We're a damn mess!"

She jabbed a finger toward their dorm. "We left that room together yesterday, and everything felt right for the first time in weeks. And now look at us! Walking like a bunch of strangers who don't even like each other!"

Weiss scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Oh, forgive me for not pretending like nothing happened."

"Nothing happened?!" Yang barked out a laugh. "We literally just spent an entire day trying to 'fix' things! And now we're back to this?"

"Because it's not that simple!" Weiss shot back. "Not everything can be solved with one night out!"

"Yeah, no kidding!" Yang threw up her hands. "But at least I'm trying!"

Weiss's jaw tightened, but before she could fire back, Blake finally stepped in.

"She's right."

The words came firm and sharp, cutting through Weiss's retort before it could form.

Weiss turned, eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"

Blake's expression was unreadable, but the tension in her shoulders was clear. "Yang's right. This isn't working. This isn't Team RWBY."

Weiss crossed her arms. "And what do you suggest we do, Blake? Have a little group hug? Hold hands and pretend everything's fine?"

"No," Blake said plainly. "But we're running out of time before we can't fix this at all."

Yang folded her arms, nodding. "Exactly! We can't just keep sweeping it under the rug and hoping it magically gets better!"

Weiss let out a sharp breath, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Pyrrha, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"Maybe the problem," she said softly, voice measured, "is that we're trying to force something that isn't the same anymore."

Blake's eyes snapped to her.

Yang's eyebrows furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Pyrrha exhaled slowly, as if she had already accepted something the others hadn't.

"I think we need to be honest with ourselves," she said. "About who we are now. About what we really want."

Blake's tail flicked, her arms tightening. "And you've already decided what you want, haven't you?"

Pyrrha met her gaze evenly.

"I think I have."

Blake scoffed. "Great. Just perfect."

Yang's eyes darted between them, her frustration mounting.

"You see?! This is what I mean!" She pointed between them. "You're acting like we're already falling apart!"

"Maybe we are," Blake muttered under her breath.

Yang's hands tightened into fists. "Then fix it!"

"How, Yang?!" Weiss suddenly snapped.

Yang turned to her, blinking in shock at the raw frustration in Weiss's tone.

Weiss's fingers dug into her sleeves, her voice quieter now, but laced with exhaustion.

"You keep demanding that we fix it," she said. "But what does that actually mean? You say we need to 'go back'—" She shook her head. "Back to what? Back to pretending that we don't all feel like strangers in our own team?"

Yang opened her mouth—

But nothing came out.

For the first time, the fire in her chest faltered.

Because Weiss wasn't just being difficult.

She was genuinely upset.

Weiss inhaled sharply, straightening her posture. "You want to talk about 'fixing it?' Then let's talk about reality, Yang. You don't get to force something to stay the same just because it's what you want."

Yang flinched, the words hitting harder than she expected.

And then, the final nail came from Pyrrha.

"We're not the same people we were when we started at Beacon," she said softly, but there was a finality in her tone.

A truth she had already accepted.

Blake exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples.

Yang let out a breath, running a frustrated hand through her hair.

Weiss's expression remained firm, but her grip on her arms tightened.

And the worst part?

No one disagreed with Pyrrha.

They all just stood there—

Tired.

Frustrated.

And no closer to a solution.

The tension snapped like a taut wire fraying under pressure.

"You don't get to force something to stay the same just because it's what you want!" Weiss's voice cut through the night, sharp and laced with barely contained anger.

Yang's fists curled so tight her knuckles turned white. "And you don't get to sit there acting like you're above all of this, Weiss! Like we're all just supposed to roll over and accept whatever you think is best!"

Blake's tail lashed behind her. "She's right, though! We can't just act like this will fix itself! Pyrrha is already making plans to leave, and you want to pretend like we're just going to be fine?! When are we going to admit that we are not the same team anymore?!"

Pyrrha's eyes narrowed, her voice quiet but cutting. "Maybe that's because I never really was part of this team to begin with."

Yang took one step forward. "Say that again."

"Maybe I should," Pyrrha shot back, her posture straightening. "You resent me being here, don't you? You never saw me as part of this. Just an extension of Jaune's influence."

Blake's shoulders tensed. "That's because you were. You never tried to be one of us—just an observer waiting for your chance to pick a side."

Pyrrha's eyes flashed. "And you already chose yours, didn't you?"

Weiss threw up her hands. "And this is why we are falling apart!"

"You think I don't know that, Weiss?!" Yang's voice spiked in volume, the tension in her chest snapping. "You think I don't see how messed up this all is?! At least I'm fighting for something instead of just watching it all crumble!"

Weiss took a step forward, eyes blazing. "Fighting for what, Yang?! Team RWBY?! Because if this is what that looks like, then maybe you're the one destroying it!"

"Don't put this on me, Weiss!" Yang shouted back. "If you weren't so obsessed with playing detective about Jaune, maybe we wouldn't even be in this mess!"

"Oh, so now it's my fault?" Weiss hissed. "I was the only one actually thinking instead of blindly following him around like you were all so content to do!"

Yang's fists tightened at her sides. "Say that again, Weiss. I dare you."

Weiss stepped closer. "What? Are you going to hit me now?"

Blake moved slightly, as if preparing to intervene.

Pyrrha straightened, eyes locked onto Weiss.

The anger, the resentment, the months of unspoken tension—

It was seconds away from boiling over into something far worse.

And none of them noticed the building's door slowly creak open.

Not until—

"Enough."

The word was not shouted.

It was not loud.

But it carried weight.

The kind that stopped everything.

The kind that commanded obedience.

The arguing cut off instantly.

Four pairs of eyes snapped toward the dormitory entrance—

And there he was.

Jaune Arc.

Leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed casually—

And yet—

His face.

His expression.

His entire being felt like something out of place.

A presence that should not have been here.

Should not be watching them like this.

Calm.

Cold.

Angry.

Not the kind of anger that came with yelling or frustration—

But the kind that simmered beneath the surface.

Controlled. Measured.

Dangerous.

For a brief second, it was like they were standing in Mantle again.

Like they were watching him step over the twisted, smoking corpse of the Terrormorph, his armor slick with blood, his blue eyes burning like judgment itself.

This was not the evasive, illusive Jaune Arc.

This was something else.

Something that stood between man and myth.

Something that demanded respect.

Weiss's lips parted, as if to speak—

But the second she met his eyes, the words died in her throat.

That gaze—

The unshakable authority, the unwavering certainty—

She felt like a child standing before a king.

Jaune tilted his head slightly, his voice even.

"You done?"

Weiss's jaw clenched.

Blake shifted uncomfortably.

Pyrrha held his gaze, but even she hesitated.

Yang exhaled sharply, the fire in her eyes dimming just slightly.

Jaune let the silence hang—

Long enough that they all felt it.

Then—

He pushed off the doorframe, unfolding his arms with slow precision.

His steps were measured as he moved toward them, each footfall deliberate.

"I don't care what your problem is," he said plainly. "Sort it out. Or don't. It's your business."

He stopped a few paces from them, his blue eyes sweeping across them all.

"But don't ever let me catch you tearing each other apart like that again."

His words were soft, almost quiet.

But the weight of them settled on their shoulders like iron chains.

Yang swallowed.

Blake's tail flicked behind her.

Pyrrha's fingers curled slightly at her sides.

Weiss's nails dug into her own arms, her entire stance stiff.

Jaune exhaled, shaking his head.

"Now," he continued, his tone cooler now, but still firm, "if you're all done screaming at each other, I'd like to get inside before Nora eats all the cookies."

For the first time in the last hour—

None of them had anything to say.

The moment Jaune turned away, the tension in the air didn't dissipate so much as it was forced down, swallowed and buried under the sheer weight of what just happened.

Blake was the first to move.

Without another word, she stepped past Jaune, brushing shoulders as she walked inside, her posture relaxed but her expression unreadable. She was done with the conversation—there was nothing left to say.

Yang hesitated for only a second before following.

She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair before shaking her head and muttering, "Screw it. I just want cookies."

Her previous frustration, her anger—all of it forgotten in an instant.

Whatever problems they had?

They weren't bigger than freshly baked cookies.

She strolled inside, her mood shifting like a switch flipping, already grinning at the sight of Ruby running around the common area preparing plates.

Jaune remained where he was, watching them go.

And then—

Weiss and Pyrrha.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Weiss's arms were still crossed, her nails pressed against her sleeves, her expression carefully composed.

But Pyrrha—

Pyrrha was seething.

Not outwardly—her posture remained poised, her expression still calm—

But beneath the surface, beneath the mask—

She was furious.

It wasn't just that he had stopped them.

It was how effortlessly he had done it.

They had been seconds away from fighting—all of them, caught in their own words, in the storm of their own emotions.

And then he spoke.

Just once.

And everything had ended.

Not because he forced them.

Not because he threatened them.

But because he willed it.

Because the sheer gravity of his presence had stolen the argument from their lips, had commanded obedience in a way that none of them could deny.

And Pyrrha hated it.

She hated that he could do that.

She hated that he could stand there, so calm, so controlled—like none of this mattered.

Like they were beneath him.

Like he had already moved past them.

The way he had looked at her—

The way he had looked at all of them.

Like they were children fighting in the dirt while he stood on a throne of steel.

Pyrrha hated it.

She hated that she wasn't strong enough to resist it.

She hated that, for all her pride, for all her skill—she still felt like she was standing in his shadow.

And she hated—

She hated that part of her still respected him for it.

"Are you going inside?"

His voice was calm.

Steady.

Detached.

Weiss inhaled slowly, smoothing down her sleeves before nodding once.

She didn't say anything else.

She didn't need to.

She stepped forward, past him, into the dorm.

And then there was only Pyrrha.

She met his gaze one last time.

And for the briefest second—

She thought she saw something in his eyes.

Something unknowable.

Something that wasn't Jaune Arc.

Something that wasn't human.

Her fingers tightened at her sides.

She held his gaze for a moment longer—

Then she stepped forward, brushing past him without a word.

But inside—

Inside, the flames of resentment burned hotter than ever.

---

The inside of the dormitory was warm and comfortable—a sharp contrast to the lingering tension that followed the others inside like a storm cloud.

The scent of freshly baked cookies mixed with the faint sweetness of cocoa, creating a welcoming atmosphere that clashed terribly with the noticeable silence hanging over the room.

But at the center of it all—

Jaune, Nora, and Ren sat like nothing was wrong.

Jaune was calm, leaning back slightly in his seat, his expression neutral as he sipped his drink.

Ren was relaxed, taking quiet bites of a cookie while offering Ruby an occasional glance of approval.

And Nora—

Nora was cheerfully munching on her third cookie, humming happily under her breath as she swung her legs back and forth under the table.

None of them were bothered.

Not by the weight in the air.

Not by the flickering glances.

Not by the way Weiss, Pyrrha, Yang, and Blake carried the remnants of their argument in their posture, in their eyes, in the way they moved.

Jaune wasn't bothered because he had already accounted for every outcome.

Nora and Ren weren't bothered because, at this moment, only two opinions mattered to them.

Jaune's.

And Ruby's.

And Ruby…

Ruby noticed.

She had heard the shouting outside.

She had heard the rising anger, the frustration, the resentment, the boiling emotions that threatened to spill over—

She had seen Jaune step out—for just a moment.

And then—silence.

And now?

Now, they all sat here, the weight of something left unresolved pressing against her.

She swallowed, placing the plate of cookies down before she could dwell on it further.

She needed to focus on something positive.

She had worked hard on this—on making everything perfect.

The last thing she wanted was for it to be ruined.

But then—

Weiss spoke.

"Why did you make so many?"

Her voice was sharp, carrying an edge that immediately set Ruby on edge.

The silver-eyed girl blinked, shifting slightly under the weight of Weiss' gaze.

"Uh—" Ruby let out a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of her head. "I just—y'know… I wanted to do a little welcome back party!"

She smiled, trying to brighten the mood—but she felt it.

The way Weiss' eyes narrowed slightly.

The way Pyrrha's jaw tightened.

She wasn't stupid.

She saw it.

Felt it.

The anger, the resentment, the unspoken words bubbling beneath the surface.

And she hated it.

She hated that this wasn't as simple as just bringing them together.

She hated that she had to keep walking on eggshells.

She hated that this wasn't just a fun night with her friends anymore.

Weiss' ire grew as she crossed her arms, her expression disapproving.

"A welcome back party?" Weiss echoed, her voice carrying a bite to it. "After everything?"

The implication was clear.

After the way they left.

After the way they separated.

After the way everything changed.

And yet—here Ruby was, acting like nothing had happened.

Ruby opened her mouth, about to defend herself—

But it was Pyrrha who spoke next.

"You're… happy he's here."

It wasn't a question.

It wasn't an observation.

It was accusation.

And Ruby felt it.

The weight of it.

The sting of it.

The way Pyrrha's irritation simmered just beneath the surface, controlled, restrained, but still there.

Like she couldn't understand.

Like she couldn't accept it.

Like she wanted Ruby to say something—anything—that would justify her own anger.

And Ruby—

Ruby felt the smile on her face tremble just slightly.

The tension was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.

Ruby's smile was still on her face, but it was strained, barely holding under the weight of the unspoken accusations directed at her.

And then—

Nora let out a low hum, tapping her fingers idly against the table.

"Funny," she mused, her tone casual—but the weight behind it anything but.

"Someone from another team can appreciate people, but someone on the same team…?" She gave a pointed look across the table, raising an eyebrow. "Guess that's just too much effort, huh?"

The silence that followed was deafening.

Pyrrha's entire body stiffened.

Her grip around her fork tightened, the quiet creak of metal bending under the pressure barely audible over the sound of her controlled breathing.

She didn't look at Nora.

She couldn't.

She knew—she knew—that if she did, if she saw the smug satisfaction on the hammer-wielder's face, she would—

No.

She clenched her jaw.

She wouldn't let this get to her.

She wouldn't let Nora Valkyrie get under her skin.

But then—

She felt it.

That gaze.

Jaune's.

And that was worse.

Slowly—hesitantly—she turned her head just enough to see him from the corner of her eye.

He wasn't looking at her directly.

He hadn't moved.

Hadn't reacted.

But his eyes—

That side glance.

That single, sharp look.

It told her everything she needed to know.

Where he stood.

Who he agreed with.

Who he sided with.

And it wasn't her.

It was never going to be her.

Something inside her snapped.

Her chair scraped loudly against the floor as she stood abruptly, the sound sharp against the quiet tension.

She didn't look at them.

She couldn't.

Her vision blurred slightly as she turned on her heel and walked away, her breath tight, her pulse hammering against her skin.

Her hands were shaking.

She had to get out.

She had to—

"Pyrrha—!"

Weiss' voice barely reached her before she was already halfway to the door.

The moment she pushed it open and stepped into the cool night air, the weight in her chest felt like it would crush her.

Weiss was right behind her.

"Pyrrha, stop!"

Pyrrha didn't slow down.

Didn't respond.

Couldn't.

Weiss caught up, grabbing her wrist.

"Pyrrha, what are you doing?" Weiss demanded, her voice frustrated but concerned.

Pyrrha finally turned, her emerald eyes blazing with unspoken emotion.

"I don't know!" she snapped—before immediately regretting it.

Weiss blinked, surprised by the outburst.

Pyrrha sucked in a sharp breath, clenching her fists as she tried to regain control.

Tried to shove it all down.

Tried to stop herself from feeling like she was about to fall apart.

Weiss' expression softened slightly, her grip on Pyrrha's wrist loosening.

"Then tell me what's wrong."

Pyrrha let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head.

"You already know," she murmured bitterly.

And she did.

Weiss wasn't stupid.

She saw it.

She felt it.

She knew exactly why this hurt Pyrrha the way it did.

But saying it out loud…

That was a different thing entirely.

Back inside, the tension still lingered.

Ruby's eyes flickered between the door and Jaune, unsure of what to do.

Yang was stunned, glancing at Blake, who had simply closed her eyes and let out a slow breath.

Nora, for all her previous confidence, seemed mildly regretful, though not enough to take back what she said.

And Jaune—

Jaune simply exhaled through his nose, taking another sip of his drink, as if this was just another piece in the game that was unfolding exactly as he expected.

---

The room was silent.

The only sounds were the quiet clinking of silverware against plates, the soft hum of the dormitory's lights, and the occasional sip of milk as Jaune leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable.

Blake and Yang exchanged a glance.

The tension hadn't disappeared with Pyrrha storming out—it had just shifted.

A new kind of weight hung in the air, coiled and waiting.

Yang was the first to break the silence.

"What the hell was that?" she demanded, crossing her arms. "You just—you just shut her down! Like she was nothing!"

Jaune didn't look at her immediately.

Instead, he simply took another sip of his milk.

Then, finally, his gaze flickered up—brief, cool, and cutting.

Yang's mouth snapped shut.

Blake, to her credit, held her ground.

"That was unnecessary," she said, her voice measured. "You know what this means to her, Jaune."

Jaune set his glass down on the table with a soft clink.

"Ren and Nora," he said simply. "Are my friends. My team."

His tone wasn't cold.

It wasn't cruel.

It was just…factual.

Unshakable.

"And Pyrrha?" Yang scoffed, throwing a hand out. "What, she's not?"

Jaune exhaled slowly, tilting his head slightly, as if considering the question.

"After what she pulled with Team RWBY?" His voice was calm—too calm. "She's barely skimming the teammate line at this point."

A new kind of silence fell over the room.

Ruby's entire body tensed.

Blake's brows furrowed, the weight of his words settling like stone in her chest.

Yang's fingers curled into fists.

"That's—" Ruby started, but she stopped herself, because what could she even say?

Blake, though, wasn't done.

"You can't be serious," she said, disbelief creeping into her voice. "She's been your partner since the beginning. How can you just—just throw that away?"

Jaune turned his gaze on her, level and sharp.

"I haven't heard about any of you calling Ren," he said. "Or Nora."

Blake's mouth snapped shut.

Jaune leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table.

"Ruby was the only one that called."

Ruby flinched.

Jaune's gaze didn't waver.

"So tell me," he continued, voice never rising, never hardening—just pressing, pushing.

"Do you agree with Pyrrha and Weiss?"

The weight of the question hung between them.

Or—

"Or do you actually understand what the issue is?"

Blake looked away.

Yang ground her teeth.

Ruby swallowed hard, her fingers twitching slightly as they curled into her lap.

No one spoke.

Because they didn't have an answer.

Because—deep down, they knew.

They hadn't called.

Not once.

And Jaune knew it too.

The silence after Jaune's words stretched, thick and suffocating. No one dared to speak—not immediately.

But Blake, ever the strategist, ever the one to look beyond the surface, was the first to break it.

"This isn't just about a fight," she said, her voice quieter, more measured. "You know what this could mean for Pyrrha, don't you?"

Jaune arched a brow.

Blake exhaled, shifting in her seat. "She's probably going to leave Beacon."

That got a reaction.

Ruby's eyes snapped wide open in shock. "What?"

Ren and Nora… only looked slightly surprised.

Yang, already aware, was watching.

Watching him.

And Jaune?

He simply leaned back in his chair, resting an arm against the table. His expression didn't flicker—not even slightly.

Yang caught it immediately.

"You're not surprised," she said, eyes narrowing. "Why?"

Jaune didn't answer.

Because he didn't have to.

It was Nora who spoke up first, a knowing smirk on her lips. "Because he already knew," she said, turning toward Yang. "He's not surprised because he knew her answer wouldn't have changed—before or after this evening."

Yang frowned. "What does that even mean?"

Nora leaned back, crossing her arms. "Jaune predicted this two days ago."

Blake stiffened.

Ren nodded, backing Nora's words. "This was a possibility Jaune explained to us," he said. "That when Pyrrha received an offer to become something greater, she would take it."

Blake and Yang exchanged a look—one of sheer disbelief.

Jaune had predicted Pyrrha's decision before she even made it.

Before any of this even unfolded.

Yang's brows furrowed, her lips pressing together tightly. "Okay," she muttered. "Fine. You predicted Pyrrha. What about us?"

That was the real question, wasn't it?

Jaune had predicted Pyrrha's next move.

Had he… done the same for them?

Nora chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, he had that covered too," she said, stretching. "It's honestly kinda scary."

Yang scowled. "Explain."

Nora did.

And she did thoroughly.

"He told us that because he was Ruby's best friend, she was bound to contact him first. Earlier than the rest of you."

Ruby flinched.

Nora continued, voice light but sharp with meaning. "Then, after Ruby had established contact and we were still away, Yang would see how important that friendship was to her and reach out."

Yang's stomach twisted.

Nora turned to Blake next. "Then Blake would realize how important it would be to stay in good relation with Jaune—and by extension, us."

Blake felt her jaw tighten.

"And Weiss?" Yang asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer.

"She would be last," Ren said calmly. "Firmly in Pyrrha's camp."

Silence.

Not a single word was spoken.

Because every single one of them knew—

Jaune had predicted all of it.

Their reactions. Their choices. Their hesitations.

He had seen it all before they even realized it themselves.

Blake swallowed hard. "That's…" she trailed off, shaking her head in disbelief. "That's impossible."

Yang exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over her face. "And the worst part?" she muttered. "He was right."

Because he was.

Yang would have reached out because of Ruby.

Blake would have considered the long-term benefits of remaining on Jaune's good side.

And Weiss?

She had been the most resistant.

Until Pyrrha left.

"…What about Weiss?" Blake asked, hesitant. "When does he think she'll come around?"

Nora smirked. "She'd only come after Pyrrha leaves," she said matter-of-factly.

The sheer audacity of the accuracy left a cold weight in Blake's stomach.

"…You're telling me," Yang muttered, shaking her head, "that Jaune figured all this out days ago?"

Ren nodded. "We've already discussed it at length."

Blake and Yang turned back to Jaune.

Who had barely reacted through the entire conversation.

Jaune finally exhaled.

"The only reason you didn't call earlier," he said simply, "was because Ruby called late."

Blake frowned. "What?"

Jaune tilted his head. "A day later than I predicted," he clarified.

Ruby looked like she wanted to sink into the floor.

"But," Jaune continued, his voice even, steady, calculated, "I can understand why."

His gaze flickered toward Ruby, almost amused.

"Judging by your dress," he mused, "you all spent the day trying to forget what happened."

Ruby froze.

A red cocktail dress.

Disheveled. Wrinkled. Worn far too long.

It was obvious to him.

Of course he noticed.

Of course he figured it out.

Ruby went beet red in embarrassment.

Blake and Yang just stared at him in shock.

Because—

How the hell did he notice something like that?

Nora exhaled a long whine, leaning back against her chair dramatically. "Ughhh, and I was just starting to enjoy Beacon too…"

Blake's sharp eyes flicked toward her immediately. "What do you mean?"

Ren, ever composed, placed his cup down neatly. "Jaune explained that when Pyrrha leaves, Beacon will have no choice but to disband Team JNPR for the semester."

Silence.

Then, Ruby blinked. "Wait, what?"

Ren continued, his voice steady but carrying weight. "A three-man team is against the regulations. It's a strict four-person requirement, and Ozpin cannot overturn it. Vale's council enforces that mandate, not him."

Blake felt a chill run down her spine. "Then… what happens to you guys?"

Ren gave her a small, knowing look. "Most likely? They'll try to keep Jaune around."

Ruby swallowed. "Because of his potential?"

Ren nodded. "They may even try to bribe him when he declines."

That caught Blake's attention immediately. She latched onto a single word. "When?" she echoed. "You're speaking like it's already decided."

Ren turned to her fully, as if already prepared for the question. "Because it is."

Blake frowned. "How can you be so sure?"

Nora smirked. "Because Jaune never lies to us."

Ruby's heart sank.

Yang and Blake exchanged another look—this one more shaken than the last.

How far ahead had he planned for this?

How much had he already considered, calculated, prepared for?

"How?" Blake asked, more to herself than anyone else.

"How does someone think this far ahead?" Yang muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

Nora, as if sensing the tension, perked up. "It's fine! Besides, Jaune was planning on showing us a few towns in the frontier."

Blake's brows knitted together. "The frontier?"

Nora grinned. "Yeah! Apparently, there's a place that Jaune said made the best food he's ever had."

Ren nodded. "They make everything themselves, from scratch."

Nora beamed. "And I wanna try it!"

A loud slap against the table startled everyone.

Ruby, defeated, her head hanging down, stared at the table like she was struggling to process everything.

"Why?" she asked, voice small.

Jaune blinked at her. "Why what?"

She slowly looked up, frustration and hurt etched across her features.

"Why did you plan for all of this?"

Jaune held her gaze for a long moment.

Then, he spoke.

"Because when the world itself is against me," he said quietly, "I have no choice but to plan for every variable that could come up."

The words hung in the air.

Yang felt her stomach twist.

It wasn't arrogance.

It wasn't pride.

It was conviction.

Jaune believed what he was saying.

Wholeheartedly.

Because to him—

That was simply the truth.

Jaune stood up.

Ruby barely had a second to react before he pulled her into a hug.

Her breath hitched.

It wasn't like before.

Before, Jaune had always been hesitant with physical affection—at least when it came to initiating it. He was awkward, unsure of how to respond.

But this?

This was deliberate.

This was him deciding, without hesitation, that he wanted to comfort her.

Ruby froze for just a second, her mind struggling to keep up with the shift in the air—before, slowly, her arms lifted and she clung to him tightly.

Jaune's voice was quiet, steady. "We probably have a few days before Ozpin announces the change. Before he tells everyone about Pyrrha leaving."

Ruby squeezed her eyes shut, her body trembling just slightly against him.

"So," he continued, tone softer than before, "we can spend that time doing whatever you and the others want."

Ruby's breath shuddered.

"We can take the time we have left," Jaune murmured, "and enjoy it."

She didn't know when the silent sobs started.

But they were there.

She pressed her face against his shoulder, her small frame shaking just slightly.

Jaune didn't move.

Didn't pull away.

Didn't let go.

Instead, he held her there, letting her take whatever comfort she needed.

Yang watched silently.

She had seen him predict everything.
Had seen him plan for it.
Had seen how he had anticipated every reaction, every outcome.

And yet—

He still cared.

Despite all of it—despite the distance, despite the changes—

He still cared.

Jaune tilted his head slightly, speaking softly so only Ruby could hear.

"You can call me anytime," he assured her. "The Tempest can take calls from anywhere."

A strangled, watery chuckle left Ruby's throat.

"Of course it can," she muttered, voice thick with emotion.

Jaune huffed in amusement.

And then, ever so slightly, she felt him squeeze just a bit tighter.

As if to remind her.

As if to tell her—

He was still here.

---

The next few days blurred together.

Too quickly.

Too easily.

For Ruby, Yang, and Blake, it was a time they would never forget—a moment suspended in time where everything felt right, where the weight of what was coming hadn't settled in yet.

For Weiss, it had been different. She stayed with Pyrrha, keeping close to her, offering silent support. Perhaps she felt it was her duty, or maybe she simply wanted to make sure Pyrrha didn't feel alone in her choice.

But for the rest of them?

They lived.

Jaune, despite everything—despite his careful calculations, despite the distance growing between them all—didn't hesitate to enjoy the time they had left.

They visited restaurants that weren't too fancy or too casual—just places that had good food and a lively atmosphere. Places where conversations melted into laughter, where good meals turned into inside jokes that they would carry with them.

They went to the beach.

That was when they learned something new.

Jaune Arc had an amazing figure.

It wasn't the bulky, rough-cut build of a brute, nor the overly chiseled form of a showoff. It was precise. His body was crafted for efficiency. Lean muscle, carved by battle and honed by training, left him with a formidable but aesthetic presence.

And Ren wasn't far behind. His slimmer build, his toned frame—it was different, but still impressive in its own way.

Ruby, meanwhile, couldn't stop staring.

Her silver eyes, wide and betrayed, lingered far too long.

Long enough for Yang and Blake to notice.

Long enough for Yang and Blake to confirm their suspicions.

Ruby had a crush on Jaune.

Her first crush.

One that wasn't a weapon.

Yang nearly choked trying to hold in her laughter.
Blake smirked behind her drink.
And Ruby?

Ruby was absolutely mortified when she realized they knew.

They had picnics, too.

And that's when they learned something else.

Jaune Arc was an amazing cook.

Especially barbecue.

His skill with a grill was legendary. The smoky aroma of expertly seasoned meats, the perfect char, the flawless balance of flavors—it was enough to impress even Blake.

And Blake never accepted food so easily.

But that night, she did.

A piece of perfectly cooked chicken.

She didn't say a word.
Didn't even give Jaune the satisfaction of a compliment.
But she ate it.

And that was enough.

It was good.

It was all good.

Until it wasn't.

Until reality caught up with them.

It was in their common room, where the warmth of their small celebrations still lingered, where laughter still felt like it had a home—

That Ozpin came.

That he sat before them.

And that he spoke the words they already knew were coming.

The words Jaune had predicted days ago.

The words that meant everything was about to change.

The warmth of the past few days still clung to the air, the scent of grilled food and beach salt lingering in their minds like an old memory.

But all of that vanished the moment Professor Ozpin stepped into their common room.

The headmaster of Beacon never made casual visits.

He was here for one reason.

And they all knew exactly what that was.

Jaune sat calmly, already knowing what was about to happen. Ren and Nora, seated beside him, did not look surprised.

Ruby, still clutching the remnants of the moment they had all shared, looked nervous.

Yang and Blake, already bracing for the inevitable, were silent.

Ozpin sighed, his fingers lightly adjusting his glasses as he met their eyes one by one.

"Miss Nikos has chosen to accept a new path—one that leads away from Beacon."

The words hung in the air like a heavy storm.

Ruby's stomach twisted, even though she already knew the answer.

"She has officially withdrawn from Beacon Academy and has left this morning."

The room was dead silent.

No one spoke.

No one had to.

They had seen this coming, they had felt it coming—Jaune had predicted it days ago.

And yet—

Hearing it from Ozpin himself still made it real in a way none of them had wanted it to be.

Ozpin's sharp green eyes swept across the room, lingering on Jaune, as if gauging his reaction.

Jaune simply watched him.

Unmoved.

Unshaken.

"Her decision has left us with a difficult choice to make."

The air felt thick, the weight of the moment pressing down on them.

"Team JNPR, as it stands, no longer meets the mandated four-member requirement to remain an active team at Beacon."

Jaune's fingers lightly tapped against his knee. He already knew where this was going.

"Normally, we would assign a transfer student, or attempt to fill the vacancy with another eligible Huntsman-in-training. However…"

Ozpin exhaled, folding his hands together.

"Given the unique circumstances surrounding Team JNPR, and the recent changes in dynamics… there are no current candidates that would be a suitable fit."

Ruby felt her chest tighten.

Jaune already knew the answer.

"Beacon will have no choice but to disband Team JNPR for the remainder of the semester, until a solution can be found."

And just like that—

Their world shifted.

Silence.

Then—

"Ren, Nora, finish packing everything else."

Jaune's voice was calm, composed. Decisive.

There was no hesitation. No protest.

Nora nodded immediately, not arguing. Ren simply sighed before getting up to follow.

Ozpin watched them go, his sharp green eyes narrowing just slightly.

No resistance.

No challenge to the decision.

He had expected at least a moment of discussion—perhaps an appeal. But there was none.

Just quiet, controlled acceptance.

Because they had already planned for this.

He turned back to Jaune, his fingers lacing together as he observed the young man before him.

"I understand this is not ideal, Mr. Arc," Ozpin began, his tone gentle yet measured. "But I would like to discuss some alternative arrangements—"

Jaune's gaze met his.

Not cold.

Not distant.

Just… resolute.

"That won't be necessary, Professor," he said smoothly. "I'll be going with Nora and Ren instead."

Ozpin studied him.

His sharp mind pieced everything together in an instant.

Jaune had known this was coming.

He had prepared for it.

And now—

He was executing his next move without hesitation.

Ozpin let out a slow exhale.

"You know," he mused, "I would have been willing to let Team JNPR remain active, even with just three members."

That caught Yang, Blake, and Ruby's attention.

Jaune, however, was unsurprised.

"I've seen firsthand that you are more than capable of holding your own—and leading a team—even with a missing member."

Jaune didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

"But this was beyond my control," Ozpin admitted, his expression slightly weary. "Politics. Regulations. There are things even I cannot overturn."

Jaune gave a slow nod.

"I understand."

And that was that.

No argument. No resentment.

Just acceptance.

He turned, stepping away to gather his remaining belongings.

Ruby watched him go, her heart sinking like a stone in her chest.

She had known this was a possibility.

She had hoped it wouldn't happen.

But now—

Jaune was leaving.

Her best friend.

Her… crush.

Gone.

A trembling breath escaped her lips.

Yang, standing beside her, noticed immediately.

"C'mere, sis."

Ruby barely had time to react before Yang's arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a comforting hug.

"It's okay, Ruby."

But it wasn't.

Because the space beside her—

The place where Jaune always stood—

Was empty.

---

The walk to the hangar was quiet.

The air felt heavy, even as Beacon's halls bustled with the usual rhythm of student life.

Team RWBY and what remained of Team JNPR moved as one, their steps uncharacteristically subdued.

Pyrrha was gone.

That alone was a shift in the balance.

Weiss followed behind, not entirely sure why.

Perhaps out of obligation.

Perhaps because, even if she didn't approve of what Jaune did, she could at least acknowledge the history they had all shared.

As they stepped into the large hangar, the familiar sight of The Tempest awaited them—its sleek, imposing frame gleaming under the overhead lights.

And there—

On the landing bay, already loaded and ready—

Crates of supplies.

Spare metal.

Prepared rations.

It was all stocked and secured, neatly stored within the Tempest's hold.

The realization struck Team RWBY at once.

This wasn't just a departure.

It wasn't a sudden decision.

Jaune, Nora, and Ren had been preparing for this for days.

The trip to Vacuo…

It was also a supply run.

For this inevitable moment.

Jaune had known.

Even before Pyrrha made her choice—

Even before they had said their goodbyes—

He had planned for it.

And now, it was happening.

Jaune, Nora, and Ren turned to face Team RWBY.

No hesitation.

No regrets.

Just goodbyes.

Jaune met their gazes one by one—

Yang, Blake, Weiss—

Until his eyes landed on Ruby.

She looked like she wanted to say something.

Yang noticed it too.

The older sister leaned down, whispering something into Ruby's ear.

And suddenly—

Ruby's face exploded into a furious shade of red.

Jaune blinked, curious.

And then—

She moved.

One moment, she was standing there—

The next, her arms were around him.

Her lips pressed against his cheek.

A quick.

Flustered.

Peck.

Nora squealed in delight.

Blake's eyes widened.

Yang grinned like she had just won a bet.

Ruby's face burning quickly turned away, too embarrassed to look at him.

"D-Don't forget about me!" she blurted out.

Jaune blinked.

Then—

A small, genuine smile crossed his lips.

With little effort, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her off the ground in a firm, precious embrace.

"I won't," he murmured, holding her close.

She felt so small in his arms.

So light.

So familiar.

When he set her down, her gaze flickered up at him—still red-faced, still flustered.

She didn't look away this time.

Instead, she simply nodded before stepping back toward her team.

Weiss, Blake, and Yang turned as well, following her lead as they made their way down the ramp.

But Ruby—

Ruby stole a few more glances.

As if committing this moment to memory.

Jaune turned back to his ship, stepping inside as the ramp sealed shut behind him.

The engines of The Tempest hummed to life.

Slowly—

Gracefully—

The ship floated out of the hangar.

Team RWBY stood there, watching.

And then—

With a final wave from the ground—

The Tempest launched away.

A streak of motion.

A blur in the sky.

And then—

Gone.