Threads of Light and Shadow In remnant

by lodiosgamer

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

16. Chapter 16

Rose Flames and the White Wolf

Luxra vs Flame swordsman

The creature lowered into a battle stance. The energy around it shifted, like the gravity in the air had tilted forward. The ground around it began to hum.

It launched.

Faster than any Beowolf, faster than Ruby, faster than what most could process. Claws raked the air where Jimmy had just been standing but he wasn't there. He'd moved. Not teleported, not vanished, just stepped, barely, but with precision so tight it looked impossible.

The Lumewolf twisted, striking again and again, a blur of white light and clawed fury, but Jimmy wasn't engaging. He dodged. Step after step, shift after shift, flowing like wind, flames curling off his boots with every motion. No counter. No aggression.

Inside, the Light surged within him, boosting his stamina, his awareness stretched into threads that touched every moment. The Dark held his body low, grounding him in instinct. The Spirit Seeds pulsed in rhythm with his heart. Jimmy let them move through him but not take him. They followed his tempo, his choice.

He smiled. The world had slowed. To him, this wasn't a battle, it was a dance. A perfect rhythm. Each step was music, every breath a beat, every dodge a measure of his spirit. His flames responded like partners coiling around his limbs, syncing with his movement like they, too, were learning to breathe.

To the outside world, Jimmy was moving faster and faster. To the students, he wasn't dodging, he was gliding through space, defying expectation. Every attack by the Luxra that should have hit simply... didn't. His body flowed through openings before they appeared. It was a contradiction to the combat style they were taught.

"He's not fighting," Ren whispered. "He's... flowing."

"What even is that thing?" muttered someone near the edge of the crowd. "That's not a Grimm."

"It doesn't move like one," said Blake. "And Jimmy... he's not trying to kill it."

From the outer railings, Cinder's eyes gleaming almost in awe. Her team flanked her, equally stunned.

"What is this?" Emerald asked. "He's using flame, but it's not Dust-driven. There's no focus crystal, no trigger runes."

Mercury tilted his head. "And it's... not burning anything. It's guided. That's not right."

Cinder said nothing for a moment, eyes locked on Jimmy. His sword never swung, and yet the battlefield had bent to his rhythm. She spoke low, not to them, but almost to herself. "It's not a semblance. Not aura. Not Dust. Just like adam"

"What, then?" Mercury asked, half-serious.

"It's... a prayer," she whispered. "He's not commanding his flames. He's asking. And they're listening."

Down on the field, the two fighters separated briefly, the ground around them scorched and glowing with faint embers. Jimmy's flats still steamed. His breathing was even. The Lumewolf huffed once, then growled, and its mask shifted, folding outward into armored plates along its shoulders and ribs. Its true lupine face revealed, fierce and unafraid, a glowing heart sigil on its left shoulder. Its stance deepened.

Jimmy smirked. "You bored of attacking? I'm bored of dodging."

He took one step forward and exhaled. Flames coiled tightly around his feet. His sword hummed. "Mind if I use a sigil?"

He raised his blade and drove it up into the sky. Three glowing circles began to form around him, burning symbols twisting like rotating gears in a furnace of violet and red light.

Then, his voice rose. Calm. Clear. "I wield, I pledge to myself to the flames. Ignite this ancient prayer."

The wind died. The battlefield held its breath. "What the hell is he doing?!" Mercury hissed.

"That's an incantation," said Emerald. "But it's. That's not Atlas tech."

Cinder's hands tightened in amazmeant. "He's invoking power... not summoning it."

From her perch, Goodwitch's scroll began vibrating violently. The data on Jimmy's aura went wild his readings weren't red or white anymore. They were gold. Violet. Black. A pulse of holy and corrupted energy interweaving.

"These symbols... I don't recognize them. They're not standard Dust channels. They're not mapped," she said to herself, then raised her voice. "Jimmy, whatever you're doing, end it now. This school is not your battlefield."

Jimmy didn't flinch. "All who see the flames as a gateway to heaven and hell," he continued, louder now. "Silence those who seek death and bring peace to those in despair."

"GET DOWN!" Blake shouted, throwing herself on Ruby.

He turned his sword down to the earth stabbing the glowing eye of a lizard. "FLAME NOVA." The pattern detonated upward but no explosion expanded. A massive column of fire surged toward the sky, then folded inward, wrapping itself like a cocoon of wings around Jimmy. The heat radiated like a solar flare but burned nothing. It wasn't destroyed. It was purified. It was illuminated.

Inside, Jimmy stood as if encased in the flame of the world's first sun. The wings unfurled not of fire, but of purpose. Then roar to shake the world around it like an awakened Beast.

His silhouette stood at their center, arms wide, sword glowing like a divine brand. Then the fire faded. Jimmy grabbed his sword, lifting it high in the air toward the Luxra.

The flames dispersed as soft glowing embers, each one drifting upward like ash refusing to fall. The heat left a trail of cracked earth, the symbol of the dino but not in power its strength.

Across from him, the Lumewolf staggered. Its armor cracked down its left shoulder. It exhaled, then howled not in defiance, but in reverence. It reverted back to it's original form. It stood back up and shook its head. Its joints popped into place. It raised its claws.

Jimmy looked down, a trickle of blood running from his nose. His vision wavered. The Light and Dark inside him were silent now, as if watching. His brown eyes returned. His stance wavered for a moment. Then he steadied. The sword still glowed faintly.

"So… I guess that's it," Jimmy said, exhaling deeply as his blade finally dimmed. He sheathed it slowly. "Did you get what you wanted?"

The Lumonwolf didn't answer. It simply stared at Jimmy, chest rising and falling. It shrugged not in disrespect, but in quiet uncertainty and coughed. It was faint, but the sound made a few students flinch. Despite the fatigue weighing its limbs, there was something unmistakable in its golden eyes.

Excitement. It turned, gazing where the Solcrix waited still perched high, feathers of silver shimmer casting a protective glow. The Lumonwolf lowered its head and gave a low, graceful bow, acknowledging both Jimmy and the watchers.

Then, with a fluid leap, it bounded toward the Solcrix.

"Hey," Jimmy called after it. "Next time... I won't hold back. I'll master my power, all of it and I'll fight at my fullest, Lumonwolf."

The creature paused, tried to lift its paw for a thumbs-up, but couldn't. Instead, it gave a low, awkward wave then leapt onto the Solcrix's back. The great winged beast bowed its head to Jimmy, as if in thanks, then ascended silently into the light of the sun. The silver feathers glowed like stars before disappearing into the clouds.

Jimmy let out a laugh not cocky, not forced free. He turned to the stunned class, to Goodwitch standing with arms crossed, scroll at her hip, and grinned wide. "Well, Professor Goodwitch... did I do well?"

She narrowed her eyes with a long sigh. "Jimmy, you're getting detention."

"Wait, what? Detention?" He blinked, mock offended.

"And you'll also write a full report on the exact function and structure of your Flame Nova," she continued, voice steady, but her lips tugged into the ghost of a smile. "I want the aura breakdown, Dust theory comparison, and spiritual mechanisms since you are using spirits. If those even exist in whatever that was."

She turned, started walking off, then looked back. "Oh and a slide show. I want twenty frames explaining exactly how it's irresponsible to face an unknown, high-level enemy alone with no support and risk everyone's lives."

Jimmy threw up his arms, pacing in frustrated circles. "What?! Come on! That was a rival-level foe more like a personal duel! I had to well, okay, I didn't have to but the vibes were there! I mean, it challenged me!"

He flailed his hands to demonstrate how epic it was, but Goodwitch didn't blink. "Doesn't matter. You nearly vaporized half the field. That being had no classification and you decided to meet it head-on with an unrestrained spiritual technique."

Jimmy exhaled, lowering his arms. "It wasn't a Grimm."

Goodwitch stopped. "What?"

"It wasn't a Grimm," Jimmy repeated, more firmly. "It was a Luxra. They're not creatures of destruction. They're born from purified Grimm essence, created to protect children and study the goodness of people. They don't fight for dominance, they fight the strong to grow. They only attack when they're protecting someone. I felt it. I felt everything it felt."

"You're telling me you knew what it was," Goodwitch said, her voice slow, trying to make sense of it. "You understood it?"

"My Flame Nova doesn't just burn, it reveals. If that creature meant to kill, it would've been consumed. But it wasn't. It stood through it because its purpose was to test strength."

He pointed to the sky where the Luxra vanished. "It was created because of my wish."

Goodwitch raised an eyebrow. "Your wish?"

"My sister," Jimmy said. "The Guardian. When I was a child, I didn't wish to be powerful. I didn't wish to be a hero. I just... wanted to protect my village. And more than anything, I wanted to see the children there grow up happy, without fear."

He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers slowly. "She heard that wish. She created them, the Luxra. From purified remnants of nature, shaped into something new. Beasts that don't destroy... but shield."

Goodwitch fell silent. He looked at her. "You understand what that means, right?"

She nodded slowly, the pieces falling into place. "If this gets out... if people discover your sister created a new race, one that defies the Grimm they'll hunt her. They'll want to control it. Or kill it."

"She's protected," Jimmy said confidently. "Her connection to the spiritual plane lets her summon a creature, one born of the tree, the same that once tried to kill her."

Goodwitch turned sharply. "How do you know that?"

Jimmy paused, then smiled, eyes flicking upward briefly. "Because I understand the tree better than anyone. I've walked its branches in dreams and memory. She's held her ground for years against people, against Grimm."

A voice echoed from within him, calm and ever-familiar. 'Because I told him, Professor.'

Jimmy added aloud, "She's not alone anymore."

Goodwitch folded her arms again. "And now, with you getting stronger... she's even more protected."

Jimmy met her gaze, not defiantly, but with calm understanding. "Yes."

And Goodwitch, though her face was stern, looked away first. "Okay, class!" Goodwitch's voice rang out across the courtyard, amplified by her aura so it echoed over the stunned crowd. "This lesson concludes with a single, final instruction: the new species you witnessed is not a standard Grimm. It is part of a newly documented race, one we're officially identifying as the Luxra. If any of you encounter one in the field. Do not engage. These creatures seem to test strength, not act with mindless aggression. If you find one… assess. Determine its purpose. Then walk away."

Murmurs spread through the assembled students uneasy, excited, confused. Most accepted the order. One voice didn't.

"Oh, come on!" Sun groaned, tossing his arms up. "I didn't even get to show that Luxra my semblance! One more round and I would've smoked it!"

Jimmy walked over, his step light, body still tired but calm. "Maybe next time, Sun… but maybe fight me first," he added with a grin.

Sun narrowed his eyes, but smirked. "Tch. Dammit, I want power!"

"You want skill," Jimmy corrected. "Power without control? That's just noise."

"Jimmy," Blake said, stepping forward. "You were… amazing. How did you even control your Flame Nova like that?"

Jimmy rubbed the back of his neck, feigning modesty. "Honestly? I didn't. Not at first. But then… the dino inside me told me to stop worrying, to just show who I am. So I did."

He smiled, not cryptic, but also not entirely forthcoming. He knew the beast within had given him permission to channel that much flame. And somehow, it had felt like a truth bigger than himself.

"Your flames," Cinder said suddenly, her voice calm, eyes calculating. "They were alive. Not wild. Refined. How do you manipulate something so… emotional?"

Jimmy turned to her sharply, his gaze sharpening. "Nice lie," he said. "You know more than you're pretending."

That caught her off guard. Her smile faltered for just a moment. "I've seen someone who uses flames like that," she admitted, eyes narrowing. "I want to be stronger than him."

"Adam." The name struck like thunder between them.

"Yes," she said. "Your fire… it doesn't just burn. It feels. But how do you harness it without losing control?"

Jimmy's eyes drifted shut for a moment. Behind him, Blake stiffened, feeling the tension in the air. His silence wasn't dismissive, it was searching. Then he opened his eyes again, steady and warm.

"Because it's not my power," he said. "It's my spirit. I only connect the fire to a spiritual plane. Maybe one day, if your team defeats mine in a fair fight… you might receive my mark."

Cinder tilted her head. "A mark?"

Jimmy nodded. "Those I give it to gain elemental gifts. Strength. Insight. When I finally defeat Adam… I'll think about giving one to you."

She stared at him, silent. Calculating. "You seem strong," Jimmy continued, "but I know strength when it's used to hide. Maybe that mark could save your heart."

Cinder raised a brow, smile returning with a slow curve. "Save my heart?"

"I don't know yet," Jimmy said. "But I can feel that you're hiding something. Not from me. From yourself. You're afraid. Not of battle. But of being seen."

He turned and gently took Blake's hand, beginning to walk away. Blake leaned in as they moved. "Jimmy… why say that to her? What are you doing?"

"Because she's not afraid of me," Jimmy said quietly. "She's afraid of a shadow. She hides behind strength, not because she's proud of it… but because it's all she thinks she has left."

Blake lowered her voice. "Can the beasts feel that?"

'No,' Solomon answered inside his mind, his tone thoughtful. 'We sense danger, purity, fear. But you, Jimmy… your sense of emotion has evolved. With both Light and Dark awakening, your empathy is becoming a weapon of its own.'

They walked on, Blake silent beside him. She glanced once more back at Cinder.

Cinder hadn't moved. Team CEM gathered around her. "So... he won't help?" Mercury asked, arms crossed.

Cinder stared after Jimmy. "No. He said he'd help me if it saved my heart. But what does that even mean…? Who are you, Flame Swordsman?"

Emerald leaned in. "We still have time. He's powerful, sure but he doesn't know the danger he's in. If we explain it…"

"We'll see," Cinder said softly. "But if he becomes a threat, you know what that means."

Mercury nodded, cold as ever. "Then we do what we must."

But before anything else could be said, she slapped him just enough to surprise. "We don't touch him. No matter what. He's mine to understand."

A shadow passed as someone approached. "Is there a problem?" Goodwitch asked, eyes sharp but voice even.

Cinder turned, calm as ever. "Apologies, ma'am. Mercury just voiced something against Huntsman code."

Goodwitch tilted her head. "Which is?"

"He suggested going after the Luxra ourselves," she said with a smile that was almost too perfect.

Goodwitch studied her for a beat, then nodded. "We'll make a report to the other Academies. For now… go join the others. Relax."

"Yes, ma'am," Cinder replied smoothly.

As Goodwitch walked away, her scroll already glowing with recording notes, a small flicker of unease touched her. She'd seen many students. Many talents. But none like Jimmy. And none like Cinder, either. Something was forming in the space between them. And it would not be easy to report.

Rubys date

As the free period began, students settled into quiet pockets around campus, many heading to the library or their dorms for study. Jimmy, however, had other plans.

He turned to Ruby, who had just opened a book. "Ruby. You're coming with me into town, okay?"

"Huh? Wait, where are we ?" Before she could finish, Jimmy gently took her hand and pulled her away from the library desk.

From the side, Pyrrha raised an amused brow. "That's one way to ask someone out."

"At least he's spending time with her. It's been… hard for Ruby lately," Yang said softly, arms crossed but smiling with something warmer than usual.

Weiss narrowed her eyes. "I'm surprised, Yang. Why aren't you being more… possessive about this?"

Yang smirked, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, I already got my fill this morning." Rubbing her belly.

Back outside, Ruby followed Jimmy, confused but not resisting. His hand was warm in hers. She could feel his confidence through his grip, steady, casual. Familiar. Her thoughts spun. Why now? What was this?

They returned briefly to the dorms. Jimmy let go of her hand and gestured to her room. "Go find something to wear. Something not combat-related. I'm changing too. we're heading into the city."

Ruby blinked. "Should I wear something nice?"

"Wear something comfortable. You're not your sister," he said with a soft smirk before heading off to his room.

Ruby stood in the middle of her cluttered space, eyes scanning the chaotic pile of clothes. Her brain was racing again. Nice? Casual? Cool? What even was this outing?

She eyed a pair of tight black shorts, shorter than her usual. Her mind flashed back to Jane's advice: "Guys like it when you show off a little. Not too much, just enough." Ruby sighed, rolled her eyes, and shook her head. "I'm not Yang," she muttered.

In the end, she chose a white tank top with rose embroidery around the edges, paired it with the shorts and her signature red thighhigh socks and sneakers. She hesitated when she looked at her beloved red cloak hanging from a hook.

She reached for it slowly. "I can't leave it."

She draped it around her shoulders, pulled the hood down gently, and checked the mirror. She still looked like her but a little older. A little more confident. It was enough.

When she stepped out, Jimmy was waiting by the door. He wore fitted black jeans, a crimson-red T-shirt tight to show a bit of definition beneath a brown leather jacket open. His blade was strapped on his side, as always.

Jimmy smiled when he saw her. "I knew you'd bring the cloak. I'm glad."

Ruby's cheeks tinged pink. "And you're wearing red, too."

"I like to say you're mine. My red." He gave her a playful bow, then extended an arm.

Ruby blinked as he took her hand and placed it gently on his forearm. It was oddly formal, but sweet. "Shall we?"

She nodded, lips twitching into a smile. They left the academy grounds together, walking into Vale like a couple straight out of a fairytale. People glanced, some whispering. A few recognized Jimmy immediately, either from the blade, the rumors, or just the way he carried himself.

"Getting a lot of stares," Ruby said, voice low.

"Yeah. Probably because of the sword," Jimmy replied, half-grinning. "And the fact that more Faunus have started moving in around here."

"Because of you?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

He nodded. "Yeah. I help them find jobs, organize cleanup patrols, stuff like that. Some just want to talk to me. Don't really know why… maybe it's the hair."

Ruby laughed. "It's probably the mystery. And the sword."

They stopped outside a small weapons shop with reinforced glass and custom-made Dust gear in the window. Ruby tilted her head. "Why are we here?"

Jimmy smiled. "Because you love weapons. I'm getting you a new magazine. Maybe more. Today's for you. And we're not stopping at weapons, we're shopping. Clothes. Whatever. I've got cash, and I'm spending it on you."

"Wait… really?" Ruby's eyes sparkled. "You're letting me loose in a weapon shop?"

"Shhh." He gently placed a finger on her lips. "And clothes. Any type. Today's your day. We'll grab dinner later."

She didn't say anything back.

She just leaned in and kissed his cheek, then took his hand in both of hers and pulled him into the store, her cloak swirling behind her like petals in the wind.

Jimmy laughed as the bell over the door chimed. Today wasn't about danger or training. Today was hers.

As they stepped through the reinforced doors of the weapon shop, the cool scent of metal, Dust oil, and oiled leather filled the air. Displays of custom-made components lined the walls, barrels, sights, ammunition drums, energy casings, and more. The moment Ruby entered, her eyes widened like a kid walking into a candy factory.

A tall man waved from behind the counter. "Hey, Frankie! I brought the weapons girl. Thought you could have some fun showing her around," Jimmy said with a smirk.

Frankie with goggles strapped to his forehead, grinned. "Ahh, welcome, Flame Swordsman. Like my new sign? Just got it up last week. And I've got a new partner meet Harry."

A lean, well-dressed alligator Faunus stepped forward and shook Jimmy's hand firmly. "You must be the Flame Swordsman. Or Jimmy, right? I wanted to thank you. You helped my family get this job more than just work, honestly. It gave us a future."

Jimmy nodded with a warm smile. "I remember our conversation. Figured you'd be a great help to Frankie."

While they talked, Ruby was already across the shop, admiring a sleek new scope glinting under display lights. "Hey, Harry," she called, "how far can this scope reach?"

Harry stepped over. "That one's a high-grade long-distance lens, newly dust-treated. You're looking at a near-pinpoint targeting at four miles. Light Dust gives it penetration through fog and minor illusions. Grim at range don't stand a chance."

Jimmy watched her from a distance. Ruby's eyes sparkled, hands moving with practiced excitement, testing the locking brackets, flipping through the lens settings like second nature.

He leaned toward Frankie, keeping his voice soft. "She's amazing… but when it comes to weapons she is from another world."

Frankie chuckled, folding his arms. "Something to appreciate. You don't tame a spark like that, you let it burn. You love her quirks, don't you?"

Jimmy smiled gently, still watching her. "Yeah. I do."

Harry walked over and held up a magazine. "If you're using scopes like that, you'll want this magazine. It's my favorite to tell new parts."

"Oh my this is the new one I totally forgot about!" Ruby said, her voice rising with joy.

Jimmy stepped up beside her, pulled out a few lien, and placed them on the counter before she could stop him.

"Jimmy!" she pouted, cheeks puffed. "I could've paid."

He laughed. "I told you about today's treat. You pick, I pay. I've saved enough."

She huffed dramatically but smiled. "Fine. But I won't drain your account."

"You won't. I already gave myself an allowance. You? You get the rest."

Ruby's smile softened. "You should still take care of yourself more, y'know."

She walked back to one of the chairs, sitting down as she flipped through the new magazine, scanning through ideas and inspiration. She was quiet now, focused, her cloak resting against her legs like a blanket. Jimmy watched from across the room as her expression shifted from fascination to deep contemplation.

"She really knows her stuff," Harry said from behind the counter, watching her too.

Jimmy didn't turned to him. "How's your family?"

"Good," Harry replied, his voice full of genuine relief. "With all the new Faunus-friendly shops popping up and you being in the news. More people are paying attention. The city's changing. You're part of that. Faunus and humans both talk about you like you're a hero."

"I'm not a hero," Jimmy said, shaking his head. "I'm just a kid trying to help people. Even when they say they don't need it."

He glanced back toward Ruby again. She was crouched in front of a display case now, examining a new type of Dust-compatible bullets. The glint of wonder still in her eyes.

"I almost joined the White Fang, y'know," Harry said quietly.

Jimmy didn't turn to face him. His voice was low. "Why didn't you?"

"Because I heard what you were doing in Vale. Helping Faunus families. Cleaning up streets. Creating jobs. I thought… maybe not all humans ignore us."

Jimmy said nothing at first. Then, after a long pause, "They're still active here. The White Fang. But they're not attacking. I think that's because they're watching me."

"I'm worried about you," Harry admitted. "Your history… the things you survived. You're too close to all this sometimes. I don't want to see you fall into something bad."

Jimmy rolled his shoulders, stretching. "Don't worry. I was weaker back then."

He smiled at Harry, but the weight in his voice was real. Then Ruby called out. She waved him over to a section filled with weapon attachments, showing him a new sword mod that added a gear-based twist mechanism to Crescent Rose's recoil. She was rambling about kinetic regulation and weight ratios, but her hands moved with fluid precision as she explained.

She ended up picking out a few parts and designs to tinker with, clearly planning something big. Jimmy let her lead him around the rest of the store, her cloak brushing against him, her laughter filling the space like music.

She hung onto his arm naturally now, like it had always belonged to her. Her excitement was pure, unfiltered and that's exactly what Jimmy had hoped to see. Because this trip… it wasn't just a date. It was a reminder.

Jimmy brought her here not just to spoil her but to give her a chance to reconnect with herself. With the part of her that wasn't a Huntress or a team leader or a fighter. The part that got lost somewhere in the weight of responsibility. The girl who smiled when talking about gears. Who lit up at custom Dust mods. Who wore her cloak because it made her feel safe or because it made her a symbol.

He didn't want Ruby to become something forced on her. He just wanted her to live a life she could choose. And that… started with today.

Jimmy led her through the curved glass door into a boutique with velvet-lined shelves and rows of color-sorted fabric like waves of silk and soft cotton. The store was warm, scented faintly of perfume and polished wood. Everything about it screamed delicate and foreign to Ruby.

"Umm… why a clothes shop?" Ruby asked, her voice already uneasy as her boots clicked on the polished floor.

Jimmy smiled without turning back. "I want a fashion show. Try on some clothes that fit you. We're building you a new wardrobe."

Ruby blinked. "I always feel like you're giving me some weird life lesson."

"It's called being human," Jimmy said, pulling a loose cardigan off a hanger and holding it against her, considering. "And being a girl. Let's go. I want to see your beautiful form in clothes that aren't armor."

"D-Don't say it like that!" Ruby flushed hard, clutching her cloak like a shield. "Besides, I look fine in this!"

"You look safe in that," Jimmy said, smiling as he leaned down to whisper just loud enough for her to hear. "I want to see you look free."

A stylish older woman behind the counter gave them a polite smile. "Welcome in. Everything's organized by type and vibe. Romantic over there. Rugged, tomboyish, layered casual, street combat, soft charm, punk fusion. Dressing rooms are in the back."

"Thanks!" Jimmy waved, already nudging Ruby toward a section of neatly folded outfits on wooden tables. "Pick a few. Try something new. Surprise me."

Ruby stood awkwardly by the rack, shifting between excitement and panic. She never shopped like this. Combat gear? Sure. Cloaks? All day. But lace, belts, zippers she couldn't pronounce? Terrifying.

Still… she glanced at Jimmy's grin, and something inside her pushed forward. She picked three. Then five.

The first outfit was a soft black-and-gray striped long-sleeve dress, ending just above the knee with a matching red waist ribbon. She peeked out from behind the curtain nervously.

Jimmy sat on a circular bench, sipping a bottle of apple soda he grabbed from the corner fridge. Ruby stepped out.

His eyebrows raised. "You look like the leader of a rock band who secretly writes poetry in the rain."

Ruby smirked. "That's oddly specific. Where is that from?"

"Fits though. Keep that one." Said jimmy.

Outfit two was a cherry red sundress with wide shoulders and a low V-neck. She tugged at the hem the whole time.

"It's too bright," she mumbled.

"No," Jimmy said, standing for a second. "That's the kind of red that belongs in motion. You'd look amazing spinning in that."

Ruby turned a little. Her eyes sparkled. "You're cheesy."

He shrugged. "Yeah. But you smiled."

The third look caught her by surprise. A sleeveless white hoodie-dress with a black floral pattern rising from the sides, paired with knee-high black boots. She looked cool. Confident. Almost like a stealth agent from a fashion magazine.

"I feel like I'm cosplaying Blake," she muttered.

Jimmy laughed. "Nah. That's all Ruby. That's what you people don't expect. Keep that one too."

She tried a few more. A short punky skirt with red leggings and a cropped bomber jacket. A flowy maroon dress that shimmered under the lights like blood and roses. A layered streetwear look with a giant hoodie, white joggers, and combat boots that made her feel halfway between huntress and street hero.

Eventually, she sat down next to Jimmy, exhausted but happy, cloak bundled in her lap.

"I'm not used to this," Ruby admitted. "I always thought clothes were... kind of pointless. Like, I had stuff to do. I didn't care what I looked like."

Jimmy looked at her quietly. "And now?"

She glanced down at her pile of outfits. "Now I think... I forgot I'm allowed to feel good. Not just strong."

"You are," Jimmy said gently. "You're allowed to be soft, and happy, and silly. You can wear dresses and still be the girl who swings a scythe bigger than her body. One doesn't erase the other."

She rested her head lightly on his shoulder. "I'll never wear heels, though."

"That's fine," he chuckled. "You'd use them as throwing weapons anyway. We also need to start thinking about your dress," Jimmy said casually as they walked past a bakery window glowing with warm yellow light. "I mean, the dance is next month and a half, then comes the Vytal Festival. I think we should make you the talk of the students."

Ruby glanced sideways, her cloak swaying lightly as she kicked a pebble off the curb. "Maybe… but I don't really want to stand out that much. I already get enough attention."

"Not as much as me," Jimmy replied with a soft laugh, tapping the sword on his side. Between the mythic weapon and his elemental abilities, he was more than used to stares and whispers. But while Jimmy walked in the waking world, deep inside his soul, something else stirred.

The Inner World – Council of the Realms

In the center of Jimmy's spiritual domain sat a massive, obsidian table etched with golden runes that glowed faintly like embers. The room itself stood at the edge of all four realms. Two of Light, two of Dark, a liminal meeting space where the Beasts of Balance could speak without tearing the world apart.

To the North: a vast endless ocean, crystalline and calm, where protection was needed.
To the East: an ancient forest of silver-leafed trees, pulsing with restorative family and the pact.
To the South: the Firelands, volcanic plains of obsidian tree and molten flame with ashy soil, alive with the roar of strength.
To the West: The Libary of knolldge, a place where echoes lingered too long and shadows never left.

From each realm, a giant beast emerged, massive in form, ethereal in presence. They took seats that shaped themselves from their element. The table shimmered, the boundary between them still.

The air trembled faintly. The meeting had begun. "Sounds like the date is going well," Solomon said calmly, his massive form resembling a human in greek clothing with a single star. "The Light is weakening slightly, and the Darkness has begun to stir again. Not enough to consume but enough to lean."

"I've felt it too," said the Turtle, his shell bright green. He spoke slowly, with deliberate weight. "He is being guided. Manipulated. And Silver ensured he was still listening."

"The Echo is tweaking his instincts," added the Wolf, his body like flowing winds with glowing eyes. "Shifting his personality at just the right intervals. Should we be concerned?"

"No," the Dino rumbled, tail curling behind his throne of ash and flames. "Silver found something that is about Ruby. Jimmy focusing on her is a good sign. His priority is clearer now: saving Ruby may shape him better than we thought."

"But she has delayed her evolution," the Turtle said, frowning. "And Jimmy's emotional spikes, especially his battle lust, have become unstable. Not to mention Cinder's presence in Vale."

"That accelerates Phase One," the Wolf said. The table grew still. "The Machine fight?" she added, his eyes dim.

"There are two futures now," Solomon said. "One we've studied… the other is forming beneath our feet."

"If we follow the Book, Blake should uncover a hidden mech suit while Yang chases a bounty across the town. Ruby's arrival would be delayed until the turning point. Weiss investigates the Dust thefts, oblivious to the larger plan."

"The original tale gave little insight into the Dust," the Wolf said, yawning wide.

"We understand more now," Solomon confirmed. "Silver's dive into Team CFVY's path uncovered the truth: the Dust wasn't just stolen. It's being stockpiled to engineer structural collapses. Terrorist strikes to turn bridges and towers into ash to reduce Vale itself to rubble."

"And our power?" asked the Turtle, concerned. "It cannot stop such scale."

"Our directive ends at Vale's fall," the Wolf murmured. "After that, there is… nothing."

Solomon stood slowly, eyes glowing with thought. "I'll review the original texts, and the fractured story we recovered. We've been acting on broad brushstrokes, but the brush has changed. This new future has added colors we don't recognize. New players. Unwritten pages."

The table fell silent.

"We observe," Solomon continued, "and only act when asked. If the Spirit Princess finds us… we adapt. She is connected now the spirit tree has been rooted into this world through the tree. If she enters, it won't be by prophecy. It will be by choice."

"So we wait," the Dino said with a grumble.

"Only if the timeline bends far enough that we must speak," Solomon nodded. "No interference unless the line collapses."

The other beasts gave their subtle bows, understanding the weight of that decree. As Solomon began to turn, the Wolf spoke again. "One last thing before you go."

Solomon paused. "I believe," the Wolf said carefully, "that the balance between Light and Dark is not accidental. The old master didn't forget to warn us… he chose not to. I think he wanted Jimmy to find his own path."

Solomon closed his glowing eyes. "I had hoped that wasn't true."

He turned fully, his voice lower now. "The old master knew I would resist that path. He knew I would question it. But Jimmy asked me directly to let him commune with both Light and Dark. And I… allowed it."

He paused, letting the memory settle into the chamber like falling snow. "I told him to be careful."

And with that, he vanished into the shimmering doorway of the library carved in the plains next to the ocean, leaving the others in thoughtful silence. Above them all, the table's glow dimmed. The council waited. The world turned.

And Jimmy… continued walking beside Ruby, unaware of how much his steps already shaped the path ahead.

As the sun dipped low behind the skyline, casting golden light across the streets of Vale, Jimmy led Ruby toward a new dinner spot nestled between a tailor and a bookshop. The sign was hand-painted, the windows glowing warm and full of motion. It was modest, but lively and more importantly, local.

When they stepped inside, a subtle wave of warmth and spice wrapped around them. The scent of slow-cooked meat, freshly baked bread, and roasted vegetables filled the air. Most of the employees behind the counter were Faunus, each with distinct traits, tails, ears, patterned eyes and all of them froze when they saw Jimmy.

A large pig Faunus at the hostess stand lit up immediately. "Ahh! The Flame Swordsman brought a date!" she said, her pig ears showing as she smiled. "You two eat free tonight according to the owner's orders. She's still grateful for the extra lien you gave to help her open this place."

Jimmy raised his hands. "No, really, it's okay. I'll pay. You all seem busy anyway."

"Busy?" a wolf Faunus said from behind the counter. "You kidding? We've had record sales since that story about you hit the local paper. We need to work. Please, let us seat you."

The pig Faunus grabbed two menus and led them to a small window-side table. The cracked crescent of the broken moon hung in view above the rooftops. The evening city glowed faintly below it.

"I didn't know they'd remember that," Jimmy said, settling into his seat.

"I know," Ruby replied quietly. "I just… I wish I was a hero like you."

He looked at her, gently surprised. "I mean it," she continued. "Not the fame. Not the attention. But... you don't care if someone's good or evil. If you believe they can change, you help them. And now Vale's changing. Faunus shops are opening. People are working together. You're creating something."

Jimmy shook his head. "I'm not doing anything special. I just gave out money. I don't even use it for myself."

"You barely eat anything but Beacon cafeteria food," Ruby pointed out, smirking now. "And you only grab sweets when someone offers."

Jimmy smiled. "And even then I share them with Jane."

A new waitress came by, a sheep named Faunus with curved horns and shiny black heels under her long apron.

"Hi there! What can I start you with?" she asked, bright and cheerful.

"Water," Jimmy said.

"Cherry soda, please," Ruby added.

"Good choice," the waitress winked, then walked off.

"So yeah," Jimmy continued once she left, "I don't really try to be a hero. I'm probably more chaotic neutral."

Ruby squinted. "Where did you get that from?"

Jimmy shrugged, grinning. "It's a thing from a game, or something like a story. It's like this personality grid. There are nine types. Neutral good, lawful evil, chaotic good, all that."

He waved down the waitress again. "Mind if I borrow a pen?"

She handed one over, and Jimmy grabbed a napkin, quickly drawing a three-by-three grid.

"Okay, so this is how it works," he explained, scribbling in boxes. "Your moral alignment goes up and down for law to chaos, and left to right for good and evil."

Ruby leaned in. "Where would I be?"

Jimmy tapped a spot near the center. "Neutral good. You try to help everyone, but you still try to understand people before judging. You've got heart… but sometimes, you forget you're allowed to live for yourself."

He paused. "I want you to be neutral, neutral one day. Not because it's better… but because it means you've found balance. That you're not burdened by saving everyone. That you're… happy."

Ruby looked down at the napkin. Something in her chest relaxed like pressure lifting off her ribs. She gave a small nod. "Thank you. That means a lot more than you know."

He leaned back, smiling. "Good. Because me? I'm still chaotic neutral. I act mostly in my own interest."

"For your own benefit," Ruby added playfully, then glanced at the menu. "Ooh, this burrito sounds amazing."

"I'm going for the burger," Jimmy said. "Simple, strong, satisfying."

When the waitress returned to take their order, they passed the time by talking about Jaune's latest weapon designs. Ruby brought up his improvements, how Jimmy was now integrating heated coils that filtered through Dust veins to add piercing fire damage. Jimmy gave credit where it was due Jaune was the one with the system. He just made it look cooler.

By the time the plates were cleared and the sky darkened into soft purple, the warmth in Ruby's chest hadn't faded. She was full, smiling, and not thinking about Grimm or Atlas or saving anyone.

They walked outside under the stars, arms brushing together, slow footsteps echoing off cobblestone. Then "Flame swordman!"

They both turned as three small Faunus children ran down the sidewalk, tails swaying, one of them wearing a makeshift sword.

"Hey kids, what's up?" Jimmy asked, his tone warm but focused as he crouched down.

One of the boys. Young, scrappy, with raccoon ears twitching, fidgeted with the edge of his cardboard sword. "It's about the White Fang. They're having a big meeting in a couple of days."

Jimmy's eyes narrowed slightly. "A meeting? What kind of meeting?"

"We don't know exactly," said the second, a girl with a tiger-striped tail. "But some of the adults… they're not sure if they should stay. Some even packed up and left Vale this morning."

Jimmy stayed quiet, letting the silence speak for them. "The Dust they've been collecting," he murmured. "You think something's wrong with it?"

One of the kids nodded, lower now. "My dad said some of the leaders are acting weird. Real secretive. And he's scared… not just for us, but for the city."

Jimmy exhaled slowly. He could feel the shift in the wind figuratively and literally. Something was gathering. A pressure, a weight. The pieces were falling faster than expected. "Where's this meeting happening?" he asked gently.

The youngest kid looked away, ashamed. "You won't get in… They know you're human. They're watching."

Jimmy nodded. "It's okay. You've told me enough. That was brave."

He stood up slowly, his shadow long under the dim streetlamps. Behind him, Ruby was already close, her hand on his arm. She'd been listening the entire time.

Then, Solomon's voice echoed inside both of their minds, smooth and low like wind in leaves. 'Jimmy. Ruby. Listen carefully.' Both of them stilled. 'Jimmy, stay out of this. The balance inside you. Light and Dark is surging again. You're vulnerable to both. Let your fire rest. Focus on your training. Let others take the field.'

He paused. 'Ruby this is your path. Your team should investigate. The world will not give you permission. You must choose to step forward. I will not interfere... not yet.'

Jimmy looked down at his hands. They were steady. Too steady. Because inside, he was anything but. He could feel both forces clawing at his heart. The Dark whispered action. Violence. End it now. The Light whispered it was just as eager to burn. His battle lust hadn't faded since the duel with the Lumonwolf; it was merely quieted.

He clenched his fists and looked inward. Should I destroy the White Fang? he asked himself.

His mind conjured images: the terrified faces of Faunus children, the hope in Harry's voice. The new Vale they were building. He shook his head. No. If he destroyed the White Fang, he'd only become another tyrant claiming justice through fire. The Faunus need a society. They need leaders. A voice. Even if it's broken right now. That wasn't something he could force.

He turned to Ruby, eyes softer now, trusting. "I need you to look into this," he said quietly. "I can't go. They'll see me as a threat. But you... You might be the one who can fix this."

Ruby blinked. "Jimmy…"

"You always try to be the hero," he said. "But you don't have to do it alone. You have a team. And now... I'm trusting you with something I can't carry."

She reached for his hand without words, fingers curling around his. "You're not alone either," she said.

He nodded, just once. "I know."

The kids beamed, their eyes wide with admiration and hope. One by one, they threw their small arms around Jimmy in a clumsy, heartfelt group hug.

"Thank you," one whispered.

"Please save Vale," another said, voice trembling with something too big for their age.

Jimmy froze for a moment, then gently rested his hand on the back of the smallest boy. He didn't say anything not yet but his heart ached at the weight those words carried. They were too young to be pleading for their new home. But they believed in him. And that… meant everything.

As they turned back to walk down the road together, the children scattered, darting ahead like sparks in the dark. Behind them, the broken moon hung heavy. And the path forward quietly changed.

Return to the dorms

As they approached the edge of Beacon's main steps, the sky had turned a deep violet, stars just beginning to peek through the cracks in the dusk. Ruby still held onto Jimmy's arm, her bags swaying with every step five filled with new clothes, and one packed with parts and weapon mods she couldn't wait to show Weiss.

But just before they reached the dorms, Jimmy stopped and gently turned her to face him.

"Ruby… I'm sorry to put this on you," he said softly, his hand wrapping around hers. "But you know who to message. Or... if something goes wrong, make Yang pulse the mark. I'll come to you. I'll fly, if I have to."

He paused, his expression shifting from calm to something far more intense. "Please be careful. If anything happened to you or your team I think I'd lose control. I mean it. I'd... I'd probably level Vale. Or worse."

Ruby's eyes widened slightly. She could feel how serious he was not just in his words, but the way his aura almost rippled with restrained emotion. She tightened her grip on his hand.

"I know," she whispered. "I lo " She faltered, the word caught in her throat, cheeks turning a light shade of red. "I... care. About you. A lot. And I know if something happened, you'd burn through the White Fang without blinking."

She looked up at him, her voice trembling just a little. "But that's exactly why I don't want that. I don't want to lose you to anger. Or grief."

He nodded silently.

As they entered the dorm wing, their footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors, Ruby leaned heavier into him. She was practically glowing the joy of the day, the warmth of the food, the excitement of new things… and something deeper. A sense of being seen.

When they reached her room, she stopped him just outside the door. The hallway was quiet. A light breeze blew through the open window at the far end, rustling the hanging posters nearby.

Jimmy set down the bags. And Ruby, almost on instinct, stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. It wasn't rushed. It wasn't dramatic. Just… needed. She held him tightly, resting her head against his chest, feeling the warmth of his heartbeat.

"I know I can't really understand what it's like," she said quietly. "Having literal voices in your head. Spirits. Pressure from Light and Dark and… whatever else is watching you."

She pulled back just enough to look up at him. "But I want you to know… I'm here. With you. Next to Yang. I'm not leaving."

She blushed deeper, glancing away for a second, then back. "And… one day... I'd like to be close. Intimate. But I'm not ready for that yet. I don't even fully understand what that means for us."

Jimmy smiled, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You don't have to be ready. I'm not going anywhere. And yeah, I know you're aiming to earn my mark... but I'll wait. As long as it takes."

He leaned in just a bit, eyes soft. "I love you, Ruby. As much as I love Yang... but in a different way."

Her breath caught as he tilted his head and gently kissed her. It was slow, careful. Almost like asking permission the entire time. When he finally pulled back, Ruby's eyes stayed closed for a second longer than she meant to, lips slightly parted, heat burning in her cheeks.

Jimmy gave her that mischievous grin she knew too well. "One last thing."

He turned toward the door and kicked it open in one clean motion causing a yelp to echo from inside as something or someone tumbled backward into the room.

Yang. "Spying is bad, even for sisters," Jimmy called teasingly through the doorway. "I love you too, Yang."

He turned back to Ruby one last time. "Goodnight, Red. Sleep well."

He started walking down the hall, calling back over his shoulder.

"Oh, and Yang tomorrow morning, way before breakfast, meet me at the door. We need to have fun."

And just like that, he was gone leaving behind a flushed, stunned Ruby standing in her doorway, fingers still resting on her lips, heart racing. "Yang, are you okay?" Ruby asked, stepping inside after Jimmy left.

Yang groaned and chuckled, brushing dust off her back. "Yeah, yeah. He just got a lucky kick. I should've kept my emotions in check, but whatever. Worth it for the drama."

She looked up and noticed the bags in Ruby's arms bright, colorful, and numerous. "Uh... Ruby. What's with all the bags?"

Ruby blushed slightly and adjusted the straps in her hands. "Well… I may have done a little shopping."

As she carried them inside, Weiss looked up from her desk, eyes bleary. "Please don't tell me it's more weapon parts. If I see another Dust canister, I'm going to scream"

"It's not parts," Ruby interrupted, smiling. "It's clothes."

Weiss froze, eyes blinking wide. "Wait. Clothes? You? You bought clothes?"

Before Ruby could answer, Weiss was already vaulting over her bed and grabbing the nearest bag. "The gun enthusiast has embraced fashion? I must see this!"

Weiss reached inside, expecting gadgets and paused. "Wait. These aren't parts at all… these are actual outfits."

Blake, sitting quietly with a book, glanced over the top of it. Her eyebrows rose. "You went to that boutique? That place is famous. These clothes are expensive..."

Yang walked over, opening another bag and letting the fabric spill out. "Whoa. These aren't training gear or combat casual, this is real, honest-to-goodness wardrobe stuff."

"Yeah…" Ruby said, scratching her cheek and smiling faintly. "Jimmy took me out. Said he wanted me to feel like a person. Not just a hero. It was… a lot. But in a good way."

Yang softened, nodding. "Makes sense. You were raised to fight since you were a kid. It's easy to forget there's more to life than just saving the world. It's good you're figuring out who you are." Then she smirked, leaning over with a sly grin. "Sooo… intimacy, huh? Are you planning something with Jimmy? Gonna level up the relationship?"

"Y-Yang!" Ruby sputtered, face going full crimson. "Don't start!"

Blake rolled her eyes and threw something at Yang with a pillow. "Let Ruby be Ruby. Not everything needs to be teased."

Yang grinned but backed off. "Alright, alright. No teasing. For now."

After everyone had a good look through the bags and helped Ruby organize her haul, the mood shifted slightly. Ruby set down the final bag and looked at her team, face turning serious.

"There's something else," she said, voice firmer now. "We've got a mission. White Fang activity is stirring again."

That caught Blake's full attention. She reached behind her head and pulled off her bow, ears flicking upright. "Okay. I'm in."

Yang cracked her knuckles. "I've been waiting to punch something."

Weiss stood slowly, arms folded. "I want to be part of this. I know I've had… issues with the White Fang. But if there's a way to change things, then I want to help make that happen."

The room paused. Even Blake looked surprised.

"I don't want them to be erased," Weiss continued. "I want the White Fang to become something better, something the Faunus can actually stand behind. Not just fear."

"That's… very reasonable," Blake said, nodding.

Ruby stepped forward and laid it out clearly.

"Here's what we know: one, they've been robbing Dust for months, and the amount is way beyond what a rebellion needs. Two, the Faunus population in Vale is on edge. Some just arrived and are already scared enough to leave. I got that straight from kids on the street. Kids asking us for help."

Everyone went quiet at that. "And three," she added, "they're having a major meeting in two days. That's our window. We split up, gather intel, and then we strike."

"I'd like to investigate the Dust side," Weiss said. "I'll reach out to my grandfather's companies, check the supply lines, and find out who's buying, selling, and disappearing."

Blake stood, sliding her scroll into her belt. "Then I'll take Sun and try to get into that meeting. If I go alone, they'll be suspicious but with Sun, they won't reconise me."

Yang leaned back, arms crossed. "I'll check the underworld. I've got a contact who owes me favors."

Ruby raised a brow. "Isn't that the bar you got banned from for… uh, 'beating people up'?"

Yang shrugged, looking entirely unbothered. "Nah, we're cool now. We punched it out."

Blake buried her face in her hand. "Of course you did," Ruby muttered, but she smiled.

'May I suggest something?' asked a voice smooth, calm, and ancient.

Blake tilted her head toward the door. "Solomon? Hello. What's up?"

'First,' Solomon sighed, 'please don't wave at the door. I exist in your minds, not out there.'

The girls exchanged glances. 'Second, Ruby I recommend you meet up with Penny.'

"Huh? Why? What's she doing out in Vale?" Ruby asked, already reaching for her scroll.

'Let's just say her father noticed some irregularities with a piece of Atlas tech. Penny's been deployed through the vale system but she doesn't know that I know. Also, I may have... sent you to her without telling her first.'

Weiss folded her arms, unimpressed staring at the wall. "The worst part is that you always seem to know everything. So I'm going to ask: why not send Jimmy?"

There was a long pause, then the chuckle of old wisdom laced with tension. 'One, not there. Two... I can't. Silver did something to Jimmy. I'm trying to do damage control but it's like trying to repair a dam with thread.' Solomon laughed, but there was weariness beneath it.

"So he's communicating with both Light and Dark now," Yang said, not even phrasing it as a question.

'Yes. And I'm sorry. But you girls need rest. Today's been long and tomorrow will be longer. Ruby… I'll give you something small to help your search. A description. Of yourself.'

Before anyone could reply, Solomon disconnected, the hum of his voice vanishing like a breeze through still air. The room was silent for a few beats.

Blake looked toward the wall where Solomon's voice had seemed to echo. "Jimmy… what are you doing? That's playing with literal fire."

"We need to stop him before it's too late," Weiss added, eyes sharp.

"Don't," Yang said, her voice low but firm.

Weiss blinked. "Yang"

"I agree," Ruby interrupted, surprising them all. "Let Jimmy do his thing."

They turned to her. "I noticed it too," she said softly. "When he fought the Luxra. His eyes changed Light and Dark at once. He was matching a being that advanced. He needed to reach their level. If anyone can handle that kind of power... it's him."

"Yeah," Yang added. "If Jimmy says he's got it handled, I believe him."

"I'm just worried," Blake said. "What happens if he doesn't? What happens if he loses control?"

"They told us," Weiss murmured, her voice distant. "If Light or Dark wins... it means either absolute freedom or total enslavement."

"I hope Jimmy can succeed," Blake added. "Just like the last one…"

"Solomon lost," Weiss finished, "and Jimmy's only somewhat normal."

"Guys. Stop." Ruby looked at all of them, her voice clear. "It's not our place to judge what Jimmy's facing. It's his battle. And he chose it."

The room went still again. Their minds, once swirling with questions, began to settle into tired silence. A moment passed. Then Yang grinned.

"Okay, serious stuff over. I've got a very important question, Ruby. Did you get a dress for the dance?"

Ruby blinked, her face immediately flushing red. "N-no... I didn't. But Jimmy said he said I should be the talk of the school…" She trailed off, voice nearly whispering.

Yang smirked. "Aww. Look at you. Blushing like crazy."

Ruby looked away, but there was a soft smile on her lips. "He just… wanted me to feel like a person. Not just a symbol."

The team didn't say anything for a while. They didn't need to. For the first time in a while, Ruby wasn't carrying the weight alone. And even if shadows loomed on the edge of tomorrow Tonight, they had each other. And that was enough.