5

I was running. Running as fast as I could.

I could hear them behind me, getting closer and closer as I stumbled over darkened roots and unseen stones in the darkness.

It was night, the darkest night I'd ever seen, a night where there was no moon in the sky and the stars seemed all the dimmer in its absence.

The only light was from the crackling fire that had engulfed the forest around me, the roaring flames throwing countless shadows around me, the embers reaching forward as if to grasp me, as my feet pounded on the dirt/

Growls and snarls filled the air, the sound of claws and pincers digging into the earth as the Grimm drew closer.

I was bleeding, splatters of my crimson lifeblood splattering the ground with each hurried step. My hands could most likely have helped keep me upright but they already were occupied, clutching a sheathed sword that was bigger than I was.

I stumbled, one foot being caught up by a root in the inky blackness and fell to the ground with a yelp, my wounds flaring up in response to this latest punishment. But I pushed myself up and kept running, sprinting as fast as my little legs could.

As much as it hurt now, if I stopped I would be granted pains that would be far worse.

My back was a sea of agony, a hurt so great that it made me want to just curl up and writhe in the face of the pain. But it also kept me awake, refused to let my eyes shut, let me keep running even with the torment it was inflicting upon me.

I broke through the final stretch of forest, the fire now in full blaze, a wall of flames higher than I could see. I coughed and wheezed, gasping for air not tainted by smoke, my body shaking in exhaustion. Ahead of me was a roaring river, white foam splashing everywhere as the fast flowing water rushed by.

I collapsed to my knees.

I was safe. I'd gotten out.

Alone.

Then there was a roar, and I turned to see a torrent of Grimm charge through the wall of flames, the fire parting before them like curtains being opened.

I forced myself to my feet, sword still clutched in a death grip and started running once more, even as my mind and body screamed at me, to give up, to fall, to be consumed by this agony.

I was scared. I'd never been this scared before in my life.

But I couldn't give up, She told me not to stop running. So I wouldn't.

I ran further following the river, running towards the bridge that would lead to the other side.

A Beowolf charged in from the side leaping forward, its slashing claws just missing me and tumbling down the embankment before being swept away by the swiftly moving river. I dug into what little remained of my reserves and forced myself to run faster.

I finally reached the bridge, a old rickety thing with planks that always creaked loudly when you walked across them, and constantly swayed in the wind with nothing to hold onto to keep yourself from falling.

I turned to the bridge moving at a much slower pace, making sure that each step landed on a plank rather than the gap between them.

I reached about halfway across and looked up and my heart fell from my chest. There standing on the other side of the bridge was another group of Grimm, snarling and salivating as their glowing eyes locked onto me. I turned around to run back only to see a Beowolf make its first hesitant steps onto the bridge.

I couldn't go forward, certain death awaited me.

I couldn't go back, certain death pursued me.

So I chose a third option.

I spun and leapt from the bridge, jumping as hard as I possibly could over the river, reaching, stretching.

My back exploded in agony, as I moved and my body faltered. And I fell down through the darkness, towards the unseen roaring river.

I smashed into the water, what little breath I had left leaving my lungs as this new wave of pain engulfed me.

Then there was nothing.

I snapped upright heaving, my hand clutching my chest as it rose and fell with each breath.

Sweat poured down my body, my hair was soaking wet as I ran my other hand through it.

What the hell was that?

Was that my past?

How I washed up outside of Freshwater?

But where was that?

Where was I running from?

The river outside Freshwater is fed by dozens of rivers coming from every direction extending far off into the horizon.

That forest could have been anywhere on the continent.

I sighed, brushing my damp hair out of my eyes.

One step forward, two steps back, just like always.

Still it was another piece of the puzzle, and I learned one important fact I hadn't known before. On the night I escaped from the Grimm and the burning forest, there was no moon in the sky.

I wasn't much, but it was another fragment to narrow it down.

The curtains around my bed were drawn back and Professor Goodwitch stared down at me, her emerald green eyes looking concerned. "Are you all right Mr Arc?" Goodwitch asked as she scanned my form with her eyes, searching for any injuries that might have been hidden from yesterday.

"I'm fine Professor Goodwitch," I said, stretching my arms with a symphony of cracks ringing out as I did so. "Just a dream."

Professor Goodwitch pursed her lips and focused her eyes on me. Okay so she obviously doesn't believe me. I'm not the best at, as the old Bastard would say, creatively interpreting the truth.

Change the subject Jaune.

"Well," I started jumping up out of the bed. "I'm going to go have a shower then catch up with my team." I sniffed my clothes and wrinkled my nose. Urgh. "And wash these clothes." I finished dryly.

Professor Goodwitch let a small smile appear on her face. "You're free to go Mr Arc." Goodwitch said before turning and walking towards the door. She stopped at the doorway and turned back to me. "Please endeavour not to return here any time soon Mr Arc. Try and take better care of yourself."

I nodded with a grin of my own. "I will Professor Goodwitch." I replied as she walked out the door with a wave of her hand.

I let out the breath I'd been holding and relaxed, rolling my head around my shoulders and releasing its own series of cracks.

Now then time for that shower.

The hot water blasted down onto my body, forcing the sweat and grime that clung to it loose, sending it to descend into the drain.

This right here was paradise.

Ah.

The little aches and pains are being chased away, all my muscles relaxing.

I grabbed the soap and used it to clean up my hair, the soap helping in taking the dirt and sweat out of it.

I heard footsteps approaching the shower door and saw a blurry black clothed figure through the opaque door. "That you in there Jaune?" I heard Ren's calm voice sound out from behind the door.

I washed the last of the soap off and grabbed the towel I'd left hanging on top of the door. "Yeah it's me Ren, just cleaning off from yesterday." I called out as I rubbed myself down with the towel, then furiously rubbing my wet hair.

The door opened slightly, and Ren's hand appeared through the gap holding onto a fresh uniform on a coat hanger. "Figured you could use a fresh uniform." Ren said idly, still facing the other way as he held the clothes.

Ren you little champion you.

"Cheers Ren." I replied, taking the coat hanger from him, closing the door once more and placing the clothes on the hook on the back of the door, before steadily pulling on the clothes. "How are the others doing?" I asked as I pulled up my boxers.

"Fine." Ren replied, still leaning against the door. "Although Nora and Pyrrha tried to make pancakes for you."

I finished buttoning up my pants, and pulled on my white Beacon academy shirt and began to button that. "Tried? What happened? Were they out of ingredients?" I asked as I wrapped the tie around my neck, looping it into a knot as I did so.

Ren let out a laugh at that. "Nora considers Magnhild as a cooking implement." Ren informed me, an undertone of laughter present in his voice. "And Pyrrha though that you could cook things faster if you made it hotter."

I winced at that as I pulled on my blue woollen vest. "Do I want to know what the kitchen looks like now?" I asked warily, laughing a little as I did so.

"The fire alarm activated before it got too out of hand." Ren informed me, doing his best to keep a straight face.

Fire alarm?

What on earth did those girls do?

I finished buttoning up my blazer, opened the door and stepped out of the shower cubicle. Ren was holding onto my shoes and passed them to me, my socks stuffed inside them. I nodded in thanks and sat down on the nearby bench to pull them on.

"So we're not letting them cook again anytime soon?" I asked Ren with a teasing grin.

Ren snorted. "Not unless you intend to explain to Ozpin why the kitchen burnt down." Ren said before thinking for a moment more. "Or exploded."

I chuckled at that and stood up brushing myself down. My stomach grumbled, making its desire for food abundantly known. "Cafeteria it is then?" I said walking towards the door.

Ren gestured with his arm. "After you fearless leader." He answered with a smirk.

I gave him a little glare at that.

The dining hall was already bustling with students when Ren and I entered it, full of students eating, talking and laughing with each other. Ren and I both grabbed a tray and stacked it up with food and made our way to our usual spot.

When we got there I saw the girls were in the middle of what looked to be a very intense discussion, voices low.

"What are you all talking about?" I asked loudly, taking a seat next to Pyrrha.

The girls jumped at my sudden interruption, a few eeps sounding out from them, Ren taking his own seat next to Nora.

"Jaune!" Pyrrha yelped at my sudden appearance in surprise before calming down. "How are you feeling?" My shield wielding teammate asked now calming down.

I smiled, picking up my apple and taking a bite out of it. "Fresh as a daisy." I replied bouncing the apple as I did so before taking another bite. "So what were you guys talking about when me and Ren got here?" I asked again.

The girls blanched before each began to give their own stumbling answer.

"We-well…"

"You see…"

"It was kinda like…"

"It resembled…"

"It was more of a…"

"Girl stuff!" Ruby cried out suddenly, the rest of us turning towards her. "We were talking about girl stuff weren't we?"

"Yes girl stuff." Pyrrha agreed firmly the rest of team RWBY nodding in agreement.

Nora cocked her head to the side. "But I thought we were talking abou…" before being cut off when Pyrrha covered Nora's mouth with her hand.

"No need to bore them with girl stuff, right Nora?" Pyrrha asked. Wow, that headlock looks rather tight.

I looked at the rest of the table, Blake reading a book that was upside down, Yang whistling loudly, Ruby trying to whistle and Weiss working away at her nails with her nail file once more.

I leaned back and looked at Ren behind the backs of Ren and Pyrrha who gave me a shrug.

I shrugged back. Don't try to understand it Jaune, that way lies madness.

Moving right along.

"I found my trigger yesterday." I announced as I finished off the apple and moved onto the rest of my breakfast. I was really freaking hungry okay.

This got a few ooh and ahs out of the others. "What is your trigger Jaune?" Blake asked before promptly blushing as she realized her book was upside down and promptly righted it.

"The moon." I replied between mouthfuls of cereal, trying to fill my empty stomach and answer with an empty mouth at the same time.

"The moon?" Yang questioned, scratching her head. "What does the moon have to do with you?" she asked, her brow furrowed in thought.

I shrugged, shaking my head. "I haven't got the slightest idea why." I answered going for another bite.

Ren spoke up. "Well it is a bit weird." He said a slight teasing tone in his voice.

Oh really Ren?

You're going to try to insult my trigger?

You?

Challenge accepted.

I dropped my spoon and coughed loudly. "Cough-Blooming Flower-cough." I coughed as I stared back at Ren.

Ren's cheeks pinked slightly before he gave me a death stare. I smiled lightly back. Bring it flower boy, you have nothing on me, nothing.

Wait that's right. There were two more things I needed to ask.

"Firstly, this is for Team JNPR, I'm going to need your help practicing a new technique I discovered fighting the Ursa." I asked looking at my teammates. This drew some attention.

"Ooh what is it?" Nora cried out, bouncing up and down in her seat excitedly. "An energy sword? A laser beam?" Nora paused for a moment before moving even more excitedly moving her hands about. "An energy sword that shoots laser beams? That would be so awesome." Nora squealed happily.

Looks like Ruby was caught up in the weapon fantasy as well, little weapon designs floating around her head. Ren and Yang looked at each other with a commiserating look that seemed to say, 'You too, huh?'.

I banished those thoughts from their heads. "Ah no." I replied chuckling lightly at Ruby and Nora's crestfallen look. "It's some kind of shield…thing."

Weiss arched an eyebrow at me. "Shield thing." She parroted dryly as she finished filing her nails. "And what precisely is a shield thing." Weiss asked sardonically.

I raised my hands helplessly. "I don't know exactly. I just raised my shield against the Ursa Major there was a bright flash and next thing I know it's flying the other way."

The others took up pensive looks of their own as they tried to puzzle out my new sort of technique. "Regardless we'll no doubt be able to learn more after practicing it." Pyrrha said nodding at me encouragingly.

Cheers Pyrrha.

Now for the second part. "Yang." I said the girl in question looking shocked that I was addressing her. "I need your help."

Yang's shocked eyes wore off before a mischievous light entered them. "Oh but Jaune we've only known each other for such a short time, I don't think I'm ready." She said dramatically, an arm raided high to make it even more so.

I gave her a deadpan look. "Funny." I said dryly before continuing on. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to spar with me, no weapons, just hand to hand. I don't want to get too rusty."

Yang's eyes widened at that before a grin crossed her face. "Oh?" she asked, her lilac eyes locked onto mine. "Do you think you can handle me vomit boy?" She teased, her tongue sticking out of her mouth mischievously as she leaned forward.

The gauntlet has been thrown down Jaune.

Time to throw it straight back.

"Took the words right out of my mouth." I replied, running a hand through my hair. "Honestly I was worried you wouldn't step up without your golden mittens to help you." I said holding back a laugh as Yang's eyes narrowed at me.

Oh it is on.

"You're on blondie."Yang said cracking her knuckles. "I am going to wipe that smile off your face."

I laughed at that. "That would have been intimidating." I admitted looking off into the distance, "If I hadn't just been called Blondie, by another blond."

Burn.

Ruby leant in from the side. "He does have you there sis." She whispered quietly.

Yang then promptly leapt up from her seat and crash tackled her sister, somehow dragging Weiss and Blake in as well and a dust cloud of violence broke out, eventually tumbling outside the dining hall.

Just another sunny day at Beacon academy.

I turned to my teammates. "Now then, how are we going to practice that shield thing?" I asked looking at my teams experts on Aura, in other words, anyone on the team who was not me.

And I caught Ren letting out an absolutely beaming smile that sent a shiver of dread dancing along my spine. Oh God I knew I forgot something.

"I have an idea." Ren said staring at me with a look that promised a great deal of pain and possible humiliation. "I have a great idea."

Something told me I wouldn't agree with Ren.

Something was right.

This was not a great idea or even a good idea.

This was a horrible idea.

Way beyond horrible.

Leagues beyond horrible.

I slammed into the wall behind me, feeling the wall give slightly before I landed on my feet again gasping, shield in hand.

"You ready Jaune?" Ren asked, the slightest of grins on his face as he watched on from his position sitting with his back to the wall.

Pyrrha in comparison was much more concerned about me. "Jaune maybe we should try again later, you might not be fully recovered." My scarlet haired teammate said, her hands clasped together.

Then Nora called out to me "Jaune? Are you dead?" Nora questioned earnestly as she twirled Magnhild around her body.

I drew myself up again with a supressed groan.

I hate this idea.

With a passion.

"Let's try again, I almost had it that time." I said rolling my shoulder as I readied for the oncoming attack.

Nora stopped twirling Magnhild and trapped it beneath her foot standing on it. "Ready Jauney?" Nora asked, one hand grasping the war hammer's hilt.

"Not particularly no." I mumbled as my eyes focused on Nora and her Grimm be damned hammer.

"He's ready." Ren called out from his spot, having far too much fun with my misfortune.

Note to self. Don't make fun of Ren's trigger.

He has a thing about it.

Okay, here we go.

"Okay!" Nora said loudly before pressing down on the trigger of Magnhild sending her rocketing towards me. "Ahh-SMASH!" She yelled her battle cry as she swung her hammer at me.

Okay Jaune come on, come on, trigger damn you.

The vision of the moon filled my mind, energy flowing through me as it ruptured. Oh yes indeed, time for awesomeness!

I raised my left arm, shield at the ready, the energy surging through my arm and into the shield. The instant Magnhild struck the shield a blinding blaze of light erupted from it and Magnhild was sent rocketing backwards out of Nora's arms, rotating through the air before slamming into the wall inches above Ren, the embedded war hammer still shaking slightly from its forced reversal.

Ren stared at the hammer above his head with wide eyes, his jaw dropped in an absolutely gobsmacked look, before slowly edging away from the weapon that had almost just pancaked him. "New plan." Ren said, still in shock at his near death experience. "Let's not do that again."

Pyrrha was more focused on whatever it was I had done with my shield. "The moment it hit your shield it reversed directions, without losing momentum." Pyrrha noted resting her chin on her hand as she mused.

Nora picked herself up from where she'd been knocked back and let out a yelp upon seeing what was behind her. "Oh please no." Nora cried as she ran forward towards Ren, moved right in front of him…and then past him to the war hammer embedded into the wall, freeing it with one mighty yank. "Oh good, your fine baby, not a scratch."

Ren picked himself off the floor, glowering at Nora slightly. "Oh no, please don't worry yourself I'm perfectly fine, not like I was almost pancaked by your hammer or anything." Ren said in a deadpan with a heavy drizzling of sarcasm on top as he brushed himself off.

Eh, he'll live.

Ooh looks like Pyrrha's got an idea.

"It looks like it's some kind of reflection ability. Albeit far stronger than anything I've ever encountered before." Pyrrha mused before standing up and walking across from me and focusing.

I fought the urge to fidget under her gaze.

"Jaune?" Pyrrha asked looking towards me innocently.

Wait a minute, something is very wrong here.

"Yes?" I answered cautiously, my grip on my shield straps tightening.

"Think fast." And with that and a flick of her wrist Miló appeared in her hands in its rifle mode she fired it at me.

I quickly raised my shield ducking behind it, my aura still flowing through me, the aura powered round impacting with my shield before another smaller burst of light shone out and Miló was sent spinning from Pyrrha's hands as the bullet was sent back to smack into Miló.

I lowered my shield and stared at Pyrrha. "What was that?" I asked, still a bit shocked that Pyrrha of all people had just shot at me. Did I do something wrong? I couldn't have I was in a state of unconsciousness ever since my fight with the Ursa Major. Or maybe that was the reason. The Old Bastard defiantly would have shot me for something like that. Or maybe I talk in my sleep. That could be infinitely worse, depending on what I said.

Stupid hormones.

Pyrrha realised what I was referring to, broke out of her little musing and flushed bright red. "Apologies Jaune," she stammered embarrassedly. "I believe I was carried away in testing your new ability."

Okay then.

"No harm caused." I said rolling my arm. "Although Pyrrha? Next time you go to shoot me, please tell me beforehand." I finished with a light chuckle.

Pyrrha giggled. "That sounds fine Jaune." She agreed sliding Miló back into place behind her back. "Now all we need to test is if the shield can stand against rapid-fire bombardment."

Huh.

Okay, then.

How do we do that?

As that thought left my mind I heard the ruffling of cloth moving through the air followed by the sound of more than one gun cocking.

I turned to see Ren pointing Stormflower at me, both guns being flicked onto their full-auto setting.

I swallowed.

"Don't suppose it's too late to apologize, my good friend Ren?" I questioned, my voice an octave or two higher than its usual in the face of the oncoming hail of retribution from Ren.

Ren just smirked at me.

I bowed my head and sighed. "Guess not." I muttered before preparing myself for the barrage to come.

Maybe he'll take it easy on me.

I hobbled forward towards the shower room, feeling the countless welts on my body from where Stormflower's rounds had hit me. So far the reflect-shield-whatever-it-is could only be activated for a few seconds before it cut out and wouldn't be able to be used again for at least five seconds. If I used the technique in succession, the length I had to wait extended increasing by a rate of roughly twice to three times as long as the time before it. I wouldn't have to worry about this if Ren was taking it easy on me.

Ren did not take it easy on me.

Not in the slightest.

Which left me quite surprised the first time I tried to activate my shield after using the technique and receiving nothing but a bombardment from Ren for my trouble.

I paused for a moment and drew on my aura, pulsing the energy around my body and sighing when I felt the marks begin to fade. Man that was a useful trick.

It would have saved me so much time when I was training back at the forest outside Freshwater. Then again that could have been the reason my aura wasn't activated by the Old Bastard or Peter. To ensure that I never forgot just how dangerous it was, to force me to be on my guard.

Maybe.

I dunno.

Something tells me I'm not going to be getting the answer to that in a very long time.

I walked up to my locker and tapped out my combination to open it up and store my sheathed sword inside it when someone cleared their throat behind me.

"Jaune I need a favour."

Was that who I thought it was?

My opponent leapt forward, arm reared back to deliver a crushing blow that would knock away my shield. I caught the blow on my shield easily, reading my opponents move and disarmed him with a fast slap to his wrist with the flat of my blade. He hissed in pain and dropped his weapon before sighing and acknowledging defeat.

"Not bad Cardin." I praised, sheathing my sword as I did so. "You're pretty handy with that mace."

Cardin shrugged and flicked his mace up with his foot catching it idly with one hand. "Jaune you mopped the floor with me. Again. What am I doing wrong?"

Now what was happening before me now was certainly what I envisioned to be occurring between myself and Cardin a few days ago, when are familiarity with each other could only be called abject loathing. At best.

But ever since the Ursa Major in Forever Fall, Cardin had changed. He'd cut back on the insults and the bullying, and instead devoted himself into becoming a better hunter, not only for himself but for his team.

Which then lead to one of the most unexpected requests I'd ever had asked of me.

"Please teach me how to be a hunter!" Cardin begged, his head bowed and his eyes shut tightly. "I'm begging you Jaune."

I felt shock flow through me, my jaw dropping in surprise slightly.

Wait, what?

Is this some kind of joke?

No…looks like he's serious.

Hmm.

Took a lot of guts to say something like that.

And he already showed he had potential in Forever Fall.

…

I have to be sure.

"Why? I asked plainly, trying to keep my tone as neutral as possible, "Why do you want to learn from me?" I finished waiting for his response.

I was not waiting long.

"At Forever Fall…I panicked." Cardin said opening his eyes and gazing to the side ashamed. "I let my fear consume me and I almost died. But you…you fought that Grimm alone. Even when you lost your sword you refused to abandon me." He clenched a fist tightly and gazed up at me. "I want to have that kind of conviction. I never want to be so useless, so afraid again!" Cardin vowed his eyes gleaming.

I closed my eyes and sighed before smiling softly.

Looks like he's serious.

Alrighty then.

"We'll meet in the duelling hall, every Monday morning." I said looking at Cardin "If we need to have more training then we'll do it over more days. Fair warning though. The way I was trained was pretty… unorthodox to say the least. That's the only way I know how to teach.

Okay Cardin, your mace is your greatest strength" I said nodding towards his weapon. "However in the same instance it is also your greatest weakness."

Cardin started at that, going to reply but I cut off his answer with a raised hand continuing with my pseudo-lecture.

"You've clearly formed your fighting style upon the use of the mace. You're quite adept at using it. However…" with that I moved swiftly and without warning knocking the mace from Cardin's loose grasp. "…take away that mace and your fighting style both offensively and defensively crumbles like a stack of cards." I noted

Cardin hesitated for a moment before sighing and dropping his head. Acknowledging his failings. Good. That makes the next step easier.

"In your pursuit to gain mastery of your weapon, you have neglected the most important weapon you have to use." I poked his chest lightly with my sword tip. "Your own body. The foundation for everything you do as a huntsman starts from the body and builds upon it. Your foundation must be unshakeable before you even think of using a weapon."

"To do this we must accomplish two things. One, we must get your hand to hand skills up to scratch and two we must cement your conviction. Luckily this next exercise lets me address both."

With that I sheathed my sword and tossed it to the side. I cracked my knuckles as I walked forward rolling my shoulders as I did so.

"Were going to be having some hand to hand sparring matches . This first spar will be to determine what we'll need to work on. We'll spar for three minutes or until one of us is knocked out.

Cardin blinked at me, mind catching up with what had been said. "What about gloves?" he asked looking for some form of protection before we fought.

"What about them?" I answered with a smile clenching and unclenching my hands smoothly. "Just think of it as another incentive not to get hit. Because, trust me on this, bare hands can really hurt if they know what they're doing."

I felt a grin spread across my face as despair set upon Cardin's. Man no wonder The Old Bastard always seemed like such an asshole when he was training me. Being one is utterly hilarious, this is more fun than I've had in a long time.

Okay let's see, I'm still missing something…

What would the Old Bastard do if he were here?

…

Aha!

"Say Cardin." I said causally, walking over to him with my arms loose, smiling amiably. "Do you happen to be wearing a cup by chance?" I asked, clapping him on the shoulder as I did so.

Cardin blinked at me owlishly. "No…" he drew out, looking at me oddly.

I nodded, grasping my chin with my free hand. "I see…" I muttered scratching my chin.

Then I kneed Cardin in the crotch, using the hand still on his shoulder to reinforce the blow.

Cardin collapsed to the ground groaning, his hands held protectively over his privates.

"Word of advice Cardin." I said cheerfully looking down on the rolling Winchester as he moaned in pain. "Invest in a cup. It'll stop things like that happening in a fight."

Cardin stopped rolling and looked up at me, still curled up slightly on the ground. "Why?" He rasped his breath still caught from my unexpected strike.

"This is how I teach." I informed Cardin, still keeping up the same cheerful tone the Old Bastard always held during my own 'lessons'. "If I see a problem, I'm going to ruthlessly exploit said problem and then tell you how to fix it." I paused for a moment, thinking on it. "You could think of it as a kind of carrot and stick approach. Do something stupid, like letting your opponent walk up and grab you, I'll make you recognize it, painfully. Do something that isn't stupid and I'll be less likely to do so."

Cardin groaned out something on the ground.

"Thank you for reminding me Cardin, we haven't even started your unarmed combat practice yet." I said lightly hammering a fist into my open palm, "Come on then get up, time's a 'wasting.

Cardin groaned again before forcing himself to his feet.

Good. He's still focused.

That's promising.

Then I slammed my fist into his temple, sending him to collapse in the ground in a heap.

That's not.

I sighed, massaging my brow with a hand.

Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me.

The Streets of Vale were filled with decorations of bright and shining colours, bundles of balloons every few steps, while streams of coloured triangles criss-crossed over every street. The whole city was filled with a kind of infectious joy as they worked on the decorations to the Vytal Festival, the kind that shines through with the pride one has of their home.

I walked behind Yang as I went through the list of Groceries needed for the week ahead as well as tomorrow's breakfast. As well as the weekly resupply of maple syrup. No matter how much we buy by the end of the week it's all gone.

It would not surprise me in the slightest to find that Nora's blood was in fact a flowing network of maple syrup distributed throughout her body at all times.

…

That makes a disturbing amount of sense now that I think about it.

As I looked forwards I saw a banner was pulled taught over our heads with the words, "Welcome to Vale!" emblazoned upon it. Well it looks like it's certainly a welcoming atmosphere for the new arrivals, that much is certain.

Can't believe I almost forgot about the thing. Then again I did have other things on my mind.

Training with my team.

Sparring with Cardin.

As well as coming to terms with what happened at Forever Fall.

Okay admittedly that part is still something of a work in progress.

Suddenly Weiss spoke up, spreading her arms wide, "The Vytal festival! Oh this is absolutely wonderful." She said happily, clasping her hands together.

I raised an eyebrow at that. Now I may not be an expert on Weiss but it's rather rare that I hear her sound so…genuinely happy.

Ruby seemed to agree with me.

"I don't ever think I've seen you smile this much Weiss." Ruby remarked, one hand on her hip as she looked at her teammate. She shrugged her shoulders before continuing, "It's kind of weirding me out."

I chuckled quietly at that and a grin from Yang and a knowing look from Blake told me I wasn't as subtle as I thought I'd been.

Weiss continued on a smile still beaming away on her face as she spun around to address us. "How could you not smile?" She questioned incredulously "A festival dedicated to the cultures of the world. There will be dances, parades, a tournament. Oh the amount of planning and organization that goes into this event is simply breathtaking."

I shook my head. "You know there Weiss for a moment there it sounded really interesting. Then you kept talking." I teased, laughing softly.

Apparently I wasn't the only one who held this thought.

Yang crossed her arms and sighed. "You really know how to take a good thing and make it sound boring." Yang said dryly.

Weiss turned back, her Ice Princess face on at full power. "Quiet you." She commanded looking at Yang before giving me the evil eye as well.

Ha.

You've got nothing on me Weiss.

Compared to her evil eye, Weiss' baleful glare is a warm summer's breeze in comparison.

The sound of a boat's horn filled my ears and I turned my gaze to look out into the harbour, the girls of team RWBY apparently having the same idea.

Yang spoke up again. "Remind me again why we're spending our Friday afternoon visiting the stupid docks?" she asked as we stopped by the fence.

Ruby winced and brought a hand up to grab her nose. "Oh, they smell like fish." Ruby said nasally, her silver eyes almost hidden behind her half closed eyes.

Wait they're here at the docks for a reason?

I thought Weiss was going to get some more dust crystals or something.

Wait Jaune that's a dumb idea.

Her family a multi-million if not billionaires and among other things are one of the leading producers of Dust in all of Remnant.

If she wants more dust she could probably have it flown directly to her dorm room if she wanted it.

Weiss gazed out on to the harbour before speaking with a knowing tone clearly being present. "I've heard that students visiting from Vacuo will be arriving by ship today." She said ponytail swaying in the light sea breeze before she spun around. "And as a representative of Beacon, I feel as though it is my solemn duty to welcome them to this fine kingdom." Weiss finished as she started walking off again, the rest of us following.

It was a concise, feasible and all together perfectly reasonable answer.

I didn't buy it for a second.

Looks like someone knows why.

I leaned towards a smirking Blake and asked "So in other words?", inquiring about the real reason behind team RWBY's excursion to the Vale docks.

Blake's smirk didn't twitch. "She wants to spy on them so she'll have the upper hand in the tournament." She informed the rest of us, her black bow twitching in the wind.

Yeah, bows don't usually twitch.

Getting really hard to keep up this Blake's a human charade, and you're not exactly doing me any favours here Blake.

Weiss let out an exclamation of shock and outrage as she turned on us with her hands crossed before stating "You can't prove that."

I laughed at that. "I don't think we need to Princess." I responded looking at Weiss' reddening face as we continued to walk forward.

Ruby stopped and looked at something to the side. "Whoa!" She said loudly drawing the rest of our attention to it.

It looked to be a shop of some kind absolutely covered in lines of Police tape, the doors broken down, the windows shattered into pieces.

We all walked up closer to investigate and stopped at the police tape trying to gaze into the store. The store was in disarray, unmistakably having been ransacked, cabinets being left hanging open, their contents gone. The glass window was shattered but the glass fragments were scattered on the ground outside the building.

Ruby turned to the member of Vale's police force manning the ticker tape. "What happened here" she asked her silver eyes fixated on the broken store.

"Robbery. Second Dust shop this week. This place is turning into a jungle." The cop said bluntly, his eyes hidden behind his dark shades as he spun and approached the store once more, fiddling with what I'm guessing is the police's version of a Scroll.

"Urh, That's terrible." Yang said sympathetically as she looked upon the vandalised building.

"They left all the money again." One of the cop's voices rang out as he talked to his partner.

Wait what?

"Man just doesn't make a lick of sense." His partner said, the man who was talking to us previously. "Who needs that much dust?" He asked gesturing with his gun.

"I dunno, an army?" The other policeman guessed, his hands playing with his suspenders absently.

"You thinking the uh, White Fang?" gun cop asked, once again gesturing with his pistol.

I do hope that thing isn't loaded.

Something tells me it is.

"Yeah I'm thinking we don't get paid enough." The other cop finished, removing his sunglasses as he did so.

So what they break in, steal everything they want and then trash the place? Something is not adding up here. There's still plenty of stuff left inside including cash. Except for the Dust.

And it seems this has happened before as well.

I've got no idea who's behind this or what these people are up to but I doubt anyone would collect that much Dust because they like the way it looks. Looks like something's coming. Something big.

Weiss scoffed and crossed her arms. "The White Fang. What an awful bunch of degenerates."

Blake turned to Weiss, a hand now placed on her waist. "What's your problem?" She asked, invisible hackles rising.

I winced. That innate sense that said a fight between two girls was about to start tingling dangerously. Uh-oh. This could get ugly. And I don't think I can give these guys a timeout.

Weiss answered Blake's challenge, "My problem? I simply don't care for the criminally insane." She offered waving a hand airily.

I narrowed my eyes. She's lying. There's more to this than that. But what's the connection between Weiss and the White Fang? Nothing good I'd imagine.

"The White Fang is hardly a bunch of psychopaths." Blake said crossing her arms as she stared back at Weiss before continuing her defence. "They're a collection of misguided Faunus."

Wait…

Ah…

Now it makes sense.

Blake's a member of the White Fang.

Or at least she was.

I'd imagine from the beginning when the White Fang was a peacekeeping core rather than the quasi-terrorist group it is today.

"Misguided?" Weiss said incredulously, "They want to wipe humanity off the face of the planet!" she finished staring back at Blake.

Correction nothing quasi-terrorist about these guys. And it seems they may be of the more extremist leaning as well.

Great.

The confrontation between Weiss and Blake continued, they're voices steadily getting louder with each reply as well as my suspicion I was about to see an explosion go off between the two of them.

"So then they're very misguided. Either way it doesn't explain why they would rob a dust shop in the middle of Vale." Blake said staring off to the side.

Ruby hmmed. "Blake's got a point." Ruby agreed her cape fluttering lightly in the breeze, "Besides the police never caught that Torchwick guy I ran into a few months ago. Maybe it was him.

See great defusal there Ruby! It could be that Torchwick gu…

Wait what?

"Ignoring the Dust shop for a moment, can we go back to the fact you ran into to Vale's most wanted?" I said incredulously. "How on Remnant did you manage that?"

Ruby rubbed her head embarrassed at the new found attention, and spun around a bit before answering. "I was in the shop when it was being robbed, and then I beat up his henchmen."

Uh.

Okay then.

I opened my mouth to reply to her reveal before faltering, eventually giving into the urge to sigh and held my head in my hand. "This should surprise me but honestly I've gotten used to strange things happening around you Ruby."

Ruby's face went a bright red. "What!?" She squawked flailing her hands around, "Name one time!"

"The first time we met, you exploded." I deadpanned, laughing inwardly at Ruby's reaction.

"Uh…" Ruby stammered, trying to but time.

It appears she forgot I saw that one happen.

"Name two times." She crowed triumphantly.

"You thought that riding a Nevermore and jumping off it, hundreds of feet in the air was a good idea."

"How do you know it was my idea?"

At this I gave her a deadpanned look one that was soon mirrored by the rest of team RWBY.

You honestly expect me to believe that Weiss came up with that idea?" I asked arms folded with a grin on my face.

Ruby flushed a bright red again.

Yang laughed at her sister's misfortune.

Good.

Situation handled.

"That still doesn't change the fact that the White Fang are a bunch of scum." Weiss added self-assuredly.

Or not.

Here we go, the fire's started burning again.

"Those Faunus only know how to lie, cheat and steal." Weiss finished, shaking her head.

Wow. That was quite a bit more…racist than I imagined her reply. She's probably referring to those in the White Fang but still…

"That's not necessarily true." Yang spoke up, defending the Faunus.

Thank you Yang, for fighting against the stereotype!

Just because it's a stereotype doesn't mean it's true.

"Hey stop that Faunus!" A voice yelped loudly over at the docks.

…

Couldn't let me have that could you?

Okay then let's go see who's perpetuating the stereotype.

The girls dashed back to the Docks and I ran after them after realising they'd run off, all of us coming to a stop at the railings from before.

Okay then let's see, commotions taking place on one of the transport ships that arrived.

Two security guards chasing after someone with a white shirt and jeans on.

And that someone is a blonde monkey Faunu…

Oh God it's Sun.

I cradled my head in my palm and sighed loudly.

Damn it.

Of course it was Sun.

This is precisely the kind of thing he would do.

That irresponsible, thieving little toe-rag.

Oh he is so getting a talking to when I stop him.

…

And bail him out of whatever trouble he gets himself stuck in this time.

Again.

As I looked up Sun jumped from the deck of the ship onto the boardwalk and zoomed off before leaping up and hanging from a light post by his tail pulling out a banana to eat.

Well at least it's calmed down now.

Wait no it hasn't.

The two policemen from before were standing below Sun ans although I couldn't make out their voices it was easy to guess that they were ordering him to get down.

Which is going to make things worse.

Because through my long near endless frustration that is created by being aqaintences with Sun I've learnt two very important facts.

Firstly Sun isn't very fond of authority.

Of any kind, shape or form and is much more likely to listen to his gut then to what nearly anybody else tells him.

Secondly, this ties back into to number One, Sun doesn't take orders very well, from pretty much anyone, bar the old man and maybe me.

Now Sun just whatever you do, do not…

Sun threw his banana peel into the face of one of the officers, audibly splatting into him.

…

Antagonize the police force of the city you are currently in.

Again.

Sun bounced up with a laugh at his little prank, before sprinting away the two incensed policemen following after him, bounding up the stairs three at a time with the utmost ease.

Okay then time to get ready.

He reached the top of the stairs and sprinted towards us, turning to wink at Blake as he ran past before paling rapidly and almost falling over upon seeing me.

Oh good I still have that effect on him.

I signalled with my hand slightly, two fingers outstretched and flicking my eyes towards the city.

Sun's face cleared up and he grinned before dashing off again, the two policemen running on after him, one beginning to wheeze as he did so.

Sounds like somebody's been having too many doughnuts.

Then again Sun does have the technique of 'running away from whoever I've infuriated now' down to an art form.

Yang spoke up. "Well Weiss, you wanted to see the competition." She leaned her head towards the corner Sun had vanished behind. "And there it goes." She finished with a smile.

Weiss raised a hand in the air, pointing after Sun. "Quick we have to observe him!"

Wow, Weiss has abandoned all pretences of lying now hasn't she? I uh, guess that's an improvement? Somehow?

Wait, Crap the others are running off!

I sprinted off too, taking care to ensure I didn't lose the shopping list held tightly in my hand.

I drew level with Blake and Yang watching Weiss cut the corner to save time when a loud 'oof' was heard.

Ouch.

Did Weiss run into a brick wall or something?

Looks like it's something.

Weiss raised her head up to see Sun surge upwards, springing off his hands mid flip to disappear into the city's infrastructure.

"No he got away!" Weiss cried out despondently.

Weiss? Not forgetting anything are we?

Like the green eyed girl your currently on top of for instance?

The girl in question had orange hair that was a few shades lighter than Nora's, with a pink bow tied in the back of her hair. She wore black pants with some kind of green piping running down the side of them , with what looked like a neck warmer made of the same material and a long sleeved shirt/dress…thing…

Okay so I'm obviously not an expert when it comes with women's fashion just roll with me here.

"Uhh Weiss?" Yang questioned before pointing at the person Weiss had knocked to the ground in her pursuit of Sun.

Weiss turned back only to be met with a beaming smile that caused Weiss to yelp and flinch away scrambling to her feet once more.

"Salutations!" The orange haired girl said happily, raising a hand in greeting as she laid on the floor not moving an inch in an attempt to get up.

"Um, hello." Ruby chirped back, bouncing on her feet slightly.

Yang cut in. "Are you okay?" She asked eyes narrowing slightly.

"I'm wonderful!" The fallen girl replied cheerfully, "Thank you for asking!"

O…kay.

This is…odd.

To say the least.

Not the oddest thing I've ever seen no.

But it is up there.

Way up there.

I shared a glance with the others, who all seemed to be sharing my thought of 'what the blazes is going on here?' by the look of confusion on their faces.

Yang spoke again her voice questioning as she tried to puzzle out the mystery before her, "Do you…want to get up?" she asked her head tilted to the side slightly.

Oh hey the others are doing that too, that's funny.

Wait Jaune focus on…wait I don't know her name.

The girl on the ground seemed to think about it for a moment before happily answering "Yes" With a nod. Then she smoothly flipped up onto her feet as if nothing ever happened still smiling brightly.

The girls all took a step backwards, Yang bumping into me in the face of this…oddity before us.

Something seems…strange about this girl. It feels like something is missing. But I don't know what.

"My name is Penny." Penny proclaimed brightly, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Penny's hear turned from side to side, her eyes darting between each one of us as if unsure which of us to focus on.

"Hi Penny, I'm Ruby." Ruby said returning the greeting politely.

"I'm Weiss"

"Blake."

"Are you sure you didn't hit your head?"

Damn it Yang.

Blake not so subtly whacked Yang.

"Oh, I'm Yang."

"And I'm Jaune. Nice to meet you Penny." I said, giving my own introduction.

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Penny replied with same words as before. More than that it was exactly the same as before inflections and everything. How is that even possible?

"You already said that." Weiss pointed out, looking at Penny with a gaze that showed just how weird Weiss thought this new addition was.

Penny seemed to hesitate for a moment. "So I did!" Penny replied with the same bouncy tone.

…

Right then, this is getting far too weird for one day, time to make an exit.

"Sorry for running into you." Weiss apologised before turning and beginning to walk away from Penny, the rest of us following suit.

"Take care, friend." Ruby said with a wave as she turned and joined us in walking away.

We rounded the corner and made it about halfway down the street before Yang spoke up.

"She was…weird." Yang commentated looking to the rest of us for our opinions on the oddity that was Penny.

"I wouldn't say weird." I defended still puzzling over Penny's peculiar behaviour, "More like… odd."

Wow Jaune that is so much better. She's not weird, she's odd.

Genius.

"Anyway," I continued wishing to get as far away from that topic as possible, "I'll see you guys back at Beacon, I need to pick up a few ingredients for later." I said with a wave, with most of the others returning, Yang making threatening hand signs behind the others back.

Guess she doesn't like Ember Cecilia being called a pair of Golden Mittens.

What would the Old Bastard do here.

EXPLOIT RUTHLESSLY LADDIE!

And get a closer look at that rack. That be a wonder right there.

I cut off that train of thought before it progressed any further. Dear God the infection is spreading. Kill it with fire!

Weiss didn't hear me, utterly focused as she moved her head from side to side trying to catch sight of Sun once more, "Now where did that Faunus riff-raff run off to?"

Then Weiss stopped, shocked.

I looked ahead to see what the holdup was and felt my heart leap up into my throat as I looked on with disbelieving eyes.

It was Penny.

In front of us.

Despite the fact she was behind us not five seconds ago.

Somehow in the space between then and now she had not only overtaken us but had done so with such quiet and stealth that none of us not even Blake's presumably greater level of hearing was able to catch?

It seemed impossible, yet the evidence stood before me. I could feel the gears in my head grinding as they took two and two from the situation and were left with five. I'm obviously missing something here. Some piece of information that causes everything else to make sense.

No idea what that might be, but I know I don't have it.

"What did you call me?" Penny asked, an expression I could best describe as puzzled on her face. Oh right, Weiss may have just inadvertently called Penny Faunus riff-raff. That's without including what Yang and I had said.

"Oh I'm really sorry. I definitely didn't think you'd heard me." Yang apologised profusely while Weiss appeared to be suffering from some kind of logical meltdown as she whooshed her head back and forward, hands pointing at where Penny was and where she is now as she tried to make sense of Penny's seeming teleportation.

"No not you." Penny said addressing Yang before walking forward and standing before Ruby. "You." Penny breathed leaning forwards to look closer at Ruby as she in turn lent back to get away.

"Me?" Ruby squeaked, looking very much to be in the dark as to why Penny was here. "Ah-I-I don't know, I, what I, ah." Ruby stammered trying to answer Penny.

"You called me friend." Penny said sounding almost disbelieving as she said it. "Am I really your friend?" Penny asked quietly but there was something in her tone.

Something pleading.

Begging even.

Ah.

Oh that poor girl.

I don't think Penny has ever had a friend.

Not even one, old or young.

"Uuuum." Ruby drew out looking back at the rest of us for support.

Blake, Weiss and Yang were overwhelmingly shaking their heads negatively, giving all sorts of hand signals in an attempt to get Ruby to say no.

When she looked at me I shrugged and mouthed "Your choice." Although I would like Ruby to say yes, I will not make the choice for her. Doing so would steal a great deal of the meaning from the act.

Ruby flicked her head back and answered Penny. "Yeah, sure. Why not?" She affirmed giving a very awkward looking smile.

Ooh, doesn't look like the others that took that to well, they've all frozen in shock.

Wait no they've fallen over.

No need to be so dramatic.

Penny laughed happily and pumped her arms. "Sensational!" Penny proclaimed joyously. "We can paint our nails, and try on clothes and talk about cute boys!"

Whoa.

I don't think that Penny has even been taught about being a girl.

I mean what I'm hearing fits the stereotype of teen girl, but it's more than that.

It is the stereotype for teen girl.

It's like one of the younger kids back home trying to imitate the old Bastard.

You could see the resemblance, but it clearly wasn't the real thing.

Ruby leaned over to talk to Weiss, who had picked herself up off the ground and was brushing the dust off herself. "Is this what it was like when you met me?" Ruby asked quietly, almost despairingly.

"No, she seems far more coordinated." Weiss deadpanned.

Oh zing. Apply cold water to the burn area.

Yang rolled her eyes at the interplay between Weiss and her sister. "So…what are you doing in Vale?" she asked successfully changing the topic.

"I'm here to fight in the tournament." Penny answered firmly her pale green eyes staring back at us. What is with that colour? I mean I've seen a lot of different coloured eyes, even more since I've come to Vale but Penny's eyes seemed…fake. Like the eyes of a painted doll rather than that of a human.

"Wait, you're fighting in the tournament" Weiss asked disbelieving that someone who looked like…well like Penny was a fighter.

"I'm combat ready." Penny replied with a quick salute.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

What did she just say?

That phrase…

I've heard it before…

But when?

…

Think about that later Jaune they're still talking.

"Forgive me, but you don't look the part." Weiss said looking over Penny's strange clothing.

"Says the girl wearing a dress." Blade deadpanned back at her, arms crossed and wearing a slight frown. Okay looks like Blake hasn't quite gotten over Weiss' little bout of racism. Who didn't see that one coming.

"It's a combat skirt." Weiss defended bouncing on her heels slightly, arms also crossed.

Ruby blurred over next to Weiss with her presumably semblance powered speed, mirroring the Schnee heir's position.

Right, Ruby wears a combat skirt too. Almost forgot that.

"Yeah." Ruby crowed staring back at us with Weiss. Weiss uncrossed one hand and shared a quick high-five with Ruby. Wait is it still a high-five if it's waist level? Eh.

"Wait," Weiss spoke walking forward to grab Penny by the shoulders. "If you're here for the tournament, does that mean you know that monkey-tailer rapscallion?"

I opened my mouth to say something before stopping. It's not racist in regards to Sun's case, it's true. By choice for that matter.

Penny tilted her head quizzically. "The who?" Penny asked.

"The filthy Faunus from the boat." Weiss stated lifting a drawing of Sun. Wait how the hell was she able to draw that so fast? Some secret Schnee family technique?

Although…

My eyes hardened. Weiss was getting a bit too enthusiastic with her descriptions now. This was beginning to sound more and more racist.

"Why do you keep saying that?" Blake exploded at Weiss, her tone clearly angry.

Okay eruption imminent Jaune, get out of the way.

Plus you need to get the ingredients for your team.

And find the tea shop that Sun is no doubt waiting for me.

Before he stirs up a new heap of trouble.

Again.

Exit Jaune Arc, stage left.

"See you back at Beacon everyone, nice meeting you Penny." I called out jogging away from the ongoing argument before I got myself drawn into it.

As I rounded the corner I sighed patting myself down for the grocery list.

Where'd I put the thing?

Here it is.

I pulled the list from my pocket and began reading it over. Let's see here…

Maple syrup, buttermilk, sugar, flower, a few new clear bottles for me, maple syrup, ice cream, chocolate, cand…I did not write this.

I looked at the list again and found that half of my list had been scratched out and replaced with something else by someone. Probably Nora.

I slapped a hand to my forehead and sighed.

Damn it Nora.

I entered the tea shop, shopping bags held in my left arm as I scanned the area for Sun.

He should be here, it's the only shop in the city that sells a decent cup of jasmine tea.

There he is holding his teacup with his tail, taking a sip every now and then as flicked an apple from one hand to the other.

Sun looked up and saw me, a smile spreading across his face. "Jaune!" he called out, his tail placing his tea cup on the table, standing up and approaching me. "How's my favourite blonde other than me?" he asked happily, arm outstretched for a handshake.

I smiled, walking forward reaching my own arm forward. "Sun." I said warmly going as if to accept the handshake before quickly grabbing Sun in a head lock. "Mind telling me what I was seeing you do this morning?" I asked looking down at my struggling friend with an eyebrow raised.

Sun stopped struggling and I could see a sweatdrop form on his forehead. "hrk." He sounded, trying to say something.

Right, the headlock might be a bit tight.

I released Sun, who backed away gasping for air theatrically, while I took a seat and ordered my own order of Jasmine tea. I looked back at Sun, still waiting for the answer for my question.

Sun sat down, one hand rubbing his neck before he went to answer me, "Uh, well, you see…" he stammered stalling for time before his eyes lit up. "There's a perfectly rational explanation for this." He said, satisfied with his answer.

I was not.

"Oh?" I said, my tone an utter deadpan. "Mind telling me what it is?" I asked dryly.

Sun froze at that. "Sure." He said, drawing the word out slowly, "The instant I think of it you'll be the first to know."

I laughed at that. "You haven't changed an inch Sun." I said, still chuckling as I looked at Sun pout.

Then out of the corner of my eye I saw the waitress appear with my tea, a brown haired Faunus girl with little round ears poking out the top of her head. "Thank you very much." I said giving the girl a smile out of gratitude.

The waitress flushed a bright red, let out a little 'eep' and rushed off back to the store front. Did I do something wrong?

Sun let out a laugh of his own. "Looks like I'm not the only one who hasn't changed." He said with a grin before he took another sip of his tea.

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked giving Sun a weird look after his comment. Seriously what did I do?

I took a sip of my tea and my eyes closed in satisfaction.

Now that is some good jasmine tea.

Sun loosed another laugh at that, wiping a tear of mirth from his eye. "Aha, not an inch." He chuckled before his laughs eventually subdued.

I shook my head at Sun's antics. "So what brings you to Vale, Sun?" I asked, gesturing at the city around us with my free hand.

Sun looked at me. "Is that even a question Jaune? We both know why I'm here." He replied a smirk on his lips.

I rolled my eyes at that.

"The Vytal Tournament." We chorused together before laughing slightly.

"Gotten any better at using that whirling dervish you call a weapon?" I asked miming the movements Sun usually made with his weapon of choice.

Sun shrugged. "Not half bad." He said buffing one of his arm guards before directing his focus back to me. "How about you? Learn anything new at Beacon?" he asked, taking a bite out of the apple he'd been bouncing around in his hands.

I nodded. "A few things here and there." I said watching his response. "I got my aura unlocked for one." I said matter-of-factly.

Sun choked on his tea, before going into a coughing fit. "Wait your aura wasn't unlocked before?" he asked with a strangled voice.

I took another sip of my tea. "Didn't even know what aura was until Beacon." I informed Sun, savouring both the taste of the tea and the look on his face.

Okay, now wait for it…

Wait for it…

"But that means every time we sparred before…" he ventured, obviously not wanting to finish the statement.

"Was without me using any aura at all." I said with a hidden grin, staring at the downtrodden look that suddenly appeared on Sun's face.

Sun bowed his head and sulked, a little rain cloud forming above his head. "Wasn't even using aura." He muttered tracing little circles on the table with his tail, while his right hand tugged at his gold chain.

There it is.

And I am content.

Oh and he'll get a kick out of this.

"Plus I've been learning how to use a shield." I told Sun, watching as the little rain cloud evaporated as Sun focused on me again.

He raised one of his eyebrows, his messy blond hair hiding it from sight. "Where did you get a shield?" he asked examining me, trying to spot the shield.

I wordlessly bought up my sheathed sword and pressed the hidden button on the sheathe. With that the sheathe extended into its shield form, the two golden arcs now present on the shield's face.

Sun whistled. "Since when could it do that?" he asked, his eyes moving over the newly revealed shield.

I shrugged. "Knowing my luck, the whole time." I said with a sigh collapsing the shield into its sheathe state once more, the sword still held within it. "I didn't know it could change until I did by accident a few months back."

Sun laughed at me. "Only you Jaune." He said shaking his head. "So what's your team like? Good teammates?" he questioned, taking another bite of the apple.

I nodded with a smile. "It's a great team, team JNPR. Me, Nora, Pyrrha and Ren. We've been practicing pretty much every day." I said thinking back. It was incredible that the team had been together for so long now. It didn't feel that long at all.

Sun nodded along for a second before stopping. "Wait a second," Sun said, going over what I had said. "Is this Pyrrha the one I'm thinking of?"

I nodded for a second before suddenly getting where he was going with it. "Don't tell Kira." I said firmly, looking at Sun directly in his dark blue eyes.

Sun went to reply before I cut him off. "What's the first thing Kira would do upon learning her idol was here?" I said my eyes wide.

Sun stopped, thought about it for a moment before wincing. "Eeh, good call." He said shuddering slightly.

I didn't blame him. Kira was a tad…

how to put it politely…

Fanatic?

Yeah that works. Fanatic about her idol Pyrrha.

"Anyway," I said moving away from that topic, "You should come by Beacon tonight so I can introduce you. Ren's the only guy I know who could probably match you in unarmed combat. Nora's incredible with her war hammer and well you already know how good Pyrrha is in a fight."

Sun's eyes lit up at that. "That sounds like a challenge. Should be fun. I'll be there." He said with a grin.

Suddenly his eyes saw something over my shoulder and widened. "Looks like I've got to go. See you later Jaune." With that he stood up and vaulted over the railing dashing off into the city once more.

I looked up to see the two policemen from before walking in and looking around for someone. Most likely Sun.

I rolled my eyes. Just like old times Sun.

I walked towards my dorm room to meet up with the others when I heard the sound of people arguing loudly.

"I don't understand why this is causing such a problem." I heard Weiss say loudly through her door

"That is the problem." Blake snapped back, just as loud.

Hoo boy. They're still going at it.

I entered our team room and found Ren and Pyrrha in the middle of a game of chess, Nora watching on while bouncing on the bed. I closed the door behind me, the sounds of the argument in team RWBY's room being muffled but still present.

"Sorry I'm late everyone, ran into an old friend." I said taking a seat on the bed closest to the game. I'd sit on the one that Nora wasn't bouncing on but experience living with Nora for the past few months has taught me that Nora will just bounce from bed to bed.

"Ooh when do we get to meet them?" Nora asked as she bounced from one bed over to the other, preforming a graceful pirouette in the air as she did so.

"I actually invited him back here tonight to meet the rest of you." I said watching the game closely.

It was a pretty even match although with two very different playing styles. Ren's style was primarily offensive, looking for chink's in Pyrrha's defence before exploiting them, like he did now when he took Pyrrah's rook with his bishop. Pyrrah's however was primarily defensive, and seemed to have a focus on putting as much defence around her king as she could, while taking any piece that got to close, forcing Ren into situations where he would always lose at least one piece.

"What's his name?" Ren asked as he watched Pyrrha counter with her knight taking his second bishop and putting him in check in the same instance.

I examined the board again, the advantage now on Pyrrha's side. "His name is Sun." I went to say his last name but hesitated knowing how much he valued his anonymity.

And Sun's family isn't exactly a minor one. The exact opposite in fact.

The argument next door was reaching a crescendo, Weiss nearly yelling now.

"NO! You want to know why I despise the White Fang? It's because they're a bunch of liars, thieves, and murders." Weiss snapped loudly.

"Well maybe we were just getting tired of being pushed around!" Blake yelled back.

Silence.

I closed my eyes.

Damn.

Suddenly the sound of movement, and a door being thrown open.

I heard Ruby yelling. "Blake, wait, come back." She cried desperately her voice almost breaking.

I got up and went to the door walking swiftly, telling the others I'd be back in a second before I opened the door and started sprinting off.

I had no idea which way Blake had gone, and she can run a lot faster than I can but the dorm building's roof has a pretty wide range of vision, so I might be able to spot her from there.

I slammed open the door and slid to a stop at the edge of the roof.

Nothing.

I scanned the school below me, trying to spot Blake's distinctive form.

C'mon Blake where are you?

There! In front of the statue of the hunters and the Grimm.

Blake slowed her running legs before coming to a stop, looking up at the statue. She raised a hand to her bow and pulled it loose, revealing what I had guessed to be there, dark cat ears, although I couldn't make out the exact colour from this far away.

I went to chase after her before I saw someone else approaching and relaxed.

It was Sun, and he's obviously spotted Blake having her little damsel in distress moment.

He walked up and began talking to her, Blake turning around and joining in after a few moments. Eventually the two turned and started walking back to the Vale's city proper, probably to go get a cup of tea to talk over.

I felt a small smile grow on my face. If there's one thing that Sun's good at it's being there for you when you're in trouble, of any kind.

I know that better than anyone.

Looks like he won't be meeting the team today.

"So that's basically what's happened since the last time we talked." I said, supressing a swear as a fist grazed my chin, having pulled my chin back at the last second to avoid it. Damn he was fast.

Peter let out a hmm, batting away my strikes before one darted around his guard and struck him in the gut. He exhaled involuntarily but still had enough breath to slam a cross into my guard sending me skidding backwards. "So miss Belladonna's with Sun then? Good to know she's in safe hands." Peter said before stepping forward and flicking out a few near invisible jabs.

I raised a brow at this before coming to a realization. "Wait, the school already knows Blake was part of the White Fang?" I asked disbelieving.

Peter scoffed. "Of course we did Jaune, my boy, knew it from before she even entered Beacon proper. Ozpin's not one to miss things like that you see." He said throwing a straight. I saw the punch and stepped inside it another punch to Peter's gut at the ready. Peter's other hand appeared out of nowhere and caught the punch before making use of my momentum and throwing me behind him, sending me skidding backwards before I turned to face Peter once more.

It's been a few sessions into to our 'sparring' sessions, and I'm finally regaining the speed I used to have before my recovery from the attack on Freshwater. Although to be precise it's not exactly 'speed' as such.

It was more about me becoming reaccustomed to my reflexes again. Ever since I recovered from the attack on Freshwater I've found my reflexes to be at a much different rate than I expect than to be, which leads to me throwing off my timing when it comes to dodging or countering in some instances.

It was just starting to settle down to manageable levels again but somehow my fight with the Ursa Major in Forever Fall has somehow messed with my reflexes again. Could my aura somehow be affecting it? Anyway I wasn't the only one to notice it and so Peter had been sparring with me in some hand to hand as a way to force my body to adapt to the reflexes.

And Peter was the perfect candidate in regard to training them. It's not that Peter is especially fast. Far from it and Peter will be the first to say that. What he does have however is the art of hand to hand fighting down to a level it could be called an art-form. When Peter threw a punch, his movement was so smooth it seems to be almost instantaneous to the eye. So if one wanted to, let's say not get hit in the face, one had to not only pick up those subtle cues that lead up to a punch but move accordingly.

Due to the fact I hadn't been knocked out over the past two sessions, I'd like to think I've improved. I certainly feel like it anyway. Speaking of Aura though…

"Peter," I said raising my arms to give a time out gesture and going for the jug of water we had set aside, pouring a glass for both of us. "Could I ask for your advice?" I said going for a drink of water, sweating slightly from the work out.

Peter seemed puzzled for a moment before his eyes lit up. "Aha, Of course Jaune my boy!" he said in his usual boisterous tone. Then he went on. "When a man and a woman love each other very much…"

I choked on the water.

"NO!" I nearly yelled before catching myself. "Ah, not that Peter. I already know about that." And my god was that traumatizing. Couldn't look at the dart board for a week afterwards. "I wanted to ask you about my aura."

Peter had another 'aha' moment. "Ah, right then, carry on Jaune, my boy." He said gesturing with his hand.

I bought up my sheathe, extending it into its shield form. "I've learnt this new technique with my shield." I said flaring my aura as I did so. "But I can't hold it for long. My aura just seems to…cut out almost. I know it's still there it just doesn't work."

Peter sat down and had his own drink of water, gulping it down loudly before giving an 'ah' in satisfaction before turning back to me. "Your dilemma is the result of a variety of problems." Peter said looking at the water in his glass as he slowly swirled it around. "Firstly your inexperience with the ability. Think of it as a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes. That, you can change." Peter lifted his glass and drained the rest of the water. "The other however you cannot."

I frowned confusedly. "How so?" I asked seeking clarification. I mean the first part sounds good, just hard work and dedication and everything should be a-ok. What was I missing?

"Although you can now access your aura, you can't use all of it as it some of it still hasn't settled yet." Peter said putting his glass down. "This unsettled aura muddles your connection to the rest of your aura, causing your use of it to be imperfect. Nothing can fix that but time I'm afraid." Peter said apologetically.

I waved him off, knowing it wasn't Peter's fault. Well that was annoying. I may have the power but it's just as likely to fail as it is to succeed at the moment. Probably explains the time limit on my reflection technique as well. I've really got to come up with a name for that. Something better than 'reflection technique' anyway.

Peter continued on. "In addition to that, as your aura, again, still hasn't settled you won't be able to use your semblance." Peter explained gesturing to me as he did so. He paused, "Whatever that might be." He finished with a chuckle.

My semblance.

Huh.

I all honesty I had completely forgotten about that. I mean sure I was curious about what it might be, but since I didn't have it yet I focused my attention on things I could actually change and improve, like my adeptness with a shield, my relationship with my teammates, stuff like that. Doesn't seem like I'll be getting it anytime soon anyway so why bother thinking about it?

Though that being said, It does tell me that everything I've done so far with my aura has been activating the shield's abilities. Let's go through them Jaune. Okay so there's the reflection ability which works on both projectiles and close range combat. And…something else. I know there's something else!

C'mon Jaune think, use that head of yours.

Ah, wait, bingo.

During the fight with the death stalker I somehow made a blinding light shine from my shield. I wonder if that's just my shield? If so then what does the sword do?

I unsheathed my sword and walked forward, extending my shield and strapping it on as well. Let's find out.

Peter called out to me. "Jaune, what exactly are you doing?" he asked his tone still jovial but clearly curious.

"Just testing something out." I responded spinning the sword in an arc before stopping at the ready. "Depending on what happens next, I might need your advice again."

I focused, the image of the moon coming to the forefront of my mind, the flow of aura getting stronger and stronger with each crevice and rupture on the moon's surface before it detonated, the strange power snapping on.

Here we go.