Quickly I'll say that this fic won't follow every single episode. We will have some timeskips in between and even some chapters that don't follow the episodes. I already said this in the announcement book but thank you genders for the 1000 reads! Anyway, onto the story!

Third Person POV

Cardin Winchester is holding his mace perched on his shoulder and Jaune Arc opposite him with Crocea Mors drawn, leaning on his weapon as if exhausted, in the spotlight shining on the Beacon Academy auditorium stage. He looks at Cardin, who laughs at his opponent's tiredness, and Jaune gathers his strength to charge forward and swing his blade at Cardin, only for him to jump out of the way. Jaune looks back, surprised, as Cardin's mace sends Jaune's shield - and himself - flying back. Now only armed with his sword, Jaune continued to try and attack, but is blocked by the mace's hilt. Their weapons locked, Cardin forces himself up, towering over a struggling Jaune.

Cardin: This is the part where you lose.

Jaune: Over my dead-!

Jaune is cut short as Cardin knees him in the gut, making Jaune drop his sword and fall to the ground in pain. Cardin raises his mace and is about to slam it down on a worried Jaune just when the buzzer rings, the lights come back on, and Glynda Goodwitch's voice causes him to stop.

Glynda: Cardin, that's enough!

He relents and walks away as she comes onto the stage, tapping her tablet

Glynda: Students, as you can see, Mr. Arc's Aura has now dropped into the red. In a tournament-styled duel, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle, and that the official may call the match.

While Jaune still lays on the floor in defeat and Pyrrha looks sad, Glynda turns her head to look at the losing warrior as he pulls out a smaller tablet with his low, blinking stats and that of his entire team.

Glynda: Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now. Please try to refer to your Scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you decide when it's appropriate to attack, or when it is better to move to a more... defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, now, would we?

Cardin: Speak for yourself...

Glynda: Remember, everyone, the Vytal Festival is only a few months away! It won't be long before students from the other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing! Those who choose to compete in the combat tournament will be representing all of Vale!

The bell rings, and students start leaving while Pyrrha continues to frown sadly. Jaune, still sitting on the floor and hangs his head in shame.

(TIMESKIP TO LUNCH)

Nora: So! There we were, in the middle of the night...

Ren: It was day.

Nora: We were surrounded by Ursai...

Isabelle actually seems intrigued by the story while Y/N and Raviera are discussing notes and battle strategies for combat class and for the tournament. Amara is looking for songs in Spotify to use with her semblance.

Ren: They were Beowolves.

Nora: Dozens of them!

She screams this as she stands at the table of both Team RWBY, JNPR and _IAR where Weiss is ignoring Nora and filing her nails, Ruby and Pyrrha are listening politely, and Jaune is messing with his food.

Ren: Two of 'em.

Nora: But they were no match... And in the end, Ren and I took them down and made a boatload of Lien selling Ursa skin rugs!

Ren: She's been having this recurring dream for nearly a month now.

Pyrrha: Jaune? Are you okay?

Jaune: Huh? Oh, yeah! Why?

Ruby: It's just that you seem a little... not okay...

Jaune: Guys, I'm fine. Seriously! Look!"

He holds up a thumb while laughing nervously until his attention is focused on the members of Team CRDL, standing around a girl with brown rabbit ears jutting from her hair as Cardin laughs at her and Sky Lark holds up his hands to his head in a mock interpretation of her unusual features. Seeing this Amara seemed REALLY pissed off. She goes through her scroll and chooses a song that she only uses for emergencies. She pauses it before it starts and walks over to them.

Amara: HEY!!!

Cardin: What do you want girly?!?

Amara: Leave her alone!!!

Cardin: Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it huh?

He pushes her on the ground. She then transforms into a wyvern and CRDL suddenly seems scared. Amara breaths ice on them, turning them into human popsicles. She then turns back and plays the song. She suddenly gains a really creepy smile and something inside her seemed to snap, she starts by powering up her punch and punching CRDL launching them against the wall and breaking them out of the ice. She dashes forward with super-speed and punches the shit out of Russel, breaking his rib cage and then his legs and arms. Nora can't help but smile brightly over the leg breaking. Cardin then tries to swing at her with his mace but she simply stops it with her pinkie and knees Cardin in the testicles, which burst on impact and sends him flying through the roof. Sky and Dove then come charging at her. Amara grabs her microphone and turns it into a ball and chain. She swings it around amd hits Sky's head, almost breaking his neck but definetly enough to knock his teeth out. Amara then turns around and stares at Dove with cold, blue, lifeless eyes clearly showing that she will give no mercy. Dove is literally shitting himself as Amara turns her microphone into a crowbar and wacks him across the head a couple times. She then turns into a machine gun and sprays him with lead until he drops on the ground. Finally, she turns it into a rocket launcher and points it straight at his head.

Amara: WAKEY WAKEY!

She says in a really crazy tone. Dove's eyes go wide as she fires it pointblank to the face, launching him against the wall. Amara seems to calm down but is suddenly picked up by one of Glynda's magic bubbles.

Glynda: Office. Now.

She drags her into Ozpin's office as she sits her down in front of him.

Ozpin: Ah Ms.Cyclonia.

Amara: Please Professor! I can explain! Please don't expel me!

Ozpin: Who said I was gonna expel you? You didn't kill anyone. I'll let you explain.

Amara: Well...I'm Raviera's little sister but most of the time, it's the complete oppostite. That was the case when we were little. Raviera used to get bullied a lot back when we were kids for being a faunus, even more for being a dragon faunus. They used to pull on his wings and punch him, one day, I stood up to them and I almost beat them to death. When I saw what CRDL was doing...I snapped...I didn't want anyone else to go through what my brother went through. He used to be so full of cheer but ever since then...He's always been serious. He still loves me and cracks a joke sometimes but that's abut as non-serious as he gets.

Ozpin: I see. Thank you for the explanation. It must have been hard. I'll let you off with a warning and next time, please keep your emotions in check.

Amara: Thank you professor!

She goes back downstairs to the cafeteria to hear her friends talking again.

Pyrrha: -Cardin's been picking on you since the first week of school!

Jaune: Who? Cardin Winchester? Nah... He just likes to mess around! You know, practical jokes!

Ruby: He's a bully.

Jaune: Oh, please! Name one time he's 'bullied' me.

Y/N: Well because you asked. How about the time he knocked his arm into you making you drop your book? Or when he shoved you into a locker and launched you to the pool? Or when he activated your shield making your way to the door be blocked?

Jaune: Guys, really, it's fine! Besides, it's not like he's only a jerk to me; he's a jerk to everyone. Just look at what happened with Velvet.

Raviera and Blake: He's not the only one.

Yang: It must be hard to be a Faunus.

Having gotten up from the table, Jaune looks back at his friends and sighs to himself before moving on with his tray table. He doesn't realize that Cardin is watching his walk of shame with a sinister grin.

(TIMESKIP TO CLASS WITH OOBLECK!)

We see a sleeping Jaune with his head resting in his hands while a constantly-zooming and fast-talking Professor Oobleck is in the middle of his hyperactive lecture, educating Weiss, Blake, Pyrrha, Velvet, Raviera, Isabelle and a leaned-back Cardin directly behind Jaune, Cardin has an ice pack duct-taped to his balls, or, where they were, he also has a bandaged head.

Oobleck: Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution--more popularly known as the Faunus War--"

He zooms up to the front of the class and the map covered in papers behind his desk

Oobleck: --humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie.

He points at the map of said-area with his stick, then zooms off to the side for a sip of his coffee before appearing in front of the desk. Isabelle can feel herself getting dizzy trying to keep track of him.

Oobleck: Now! While this must feel like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that these are relatively recent events! Why, the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!

He zooms around the classroom more, sipping his coffee again before continuing to zoom and talk.

Oobleck: Now! Have any among you been subjugated or discriminated because of your Faunus heritage?

Some of the students raise their hands. Velvet and Raviera, after a moment, do the same. Isabelle does too before explaining.

Isabelle: I'm technically not a faunus but I have been bullied and attacked just because I am an arachnid.

Oobleck: Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember, students, it is precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence!

He takes another sip of his coffee

Oobleck: I mean, I mean, I mean just look at what happened to White Fang! Now, which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorize to be the turning point in the third year of the War? Yes?

Weiss: The battle at Fort Castle!

Oobleck: Precisely! And, who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?

Unseen by the professor, Cardin flicks a paper football at Jaune's head, causing him to wake up.

Jaune: Hey!

Oobleck: Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?

Jaune: Uhhhh... The answer... The advantage... that the Faunus...

He looks behind Oobleck's focused face at Pyrrha, who coughs and motions to her lips as she gives him the answer

Juane: ...had over that guy's stuff...

He sees Pyrrha cup her hands around her eyes and goes for the most obvious answer.

Jaune: Uhh... Binoculars!

While Jaune looks pleased with his answer, the class laughs at him and Oobleck sips his coffee. Pyrrha and Raviera sigh and slap a hand to their forehead as Cardin pounds his fist on his desk while chortling.

Oobleck: Very funny, Mr. Arc! Cardin! Perhaps you would care to share your thoughts on the subject!

Cardin: Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal than a soldier.

Pyrrha: You're not the most open-minded of individuals, are you, Cardin?

Cardin: What? You got a problem?

Pyrrha: No, I have the answer! It's night vision. Many Faunus are known to have nearly-perfect sight in the dark.

Cardin growls at the correct response.

Blake: General Lagune was inexperienced, and made the mistake of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched, and the general was captured. Perhaps if he'd paid attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure.

Cardin gets up from his seat with his hand balled into a fist.

Oobleck: Mr. Winchester! Please take your seat. You and Mr. Arc can both see me after class for additional readings.

Jaune: Oohhhh...

Oobleck: Now! Moving on!

When the lesson ends, Pyrrha, Nora, Raviera, Isabelle and Ren come out of the classroom, only for Pyrrha to stop near the doorway.

Pyrrha: You go on ahead. I'll wait for Jaune.

Thye look back inside as the after-class talk occurs to the two boys)

Oobleck: You two have been struggling in my class since day one! Now, I don't know if it's a lack of interest, or just your stubborn nature, but whatever it is...It stops now! You've worked hard to gain entrance to this school, and we only accept the best of the best, so I expect you to act like it. History is important, gentlemen! If you can't learn from it... you're destined to repeat it. Pages fifty-one to ninety-one! I want an essay on my desk by next class! Now! Run along.

With that, he zooms out of the classroom and past a waiting Pyrrha in a green and white blur. Jaune comes out first, and Cardin emerges behind him, pushing him to the ground an emitting an "Ow!" from him that makes the bully laugh before walking away.

Pyrrha: You know, I really will break his legs."

Jaune sighs, and Pyrrha looks like she is struck by inspiration

Pyrrha: I have an idea! Here, come with me!

She grabs a confused Jaune by the arm and drags him along as she turns down the corridor. A dejected Jaune and Pyrrha come onto a rooftop of one of the buildings, with a clear view of the glowing green orbs in the central tower of Beacon.

Jaune: Pyrrha, I know I'm going through a hard time right now, but I'm not that depressed.

He looks over the edge of the roof, to the confusion of Pyrrha.

Jaune: I can always be a farmer or something...

Pyrrha: N-n-no! That's not why I brought you up here! Jaune, I know you're having a difficult time in class and that you're still not the strongest of fighters, so... I want to help you!

Jaune: Wh-what?

Pyrrha: We can train up here after class where no one can bother us!

Jaune: You think I need help?

Pyrrha: N-no! No, that's not what I meant.

Jaune: But you just said it.

Pyrrha: Jaune, everybody needs a little push from time to time. It doesn't make you any different from the rest of us. You made it to Beacon! That speaks volumes of what you're capable of!

Jaune: You're wrong. I-I don't belong here.

Pyrrha: That's a terrible thing to say! Of course you do!

Jaune: No, I don't!"

He sighs as Pyrrha looks bewildered and he reveals the truth.

Jaune: I wasn't really accepted into Beacon...

He turns his back to her so he doesn't have to face her.

Pyrrha: Wh-what do you mean?

Jaune: I mean I didn't go to combat school, I didn't pass any tests. I didn't earn my spot at this Academy! I lied! I got my hands on some fake transcripts, and I lied!

Pyrrha: What? But... why?

Jaune: Cause this is always what I've wanted to be! My father, my grandfather, and his father before him were all warriors! They were all heroes! I wanted to be one, too. I was just never good enough.

Pyrrha: Then let me help you!

Jaune: I don't want help! I don't want to be the damsel in distress! I want to be the hero!

Pyrrha: Jaune, I-

Jaune: I'm tired of being the lovable idiot, stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives! Don't you understand? If I can't do this on my own... then what good am I?

Pyrrha attempts to reach out for his arm and console him, but he leans back from her touch.

Jaune: Just... leave me alone. Okay?

Pyrrha: If that's what you think is best...

She walks away, her footsteps getting softer and softer until she leaves the roof. Jaune paces a little until he hears a mocking laugh and Cardin appears on the roof from his window.

Cardin: Oh, Jaune...

Jaune: Cardin!

Cardin: I couldn't help but overhear you two from my dorm room. So, you snuck into Beacon, huh? I gotta say, Jaune, I never expected you to be such a rebel!

Jaune: Please, Cardin, please, don't tell anyone!

Cardin: Jaune, come on! I'd never rat on a friend like that!

Jaune: A... a friend?

Cardin: Of course!

He traps Jaune in a headlock under his arm despite his struggling

Cardin: We're friends now, Jauney boy! And the way I see it, as long as you're there for me when I need you, we'll be friends for a long time.

He finally releases Jaune, who gasps as he leans on the ground.

Cardin: That being said, I really don't have time to do those extra readings Dr. Oobleck gave us today. Think you could take care of that for me, buddy?

Y/N: No. He won't.

Cardin suddenly looks beside him and sees the leader of Team _IAR.

Cardin: Shut up and stay out of this!

Y/N: You say while you were dropping in on Pyrrha and Jaune earlier. Kind of hypocritical don't you think? Amara already literally busted your nuts, you better believe I can do way worse than that. I know what you're planning with him Winchester. You're planning on using him. Taking advantage of him. People like you disgust me.

Cardin: You say that like you're his friend!

Y/N: I'm not. But I can safely say that I take back what I said in the past about Jaune not being a good leader.

Jaune: Huh?

Y/N: I saw you when JNPR was fighting that Deathstalker. You were a really capable swordsman. You just need a little mentorship and you'll be set to be a great huntsman in no time at all.

Jaune: You really think so?

Cardin: Don't listen to him Jaune. He's only lying.

Y/N: Oh like you're so innocent. I suggest you leave before I set you up for an early funeral.

He puts his hands on Masamune's hilt. Cardin gulps and walks off.

Y/N: I know you want to be a hero Jaune. But not all heroes start great. They also needed coaching and help. Me and Pyrhha cam give you that. I'll teach you some stuff I know during Forever Fall tommorow. Sound good?

Jaune: ...Okay. I'll be ready!