3rd POV

An overhead shot of a forest bustling with red leaves and gray trunks is seen as the view descends and shows Glynda and Y/n leading teams RWBY, JNPR, and CRDL through the area.

Glynda:*to the group* Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see.

Y/n: That's right. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples of red sap from the trees deep inside this forest, and we're here to make sure none of you are attacked or ambushed by any of the Grimm while doing so.

The group stops, and Jaune, grunting and carrying a large case with six empty glass jars on top, tries to catch up with them and ends up bumping into Cardin. The bully scowls at Jaune, who attempts to feign innocence by whistling tunelessly.

Glynda still instructing her group, as Y/n holds up a full jar of their objective.

Glynda: Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at 4 o'clock. Have fun!

Y/n: At least say it with a smile Glynda.

While Yang and her sister smile at one another, Jaune attempts to (noisily) sneak away from Cardin to his team, but the blackmailer sees this and grabs Jaune by the back.

Cardin: Come on, buddy - let's go!

Jaune miserably looks up at his team, where Nora and Ren are already walking into the forest's depths and Pyrrha is staring sadly at the scene. Dropping his gaze, Jaune turns and follows CRDL, to the disappointment of a sighing Pyrrha before she continues on.

As CRDL moves deeper into the forest, Jaune tries to keep up with them, feeling a mix of discomfort and frustration. Cardin leads the group confidently, occasionally glancing back at Jaune with a smirk.

Cardin: Keep it up, Jaune! You wouldn't want to slow us down, would you?

Jaune tightens his grip on the case, trying to ignore Cardin's taunts. His eyes wander to the vast forest, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of how to handle this situation without compromising his integrity.

Meanwhile, Glynda and Y/n lead the Teams deeper into the woods, discussing the significance of the red sap and Grimm ecology. As they walk, Ruby skips ahead, her excitement evident as she observes the wildlife and listens intently to Glynda's explanations.

Glynda: Remember, everyone, keep your guard up. The forest is beautiful but dangerous. Stay close to your teammates and remain vigilant.

Yang nods, taking the lead, while Weiss, Blake, and the others follow closely behind, scanning their surroundings for any signs of Grimm.

Back with CRDL, they reach a secluded area where the red sap is more abundant. Jaune begins collecting it into jars, hesitates for a moment but eventually starts gathering the sap, trying to do his part despite the discomfort of his situation.

The day progresses, and as the clock ticks closer to the rendezvous time, tensions rise as the groups focus on their tasks amidst the eerie quiet of the forest, each team unaware of the challenges the others are facing.

Team CRDL is making themselves as comfortable as possible by leaning on stones, trees, and the ground while Jaune returns to the group with six full jars, setting them down just as he collapses face-down. The surrounding team gets up in response.

Cardin: Hey, great work, Jauney boy! Now that wasn't too hard, was it?

Jaune still on the ground, cross-eyed and sounding dizzy.

Jaune: I think I'm allergic to this stuff...

Cardin: Greeeeat, great, great. So, Jaune, I bet you're asking yourself, 'Why did my buddy Cardin ask me to collect six jars of tree sap when there's only five of us?'

Jaune:*nodding, still exhausted* That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today, yes.*he sits up*

Cardin: Well, come with me, and you'll find out.

Jaune moans and gulps in worry.

Now perched on a hilltop overlooking the other students, team CRDL - plus Jaune, squeezed between Cardin and Russel - peak their heads over the crest and watch as everyone is retrieving their samples of sap. Ren, kneeling to collect it from a tree, passes a full jar to Nora, who "Mmmm!"s at the gift as Ren trades it for the other jar in her care. He turns back to the tree and starts filling it up while several licking sounds are heard off-screen until the camera pans back to Nora, now with an embarrassed smile covered in red and an empty jar in her hands.

Jaune:*turning to his left* Cardin, wh-what's going on?

Cardin is still staring at the unsuspecting group sharply.

Cardin: Payback.

Jaune widens his eyes in understanding as he watches Pyrrha gather more sap from a tree as Y/n assist her.

Jaune: Pyrrha... Mr. L/n? Wh-what are you-?

Cardin pounds his fist on the ground in anger.

Cardin: That's the girl. Red-haired know-it-all, thinks she's so smart. And that giant lizard. Alright, boys...

He pulls out a buzzing cardboard box with a large "W" written on its sides.

Cardin: Last night, old Jaune here managed to round up an entire box of Rapier Wasps, and now, we're gonna put him to work.

Russel grabs Jaune by the shoulder, who barely laughs in nervousness.

Cardin: Now, according to one of the essays you wrote for me last week, these nasty things loooove sweets.

Pyrrha is seen finishing her sap collection.

Cardin: I'm thinking it's time we teach her a thing or two.

The members of CRDL get up. Cardin offers his hand to Jaune, only to painfully yank him up on his feet and shove the jar into his grasp.

Cardin: And you're gonna do it.

Jaune: Do what?

Cardin: Hit them with the sap!

He leans in close to Jaune's face.

Cardin: Either that, or I'll have a chat with Goodwitch, and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon.

Jaune looks down at the jar of sap in his hands and then up at the four grinning teammates waiting to see what happens. Jaune turns towards the group and aims his throw at an oblivious and smiling Pyrrha and Y/n.

The latter of which winks at him knowing he heard everything.

Trying to steel his nerves and shaking hand to do the deed, but ultimately steels himself for what he's about to do.

Jaune: No.

Cardin: What did you say?

Jaune:*gripping the jar tightly* I said... NO!

He turns and throws the jar at Cardin, instantly recoiling his hands to himself as he looks at Cardin's breastplate covered in sap. The other team leader, however, just looks at himself and laughs darkly.

Cardin: Oh, you've done it now...

Jaune humorously laughs to himself once more with his hands still raised in an attempt for defense as Dove and Sky grab Jaune's shoulders and pull him in so his terrified eyes.

Jaune gets pushed to the ground of Forever Fall groaning as he looks up and sees a sap-covered Cardin looming over him. The bigger warrior picks Jaune up by his front and grins while punching him back to the ground.

Cardin: You know that wasn't very smart, Jauney boy.

He picks up a bruised Jaune again while the rest of Team CRDL watches.

Cardin: I'm gonna make sure they send you back to your mommy in teeny tiny pieces.

Jaune:*his head hanging back* I don't care what you do to me...

He looks at Cardin with fury.

Jaune: ... but you are not messing with my team.

Cardin looks momentarily shocked.

Cardin: What? You think talk like that makes you tough? You think you're a big strong man now?

Jaune smiles in defiance. An enraged Cardin roars and raises his fist again, but just as the hit connects, a bright light shines from Jaune, and when the white fades from the screen, Cardin is crying out in pain as he holds his hand. Jaune, now back on the ground but completely healed, looks confusedly at his hands as they faintly glow white. While he stares, though, Sky kicks Jaune in the back and gets him on his stomach, but he looks up and glares at the approaching Cardin.

Cardin: Let's see how much of a man you really are...

Just as he says this, a low growl is heard, and a surprised Team CRDL turns around and sees a large paw crash onto the scene, belonging to a huge Ursa Major with dozens of jagged spikes sticking out from its wide back. It leaps forward and stands over the terrified students, lifting its head in the air to smell the sap on Cardin's breastplate. It lands back on its forelegs and roars at Cardin while his teammates heroically flee.

Russel: That's a big Ursa!

Cardin is rooted to the spot when the Grimm swings its claws and knocks him sideways, revealing Jaune cowering behind him. The Ursa continues to sniff, uninterested in Jaune and following its nose to Cardin. He watches at it towers over Cardin, who gets his wits and pulls out The Executioner only for the monster to swipe it away to Jaune's feet. He looks conflicted, wondering whether to fight or run away.

Meanwhile, the roar of the giant Ursa is heard by Y/n and the members of Teams RWBY and JNPR, still collecting sap on the other side of the forest.

Ruby gets up, concerned hearing the noise.

Ruby: Did you guys hear that?

Suddenly, the remaining members of Team CRDL are seen running the other way from the roar through the other students.

Russel:*looking back* Ursa! Ursa!

He runs into Y/n accidentally.

Y/n is completely unfazed by his collision, as he picks him up by his shoulders.

Y/n: Where?

Russel is struggling and still running in air, but points back from where they came.

Russel: Back there! It's got Cardin!

Pyrrha drops her jar of sap in worry and fear.

Pyrrha: Jaune!

Y/n: Oh dear.

He flies up and ahead to the direction while changing to his dragon form.

Ruby:*going into leader mode* Yang! You and Blake, go get Professor Goodwitch!

Yang and Blake nod before following the orders.

Pyrrha looks to Ren and Nora as she and Ruby activate their weapons.

Pyrrha: You two, go with them! There could be more!

Cardin is attempting to run from the following Ursa, but it leaps over its prey and claws him away. He tries to get up and crawl away.

Cardin: Crap! Crap, crap!

Pyrrha, Ruby, and Weiss come on to the scene.

Pyrrha: Oh, no!

They watch as the Ursa leans over the helpless victim, raising its paw and swiping it down... only to be blocked by Jaune's shield, Crocea Mors. He struggles to defend a stunned Cardin from its attempts to lean on him, but Weiss lifts Myrtenaster as she prepares to go help.

Pyrrha: Wait!

Jaune takes the shield out from the Ursa's paw and slashes at its stomach, causing it to lash out and try to crush him. He rolls out of the way and jumps over its swipe at his feet, but he is unprepared for when it launches a claw at him in midair. He lands far away, yet is immediately back on his feet and passing Cardin as he charges again. The Ursa knocks Jaune behind it when he tries for a leaping attack, and he looks at the Scroll in his shield to find out that his Aura level is in the red. He grows angry again and starts to run at the Ursa as it also begins to dash towards him.

As they are just about to clash in slow-motion, Pyrrha sees that Jaune has left himself completely open to the Ursa's attack, and lifts her hand out to him, gathering dark red energy in her arm. Just as the Ursa is about to hit him, the glow surrounds Jaune's shield and makes it lift up to block the swipe. Jaune uses the surprise defensive move to lean on the ground, push his shield back up, and swing his blade right through the Ursa's neck. The head falls to the ground as the body slams onto the ground.

Ruby was a little confused as Pyrrha's hand stops glowing and she smiles.

Ruby Uhhh... What?

Weiss:*equally amazed* How did you...?

Pyrrha: Well, Ruby has her speed, you have your glyphs. My Semblance is polarity.

Ruby: Whoa, you can control poles...

Weiss: No. It means she has control over magnetism.

Ruby:*still impressed, whispers* Magnets are cool, too...

Weiss notices Pyrrha start to leave.

Weiss: Wait, where are you going?

Ruby: Yeah! We gotta tell them what happened!

Pyrrha: We could... Or perhaps we could keep it our little secret?

She walks away again as Ruby and Weiss smile to each other in understanding and a bruised Jaune sheathes his weapon before going over to Cardin.

Cardin, still covered in sap, looks up at Jaune as his savior offers a hand. Cardin smiles as he takes it and is lifted back up on his feet.

Cardin: Holy crap, Jaune!

Jaune:*threateningly* Don't ever mess with my team - my friends - ever again.

Jaune stares Cardin dead in the eyes.

Jaune: Got it?

Cardin looks intimidated, possibly even apologetic. With his order spoken, Jaune turns and walks away from a frozen Cardin.

Y/n, observing from above, keeps a vigilant eye on the situation as he sees Jaune departing from the confrontation with Cardin. He recognizes the turmoil within Jaune and contemplates the events that just unfolded.

Meanwhile, Team RWBY and Pyrrha are exchanging amazed expressions, marveling at Pyrrha's incredible Semblance that she just demonstrated. Their conversation about Pyrrha's ability to manipulate magnetism leaves them in awe, with Ruby expressing her appreciation for magnets, drawing a chuckle from Weiss.

As the forest remains quiet, Jaune's determination shines through as he offers a final warning to Cardin, signifying a newfound resolve to protect his team at any cost.

Y/n swoops down from above and lands next to Jaune, giving him a thoughtful glance. Jaune looks up, acknowledging Y/n's presence with a weary but grateful smile.

Y/n: You did well, Jaune.

Jaune nods in response, grateful for the support, before resuming his pace towards his teammates, leaving behind a pensive Y/n who stays on alert, watching over the forest and its students.

The scene fades to the distant sounds of the forest, leaving a sense of uncertainty lingering in the air as the aftermath of the encounter settles in the hearts of those involved.

Later that night, on top of the dorm building, a uniformed Jaune stands on the edge and looks into the distance at the green lights of Beacon.

Pyrrha (off-screen): No Cardin tonight?

She walks to his side.

Pyrrha: I thought you two were best buds?

Jaune: Pyrrha... I'm sorry. You were only trying to be nice, and... I had all this stupid macho stuff in my head-

Pyrrha: Jaune! It's okay!

They smile at one another, she adds:

Pyrrha: Your team really misses their full-time leader, you know. You should come down! Ren made pancakes! No syrup, though - you can thank Nora for that!

Jaune smiles, but holds out his hand and calls out.

Jaune: Wait!

Pyrrha turns around, and Jaune looks sheepish.

Jaune: I know I don't deserve it after all that happened, but... would you still be willing to help me... to help me become a better fighter?

Pyrrha turns around so a worried Jaune won't see her satisfied smile. She goes up to Jaune and suddenly pushes her leader to the ground but he gets up within seconds making her raise a brow.

Jaune:*whining* Hey!

Pyrrha stands over him with her arms on her hips and an evaluating tone.

Pyrrha: Your stance is all wrong. You need to be wider and lower to the ground. But your recovery was quick. Let's try that again.

She trips a bit and turns around to see Y/n with a smirk and a tail wage.

Y/n: I believe you two need some help.

Jaune looks a bit bewildered, but a spark of hope twinkles in his eyes at the idea of getting assistance.

Jaune: Are you offering?

Y/n nods, his eyes filled with encouragement.

Y/n: Of course. But remember, it's not just about technique or strength. It's about understanding, strategy, and trust.

He moves closer, gesturing for Jaune to stand up. Jaune gets back on his feet, paying close attention to Y/n's advice.

Y/n: Let's start with the basics. Your stance is crucial. It needs to be steady, grounded, and ready for action.

Pyrrha watches closely, intrigued by Y/n's approach.

Y/n: Your movements should flow naturally, just like a dance. Reacting without hesitation, yet maintaining precision and control.

He demonstrates a few quick moves, displaying fluidity and balance. Jaune tries to mimic Y/n's movements, albeit a bit clumsily at first.

Pyrrha: You're doing great, Jaune!

Encouraged by Pyrrha's support, Jaune continues to practice under Y/n's guidance. With each attempt, he shows improvement, becoming more confident and focused.

Y/n: Excellent progress, Jaune. Remember, it's not just about the fight. It's about the growth and the journey.

As the stars twinkle in the night sky, Jaune, Pyrrha, and Y/n continue their impromptu training session, their camaraderie growing stronger amidst the lessons learned on the rooftop of Beacon Academy.