Ozpin stared at the blonde in front of him. "So, Mr. Arc, let me summarize your story. More than a month ago, you were taken against your will by two peculiar twins."

Jaune nodded.

"By unknown means, you were forced into a place only known as Columbia."

Jaune nodded again.

"Here, you were forced to fight to survive. You faced hordes of extremists on both sides of the ethical scale to make it back home."

Jaune nodded for the last time while scratching the back of his head. "That about sums it up," Jaune replied, only for the headmaster to narrow his eyes slightly. Jaune knew the headmaster was aware that he had left some things out. Such included killing dozens or even hundreds of people, taking gene-altering vigors and plasmids, and traveling through space and time. Some were more believable than others. He just got home, and he did not want to be accused of being crazy and having delusions. 'I mean, I was drugged in Columbia, too, but that's beside the point.'

Fortunately, Ozpin wouldn't press on the subject unless it was vital. "From what I can see, you made it back in one peace." Ozpin gestured to him.

Jaune shrugged but grew confused at Ozpin's solemn look.

"Mr. Arc, during your time away, Beacon Academy and the city of Vale have been searching for you. Some took the liberty of reviewing your school records for any hint of your whereabouts. Because of this, your transcripts were re-evaluated."

Jaune's heart sank at these words. His blood chilled throughout his body, and his eyes remained wide while he looked at the headmaster. "Thankfully for you, I pulled some strings with the council to ensure you didn't face any legal troubles if you returned."

Jaune's shoulders relaxed upon hearing this, but his eyes focused on Ozpin.

"Unfortunately, you are not without other repercussions."

"Let me guess. I was expelled," Jaune finished with a shaky voice.

A silence hung over the two. Ozpin could see that Jaune was processing this information.

Jaune couldn't believe this. He had murdered countless to survive and fought off the most unorthodox machine nightmares. For Oum's sake, he fought a fucking GHOST, and that still didn't make the top list of things he had defeated. Jaune looked up at the headmaster, who had an understanding expression while nodding. Jaune's fists tightened as his anger rose, unknown that the fire building in him was also in literal terms. Jaune noticed the heat emit from his hands and quickly put out the flickering flames.

Before he could stand, Ozpin smiled. "A school can only expel someone who is a student. Technically, you shouldn't have been a student in the first place, but I overlooked your false papers to give you a chance."

Jaune frowned. "What are you saying?"

Ozpin pulled out a series of forms. There is more than one way to apply for Beacon. While some students come from training academies, others come directly from the frontier without formal education. Sound familiar?"

Jaune nodded along, a hopeful expression growing.

"Their entrance exam is similar to that of a high school GED. Prove that you belong here mentally and physically. If so, you will officially be recognized as a student."

Before Jaune answered, he folded his arms and leaned back a bit. "I take it that the rest of the school knows about my transcripts?"

Ozpin shook his head. "Your private information and enrollment status were handled internally. Only your name was removed from their team due to your disappearance."

Jaune was unsure about the offer. "Did my team stop looking for me?"

"Perhaps this will answer your question." Ozpin took out his scroll and prepared a video. The headmaster pressed the play button, and Jaune was immediately shocked at what he saw.

"Pyrrha, it's late. We need to get some rest," said the familiar voice of the stoic ninja of his team, Lie Ren, said to Pyrrha Nikos, who was pacing frantically. They were somewhere on campus.

"You heard what that woman said online!" Pyrrha exclaimed with irritation and desperation. "Her store was being robbed when a blonde with a sword and shield saved her!"

Jaune's eyes widened a bit at this. That was when he returned to the remnant and decided to drink away his sorrows. Some prick thought threatening strangers in a joint known for serving huntsmen was a good idea, and Jaune was there to stop it with just Crocea Mors.

"Pyrrha, there are a lot of blondes in Vale," Ren said, attempting to calm down the champion. I know you miss him, but we need to head back. It's getting dark, and curfew is almost in effect."

Jaune's heart twisted as he saw the anger in his partner's eyes.

"To hell with the curfew!" Pyrrha screamed. "It has been a whole month since we got a lead! I AM NOT LEAVING UNTIL I FIND HIM!"

Jaune watched his partner scream at the rest of his team.

Before Ren could reply, Nora wrapped her in a sudden hug. Pyrrha struggled to break Nora's grasp but soon stopped. "We miss him too, Pyrrha," said Nora in a soft and loving tone, as if a mother reassured her child that everything would be alright. Pyrrha broke down, and Nora continued to console her.

"That was a few days ago," Ozpin told Jaune as the video suddenly ended. "As you can see, your team still cares deeply for you." Ozpin saw that Jaune's hands balled back up into fists. Determination was back in his sapphire eyes, and Ozpin smirked a bit.

"When do I start?"

#

Days Later

"And that is the match." Glynda Goodwitch announced as the lights turned back on in the arena. The students cheered for the redhead champion as she wiped the floor with all the members of team CRDL.

"Got lucky," Cardin growled as he was now face down on the floor. Pyrrha shrugged off his snide remark and nodded at the professor grading her performance on her scroll.

"It appears that we have time for one more match. Are there any volunteers? The combat professor eyed the crowd and noticed that one of the transfer students didn't care about the class he was attending.

"Mr. Black, it seems you have nothing better to do. Please come down to the arena as soon as possible." Goodwitch could feel the irritation radiating from the boy and ignored his silent protests. "Is there anyone you would like to fight in particular?" Mercury stood there in thought for a few seconds.

"You," he said as he pointed to Pyrrha, who was about to exit the arena.

"Mr. Black, considering your lack of attention in my class, I'm not surprised you didn't just see Ms. Nikos partake in a fight." Goodwitch was about to go on but was stopped by Pyrrha.

"No. It's quite alright. I can go to another match," Pyrrha said with a smile.

"I commemorate you on your enthusiasm, Ms. Nikos." Goodwitch and Pyrrha turned to see Professor Ozpin standing before them while sipping his coffee. "But I have already assigned you a sparring partner for today." The two women, along with Mercury, looked confused at this statement.

"And who would that be?" Goodwitch questioned her boss, who, in return, only smirked just enough to annoy the combat professor.

He walked ahead of the two and looked out into the crowd of students. "Everyone, if I may have your attention, please." The headmaster started. All eyes were on him now, and he gave them all a reassuring smile. "The next match won't simply be a sparring session. It will also be a part of a practical test." Ozpin mentally chuckled at the confusion that was apparent to the champion. "The student fighting Ms. Nikos will be tested to enroll into Beacon. He already completed the written exam and Grimm practical. He will be a student if he passes the last test." The students nodded at this, and Ozpin looked to the side of the room where the changing areas were. "You can come out now." It was then the whole room went silent.

Jaune's signature sword clinking with the metal along his belt was the only noise as he made his way to the arena. The crowd was now staring intently at the familiar blonde with a serious wardrobe change, which made him shrink. He looked around the crowd to see any familiar faces, and sure enough, he saw his old teammates staring back with a combination of shock and excitement on Nora's part. He slightly nodded at them and scanned around some more to see an equal amount of shock on his sister's team. Team RWBY was staring at him wide-eyed, and he chuckled to see that Ruby was so close to jumping out of her seat. After nodding to them, he also turned his attention to the arena and released a breath of reassurance. He walked up to the headmaster, who simply smiled at him and then turned to Goodwitch, who was no better than the rest of the audience. He let out a short laugh at her speechless state before composing himself.

"Jaune?"

The teen turned and became face-to-face with his partner.

Her hands were covering her mouth as he looked back at her. To her confusion, however, he ignored her plea and brought his attention to the headmaster.

"So, if I win, I pass?" Jaune asked flatly to the headmaster.

"I will tell you after the match," Ozpin said with a hidden edge only known to Jaune.

The blonde knight internally sighed at this and nodded back. He then headed to his starting area, leaving an almost shell-shocked Pyrrha to process what was happening.

"Ms. Nikos." Pyrrha was snapped out of her dazed state by Goodwitch, who was looking at her with concern. "I know this is somewhat shocking, but I must ask you to get ready."

She looked at the combat professor and then at the headmaster, who only nodded at her. Pyrrha then looked across the arena to see her partner staring at her.

His hand was grasping the hilt of his sword, and his stance showed that he was prepared to battle.

Pyrrha reluctantly drew her weapons and readied herself while dawning a distraught look.

"Are both combatants ready?" Ozpin announced this as he and Goodwitch stood off to the side.

Jaune nodded and looked at Pyrrha coldly.

"Then you may begin."

With this said, Jaune bolted from his position and charged right at Pyrrha. Jaune unsheathed Crocea Mors but didn't fold out the shield while swinging his sword overhead. The champion blocked the strike with Akuko at the last moment and stumbled back. This didn't stop Jaune, however, as he continued his barrage of two-handed sword strikes. Unlike the numerous times she had dealt with her partner using this style, she was having a hard time adapting to his attacks that were fast, fierce, and aimed at any vital points on her body. She finally got a sturdy footing and used the momentum of his next strike to throw him over her shoulder while using her semblance to send him across the arena. She saw him tumble and recover, all while keeping a flat look on his face.

"Jaune," she called out, trying to get any emotion from her partner. "What happened to you? Where were you?" Her questions landed on deaf ears as he once more said nothing. This time, he drew the unusual firearm strapped to his side and fired rapidly at her. She brought up her shield instantly and blocked the bullets. One thing that confused Pyrrha, though, was that the impact of each round felt heavier than normal dust rounds. This caused her to back up a bit, followed by a backflip to avoid the rest of the bullets. She threw her shield at him with full force, only for him to roll out of the way and, once more, drew Crocea Mors. Pyrrha shifted Milo into its rifle form and opened fire on him. He darted serpentine to avoid the dust rounds while continuing his charge towards her. As he got in distance of her, he swung his sword at her side, and before she could change Milo back into a sword, he feinted his strike and used his left fist to slam into Pyrrha's face. She stumbled again and, this time tumbled back due to the sudden force. She was confused once more due to never feeling that amount of force in one of his attacks.

He could see the anger brewing within his partner as she got up. He looked up at the monitor above them and saw that both of their auras were in the yellow. Apparently, her semblance combined throw did more damage than he thought, and his fists tightened at this.

"Jaune! Can you just talk to me?!" Pyrrha shrieked. Jaune stared at her for a few moments before holstering his weapons. Relief momentarily took over the champion until she saw her partner smirk, lean forward, and gesture to his cheek.

As he did this, something inside Pyrrha broke off. Here she was, worried sick for an entire month for the one in front of her. All of those sleepless nights looking for him. The amount of times she nearly gave up on him. Every night, she had to convince herself to believe she would see him again. There has been so much strife in a little more than a month. Is this what she gets? The one that she cared for coming back only to antagonize and taunt her?

Jaune could see her aura illuminating around her and noticed her hands and weapons were slightly warping, all while laced in a dark aura. He looked back into his partner's eyes and saw one thing.

Unadulterated fury.

In a split second, she was right in front of him, and he felt her knee slam into his stomach. He gasped for air as the wind was knocked out of him, and before he could recover, he felt her shield bash into his face. Jaune was sent soaring across the arena again and tumbled multiple times before stopping. He coughed a bit and struggled to get back on his feet. He reached for his weapons but felt them be ripped from his person. The same dark aura was back, and Jaune looked up to see that Pyrrha was using her semblance to hold his weapons. She flung her arms outwards, and his weapons fell out of bounds. Fear crept up Jaune's spine as Pyrrha was slowly making her way to him. Despite her terrifying persona, he breathed and readied himself in a basic boxing stance. He saw a hint of twisted amusement in her eyes, and he responded by gritting his teeth. The amusement, however, morphed back into fury, and she charged once more.

Jaune braced himself for the attacks by holding his hands out before him. At this moment, he saw the scar decorating his right hand, which sent him into a trance.

"Hey, can we hurry it up? I'm in a bit of a rush," an agitated Jaune Arc said to the man at the teller station. His right hand rested on the counter while he and his plus-one waited for the man to get off the phone.

"I'll ring you back once the matter's in hand." Jaune heard the man mutter and eye him slightly, causing the blonde to be confused.

"Excuse me, sir. Can we get some help?" Jaune asked a little more politely. Unknown to him, however, the teller reached for something under his desk.

"Certainly, sir. Sorry for the WAIT!" the man maliciously yelled as a knife came down on Jaune's hand. Due to the surprise attack and the previous fight, his aura couldn't hold off the knife, droving into his hand. He screamed at the searing pain.

"RAAAAAAHHH!" this roar snapped him out of his train of thought, and his flashback shattered to reveal an enraged Pyrrha, who was now a few feet away from him. Milo was inches from impaling his hand in the same spot his scar was, and his eyes widened at this. Jaune's survival instincts set into overdrive in those moments, and he grabbed Pyrrha's wrist. He pulled her towards him with inhuman strength and slammed his elbow into her face. She was dazed for only a moment, but that's all Jaune needed. He followed up with a few straight punches to Pyrrha's face and landed one last punch to Pyrrha's stomach. He noticed her trying to retaliate, but the results were fruitless strikes as he kept the pressure up.

Pyrrha let out a struggling cry as she tried to slam the edge of Akuko into Jaune's temple, only for him to duck and send a left hook into her face. She felt the aura infuse that last punch and fell to the arena floor. Her muscles writhed and ached as she struggled to get up. She had never seen such ferocity in anyone, let alone Jaune. She was on her back now, and as she was about to get up, she felt a foot stomp down on her chest. She gagged at the sudden lack of oxygen and saw that Jaune's foot was still firmly planted on top of her. The champion looked up to see that his expression was the coldest she had ever seen. His eyes were static but practically breathed fire, and small cracks of fury were seen in his flat grimace. She was about to question this until she saw his foot raised above her head. Pyrrha's eyes widened as his foot came racing down.

Before Jaune's foot could make contact, the lights in the arena flashed on, and a purple outline surrounded Jaune's shoe.

"That is the match, Mr. Arc," Goodwitch said sternly. She was unhappy despite the intense match.

Jaune seemed to snap out of the feral trance he was in and looked around his surroundings, only for his eyes to widen when he saw Pyrrha beneath him, bloody and bruised from the fight. "Pyrrha, are you okay?" Jaune said with genuine worry.

The spartan was overwhelmed with confusion and frustration. She was about to attack him but was interrupted by the headmaster.

"Ms. Nikos, that was Mr. Arc's test." Pyrrha and Jaune's confusion grew as he said this, and he gave them a gentle grin. "You see, Mr. Arc just arrived the other day, and I informed him about your current state of distress. His test was to overcome the strongest combatant in this class or at least show some improvement. That being said, we didn't want students to hold back. It would only hinder his and your progress at becoming huntsmen and huntresses."

Pyrrha's realization was dawning, and she looked at Jaune, who sheepishly scratched at the back of his head.

"To mitigate this factor, I requested Mr. Arc to aggravate you as much as possible."

Her eyes widened at this last part, and she saw Jaune offering her a hand to help her.

"Sorry about that, Pyrrha," Jaune said with some shame. She grasped his hand and got onto her feet. She took a look at his slightly bruised form and, to his surprise, wrapped him in a tight hug. Jaune could feel her shoulders buckle, and soft sobbing could be heard. His response was to reciprocate the hug, and the two stood there for a few moments, cherishing this actual reunion.

The subtle cough from the headmaster caused the two to snap back to attention, and Jaune was now face-to-face with Glynda Goodwitch and Ozpin. "I hate to be the one to interrupt such a tender moment, but I think Mr. Arc here deserves to hear the results." Jaune's heart tightened at what the headmaster said. "Mr. Arc, despite your... brutal methods," Jaune winced. "You accomplished all your requirements and showed massive improvement. From what I saw, I would say that we have a true huntsman in training in our midst. Congratulations, young man."

Jaune once more dawned a sheepish look from the praise he received. He looked over to his partner, who was elated to hear the good news, and flashed her a smile.

"If NPR has no objections, you may be reinstated as their leader." His team answered by jumping from their seats and getting into a group hug. "You will be happy to discover that none of your belongings have been removed. You can thank your partner's conviction for that."

Jaune noticed that Pyrrha blushed at this, but he shrugged it off.

"With that said," Ozpin was now addressing the rest of the students processing the news. "Class is dismissed. I hope you all have a good day." Ozpin gave Jaune a nod before he and his partner walked off the stage and up to the exit. While this happened, Glynda Goodwitch walked up to her boss with a somewhat worried look.

"Inform the other professors to keep an eye on Mr. Arc," Ozpin muttered to his subordinate, who looked understanding.

"You saw it as well?" Glynda asked, and Ozpin nodded.

"I did. Arc wasn't going to stop at that last attack. He showed nothing but murderous intent in those last moments," Ozpin said while he and Glynda looked at the blonde exiting the room.

"Did he tell you where he was all this time?" Glynda asked, and Ozpin looked at her reassuringly.

"He did. Apparently, he was brought to a place called Columbia."

Glynda frowned. "I've never heard of such a place. Are you sure?"

Ozpin took a sip from his mug and stood silently for a moment.

"Yes. Mr. Arc may be hiding some things, but I've seen that look in his eyes before on veteran huntsmen. If this fight was any indication, I would say the place where he was held was a killed or be killed environment." Goodwitch's stomach sank. She was about to say something before Ozpin touched her shoulder.

"In the meantime, we will let him be. The boy must have gone through a lot, and now he needs to be with his friends."

Glynda nodded at this as she and the headmaster exited the classroom.

#

"YOU'RE BACK!" Jaune heard the combination of Ruby and Nora shout as they glomped him in the hallway. He let out a surprised cry as the two tackled him, followed by laughter from the three.

"It's good to be back," Jaune replied as he got up. He noticed Yang walking up next to her sister, her signature smirk apparent.

"Gotta admit, I was almost missing you there. That is until you came back, of course." Yang joked. Jaune simply smiled at this. "Also, I like the clothes. I never knew you were a vest kind of guy, though."

Jaune scratched the back of his head once more, and Ren was the one who spoke up next.

"You know you have much explaining to do, Jaune."

Jaune couldn't tell how he was saying this because of the neutrality in his voice. The others nodded, and Jaune put his hands up in defense.

"I will. I promise. Can I get back to the dorm first? I miss my hoodie.

A groan could be heard between Ruby and Nora.

"Say what you want. You cannot deny the comfort of the hoodie," Jaune said in a matter-of-fact tone. Before heading to the dorm, he saw the glare Weiss Schnee was sending his way. He mentally sighed, knowing his return would cause this reaction from her. He ignored it for now and soon arrived at the team's dorm room.

"Home sweet home," Jaune said with relief as he opened the door. He and the others soon filed in. He hopped onto his bed and let out an overexaggerated sigh as he sunk into the mattress. The others' giggles could be heard, and he smiled at this.

"So, what's the schedule for the rest of the day?" he asked the group to which Ruby spoke up.

"Combat class was the last one for the week. So, it's the weekend now!" She exclaimed as she sat on one of the beds. Jaune's eyes widened with excitement as he bounced off his bed and headed to his closet.

"Sweet! I can finally relax." He said as he pulled out one of his hoodies with Pumpkin Pete on the front. "Oh, hoodie, I have missed you." He said as he started to take off his vest and shirt.

"You wear nothing but your hoodie?" Blake asked questioningly, and Jaune looked at her with a grin.

"Only on lazy days. And after what I've been through? This is definitely called for." He removed the red sash around his neck and unbuttoned the rest of his shirt with his back to everyone. As he removed his shirt, though, sharp gasps could be heard throughout the room. Jaune cocked his head in confusion and turned around to face them all. He saw their looks of shock and horror amplified as he now faced them. Ruby and Yang had their hands over their mouths, Nora was now shaking, Ren, Blake, and Weiss all looked at him wide-eyed, and Pyrrha was right in front of him with a frantic look of worry all over her.

"Guys, what's up?" Jaune asked cautiously, not understanding what they were staring at.

"Jaune," Pyrrha said with fear. "Where did you get those scars?"

#

A/N: Special thanks to Jebest4781, Charles, and Seana!

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