This chapter is for a pal of mine named Voltegeist, who got my ass in gear to update this fic. As well as SpookyNoodle who beta'd the original, and Mike, the Remnant Paladin, the most avid fan of this work.

Thank you all.

Chapter 3: Shatterpoint

Break day.

A day to relax, a day to reflect upon oneself and perhaps bog through a few timeless memories. It was that one day of the week to wind down – to catch up on much needed rest, perhaps even to think about things he had less time to ponder on.

And for him, it was a time to impatiently wait for one thousand four hundred forty minutes just to get back to his strict training regime.

But it had to be done; there was no use fighting it.

Water splashed his face; the cold swimming in his eyes and stirring the red out of them. His thin lashes blinked on repeat, shaking off the grogginess of a late weekend morning as the teen matted down his face with a towel.

Today would be a slow one, just like Sundays always were… at least for him. He couldn't train today – and that was probably the most frustrating part about it.

He wanted to constantly be training; he felt like each successful day brought him closer and closer to his ever-evasive goal. It kept him in a perpetual motion; one that wasn't too fast to keep up with, or too slow to become boring.

But he couldn't today. His workouts would be fruitless if he didn't give his body time to develop the new muscles – and that was a clear scientific fact. He'd be hurting his body more than strengthening it. It was but an intermediary; he'd be right back on the grind with a better developed body, if only slightly.

He looked at himself in the mirror… conceding himself a grin. He wasn't exactly happy with it; it would've been nice to have shapelier muscles. But they were still results, and that's what mattered; biceps and triceps were taking shape, the foundations of an athletic build. More robust pectorals, with the faintest trace of developing abs to complete a much tighter core. His legs much the same, feeling tight and strong as he rubbed his hand along them.

It looked nice, he'd give it that.

But it was nothing impressive; stellar compared to the frail, lanky blonde who yelped every time he stubbed his toe, but nothing that would wow anyone.

This'll work for now. He accepted as he threw on his gray t-shirt and slipped back into the dorm room, taking a small pleasure in the fact that he was alone. Pyrrha and the others had already gone to enjoy their day, doing… whatever it is they did on Sundays.

A heavy breath passed through his lips, not so much tired as he was bored – which in turn made him even more tired. And so the endless loop began, in which Jaune found himself on his bed, staring at the crusted paint of the wall as he wrestled against the seduction of sleep.

I shouldn't just be laying here…

So what was he to do then. Nap?

It honestly felt weird, being so still – while awake, anyway. He couldn't really afford the time to if he was to reach the same level as his peers; this was the routine, the pattern he'd repeat week after week in order to bolster a greater level of strength.

It was slow work, sure, but progress was progress.

Exercise was easy; lifting weights, endurance training, sprinting miles… he'd even gotten into learning basic martial arts, acrobatics and evasive maneuvers. It would've been nice to get some actual classes on the subjects, but if there was one other thing that he hated about himself, only slightly less than his cowardice and fragility…

Was that he was flat broke.

And he dared not ask anyone for money; it would be just as easy (and far more sparing on his pride) to get a job. But between his own training, classes, independent studying and self-imposed time with friends, there really wasn't any time for other obligations.

That was fine though… he'd gladly get a job as soon as Cardin was eating dirt.

He felt his stomach grumble, whining for a snack – the lazier part of him argued against it, having grown far too comfortable on the bed to want to move. Oh, who was he to obey, the Glutton or the Sloth? He couldn't decide, though he was leaning a bit more toward the latter, if only because he had yet to move.

Sloth: 1 Glutton: 0

Jaune ran a palm ran down his face, dragging down his bottom lip before allowing it to slip back into place. The blonde turned onto his back, meeting the same ancient paint that decorated the dorm ceiling.

He didn't tag along with Pyrrha and the others on purpose; knowing full well he wouldn't get the rest his body needed if he decided to spend the day with his team. They all knew the drill on days like this, and thankfully never bothered him on the one day he actually got optimum rest.

To them it was probably a relief; Jaune certainly didn't miss the stares they gave whenever they saw him near dead on his feet. Ren had approached him many times about it, and Jaune always assured him he was fine.

At least today they wouldn't have to worry about needing to catch him in case he fell asleep standing.

Instead he was here – lying in a room as silent as a Ren with strep throat, constantly shifting from side to back to stomach as the realization that only ten minutes had passed became clear. Maybe a nap would do him some good, it would certainly do well to make the clock move faster.

Jaune turned onto his stomach, burying his face into his pillow so as to lock himself into darkness. There, his mind swirled as the wait went on; images of various exercises, moves, techniques and skills he could very well be practicing providing a solid show to find siesta through.

And soon enough, he did.

~It Burns, Like Hunger~

A knock.

Many knocks actually, as if the perpetrator couldn't control himself. The knight's eyes eased open; not quite as groggy as he'd been before, but certainly enough to become instantly cranky. What heathen dared to interrupt him in the middle of a time of rest? Why when he got his hands on him, he'd…

"Hey, Jaune! You awake!?"

There could only be one person at his door with such a queerly high voice…

"Uhhh… yeah," Jaune mumbled as he got up, much to his body's displeasure. After opening the door, bue orbs and a scowl contrasted silver and a beam, "Need something, Ruby?"

The young Huntress looked as cheery and chipper as she always did, hands linked behind her back as she drew circles in the floor with her shoe. How this girl managed to be so adorable all the time, Jaune would never know.

"Well, no… I don't need anything," Ruby said cheekily, unaware of how close Jaune was to shutting the door and going back to bed. Really, she woke him up just to toy around with him? Her gaze lingered on him for only a second, turned away right after. The same happened again, almost an instinctive perpetual motion that would have went on for centuries had she not resumed speaking.

"~Soooo, Weiss and Yang are going shopping this afternoon…" She trailed off, gaze flicking up at him as if awaiting a response. What? Was she expecting tips on what clothes to wear?

How about more red? Because you clearly don't wear enough of that.

"And Blake needs some new books from a store downtown," She continued, "and Nora was like, 'What!? That's where my favorite game corner is! Come on Renny, let's go too!' Then Yang invited Pyrrha, who at first said no thank you, then Yang said 'Sorry I misspoke, you are going, P-money'. But Pyrrha said no again, so Yang put her in a headlock and –

Jaune decided it best to intervene, like now. "Ruby…"

"Yeah!?" Wow, she sounded a little too excited there…

"Please just… get to the point."

"Oh! Uh, right… yeah, the point, haha," Red tinted her already rosy cheeks, "Um… well, since everyone wants to go, and Pyrrha is being forced to go…" Oh, he knew where this was headed, "I su – I mean, Yang. Yeah, it was Yang that suggested that we should invite you too! I didn't really care either way. Heh, you know me… like riding solo and stuff…"

The girl couldn't be more obvious, but for the sake of a less agonizing migraine, he decided it best to act like he believed her.

"And that's when I said, 'Okay, I'll go ask him!' and then I walked here, and I got here and here I am…" She paused again, daring to actually look up at him a little longer this time, "So, do you want to –

"No."

She took a double-take, flinching as if she'd just been slapped. "What?"

"I said no," Jaune scratched his head, a deep frown having settled into a spoiled mood, finishing up abruptly as he readied to close the door, "You guys have fun though."

"W-wait!" Ruby's hand kept the door from moving further, "Are you sure?"

"Yes Ruby, I'm sure. Doesn't sound all that fun, I'd rather sleep in."

"Well it can be fun! You should see how funny Yang and Weiss are when they argue over the dresses, we got kicked out of the store one time because Yang punched the manager! I mean yeah it was because he grabbed her behind but in the end it was still really, really funny! Oh, and since Nora and Ren are going to the game corner, we can all go there too! So –

A single finger was placed on the reaper's lips, silencing her and the echoes her voice had generated. The owner, answered quite simply, "No."

He freed her mouth, the girl just staring at him before her gaze cast downward. "B-but… it would be fun; everyone wants you to come. It's not the same without you…"

Oh no, here it came.

"Please, Jaune?" She looked so desperate, so hopeful – the girl was always unfailingly earnest, and unfortunately that worked against him and many others who dared to disappoint Beacon's biggest sweetheart. It was hard to believe how odd she was around him now – she wasn't nearly as awkward before she started looking at him all googly-eyed.

But then again, he had turned into a slobbery mess the moment he decided to pursue Weiss. Biggest mistake of his life.

Not this time, though.

It wasn't that he couldn't go, he just didn't want to – despite his boredom, a night on the town did not sound very appealing despite his usual love for outdoor activities. He loved him some video games, and who the hell wouldn't enjoy a vicious cat fight between the Sun Dragon and the Ice Queen? And with Nora's wild antics in the mix, it was the perfect recipe for a night of chaotic debauchery.

But Jaune Arc had no patience for it.

It was a waste of time; and he'd begun telling himself that it would just distract him from his goal. He needed to remain focused, at all times even – training even when he couldn't move his body. Reviewing his techniques and skills in his head, thinking up new methods of practice, drilling valuable knowledge from his textbooks to ensure that his academic scores were top notch.

There was no room anything else.

He looked at the girl again, big silver eyes that threatened to well up should she be rejected spiked a wave of regret through him. It was comforting to think that she was doing it on purpose, even though he knew she wasn't.

It was what he wanted against what she wanted… and Jaune Arc had lost too much by being selfless all the time.

"Sorry Rubes, but it's still no." He said with finalization, straightening up his slouch as he did so to accentuate his point, "This my only day to relax, so I'm not gonna waste my time goofing around with you guys when I could just be doing what I want to do – you might have to settle for just pretending that I'm there."

The girl went without a response.

The hall was quiet – it usually was on the weekend, but this time it was eerily silent. No doubt due to just how uncomfortable the situation had become now that he had finalized an answer to his fellow leader.

Eventually her response came; though brief and low, a whisper almost. "Oh, right… okay…"

Her steps almost couldn't be heard as she walked away, the usual pep in her step now gone as the proverbial rain clouds made a home over her head. He couldn't but watch her as she left, with each successive step she took making him feel even worse the longer he watched.

Some part of him screamed to call out to her, to tell her to come back – but his judgement was better than that. This was the right choice; for both of them. All he'd do was drag down the party, he was in no mood to be playing games and the most he'd do was shrink into the background while everyone else enjoyed themselves.

It wouldn't make a difference whether he went or not. There was a soft click as he closed the door, pressing his back against it as two fingers massaged his forehead.

Great, now I feel like a complete jerk…

He hated to see her so disappointed… she was his friend, right? Could he really not afford to spend time with her when she so adamantly asked for it? She'd looked so excited when she came up to ask him, no doubt feeling just like he did whenever he plucked up the courage to ask out her partner. Rejection was a cruel affair; even if all he had done was reject a night to hang out.

Though he hoped it would never come to anything further than that.

It was her bad luck to have caught him on a day where his mood was less than favorable – where the only thing he wanted to do was not available to him. He could reconsider…

No! No way was that happening.

As he said, it would be a complete waste of time – there was no need for him to go just to cheer her up. She was a big girl… for the most part. She'd shrug it off as soon as she was around the rest of the group. Maybe.

He sat down on his bed with dedication to his choice; crossing his arms as he defiantly pushed any thought of second-guessing himself out of his brain.

His decision was final; he was absolutely not going.

Nope. Not going. Not at all. No matter how much he envisioned the teary eyes of the young prodigy, they would not sway him. No matter her slumped form, or the look of pure elation that would appear on her face were he to show up. She'd get over it and be fine by tomorrow.

He, Jaune Arc, would most certainly not be going.

"…"

And he continued to tell himself this; repeating a million and one times in his head to solidify his rock solid decision… even as he grabbed his jacket from his desk and closest pair of shoes.

~It Burns, Like Hunger~

"Jaune!"

A blur of red and Jaune felt heavier than usual.

Ruby gripped him in the tightest hug she could manage; she probably would have knocked him over if he hadn't corrected his balance in time.

Thank you, training. The blonde practically able to hear her goofy beam as her face crooked into his chest.

"I knew you'd come." She said confidently. No she didn't, but he smiled nonetheless, even if he desperately wanted to turn and run back to the dorm.

"Yeah, I guess the thought of playing Dragon Hunt again won me over. Sorry about earlier - I shouldn't have taken out my attitude on you."

"It's okay," Ruby's ear to ear smile, "I'm just happy you came. Come on, everybody is waiting!"

Well at least the girl was happy now; bounding toward the airship with him in hand.

Didn't take long for the others to recognize his presence; the hum of the ship not nearly enough to cover the noise such an exuberant crowd could generate. Up the ramp of the Bullhead they went, the little hooded hero practically preaching the good news to the passengers.

"Yo Vomit Boy!"

"Jauney!"

Did Ruby bring her scythe-rifle with her? He was no expert marksman, but he was certain he wouldn't miss if he just placed the barrel against his forehead…

Maybe it wouldn't be necessary to go that far yet; he'd come this far hadn't he? At the very least this night out would eat up a few hours; and everyone looked happy to see him so…

He joined up with them, Nora quickly being the first to give him a huge hug. Sheesh, she made it sound like she hadn't seen him in weeks… which may or may not have been true. Yang punched his arm, and thankfully didn't leave it dislocated, but otherwise seemed happy with his presence. Pyrrha looked pleased; hiding any elated joy with a graceful smile and nod to acknowledge him. Looking at them all left a weird pit in his stomach.

He had been kind of ditching them since the school year began.

He didn't really mean to, it just kind of happened. He had to take the time necessary in order to grow stronger, how could he do that if he was goofing off?

"Finally decided to give up the life of a shut-in?" Yang jeered, Jaune moving to sit beside his partner… which was oddly difficult for some reason. Like something was weighing him down… oh right, Ruby was still clinging to him.

"No, I just forgot that I ran out of conditioner – it's a total coincidence that I'm here right now." He wished he'd said it more directly, with more offense. But the safer play was to joke about it; it would make them happy, which would make him happy, and all would be right with the universe.

"Well, we're all happy you're here." Said Pyrrha once he sat down between her and a thankfully non—hugging Ruby. She looked nice in a snug red sweater and jeans – though it wouldn't really make sense to wear armor on a simple night on the town. And it seemed everyone else had realized as much, opting for more casual clothes than their usual eccentricities.

Thankfully for Jaune, he wasn't so complex. His combat clothes were his casuals.

"It is rare that you spend time with us – you are too busy all the time… with your training, I mean." The redhead spoke, idly twirling a lock of hair as she found other places to look other than at him.

Okay he deserved that, he could afford to be a little more attentive. He put his own needs over that of his team, a team that he was responsible for leading. If he only worked on himself and not the team, then what kind of leader would he be?

A failure. And Jaune was tired of being a failure.

"I'm sorry," He said genuinely, drawing her attention once more, "I wish I had a good excuse, but the best I have is I was being selfish lately…"

Do I not deserve to be, though? His mind betrayed.

The girl shook her head immediately, as though regretting her words. "No you haven't. Wanting to grow stronger as a person isn't selfish; we can all see that you are trying to be the best leader you can be."

"But I haven't been doing a good job lately, have I?"

She didn't answer, and that was enough for Jaune. Even when training to do better, he still found ways to mess things up. Here he was, thinking that an increase in his strength would improve both himself and his team… when really, he'd just sidelined them for things that shouldn't have been more important.

Some friend he was being…

"Well don't worry though," Ruby piped up from right next to him, "We have that Forever Fall trip in a few days; Goodwitch said it'll be a good activity to help build cooperation or whatever. All the first years do it."

Oh yeah, that was a thing wasn't it? He'd almost forgotten about it, too distracted by his own endeavors to be hype for a field trip.

"Indeed, it sounds quite exciting." Pyrrha agreed, sending a smile Jaune's way.

"Yeah, I guess it does… and if it's supposed to help teams get along better, then maybe that's what I need to be a better leader," He pumped his fist, sending his signature smile toward his partner, "I'm gonna do better Pyrrha, I promise."

"I will hold you to that, Jaune." Oh who was she kidding? Jaune already knew he'd won her over.

But that didn't meant what he said was empty.

He would ensure that the trip went well; and that he'd be a proper leader from then on. He'd keep up his training yes, but part of that would just have to include time with his team. Be it practice, eating meals, or just sitting in the dorm talking, Jaune would ensure that his team could rest assured knowing they had a good leader.

After all, to be a hero, it took more than just strength.

The Bullhead got set to take off into Vale, Jaune sucked in cold air from around him as this new resolve settled into his soul. Jaune Arc was a man of his word; always and forever, and nothing would keep him off this promise he made to those who had given a worthless being like himself the time of day.

With that he just sat back and allowed himself to get swept up in conversation, turning his head to a rambling Ruby before an odd feeling came to him.

Wait, for some reason this felt odd… was he forgetting something?

His stomach grumbled… violently. Liquids and solids in his belly beginning their upstream journey as Jaune immediately leapt out of his seat and dove for the garbage bin.

Aaand there goes breakfast.

~It Burns, Like Hunger~

"Can there be at least be one time where you don't get us kicked out of a store!?"

"Me!?"

Jaune wanted to shake his head, as the remaining party no doubt felt like doing as well. They should've predicted it the moment they walked into the shop – and maybe they did, so why do nothing? Maybe because they were all secretly lovers of mayhem and hid it well behind masks of good intent.

Or something.

Night had set in; the lights of the city visible in the distance as the group of eight made their way through the courtyard and to the dorms. They probably would have been back earlier, but then again, it's not like they had curfews at Beacon. Their scrolls functioned as their cards and keys to the dorms, so they were technically allowed to be out as late as they wanted.

By law they were all legal adults, bar Ruby – so even if they were at a school, they were still responsible for their actions.

Around them a few other students were returning from whatever they spent their days on; some talking about the latest party they came from, some perhaps coming back from some intense training. The dorms welcomed them all back, their chatter fading into suspended whispers out of consideration for those already asleep.

Ah quiet, it almost seemed foreign after a night like this.

Yang of course wanted to stay out longer; but any other place they could have gone were not, by her standards, age appropriate for Ruby. In that he was actually kind of glad Ruby had been there… no telling what Yang could have gotten the rest of them involved in.

But otherwise, he had to admit… he'd actually had fun.

Their rooms were in sight soon enough, the chatter amongst the rest of them fading away from Jaune's coherency as Ren reached their door first.

"Well, see you guys tomorrow!" Nora with her silly salute, following after her silent buddy as Ruby and her team crowed their good nights. Pyrrha was right behind her, giving team RWBY a nod and smile before disappearing behind the door as well. Yang, Blake and Weiss had since disappeared into their dorm, while only the leader remained at the slightly ajar door.

"Hey, Jaune?" Ruby was already half inside, but shortly before she closed the door behind herself she turned to face him again.

"Yeah?" He looked back at her.

"Um… I just wanted to say thank you. For coming."

"You don't really need to thank me for that…" In fact, he'd love it if she didn't, it would only stack an already high mountain of guilt.

"I know, but I wanted to… It means a lot when we get hang out together… uh, and everyone else too! All of us together! Not just two of us, haha, that'd be weird… right?"

It sounded more like an imploring question instead of a direct one; the reason plain and clear to him. But Jaune had not the patience to think on it further, instead opting to feed the flame.

"Weird, heck yeah…" he noted a slight shift in her nervous smile, almost downcast, "But, it'd be fun too."

"R-really?" She sounded shocked, like it was the very last thing she expected to hear from him.

"Why wouldn't it be?" He smirked with a raised eyebrow, resisting a chuckle as her cheeks tinted redder than her hood. The blonde pushed open his door, giving his young friend a tiny wave. "Good night, Ruby."

"Uh, y-yeah, good night!"

The door closed behind him and he sighed, looking over his teammates as they each got prepared for bed. Ren already gone from the world, long hair hanging over the side of his bed. Nora adjusting her blankets while Pyrrha brushed her hair in the bathroom. With a shrug, he hit his bed hard, hoping sleep would take him quickly.

"Did you have fun today, glorious leader!?" Crowed his bubbliest teammate.

"Sleeping, Nora."

"Okeydokey!"

But yes, he actually did. He didn't see himself regretting it – maybe it had started as nothing more than tolerance, but the night had been an enjoyable nonetheless. Seeing their smiles; hearing their laughs, being the one to incite those joyful reactions? He forgot how good it made him feel inside; how much he loved to make his friends happy.

Had he really lost sight of that?

It pained his heart to think he had; feeling like the worst kind of scum in the world. But today it stopped.

His friends were just as valuable as his dreams, and without their support, he would probably never achieve them anyway. He had to appreciate what he had and enjoy the time he could spend with them instead of being such a sour puss.

The lights went out as Pyrrha was the final one to her bed, only the moonlight peering through the window offered visibility, soon to be blotted out by the night clouds. Jaune paid her a tiny smile and she returned it as she pulled her comforter over herself. "Goodnight Jaune."

"Same to you, partner."

He felt his chest warm as her smile noticeably grew bigger, turning away from him to lay her head on her pillow, leaving all for him to look at a cascade of scarlet.

Jaune turned over in his bed… rubbing his feet together as he patiently waited for sleep to take him. A grateful smile stretched out on his features as he replayed the events of the night. Watching and laughing as Weiss and Yang fought over clothes; playing dozens of video games with Ruby, Nora and Yang… even teaching Pyrrha how to play some as well. Talking with Ren on the sidelines whenever it was just them…

It had all been worth it.

With a conscience now vividly clear, he fell asleep satisfied.

~It Burns, Like Hunger~

In the end, he couldn't resist.

His shirt was soaked in sweat and he felt sticky and disgusting, but even so, he left the arena happier than when he'd fallen asleep.

The halls lay dead silent; all Jaune hearing was the sound of the breath through his nose as he made his way back to the dorm. He'd sleep a little easier now; he'd only managed about two hours of practice before true exhaustion kicked in, but any amount of training was better than none.

It may not have been good for his body, but it managed to quell his soul so he wasn't complaining.

He hoped none of his teammates were awake – this would be incredibly awkward to explain away. It would take the happiness and joy of their hangout and shatter it to bits. That was the last thing he wanted…

But he didn't want to stop training either.

Oh what a conundrum…

Still, Jaune walked with purpose – though tired, he could go back to sleep knowing he put in as much work as he could find today. Tomorrow was Monday; and so would begin another week of fervent training to further increase his growing strength.

He couldn't wait.

With a little skip to his stride, Jaune hummed a tiny song to himself as he scanned his scroll over the dorm building entryway. Once it's data was taken in, the door unlocked and Jaune strode inside. Empty air welcomed him and Jaune began the rest of his journey back.

Until he started hearing laughs.

Probably just some other students; up late, possibly drunk from an irresponsible night. Nothing too unusual for the Beacon school grounds.

Except that wasn't it at all.

"Yo, what's up, Jauney-boy?"

Jaune simply stared at the bulky teen; resisting the urge to seethe as Cardin's cocky mug came into view. The lights built into the ceiling engrossing his form, and those of his teammates as the turned the corner to join up with him.

Really, of all people?

Why did he have to run into them, especially on a night like this? Where he hardly had the strength to so much as listen to them?

They didn't seem particularly hostile at the moment; though they were a far cry from tired. Surely they wouldn't try to pull anything funny in the dorms? Not when everyone was asleep and the possibility of them being heard was too high…

At least, that's what he hoped.

He'd just need to play it safe; keep calm. Just keep on as though his appearance didn't bother him in the slightest and that he was minding his own business. Perhaps the bully wouldn't have any incentive to bother him.

"Nothing you'd care about, Cardin. Just going back to my room."." Jaune shrugged one shoulder; keeping his heart cool as he walked up to move past them, watching them all carefully as he did so… They watched him as he moved past, which was more than a little creepy, but I seemed it worked. They were going to leave him be this time and go about their business…

Then, a single arm blocked his path.

"Now hold on there, that's a little cold, don't you think?" Chuckled the leader, burnt orange hair swaying as he sneered directly at Jaune, "Say, how about you chill with us for a bit, Jauney-boy? I don't see you around much anymore, I miss ya buddy."

No, you miss kicking my teeth in.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Jaune declined with a forced smile, "I'd prefer to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for class tomorrow. You know how Port is, fall asleep in his class and it's a fest of his tales in detention, right?" He tried to move past again.

And Cardin's arm didn't move.

"What do you say, Jaune?" Was Cardin really so much of an ass that he couldn't just leave him be for this one night? "Don't tell me mommy didn't teach you manners?"

Jaune again reigned in the urge to ball his hand into a fist. "Can you move your arm?"

"Close, but not good enough. Needs a little more persuasion, you know?"

Just do it… it's not worth getting upset over…

"Can you please move your arm?" He shouldn't have to beg this worm…

"Oh, sure man, why didn't you say so?" Cardin swung back his arm, gesturing down the hall as only a gentleman would. A genuine smile spread from cheek to cheek, Jaune eyed him for a second before moving forward…

His jaw crashing onto the floor a second later.

The four fell into raucous laughter, uncaring as to who could have heard them – Jaune needn't even look to know that Cardin had stuck his foot out to trip him.

"Ah geez man, you okay?" Cardin brushed down his shoulder plate, "That's karma for you though, maybe you'll remember that you should always say thank you when someone lets you move past them. Especially those who shouldn't have to. Sheesh, your parents didn't teach you a damn thing about respect."

Respect? Respect!? Who was this arrogant, fat-headed piece of shit to say that!? It burned Jaune inside to hear it, knowing he couldn't do anything. With as much grace as he could, he got up, arms shaking with anger and legs quivering with… fear?

Only to be kicked down again, followed by more laughter.

Why was he taking this? Why was he allowing it to happen? The scum of the earth was laughing like hyenas while he was on his hands and knees like some worthless peasant. They stood above him; stronger, smarter, better in every way. And he, the hopeless inferior… forever to bow at the feet and lick the carpeted flooring.

And to top it all off… he was scared.

"Tell you what Jauney-boy," Cardin dragged him up from the floor, his back now pushed against the wall as the bigger boy smirked, "you fight me, just me. Right here and now, no weapons, no tricks, no semblances. If you win, you can go on your merry way. But if I win…" his grin widened, if that was even possible, "well, let's just say you really don't want me to win."

It was tempting, truly it was.

In that moment Jaune wanted nothing more than to beat Cardin down with his bare fists; to strike fear in the hearts of his teammates as they watched their leader go down. He wanted Cardin to hurt, badly – and his heart was beating so fast he thought he just about to lose control and attack.

But he couldn't… he wasn't ready.

He was too tired; and even if he was fully awake, he still doubted he could win. He wasn't yet confident enough to think he was ready to face the mace wielder. Right now, he certainly wasn't brave enough.

"I'm… I'm not g-going to play your stupid game Cardin," Damn his stutter, "Just leave me alone, I'm just trying to go to bed."

The teen was silent for second, fist slowly unfurling the collar of his shirt as he let him go. His grin faded into a bored frown. "You're right, my bad. Go on, Jauney-boy."

Just like that?

Jaune stared at him almost incredulously, and for the first time he wasn't wearing his sneer. Was he seriously just going to let him go? Had he grown bored of this little confrontation? Well that was good news for Jaune so long as it was true. Testing him, he took two steps away, looking at Dove, Russel and Sky and seeing that they had cleared a path for him as well.

"Hurry up idiot, before I change my mind." Cardin commanded. A bit of wounded pride, but Jaune would follow that order candidly.

He straightened himself up before making his way down the hall…

A strike in the back of the head sending him crashing against the wall.

The vicious bully laughed, hands grabbed his arms and held him in place as fists pummeled against his face and stomach. A solid blow to his jaw, dislodging a single tooth and allowing the metallic taste of blood to fill up his mouth. "You fucking idiot! You really think I'd let a whining, crying little pussy like you get away? No, not without teaching you where your place is!"

His hits… he couldn't even count them, trying his hardest to break free of the grip of three far stronger students and fighting the pain of every strike. Cardin fist came crashing into his stomach, forcing air and blood out of him. Then the opposite knuckle came, crashing into his left cheek and eye and leaving a splitting headache there.

"You don't get to act all high and mighty to me, you got that? I'm the top dog in this school, and you are nothing but the scraps of trash the janitors clean up!"

No, he couldn't be… he refused to be…

"The hell could that Ozpin be thinking, letting a loser like you come to a place for the elite? What, you think cuz your name is Arc that you're just better than everyone else?"

No, never… it was because he was an Arc that he wanted to be strong. Not the strongest, just strong enough to have relevance. Was that so wrong?

He laughed and taunted as Jaune felt the blows, hard knuckles against a jaw and body no longer protected by aura. Soon enough his cohorts had let him go, joining in stomping him into the floor and kicking him where it hurt. His face, chest, stomach, groin… no part of him was spared.

Why… why couldn't he fight back?

"Ha! Look at 'em, he's cryin' like a baby! Just like that little rabbit cunt!" Dove hollered.

"He ain't shit, Arc my ass. Betcha his parents disowned him or something." Russel added, along with two kicks to his face.

Jaune tried to fight back, he tried so hard… but instead found himself growing weaker and weaker by the second. His one open eye found Cardin's, terror igniting his heart as he saw his cruel smile in between punches to his face.

Had they not had enough? He was done, defeated… he could do nothing to them. But of course, they were looking for victory…

They were looking to hurt him, simply that. To make him feel like less than he deserved. And they were succeeding.

It went on for who knows how long – To him it may as well have been hours, arms lying on the floor as he lay on his side. He could feel the blood leaking out of his busted lip and nose, one eye completely swollen as the other struggled to stay aware. His stomach clenched and coiled with each added blow, the front of his pants now warm and damp.

"Ugh, nasty, he pissed himself! What a fucking baby!" Who was it that said it? He couldn't really tell anymore…

Just then a hand grabbed his hair, hoisting his head back to look into the face of the owner. His tears obscured his vision, but he knew without a doubt it was Cardin. "Remember this Arc: You're trash, and you always will be!"

One final blow to his jaw, sending him back onto the floor again.

"Ah," Cardin stretched his arms, "Nothing like a good chat between pals eh Jauney-boy? By the way, you know that homework Oobleck assigned for us? We're gonna needs the answers to those before his class; actually all of us need them, don't we guys?"

"Hell yeah we do."

"Good, cuz Jaune here is gonna help us out. He's a real pal like that. And you know what, if you can just keep doing our assignments for us, we may even be nice and be a little gentler on you next time, sound fair?"

Jaune could offer no response, other than swallowing the blood and mucus that swam down his throat.

"Great," The bully laughed again, "We're gonna get outta your hair – got a lot of work ahead of you, and you're gonna need a good night's sleep to handle it all. Be seeing ya, Arc."

And then they were gone, their laughter and comments about him being the only things Jaune could last remember of them.

He just laid there… unmoving. Not because he couldn't, but because he didn't know if he wanted to.

His one open eye looked at his hands; hands that worked and fought for days on end. How many calluses had Jaune cleaned off, how many cuts had he bandaged up? How many times had he fallen and hit the ground hard, only to tell himself to never give up and stand again?

So many times… too many times.

He'd should have known it would be fruitless. Who was he kidding? He'd trained this long and still had gotten nowhere… Cardin took him out, just like he always did. No matter how much Jaune tried, he would never beat him… and if he couldn't beat Cardin Winchester, then he'd never beat anyone.

Weak. That's what he was.

Weak, pathetic, sad, and scared. And that was all he'd ever be.

His lip quivered with this horrid realization; his swollen eye stinging with each tear that squeezed out of it, his other eye flowed like a river, mixing with the blood that oozed out of his nose and stained his jacket.

A single fist weakly pounded the floor, not even strong enough to leave an echo in the dark and empty halls.

Damn it… just… damn it all…

So that was some shit. Hella dark.

Not much to say here except that I'm sorry for not uploading in a while, but I finally got around to it. At first the drop where things turn around for Jaune happened in chapter six, but after reviewing the original, I've moved it to chapter 4. From this point on the execution will change quite a bit but not the original storyline, that will stay the same.

One of my biggest weaknesses is doing a lot of unnecessary setup. An issue I am still working on and hope to improve in this rewrite.

This is the lowest point Jaune reaches so I'm thinking this is a good place for things to get started. But maybe I'm wrong, what do ya'll think?

So with this chapter you might assume some things about Ruby in regards to Jaune, but I shall not say anything, thats for you all to interpret.

Thanks for reading and until next time!