A/N: Sup everyone! I'd first like to say, wow, a lot of you actually like this story. And I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read my fic.

Okay, the second thing is, I'd like to clear up on who Jaune will end up with. That whole thing with Ruby was just his mind telling him what he hadn't perceived the first time around. So this doesn't mean he'll end up with the reaper, it's all up in the air frankly. I haven't even shown the interactions with the other girls yet.

And third, I'm calling the neutral locker room with all their weapons the armory because I messed up in adding a gender tag to the locker rooms.

Other than that, that is all. Enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 3: Initiation, take two (Part 1)

Jaune was sitting down at one of Beacon's many tables as he eat his breakfast. The early meal consisted of pancakes, pancakes and pancakes. Did he mention pancakes?

It was odd, for a battle school, the food wasn't all too healthy. Maybe it was just for the initiates, like a small good luck before they'd be launched off into the forest.

But he wasn't supposed to know that yet. A smile crept across his face as he acquiesced to a bite of his delicious breakfast. It was a good thing he did know that then, maybe he could actually come up with a viable landing strategy.

As much as he liked Pyrrha, Jaune didn't exactly fancy getting speared to a tree again.

He might not know much about the kinks and works of his awesome semblance, but he was willing to figure them out. Jaune was going to be prepared, he was going to do better. In fact, he already was.

Last time, he had lost track of his locker and wasted the whole morning, skipping breakfast, to look for the damned thing. But this time around, he found the locker easy enough and suited up for battle. This gave him new time to relax before initiation began.

Jaune ate casually, thinking on what he was going to do for his landing strategy. But that's when he noticed it. He had been spacing out, looking down at the table not really thinking of anything. It was then that he had saw the words.

Scratched into the wooden table was a message.

It read, 'Pyr doesn't like fame… treat as equal'

'What? Who would carve this? Who is Pyr? Wait… Pyr… Pyrrha. It's Pyrrha! But why doesn't she like her fame? And, isn't she normally treated like an equal, if not better so? But why does this seem to be addressing me?

"Hey Jaune!"

A familiar voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he looked up to meet the culprit.

Ruby Rose, with a mildly amused Yang in tow, walked up to him. He quickly covered the carving with his plate. For some reason, he didn't want them to see.

"Hi Ruby." He said, a smile forming.

"Jaune, I'd like you to meet my older sister, Yang." Ruby presented, gesturing to the blonde next to her.

The brawler stepped forward and held out a hand.

"Nice to meet you." She said with a lazy smile. "So you're Ruby's friend, huh? I'll have to keep an eye on you."

"Thanks?" He said shaking her hand cautiously.

"Yang! Don't scare him off!" The reaper cried, "Anyway, do you mind if we sit with you?"

Jaune looked at all the empty seats around him.

"Not at all."

Both sisters took their seats across from the knight, Ruby sitting directly across from him and the brawler on the seat next to her. They eat in relative silence, making small talk when the silence became unbearable.

Jaune thought Yang was fun. He hadn't really interacted with her much the first time around. But now that he was sitting down with her, he couldn't help but notice all the looks she kept giving him. They weren't in any way positive, but neither negative. Just odd looks from across the table. It almost seemed to him as if she was weary of his presence, like he was going to do something and she'd have to fight him. It was unnerving.

He supposed he'd have to earn her trust.

"So Jaune, how'd you meet Ruby?" Yang questioned, undertones of hostility radiating slyly.

Of course Ruby was none the wiser, she was just so trusting.

"I… uh, well…" He stammered.

Now that he thought of it, he had just been standing over her. Like a weirdo. How was he supposed to explain that to Yang without her maiming him? Dear Oum he was doomed.

"We… uh…" Jaune tried again.

He was going to die.

"Oh, I had fallen over, and Jaune was kind enough to give me a hand." Ruby interrupted.

Yang looked from Ruby to Jaune, a look of interest now within her eyes.

"Is that so?" The brawler asked.

Jaune looked to Ruby with confusion but nodded all the same. He liked all his organs intact thank you very much.

"Well Vomit Boy, it seems I must thank you for looking after my dear Ruby." Yang commended with a soft smile, the weariness fading away.

Jaune let loose an exhale, ignoring his nickname. Yang seemed to be genuinely happy with his previous actions. At least he wasn't being beaten to a pulp right now.

But why had Ruby lied? Of course he had actually helped the poor girl after Weiss' berating the first time, but this go around he had only stood there like a creep.

It didn't matter now, he'd ask her later.

"It was no problem, all I saw was a girl who needed some help."

Technically, it was true.

Yang nodded her appreciation and gave him a warm smile.

Jaune returned the gesture and looked down to his empty plate. He soon noticed the barren plates of the two sisters. He collected all the plates and set them down on one of the many dirty dishes carts that populated the dining hall. He returned to the two girls.

"Quite the gentleman I see." Yang noted.

"I try." He replied as he sat back down.

"I like that in a man."

Jaune froze, a red tinge forming in his cheeks.

"Yang!" Ruby cried.

"What? I was only teasing." Yang said, snickering.

The trio had soon left the dining hall and left for the armory. They needed to collect their weapons before Initiation started. Jaune strode into the room and followed the reaper and brawler to their lockers.

"What'd you think Initiation's gonna be like?" Ruby asked.

The silver eyed girl pulled out the mecha-shift scythe from her locker and hugged it dearly.

"Fun." Yang answered as she cracked her knuckles, attaching golden bracelets to her wrists.

The brawler reached in and pulled out a couple belts of shotgun ammunition before closing the metal box and turning to the knight.

"What about you Jaune, what do you thinks in store for us?"

Thoughts of his brief experience with the emerald forest flash throughout his mind.

"Uh…"

'Landing strategies, getting speared, and large ass scorpions.'

"Grimm?" He answered hesitantly.

"No duh Vomit Boy, She teased, "But I got a feeling it's gonna be a, grimm time."

As soon as Ruby heard it, she cringed.

But Jaune, on the other hand, did the impossible.

He laughed.

"Oh no…" the reaper whispered.

Yang stopped moving and froze.

Her whole body stood rigid straight. She stared at him, eyes unmoving. Jaune wasn't even sure if she was breathing.

"Uh Yang?" He asked. "Are you okay?"

"Did… did you just…" The brawler stammered.

Jaune was confused.

"Did I just what?"

"Did. You. Just. Laugh. At. My. Pun?" She said in sharp intervals.

"Yes…?"

And before he knew it, two arms wrapped around him and pulled him close. Jaune let out a yelp as Yang glomped him.

"Yang, what are you…"

"Thank you-thank you- thank you- thank you!" The brawler repeated, interrupting him, as she squeezed the knight to her chest.

Jaune felt two very soft things push against his chest as Yang hugged the life out of him. His cheeks burned red as he tried his best to be still.

'Don't look down, don't think about them, and don't… do anything.'

The knight looked past the brawler's shoulder to see Ruby who was unamused.

"Ruby, what's going on?" He whispered, lest he disturb the dragon.

With a soft sigh, the reaper answered, "No one laughs, no one ever laughs."

"What?" He asked, still very confused.

Ruby didn't respond.

"Yang, get off Jaune!" The reaper pleaded.

"No. He laughed at my pun!"

"Do I get a say in this?" Jaune asked.

"NO!" Both girls shouted.

"WILL ALL OF YOU NEANDERTHALS BE QUIET?" A voice screeched.

Ruby, Jaune, and Yang went silent and turned their heads to the furious heiress. Weiss scowled at the three, and looked about ready to murder them.

There was a grave silence, the four hunters/huntresses in training all staring at each other.

"Um, yeah. Sorry. We'll be quieter." Jaune offered.

Weiss merely scoffed haughtily and turned around to talk to… Pyrrha.

A smile wormed its way to his mouth, it was good to see her again.

But then he felt two things shift against him, and he was quickly reminded of his current situation. Jaune sprouted crimson cheeks. Yang still hadn't moved, she clung to the blonde knight as if her life depended on it.

"Uh, Yang. Can you let go?" He whispered.

Reluctantly, she pulled away with a slight blush.

"Yeah, sorry… It's just, no one ever laughs at my puns." She stated sadly.

"Well, I thought it was funny."

"Really?" She asked with honest eyes.

"Yep." He said, popping the p with a caring tone.

The blonde brawler smiled from ear to ear. Someone thought she was funny.

The two blondes stood in a silence, neither comfortable nor awkward. Just, silence. That is, until Ruby decided to speak.

"So… that was a thing."

Jaune let out a couple laughs and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Yeah, it was."

And the silence returned again.

"Excuse me."

Jaune spun around.

There in front of him was a spartan.

'Pyrrha.'

"Hello!" She said calmly. "My name is Pyrrha Nikos."

The champion stood a few feet away and looked hesitant to approach.

"Nice to meet you Pyrrha, I'm Jaune, that's Ruby, and this is Yang." He said, pointing to the two girls as he gave their names.

"Hiya." Ruby waved.

"Sup." Yang said coolly.

After the greetings the spartan looked more at ease.

"So what brings you here Pyrrha?" Jaune asked.

"I just wish to apologize for Weiss' behavior," She wore an apologetic smile, "It was rude and unnecessary harsh towards you."

"Don't worry about it. It's fine. Weiss will be Weiss. We're used to it by now." Jaune stated.

Ruby nodded, remembering her explosive encounter with the heiress.

"Thank you, but in truth, I also came here because your company seemed more appealing than that of hers."

"Well, you're welcome to stay." Ruby said welcomingly.

A bright smile appeared on the Spartan's face.

"And if you're lucky, you might even end up on my team." Jaune said jokingly, mirroring his previous conversation.

"Oh really?" Pyrrha asked with a grin, enjoying the banter. "Why is that?"

Before he could respond, an irritated feminine voice said, "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"

Weiss had overheard the oaf's words and could not believe the disrespect he had shown towards a superior such as Pyrrha Nikos. She would educate the dunce proper!

"Yes, in fact I do." He replied, staring the Schnee down.

"You do?" Yang, Ruby and Pyrrha asked all at once.

Weiss glared at the knight, but Jaune stood his ground. He recalled the titles and achievements Weiss had mentioned the first time he had been here.

"Yeah, she's Pyrrha Nikos, the four time champion of the Mistral Tournament."

"She is?" Yang and Ruby asked simultaneously.

He noticed Pyrrha's head lower and her eyes look away, as if she was resentful of her accomplishments.

'Wait… the message on the table. Pyrrha doesn't like her fame. She wants to be treated as equal. Isn't she already? Wait… unless, because of her fame, she isn't treated as equal, no, she's treated above such a term. THAT'S IT! She just wants to be treated as a normal girl!'

Upon the realization, Jaune quickly added, "But that doesn't matter."

Pyrrha looked up at him, surprised.

"She's just Pyrrha Nikos to me… I haven't seen any great accomplishments myself, other than her being on the cover of every Pumpkin Pete's cereal box. Which is awesome by the way. But my point is, Pyrrha is just Pyrrha. And unless I see otherwise, I won't make any judgments."

He looked back to Pyrrha, a smile decorated her features.

Just as Weiss was about to reply, Glynda Goodwitch's voice came over the intercom, "Calling all first years to Beacon's Cliffside, all first years to initiation."

The heiress huffed and turned to Pyrrha, "If you wish to have a partner that will treat you as you deserve, don't hesitate to seek me out."

She handed Pyrrha a 'Schnee Dust Company' card and walked off to initiation, heels clicking against the floor.

"Bye Snow Angel!" Jaune called out.

Yang and Ruby began to snicker at the ironic pet name. The heiress froze and turned around, a look of cold fury in her eyes.

"What did you just call me?" She questioned.

"Nothing."

"Hmph… peasant." Weiss snarled as she stormed off.

After Weiss had left the armory, Pyrrha turned to the blonde knight.

"Thank you Jaune." She said. "But if I may, how did you know about that I dislike my notoriety."

'How did I know, it was because of the mysterious table message. But how did they know I would need that note? And who the hell is they?'

"Uh… intuition." He lied.

Pyrrha giggled at his uncertainty.

"Well, if that intuition is anything to go off of, you're sure to be a great leader." The spartan complimented.

Jaune felt his cheeks heat up. Him, a leader, preposterous. No way would he be suited to lead a team. He could barely keep track of himself, how was he supposed to do that for three other people?

"Thanks, but I don't think I'd make a very good leader."

'After all, I did lead us into a Death Stalker's cave in an alternate future.

"What? No. You'd totally make a great leader Vomit Boy!" Yang chimed in.

"Yeah!" Ruby added.

Pyrrha raised an eyebrow.

"Vomit Boy?"

Jaune let out a groan, "It's a long story. I'll tell you on the way over."

The four hunter/huntresses in training made their way to the launch pads, talking about silly little nothings. For Jaune, this was an Oumsend (Godsend), it took his mind off the uneasiness of knowing what was coming.

As they entered the Cliffside, Jaune spotted the launch pads and wearily eyed the mechanical beasts. He would never fully trust Ozpin because of this.

"Looks like we will have to pick individual plates." Pyrrha stated. "See you Jaune, Ruby, Yang."

The spartan left, sparing one last glance towards the knight before departing.

"See ya sis!" Yang called. "And I'll see ya too Jaune."

The brawler hopped on to her own plate and looked lively. Yet she couldn't help but look back towards her fellow blonde. He had laughed. And that was more than enough reason for her to be interested.

"Just you me Jaune." Ruby said as she pointed to the last two remaining plates which were placed side by side.

Jaune nodded and stepped on to the mechanical catapult. It clicked under his pressure and sucked in a breath.

"You alright Jaune?" Ruby asked.

"Yep… just fine."

"Okay, well I'll see ya out there."

"Yeah…" He looked out at the long stretch of green. "See ya."

Ozpin gave the instructions for their initiation and determining factor for their partners. Ruby had given protest at that, a loud "what" and the sound of shattered dreams.

Soon, when all notifications and directions had been given he heard the familiar crack as the plates sent its first victim flying.

Jaune looked to his left to see Ruby crossing her fingers and murmuring words. He could only hear the word partner and random sounds that were part of the same word. It was kinda adorable, in a creepy, chanting kind of way.

"Partner… J****… partner… *A***… partner… **U**… partner… ***N*… partner… ****E… partner…" She whispered.

"Ruby?"

CRACK! Victim number two, flying.

"Yeah Jaune?"

"Relax, you'll find a good partner."

CRACK! Victim number Yang, soaring.

"You think so?"

"I know so."

CRACK! Victim number three, flailing.

A smile appeared on the reapers face, "Thanks."

"It's my pleasure."

CRACK! Victim number four, rocketing.

Ruby let out an exhale as she got into a prep stance.

"Bye Jaune!"

CRACK! Victim number Ruby, falling with style.

Jaune prepared his legs for extreme velocity.

'Okay… landing strategy. I could…'

CRACK! Victim number Jaune, screwed.

Jaune watched with morbid fascination as the canopy of trees grew closer. He felt the wind whip through his hair and rush by his ears. It was exciting, and then he remembered the falling part. It wasn't exciting anymore.

Yet still, he wasn't too worried. He hadn't gotten time to think of a landing strategy, but he had a backup plan.

Pyrrha.

Just like last time, the spartan would toss a spear and he would be saved.

All he had to do was wait. So he did.

He waited, and waited.

Jaune felt a pang of doubt as the trees were feet away from him.

It was only until ultimate pain wrapped around his senses that he knew Pyrrha wasn't coming to save his scrawny ass.

Jaune had collided face first into the canopy of trees. He slammed through the branches and leaves as his landing strategy failed. All around him was pain, Jaune couldn't even tell the difference between a tree branch snapping and his own bones.

But suddenly he came to a complete stop. But not as one would hope.

Jaune looked down to find a large portion of a tree limb sticking out of his stomach. His legs dangled uselessly as the branch held him above the ground.

There was no pain, it only felt as though there was a large discomfort in his intestines. But he knew the truth, there were probably none left.

He tied to speak but only found a steady stream of blood as it leaked out of his mouth.

Everything dimmed, lights, sounds, and of course, thought.

Jaune tried to conjure up a viable memory as his consciousness began to slip.

'CRACK!'

An image of the past flashed as everything went dark.

CRACK!

Jaune's eyes snapped open. Attempt #2

"Bye Jaune!"

CRACK!

'Wait… why didn't Pyrrha spear me? What am I doing different that I didn't do before?'

CRACK!

Jaune felt his whole world tumble as he was sent flying.

Okay, he had at least thirty second before he collided with the trees again. He had to come up with something quick.

Fifteen seconds.

He had a sword and shield, what on Remnant could he do?

Ten seconds.

Wait, he had a sword!

Jaune unsheathed Crocea Mors and just as he was about to touch the canopy, he trust the ancient sword into the flurry of trees. It took a while, but eventually, his sword caught on something and it anchored him to that spot. But unfortunately, he was going too fast. Thus leading to a killer whiplash, which dislocated his right shoulder.

The knight soon fell through the trees and landed on the forest floor with a loud thud and a nasty crack. It was then that he let out a scream of agony as he suffered from a dislocated shoulder and a broken kneecap from the fall. Pain surrounded him, but it only got worse as a large beowulf, attracted by the noise and negative energy that radiated off him, crashed through the bushes.

"Oh Fu-"

CRACK!

Jaune's eyes snapped open. Attempt #3

"Bye Jaune!"

CRACK!

The knight let out a tired sigh…

'Uh… this is going to take a while.'

A/N: Poor Jaune. Like I said before, no matter how many times you do something, if you suck, you still suck. Anyway, why do you think Pyrrha didn't save our lovable blonde? Who carved the message in the table? I wanna see who gets the right answers. Also, sorry if there are a bunch of grammatical errors, it's like 3:34 am right now and I'm way too tired to care. Okay, well that's it for this chapter. Bye for now!