Jon's eyes opened.

Exactly 5AM.

He and Rose both got up out of bed. The two put on plain grey T Shirts and sweatpants.

They left the room and began to move outside, leaving the dormitory. The two began jogging around the perimeter of the academy, They kept up with each other and ran at each other's pace, running several laps around the school.

This went on for about a solid hour. The two finished, panting and winded, moving towards some of the recreational facilities that the school offered. Entering the school gym, the two attended to their usual workouts prior to arriving to Remnant.

They kept up their conditioning, trying to keep their bodies in peak shape. The two finished working out, moving back to their rooms around 7AM to see some movement and noises in the Dorms. Students would be waking up at this point. The two entered their room, undressing as the two entered their shower. The two washed together. There were no words as the two had fallen into routine.

It had been roughly eight hours since the fight against the White Fang. Destroying an entire warehouse full of dust, foiling some plans, fighting a giant mech and scattering a recruitment. The two were sore, Jon's body aching from the amount of pain and abuse his body went through.

"Y'know. You probably give Nathan Drake and 2013 Lara Croft a run for their money." Rose said, smiling. Jonathan's body rugged and muscular. Rose's body fit and toned. The two had scars that covered their bodies. Each scar a reminder of their world and the life that they lived, abusive to the well toned bodies that they had.

"What. My wit? Or my stunning mediocre looks?" Jon said, smiling. His stab wound from the previous night had clotted over, and all that remained was a scab. Jon always recovered quickly, able to walk off injuries that many other men might find incapacitating. They were survivors. They always have been.

"The amount of abuse you put your body through." Rose said softly. She touched Jon's scab, feeling the injury. An indication of the life that Jon and Rose were bound to live here in the world of Remnant. Rose leaned in, resting her head on Jon's broad chest. She closed her eyes and smiled, finding comfort in being with her long time lover and survivor.

Jon laughed. He raised his arm and then touched her chin, leaning forward for a kiss. Jon then turned towards the shower faucet, turning off the water. The two stepped out, their bodies feeling the cool air in the room after a warm and relaxing shower. Putting on some of the nicer clothes they had bought the night before.

The two finally had opportunities to look professional, finally letting them rid the battle dresses they always wore. The two began getting ready for the school day ahead. The two wore Button ups with ties, Ruby sporting a knee length black skirt as Jon wore black dress pants.

"Thank god for bargain clothes." Jon said, as he fitted his tie. "I still look like ass though. I can't wait until I can find something that would fit me a bit better."

"Do we actually have any money left over?" Rose asked. Jon turned towards Rose, fixing Jon's collar as a bit of his tie stuck out.

"Just a bit. It kinda blows that our first paycheck was literally on clothing. Kinda wish Oz would help us out." Jon said, he rolled up his sleeves.

"Speaking of Oz, we need to meet with him. Especially about whatever the hell the Vytal Festival is." Rose said.

"Yeah. We can go after class."

The two gathered everything necessary, books, papers, their rifles. The two had no time to really place their equipment back into their lockers at the armory. Getting home near midnight and washing up, the two tried to sleep as soon as possible. Jon stayed up several more hours, thinking about the night that had just transpired and about what had happened.

As the two left the room, Jon wolf whistled towards Rose. She turned around, grinning and sticking her tongue out.

"Man. You were always damn adorable in a skirt." Jon said, staring at her backside, catching up to her and walking by her side.

"And you always looked good in a uniform." Rose said playfully winking at Jon as the two walked.

After several minute of walking across campus, the two made it to their lecture halls. Students started filing in and began sitting down for first class of the day to begin.

"Alright guys, let's begin and continue where we left off last time…" Jon started.

The elevator doors opened, the two soldiers walking into the office of Professor Ozpin. By his desk was another man, a man with greying hair. He was taller than Jon. He wore a white overcoat and a grey undercoat. His right hand had a white glove.

"You must be Jonathan Arc and Rose." The man said, approaching them before they had a chance to speak to Ozpin.

"General Ironwood, I presume?" Jon asked, shaking his hand. "Hell of a handshake, sir."

Jon shook his hand in pain after the man let go.

"Ah, so you already know of me. I suppose we can skip the introductions." The man said.

"Actually, it's because I've worked with you a lot in the past, Sir." Jon said.

"Is that so? I don't have any recollection about meeting you before today."

Jon looked at Ozpin. "You didn't...you didn't tell him? Okay, I assumed with the meeting time and him being here and the...never mind."

Ironwood raised his eyebrow in confusion. Ozpin slowly shook his head as Jon was asking that question. Jon sighed.

"Okay. So this might be really weird, but I'm from a different world." Jon started. Jon and Rose began explaining what had happened and how he got there. Leaving out the details about Rose's mother and about the incoming 'endgame'.

"I...see. And you two are Captains?"

"Actually, he's the Captain. I'm just a Sergeant." Rose said.

"Anyway. You wanted to speak to Ozpin? A few reports have indicated that some of my equipment was found around the city. And I was wondering whether or not you had some information about that."

Jon stepped up towards Ozpin's desk.

"Mr. Arc." Ozpin said, his hands folded as the two looked at one another.

"Oz." Jon said.

Silence

The two just stared at each other.

"Are you here to say anything?" Ozpin asked.

"Sorry, I just had too. You just said my name, so I decided to do the same." Jon responded.

There was an awkward silence in the room. Ironwood coughed.

"Jon. Come on, don't be a smartass." Rose said. Jon laughed a bit before started.

"Anyway. I had a run in with the White Fang last night. And Rose and I got some information that you might have wanted." Jonathan started. "We were in the streets of the city where Team JNPR and I stumbled on a White Fang Recruitment. They had...they had some really high tech equipment. At least, I think they were presenting it as such."

"Equipment?" Ironwood said, his eyebrow raising.

"A mech. It was bipedal, had machine guns, rocket launchers, and a laser...gun?" Jon said. "They had the numbers 290 printed on the sides of them. Does the word Atlesean mean anything to you?"

Ironwood's eyes went wide. "That's where my equipment had gone." He turned around. "Damn it…"

"Your equipment?" Rose asked.

"Atlas. It is a kingdom in northern Remnant. General Ironwood here is their academy's leader as well as their army's leading General." Ozpin explained. "May you continue, Jonathan?"

"They had rifles. Bullpup in design." Jonathan said. "5.56, 20 cartridges to a mag when I checked."

"Yes...this all makes sense." Ironwood said. Turning towards Jon, he started speaking again. "A few months ago, a train of cargo was attacked by the leader of the White Fang and one of their operatives. The passenger cars were detached, but all of our cargo was gone by the time we were investigating the lost cars. It seems that you were fighting an Paladin-290. And those rifles, B44s. The latest in Atlas weaponry and prototypes."

"Yeah. It seems like it wasn't just the only Mech on the streets." Jon said. "We spotted Team RWBY fighting another Mech under an expressway."

Jon paused.

"With only minimal property damage." He finished.

"You fought one of my mechs?"

"Yeah. Six of us against twenty-three armed tangos and a mech."

"I'm...impressed." Ironwood said with hesitation. "But regardless, those were prototypes. They're not meant for real combat. If you ever have to fight another one in the future, don't expect an easy fight."

"I hope we don't have too." Jon said.

"How did you defeat it?"

"40mm Anti-Infantry HE Rounds and a lot of luck."

"Hm…" Ironwood brought his fingers to his chin, thinking about how he could improve the design.

Jonathan sighed. Rose stepped towards Ozpin. "I also found a bit of information out of one their men. It might be important."

"What might that be, Ms Rose?" Ozpin asked.

"Do the words Vytal Festival mean anything to you?" Rose asked.

"It's an event that we have several weeks from now. It's an international event, and this time around the festival is being held at the city of Vale." Ozpin explained. "Beacon Academy will participate in the Vytal Festival Tournament, leading to representative's to each nation's combat schools to participate for pride, prestige, and excellence. It is an event of having the world bond together."

"I'm...going to assume that that was what the guy I interrogated was talking about." Rose said. "He stated that there was going be an attack on Beacon Academy."

"Oz, it's clear that I was right about bringing my troops here." Ironwood said to Ozpin. His voice having a tone, affirming that he was right.

"We don't know whether or not you bringing your troops to Vale or not bringing such a large force was the correct move.. We don't know what we're going up against James." Ozpin responded, calmly as ever.

"Wait. You knew?" Rose asked.

"Yes. We've been monitoring and investigating recent White Fang and criminal activity around the world. Namely in Vale. Their leader...their leader's calling card is the Queen." Ironwood explained. "And we believe that they've already infiltrated Beacon Academy."

"Which might explain why that Orange haired dude was so calm about leaving…" Rose thought. Her finger was on her chin as she thought aloud. "They might already have their plans in motion...which might…"

Jon finished her thought. "Explain the whole 'plans in motion' part of what you know who said."

"Fuck." Rose said.

There was an air of silence.

"I'll mobilize the troops, start a mandatory inspect-" Ironwood said.

"James. The Vytal festival is just around the corner. The last thing we need is Atlas military personnel checking the students of Beacon Academy." Ozpin replied. "I'm going to have to agree with Glynda in this situation. You'd cause too much panic."

"Our enemy is in our ranks and you want nothing more than to stay passive?"

"General, I don't think Ozpin's wrong in this situation." Jon started. "The kingdom is Vale is at peace with Atlas right?"

"Yes, but-"

"I don't know much about the diplomatic matters in this world, but why the hell would Atlas troops be checking students from Vale? It'd cause too much panic."

Ironwood sighed. "I'm going to put my faith into you Ozpin. And I swear to the gods I hope you're right."

"Anyway. Roman mentioned something about there being a White Fang operation happening in Southeast Vale." Jon said. "I think that's where their task force would be gathering. Or at least where the recruitment centers have been telling every White Fang member to go too."

"I see…" Ozpin said. His expression didn't changed. "Thank you Mr. Arc. Ms. Rose. We'll...we will look into it as the time comes."

The two soldiers looked at one another. Ironwood approached them.

"It was nice meeting you two. I can only hope that we can work well together in the future." Ironwood said, he let out his hand.

"Same tbh." Rose responded while shaking. Everyone just stared at her.

"Ignore her General. But yeah, it was nice meeting you." Jon said, shaking the general's hand. The two soldiers started moving towards the elevator.

"Mr Arc? Ms Rose?"

The two turned around. Ozpin started speaking.

"Please. Try to keep this from being a public matter. And do try to enjoy the dance next weekend."

Jon and Rose nodded, and the two entered the elevator. The doors closed.

"They seem…interesting." Ironwood said.

"They've been great inspirations as teachers. They've been leading classes about leadership and team coordination." Ozpin said. "I'm honored to know that my students in a different universe were able to become such wonderful examples as leaders"

"I'll have to get their opinions on the droids later…" Ironwood said.

"Now...James. You had some other reason to come here?" Ozpin asked, leaning back in his chair.

Ironwood sighed. "About the Maiden. I wanted to talk about the possible candidate."

Ozpin nodded.

The elevator dinged as each floor passed by.

"Same, tbh?" Jon said. "SAME, T. B. H?"

The man was leaning on the wall laughing as hard as he could.

"I always wanted to say that too the Ironwood of our world." Rose said, the biggest shit eating grin on her face.

"Let's not burn any bridges and do anything stupid here just yet." Jon said. He turned back and kissed Rose on the forehead. "Hey, why do white girls always go in odd groups?"

"Because they can't even?" Rose said. "Or that you can't even right now? Are you saying you're a basic white girl?"

"Fucking christ, we are terrible people." The two high fived.

"Also...a dance?" Rose said.

"Jesus, it's like college or high school all over again." Jon sighed.

"Aw, you know, you could always bust a move down there. Show off those dancing moves."

"Oh god, no."

Rose giggled and then pouted. "Awwww, why?"

"Hey man, no need to bring attention to ourselves. Y'know what we used to say back at those dances anyway."

"To the socially awkward." Rose said. The two chuckled together at the memories of dances they've been too in the past.

The elevator reached the bottom of the building. The school day was done, and the two walked out. Several students waved hello to them as they passed by.

The two found Jaune as he was exiting the bathroom.

"Oh. Hey." Jaune said. He turned away from the two and picked up his pace while walking away before the two could greet him back.

"Hey, Jaune." Jon spoke. Jaune turned around. "You wanna train with me today?"

"I...I think I could do that." Jaune said. He was quiet.

"You okay, buddy?" Jon said.

"Yeah." Jaune said, noticeably uncomfortable.

Jon look over at Rose, who was looking around and whistling.

"Jesus, what the fuck did you do to the poor boy?" Jon said.

"Oh...my god." Jaune said. He dropped everything he was holding. Jon and Jaune made their way to the dormitory rooftop.

Jaune was carrying everything that was inside of the Lancaster locker, rifles strapped to vests while wearing one himself, and all the ammunition inside. Jon had finished running up and down the staircase of the building multiple times as a part of strength training. Jaune collapsed.

"Alright, take it off." Jon said. He took out his scroll. As he waited he texted Rose.

[Cap_Arc : You. Me. We're having a talk later about what the fuck you did to the poor boy.]

[RlyRlyRadR3aper : Can u believe that RlyRlyKoolKid was taken on this thing]

[Cap_Arc : probably by you. Duh. What did you even show him?]

[RlyRlyRadR3aper : dad]

[RlyRlyRadR3aper : pls]

[RlyRlyRadR3aper : iuno wat ur talking aboot]

[RlyRlyRadR3aper : LOL]

[Cap_Arc : ffs]

Jon facepalmed as he put away his scroll. He turned around to face Jaune. His face was already sweating from the exercise he had just completed.

"How...much...of this….are we gonna….use?" Jaune panted out. He bent back quickly to stretch. He stood up straight.

"Not much." Jon replied.

"WAIT WHAT, WHY?" Jaune cried. "WHY DID I JUST CARRY MY GEAR AND ALL YOUR GEAR ACROSS CAMPUS?!"

"Calm down, I thought it was funny.. And plus it was meant to be strength training. Either way, we're gonna be doing some hand to hand." Jon said.

"Hand to hand?" Jaune asked.

"I know you're a huntsman, but I think it's paramount that you learn how to fight without your sword. Plus. I really don't think that swish-swish-stab is that hard of a concept to grasp."

"Using a sword is completely different what are you-"

"I'm kidding. It's just that hand to hand combat was my forte.. Besides. I can use blades just fine."

Jon took a fighting stance, his fists almost fully closed. Having a genuinely welcoming smile.

"Show me what you got buddy."

Jaune stepped forward, throwing a weak punch, throwing his body weight forward and missing entirely. Jon grabbed his arm, tossed it away, punching Jaune in the cheek and then sweeping at his feet,

"...okay, let's try that again." Jon said, Jaune picked himself up again and the two got into their fighting stances again.

"New rule, I can only use my fists."

Jaune came forward again, swinging his fist again towards Jaune. Blocking it with his forearm, Jon threw his palm forward and grabbed Jaune's face, and proceeded to push forward and then downward. Jaune rolled over onto his back and sighed.

"Y'know, you kicking my butt over and over again really isn't going to train me, it's just going to make me look like a idiot."

Jon let out his hand and helped Jaune up.

"How much...do you actually know?" Jon had a face of confusion, not knowing why Jaune fared so poorly. "You looked so confident in your stance back in the expressway last night when you had your sword and shield. What changed?"

"I've never actually done hand to hand before." Jaune admitted.

"Ah." Jon understood. He came behind Jaune and started guiding Jaune's limbs. "First we need to make your stance. It's a bit like using a sword. We need to make a stable foundation where the enemy can't push you back. You held your own last night so I'm going to assume that you have a sense of how to weigh yourself down so that you can't be easily knocked down."

"Right." Jon moved Jaune's feet to be spread apart, administering the balance in his body between both feet. "Heels off the ground. You wanna be ready for anyone who strikes, and you wanna be ready to move."

Jaune slightly lifted his heels. "Arms up, this is should be a general idea of where your fighting stance should start."

Jon moved to his original spot, raising his own fighting stance.

"Here, if I throw a punch like this, what would you do?" Jon threw a straight, stopping before Jaune's face.

"Well, I could swipe down like this and…" Swiping his arm downward towards the punch, Jaune deflected a punch that Jon threw. Moving his arm out of the way, Jon left himself open.

"And now I'm open, how do you approach?" Jon asked. Jaune responded by throwing a punch forward, it lacked confidence and the overall throw was lackluster in power and speed. Jon moved his arms again at the last second, grabbing Jaune's arm and then throwing him down again.

"Not letting you hit me just yet." Jon smiled as he helped Jaune up again.

"Yeah but you're not really helping when you're throwing me down over and over again." Jaune grumbled.

"Well. What i'm trying to get at is that you now know how to defend and attack, similar to a sword."

"Whoop dee doo." Jaune said. "Is this going to help me at all?"

"When you don't have your sword, probably. Plus if you can learn how to fight with your fists, you can master anything."

"Right…"

"Anyway, I'm not going to even teach you martial arts. I'm gonna teach you how to respond to certain scenarios." Jon said, getting into a fighting stance again. "After that you can show me how you use your sword."

Jaune hesitated before getting ready to fight again.

Jon threw a punch forward, Jaune swiped it away, he threw a punch with the other hand, and Jaune blocked it successfully. Punch, block, punch, block, punch, block, punch, block.

"Alright. Now you're getting it. It's not even martial arts, it's just a natural response you can use to defend yourself." Jon said over each and every strike. The two kept going, Jon throwing punches and Jaune blocking. Each strike led to an increase in speed as Jaune defended. Eventually one of Jon's punches broke through, followed up by two more punches to the rib cage and a palm to the chest, pushing Jaune back.

"I think you're getting it…" Jon said. Jaune got back up, and stayed quiet. Simply defending against multiple punches gave him insight on how to defend. The door to the roof opened, as Lie Ren and Pyrrha came out. Pyrrha was wearing a black hoodie and shorts as Ren wore a plain green t-shirt and white sweats.

"Is everything in your wardrobe green and white?" Jon asked Ren. Ren smirked.

"Is...that my hoodie?" Jaune asked Pyrrha. Pyrrha nodded as the two newcomers sat down.

"I hope you don't mind…" Pyrrha said softly. She put her face into the hoodie.

"It's fine, just. I don't really expect other people to be wearing my clothes. Plus, doesn't it smell?"

"No no! I...I'm fine with it…" Pyrrha said, blushing. Jon and Ren sighed as Jaune took nothing from that statement. Jon eyed Pyrrha, she seemed off. Pyrrha avoided eye contact with Jon.

"Jaune. One more time. And then I wanna spar Ren." Looking towards Ren, "I hope that's alright with you dude."

Ren nodded.

Jon and Jaune set up one more time, and started with slower punches, building up speed again. Jaune tried his best to defend. Eventually breaking through the defense, Jon laid two punches towards Jaune's chest and face, and then finished with a sweep, Jaune laid on the floor.

"Good job dude, you're getting better with this." Jon said, Jaune smiled as the older Arc helped him up. "You'll get better. In time. Take a break."

Jaune went to sit down with Pyrrha, panting slightly from how exhausted he was. Ren stood up and worked his way over.

"You looked fantastic, Jaune!" Pyrrha praised. "You're learning hand to hand combat?"

"Yeah, I don't know why, but it seems pretty straightforward. I think that all those sword lessons taught me how to think in a fight." He said, grinning.

Pyrrha looked towards Jon and Ren. Her expression darkened, and she started looking down.

"Hey Pyrrha...are you okay?" Jaune asked.

"Yeah. I'm doing fine Jaune." Pyrrha smiled. Her eyes were pained.

"This doesn't have to do with last night. Does it?"

"No. Not at all." Pyrrha lied.

"Hey Pyrrha! Hold on." Jaune caught up to the red haired girl, her clothes dirtied from the abuse that she went through. Surviving explosions and falling several stories in a car. A pencil skirt is not the go to clothing to wear when fighting people.

Jaune was panting, exhausted from running towards the tournament fighter. "Hold...on...oh...my god...how do you…walk that fast."

Pyrrha giggled a bit. "I'm sorry."

"No...no need to apologize. Just. Didn't expect you to get so far away by the time you made It over here."

Pyrrha and Jaune walked side by side, Pyrrha body language seemed reserved, holding herself to comfort herself.

"Pyrrha...you okay?"

"Yeah." Pyrrha said quietly.

"You don't seem okay. Pyr...you can tell me anything. Whats...Whats wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Nothing is wrong, okay?" Pyrrha didn't dare to face him. She kept to herself.

"Did...something happen with you and Jon? Should I talk to him?"

"No! Please. Just. I'm just thinking...okay?"

"Then tell me, what are you thinking?"

"I...I don't...:" Pyrrha looked away. "Jaune...do you...do you believe in destiny?"

"I...I'd like to think so." Jaune replied.

The two reached a park in the city. Nearing a bench, the two sat down.

"What if you knew that you were fated to die? What if you knew that you were meant too, and that you were never meant to live a happy life as a result?"

"Pyrrha, what are you talking ab-"

"Wouldn't you feel alarmed? What would you do…?"

"I'd...I'd try and avoid it, change it I mean. Nothing...nothing is ever set in stone Pyrrha. I'd like to believe in destiny, and I do, but I don't think that destiny is ever meant to be a something that's set in stone."

"I...see."

"Pyrrha, are you sure you're okay? You really don't seem okay."

Pyrrha shifted closer towards Jaune.

"I'm...I'm okay. I'm okay now because you're here Jaune."

Pyrrha placed her head on Jaune's shoulder. Jaune blushed, but he calmed down. He wrapped his arm around Pyrrha's back and then hugged her.

"Whatever….whatever's bother you Pyrrha. I'm just hoping...I just want you to know that you can always talk to me. You know that I'm your friend. And that I'm always willing to listen."

"...I know Jaune. I know. You're a good person." Pyrrha said. She looked back towards the smoke that arose from the docks that they were just at. She thought about Jon.

His Pyrrha had died.

Her life was bound to end. Right?

The two sat there, and Pyrrha took in Jaune's warm embrace. Pyrrha felt cold.

The two looked forward, and they saw Ren and Jon in their fighting stances. Ren was crouched down, knees bent as his palm was forward. His other hand at his side.

Jon saw the stance and decided to replicate. Jon smiled, the two crept up towards each other.

Ren threw the first kick, with Jon ducking underneath. Jon responded with a sweep, drop kicking the green gunner. Ren landed on his back, rolling back and recovering, launching an offensive with various palm based strikes, Jon swiped each one away, redirecting each strike away from himself. Jon switched stances, lifting his fists up and bouncing up and down, keeping himself light on his feet. Ren tilted his head, eyebrow raised.

Ren pushed forward, focusing on kicks to the legs and then swinging for the head, bringing about a two sided attack, trying to minimize the amount of time for Jon to react. Jon jumped upward to dodge the sweep, and then flattened himself into a flop to dodge the second. Landing on the floor, Jon rolled onto his back and then pivoted on his behind to dodge a sweep. Pivoting again to have his head towards Ren, he rolled back, delivering two kicks towards the Green huntsman.

Yang, Nora, Ruby, and Weiss walked onto the rooftop to see what was going on.

Ren blocked each kick with his arms, Jon rolled back onto his feet, delivering a backwards kick. Jon composed himself back into his boxing stance. Weaving under a kick and then dashing forward, delivering several straights to his ribs, Jon was able to break through Ren's defense, pushing him backwards and then following up with a jump kicking.

Yang started whooping at the fight that was going on. Nora started cheering for Ren.

Ren stumbled back, but recovered, flipping forward and then bringing his foot down. Jon stepped back, throwing a punch forward, receiving a counter palm towards the chin. Jon stumbled back, as Ren pressured forward and kicked Jon's ribcage. Jon rolled over and stood up again. He fitted his stance into his arms being forward and his palms slightly open. Jon exhaled.

There was a tension between the two fighters.

"Who are you betting on? I'm betting 30 Lien on vomit bo- er. …?" Yang said, leaning on Weiss' shoulder.

"Yang, get off. And I'm not going to bet anything!" Weiss replied, pushing Yang's arm off of her shoulder.

"Yeah, but who do you think is gonna win?"

"Oh, it's totally gonna be Ren!" Nora said, fists pumping and excited.

"Nah, look at Jonathan, he's totally better. He's so versatile." Yang said,

"Well Jonathan doesn't have aura. Look, his punches barely did anything to Ren." Weiss pointed towards Jon. He was holding his breath back. Getting hit in the rib cage gave Jon some trouble. "Jonathan's holding back his pain. He's trying to keep himself together. "

"What about you Ruby?" Yang asked.

Ruby remained silent. She was just staring at the two fighters.

"Uh...huh." Yang said. She turned to Pyrrha and Jaune.

"What about you guys?"

Pyrrha and Jaune stared at her, and then started back at the two fighters.

Ren threw a palm forward, Jon dodged and grabbed it with one hand. Jon kicked forward, hitting him in the stomach and as Ren lost his balance, Jon pulled his hand forward, let go, and then quickly jabbed Ren's face. Ren reeled back and Jonathan pushed forward, pushing his hand forward and then throwing him into the ground. Jonathan dropped down and then placed his knee on Ren's neck and then pressing down. The sheer body weight of Jon crushing down and preventing Ren from moving. After a few seconds, Ren started tapping Jon's knee over and over again and Jonathan stood up again.

Jonathan turned around and then let his hand out to Ren. Ren smiled and then pulled Jon's hand, bringing him to the ground. The two laid there laughing, as if they had always known each other..

"You're incredibly skilled." Ren said, smiling.

"I learned from the best." Jon replied.

"Oh? And who would that be?"

"Well I learned some pretty crazy martial art shit from your doppelganger when I was younger. You were the one that really taught me some of the basics." Jon said. Ren looked at him..

"I wouldn't really describe my art like that, but really?"

"Yeah. And Pyrrha, and Yang. And a bunch of other guys."

"Wow Jonathan, I didn't know you had it in you." Yang said. She stood up and approached Jonathan, letting out her hand to help him up. Nora did the same for Ren.

"Well. Years of getting your ass kicked and learning from a ton of different people on how to fight is a starter." Jon said.

"It's some of the most impressive display of hand to hand combat that I've ever seen." Weiss said.

"Thanks, Ice Queen." Jon said, grinning.

"Hey! Why does everyone keep telling me that…" Weiss protested.

Jon turned over towards Jaune. Reaching into the pile of gear that was sitting in the corner, Jon took out sheathed knife. Attaching it to his belt, he unsheathed it.

"Get your sword and shield. Let's see what we can do, bud."

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?" Goodwitch asked.

"I want a full evaluation of what they can do on the field." Ironwood said.

"Why do you insist on sending them into dangerous territory? They don't have aura, I've told you this over and over again. They're basically civilians. They're not meant to fight against hordes and hordes of the Grimm!"

"And they're still alive after going toe to toe against my mechs with minimal equipment! Glynda, they're ready. I just want to see what they're capable of."

"They barely have had the opportunity to fight Grimm. What makes you think they can hold out against a horde?"

"Ozpin himself said that he trusts Jonathan and Rose to work in the field along with our huntsmen."

"James. Glynda, that's enough." Ozpin finally interrupted. Glynda Goodwitch, James Ironwood, and Professor Ozpin were gathered in Ozpin's office. "I never said that I trusted them to fight alongside our huntsmen. I only stated that I respected them the same way that I would respect any huntsman who is active in the field and fighting against the Grimm."

"Then what do you suppose we do? Jonathan's tip only gets us so far. And Qrow isn't around to scout out the location. If we account them as Civilian, they can only do so much."

"That said." Ozpin started again, eyeing Ironwood for interrupting him before finishing his thoughts. "I am curious to see how they do in the field."

"I was thinking about the missions for the students next week after the dance. Why not have Jonathan and Rose tag along with a team of students? " Glynda suggested.

Ozpin sat there thinking.

"I plan on sending Oobleck there to investigate. The Lancaster Squad can do reconnaissance. Or in some way arrive earlier than Oobleck and the team assigned to him."

"But do you think they're ready?" Glynda asked.

"Yes." Ozpin replied, thinking about how to fit the Lancaster Squad into an appropriate role.

"You guys seriously don't have anything better to do?" Jon asked.

"It's a Sunday. We don't really want to do anything." Yang said. Ruby yawned and leaned over on her. Nora laid her head down on Yang's lap. Rose stood in the doorway, leaning on the doorframe and watched the group.

"Right." Jon flipped his knife in the air before catching it. He turned towards Jaune, sword out and ready.

Jon bent his knees and held his knife with a hammer grip., unusually holding it with the blunt edge of the blade facing Jaune.

"You sure you're going to be okay?" Jaune asked. "I don't want to accidentally hurt you. Its a smaller blade."

Jon stepped back and stood up again, examining the blade. The tactical knife was large, 8 inches in length.

"I mean. It's not about size, it's about how you use it." Jon winked at Jaune.

"Not if you're literally the size of a fucking aircraft carrier.." Rose purred from the background.

"Rose. Don't be gross." Jon said, still intently looking at Jaune.

Ruby's head tilted slightly, a confused look on her felt slightly uncomfortable knowing that a more mature version of her voice was pervertedly purring. Yang and several others sitting down blushed.

Turning towards the blond knight, Jon rose his blade. Jaune got ready with his sword.

"When you get a chance to hit, swing. But stop before you hit me." Jon said. "Don't cleave me in half, bro."

"Got it." Jaune replied. He stayed in place.

Half a minute passed.

"Y'know. Whenever you're ready." Jon broke the silence.

"Y-yeah. I know." Jaune nervously replied. He continued to stay still. Jon sighed. He stepped forward and stabbed, Jaune responded with a back step and a block. Jon swung back and then went for an overhead strike, Jaune blocked again, Jon being careful to strike Jaune's sword, making sure he didn't over extend and accidentally cut his own arm off.

Jon pulled back, and left himself open, leaving his knife to the side and letting Jaune get the draw on him.

Except the blade never came. Jon stared straight into Jaune.

"Why didn't you attack?" Jon asked. Jaune shrugged.

"I didn't...I-" Jaune was cut off as Jon stepped forward and punched him across the face.

"Okay let's do this again." Jon said, getting ready again. Jaune recovered and was back on his feet. He felt his cheek, feeling the pain and brunt of the punch. Jaune breathed in, and exhaled.

Jon pushed forward with his knife again, going for a stab and cutting Jaune's side, the knife cutting through his T-Shirt and cutting his skin lightly. Pulling his knife back and then slashing forward again, Jaune blocked successfully, the cut on his side disappearing from his Aura. Jon flipped the knife and swung downward, Jaune making his blade flat and then blocking the attack by pushing off Jon's forearm. Jon swung his arm back, making himself open to an attack. Jaune didn't swing again.

"What the fuck man." Jon said, he pushed forward, weaving under Jaune's sword arm and then grabbing his forearm. Jon kicked forward, making the strength in Jaune's leg give out, making him fall over, Jon turned around, bent himself backwards and then flipped Jaune onto the ground face first. Jaune got up, Jon sheathed his knife, and then walked forward. Jaune stumbled around, trying to find his balance.

Pyrrha had a face of concern as Jaune awkwardly got up. She slowly started getting up.

"Aw...ow…" Jaune said, before being punched in the face again by Jon.

"Why."

Punch.

"Don't."

Punch.

"You."

Punch.

"Fucking."

Punch.

"Fight."

Punch.

"Back?!"

"Stop it! You're hurting him!" Pyrrha cried towards Jon.

Jaune fell over again on his back. He let go of his sword and then jumped back up, punching Jon across the face.

"YOU THINK I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT BACK?" Jaune barked. "GODS, I GET IT! I'M WEAK! I'M NOT GOOD ENOUGH! YOU THINK I WANT TO JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH AS ALL MY FRIENDS DO ALL THE WORK? JAUNE, YOU CAN SIT BACK, JAUNE I CAN HELP YOU TRAIN, JAUNE, YOU SHOULD SIT OUT, JAUNE, YOU'RE JAUNE."

Jaune was panting. He realized what just happened and was said and then composed himself.

"Damn it, you made me lose my cool." He said, sighing. Jon started laughing. "What. Are you going to say something snarky? Are you going to say something witty? Am I going to grow up and be a total jerk?!"

"No dude. It's just that you landed a punch." Jon responded. He felt his cheek. "Nice hook by the way."

"What?"

"What did Pyrrha teach you?" Jon asked.

"How to use a sword?" Jaune replied.

"No, your emotions."

"That I need to be calm." Jaune responded. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"And that should be the way that you approach a bout or the Grimm!" Pyrrha said. She got defensive about the way that she taught Jaune, stepping in between Jaune and Jonathan.

"But he isn't you." Jon said.

"...What?" Pyrrha said, taken aback from Jon's statement.

"He's not you. Pyrrha." Jon said again. "My Pyrrha taught me to fight when I was younger. But in the end, you can teach a soldier techniques, how to fight, how to defend himself. But you can never teach him how to think. You need to let him learn how to do that on his own."

"T-That isn't your decision to make!" Pyrrha snapped.

"And you can't continue coddling him. You know that your relationship with him is purely symbiotic!" Jon snapped back. "Jaune is emotional. Let him use his emotions to fight!"

"What are you talking about?" Jaune asked.

"You're a quick thinker Jaune." Jon started. "You're good at defending, but you're too passive. And that's because you're trying so hard to be calm. And you can't keep relying on Pyrrha to keep training you. Use your training and shape your own way of fighting."

"What is...What is wrong with you?!" Pyrrha shouted, she walked up and slapped Jon across the face. She turned around and grabbed Jaune by the arm and then left the rooftop.

"Hey. Pyrrha, wait!" Jaune exclaimed as he awkwardly flailed his arms around. The two went past Rose.

"Her awkward noodle?" Rose asked, watching as Jaune basically was dragged away by Pyrrha.

There was an air of silence.

"I'll….I'll go talk to her." Yang said, running off following them. An air of silence followed, as Ren, Weiss, and Nora awkwardly got up and left, following Yang.

Jonathan sighed.

"That escalated quickly and dramatically." Rose said, looking at the group of individuals that left after Pyrrha and Jaune.

"Pyrrha! What are you doing?!" Jaune cried as he was dragged down the staircase. They reached the bottom of the staircase, reaching the top floor of dorm rooms.

"You are not practicing, you are not going to spar, you are not going to interacting with Jonathan." Pyrrha said coldly.

"What? What are you talking about? He hasn't done anything wrong."

"He's done enough." Pyrrha said. "As your partner, as someone who's helping you, I completely disapprove of you training with him."

"Pyrrha. What did- What did Jonathan say to you last night?"

"Nothing. I don't…." Pyrrha stopped in her tracks. She dropped Jaune and he fell to the floor. As he got up. Pyrrha collapsed onto her knees. Jaune reached as she fell, she folded her arms as if she were cold. "I don't want to lose this. I don't. I don't want to die!. I want to just let it last- And. And-"

"Pyrrha, what are you saying? Dying? What….?"

She burst out crying. She fell over and started banging on the floor with her fist.

"It's not...It's not fair!" She shouted at no one.

"Wait, Pyrrha, what...What isn't fair? You're not making any sense." Jaune said, taking a knee and trying to console Pyrrha.

Wiping her tears, Pyrrha shifted herself so that she was leaning and sitting against the wall.

"Pyrrha...What's going through your head right now…?"

"I…" Pyrrha choked out. "I don't know. I'm...I feel…I hate."

She sobbed.

"I'm confused…And I can't tell you. I shouldn't tell you."

Jaune sat down next to her. Pyrrha leaned on Jaune, sobbing into his shoulder.

"I don't...want to lose this…" Pyrrha said quietly. Jaune pat her head, and held her.

"Pyrrha...you're not making any sense…"

"And it never will…"

The two sat quietly, Pyrrha slowly leaned over, eventually lying down and resting her head on Jaune's lap..

"It's going to be okay…" Jaune whispered. "Jonathan was just training me."

Pyrrha's head rolled to look upwards, locking eyes with Jaune. She smiled through her tears.

"I love that about you…"

"What?"

"You're always so positive. So optimistic. So willing to learn…" She reached her hand up and touched Jaune's cheek. Jaune raised his arm and touched the back of her hand. He started blushing. "You're so wonderful."

The two rested there for a moment.

"Well. I can see that everything here is fine and dandy." Said a familiar voice. Pyrrha scrambled off of Jaune's lap and sat upright, face red.

Yang leaned on the wall next to them, grinning at the sight of the two together. "I suppose I don't really have to do much here, now do I?"

Jaune leaned a bit forward to look behind Yang, seeing the rest of the group from the rooftop minus Jon, Rose, and Ruby. His face slowly turned red. "It's not like that! What are you talking about Yang?"

Yang and the others laughed. As the laughter died down, Pyrrha closed her eyes and then leaned on Jaune.

"Pyrrha?! What are you doing?" Jaune said. Laughter started up again.

"I think at this rate Jaune, I don't care…" She said, smelling the hoodie she was wearing and then comforting herself into Jaune's body.

The rooftop slowly cleared of the students. Ruby, Rose, and Jon remained and sat down.

"I brought you guys some soda if you guys wanted it." Ruby said, she moved some cans over in front of the two soldiers. "Y'know, in case you and Jaune wanted a drink or to refresh after sparring, but I guess it's not really needed..."

"...How much soda do you drink?" Jon asked, observing the can.

"Uhm…." Ruby started, not making eye contact with Jon.

"You feeling alright?" Rose asked.

"Yeah." Ruby and Jon both replied.

"Oh. I thought she was-" Jon started."Never mind."

"Well. both of you." Rose said.

"Well, I think I'm okay." Ruby said. She brought her knees to her face while she sat. She put her cheek on her knee.

"You sure?"

"Yeah...I think I'm just concerned about Blake. She didn't sleep last night." Ruby continued.

"That's right. Where is she?"

"She said something about researching stuff about the White Fang…How about you? How are you guys doing?"

"Mostly adjusted for the time being." Jon said.

"Learning about the tech here is pretty fascinating." Rose said.

"Is that all?" Ruby asked.

"Yep." Jon and Rose both said.

The three sat there awkwardly. A silence came over them.

"Hey Ruby." Jon started. "If you knew that you were bound to die, how would you feel?"

"I dunno." Ruby said. She thought about it and after a solid 30 second pause she finally started speaking again. "I feel like I wouldn't mind knowing that I was going to die. If it's for a cause, I don't think I'd mind."

The three sat there.

"Really?" Jon asked. Rose made a fake shocked expression.

"Dude, I thought this was obvious. We've been dating for like 5 years." Rose deadpanned. Ruby giggled a bit.

"Yeah. But I-" Jon stopped. His faced flushed red. "Shut up, you get what I mean."

"Anyway, I think it's more convenient to learn that I'm bound to die." Ruby quietly said. "Everyone does eventually. I just want to make the most out of being a Huntress. I want to help people. My life would never really matter in the grand scheme of things. And to be honest, if I die helping others...it would be worth it..."

"That's...actually really mature." Jon said. He was punched in the arm again by Rose. "Hey!"

"Tell me I wasn't like this back when we both started training. Tell me." She deadpanned. Ruby giggled again.

"You know. You two really aren't that bad." Ruby said.

"Really?" Rose asked. "I find that hard to believe. Just last week I'm pretty sure you found me incredibly terrifying after we first met."

Ruby blushed. "I've...been watching."

"Like how you've basically stalked us whenever you got the chance?" Rose deadpanned. "Like the time you literally sat in our closet as we came up with lesson plans or the time when we found you under the bed while we were hardcore fu-"

Jonathan covered Rose's mouth and cut her off.

"Rose, lets be civil with younger you." Jon said. Rose moved his arm off of her mouth.

"Oh come on, she's gonna grow up to be an even bigger perv than Yang." Rose retorted.

"Well. Fucking...Ah, whatever." Jon said. Turning back towards Ruby. "Though I do have to agree. We do actually catch you following us whenever you have the chance."

Ruby blushed even harder. "I'm just curious! Meeting a future you is so cool!" She fangirled. "Just...I'm still afraid of becoming someone like you. I don't want to be just a hired gun."

"...I understand that." Rose said.

"But...I've accepted that my life is probably going to be dedicated to being a Huntress. I just want to make sure that I'm going to do it for the greater good. I want to try my best and learn, be the best huntress I can be!" Ruby said.

Rose pat her head and Jon sighed.

"Still. I feel like all we've brought is nothing but melodramatic bullshit and hardship to you guys." Jon said.

Ruby tilted her head in confusion.

Jon looked directly at Ruby.

"Ruby. What I'm about to tell you. You cannot tell anyone else." Jon said slowly.

"Yeah?"

Breaking eye contact, Jon softly spoke.

"In my world, Pyrrha died."

Ruby sat there, her face having a more somber expression.

"And it haunts me. It haunts me that back then, I wasn't able to do anything. I know that in this world, everything is different. You guys have Dust, CCT, scrolls, huntsmen, grimm, and so on. And I don't know what's going to happen over the course of the next year or two or whatever. I don't know when and where. I just know that in my world Pyrrha died. And if there are any parallels between my world and yours…"

Jonathan paused, looking at Ruby again.

"Please. Protect her." Jon begged.

Ruby hugged Jon, trying to comfort him.

"I will." She said softly.

"And I don't know if I made the right choice in telling her!" Jon said loudly. "Fuck!"

"It's going to be okay…" Rose said, joining the hug and trying to comfort Jon.

"Is that why she's so aggressive when she's near you?" Ruby asked.

"Probably." Jon said. "I think the when it comes to mortality, the 'Invincible girl' would be the last person that people would considering dying. She's facing the idea of her inevitable mortality. It's...it broke her in some fashion."

"Oh." Ruby stated.

Ruby and Rose both moved off of Jon, sitting back down on the roof.

"I think at this rate, she'd just rather not be associated with me. Or want to make sure that she spends as much time with Jaune as she could. Or is making sure that Jaune doesn't grow into me." Jon continued.

"She's been kind of aggressive when I'm with her." Ruby said. "Like. Really aggressive."

"She's totally marking Jaune." Rose said. "Same thing I'm doing to Jonathan."

Rose purred and leaned onto Jonathan's shoulder, kissing him on the cheek. Ruby swung her arms in front of her.

"Ack, I don't even have an interest in him! I think...I mean...he's sweet and..." Ruby said with a red face. "He's...he's my best friend! I can't even think of him being a boyfriend...or...whatever you two are?"

"We're dating." Rose and Jon both said, simultaneously.

Ruby kept blushing. "It's weird knowing that…"

"Anyway. I'm worried that Pyrrha's gonna get more reckless over time." Jon said. "Ruby. Please. Protect her. Even if she gets annoyed with you."

"I'll do it. I promise." Ruby said.

The three of them sat quietly. Ruby took out her scroll and checked the time.

"I'm...gonna go. It's getting kinda late. I need to do some last minute homework." Ruby stuck out her tongue as she got up. "Its for your class."

"I'm gonna fail you if you don't get it done!" Rose shouted. Ruby started running into the building and ran away.

"I'll get it done! I'll get it done!" Ruby shouted as her voice faded away.

Jon and Rose were left on the rooftop.

"You alright?" Rose asked.

"Yeah. I'm just worried about what's going to happen. Pyrrha's pissed at me, Jaune probably dislikes me, I know that Ruby's sorta still iffy with me, and so on." Jon scoffed. "I'm a fucking lousy example of a goddamn person. Why did your mom choose me? Why didn't she choose Weiss. Or Ren. Or Yang?"

"You're fine…" Rose said. "What you do now is to ensure that you're aiming for a better tomorrow. And to be frank. I think...I think that's all we can aim for."

Jon sighed.

"I hope you're right."

Hey guys.

It's been awhile, huh? A few months to be exact. I'm sorry for not posting a ton for this story. I've had this done for over a month and a half now, hell, I'm halfway through the seventh chapter before having a bit of trouble of where to progress it.

The problem I have right now is the fact that I'm genuinely fucking scared of posting things because I feel like I'm absolute garbo at writing. Not to mention that I've been incredibly busy with a ton of schoolwork. Trying to find a job, as well as balance classes, running a club, my current job, and a relationship, I'm trying to make sure that I have time to write.

So lately, I've been writing "When did my life become a dating sim?", it's far more light hearted and it takes that unoriginal idea of crossing over with the Gamer and turns it into a dating sim.

Anyway, I'll try to get this story out when I have to time. I hope you guys that you enjoyed this chapter, and to be frank, I'm creatively bankrupt as I'm trying to link the next big arc and what's going on now. I think this chapter is garbage.

I'm gonna go and finish the second release of this project right now.

-Acacia