To say Glynda was surprised was an understatement. Ozpin had informed her of the dignitaries that James Ironwood had invited to this year's Vytal festival but she was not expecting to see one Jaune Arc in the group that came to Ozpins office. He stood there with the confidence of a veteran hunter having a small conversation with a short brunette woman and the white-haired man involved with the incident down by the landing pad. She hadn't thought about the boy since he left. 

(Three years ago)

'Why would Ozpin allow a boy with fake transcripts to enter this academy' Glynda looked over her scroll as the information of one Jaune Arc was shown. Lackluster grades except for history, and combat scores that showed little if no improvement. Even his Aura felt off, though she had no evidence of it she swore it wasn't natural. Sure he had minor scraps heal but it was far slower than even those with lower aura reserves however during combat it seemed like he had rather high aura reserves which didn't add up. The buzzer sounded and Glynda could hear some groaning She looked up to see that Yang Xiao Long had thrown yet another student from the ring.

"Good work Miss Xiao Long but please remember to control yourself more, one of these days you might hurt someone by accident." Glynda watched as the brawler girl left the stag followed by her opponent once he had picked himself up. Good, she wouldn't have to call the nurse again but she would make sure to check in on that student later just in case. 'Now for the next one, hmm Mr Arc. I don't want to place him against his team they won't give him the push he needs, CRDL is the weakest team but let's give him a challenge. Hopefully, he can prove he belongs here.' she pressed a button showing the next to competitors. Cardin Winchester and Jaune Arc.

"Heh, this will be an easy win." Cardin scoffed. He went to retrieve his weapon while Glynda waited for Jaune to make his way down to the arena. 

After a full minute passed Glynda sighed. "Mr. Arc please come down here this instant." There were a handful of whispers but there was no movement. "Mr. Arc!" Still nothing. "Miss Nikos, where is your partner?"

"I don't think he's left our room today he mentioned something about feeling unwell." Lie Ren answered. Glynda could feel her blood boil first Jaune Arc was skipping class and Now his own Partner wouldn't even speak about him.

"Well, then a change of plans then. Mr. Trush, Lark, Bronzewing, and Miss. Nikos, please come down to the ring as well." Nikos would likely still win but if she thought she didn't need her partner she would learn just how foolish it was. As she figured Pyrrha had won but she was showing signs of exhaustion. Not wanting to seem unfair Glynda allowed her to go rest while the class went on.

Finally, the class had finished and the chatter of students faded from the hall. She needed to talk to Ozpin, if he wanted Arc here something had to be done. She made a plan she would bring up to him and once the day was over she went to his Office. Miss Rose was exiting it with a solemn expression she smiled when she saw Glynda but didn't say anything. Curious, Glynda entered Ozpins office.

"Sir? Has something happened?" Ozpin sat there with his hands cupped in front of him with a grim expression.

"I had hoped things would go differently. I had plans to fix the issues," he muttered.

"Sir? I don't quite understand." Glynda admitted.

"Mr. Arc has just turned in his paper. He's leaving Beacon." Ozpin admitted.

(Present)

She shook the memory away, whatever Mr. Arc did it seemed to help him far more than they could have. "Uh, the headmaster is waiting for you."

"Thank you very much, Madam." The blonde man with the eyepatch nodded his head in respect.

[

Jaune waited as the others entered the elevator and turned toward Glynda. "It's not your fault."

"Wha..." Glynda was taken aback.

"I decided to leave it wasn't anything you did so don't blame yourself," Jaune explained.

"Hey, Jaune you coming or what?!" Crow called from the elevator.

"Right! I'm on my way." Jaune made his way to the elevator without looking back.

"Was that one of your teachers?" Irving asked.

"Yeah, she's the deputy headmistress and the combat teacher." Jaune nodded. "Not a bad teacher but I always got a feeling she was focused on other things."

"She seemed like she saw a ghost," Shera commented.

"Well, it's not every day a student who quit comes back as a teacher." Towa reasoned. As they got closer to the office Jaune felt a shift they had just past a magic barrier.

"Jaune you felt that right?" Crow placed his hand near one of his pistols.

"I did." Jaune fingered his hilt. "Keep your eyes peeled for anything."

"What's going on Schwarzer?" Irving tensed up.

"We just passed a magic barrier, Major," Olivert answered his hand not far from his firearm. Major Irving nodded and prepared to grab his own weapon should he need to. Everyone tensed as the elevator came to a stop and the moment the doors opened Jaune Crow and Major Irving entered the room preparing for a fight while Aurelia and Towa kept guard over Olivert and Shera. Jaune quickly scanned the room seeing Ozpin and a man he assumed was the Atlas Officer who invited them.

"What the? Ozpin what's going on?" The Officer asked his own hand going to a weapon.

"I wouldn't do that buddy," Crow warned.

"Mr. Arc?" Ozpin adjusted his glasses. "What are you doing here?"

"It's Schwarzer but we can talk about that later. I believe there may be someone hiding here." Jaune responded. "Are you sure you're the only two in this room?" He kept his eyes on the gears.

"I can assure you no one else is here." Ozpin sat his mug down. "Now how about we all settle down and you can explain why you think this?"

"Sounds like a good idea I'm starting to get stiff just standing here," Olivert commented walking out of the elevator. 'Keep your eyes open just in case.' He whispered as he walked towards the Officer. "It's a pleasure to meet you General Ironwood."

"Prince Olivert." Ironwood gave a slight bow. "I've heard a lot about you from Carl Regnitz It's great actually to meet you. Allow me to introduce an old friend and current headmaster of this school Ozpin."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, your Highness."

"There's no need for that I'm barely a prince. So you're the headmaster of this fine establishment?" Olivert looked around.

"Indeed. It is my hope to assist the next generation of hunters." Ozpin smiled.

"I hear that. Jaune here was part of an idea I picked up while traveling abroad in an attempt to build a better foundation for the future and while there were some hiccups," Olivert smiled at Crow. "I'd say it was a success."

"I see. It is a pleasure to meet see you again Mr. Ar- er Jaune. It seems like you have found where you belong." Ozpin held his hand out and Jaune shook it.

"Thank you very much Ozpin. I have to say it's interesting being back here. If I'm being honest I didn't expect to return." Jaune smiled. 'Could he be the source of the magic we felt?'

"He's quite the instructor already, teaching history while also running Class VII," Olivert bragged. "But an instructor is only as good as a principal allows. Allow me to introduce Aurelia Le Guin a woman that will accept nothing but your best."

"Le Guin?" Ironwood inquired. "I remember some reports on a military commander by that name."

"I am indeed that commander if that is what you are trying to ask. Once the Civil War and Northern War ended his majesty, Emperor Eugent Reise Arnor III offered me the position of Principle at the Branch Campus of Thors Military Academy." Aurelia informed him. Jaune felt the blood drain from his face, give him evil knights and megalomaniacs any day but he couldn't hear about the Northern War without remembering how he had lost control. Crow must have noticed Jaunes discomfort because he saw him whisper something to Towas and the next thing he knew she was holding his hand. If he had paid attention, he would have noticed Ironwood and Ozpin giving him a brief look of sympathy.

"So from what I hear this Vytal festival hosts a type of tournament correct?" Olivert switched the subject.

"Indeed it is a way to show the four kingdoms the progress of the next generation of huntsmen and huntswomen while also giving them some entertainment," Ozpin explained. Oliverts face lit up.

"That reminds me of the Martial Arts Tournament in Grancel! Those were the days fighting alongside Estelle, Joshua, and Zin in an attempt to warn the queen of the Coup." If Shera had not elbowed him, Olivert would have waxed on about his adventures for hours. "Achem sorry about that."

"That's fine it seems like you've led an interesting life." Ozpin chuckled.

"Hey! I have a brilliant idea!" Olivert looked around. "How about some of the students of the Branch Campus compete? We would love to show our willingness to work with the four kingdoms and what better way than showing just how capable we are."

"Where's Muller when we need him?" Jaune whispered to Crow.

"I think he's at the ship. Said something about Shera being able to keep him out of trouble." Crow lamented.

"It does sound like a good idea." Towa joined in.

"While that sounds ideal on paper we really don't know enough about you all and seeing as how none of you have Aura it might be dangerous." Ironwood reasoned.

"Then how about this. A mock battle between two of our strongest graduates to show just how well our teaching is." Olivert offered.

"Don't look now, but I'm sure we are being thrown to the dogs Jaune." Crow sighed.

"Somehow I think this was their plan all along," Jaune noted the look on Shera's face.

"You two should probably be paying attention." Towa chided them.

"So two hours from now sounds good?" Ozpin asked.

"Indeed that sounds perfect right guys?" Olivert asked Crow and Jaune. They nodded without thinking. And Olivert shook Ozpins hand.

"So what did we just agree to?" Jaune asked Towa.

"In two hours you and Crow are having an exhibition match in their stadium," Towa informed them.

"Well, fun." Crow snarked. "At least we can break our tie now."

[

"So why must we sit in these stupid stands again," Ash asked readjusting himself to get comfortable.

"Don't you remember what Jaune said?" Kurt asked.

(Flashback)

"Why are you rearranging your Battle Orbmant instructor?" Juna asked when she and New Class VII walked into the training room.

"We already under attack?" Ash wondered.

"Nothing like that." Jaune shook his head. "The prince wants Crow and I to show our skills in a mock battle."

"Why?" 

"You'll see. Let's just say if this works you all may be having a lot more work." Jaune smirked.

(End of Flashback)

"I still don't like being kept in the dark," Ash growled.

"Isn't it obvious?" Musse giggled.

"Not everyone can piece together things as well as you Musse," Juna explained.

"Well let's just say things are going to get interesting for us," Musse replied cryptically. 

"Why are we sitting over here Jane?" A girl asked in a huff.

"Don't you want to get to know them?" A happier voice said.

"I know I would love to fight against that boy who easily broke Cardins' Aura."  Another spoke up in a sultry tone.

"Yeah, maybe he knows a secret to breaking legs!" A rather hyper voice exclaimed.

"Nora please calm down." A male voice said.

"I'm more interested in the guy they were talking to." A younger girl could be heard.

"OK! What the heck is going on!?" Ash rose from his seat and turned to see eight students of Beacon.

"Oh, I'm sorry we didn't mean to bother you." A girl with green eyes and red hair apologized.

"They were being pretty loud." A dark-haired girl rebuffed the other girl.

"Tch, whatever. Filly you're the 'heart' of our class so you can talk to them." Ash pushed off the duty to Juna.

"Wha? Ash!" The students looked at Juna. "Um hello, I'm Juna Crawford a member of Thors Branch Campus Class VII."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Jane Arc leader of Team JNPR." Jane offered her hand out and Juna took it. 'So they are from Thors. But I thought there was only one campus?'

"I'm Ruby Rose leader of Team RWBY! What kind of weapons do you use?" A girl older than Juna but Younger than Jane introduced herself.

"Ruby that's rude." A white hair girl chided. "Sorry about her I'm Weiss Schnee and Ruby's partner."

"Partner... OH! Well don't worry I don't judge, it's a pleasure to meet you."Juna held out her hand and Weiss took it before something seemed to click in her head and her face turned bright red. 

"I-It's n-not like that, uh teammate, yeah I mean partner like a teammate." Weiss stuttered. After a few laughs the rest were introduced and Class VII presented themselves.

"So what's exactly happening? All we were told was to come to the stadium." Ren asked.

"Oh uh, our instructor said something about some kind of mock battle happening," Kurt explained.

"Do you know whos fighting?" Pyrrha asked.

"It's our instructor Jaune Schwarzer and his friend and former Classmate Crow Arnbrust," Altina told her.

"Jaune huh?" Pyrrha mumbled.

"We knew a Jaune once. He used to lead Jane's team." Ruby explained hoping nothing bad would come up.

"At least till it turned out he was a no-good lying criminal with no skills." Weiss spat out.

"He was not a criminal!" Nora defended Jaune.

"I agree. Sure he didn't have any skill but he wasn't a criminal." Ren stated.

"He was nothing but a spineless coward." Yang spat out.

"It's better that he's gone. It's for his own good." Pyrrha looked away.

'shut up.' Ruby mumbled.

"Speak up if you're trying to talk Ruby it's only polite." Weiss scolded.

'Shut up.' Ruby mumbled a little louder. 

"Huh? It's ok Ruby I get it you aren't the best around new people." Yang tried to comfort her sister. 

"I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP!" Ruby roared. "HE WAS YOUR PARTNER BUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO HELP HIM  YOU STABBED HIM IN THE BACK!" She spat at Pyrrha. "He... He was my first friend here. But I was too scared to help... and when I finally decided to try and help he had already quit. I failed as a friend."

"Ruby." Jane hugged the silver-eyed girl.

"You know I agree with little red." Ash nodded.

"Yeah if you were a team you should have tried to help him." Kurt agreed.

"Did you even try to understand why he did whatever he did?" Juna asked.

'So that's why.' Altina mumbled. Musse nodded and giggled. 'Seems about right. I can't wait to see their faces. Again Ash surprises me with knowing something before I did.'

"What the hell do you know huh?" Weiss snapped back.

"What do I know," Ash growled. "I know what it's like to be a fucking criminal! But even after that hero wannabe Jaune never once turned his back on me. He might be annoying with his dumb speeches but HE IS TWICE THE PERSON YOU'LL EVER BE. I don't give a shit if he crapped in your cereal, but if you ever talk bad about our instructor again... there is nothing in this world that will save you."

"W-why I never. Try to be friendly and this is what I get. Come on let's sit somewhere else." Weiss told Yang and the rest of the group. Ren, Nora, Jane, and Ruby didn't move though. "Well, what are you waiting for? Come on."

"Go find somewhere else to sit I don't want to see your face, Schnee," Jane growled as she held onto Ruby.

"Ruby?" Yang asked.

"Just go Yang."

[

"Well damn looks like Ash actually cares about you huh?" Crow whistled with his twin blade slung over his shoulder.

"I wonder if they know we have already started?" Jaune asked.

"Who knows? So if you're ready let us get this party started." Crow fell into his stance.

"Alright then but don't cry foul when I win." Jaunes hand gripped his hilt and both combatants surged into motion.