Pyrrha looks out the window sadly as Ren loads StormFlower and Nora is jumping on her bed in the room for Team JNPR.

Nora: How come Jaune gets home so late?

Ren: He's become rather scarce since he started fraternizing with Cardin.

Nora: That's weird... Doesn't he know we have a field trip tomorrow?

Nora: We need our rest! (she proclaims this while twirling in midair so her back hits the covers)

Pyrrha: (angrily) I'm sure our leader knows exactly what he's doing.

Nora and Ren exchange glances, not knowing that Jaune himself is looking in through the crack of the door.

Nora: Mmmm... I guess so.

Jaune hangs his head and closes the door.

Rex: You're really in a pickle big-time.

just as a voice interrupts his thoughts.

Ruby: Hey, Jaune! Hey, Rex!

Rex: Gah! Ruby!

Ruby: Long time, no see! Did you lock yourself out again?

Jaune: Oh, uh, nope! (raises his Scroll, attempting to laugh) Got it!

Ruby: So! Where have you two been lately?

Jaune: I, uh... (he tries to come up with something, but just sighs and lowers his head) I messed up. I did something I shouldn't have, and now Cardin has me on a leash, and Pyrrha won't even talk to me, and... (breathes heavily through his nose) I'm starting to think coming to this school was a bad idea. (presses his back to his team's door and slides down to the floor in depression) I'm a failure.

Ruby: Nope!

Jaune and Rex: (looking at her in surprise) 'Nope?'

Ruby: Nope! You're a leader now, Jaune. You're not allowed to be a failure.

Jaune: But... what if I'm a failure at being a leader?

Ruby: (thinks about it for a moment, then gives her answer) Nope!

Rex: (chuckles)

Jaune: (laughs as she joins him on the floor) You know, you're not the easiest person to talk to about this kind of stuff.

Ruby: Nope! Jaune, maybe you were a failure when you were a kid... ...and you might've even been a failure the first day we met! But, you can't be one now. You know why?

Jaune: Uhhh, because...?

Ruby: Because it's not just about you anymore. You've got a team now, Jaune. We both do! And if we fail, then we'll just be bringing them down with us. (she gets up and places her hands on her hips as she speaks) We have to put our teammates first, and ourselves second. Your team deserves a great leader, Jaune. And I think that can be you. (she walks over to her door and opens it as Jaune, now slightly inspired by her words, watches her wave) Have a good night, Jaune! (she goes inside) You coming, Rex?

Rex: Oh, I'll catch up.

Ruby: Ok. (Closes the door)

Rex: Remember, dude, you have your own responsibility as a leader. That's just a one step at a time.

Jaune: You're right.

Jaune pushes himself off the ground and faces the door, ready to turn the knob and face his team, but his Scroll beeps and he pulls it off of his side to open it, seeing Cardin's contact relaying a message.

Cardin (on-Scroll): Hey! It's your buddy Cardin! I know you're probably busy with that Dust project I gave you, buuuut I'm gonna need you to go out and get me a bag of Rapier Wasps. (as Jaune makes a terrified sound in response)

Rex: Rapier Wasps? That's one of the most dangerous bees in Vale.

Cardin (on-scroll): And make sure they've got some really big stingers! It's important, so don't screw this up!

Jaune closes his Scroll just when it begins to beep again. Sighing, he wearily heads down the hallway and away from his room.

Rex: Hey.

Jaune: (Turns around) Hmm?

Rex: Remember? Your own responsibility. (Opens RWBY's dorm and closes it)

(The next day)

Glynda was leading teams RWBY, JNPR, REBL, and CRDL through the area.

Glynda: (to the group) Yes, students, the forest of Forever Fall is indeed beautiful. But we are not here to sight-see. Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside this forest, and I'm here to make sure none of you die while doing so.

The group stops, and Jaune, grunting and carrying a large case with six empty glass jars on top, tries to catch up with them and ends up bumping into Cardin. The bully scowls at Jaune, who attempts to feign innocence by whistling tunelessly.

Glynda: (still instructing her group, holding up a full jar of their objective) Each of you is to gather one jar's worth of red sap. However, this forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates. We will rendezvous back here at 4 o'clock. Have fun!

While Yang and her sister smile at one another, Jaune attempts to (noisily) sneak away from Cardin to his team, but the blackmailer sees this and grabs Jaune by the back.

Cardin: Come on, buddy! Let's go!

Jaune miserably looks up at his team, where Nora and Ren are already walking into the forest's depths and Pyrrha is staring sadly at the scene. Dropping his gaze, Jaune turns and follows CRDL, to the disappointment of a sighing Pyrrha before she continues on.

Rin: Um, guys?

Briana: What's up, Rin?

Rin: I got the strangest feeling that Cardin and Jaune are all buddy-buddy. Weird, right?

Briana: Yeah, I don't see Cardin as the (air quote fingers) 'buddy' type.

Luke: You got me, dudette. Cardin is not the kind of guy you want to make friends with.

Rex: Guys, there's something I have to tell you.

Elena: Like what, Rex?

Rex: You see, Cardin is blackmailing Jaune.

Briana: He's what?!

Rex: Uh-huh, I saw them talking on the roof last night.

Luke: You're kidding.

Rex: No joke.

Rin: Why is he doing this to Jaune?

Rex: Ok, you guys promise not to tell?

REBL: (Nodded their heads) Mm-hmm.

Rex: (Inhales and say it) Jaune cheated his way to Beacon.

REBL: WHAT!?

Rex: Shhhh!!!

Luke: (Whispers loudly) You knew that Jaune cheated and you didn't even tell us, Dude!?

Elena: (Whispers loudly) Care to explain?

Rex: (Whispers) Last night, I heard Pyrrha and Jaune talking and what he said to her really got her upset. All she wanted to do was to help him but he didn't want her help.

Rin: No wonder he's having a lot of trouble in class.

Elena: We should tell our friends.

Rex: No, we can't.

Luke: Dude, ever heard of honesty?

Rex: Yeah, but we can't just tell them straight out of the gate.

Briana: Ok, fine. But if Jaune gets finds out, I'm blaming you.

Rex: I also have another weird feeling.

Elena: What? Is it something you want to talk to us about?

Rex: Actually, I should talk to Yang.

Luke: If you think it's the best, go for it, man.

Rin: Well, speak of the devil.

Yang comes by to the group.

Yang: Hey, guys, what are you still standing around for?

Rin: Yang. You see, Rex here wants to talk to you about something.

Yang: About what?

Rex: I think we need to discuss this private.

Rex grabs Yang's wrist and deeply went into the forest.

Yang: So, what is it you want me to talk about?

Rex: Um, do you get this weird feeling thing out of your chest?

Yang: You mean butterflies in your stomach?

Rex: Yeah, except um... The thing is...

Yang: Just spit it out already, Dude.

Rex: I think I have feelings for Ruby.

Yang: REALLY!? Rex, do you know what this means?

Rex: No, what?

Yang: (Hugs his waist) It means you're in love, Rex!

Rex: I'm in love... with Ruby?

Yang: Yes! I'm so happy for you! I've got to tell her!

Rex: You can't!

Yang: And why not?

Rex: Please, don't tell her. Besides, this is not the right time.

Yang: Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets.

Rex: You sure?

Yang: Cross my heart.

Rex: Hope I won't make you 'hangry'.

Yang: ...

Rex: What? It was a good one.

Yang: I know you like my puns, but don't push it.

While Rex confessed his feeling to Yang about Ruby, Team CRDL is making themselves as comfortable as possible by leaning on stones, trees, and the ground while Jaune returns to the group with six full jars, setting them down just as he collapses face-down. The surrounding team gets up in response.

Cardin: Hey, great work, Jauney boy! Now that wasn't too hard, was it?

Jaune: (still on the ground, cross-eyed and sounding dizzy) I think I'm allergic to this stuff...

Cardin: Greeeeat, great, great. So, Jaune, I bet you're asking yourself, 'Why did my buddy Cardin ask me to collect six jars of tree sap when there's only five of us?'

Jaune: (nodding, still exhausted) That is one of the many questions I have asked myself today, yes.

Cardin: (as Jaune sits up) Well, come with me, and you'll find out.

Jaune moans and gulps in worry.

Now perched on a hilltop overlooking the other students, team CRDL, plus Jaune, squeezed between Cardin and Russel peak their heads over the crest and watch as everyone is retrieving their samples of sap.

Ren, kneeling to collect it from a tree, passes a full jar to Nora.

Nora: Mmmm!

She ate the sap behind Ren's back and giggles.

Rin: Nora, please don't eat the sap.

Nora: Sorry, I couldn't help it.

Jaune: (turning to his left) Cardin, wh-what's going on?

Cardin: (still staring at the unsuspecting group sharply) Payback.

Jaune: (widens his eyes in understanding) Pyrrha...? (watches her gather more sap from a tree) Wh-what are you-?

Cardin: (pounds his fist on the ground) That's the girl. Red-haired know-it-all, thinks she's so smart. Alright, boys...

Cardin: Last night, old Jaune here managed to round up an entire box of Rapier Wasps, and now, we're gonna put him to work.

Russel grabs Jaune by the shoulder, who barely laughs in nervousness.

Cardin: Now, according to one of the essays you wrote for me last week, these nasty things loooove sweets. (Pyrrha is seen finishing her sap collection) I'm thinking it's time we teach her a thing or two.

The members of CRDL get up. Cardin offers his hand to Jaune, only to painfully yank him up on his feet and shove the jar into his grasp.

Cardin: And you're gonna do it.

Jaune: Do what?

Cardin: Hit her with the sap! (leans in close to Jaune's face) Either that, or I'll have a chat with Goodwitch, and you'll be on the first airship out of Beacon.

Rin, Luke, and Elena overheard them talking about their plan.

Luke: Oh, no. He wouldn't dare.

Rin: He's gonna hit Pyrrha with the sap.

Elena: Jaune, please don't do it.

Jaune looks down at the jar of sap in his hands and then up at the four grinning teammates waiting to see what happens. Jaune turns towards the group and aims his throw at an oblivious and smiling Pyrrha, trying to steel his nerves and shaking hand to do the deed, but ultimately steels himself for what he's about to do. He remembers what Rex said to him last night.

Rex: (Your own responsibility.)

Jaune: No.

Cardin: What did you say?

Jaune: (gripping the jar tightly) I said... NO!

He turns and throws the jar at Cardin, instantly recoiling his hands to himself as he looks at Cardin's breastplate covered in sap. The other team leader, however, just looks at himself and laughs darkly.

Cardin: Oh, you've done it now...

Jaune humorously laughs to himself once more with his hands still raised in an attempt for defense as Dove and Sky grab Jaune's shoulders and pull him.

Rin: That can't be good.

Elena: We've gotta warn the others.

Luke: Come on!

The three run out of here and warn their friends as Jaune is gonna get a beating of his lifetime.

END OF PART 13