(Dairoku's POV)

I was in Glynda's combat class, watching a sparring match between Jaune and Cardin, the former loosing very poorly. Cardin knocked him back, forcing Jaune's shield out of his hand but Jaune got up and charged at Cardin again and locks weapons with him

Cardin: This is the part where you lose.

Jaune: Over my dead-

Jaune got rudely cut off by Cardin kneeing him in the gut, causing him to fall over in pain. Cardin rose his mace up into the air and got ready to strike down on Jaune but he was stopped by the buzzer going and Glynda ending the match.

Glynda: Cardin, that's enough. Students as you see, Mr. Arc's Aura has dropped into the red. In a tournament style dual, this would indicate that Jaune is no longer fit for battle. And they officially may call the match. Mr. Arc, it's been weeks now, please try to refer to your scroll during combat. Gauging your Aura will help you to decide when it is important to attack or when it's better to move to a more defensive strategy. We wouldn't want you to be gobbled up by a Beowolf, would we?

Cardin: Speak for yourself.

I gave Cardin a cold glare before turning my attention back to Glynda.

Glynda: Remember everyone! The Vytal Festival is only a few months away, and it won't be long before students from other kingdoms start arriving in Vale, so keep practicing.

When she mentioned other students, I was pulled into my thoughts... My cousin... She and her team are from Atlas and I haven't seen then since last year's festival. It would be very good to see them again. I looked over to RWBY to see them all exited for this which I couldn't blame them. The first time I heard about the Vytal Festival, I got really excited too.

Glynda: Those who choose to compete, will be representing all of Vale.

I then turned my attention to Pyrrha, who looked upset. I then followed her gaze only to see that she was looking at Jaune who was even more upset... He's going to need some desperate help...

Ruby: Hey Dairoku!

Me: Hmm?

I looked over to see RWBY walking in my direction.

Me: Oh, hey there Little Rose. What's up?

Ruby: Oh, I was wondering if you'd like to come to lunch with us.

Me: Sure thing.

"I DON'T BELONG HERE..."
CHAPTER 7: HEROES AREN'T BORN...

(Dairoku's POV)

Team RWBY and I made our way towards the Cafeteria where we got our lunches. Team JNPR decided to come sit next to us which we had no problem with at all. Nora decided to tell us one of her... interesting stories and Ren corrected her.

Nora: So... There we were... in the middle of the night...

Ren: It was day...

Nora: We were surrounded by Ursai.

Ren: They were Beowolves.

Nora: DOZENS OF THEM!!!

Ren: Two of them.

Nora: But they were no match and in the end, Ren and I took them down and make a boatload of Lien selling Ursa skin rugs

My thoughts: Those two should start a comedy show...

As I listened to Nora's ridiculous story, I caught Ruby and Pyrrha staring at something in the corner of my eye. When I followed their gazes, I saw that they were looking at Jaune, who was picking at his food, both with worried looks.

Ren: She's been having the same recurring dream for nearly a month now.

Pyrrha: Jaune... Are you okay?

Jaune: Huh? Oh yeah! Why?

Ruby: It's just that you seem a little... not okay.

Me: Nice choice of words Little Rose

You could practically sense the sarcasm coming from me. Ruby noticed it and pouted at me and punched my arm. Jaune then began to laugh nervously.

Jaune: Eh, guys, I'm fine... Seriously look.

He tried to put on a fake smile but failed miserably as no one bought it.

Pyrrha: Jaune, Cardin has been picking on you since the first week of school

I nodded my head in agreement to Pyrrha

Jaune: Who? Cardin Winchester? Nah, he just likes to play jokes, and mess around. You know? Practical Jokes!

Me: Jaune... He's a bully... There's no hiding that.

Ruby: Dairoku's right.    

Jaune: Oh please. Name one time he's bullied me.

Me: *sigh* 1. The time he knocked your books out of your hands. 2. The time he activated your shield in the doorway, causing you to get stuck for an hour. 3. The time he shoved you into a rocket locker and sent you flying, literally, out of the school. 4. Pretty much everything he did to you TODAY.

Jaune:... I-I didn't land that far from the school...

Me: *scoffs* you landed at the ruins in the Emerald Forest. I had to fly YOU back because you didn't have your weapons with you and an Ursa was chasing you...

I just crossed my arms and shook my head at him.

Pyrrha: Jaune, you know if you ever need help, you could just ask.

Nora suddenly jumped up from her seat and proudly stood in it.

Nora: Oh!!! We'll break his LEGS!

Jaune: Guys, really it's fine. Besides, it's not like he's only a jerk to me, he's a jerk to everyone, even Dairoku.

???: OW! That hurts!

I looked over to see Cardin pulling on Velvet's ears with his team surrounding her and laughing...

Me: *sigh* speaking of which... I'll be right back...

I began to walk towards them but a hand grabbed on to my shoulder, stopping me. I turned around to see it was Pyrrha

Pyrrha: Don't do anything too crazy Daiku.

I just smiled at her

Me: You know me well enough Angel.

She smiled at me and removed her hand. I continued towards the group as I heard Ruby behind me calling my name but then I heard Pyrrha say,

Pyrrah: Don't worry, Daiku knows what he's doing.

When I got up to them, they looked at me and smirked, while I just gave them a cold glare

Cardin: What do you want fried chicken prodigy?

Me: I'll make it simple. Let go of her ears and walk away. This is your only chance.

It seems like he didn't hear me as he just smirked and pulled harder on Velvet's ears

Velvet: OW!!!

Cardin: And what if I don't?

Me: I wasn't asking Cardin Dickhead, I was telling you. Now let go. That is my final warning.

Cardin Dickhead seemed to get annoyed at my response as he let go of her ears and began walking towards me, his hands balled up

Cardin: You think you're real funny don't you freak?

Me: Well, you are a clown so I thought you'd find it funny.

Seems like that one got him as he threw a punch at me; it had decent speed but even an Ursa was faster than him. I grabbed his forearm before he even came close to my face. I slowly moved his arm away. Everyone watched in shock as I did this but Pyrrha was smiling. I managed to get him to start kneeling and then, steam began to release from my hand.

Cardin: AHHHHH! IT BURNS!!!

I slowly burned his arm to his teammate's horror. I then looked at him with a killing glare

Me: Karma can be a bitch you know? Especially when you pick on others that are different, Velvet's a prime example. So I'll say this ONCE. If I catch you picking on ANYONE, Faunus or Human, I will do something much worse than slightly burning you arm, and trust me, you wouldn't want me to get pissed off. Do you understand?

He didn't answer and just tried to break out of my grip, so I decided to give him some... 'encouragement'. A dark aura formed around me and my eyes began glowing a dangerous crimson as my wings flared up. I gave him a wicked grin, clearly showing off fangs as the color drained from his face. I asked him again, this time with my voice sounding like a demon

Me: DO. YOU. UNDERSTAND!?

He slightly nodded

Me: GOOD.

I threw him to his team.

Me: Get your pathetic excuse of a leader to the infirmary so he could get an ice pack to stop the burning

They hastily took their leader away as my aura disappeared and my eyes stopped glowing. Everyone had... terrified expressions on their faces but I couldn't care less. I looked back at Velvet who was rubbing her ears.

Me: You okay Velv?

Velvet: Y-Yes... Just my ears still hurt a bit...

Me: Hmm... Let me help with that.

She took her hands off her ears. I gently began rubbing them as my hand slightly began glowing crimson; I was using my Aura to nullify the pain. Velvet seemed a bit embarrassed from me doing this when people are watching. After a while I took my hands off her ears and looked at her with a smile

Me: There. Better?

Velvet: Yes... Thank you Dairoku... I have to get back to my team... I'll see you in class?

Me: Yeah. Later, Little Bun Bun.

She blushed a bit at her nickname but smiled nonetheless. Then she happily walked back to the rest of Team CFVY, leaving me happy.

I turned to walk back to RWBY and JNPR. WBY and JNR looked... shocked with a mixture of fear from seeing me like that. Pyrrha was just smiling at me and as for Ruby... I don't know... she seemed surprised but not scared... in fact... I think I saw a hint of anger... Hmmm... Suspicious...

Pyrrha: That's Daiku for you. That felt good watching.

I just smiled and winked back at her.

Jaune:... Remind me to NEVER get on your bad side...

Jaune seemed the most frightened of them all, in fact... I think he might have shit himself... Oof...

I looked back at Ruby.

Me: You okay Little Rose?

Ruby: H-Huh? Y-Yes, I am!

Me: You sure? You look mad. Did I do something to upset you...?

Ruby: E-Eh? W-Who said I'm mad?

Yang just snickered behind her sister and whispered something to Blake and Weiss that was audible to both of us

Yang: Seems like someone's jealous~

Ruby: Y-YANG!

Huh... So my theory was right... I placed my hand on her head and began patting it gently.

Ruby: D-D-Dairoku???

I just gave her a warm smile

Me: Better?

She was blushing hard but accepted the head pat. Yang just snickered

Yang: Aww... That's so cute!

I just shrugged and reached for a cookie off of Ruby's plate.

Ruby: Hey! That's my cookie!

She tried to swing her arms at me but since my hand was already on her head, I pushed her back and used my wings to keep here there as I ate her precious cookie.

(Time Skip)

Now I was in Professor Oobleck's class.

The class was going on like all of Oobleck's classes... with him zipping around, high on whatever was in his cup...

Oobleck: Yes! Yes, prior to the Faunus Rights Revolution, more popularly known as the Faunus War, humankind was quite, quite adamant about centralizing Faunus population in Menagerie.

He stopped for a second... before sipping form his cup and zipping off again...

Oobleck: Now! While this feels like ancient history to many of you, it is imperative to remember that there are relatively recent events! Why the repercussions of the uprising can still be seen to this day!

Then he paused... AND TOOK ANOTHER SIP BEFORE ZIPPING OFF...!

Me: Seriously... what the hell is in that thing...? Is he getting high off coffee...?

Velvet who was sitting next to me, just giggled at my comment.

Oobleck: Now! Have any of you been subjected or discriminated because of your Faunus traits?

A couple of Faunus students raised their hands. I was about to do the same when I saw Velvet look down, not wanting to raise her hand. I just placed my hand on hers.

Me: Would it make you feel better if we both raised our hands together Velv?

Velvet:... Yes... it would...

I just smiled at her and we both raised our hands up. Blake behind us didn't because she was still hiding her Faunus traits.

Oobleck: Dreadful, simply dreadful! Remember students, it's precisely this kind of ignorance that breeds violence! I mean, I mean I mean look at what happened to the White Fang! Now which one of you young scholars can tell me what many theorists believe to be the turning point in the third year of the war?

Weiss: The battle at Fort Castle.

Oobleck: Precisely! And who can tell me the advantage the Faunus had over General Lagune's forces?

I looked over to see Cardin flick a paper ball at Jaune. I began to glare at him but unfortunately, Oobleck called on Jaune...

Me: Ah crap...

Oobleck: Mr. Arc! Finally contributing to the class! This is excellent! Excellent! What is the answer?

Jaune: Uhhh... The answer...

My thoughts: Shit... he has no clue...

I desperately wanted to help him so I looked behind me. Pyrrha and Blake were sitting in the desk above Velvet and I. I saw that Blake had a piece of paper and took it from her desk

Me: May I borrow this?

Blake: What are you doing?

Me: I'm going to help him.

I wrote down the answer which was Night Vision on the piece of paper and folded it into a paper plane. Now to distract Oobleck... Ah ha! I got it!

Me: PROFESSOR OOBLECK LOOK!!! THERE'S FREE COFFEE!!!

Oobleck: WHERE!!??

I pointed out of the class room and he zipped out of it... I might get in trouble but it's worth it to help out Jaune. I gently threw the plane towards Jaune which landed right in front of me. He looked at me confused but I just mouthed to him to unfold it and read the answer. He nodded and we went back to acting normal as Oobleck came zipping back in... with... with a bag of coffee...? Wait... What the F-

Oobleck: Mr. Rein, this may in fact be free coffee but, this is decaf! Also, it's Doctor!

Me: Umm.... Sorry... My bad...?

I was... confused to say the least... Where did he... Blake, Pyrrha and Velvet looked equally confused as me...

Pyrrha: Um... How did you know there was coffee over there...?

Me: Uh... That's the thing... I... didn't... W-What the hell's going on here...!?

Velvet: Umm... Lucky guess...? Maybe...?

...ANYWAYS...! Um... What the hell... Oobleck continued with his lesson.

Oobleck: Now! Back to the lesson, what is the answer Mr. Arc?

Jaune: Umm... Night Vision?

Oobleck: Correct! Now Cardin, would you like to share your thoughts on the subject?

Cardin: Well, I know it's a lot easier to train an animal soldier.

Pyrrha, Blake and I seemed to have had enough of him.

Pyrrha: You're not the most open minded of individuals, are you Cardin?

Me: That's a nice way of putting it.

Blake: General Lagune was inexperienced and made the mistakes of trying to ambush the Faunus in their sleep. His massive army was outmatched and the General was captured. *turns to Cardin* Perhaps if he'd pay more attention in class, he wouldn't have been remembered as such a failure.

Cardin got mad and stood up, ready to throw insults towards us but I stopped him.

Me: Hey, Cardin, buddy! You're arm's looking much better! It WOULD be such a shame if someone burned both of them to the point they could be mistaken for burned bacon.

I said the last part while pointing at him with a dangerously hot flame on the tip of my finger. He sweat dropped and sat back down quietly while I extinguished the flame.

Oobleck: Mr. Arc and Mr. Winchester! Please see me after class for additional reading!

Jaune: Aww...

Me: Oof...

(Time skip)

It was nighttime and I was making my way towards my Dorm but then I heard voices talking... It sounded like Jaune and Pyrrha... I decided to listen in on their conversation so I leaned behind the door and crossed my arms.

Jaune: I wasn't really accepted into Beacon...

Pyrrha: What do you mean?

Jaune: I mean I didn't go to combat school! I didn't pass any tests! I didn't earn my spot at this academy! I lied. I got my hands on some fake transcripts and I lied.

My thoughts: Hmm... I'm not surprised...

Pyrrha: W-What? Why?

Jaune: Because this is what I always wanted to be! My father, my grandfather and his father before him were all warriors! They were all heroes! I wanted to be one too. I was just never good enough...

Pyrrha: Then let me help you! Let Dairoku help you! I know he'd want to help in any way he could. All you need to do is ask us! Ple-

Jaune: I don't want help! I don't want to be the damsel in distress! I want to be the hero! I am tired of being the lovable idiot, stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives! If I can't do this on my own, then what good am I!?

My thoughts: Jaune... You poor soul...

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard Pyrrha walking past me. I decided to let my presence known to here.

Me: I knew something was up with him... but damn, I didn't know it was that deep...

She quickly turned around, shocked and horrified to see me

Pyrrha: D-Daiku!??? You heard!?

Me: Every word of it.

Pyrrha: Please... Please don't tell Professor Ozpin about Jaune.

Me: Don't worry I won't, though Ozpin's a smart man... He probably knows already but sees something in Jaune since he's still here. Anyways, I think you should... give him some space for now...

Pyrrha looked down, knowing I'm right and began rubbing her arm. I want to at least cheer her up in some way, so I did what I thought was best; I hugged her. I wrapped my arms and wings around her and pulled her into a warm embrace.

Me: It's okay Angel...

She didn't reject it as she too wrapped her arms tightly around me. I could feel my shirt slowly get wet and I heard sniffling coming from her. She was quietly crying. Pyrrha's a strong girl, both physically and mentally so it was kind of rare to see her cry like this. After a minute or two, she stopped crying and just kept hugging me.

Me: Hey Angel, you feeling better?

Pyrrha: Y-Yes... A bit... I just... don't know how to help him...

Me: Right now I don't know either... But, I say it's best to just observe him for now.

Pyrrha: Right...

We semi-broke the hug and began to walk back towards the dorms together. Pyrrha, although she calmed down, was still visually upset, so I decided to lighten up the mood, by calling her by the second nickname I gave her when we were kids.

Me: Hey, come on Achilles Tomato, turn that frown upside down

A little tick of anger popped up on her head as I said this; she always hated that nickname I gave her but I loved her reactions to it.

Pyrrha:... You know I hate it when you call me that... Dairoku...

Me: Would you look at that, she said my name correctly...!

Another tick of anger appeared on her head. Pyrrha always had trouble saying my name when we were younger

Pyrrah: ... S-Shut up! I've been saying it correctly for a while now...! Hmph!

Me: Heh, I know... You know, I'd rather see you like this than all sad and emotional, so cheer up. He'll come through, just give him time.

Pyrrha: Alright.

We reached the dorm of Team JNPR.

Me: Alright, I'll see you in the morning.

Pyrrha: Okay. Goodnight Daiku.

Me: Goodnight, Achilles Tomato.

Pyrrha: STOP CALLING ME THAT!!!

Me: Ahahahaha! See you Angel!

She just looked at me embarrassed and flustered at the same time before I went off to my dorm.

END