The Great War of Remnant (Book 1)

Lies

Jaune POV

I walk up to the door to my dorm room. I almost open it, but I stop myself. I don't know why, but I just can't bring myself to interact with them. I crack the door slightly. At least I can listen to their problems and take them to heart. Ren is maintaining his weapons, Pyrrha is looking out the window, and Nora is jumping on her bed.

Nora: How come Jaune gets home so late?
Ren: He's been rather scarce ever since he started fraternizing with Cardin.
Nora: That's weird. Doesn't he know we have a field trip tomorrow? We need our rest!

Coming from the girl who just front flipped onto her bed.

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

Not even trying to hide the disdain in her voice. I don't blame her. She's a nice person, and I treated her horribly. All I wanted was to be a hero. And now look at what I've done. I've pushed the only people who were willing to be my friends away from me. I close the door. I turn around and see John standing behind me. I didn't know he was there, so his sudden appearance makes me jump.

Me: Gah! Oh, hey John.

He doesn't respond. Instead, he just stares at me with a look of disapproval.

Me: Uh, what's wrong?
John: I'm not overly fond of frauds, that's what.

Frauds? Wait...

Me: You know?
John: Pyrrha tends to slip up when she's upset. What the bloody hell were you thinking?
Me: I just...
John: "You just" what? Wanted a statue of yourself in your town square?! Have your name in the newspaper headlines?! You put yourself in harms way just so you could have countless fans clamoring over one another just to get your damn autograph! And what if another war broke out and they needed every huntsmen they could find?! Your friends would be dying around you! You'd have to kill people, tearing someone's family apart, just so you can live! You'd have successfully lied your way into hell on earth!

Remnant, but I know what he's talking about. As a veteran from another world, he knows what kind of danger I'd have put myself in if another war on Remnant broke out.

Me: You're right. I set myself on a path that led me into a drop to rock bottom. And I'll only drag others down with me.

I slide to the ground.

Me: I'm a failure.
John: Your bloody right you're a failure. You don't belong here, and you simply being here is putting others and yourself in danger.

Then he leans on the wall and tilts his head back. He's right. I wanted glory, but what's the point if it causes others to die? The only way that the others will be safe is if I just give up.

John: And I'm going to help you.
Me: W-what?
John: I said I'm going to help you make it so you do belong here.
Me: Wait, but... why?!

He stops leaning on the wall and stands with his feet flat on the floor.

John: Because I made the same mistake.

"Made the same mistake"? What does he mean? Ozpin told us that he offered John the option to come here... wait. What if he's not referring to Beacon?

Me: You lied your way into your war?

John sighs. Then he nods his head lightly.

John: Yeah.
Me: Why?
John: Same as you. I wanted my name to be known for generations. I wanted to be written in the history books... now all I want is to have my friends back.

He lied his way into his war?

Me: But, you said you don't like frauds.
John: Let me rephrase. I'm not overly fond of seeing people make my mistakes. But, since we're in this position now, I'll help you break free from Cardin's leash tomorrow.

He turns to head back to his dorm room, but stops to give me one last piece of advice.

John: Hey, Jaune. One more thing... when you're free from Cardin, I want you to remember something... you're a leader now. It's not just about you anymore. You've got a team. It's like you said, if we fail, we'll just be dragging them down with us. You put them first, and yourself second.

Then he walks to his dorm room.

Time skip
Pyrrha POV

I walk down the hallway towards the balcony. I just need something to take my mind off Jaune. I get to the balcony... and find John there with a cigarette in his mouth.

Me: Are you sure smoking is okay?
John: Are you sure you should be up this late?

I guess he's got me there. I walk up next to him and look at Beacon tower.

Me: What brings you here this late?
John: I had a talk with Jaune.

Of course. I come here to take my mind off of him, and yet it still manages to make its way back to me.

Me: Oh... and what did you talk about.

He doesn't answer immediately. After about 3 seconds, he takes the cigarette out of his mouth.

John: I'm going to make sure he truly earns his spot at this academy.

He flicks the cigarette from his fingers, then looks at me.

John: And you're going to help me do it.