I do not own or lay claim to any of the characters or concepts that this story stems from, only the characters and concepts that I have brought. I thank Monty and the rest of the RT crew for giving us this, and add to it with the deepest of respect.
(A special thanks to AYangThang, for helping me develop this idea, and allowing me to take bits and pieces of his amazing piece of work and add them to my own)
By Oum I give you…
Leader of the Pack.
The various teams stand about, looking at each other and the others gathered here, waiting for the official announcements made one by one by Headmaster Ozpin. Some talk quietly amongst themselves, others watch those near them warily. In one group, a pair of sisters are hugging each other, an act that seems to happen way too often for the likes of one Weiss Schnee, for whom such acts of familial bonding are odd and unfamiliar, to say the least. The Schnee stands with her usual poise, back straight, chest out, and ears alert. She knows that there is only one appropriate choice for the team leader, it has to be her. She has the best education, the best standing, and the best breeding out of all of them. She clenches her teeth, the only subtle sign on the storm of thoughts raging in her head. She just has to be the leader, she has to prove herself. She performed one very rare act of rebellion, demanding to go to Beacon instead of Atlas as her Father wished. While she was there, she would never be out of the shadow of her sister, and thus would never be able to fully come into her own. She had to prove herself worthy of the title she carried now by default, show that she was the proper one to lead the family. She just hoped the pair of dolts that she was saddled with would not slow her down, and that the human would know her place, and follow her lead.
When there names were called, as they stood there in a line before all the rest, being judged by the others, Weiss stood with lifted chin. She was ready to receive what was hers by right, by tradition. In ancient times, it would have been Yang, the strongest of them, that would have been the leader. But they had advanced beyond that, they had found the value in intelligence, social standing, political power and wealth. Being the leader of this team was just the first step in a long climb to the top.
Needless to say, her hopes and dreams came crashing down around her perfect, white ears as Ozpin says a phrase that will forever change her fate. A few simple words that would define everything about her time at Beacon, and change the proud young alpha's life in ways she could never comprehend.
"Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, Weiss Schnee, and Ruby Rose. You shall form team RWBY, lead by….." He pauses for a moment "Ruby Rose. Congratulations." The others cheer, the sisters embrace and only Blake stays silent. Surely, Weiss must have heard him wrong?
After they exit the stage amidst what Weiss can only take to be critical, judging stares from the other students she strides angrily back and forth while chewing on her inner lip. It's a horrid habit, and shows a lack of confidence she was always told, but right now it is excusable. She ignores the other dolts on her team, waiting impatiently for Headmaster Ozpin, and his shadow Professor Goodwitch to make their way off the stage.
She breaks away from them, advancing on the older duo. "Headmaster, I would wish a word with you." She is glad that he, at least, can't tell how aggravated she is, even if she knows that the Lion faunus at his side can. She can't help it, the little twitch in her ear, the smell that is hopefully covered by her perfume and scents. It's just that this whole situation is impossible.
He regards her neutrally, sipping from his ever present mug. "And what may I do for you, Miss Schnee? I imagine there must be a reason for your state, hrm?" He says, something about his gaze, the tone of his voice setting her back. Some primal portion of her mind reels back, not fully understanding what just happened. She finds herself swallowing hard, then locking eyes with him, for just a moment.
"I wish to discuss matters regarding my team with you. In private." She says as calmly and forcefully as she can, her body falling back into well trained and rehearsed subtle shows of power and dominance. She mentally curses herself, figuring it was just some fluke, some momentary lapse in her caused by the shock of his decision.
Professor Goodwitch looks at her, matching her show of dominance with one of her own. "All decisions in this are final, young lady. Headmaster Ozpin has decided, and that is the end of the matter. It would be best if you learned to follow the lead of your elders, kit." Her display of dominance wilts in a moment at Ozpin's raised hand, his eyes looking at the young Schnee over the rim of his mug.
"So, you object to my decision, Miss Schnee? I would like to hear the reasons why. Why do you disagree with what I think is best for you, and the other students of my school?" The earlier unease is gone, like it had never happened as he stands there, erect but relaxed.
She nods, taking a more aggressive stance towards him "It is only natural that I should be the leader, of course. I'm much better trained, more powerful, and born to lead. It is only natural that I should be the leader of this team. It's best that the others learn how things really work in this world." She says with a lift of her chin.
She is barely aware of the rest of team RWBY gathering behind her, watching what is going on with a mixture of confusion and concern. Yang slowly narrows her eyes, her ears folding back as her eyes slowly turn red, until she feels a gentle touch on her hand and looks down at the softly smiling face of her little sister. That seems to snap her out of her impending rage, even if for just a moment.
As Glynda once again starts to object, Ozpin silences her with a lift of his hand "So, you want me to go against all precedent, and change my choice, do you? You wish to prove that you are the better choice to lead this team, that your natural talents and leadership abilities make you the only logical choice." He sips once more from his mug as the young lady silently stews over what he has said "Very well, if you can prove to me that you are the better leader, I will change it. In one week's time, you will have a duo's match to settle this matter."
Weiss braces herself, her eyes narrowing the tiniest amount "And I can presume that one duo will be Ruby Rose and her sister, Yang Xiao Long. While I will be leading the human, Blake Belladonna?" She says in the calmest, most level voice she can muster.
Ozpin smiles at her "That is how your father would have done it, I am sure. No, Miss Schnee. You will lead Yang Xiao Long in combat against Ruby Rose and miss Belladonna. This is a test of team leadership, and having a pair that have trained and fought together most of their lives would not be a true test of such things. Now, I will give you a week to prepare Miss Schnee. Best you make the best of it." He looks past her, taking a sip from his mug "That is, if Miss Rose has no objections?"
Ruby meets his gaze for a moment, then looks down and lets her fringe cover her eyes as she shakes her head slowly "I..Just want us all to get along, and...and to be friends. If...this is what happens, it's ok." She looks over at her sister, smiling softly, then at Blake. "I never really counted on being leader, but…." she looks back at Ozpin "I will do my best. It's a team building exercise, after all." she says with a soft smile on her lips, one that doesn't make it to her eyes.
Yang looks down at her with concern "Are you sure, Pup? I won't go along with this if you aren't. But...If you are sure…." she locks eyes with Weiss. "We will do our best to fight against you, Ruby. I have too much respect for you to do otherwise." Her fierce gaze conveys both her conviction, and the promise of her words. There is no falsehood in her words or stance, only confidence born of a fierce sense of achievement that lurks under her sunny disposition.
**A/N
So...The first truly major divergence. I want to know what your thoughts and feelings are so far. I love input from my readers! So, please R&R!
And in response to an earlier request, the faunus traits of each of the characters so far!
(They are in the character descriptions, but in case you missed them!)
Ruby Rose: Wolf Faunus, ears
Weiss Schnee: Artic Fox, ears
Yang Xiao Long: Bear, ears
Blake Belladonna: Human!
Jaune Arc: Lion, mane
Pyrrha Nikos: Bird, feathers for hair
Lie Ren: Snake, snakeskin
Nora Valkyrie: Goat, goat legs.
(Yes, JNPR are all a bit of oddballs, as faunus go)
Glynda Goodwitch: Lioness, ears
Ozpin: Human!
