Chapter 29

Fortunately for Ruby, she avoided being taped to her chair by mostly behaving herself throughout Professor (Doctor) Oobleck's class. Ruby tapped her scroll and saw there were less than five minutes remaining. You can do this! Less than five minutes! She tried to keep her bouncing to a minimum as her eyes landed on the menacing roll of duct tape next to Weiss's notebook. Fiends! Threatened by my old nemesis ~ Sir Tape of the Ducts!"

As soon as class was over though, Ruby bolted through the door, as she blew past Oobleck in a black and red haze, to who knows where to blow off some energy. Yang rolled her eyes as she watched her sister, and said that she was going to try to keep an eye on Ruby. Blake nodded absently as she opened her novel and began reading as she walked to the door, intent on finding a spot under a tree in the courtyard. Weiss and Neo stood alone in the classroom as they bagged their things.

"Winter replied. She said that she'd be happy to come watch us spar. We still have a bit of time, so I was thinking we could just walk around campus for a bit. There's no real point in returning to the dorm and changing into our combat outfits. We're going to have to shower and change once we're done, so it's pointless to change beforehand."

Neo nodded her assent as she picked up her notebook and textbook. With a small smile, she lead the way, more confident finding her way around Beacon Academy.

As soon as they stepped through the door, Professor Ozpin called for them as he approached. "Miss Neopolitan, could trouble you and Miss Schnee for a moment of your time?"

The women nodded and followed their headmaster as he led them to another currently vacant classroom.

"Qrow recently sent me a situation report on his current mission. While it's unrelated to his mission, he has heard through his sources that Cinder did not respond well to being forced to retreat from your fight the other day. Apparently, she is afraid that being forced to retreat by a former accomplice sets a bad precedent. As a result, she is out for blood seeks to make a message out of you. She's planning to attack you soon; Beacon's walls are no haven ~ she will attack brutally and in public, to ensure everyone knows what happens to traitors that cross her." Ozpin adjusted his spectacles as he looked from one woman to the other, "Miss Schnee, please keep an eye on Neopolitan. General Ironwood and I have already discussed this matter. He and your sister, Winter, are coming to Beacon to lend the support of the Atlesian Army. Perhaps with you and Winter accompanying Miss Neopolitan, Cinder will think twice before attacking."

Having given his warning, Ozpin nodded to them and left with a final caution, "Remain vigilant, Huntresses."

The two women stood in silence as they mulled over Ozpin's warning. Realizing that her team was in danger, Neo's face twisted into a mixture of fear and dread. If Cinder comes at me, there's no question I'll fight her. I'll kill her for what she's done! But now, Ozpin has put Weiss and Winter in harm's way. And others! Cinder is my responsibility!

Weiss took Neo's hand, softly stroking it with her thumb, she tried to calm Neo's nerves. "It's going to be okay. We forced her to retreat ~ just the two of us. With Winter or the rest of our team, we're sure to capture her next time."

Neo's eyes went wide with fear at what Weiss just said. 'Capture her'? How can you not understand how dangerous she is? No! Cinder has to die. So long as there's life in her, she'll find a way to run her organization. There isn't a prison that could possibly contain Cinder's ambition, skill, and manipulation.

"Neo?" Weiss asked, concerned for her girlfriend. Neo's eyes were both white, and from Weiss's limited experience, that was not a good thing.

Neo fixed Weiss with a determined look. She shook her head rapidly and looked deep into Weiss's icy eyes as she slowly and deliberately drew her hand across her neck. Weiss… I need you to understand ~ no matter the cost, Cinder absolutely can not be allowed to live.

Weiss gulped at the implication Neo was suggesting and asked, "Are you absolutely sure?"

Neo responded with a single, stern nod 'yes'.

"Okay. Ozpin said she might attack you, even here at Beacon. We're going to stay visible then. We'll head to the dining hall since there should be a lot of people there. I'll message Winter, the rest of RWBY, and I'll give JNPR and Coco a heads up as well." Weiss said as she pulled out her scroll and started tapping.

As she finished tapping her first message to Winter, Weiss asked again, "You're sure? There's no other way?"

A single nod from Neo was the only reply Weiss was given.

"Okay then." Weiss hit 'send' on her first message to Winter, which was answered immediately.


*- Change, Winter of plans. Something bad is going on. Meet us in the dining hall?

*- Ironwood briefed me on the information surrounding Cinder's plans. I will meet you very soon. Maintain your guard, Sister.


As the pair exited their class building, they carefully surveyed the surrounding area, now expecting an attack could come virtually anywhere. Any time.

"Neo, keep look out for anything suspicious, I'm going to message everyone else while we're walking." Weiss looked around briefly, "After last time, I don't want us to get caught alone with her."

Neo nodded as she took Weiss's books and class notes to free up the girl's hands to tap out her messages as the pair double-timed it to the dining hall. Fortunately, there were no incidents on their way. As soon as they entered the large hall, they spotted Jaune and Ren chatting at their normal table. Pyrrha was seated opposite them, with what looked like a comic book in her hands.

The pair moved quickly to join them.

"Do you have your weapons with you?"

Ren nodded that he did, but Pyrrha and Jaune both said theirs were in their lockers.

"Go get them and make sure you carry them at all times for the foreseeable future, please. We're having a briefing in the library in twenty minutes, don't be late."

Jaune and Pyrrha traded worried glances, but knew better than to ask what was going on.

Weiss tried to calm them as best she could, "Ozpin knows what's going on, but please hurry back with your weapons."

As Jaune and Pyrrha ran out the door, Winter entered past them. She immediately spotted her sister and made her way to the younger girl.

"Sister, you are still safe, I see."

"For now. I've messaged everyone else to meet us in the library. It's a private room, so we should be able to talk more openly. Come on guys."

The four of them ~ both Schnees, Neo, and Ren ~ made for the door and hurried across campus to the library.