- Chapter Eight -
The Ones who Hold the World in Their Hands.
世界を手にする者たち。

Heading out of the Wonder World, they were met by a surprised Professor Port, who somehow was still around to greet them, before Homura decided to try to wave it off, explaining to the Grimm Studies teacher, "It's… complicated, Professor." And it seemed to be a sentiment he understood to some extent, as he would then instruct everybody to return, before the nine would then trail along, an impatient Weiss and a doozy Ruby trailing from behind.

And as they all returned back to class, Professor Port was now somehow able to get back on track with class, as he then stated, "And back to what I had been sayi ng before what happened earlier! Weiss Schnee, if you would like to step up. If you truly believe to be the embodiment of a true huntsman, step forward, and face your opponent." As he headed to a cage, as glowing red eyes, surrounded by shadow would shake it very immensely.

And as the rest of Team RWBY would cheer on their teammate, Homura would chuckle ever so slightly seeing Blake with a small flag with the team name on them, though he did seem to notice that didn't really say RWBY, instead written as something along the lines of RWBHY. And very admittedly, Homura was very appreciative of the slight gesture, even if it didn't feel like much. Weiss would then sneer at her team leader, stating, "Ruby! I'm trying to focus!", to which Ruby's reply was a very sheepish, "Oh, um… sorry…" And as Professor Port took out his weapon, switching it into its axe mode, he would then state, "Alright! Let the match… begin!"

Immediately, he would swing his weapon, breaking the lock and dropping the cage door, as a pig-like Grimm emerged from the shadows of the cage, charging at Weiss immediately. Knowing that its name was the Boarbatusk, something fairly new to him since he hadn't faced this particular Grimm before, Homura would take notes, as Weiss would use her weapon to deflect its charge, rolling to the side and readying herself for its next move. The Grimm would stand a distance away from the white huntress-in-training, studying her as Port would then comment, "Haha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?"

Immediately, Weiss would speed towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they meet, her rapier trapped in the beast's tusks. Weiss would still hang onto the hilt, and would find herself being tossed around as she struggled to get her weapon back. "Bold, new approach. I like it!" Port continued to comment, as Ruby cheered on, saying, "Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!"

And as Weiss turned to glare to Ruby, something Homura seemed to notice, the Boarbatusk would then turn its head, ripping the sword out of her grip, before it was sent flying, knocked back even further by the creature's tusks. "Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?" Weiss would then look up just in time to see the Boarbatusk charge again, rolling out of the way just in time to avoid getting trampled and causing it to crash into a desk. Weiss would then rush towards her sword, sliding to get it back in her hand. Ruby would then scream out, "Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-" "Stop telling me what to do!"

As Homura sensed Ruby feeling hurt at Weiss' rebuttal, he found a little of his blood boiling as the Boarbatusk would then leap into the air, rolling in to a ball and spinning rapidly, before landing on the ground, before it would somehow consistently gain speed, until it would launch itself at Weiss. Coming closer and closer, Weiss would then activate what appeared to be a blue and white glyph, blocking the roll, and leaping onto the glyph, which had turned black for moment, turning to blue immediately after, as she drove the blade into the Grimm's stomach. As it squealed for moment, it would then fall silent, as Weiss gasped in relief.

"Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!" Professor Port would comment, as Weiss glared at Team RWBY, before turning away, hurriedly walking to the exit past her teammates, something Jaune could only comment with something along the lines of, "Sheesh, what's with her?"… a question that seemed to resonate with Ruby, Blake and Yang.

And as Ruby chased after a storming Weiss, Homura would follow from behind, as Ruby would turn a corner, managing to catch up with her as she called out to her, "Weiss!" "What?" "What's wrong with you? Why are you being-?" "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!" "What did I do?" "That's just it - you've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!"

Ruby, now feeling particularly hurt, scoffed, before asking, "Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team." "Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better. Ozpin made a mistake."

And as Ruby stormed away, dejected and with tears in her eyes, a very angry Homura emerged from the shadows, as he could only state in almost tranquil fury, trying not to rip her in two, "Weiss Schnee. You're supposed to be the so-called heiress of the Schnee Dust Company, right?" "Yeah, what about it?" "You have got to be the most entitled fucking prick that could be in Beacon Academy, of all places. Why are you complaining when you even came here to begin with?"

His angry words didn't really stun her, though he would continue, "God, you come from one of the most stuck-up companies, and you're somehow even more fucking elite than most snobby bastards I've seen." She would only stare him down, before stating, "So? You suddenly pop up out of nowhere with that flaming sword of yours, and you act entitled as if you've been wielding that since the beginning of time." "At least I'm making a fucking effort to listen to others. You complain about not being team leader, but yet you're being fucking whiny when you're not. You genuinely sound like a fucking child."

And too afraid to step the line even further, Homura would storm off as well, trying to calm himself down, as he would chase after Ruby, leaving a very frustrated and angry Weiss.

And as Ruby found herself in a different corner of the now-empty academy, doubtful of herself and now on the verge of tears, she would found herself being approached by Ozpin, who had a cup of coffee in one hand and a cane in the other, commenting, "Hmm… now that didn't seem to go very well." "Is she right? Did you make a mistake?" Ozpin laughed ever-so-slightly, before replying something along the lines of, "Well, that remains to be seen."

Ruby looked at him confusedly, before she asked, "What do you mean?" "I mean, it's only been one day. Ruby... I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. But at this moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them. Do you?" Ruby was unsure of what to reply, before Ozpin then continued, "Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you're not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?" Ruby was left to reminisce for a few seconds.

And as he turned his back to her, he then stated, "You've been burdened with a daunting responsibility, Ruby. I advise you take some time, to think about how you will uphold it." And Ruby, with a last look of soft consideration, turned back, walking away. Ozpin then thought to himself, "If even the Swordsman of Fire can trust her, clearly…"

And on another end of the academy, a frustrated Weiss walked through the halls, as she came across a balcony where Professor Port was watching the sunset over Beacon Academy's rooftops. And as she approached the teacher, she would call out to him, "Professor Port!" "Ah, Miss Schnee! And to what do I owe this fine pleasure?" "I... I enjoyed your lecture!" "Of course you did, child; you have the blood of a true Huntress in you." "You really think so?" "Most surely!" And for a moment, he could notice Weiss' posture and a lack of eye contact, as he then commented, "Hmm... Something's troubling you."

"Yes, sir..." "Dear girl, confess to me your strife!" "Well... I-I think I should have been the leader of Team RWBY!" Port was silent for a moment, as he would then state, to a suddenly angry Weiss, "That's preposterous!" "Excuse me?!" "I've believed in Professor Ozpin for many years, and the man's never once led me astray!" "So you would just blindly accept his decision even after seeing how exceptional I am?" "With all due respect, your exceptional skill on the battlefield is matched only by your poor attitude."

Between a seething Weiss and a composed Port, it was now an emotional burst of word banter amongst the two, as Weiss sneered for a moment, stating, "How dare you!" "My point exactly. I see a girl before me who has spent her entire life getting exactly what she wanted." For a moment, she crossed her arms, looking defiant, before she reluctantly would relent ultimately, "That's not even remotely true! Well… not entirely true…"

"So the outcome did not fall in your favor. Do you really believe that acting in such a manner would cause those in power to reconsider their decision?" And as Weiss would finally calm down, looking at him, he would continue, "So instead of fretting about what you don't have, savor what you do. Hone your skills, perfect every technique, and be not the best leader, but the best person you can be." For a moment, Weiss smiled softly, before Port ultimately ended, stating, "If Homura Akatsuki, the self-proclaimed Swordsman of Fire, could trust her…"

Weiss looked at him, confused for a moment, asking, "How did you even know about that?" Port chuckled, replying with, "I have my ways."

As night would shine over the soft green lights of Beacon, in the dorm rooms of Team RWBY, the door would open, as Weiss' shadow formed against the hall light. As as she observed Blake sleeping under the covers, Yang spread out on her bed and snoring, and Homura's bed still empty, she would slowly lift the blanket of Ruby's bed-tent thing, seeing her resting on her notes, a pencil in her hand and open books all around her. Weiss, looking amazed at Ruby's determination, would clear her throat whilst gently shaking the other girl awake, who would take a second to regain consciousness before flailing in surprise at the sudden presence of Weiss.

"Weiss! I-I was studying, and then I fell asleep! I'm sorry..." Weiss would place a hand over Ruby's mouth and put a finger to her own, so Ruby would understand the need to lowering her voice. Weiss would then look near Ruby's pillow, spotting an empty Beacon coffee mug, before she commented, "How do you take your coffee?" "I… I don't-" "Answer the question!" "Uhh, cream and five sugars!" "Don't move." She would then vanish for a moment, before appearing, with Ruby's cup - now filled with a cup of coffee - as she would pass it to her team leader, "Here." "Um... Thanks, Weiss." "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader. Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have!"

The two of them would share a smile, before Weiss continued, "Good luck studying!" And she would disappear, only to reappear again, pointing to one of her notes as she then stated, "That's wrong by the way." And then as Ruby looked at the doorway, she could hear Weiss call out to her, "Hey, Ruby?" "Uh-huh?" "Have you seen Homura anywhere, by any chance?" "…maybe the balconies I believe?" "…thanks. "I always wanted bunk beds as a kid."

She would then close the door behind her, as she left, looking for her fifth team member. And as Ruby softly smiled to herself, Weiss found Homura on the balcony, almost as if lamenting something as she softly called out to him, something he would softly overhear as he turned around. "Oh, Weiss. I thought you would've slept by now?" "Well, I wanted to apologize-" "Don't worry about it. It's fine. I should have controlled myself earlier." "No, it's fine. I want to genuinely apologize."

Homura would then softly chuckle, before stating, "Well, if you made up with Ruby, then I have nothing to hate you for, you know." Both of them chuckled even more, before Weiss then asked, "What brings you up here anyways, at this hour?" "Just… lamenting over some things, particularly this." He would take out the Peter Fantasista Wonder Ride Book, letting her hold it as he commented, "Why would this book appear out of nowhere? A story of dreams and hopes… maybe that is what it wants me to have. Or something, I dunno. I feel like a literature teacher thinking about it."

That elicited a chuckle from the heiress, as he then stated, "You should go get some sleep or something. I need to go speak to Sophia about this book. Besides that, how's Ruby?" "Well, she's studying in the room." "Well, as I expected from a fifteen-year-old like her who managed to get in early." They softly smiled, before Homura then inquired, "Hmm, would you like to follow me?" Weiss shrugged, before he would take out the Book Gate Wonder Ride Book, the two travelling into the Wonder World, as Homura then commented, "I know it seems pretty odd that I've brought everyone into this, but I have a reason."

"What is it anyways?" "In the event that something happens… I need friends I can rely on. Like… genuine friends. And since you're my teammates, all eight, I figured I could place my trust there…" Weiss chuckled, as they exited the portal, entering the base of the Sword of Logos where a Daishinji-san was currently working on something, as he would then inquire, "Ah, Daishinji-san. Have you seen Sophia-san by any chance?" There was only a simple shrug saying, 'no', before Weiss scoffed for a moment, something Homura would shrug off.

And almost as if by coincidence, Sophia would appear, emerging from the rows of bookshelves as they would open, before she stated, "Ah, Homura-san. What brings you here at this hour?" "Well…" He would take out the Peter Fantasista Wonder Ride Book, holding it up to her, "After defeating the Megid earlier, it dropped this Wonder Ride Book…" "Isn't that part of the Nagare set?" "Nagare set?" "There are at least three sets of Books; Rekka, Nagare and Ikazuchi."

"That's very odd… why would a Megid be holding one of these books?" She could only shrug with an answer that visually said, "I have no clue." Homura thought for a bit, before Weiss would then chime in, theorizing, "Maybe someone from the Sword of Logos worked with the Megid?" There was a confused look in Sophia's eyes, as she seemed to recall something, before Daishinji then quipped in, stating, "Fifteen years ago. There was a member of our organization who betrayed us… and worked with the Megid."

Homura would try to inquire further, but would get a lack of response from the mechanic, who was working hard at what seemed to resemble… another Seiken Swordriver? Both Homura's and Weiss' eyes widened, as Sophia then commented, "That thing Daishinji is working on… is another Seiken. We… lost quite a good deal of swordsmen over the years, and we only have… two left. I think. So we figured we'd make more Drivers." There was a confused glint in Homura's eyes.

Sophia would then state, "I see potential in one of your party members as a Swordsman." The two huntsmen-in-training would look at her, as Homura incredulously asked, "Who exactly?" "Unfortunately, that I cannot say exactly, for it is up to you to decide who it is." And as Daishinji finished up with what he was working on, he would take the Driver, handing it to Homura, who would look at it, and the yellow sword that seemed to be inserted into it.

[RAIMEIKEN IKAZUCHI!]
雷鳴剣黄雷！

As he heard the blade echo, he would comment to himself, "The Sword of Yellow Thunder, huh…?" Daishinji would then take what appeared to be a yellow Wonder Ride Book similar to the Peter Fantasista Wonder Ride Book, passing it to Homura as both him and Weiss would look at the book, noticing the illustration resembling a yellow lamp with a pair of glowing blue eyes, as Weiss could only confusedly comment, "Aladdin?" Homura would then open the book, activating it.

[LAMP DO ALANGINA!]
ランプドアランジーナ！

Homura's thoughts were quickly obvious, as he would then turn to the next page, as it would then echo its story announcement, as he noticed the engravings, "Lamp do Alangina" on the front cover of the book, and the yellow lamp on the second page of the book.

[Toaru ikoku no chi ni inishie-kara tsutawaru fushigi na chikara o motsu lamp ga atta…]
とある異国の地に古から伝わる不思議な力を持つランプがあった…