So, it's time to update this story again! This one won't deviate too much from the original story, so expect a lot of guidance to our young heroes.
Again, may Monty Oum rest in peace, as RWBY was his creation, and is property of Roosterteeth.
Chapter 10: The Badge and the Burden
Title Song: Sacred Icon Suite - Halo 2 OST
Koa was the first to awake from his slumber, and he opened the window to feel the fresh morning air. He glanced around their room, and smiled, noticing Lilo and Jasmine sleeping softly in the same bed. His actions also seemed to have an effect on the rest of his team, as they too began to stir from their sleep.
Glancing at the clock, Koa noted it to be ten to eight, which was a decent time. "Alright, I believe we should handle the shower order like so. Today, we'll have the order be the reverse of our team name, so Jas, you can go first," He said. "Then, tomorrow, we'll do it the other way round, so it's fair."
Giving a noise that sounded like a yawn, Jas nodded, grabbing her wash kit and heading into the attached bathroom.
"About last night, let's not disclose her true condition to anyone else yet," He said to the other two.
"I can see the logic behind that, I'm going to prepare my stationary for class," Onyx said.
Lilo looked out the window, and breathed in some fresh morning air, "I can tell that today will be an interesting day," She said.
"Really?" Koa asked. "What makes you think that?"
"Well, think about it," She said. "During the initiation, Teams RWBY and JNPR face a Nevermore and Death Stalker respectively, while we fight a Nuckelavee, crazy initiation, don't you think?"
"So you think that things are just going to keep getting more and more hectic as the days pass?" Onyx asked.
"You got it," Lilo nodded.
All four soon were showered and dressed in the Beacon Academy uniform, which was a white shirt and black jacket for the men, and a cardigan for the girls. The men wore black pants while the girls wore red and black tartan patterned skirts. Everyone was allowed to make a few original additions or changes.
Koa kept his belt and magnetic holsters with him, even though he wasn't allowed his weapons. Onyx didn't change his, but did wear the bracers of his combat outfit. Lilo decided to not wear the thigh-high stockings, instead wearing shorter, white socks and her boots. Lastly, Jasmine customised the skirt, adding the vital undertag to allow her tail(s) to filter through.
With twenty minutes to spare, Team KOLD stopped by the cafeteria, helping themselves to some breakfast. Koa had toast lathered with jam and a cup of coffee which he poured into a thermos so he could take around with him. Onyx had some cereal while reading a book. Lilo decided to follow in Koa's idea with the coffee, but she had a bacon sandwich, and gave two extra pieces each to Snowfall and Shadow. Jasmine had some cereal as well, as well as some juice.
After that, it was time for class, with Professor Port.
"Ah, Team KOLD, welcome!" Their teacher said, as they walked into the room. He was an older man, with whitening hair that covered his eyes, and a commanding moustache.
"Morning Professor," Koa spoke up for his team, who all nodded in greeting as well.
Once everyone had arrived and was seated, Professor Port began his class. His lesson included the identifying of many different Grimm types, some of their weak points, and … other things.
"Monsters! Demons! Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I personally prefer to refer to them as prey!" Port said with a laugh, waking up Ruby, who seemed to have fallen asleep at one point.
Great… we get the old man that likes to stroke his own ego… Koa groaned. He noticed Onyx hiding a book in his lap, good call, but be careful. Past Onyx, he saw a very bored Lilo, with two sleeping pups at her feet.
On Koa's other side, Jasmine seemed to be busy with doodles or diagrams. Koa noted they seemed to be her blueprint for Kitsune's Kickback, and she was erasing and editing different sections as time progressed.
"Uh, and you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy. Now, as I was saying, Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world. Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you all to pieces. And that's where we come in. Huntsmen, and Huntresses," The professor said, before clicking his tongue and winking at Lilo and Yang.
"Yeah… no." Lilo said bluntly.
"Uh… heh-heh…" Yang chuckled sarcastically, also grossed out by Port's obvious flirting.
And he's also a dirty old grandpa… Koa groaned.
The class continued, with many tales from Port's youth mixed in with the important stuff. At one point, Koa noted snickering and turned to see Ruby holding up a crude drawing of Port, with a rounder body and the name 'Professor Poop'. Jasmine gave a noise that sounded like her trying to get a laugh out, and Blake, Yang, Nora and Lilo all snickered at her antics.
"Ahem. In the end," Port stopped them with what sounded like the end of his tale. "The beowolf was no match for my tenacity, and I returned to my village with a beast in captivity, and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!" he ended and bowed. "The moral of the story, true huntsmen should be honorable!" Port said, while Weiss seemed to scowl at Ruby, who was balancing a pencil, book and an apple on one finger while a goofy look was on her face. "A true huntsmen must be dependable!" Ruby was trying to get back to sleep, causing Weiss to get angrier. "And a true huntsmen must be strategic, well-educated and wise!" Weiss looked like she was about to pop, shaking with anger as Ruby poked her nose.
"Looks like she's just about had it," Onyx observed quietly from next to him.
"So, who among you believe themselves to carry all these traits?" Koa's hand shot up, and even he was surprised when he beat Weiss' fingertips to the upright position.
"I do sir!" He said.
"Then come down, and face your opponent," Port said, revealing a cage behind his desk, with something furiously attempting to break out.
Koa nodded, and went to change into his combat attire, and returned, boomerangs attached to his holsters.
Time to show little miss spoilt how to be a team player… Koa said, taking a deep breath, nodding to Port.
"Don't worry, if things get out of hand, I will deal with it, but let the match begin," Port nodded, slashing through the lock with his blunderbuss/axe combo.
A Boarbatusk burst free from it's cage, and noticed the armed human in front of it. Boarbatusks, like the name suggested, were a kind of boar Grimm, with lots of sharp, bony spikes on it's back, and two, huge, curved tusks either side of it's snout.
"Any advice?" He asked, as the Grimm began to carry out a spinning ability, tucking in so the tusks and spikes on it's back would drive it along. Koa sidestepped the Grimm, and smashed one of Return to Sender into it from the side, sending it careering into the wall, then he smashed off several spikes.
"Belly and mouth are it's weak spots!" Lilo called out.
"Break those tusks, it'll be helpless after that!" Onyx suggested.
'You can do it Koa!' Jasmine wrote out.
First, he followed Onyx's advice, and when the Boarbatusk came back, it jumped up, trying to flatten it. Koa threw one boomerang behind him, letting it fly, while narrowly missing Port's head. With the other boomerang, he used it to catch the Grimm's tusks before either removed his head.
The second boomerang then came back around, breaking most spikes on the Grimm's back. Koa grabbed it, and then slammed it into the underbelly of the Grimm. He then used his semblance, pushing the Boarbatusk against the cage, before turning the energy into several bars, locking the beast in place.
Engaging the blade on his right boomerang, Koa tossed it once, slicing right through the Grimm, and also cutting Port's pants slightly.
"Game over," He sighed, the boomerang returning to him, and he twirled both, before holstering them on his belt.
"For that amazing display, good job is in order," Port said. The bell then rang. "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and stay vigilant! Class dismissed!"
Weiss gave Ruby an angry glare, before storming out of the room. Ruby ran after her, while Koa and Onyx stared at each other. With a silent nod, they followed, lingering around the corner as they heard part of the conversation.
"Gah, what did I do?" Ruby asked.
"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 doing so!" Weiss criticized her.
"Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all that talk about working together? I thought you believed in acting as a team?" Ruby asked.
"Not a team led by you," Weiss said. "I've studied, and trained, and quite frankly… I deserve better." She backed away as Ruby tried to reach out to her. "Ozpin made a mistake," She hissed, before walking away.
"You're from Atlas right?" Koa asked his teammate.
"Yep, I'll handle Weiss, give Ruby a hug for me," Onyx nodded, before walking after the white haired girl.
Koa was about to speak up, but someone beat him to it. "Well, that didn't seem to go very well now did it?" Professor Ozpin asked, coffee mug in hand.
"I was about to say that myself," Koa observed, walking around the corner.
"Is she right?" Ruby asked with some tears in her eyes. "Did you make a mistake?"
"That remains to be seen," Ozpin replied, smiling at the young girl.
"Ozpin's right Ruby," Koa nodded. He glanced down to where Weiss and Onyx had gone. "If anyone is making a mistake right now… It's Weiss."
"She's just a little misguided," Ozpin pointed out.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked them.
"It's only been one day," Ozpin reminded her. "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."
Ruby thought about it, when Koa put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "We're at Beacon Academy, and what do academies do? They're there to let us learn, and grow as people. If Professor Oz made you leader, he believes that you have the best opportunity to grow as a warrior, and as a person."
"Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you are not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?" Ozpin said, giving her a vital lesson. She then looked up at him, smiling.
"He's right Ruby, I've got to do it too, as does Jaune, and the other freshmen team leaders," Koa nodded.
"You've been burdened with a daunting responsibility Ruby. I advise you to take some time to think about how you will uphold it," Ozpin said. "Good day to you both," with that, he walked away, leaving the two team leaders.
"What do you think?" He asked.
"I see I need to be worth of the trust my teammates put in me, as their leader and teammate. I won't let them down," Ruby said confidently.
"That's all that we ask Ruby," Koa smiled. "Now, let's go get some grub."
Weiss sighed, wondering around the corridors, until she came across a balcony. There, she was surprised to see Professor Port watching the sun setting.
"Professor Port," She acknowledged him, coming out to stand next to him.
"Ah, Miss Schnee. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Port asked.
"I… I enjoyed your lecture," She commented.
"Of course you did," Port smiled. "And although I didn't witness your combat strength today, I'm sure you have the blood of a true huntress in you."
"You really think so?" She asked hopefully.
"Most surely," Port nodded. Weiss then looked down.
"Something is troubling you?" He asked.
"Yes sir," Weiss replied hesitantly.
"Dear girl, confess to me your strife!" Port offered.
"Well… I-I think I should have been the leader of Team RWBY," She blurted out.
"… That's preposterous," Port stated.
"Excuse me?" Weiss asked, shocked at Port's claim.
"I've believed in Professor Ozpin for many years, and the man's not once led me astray," Port told her.
"So you would blindly accept his decision, despite the fact you can tell how exceptional I am?" Weiss asked.
"I'm sure he would," Both turned, seeing Onyx Stone approach. "And I believe I would as well."
"Ah, Mr Stone, good evening," Port greeted the newcomer.
"With due respect, your apparent skill on the battlefield is only matched by your poor attitude," Port admitted.
"How dare you?!" Weiss spluttered.
"The man is right, I know you Weiss, as I was once just like you," Onyx admitted. "I see a girl who has spent most of her life getting exactly what she wanted."
"That's not even remotely true!" Weiss said, crossing her arms while both of her audience raised an eyebrow. "Well… not entirely true."
"Maybe not, but he's right about your attitude," Port said.
"In class today, what did you notice about Koa, when he stepped up to fight?" Onyx asked.
"I notice that he relies a lot on luck. Those boomerangs don't always take the shortest path to their target," Weiss admitted.
"Well, there is that, but hey, his weapon works for his fighting style," Onyx shrugged. "It's that he asked for suggestions while he fought, and used the advice me and Lilo gave him to win. All while accepting the encouragement that Jasmine gave him."
"I did notice that," Weiss said.
"The outcome didn't work in your favour. Do you really believe that acting in such a manner would cause those in power to reconsider their decision?" Port asked.
"So far, from what I've seen from your leader, is that she's young and has a lot to learn. If that's the case, don't shout at her, saying she's a mistake, and storm off in a huff," Onyx said. "Instead, use the position you have now, to help your leader, encourage her to work to improve. Because be honest, who do you think people will follow into battle? The one who cares for her teammates and allies? Or the one who treats all those around her like trash and worthless space?"
"Exactly," Port nodded. "So instead of fretting over what you don't have, savour what you do. Hone your skills, perfect every technique, and be not the best leader, but the best person you can be." That made her think a bit.
"I think I have things under control now Professor," Onyx said.
"Very well, good day, Miss Schnee, Mr Stone," Port bowed slightly, before walking away.
"You can loosen up a little bit, you're far too tightly wound up," Onyx said, looking at the setting sun. "Look, I know it's not Atlas, or the Schnee Manor, where everything runs like clockwork, but it's home to us for the next four years."
"Thank you Onyx, you've given me much to think about," Weiss said.
"I'll leave you to your thoughts, don't stay up too long," Onyx said, before walking away.
That night, all of Team KOLD were already in their nightwear. Jasmine and Lilo were going over some homework, Onyx was reading in bed, and Koa was painting some models. "You know guys, I promise that I won't let you down, all I ask is that if I do need a hand, we work together," Koa said, glancing back at his team.
Both Jas and Lilo gave a thumbs up, while Onyx looked up and smiled. "Did you get some valuable lessons when helping Ruby earlier?" He asked.
"I did, and do you think you got through to Weiss?" Koa asked.
In response, Onyx looked at Lilo, who glanced out the window, which was open a bit.
"Weiss just asked Ruby how much sugar she wants in her coffee, I think they'll be just fine," Lilo smiled, high-fiving Jasmine.
"Yeah, Lilo, you're definitely our scout of the team, you're quick and silent when you need to, and your hearing is extremely useful," Koa smiled.
"If we're making roles, then Jazzy is the Weapons expert," Lilo said, rubbing her fellow Faunus on her head.
"I guess I'm the bookworm of the team, if there's something to look for in a book, I'll scan every library in Vale to find it if I needed to," Onyx chuckled.
"Then from this day forward, let's all agree, that we don't hide things that trouble us, that we share our problems as a team," Koa said, holding out his hand.
"I can agree to that," Lilo nodded, and put hers on top of his. Jasmine smiled, and put hers over Lilo's.
"Oh hell, if you three are doing it, then I'll go along with it as well," Onyx laughed, and his hand finished their little pact.
"Now, get some shuteye. One thing for sure, this school is definitely not normal," Koa suggested to his team.
Koa: So, lessons learnt and advice given, and things are only just getting started around here.
Lilo: I just wonder what could be next on the agenda.
Onyx: If it's anything like what happened in this chapter, then it's only getting started.
Koa: Right, let's see, what's next... Ah!
All: Next time: Grow a Spine!