Team JNPR's dorm room had been quiet for the past week except for yesterday when a huge roar shook the entire school putting Jaune on edge. That's probably why Ironwood and the Atlas military were outside Beacon's door to make sure Banner hadn't turned...
Yang was supposed to be getting out of the hospital today. Her team and JNPR were going to meet to celebrate her recovery. Though, would JNPR go as a 'team?' Ever since Jaune had ordered that no one was to speak or even see Banner, his teammates felt divided. Pyrrha was for hearing Banner's side of the story and trusting him once more. Jaune on the other hand, wanted Bruce away from everyone of his friends...or dead.
Ren and Nora had their reasons for choosing a side. Ren believed in second chances and redemption. If people could give Banner space and time, he could possibly control the Hulk and rid Remnant of the evil so no child would have to suffer what Ren did back in his childhood home of Kuroyuri. Nora on the other hand, knew what loss monsters could cause. That's how she came to meet Ren, the monsters of Grimm destroying her village and forcing her to run to the village of Kurouri before...the incident.
"I can't take this," Ren said breaking the silence of the room. The rest of his team looked at him in confusion. "We are supposed to be a team. That means acting like one. So," Ren said grabbing Nora by the hand.
"Easy, Ren," Nora giggled. She blushed as Ren held her hand.
"Where are you going?" Jaune asked. "You and Nora need to stay in here and-"
"NORA AND I AREN'T THE PROBLEM, JAUNE," Ren yelled. "Jaune..." he sighed calming down a bit, "...you're supposed to be the leader, so act like one. You claim that Banner is the monster, but have you looked at yourself and the people who want him dead? All he wants is to be left alone, but no...Everyone is so focused on the Hulk that no one considers what part Banner has played. And in the end, the man not wanting to cause destruction is punished. And then resents everyone even more. He's probably lost dozens of people he has cared for by his own fury. Do you know what it's like to be the reason someone you cared for has died?" The door closed leaving Pyrrha and Jaune alone.
"Did you put Ren up to this?" Jaune accused.
Pyrrha yelled in shocked, "JAUNE! What is the matter with you?"
"What's the matter with me?" Jaune asked sarcastically. "Nothing, Pyrrha! What's wrong is that Banner could turn at any moment and my team could be put in danger and none of you understand that! I'm tying to do the best for my team."
"Jaune..." Pyrrha said in disbelief, "...do you honestly think you're protecting us? Ren and Nora were just fine. They were going as a couple to the dance! They don't need us to separate them! Do you know what they've been through together? They need each other..."
Why was Jaune acting this way? Why did he hate Banner so much and have to take it out on his team?
"Yeah? Ren and Nora won't be fine when Banner turns and kills them!" Jaune tried to argue. "Why are you being so difficult? Are you really so naive as to think that everybody deserves a second chance? Open your eyes, Pyrrha! The world is full of people who should never receive your kindness! How can you not see that? Banner is too dangerous to be kept around, he could snap at any point! Are you really that stupid?" Jaune asked letting his temper get the best of him.
Pyrrha looked deep into Jaune's eyes, completely in awe and shock. No one had ever spoken to her like that...ever. She was the great Pyrrha Nikos! All her life, everyone had placed her on a pedestal. Every one of her peers agreed with her, no matter, what and didn't even argue. How could they? She was the best fighter in all of Vale. She was Pyrrha Nikos! But yet, Jaune talked to her like an equal and didn't back down.
"Oh Jaune...," Pyrrha said as a tear fell down her cheek.
"Pyrrha," Jaune sighed, "I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry," he said feeling guilty. "I didn't mean..." Pyrrha interrupted him by giving him a huge hug. "Ummm, Pyrrha?" Jaune asked turning a bright red.
Pyrrha pulled away and placed her hand on Jaune's cheek. "Jaune, you're really sweet. It's great you think you're protecting us. But, this isn't the way to do so," she smiled. "We can make our own decisions and it's up to you to help us on our path. You're a great leader, Jaune. Don't disappoint your team."
So, the mighty Pyrrha Nikos was human. This is what love felt like.
"So, you're not upset?" Jaune asked cheering up. He was smacked across the face lightly.
"Also, it's not polite to call a woman stupid," Pyrrha said sternly. Inside, she felt bad for smacking Jaune like that.
"Thank you, Pyrrha," Jaune nodded as he rubbed the red side of his face. "I'm so sorry. But," he said catching Pyrrha off guard, "I'm not a good leader. I can't believe I tore my own team in half. Days of fighting and arguing, getting nothing accomplishing, tearing Nora and Ren apart and distracting us from training for the Vytal Festival. And worst of all, doing this right before the school dance."
"Jaune," Pyrrha said holding his hand.
"Yes, Pyrrha?" Jaune asked staring into her perfect green eyes.
"Don't let anything get you down. You have a whole team to look after, Jaune. If you fail, we all fail. You have to be strong for us. That means always believing you'll always win."
"Thank you, Pyrrha," Jaune smiled holding her hand, totally oblivious to her feelings. "You're right! If I'm gonna have the best team, I have to be the best leader i can be!" He quickly turned and headed toward the door.
"Jaune...," Pyrrha said getting his attention.
"Yeah?" Jaune asked looking back to face her.
"D-do you have a date for the dance?" Pyrrha said crossing her fingers in excitement.
"Oh, no!" Jaune said in shock. "I forgot all about asking Weiss! Why? What did you want to tell me?"
"I think," Pyrrha began, "I...I really like..."
"YEAH! You two finally made up," Nora yelled in glee busting through the dorm door. Pyrrha had one chance...and she messed it up. How could she miss her chance? Jaune was right there and she was about to tell him how she felt about him.
"NORA," Ren yelled as he walked in behind her. "You didn't let Pyrrha finish!"
"Oh," Nora gasped. "I'm so sorry! Pyrrha, what were you gonna say?"
"Yeah," Jaune chimed in, "Pyrrha, did you want to tell me something?"
"OH," Pyrrha said blushing a little. "I...I...I LIKE YOUR SHOES," she blurted out.
"Thank you," Jaune exclaimed. "I was wondering when someone was going to notice! See?" Jaune asked lifting up up foot. On the bottom it read 'Left.'
"That's great," Pyrrha said with a fake smile. She looked over Jaune's shoulder to find Nora and Ren frowning at her.
"Why didn't she tell him? She had the perfect chance. We've been over this. Tell him how you feel about him," Pyrrha could hear Ren and Nora think.
"Would you look at the time," Nora said staring at the clock. "Yang should be coming back!"
"Then we should be on our way," Jaune smiled. "Everyone, to team RWBY's room," he commanded. Jaune was the first to head out, leaving Ren and Nora alone with Pyrrha.
"Maybe next time," Ren said patting Pyrrha on the shoulder to commiserate with her on her failed attempt.
"You know," Nora said putting her finger on her chin, "for a leader, Jaune is really oblivious."
"Let's just go," Pyrrha sighed. "We'd better not keep Jaune and the others waiting," she said with the best smile she could muster.
"You okay, Pyrrha?" Nora asked.
"Yes. I'm perfectly fine," Pyrrha assured them. She pondered about going to the dance alone. The dorm room closed as the rest of team JNPR went to catch up with their leader.
Goosebumps tickled up Yang's arm as she touched Ember Celica for the first time in days. "Good girls," Yang smiled at her golden gauntlets. Today was the day she could get out of the infirmary. She had only been there a few days, but it felt like forever.
Yang needed to be training for the Vytal Festival, being a good older sister to Ruby, planning the dance and...checking in on Blake. While she was down, everyone came to visit Yang. Banner, team JNPR, her sister, even Ironwood! But no Blake.
"You ready, sis?" Ruby poked her adorable head in the door. "Everyone is waiting for you." Even though she visited Yang many times while she was recovering, Ruby felt she was seeing her sister for the first time. Yang had not smiled for quite awhile.
"Yeah," Yang smiled. "Give me a second."
"Okay, sis," Ruby nodded. In a split second, she turned into rose petals and floated out of the room.
"Okay...," Yang said looking down at her gauntlets. She couldn't wait to to try them on again. But, why did her hands stop when they were about to slip them on? Was Yang Xiao Long actually scared? If she put her weapons on, she would have to keep on fighting until her last breath. "Is that what I want?" Yang asked herself. "What am I saying? OF COURSE!"
"Yang," Ruby said with excitement as her sister came out of the hospital room wearing her golden gauntlets. Her arms went around her sister's waist to give her a huge hug.
"You just saw me, goofball," Yang smiled and began scrubbing her fist on Ruby's skull.
"YAAAAANG," Ruby squirmed in pain letting go of her sister. "So," Ruby said rubbing her head, "how do they feel?"
"Missed," Yang smiled as she examined her wrists. "They feel great," she said throwing light jabs in the air and ending with an uppercut.
"You look great," Ruby said watching Yang shadow box.
A click was heard as Yang tried to shoot, "What the..."
"Oh, the nurses wanted me to take the shells out," Ruby quickly remembered. She reached into her pockets and pulled out shotgun ammunition.
Yang quickly reloaded her weapons and placed remaining ammo in pouches around her belt, "Now, that's better!"
"Come on," Ruby said waving for Yang to follow her, "Everyone is waiting."
"Hold on a second," Yang said.
Ruby turned her head, "Whats wrong, Yang?"
"There's something I want to do first," Yang admitted. She walked up to Ruby and took the lead. "Where's Sun's room?"
"Here," Ruby said pointing to an upcoming door. Yang nodded and entered.
Inside, Sun lay in the bed reading. "Y-yang? Ruby?" he asked looking up from his book when he noticed them.
"Hey, Monkey Boy," Yang smiled.
Ruby waved, "Hey, Sun! How are you doing?"
"I'm doing fine, Petals," Sun smiled as he sat up. "Ouch!" he grunted.
Yang rushed to his side, "Take it easy there, Monkey Boy. The last thing we need is for you to push yourself."
"I know, I know," Sun sighed, agreeing. "It's just, I hate being unable to do anything while I'm down! I need to be training for The Vytal Festival and hanging out with you guys!"
"Trust me, I know," Yang assured him by patting him on the back. "You'll get better, I promise. I mean, you're lucky to be alive! You just woke up from a coma yesterday and are recovering."
"Speaking of which," Ruby chimed in, "who all came to visit you?"
"Everyone came," Sun said shrugging.
"Everyone?" Yang asked tilting her head in confusion.
"Yeah," Sun nodded. "Neptune, all of JNPR, Ironwood. Blake-"
Yang interrupted quickly, "BLAKE?"
"Yeah? She came to see me yesterday. She told she would visit you before you got out. Did she not?" Sun asked just as confused as Yang.
"No...she didn't," Yang said hurt. She clinched her fist and thought about what she might have done to upset Blake.
"She...she probably got busy!" Ruby said trying to make a good excuse in hopes of cheering her sister up.
"Banner dropped by," Sun also noted.
"He did?" Yang asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Ruby nodded, "he wanted to check in on you both."
"What did he say?" Yang asked.
"That he was sorry that he did this to us, Yang," Sun said holding her hand. "I honestly believe him. And you should too. He's done a lot for us and is trying to make it up. He, Neptune and Blake talked for while after I passed out following waking up from my coma. But Yang, it wasn't Banner's fault."
"I know," Yang sighed. "I just hope you're able to get out of here soon, Sun. The dance is coming up and then the festival."
"I can't wait," Sun smiled. "Anyway, better not keep you guys too much longer. Everyone is waiting to see you again, Yang. I wish I wasn't such a party pooper."
"You're fine," Yang said hugging him. "Don't worry about it. Everyone will understand why we're running late. They'd all do the same."
"Yeah," Ruby agreed. She held out her fist for Sun's tail to smack like a fist bump.
"Pow," Sun smiled as his tail fist-bumped Ruby.
"Bye, Sun," Ruby waved as she and her sister left to go to their dorm for the celebration.
"I'll catch you guys later," Sun said to himself as the door closed. He laid his head on his pillow and closed his eyes. He thought about the very first time he met Banner. How if he never helped that small, scrawny man in the alleyway that he'd would have never have been put in this situation. It didn't matter. He'd gladly go through this pain to have such great friends like team RWBY and to meet...Blake.
"He's doing well," Yang said as she and Ruby headed to their dorm.
"You sound surprised. Of course he's doing well! He wouldn't just die on us like that," Ruby said with a smile.
"Yeah, what was I thinking?" Yang smiled back at her sister oblivious to yesterday's events. "Hey, did you hear that roar yesterday?"
Ruby nodded, "Yeaaaah. I did..."
"You don't think..." Yang began to suggest.
"Cardin playing a prank?"
The two sisters looked each other in the eyes, then smiled brightly, "YEAAAAH!"
They arrived at their dorm door. Yang just stood there and looked at it.
"Yang?" a worried Ruby asked, "What's wrong?"
Yang looked down at her gauntlets, "I-I don't know. I just feel like I can't do it."
Ruby took her sister's hand, "Come on you big wuss. Everyone wants to see you!" She opened the door and pulled Yang inside. Everyone was in team RWBY's dorm. Weiss, Jaune, Nora, Pyrrha, Ren, all of team CVFY, Banner and...no Blake.
"There she is," Banner exclaimed as Yang entered. Everyone looked up to find Yang.
Jaune quickly asked Weiss as all attention was focused on Yang, "So...Weiss?"
"Yes, Jaune?"
"Y-you have a date to the dance?" Jaune quickly asked. Behind him, Pyrrha watched heartbroken.
"You know, Jaune," Weiss sighed, "Now's not the time. I need to see my teammate who just got out of the infirmary," she said coldly.
"Oh, okay," Jaune agreed.
"YANG," Weiss yelled. She quickly came up and hugged her teammate.
"Hey, Weiss," Yang smiled as she hugged back. Even though everyone had visited Yang while she was down, she was pleased to see them again.
"Y-Yang," Velvet blushed.
"Yes, Velvet?" Yang asked the shy Faunus.
"It's so good to see you happy again," Velvet smiled. Her fuzzy ears stood at attention.
"Yeah, what the fur-ball said," Coco added. She put her arm around Velvet's shoulder making the Faunus blush even more.
"Thanks, guys," Yang said addressing team CFVY, "It's great you guys could come!"
Banner watched as Yang was able to act her age and have a good time with her friends. Everyone seemed happy, even Weiss for a change! Weiss had been convinced to stop training for Vytal Festival for a bit and not worry so much for her sister's arrival. Weiss had told Banner that her older sister was part of Atlas's army. "I wonder if she's anything like Ironwood?" Banner asked himself.
"Hey...," Banner heard Jaune say behind him.
"Yeah?" Banner asked as he turned to face Jaune. "Oh, hi, Jaune," Banner said in surprise. "I thought you had a ban on me," Banner lightly joked.
"Yeah," Jaune said scratching the back of his head. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for making you out to be worse than you actually are."
"It's fine, Jaune," Banner sighed. He just had this same conversation with Neptune yesterday.
"Banner, I wanted to say sorry and I'd gladly take your side in the heat of battle," Jaune said holding out his hand. Banner shook it, impressed by Jaune's new attitude.
"BLAKE," Ruby yelled. Everyone looked at the door.
Blake looked down as she felt dozens of eyes staring. "Hey, guys...I'm sorry I'm late."
"Blake?" Yang asked. Should she be disappointed or happy that Blake even showed up?
"Hi...Yang," Blake sighed in shame for her absences. She looked up and addressed the rest of her team, "Weiss, Ruby."
"Where have you been?" Weiss scoffed. "You should have been here when we needed you! Instead, you ran off. I guess it's what you're good at."
"Weiss," Ruby yelled at her, "Now is not the time to act like...well yourself."
"Keep talking like that...," Blake said taking a deep breath, "I'LL MAKE YOUR SCAR LOOK LIKE NOTHING!" Blake reached for her Gambol Shroud and aimed it at Weiss's other eye. Suddenly, Blake felt someone grabbing onto her arm, tightly.
"Blake, think about what your doing," Banner said in her face. The muscles in his arm expanded his sleeve of his shirt as he gripped Blake's arm.
Blake looked down as her weapon dropped to the floor, "I-I'm sorry!" What had gotten into her?
"What's gotten into you?" Banner asked as he looked at Blake and Weiss. "You're supposed to be a team. That means not running away and having their back," he said looking right at Blake, "And not being a total bitch," he said turning his gaze at Weiss.
Everyone was shocked at Banner's choice of words. They could feel the anger in his voice and see it in his green veins.
"You two have been over this already! I don't want to have to do this again, OR ELSE," Banner said as he left the room.
"Did, did that just happen?" Jaune asked in shock.
"Well..." Coco said as she gulped, "It's been fun. But it's getting late, so my team and I had better head out." Even though Beacon's best teams were in the same room as Banner, nobody wanted conflict with the Hulk.
"But, we barely got here," Coco's teammate, Fox argued.
"I said," Coco growled grabbing onto Fox's ear, "It's time to go!"
"B-bye Ruby," Velvet blushed as she and her team left. "Thank you so much for the party!"
"I think we should be on our way as well," Pyrrha spoke for her team.
"Yang," Jaune said patting her on the shoulder, "It's great that you've recovered. Weiss, Blake, I hope you're able to work out your problems."
"Thank you for the hospitality, team leader Ruby," Ren said bowing at her.
"If you two fight," Nora said pointing at Weiss and Blake, "Get it on video!"
"NORA," Ren said grabbing her wrist. All of team JNPR left.
"I'd better go," Neptune said. He hurried out.
"Well, it could have gone worse if i'm completely honest," Ruby admitted.
"Dunce," Weiss sighed under her breath.
"SEE?" Blake yelled at the snow queen, "That's the same attitude that got us into this mess!"
"No," Weiss argued, "The reason we're in this predicament, IS BECAUSE YOU'RE A COWARD!"
"Say that to my face, Schnee," Blake snorted. She stepped forward to combat Weiss.
"ENOUGH," Yang screamed as she exploded into flames. Ruby, Weiss and Blake slammed onto the floor from the sudden heat wave.
"Now you two have done it," Ruby said shaking her head at Weiss and Blake.
"WHY CAN'T YOU TWO JUST MAKE UP AND STOP FIGHTING? EVERY WEEK IT'S LIKE THIS WITH YOU TWO! IT'S GETTING OLD REALLY QUICKLY! SOMEONE PISSES THE OTHER ONE OFF AND STUFF HITS THE FAN! IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT BLAKE IS A FAUNUS OR THAT WEISS' FAMILY ARE SCHNEE! RIGHT NOW, YOU TWO ARE TEAMMATES! ACT LIKE IT," Yang screamed. The flames died as she panted furiously. She hadn't ever gotten that angry. Not even fighting the Hulk. Team RWBY were supposed to be a Beacon's finest, a family for one another. But Weiss and Blake kept adding fuel to a fire that was supposed to have died out.
"You're right," Weiss said standing. "We are a team. All of us. I have to stop acting like it's all about me. I'm sorry, everyone." She turned and looked down at Blake, "Blake, i'm so sorry that I'm as cold as ice sometimes. But I really want this to work out." She held out her hand for Blake to take. Weiss had to have the best team in all of Beacon so she could impress her older sister when she arrived.
Blake looked dead in Weiss's eyes. Why should she apologize to a Schnee? They hated Faunus and would stab them in the back any day of the week. But Weiss...she was different. She actually cared for Blake, her teammate. "I'm sorry that I'm a horrible member of the team," Blake said taking Weiss's hand.
"You're not the worst," Ruby said trying to lighten the mood. "There's probably people who are worse than you. Most likely, hopefully, I hope so," Ruby said not helping her case. "I'll shut my mouth." All of her team nodded in agreement.
"Yang," Blake said tearing up, "I'm so sorry! I should have come to see you! I was just so selfish and didn't want you to get hurt again! I-"
Yang stopped Blake's words by giving her a hug. "Blake, I forgive you," Yang said into her ear.
Blake cried dozens of tears onto Yang's shoulder as she hugged back. After what felt like hours, Yang let go.
"So, Blake," Weiss spoke up, "What has been troubling you?"
"Is it Roman?" Ruby asked.
Blake nodded, "Of course it is. After that night at the docks, I haven't been sleeping well knowing the horrible path the White Fang have taken. Worse of all, we had Roman in our grasp! And he escaped!"
A huge smile splashed over Ruby's face as she got an idea, "You all thinking what I'm thinking?"
"What?" Blake asked.
"Who's in for saving all of Vale and stopping an evil organization?" Ruby squealed with joy. It had been a while since team RWBY had done anything togeather. This was the perfect time!
"What would we...wait," Blake said thinking. "This could actually work," she said turning her frown upside down.
"How?" Weiss asked.
"Well, during my time in the White Fang, they would always have meetings somewhere in the kingdoms," Blake admitted. "Some time this week would be the perfect time to have one. And more than likely, Roman Torchwick would be there!"
"I could go for some exercise," Yang agreed as she popped her knuckles.
"It's settled," Ruby beamed with happiness.
"Not so fast," they heard someone cough. All of them turned to their door...
"SUN?" Blake asked in shock. "You should be in bed!"
"W-what are you doing up?" Ruby asked scratching her head in confusion.
"I had help of course," Sun smiled as a hand grabbed his shoulder.
"Of course he did," Neptune smiled as he appeared next to Sun's side.
"Neptune," Weiss blushed waving at him.
"Princess," Neptune winked at Weiss.
"It's settled then," Ruby jumped up in excitement. "ALL IN FAVOR OF BECOMING THE YOUNGEST HUNTRESSES TO BRING DOWN A CORRUPT ORGANIZATION CONSPIRING TO BRING DOWN THE KINGDOM OF VALE, say 'Aye!'"
"YES," Neptune and Sun said in unison.
"I love when you're feisty," Yang smiled at her little sister.
"Could be fun," Weiss smiled.
"None of you said 'Aye,'" Ruby sighed.
"All right then," Blake said looking around her friends, "We're in this together."
"Okay, everyone. We meet back here tomorrow after classes and hatch a plan," Ruby decided. Everyone nodded in agreement. "Oh, wait...I left my board game in the library!"
"We're doomed," Weiss said as her helpless leader ran out of the room.
"I'll be right...," Ruby yelled down the hall right before she ran into someone. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Ruby asked looking up to see who she had bumped into.
"I'm fine," a beautiful pair of red eyes said looking down on Ruby. "Just watch where you're going next time."
"Oh, sorry," Ruby said standing to her feet. "I'm Ruby. Are you new?"
"Visiting from Haven actually," a voice said behind Emerald. She moved to reveal a black haired girl, their leader.
"Oooooh, you're here for the Festival," Ruby said oblivious to Cinder and her group. "But exchange students have their own dormitory!"
"I guess we just got turned around," Mercury smirked.
"Later, Little Red," Cinder smiled at Ruby as she and her two helpers walked off. "Maybe we'll see you around," she said with an evil smile.