Weiss Reacts to Substitute Teachers, Part 3!

A/N: Welcome, one and all, to Weiss Reacts! Firstly, an explanation for my lateness. I've had tons of college work and outings, and between all of that and my radically changed schedule, I've actually been a little burned out lately. However, a break and a lot of stuff have changed that, and I'm back.

So, a lot of people have been begging me to cover the Death Battle between Yang and Tifa. My personal stance will be quite controversial, so please, if I do express my irritation about this, please know that I hold no animosity towards anyone who disagrees with me, but as a person, I do have my own opinion about this, and the Reactsverse has never been a place for unbiased and straight analysis. Regardless, I will be featuring the Death Battle.

And as for the people begging for Tifa to show up in the Reactsverse? It's not an impossibility at all. Although don't expect a battle between her and Yang to end the same way as it did in the Death Battle. With all of that out of the way, let's end this long author's note and get on with the chapter already!

DISCLAIMER: RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth, otherwise the theme for Volume 3 would be quite peppy and happy. (You know, like Madoka Magica.)

All mentioned franchises and characters belong to their respective owners.

"Sorry?" Demeter blinked, staring at Ruby.
"I….um….kinda live here." Ruby repeated, chuckling nervously. "I mean, you did end up making Ozpin let you pay for my stay here…."

Demeter nodded slowly. "…right, right, I did."
"…..that doesn't answer my question, Grandma." The reaper replied. "What are you doing…..here? If you're looking to talk to Ozpin, his room's on the other side of the school, and I'm not sure who else you might be looking for-"
"I was told they were over here." The veteran Huntress replied, before sighing and rubbing her eyes. "Perhaps my old eyes and ears are finally failing me. I'm sorry-"
"What's all this commotion?" Professor Albus called, strolling over to Ruby and Demeter. He was taken aback, staring at the older Huntress.

"…..you're not Demeter Rose, are you? The Vanguard of Mountain Glenn? The Defender of Vale?" The professor replied, looking stunned. Demeter chuckled slowly.

"Indeed so. Although I'd prefer to be known by 'Grandmother', nowadays." The veteran replied good-naturedly, gesturing over to her granddaughter. "The days of myself rushing through the tunnels of Mountain Glenn are long over, I'm afraid.

Who are you, might I ask?"
"Professor Quirinus Albus. I'm, er, filling in for Professor Faust." Professor Albus explained, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm currently filling in for her Dust Theory lessons."
"Oh?" Demeter frowned. "That's a shame. I was hoping to speak to Gretchen. I had something I need her learned opinion upon, and an object I wished to procure from her…"
"Didn't someone tell you she'd taken leave?" Ruby responded, her frown deepening.

"Not at all." Demeter responded somewhat hastily. "I'm not glad to hear about that….."

…..

RWBY Dorm….

"The plot thickens!" Nora declared, her eyes narrowing to examine the screen closer. "What does Demeter want with Professor Faust?"
"…..you know, I never knew your grandmother was so famous." Jaune admitted, turning to Yang. Suddenly, Blake stared at him, shocked by his words.

"What, you've never heard of the legends? How she held off against five Goliaths at the Valian Pass? The Expedition of Mountain Glenn? The Siege of Vale?" Blake responded, counting each incident on her fingers. The knight slowly shook his head.

"…..no? I feel a little stupid."

"Yeah." Yang nodded slowly in agreement. "Our grandma is kind of a badass, just so you know. Weiss didn't even believe she was our grandma until she met her a couple of weeks ago."

"As I said, you are far too undignified to be the granddaughter of such a woman." The heiress retorted, scoffing. "She would have set a far better example for you, anyway."
"Well, she kinda, y'know, inspired me to become a Huntress. Kind of hard not to live up to the Xiao Long and Rose names." The brawler replied, chuckling. "And it's just really fun beating the crap out of Grimm.

And before I forget…." Yang grabbed the microphone, whispering into it. "Rubes, do you mind looking up so the rest of us can see what's going on down there?"

Ren, meanwhile, rubbed his chin, thinking carefully.

"…..it's far too convenient. Why would Demeter show up right when Professor Faust isn't in the Academy….it makes sense if she's in the Antic Order….but I doubt she is…" The gunslinger muttered under his breath, causing Nora to turn towards him.

"Huh? Renny? Did you say something?"
"I'm just…..trying to puzzle something out…." Ren muttered. "A lot of things about this don't ring right with me…."

Near Faust's Office….

Ruby flinched as Yang's voice crackled through the headset, causing Demeter to look over at her.

"Ruby?"

"Huh?" The reaper looked up. "Yes?"
"…..what was that crackling noise just now?" The veteran inquired. "Was that some sort of communicator?"
"Communicator? Why would I be wearing one?" Ruby replied, chuckling. "I can just walk back to my dorm, after all. It's not that far."

"You say you….needed something from Professor Faust's office?" Professor Albus responded, blinking. "I'm sorry, Miss Rose, but, I've been told to keep people out of her office for safety reasons…."
"Is that the case?" Demeter questioned, frowning. "…well, then, Professor Albus. I….do have a message for you, involving cherubic scandals."

At that, Professor Albus froze, before his expression changed to one of understanding. He nodded.

"…..alright, Miss Rose. Do you mind coming with me? Ruby, if you would please stay here, I have to speak to your grandmother."

Ruby looked confused, but nodded in response. "….alright…."

'Cherubic scandals? I could've sworn that…..'

….

RWBY Dorm….

"Cherubic scandals?" Ren looked up, blinking. He'd clearly never heard the phrase before, judging from his confused expression.

Weiss, however, did know what the phrase was, judging from her dumbstruck expression as she turned to Ren.

"It's…..it's a phrase my dad uses." The heiress explained. "He always uses it to get people to leave the room when he needs to talk about Siegmund privately."
"…..Then why does Professor Albus know about it?" Yang interjected. "What's going on here?! I'm getting confused!"

The brawler started rubbing her temples, trying to make sense of the insanity happening before their eyes on the screen. Blake commandeered the microphone, whispering to Ruby.

"Ruby, listen around the corner, pay attention to what they say, and make sure you get a good look at them, alright?" The catgirl ordered.

"Yeah, but…." Ruby whispered into her own microphone in response. "….are you sure I should be listening in on this?"
Blake sighed. "Ruby, that phrase-"

"Yeah, I know what that phrase means. But…..do you think I should listen to this conversation?"
"If you know the phrase, you know it's only used in one context." Weiss responded. "Ruby, please."
"…..fiiiine. But I'm not sure I should be listening to this conversation…." The reaper responded uncertainly.

…

Ruby nodded slowly to Professor Albus. "Understood, sir."

The professor exhaled briefly, running a gloved hand through his messy white hair, before nodding to Demeter. "Come with me, Miss Rose."

He gestured around the corner, away from Professor Faust's office. Demeter pursed her lips, appearing somewhat disappointed, but sighed, nodding.

"As you wish, Professor. Lead the way." The veteran moved aside to let the younger Hunter lead her. Professor Albus walked down the corridor, out of sight, followed by the veteran Huntress.

As soon as she was sure the pair were out of earshot, Ruby exhaled deeply, before speaking into her microphone.

"Are you entirely sure we need to do this? I might get caught!" The reaper harshly whispered, concerned for herself.

"Rubes, this is pretty big." Yang answered hastily. "I mean, I never knew Grandma knew about that phrase! Come on, Rubes, for us? Pleeaaaase?"

"…..fine, Yang, but I'm not sure I'm happy with this….." Ruby frowned, before mustering her courage and strolling towards the end of the corridor, resting herself against the wall to eavesdrop, peering around the corner with one eye and moving her cloak to place the camera within sight of the conversation.

What she could see was Professor Albus, looking somewhat troubled, and Demeter looking at him, frowning.

"So. The legendary Demeter Rose is…..also a member of the Antic Order." The instructor mused, blinking. "That's…..something."
"Indeed so." Demeter adjusted her collar, brushing a stray strand of black hair from her eyes. "What are you doing here, might I ask?"
"The higher-ups sent me. Miss Reflet, specifically." Professor Albus explained.

"And your orders?"
"Fill in for Professor Faust's lessons and…..ensure the office is kept safe." The instructor responded calmly. "I was told to make sure the basement door remained locked and to not let everyone in.

Those orders came from Miss Reflet and Miss Fall."
"…..You're a recruit, correct?" The veteran Huntress inquired, thinking carefully. Albus nodded affirmatively.

"Indeed."
"I order you to permit me to investigate Professor Faust's room." Demeter ordered, her voice taking on an authoritative tone. Professor Albus, however, stared back at her, frowning.

"Miss Rose, I acknowledge your authority, but…..the circumstances of my assignment have made it so I can only take orders from Miss Reflet or the Wizard Marshall himself. Not even Miss Suzumiya or Okazaki can demand entry."

Demeter shook her head. "I override those orders, upon my authority. Now, please, Professor, permit me to investigate the basement. There are objects of interest that I, as a Huntress and not just as a member of the Order, must take a look at."
"Miss Rose, please." Albus responded. "I cannot do that, you know how the Order's few regulations go."

"….then as a Huntress-General, appointed by the Council of Vale, I must exercise my authority and the power of imperium." The veteran started, drawing herself to her full height.

Suddenly, she seemed far more intimidating, in spite of her age, and seemed even taller than the youthful Albus. Ruby swore for a second she saw the man flinch.

"Exercising my power as Huntress-General, I order you to permit me into the office. Surely, then, if you cannot allow me into the office as a member of the Order, then you must allow me as your superior Huntress."

Professor Albus blinked, looking confused. Ruby spied him muttering under his breath- she could hardly make it out, but it seemed to be an expression of confusion.

"…I see." The instructor sighed. "I…did not realise your rank was that high, Miss Rose. Forgive me, I will allow you right-"
"That will not be necessary. I belay that order, in my capacity as Huntress-General."

Demeter turned around, as did Professor Albus, to see Professor Faust, a thick red scarf tied around her neck and a leather briefcase in hand, adjusting her glasses and staring intently at Demeter. The veteran Huntress returned the stare, stepping back slightly.

"…..Gretchen. Good day." Demeter calmly greeted her as she adjusted her collar, clearing her throat. "I see you've returned early from your leave."

"I left to clear my mind." The witch responded calmly. "It seems my mind cleared up at the most opportune moment."

"Professor Faust." Professor Albus responded, nodding to her. "I was told by Miss Rose that there was something of importance within your basement that she wanted to investigate-"
"It will not be necessary to execute this investigation." Professor Faust reassured him. Demeter crossed her arms.

"Gretchen, please understand that we need access to your basement." The veteran Huntress responded, her voice growing somewhat irritated. "This is needed for an investigation-"

"And if my basement is needed, then you will go through Ozpin and then myself." Professor Faust responded firmly, adjusting her glasses. "Even the power of imperium has its limits, Demeter, and even for you.

Professor Albus, I am aware you are here on behalf of the Order on Cinder's supervision. Please, tell Cinder that you are no longer needed and can return to Fuyuki immediately."

"…..yes, ma'am." The instructor nodded, giving one last look to Demeter, before briskly walking off, leaving the two veteran Huntresses to converse between themselves.

Ruby froze, staring at the face-off between the pair with an expression of awe. Demeter's steely grey eyes met with Faust's bespectacled eyes, and the atmosphere was tense, with neither budging to permit the other to move. Demeter's authoritative glare was the first to falter, however, and she looked away, shaking her head.

"So that is how it will be, Gretchen." The veteran remarked, her voice too low for any clear emotion to be deciphered.

"Indeed, Demeter." The witch responded. "That is how it will be. If you wish to investigate my property in future, you will inform me about it first. Am I to be understood?"

"…clear as day." Demeter nodded curtly, before whirling around with a swift movement, wrapping her cloak around herself, and strolling back towards where Ruby was.

The reaper gasped in surprise before pulling back from the corner and clumsily whipping out her scroll to feign studying it. Demeter strolled around the corner just as Ruby bowed her head, reading the scroll. Her grandmother looked down at her, a small smile gracing her features.

"Ah. Ruby." Demeter sighed. "I'm sorry for having surprised you like that. I really am."
The reaper looked up, chuckling nervously. "O-oh, it's fine, it's fine, really! I'm just really happy to see you, is all, Grandma!"
"I'm happy to hear that." Demeter responded, smiling. "…..you look so much like your mother now, Ruby. I'm glad you've grown up so much, and into such a lovely young woman.

Well, it seems I should be leaving now. Take care, Ruby, and say hi to Yang and your girlfriend for me, yes?"

With that, Demeter walked away briskly, leaving Ruby utterly confused.

"….what's….going on?" The reaper muttered, before pulling back to the wall as Professor Faust appeared around the corner, lugging her briefcase with her. The witch stared at her, nodding at her calmly.

"Miss Rose. It has been a long time since we last talked." Professor Faust noted, a small smile on her face. "I…..cannot thank you enough for what you did for me, defeating the Grimmfather. I must stress this.

I apologise for sounding like a broken record. I will….see you around."

The professor walked towards her office, leaving Ruby to walk back towards her dorm, trying to make sense of what she'd just witnessed.

Later, in RWBY dorm….

Ruby strolled back into her dorm, looking around at her friends, who were all looking at her with anticipation.

Yang was the first to speak. "….I didn't even know Grandma was in the Antic Order. What was all that about?"
"I would've made a remark about the fact that the Rose-Xiao Long family and the Antic Order seem to be inextricably linked…." Weiss started, before shaking her head. "…..but this is far, far more confusing."
"…what does Demeter want with Professor Faust's basement?" Ren mused, rubbing his chin. "…..this doesn't make any sense."
"Clearly, the Antic Order is here to watch over the professor's basement." Pyrrha explained. "But the question isn't that, but why? We know the Antic Order are pranksters and trolls, so what are they trying to keep so secret that Demeter had to use her Huntress rank to attempt to gain entry?"
"And what would the most shameless mage since that Henry moron we met want to keep so secret that she'd be willing to override an ostensibly official investigation?" Weiss added, before shaking her head. "Tch. This is far too suspicious for my taste. And mysterious."
Ren sighed. "I've got enough authority in the Order to find out what's going on here. Maybe I'll-"

"And I would prefer it remain mysterious. Ren, you won't find anything."

Everyone turned to face Cinder, who was leaning on the doorway to the dorm, crossing her arms. A somewhat disappointed expression was on her face, as she briefly brushed a lock of hair from her eyes.

"Professor Fall?" Weiss inquired. "What are you-"
"I am here to explain what all that was, since, being who you all are, you all have the tendency to get your noses stuck into stuff everyone tells you not to." The pyromancer remarked, smirking. "Knowing you guys, you'll never stop until you have an explanation, so I'll give you one.

It's a bunch of blackmail material that Professor Faust wants to keep secret for me and the rest of the guys. Demeter just wants it for one of her own antics. She's treating it waaaay too seriously, but there you go."

"…..blackmail." Jaune sighed, shaking his head. "Of course. It's always blackmail. Why can't it not be blackmail for once?"
Ren nodded slowly. "…..understood."

Cinder nodded, smiling at her students. "Now that we've cleared that up, try not to use the same frequency I use for listening on dear Glynda's room. It's kinda irritating, especially when I just got to her ranting about Ozpin never noticing her…."

With a chuckle, the pyromancer walked out of the dorm, leaving teams RWBY and JNPR to look between themselves.

Pyrrha looked satisfied by the explanation. "So, blackmail material. That makes…..sense."

"No." Yang shook her head. "No, Grandma wouldn't be so serious, not about something that trivial."
"Wouldn't she?" Blake inquired. "These are antics. We have fought a war over them, after all, and we have three written concordats about them."
"She's right." Ruby supported her sister. "Grandma would never attempt to pull rank or something just to get access to blackmail stuff."

Ren stretched his arms. "…well. We're going to have to look into this somehow. But…..well…..I have to go replace half my stock because they've been covered in custard."

'…..and what, if it isn't blackmail…..is Faust so willing to hide, and Demeter so willing to find?' Weiss wondered all the while, trying to puzzle out the answer herself.

The rest of the day passed without incident after that. Professor Faust resumed her regular post as a teacher, and Professor Albus left after a short farewell at breakfast.

The exchange, however, remained in their minds for a while afterwards.

END

A/N: Well, the plot thickens, but that'll be all for it. For now.

Next chapter, Weiss Reacts to SAO Abridged! Hohohohoho…..that'll be fun.

So, I hope you enjoyed that, leave your ideas, comments, criticisms, thoughts, reviews and suggestions, and I hope you have a GREAT day! Until next time!

And have a stinger.

Cinder's Office, the next day…..

"…so, it seems we have another suspect to add." Cinder noted, as Professor Faust, Professor Albus and Ozpin sat in her office, in front of her desk. The window behind her opened upon the late afternoon sky of Vale, as students milled in the courtyard below.

The pyromancer was troubled as she discussed the situation with her colleagues.

"It seems a repeat of seventeen years ago is upon us." Cinder explained. "Gretchen, did you ensure that nobody has gotten into the basement yet?"
"My last check ensured that nobody had compromised its defences." The witch responded matter-of-factly. "And the password is firmly in place. Myself, Ozpin and you are the only people who know of it…unless we count the last person to try to access my basement."

"Seventeen years…and Demeter Rose is the one who attempts to break in." Ozpin noted, a slight frown on his face. "Are you sure Demeter could feasibly be the person who broke in seventeen years ago?"
"Like I said, Ozpin, it's just my suspicion." Cinder reminded him. "I'm not sure it was her, but she could have. She certainly seemed desperate enough to force her way into the basement.

But, if she knows what's inside there, then it's not unfeasible that others do. For all we know, she could be attempting to ensure it's safe, at least on behalf of the Wizard Marshall."

"We would have been informed." Professor Faust flatly reminded her. "No. She was attempting to force her way into the basement. I'm sure of it."

"….but we cannot accuse her of being the same person from seventeen years ago. Whoever perpetrated that break-in was scared off, were they not?" Cinder reminded the others.

Ozpin exhaled deeply. "…the probability is high, Cinder. You understand this as much as I do.

If it is to be protected, then we must ensure nobody can access it. Even if it means suspect those we do not wish to suspect. We cannot view her as innocent, even if she is part of the Order. When you charged the Academy and I with its protection, you agreed that my suggestions would be taken or considered.

I am invoking that right now, Cinder."

The pyromancer flinched, clenching her teeth briefly, before breathing deeply, nodding in response.

"I…..understand, Ozpin."

"…and what of the excuse you gave team RWBY and JNPR?" Faust inquired. "What about that?"
"They're intelligent and pretty curious kids." Cinder remarked, sighing. "Even my explanation won't be enough. We'll have to just hope we can make sure that it is protected enough.

On the meantime, I'll ensure that there's a watch on Demeter. Does that satisfy you?"
"It does." Ozpin nodded, a troubled expression slowly appearing on his face. "I will see if I can contact Ironwood about surveillance, too.

…..however, I fear the worst, if Demeter Rose is the one who seeks it. I doubt even we can stop her, if she seeks it."

END