Chapter 6: The Badge and The Burden

The window overlooking Beacon Academy from the new room of Team RWBY, panning over to Weiss Schnee sleeping soundly in her bed. Her eyes flutter open and she stretches her arms above herself, yawning, while Ruby Rose, dressed in her strangely-colored school uniform, creeps up on her side and suddenly blows a whistle, causing Weiss to fall off the bed.

Ruby: "Good morning, team RWBY!"

Weiss: (from the floor) "What in the world is wrong with you?"

Ruby: (ignoring the question) "Now that you're awake, we can officially begin our first order of business."

Weiss: (getting up and brushing herself off) "Excuse me?"

Yang Xiao Long & Cinnabar Rose: (holding a collection of objects - pillows, pamphlets, a candle-holder - in her arms, also dressed alongside Cinnabar Rose and Blake Belladonna) "Decorating!"

Weiss: "What?!"

Blake: (lifting her suitcase) "We still have to unpack." (the suitcase opens, spilling its contents) "Aaaand clean."

Weiss: "Hold on, what is he doing here?"

Yang: "Oh, Cin? he'd already finished setting up his room, and he asked if he could help us decorating our room."

Cinnabar: "I hope you don't mind."

Weiss does not look enthusiastic, especially when Ruby knocks her back again with the blow of her whistle.

Ruby: "Aaaalright! Weiss, Blake, Yang, plus Cinnabar, and their fearless leader Ruby have begun their first mission!" (raises her fist into the air) "Banzai!"

Ruby with Blake, Yang, and Cinnabar: (doing the same at her sides) Banzai! (they turn at an angle as Weiss lays on the floor)

After that, Cinnabar walked over to Weiss, reaching for her hand.

Cinnabar: "Need some help?"

Weiss: "No thank you! I can handle myself." (getting herself up from the floor) "And quit staring at me like that!"

Cinnabar: "I'm sorry, I..." (blushing red and looking more away from Weiss) "Just never noticed how long your hair looked till now."

Weiss: "Well now you have, now if you please I have to get ready myself. (walking to the restroom)

Yang: "Cin..." (warping her arm around Cin's neck) "Please tell me you're not to get smitten to Weiss Schnee like Jaune is, are you?"

Blake: "Cause I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be too keen on having two admirers following her around Beacon all semester."

Cinnabar: (still blushing, breaking loose of Yang's grip) "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Hold on! I just wanted to spent some time with my sisters, I'm definitely not ready for anything for romance... It's clearly too soon to be thinking like that anyway."

Blake: "Clearly."

Ruby: "So... You have no any interest in Weiss at all?"

Cinnabar: "Well, I... I never said that, Ruby, I... admire her knowledge of Dust, I really wouldn't mind taking some notes from her, and just start off as good friends with her and you too, Blake."

Blake: (flattered, along with a bashful blush) "Of course..."

Weiss: (now in her uniform) "Is that right? (marching forward towards and points her finger at him) Just keep your distance and behave well enough, and I'll... might think about what you've just said, Is that understood?"

Cinnabar: "Yes ma'am." (replying slightly tense)

Ruby: "Alright team RWBY... & Cin, let start decorating!" (raises her fist into the air)

(upbeat montage music starts playing)

Yang places a poster of six guys in various poses named "THE ACHIEVE MEN" on her part of the room. Weiss positions the painting of the Forever Fall forest to perfection and walks away. Blake and Cinnabar are busy putting away her books on the shelves, however Cinnabar unknowingly picked up a copy of Ninjas of Love and widening her eyes, Blake quickly took the book out of his hand, as she warily looks around before putting it back. Ruby positions Crescent Rose at an exact angle against the curtains so she can perfectly slash a diagonal portion off. A quick zoom around the room (and the repaired curtains) ends with the girls and Cinnabar admiring their handiwork... with one problem. The beds are cramped together in the center of the floor.

Weiss: "This isn't going to work."

Blake: "It is a bit cramped."

Cinnabar: "Super-cramped."

Yang: "Maybe we should ditch some of our stuff..."

Ruby: "Or we could ditch the beds... and replace them with bunk beds!"

Cinnabar: "Oh! bunk beds!"

Weiss: "Umm, that sounds incredibly dangerous."

Yang: "And super-awesome!"

Blake: "It does seem efficient."

Weiss: "Well, we should put it to a vote!"

Ruby: "I think we just did."

To the sounds of two dings and a single buzz, Blake thumbs up the idea, Cinnabar gave two thumbs up, Yang makes a double-rocker gesture, and Weiss angrily curls her fists at her side. Decided, they rush at the beds, where sounds of jackhammering and sawing are heard until they gather back at the front of the room.

Ruby: "Objective: Complete!"

While Weiss' bed is simply on the ground next to her art and luggage, Blake's bed is next to her books, which are used to raise Yang's bed over it by placing the novels on the posts, and Ruby's is hanging from ropes on the ceiling with a blanket used as a tent over it.

Blake: I like it.

Yang: It looks really comfortable.

Weiss: (placed her hand on her post, looking up at Ruby's bed) I've never seen a bunk bed before.

Cinnabar: Ruby and I shared a bunk bed when we we're little, but eventually got to have rooms for ourselves, when we've got older.

Ruby: "Allllright! Our second order of business iiiiiiiis...!" (the room spins until she lands on her bed and a book lands in her lap) "Classes..." (pulls out a pencil) "Now, we have a few classes together today. At 9, we've got to be-"

Weiss: "What?! Did you say 9 o'clock?"

Ruby: "Uuuum..."

Weiss: "It's 8:55, you dunce!"

Cinnabar: "What?!"

Weiss is the first rushing out of the room and down the hall, the members of RWBY, CNBR, and JNPR peeking out from their doorways to look at her go.

Ruby: (flabbergasted until she decides) "To class!"

Ruby runs out, followed by Yang, and Blake. Cinnabar stopped following the girls for a moment to turn to his team.

Cinnabar: "Guys! What are you waiting for? Come on!"

Leandra: "Oh! Right!"

Turning back, following after team RWBY, Leandra Nemesia, Bloo Grijalee, and Rukmini Tara quickly follow suit after their leader.

Jaune Arc: "Class...?"

Jaune loses his balance and ends up toppling Nora Valkyrie, Pyrrha Nikos, and Lie Ren on top of him. He manages to get out from under them and start dashing.

Jaune: "We're gonna be late!"

In the courtyard, Professor Ozpin, Merlin Ambrosia, and Glynda Goodwitch watch the three teams hurry through the school.

Bloo: "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"

Merlin signs with disappointment, Glynda looks at her watch, and Ozpin simply sips his drink.

The sight of an axe-blunderbuss weapon pans down to the boards displaying various species of Grimm - King Taijitu, Death Stalker, Beowolf, Boarbatusk, Nevermore, and Ursa - behind an elderly teacher named Peter Port.

Port: "Monsters! Deeeemons... Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!"

The members of CNBR seated on the row behind the members of RWBY, seated on the front row, are in varying stages of interest; Leandra, Rukmini, Blake and Yang are sitting up and paying attention, Cinnabar and Weiss both taking notes, Bloo was barely up, as he supports his face with his hand to stay awake, and Ruby has her head propped in her hand as she takes a quick nap until she is woken back up by Port's bad joke, which receives a cricket-filled silence as a result.

Port: "Uhhhh... 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 to pieces! And that's where we come in. Huntsmen! Huntresses..." (gives Yang a wink, which she groans uncomfortably at) "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves! From what, you ask? Why, the very world!"

Student: (raises his fist) "Ayyyy-yep!" (stands like this for a moment as everyone looks at him strangely before sitting down, embarrassed)

Port: "That is what you are training to become. But first: A story. A tale of a young, handsome man... Me! When I was a boy..."

His words fade into the background (and a series of "blah"s) when Weiss and Cinnabar notices Ruby is very focused on penciling the paper in front of her.

Port: "...Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. 'Peter', he told me..."

The speech evolves into more "blah"s as Ruby chuckles at her creation and shows it to her teammates: a ball-with-limbs-and-a-head drawing of the teacher with stink lines coming from him and "Professor Poop" written underneath. Ruby blows a quick raspberry. Cinnabar, Blake and Yang laugh, but Weiss looks annoyed.

Port: "Ah-heh-hem!" (he waits until he has their attention again) "In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity, and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!"

The teacher takes a bow as Weiss slowly gets more and more frustrated with Ruby's antics.

Port: "The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honorable!"

Ruby is balancing an apple on a book with her pencil held only by her finger while making a silly face.

Port: "A true Huntsman must be dependable!"

Ruby has fallen asleep again in the first class of the year.

Port: "A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise!"

Ruby is not-so-subtly picking her nose, much to Weiss' building anger.

Port: "So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?"

Weiss: (still angry, she raises her hand) "I do, sir!"

Port: "Well, then, let's find out!" (he turns to gesture at the glowing red eyes surrounded by shadow shaking the cage that traps it) "Step forward, and face your opponent!"

Yang: (whispered to Blake) Whoa, how did they even capture that thing?

The unknown monster continues to growl.

Weiss Schnee, now back in her regular attire, readying her Myrtenaster at the growling creature in the cage. Her teammates cheer her on from their seats in the front row, same as Team CNBR.

Yang Xiao Long and Cinnabar: (raising their fists) "Goooo, Weiss!"

Blake Belladonna and Leandra: (both waving a small flag saying "RWBY") "Fight well!"

Rukmini: "You can do it!

Bloo: (snoring)

Ruby Rose : Yeah, represent Teeeeam RWBY!

Weiss Schnee : (lowering her sword and looking over at her "leader") Ruby! I'm trying to focus!

Ruby: (looking sheepish) Oh, um... Sorry...

Port: Allllright! (next to the cage, pulling out Blowhard) Let the match... begin!

The professor swings down and breaks the lock, dropping the cage door and revealing the Boarbatusk inside, which immediately charges at Weiss. She uses Myrtenaster to deflect its attack and roll to the side, readying herself for its next move. The Grimm stands a distance away from its enemy, studying her.

Port: Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?

Ruby: Hang in there, Weiss!

Weiss is now speeding towards the oncoming Boarbatusk, sticking her blade straight at its skull until they meet and Myrtenaster is trapped in the beast's tusks. Weiss is still hanging on to the hilt, and is tossed around as she struggles to get the rapier back.

Port: Bold, new approach. I like it!

Ruby: Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!

Weiss turns to glare at Ruby, only for the Boarbatusk to turn its head and rip the sword from her grip. Myrtenaster lands far away from its master, who is knocked back by the creature's tusks.

Port: Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?

Weiss looks up just in time to see the Boarbatusk charge again, rolling out of the way just in time to avoid getting trampled and make it crash into a desk. Weiss rushes at her sword and slides to get it back in her hand.

Ruby: Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-

Weiss: (turning to Ruby) Stop telling me what to do!

Ruby looks hurt at Weiss' rebuttal, Cinnabar and Leandra looked at each other discouraged, after noticing this. Meanwhile, the Boarbatusk leaps into the air and rolls into a ball, spinning rapidly in the air and landing on the ground, consistently gaining speed until it launches itself at Weiss. It comes closer and closer, but Weiss activates one of her blue-white circles and blocks the roll, leaping up into the now-black snowflake symbol and turning it blue again so she can drive the blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squeals and falls silent while Weiss gasps in relief.

Port: Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! (as Weiss stands up at attention from her exhausted position and Ruby continues to frown) 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 glares and turns away, walking hurriedly to the exit past her teammates.

Jaune Arc: (watching her leave) Sheesh, what's with her?

The remaining members of Team RWBY and Team CNBR look at each other with the same question.

Cinnabar: "Um, Lea, what do you think?"

Leandra: "To be honest, this is more Ruby's problem, not yours Cin, this is just one of many things, Ruby will have handle on her own as a leader."

Cinnabar: "Still..."

Watching Ruby going after Weiss, Cinnabar decides to follow his little sister. Leandra couldn't help but made a small grin from her partner's loyalty to his family.

Weiss is still storming off, but Ruby turns a corner and manages to catch up with her.

Ruby: "Weiss!"

Weiss: (turning around) "What?"

Ruby: "What's wrong with you? Why are you being-?"

Weiss: "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!"

Ruby: (scoffs) "What did I do?"

Weiss: "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: "Weiss, where is this coming from? What happened to all the talk about 'working together'? I thought you believed in acting as a team."

Weiss: "Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better." (turns her back to Ruby, trying to reach out but dropping her hand with the following words) "Ozpin made a mistake." (walks away as Ruby looks dejected as Cinnabar just turned up and tried to comfort her)

Ozpin: (standing right behind a surprised Ruby & Cinnabar with a coffee in one hand and his cane in the other) "Hmm... Now that didn't seem to go very well."

Ruby: (looking doubtful, even on the verge of tears) "Is she right? Did you make a mistake?"

Ozpin: (laughing slightly) "That remains to be seen."

Weiss is still walking around the halls until she comes across a balcony where Professor Port is watching the sunset over Beacon Academy's rooftops.

Weiss: (approaching him) "Professor Port!"

Port: (turning to look at her) "Ah, Miss Schnee! And to what do I owe this fine pleasure?"

Weiss: "I... I enjoyed your lecture!"

Port: "Of course you did, child; you have the blood of a true Huntress in you."

Weiss: (smiling) "You really think so?"

Port: "Most surely!" (notices Weiss' small frown and lack of eye contact) "Hmm... Something's troubling you."

Weiss: "Yes, sir..."

Port: "Dear girl, confess to me your strife!"

Weiss: "Well... I-I think I should have been the leader of Team RWBY!"

Port: (silent for a moment until he speaks) "That's preposterous!"

Ruby: "What do you mean?"

Ozpin: "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." (leans in so he can look more directly at Ruby) "Do you?"

Weiss: (now getting angry) "Excuse me?!"

Port: "I've believed in Professor Ozpin for many years, and the man's never once led me astray!"

Weiss: "So you would just blindly accept his decision even after seeing how exceptional I am?"

Port: "With all due respect, your exceptional skill on the battlefield is matched only by your poor attitude."

Weiss: (seething now) "How dare you!"

Port: "My point exactly. I see a girl before me who has spent her entire life getting exactly what she wanted."

Weiss: (crossing her arms, looking defiant) "That's not even remotely true!" (under the teacher's gaze, she reluctantly relents:) "Well... not entirely true."

Ozpin: "Being a team leader isn't just a title you both 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 & Cinnabar looks thoughtful with Ozpin's words, then smiles at him.

Port: "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?" (as Weiss finally calms down and looks at him again) "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."

Weiss smiles a little at the words of wisdom.

Ozpin: (turning back on Ruby & Cinnabar, still talking to them) "You've both been burdened with a daunting responsibility, Ruby, Cinnabar. I advise you both take some time, to think about how you will uphold it."

Ruby & Cinnabar, with a last look of consideration, turns and walks away. Ruby walked to the balcony where Port is walking away from Weiss and smiles a little at her partner.

The full moon shines over the green lights of Beacon, and in the room of Team RWBY, the door opens and Weiss' shadow is seen against the hall's light. Blake is sleeping under the covers, Yang is spread out on her bed and snoring, and when Weiss lifts the blanket of Ruby's tent, she finds the occupant with her head resting on notes, a pencil in her hand, and open books all around her. Weiss, looking amazed at Ruby's determination, clears her throat and gently shakes the other girl awake, who takes a second to regain consciousness and start flailing in surprise.'

Ruby: Weiss! I-I was studying, and then I fell asleep! I'm sorry...

Weiss places a hand over Ruby's mouth and puts a finger to her own so Ruby understands the need for lowering her voice. Weiss looks near Ruby's pillow and spots an empty Beacon coffee mug.

Weiss: (lowering her hand) How do you take your coffee?

Ruby: I... I don't...

Weiss: (getting irritated) Answer the question!

Ruby: Uhh, cream and five sugars!

Weiss: (sighs) Don't move. (she ducks under to her own bed and comes up a moment later with a fresh cup, offering it to Ruby) Here.

Ruby: Um... Thanks, Weiss.

Weiss: (smiles, then looks apologetic) Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader. (Ruby smiles appreciatively) Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have! (they share a smile) Good luck studying! (ducks under, only to come up and point at one of Ruby's papers) That's wrong, by the way. (ducks under again, and her voice comes from the doorway this time) Hey, Ruby?

Ruby: Uh-huh?

Weiss: (stands in the door with her hand on the knob) I always wanted bunk beds as a kid. (she starts to close the door)

Ruby, grinning at the progress with her friend, goes back to her notes.

End of Chapter 6

Author Notes

RWBY, its owned by Rooster Teeth.

Major thanks to the Transcripts written on RWBY Wiki

Here's an extra chapter for RWBY volume 9. I was planning to just post Chapter 5 on Saturday, but decided to post an extra chapter instead.