Chapter 22: Resolve

When things get rough, you can't back down.

The truth, while soul-wrenchingly painful to admit, was unavoidable. Deprived of her swords, Penny Polendina was forced to concede that she was not combat ready. That was not to say that she was defenseless – she still had superhuman senses, mechanically enhanced strength, and the entire Atlesian database on hand to hand combat downloaded into her neural network – but it would be improbable to expect a victory against this agile and short woman.

Penny and Friend Weiss had pushed the battle outside of the warehouse into the rain, but it had cost them both the aura from green to yellow. As of yet, neither had managed to score as much as a love tap.

Friend Weiss surged forward and waved her arms violently. Schachmatt carved the air around the enemy. Penny lunged forward and let loose a series of perfectly coordinated punches. Both girls missed their mark. Penny followed up with a kick to the girl's chest that made contact and sent her backwards, but the fiend used her parasol to stop her momentum as she daintily floated to the ground.

"Friend Weiss, I have contacted the authorities. For now, I advise retreat."

"We're huntresses, Penny, we can still – arggh!"

Despite their multicolored foe clearly standing several meters away from them, Friend Weiss aura began to flicker from some unseen attack. Penny grabbed a crate full of Dust and hurled it at the enemy. Upon impact, the girl shattered into millions of glass shards. The box continued to fly through the air, as though passing through her hadn't disrupted its momentum at all. As it landed on the floor and exploded, Penny activated her thermal sensors. The only living beings nearby were Friend Weiss and a figure that did not appear to reflect light on the visible spectrum.

Even though Penny could detect the enemy's movements, it was no use to try and keep up with her. The foe cartwheeled to avoid a Dust-based lightning bolt that shot out of Schachmatt then smacked the back of Penny's knees with the edge of her umbrella. Weaving between Friend Weiss and Penny as both rushed in for an attack, she suddenly leapt into the air. Both girls stumbled into one another, and Friend Weiss' forehead bumped into Penny's. They collapsed into a heap as the enemy girl floated down onto the ground. She smirked as she landed squarely on Penny's head, then stepped onto Friend Weiss' rear, and finally touched down to the ground.

Penny now knew that victory would be impossible. Superhuman though she may be, her experience level was equal to that of a first year Atlas academy student. This opponent was toying with them.

"Friend Weiss, we need to make our retreat. I fear a continued confrontation with this enemy may end fatally."

"We can take her – I know we can. We just need to keep pushing her back. Just trust me on this one."

Penny was aware from discussions with her father that trust was among the most critical aspects of a working friendship. As Friend Weiss was Penny's first and only friend, it was essential that her trust and, by extension, friendship be maintained. In that moment, Penny decided that holding onto her first friend was considered to be a more important objective than her own continued survival.

And so, Penny charged forth.

They could do this. Weiss was sure of it.

By now, the enemy's aura was in the middle of the green, and Weiss was in the low red. A tournament style match would've led to her elimination, but this was the real world. Professor Goodwitch wasn't going to step out from behind a tree and declare the bout to be finished. Though her presence would certainly be appreciated.

The rainfall had progressed into a heavy downpour. Penny was trying her best, and it was certainly much better than how Weiss would've held up unarmed. To be fair, Weiss was fighting with one hand tied behind her back, so to speak. If she threw Schachmatt as a boomerang at Little Miss Heterochromia, there was a fair chance it would not be coming back.

Their opponent sidestepped as Weiss tried to scorch her stupid face with a flaming lance of fire. Weiss was running out of all types of Dust except ice, and it didn't look like her opponent even used it in her combat style. The clock was ticking for Weiss, and every second that passed pushed the battle in the adversary's favor. She needed to make her stand and finish this, fast.

Then, Weiss spotted the dock where Sun had been running from the sailors.

There!

She tried to tackle her enemy and push her into the water, but the girl backflipped into the air. Weiss sailed right underneath her and felt the point of an umbrella near the base of her spine. The last thing she saw before falling over the railing onto the lower boardwalk as a smiling figure waved goodbye.

Weiss hit the ground hard. She felt that she still had aura, but a quick check of her scroll showed that it was now or never. One more hit and she'd be completely defenseless.

"Penny!"

Upon hearing 'Friend Weiss' call for help, Penny jumped into the air and landed both of her feet onto the antagonist's back. With what Weiss assumed was some sort of super-strength semblance, Penny kicked. The petite girl sailed over Weiss' head towards the ocean but once again used her parasol to slow her momentum. She floated down out of the raining night sky and landed gently on a lamppost.

It just so happened to be a lamppost with compromised structural integrity after supporting the weight of a fat monkey Faunus that ate an entire ships' ration. Weiss threw Schachmatt at the base, then heard a loud creak as the lamppost gave way and her boomerang returned to her.

There were many blissful moments in the life of Weiss Schnee. Winter praising her for projecting her first Glyph, receiving a letter of acceptance into Beacon, the time Father drank expired milk and thought it was an assassination attempt by poison. But the moment that took the cake, or as Ruby would've said, took the cookie, had to be seeing the flustered look on a certain pink and brown haired bitch as she splashed down into the ocean.

Weiss didn't hesitate when her and Penny's lives were on the line. Using the Ice Dust that she'd been conserving for the entire fight, Weiss froze the surface of the ocean where her enemy had landed. No matter how high her aura was, she still needed to breathe.

The ice cracked.

Weiss froze more, thickening the layer.

The ice cracked again.

Weiss froze even more.

The ice continued to crack.

Weiss spent the last of her Dust and froze out as far as she could. All or nothing.

The ice stopped cracking.

Weiss smiled and looked behind her. "See, Penny. I told you we could take her."

Weiss' aura broke from sheer exhaustion.

Jaune stood at the elevator entrance to Headmaster Ozpin's private office. If there were a door, he would've knocked, but the only thing present was some manner of intercom. Before Jaune could press the red button to request entrance, the door whooshed open.

"Mister Arc. I was just on my way to grab a midnight cup of coffee at the Beacon teacher's lounge. To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

Jaune had been expecting a little more time to psych himself up and looked at his feet sheepishly. "I'm sorry to disturb you at such a late hour, headmaster. It's just…you see, I have a problem. A team leader kind of problem. I was hoping that you might be able to give me some advice."

"My door, or rather, my elevator, is always open to a student in need. Come, let us walk together."

Jaune joined the headmaster stride as he leisurely ambled towards his destination. If Jaune hadn't seen his speed and agility firsthand during their personal training, he would never have believed Ozpin capable of doing a double backflip given his current lethargic pace.

"Now, how about you tell me what ails you, young man?"

"So, I have a teammate – I'm not going to say who – that, um, disapproves of my style of leadership. This teammate felt like they should've been chosen as team leader in my stead."

"Ah, a conundrum as old as the academies themselves. Tell me, was the rest of your team present when he or she voiced this disapproval? The answer may determine whether this was honest concerns put forth in good faith or a challenge to your authority."

"Actually, the teammate didn't come to me. I heard it from my teammates and Rub– and a third party. We haven't really spoken since."

"In that case, your little rebellious bird may be trying to undermine your support and outshine you in the team's eyes. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen such a ploy enacted by a jealous pupil who disagrees with my choice of commander. I'd wager that the teammate is Russel Thrush, no? That mohawk has insubordinate troublemaker written all over it…"

"It's n– I said I wanted to keep the teammate anonymous. Anyways, I'm not worried that about some sort of, I don't know, mini-mutiny."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? I've witnessed history repeat itself many times over. An aggrieved teammate will often act out, especially when they feel that they were denied something they deserved."

"Headmaster, I'm not afraid of the teammate acting out because they already have. They asked a professor to make them team leader. When the others found out, they attacked him."

Ozpin stopped walking and turned to face Jaune. "These are very serious accusations. Expulsion level serious. Mr. Arc, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask which teammate–"

"No."

"Interfering with team placings is strictly prohi–"

"No.

Ozpin sighed and resumed his leisurely stroll, turning down a corridor. "I suppose I can respect the commitment you show your teammates, even when they do not return it. I'm going to assume you didn't spend two hours trying to talk yourself into knocking on my door just to reject my advice."

"Y-You saw that?"

"I've security camera's monitoring several critical locations in Beacon. My elevator can lead to one of them. Now, where were we? Ah, you were about to tell me the name of the teammate who–"

"Nice try, sir. What I wanted to ask you was how I can bring my team back together. None of us can stand to look at the teammate in question, and he's very distraught about this whole incident. Headmaster, he's repentant, and I forgive him. Shouldn't that be enough?"

"He? And you said it wasn't Russel, so…"

"Shit! I'm – no, it isn't–"

Ozpin grinned. "Don't worry Jaune. I never intended to chastise Mister Bronzewing. I merely sought to confirm that you truly have forgiven your wayward friend. Here is my advice to you, Jaune: give it time. Time is something you and your young allies have in spades. I've seen it erode mountains into sand, bring down the most tyrannical of dictators, and grow young students into the most capable hunters and huntresses to have ever walk Remnant. It cannot be avoided, nor can it be forced. You shall have to be patient and allow your team to come to terms with their feelings. Mister Thrush will be disappointed with his partner, and Miss Nikos will likely see this as an affront to your honor that must be avenged. With time, though, they will learn to forgive."

"I see, sir. Thank you."

Ozpin stopped walking. "It appears we've arrived at our destination."

"But Headmaster, I thought you were headed to the teacher's lounge for coffee. We're back at the elevator to your office. I don't understand…?"

The professor produced a thermos.

Where had he even been keeping it?

He poured a cup of the thick black brew within for himself and handed the thermos to Jaune, who accepted it. The coffee blend Ozpin enjoyed may have been shit, but it was growing on Jaune, and he welcomed the warm beverage at this late hour, especially since it had been raining just a short time ago.

"Jaune, did you ever wonder why I chose to take you as my personal protégé?"

"I-I thought it was because you sympathized with me for having to leave everything behind to become a huntsman. You said you saw a bit of yourself in me and decided to train me."

"We are kindred spirits, true. But that is not the only reason."

Ozpin reached down and removed the panel of the intercom, revealing a keypad underneath it. He typed in a code, and the elevator doors opened.

"Tell me, Jaune. What is your favorite fairy tale?"

"Salutations, Friend Blake! My name is Penny Polendina. Salutations, Friend Ruby! My name is Penny Polendina. Salutations, Friend Yang! My name is Penny Polendina."

This Penny girl individually shook all of their hands as she greeted them. Rather, she shook a shadow clone's hand. No way was Blake letting some weirdo friend of Weiss' touch her. Weiss was awkwardly standing by as her new friend introduced herself to Team Rainbow with the enthusiasm of a five year old. Or a certain fifteen year old.

"Penny and I met when I…got separated. We had to, uh, weather out the storm before we could head to Beacon."

"Friend Weiss and I had a great time enjoying all that Vale had to offer! We watched several educational videos in which–"

"– in which I learned a lot. About the Faunus. Blake, I…I'm sorry."

Ruby and Yang tensed up. The sisters asked Penny if she wanted to see the hallway outside their dorm, to which she excitedly replied in the affirmative.

"You should be, Weiss. Do you have any idea how demeaning it was, to hear you talk about my people like that? You called us wild animals, beast of burden. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"I know it's no excuse, but I really didn't know. Ever since I was a little girl, I had limited contact with the outside world. Everything I knew was carefully curated by my father. When my sister Winter joined the Atlesian military, he cracked down hard on what I was allowed or not allowed to know in an effort to keep me under his control. He brought in private tutors to give me lessons, and they told me what I now know to be lies about the Faunus. My access to the CCT database and books was limited to the specific texts my father deemed suitable."

Blake didn't buy it. She knew from the personal account of a White Fang agent, one who would nevers lie to her, that the Schnee household employed many Faunus housekeepers among their staff. "You're telling me that you never saw a Faunus before Beacon? Not even as a maid or cook or anything?"

"You have to understand, I had it drilled into my head that Faunus were animals just barely capable of speech. I saw Faunus, but we never conversed more than simple greetings. I never spoke to the Faunus in my household because I honestly though they wouldn't be able to hold an intelligent conversation with me. And I now see that the Faunus would never have had any reason to reach out to me, given the way I acted like they were beneath me."

Weiss grimaced. "And when I met the Faunus in the SDC's mines, it only reinforced my beliefs. Those I saw were being worked to the bone. When I looked into their eyes, I saw broken spirits and mistook it for a lack of a soul. It all makes sense now – if anyone were forced into slavery in a cold Dust mine with no light and the constant threat of death looming overhead, they'd have a broken look in their eyes. Oh Dust, I feel so horrible! Please, Blake, I'm so sorry!"

Blake knew she was telling the truth. Years spent in the White Fang had given her a wide breadth of experience with humans, and she'd seen it all – hatred, fear, apathy towards the Faunus. She could read people like a book, and Weiss' book had innocent written on every page. Naïve was also there, and gratingly stupid too, but Weiss was being honest right now.

She sighed. She was having trouble holding a grudge when Weiss was so torn up about it. If anything, Blake was more upset that Weiss wasn't the ice-cold racist Schnee bitch she'd been expecting. It would have been so much easier if Blake could put her into an easy little stereotypical box, but that would've been just as pre-judgmental as the humans she wanted to change.

"Weiss. I've decided."

The girl in question stood at attention like a little Atlesian soldier. She was clearly hanging on Blake's every word.

Blake had to forgive Weiss. It was the only way to fix Team Rainbow, and besides, Blake was not without her own faults. The first time she'd approached Weiss, she'd been expecting a fight with the enemy. Looking back on it, Weiss was snooty at worst and genuinely friendly at best. Blake had even shot down her apology the night before initiation. If Weiss could forgive Blake for all that, it was only fair to show the same kindness.

But that didn't mean she couldn't have a little fun.

"If you promise to never, EVER speak of the Faunus like that again, then I accept your apology."

"Oh, thank Dust! I was so–"

"But that's not the only thing we have to talk about."

"…what, uh, do you mean…"

"Ruby had a little, ahem, slip of the tongue while you were out. It turned out to be quite illuminating."

"Oh, Dust, did that dunce lick a lightbulb again? She promised me that she wouldn't ever do that agai–"

"You have a crush on me," Blake said, smirking.

Weiss froze.

Blake's ears twitched. "Want to take a catnap together?"

"…"

Blake licked her lips seductively. "Cat got your tongue?"

"…"

"Who knew little Weiss was into pussy–"

Suddenly, Weiss grinned back evilly. "Hey, Penny!" she called out. "Blake says she wants to be your new best friend. She'd like to spend all night painting each other's nails and trying on clothes."

From the hallway call came a squeal of joy. "Sensational!"

Neopolitan dragged herself out of the frigid waters, gasping for air.

She hadn't lost. She was faster than those two, she was stronger, and she was smarter. It was just random chance that she'd fallen into the water, and dumb luck that the white one had been saving her Ice Dust.

Her coat was sopping wet, her hair was ruined, and her brand new umbrella was probably floating merrily to Mistral by now. She'd lost hold of it when that ice bitch sprung her trap. That was two she'd lost now, in just as many months. Neo hoisted herself onto the small sailboat that bobbed up and down with the tides.

Neo would've gone back to finish the job (no one pulls a fast one on her and lives to tell the tale), but they must have been long gone by now. She checked her scroll to see what time it was. Shit, 3am. If Roman were still in charge, she would be tucked into bed with a warm comforter draped over her. Now, she had to pull double shifts every day just to make the quotas Bitchy McBitchface 'Boss' wanted. Play happy little transfer student in the day, fill in for Roman as the White Fang's master thief in the nights – she was getting stretched so thin that rips were starting to form.

Neo looked at her scroll again. One new message from Emerald. Shit.

Sage Advice: A little bird told me that things went wrong with your operation tonight.

Neo typed back furiously. Even if she hated the Boss' little minion, she wasn't so stupid as to not respond.

Pint Size: Met some huntresses. Things got awkward. ( ˘︹˘ ) Had a little trouble breaking the ice.

Sage Advice: The boss is disappointed, Pint Size. When Roman got himself arrested, she expected you to step up and fill his shoes, not make the same mistakes he did.

Neo despised her code name with all of her blackened heart. Stupid deniability. Stupid Emerald. Oh, oh, so sorry, I mean to say Sage Advice.

Pint Size: Are my services no longer required? I'd be happy to blow away in the wind if we're done here. ◕‿↼

Sage Advice: No. You are still needed. Leave the Dust robberies for the White Fang. For now, we'll focus our efforts on the Vytal Festival. Remember, if everything goes according to plan, we won't need the Dust. Half will be yours.

Neo smiled lustily at the thought. So much stolen Dust, all hers. She could become a rich Dust baron, or bail out Roman from jail, or maybe blow up the entire world…

Sage Advice: Here's a little friendly advice, one thief to another. Don't fail the Boss. She'll be watching you especially closely in Beacon, and there's nowhere you can hide if you fail.

Pint Size: I'll keep that in mind :-(

Sage Advice: Remember, she and I truly do want you to succeed and earn the Dust. We'd hate to have to fall to the backup plan just as much as you would. I'll see you in class, Pint Size.

Neo pocketed her scroll and wrung out her multicolored hair. Plan or not, she was going to get her revenge on Little Miss White. All it would take was a little time.

Now, to see if any stores that sold murder umbrellas were still open at this time of night…

Omake

Emerald: I'm not sure about this codename, 'Sage Advice.'

Roman: That's good, because I've got a much better one.

Emerald: I've got a bad feeling about this.

Roman: Well, your last name is SUStrai, and you're not really a student at Beacon, so one might say you're an imposter…

Emerald: Don't say it.

Roman: Your codename should be Among Us!

Omake 2

Weiss: This is my new friend Penny.

Penny: Friend Weiss and I had a sensational day! Together, we mugged an elder lady, watched hardcore adult videos, broke into a Dust warehouse, and murdered a young woman by drowning her in the ocean.

Team Rainow: …

Weiss: Well, technically I didn't participate in the mugging, but it was how Penny and I met. Ah, good times.

End of Volume 1

Author's Note: Early update. There will also be a post Volume 1 'short' tomorrow.