"Omigod, Weiss! I can't believe we're gonna be apart for three whole weeks! Will you be okay?! Can't you stay at Beacon?! I'll call every day! Please visit!"

"Yes. No. Sure. Maybe," the packing Schnee heiress answered, slamming the last of her suitcases shut before loading them onto her trolley. "Honestly, Ruby, don't be so dramatic. I'm just going home for a visit! You're acting like we'll never see each other again. We'll be back together before you know it!"

Her self-proclaimed bestie groaned and threw up her hands. "But Blake's staying with us! How can Team RWBY do team bonding things if all four members aren't present?!"

Weiss rolled her eyes, though she couldn't stop the small smile from spreading over her face. "Ruby, our team has done plenty of bonding. To be honest, we're due for a break."

"A-A break?!" Ruby gasped and pointed at Weiss accusingly. "A-Ha! I knew it! You really do hate us!"

"Oh, please. Don't be ridiculous," she said. Weiss rolled her eyes and set a hand on her hip. "I just have other things to do, dolt! Besides, I'm not the only one leaving. In fact, I'm surprised you three aren't! Don't you have anything you want to do over the summer break than stay at Beacon?"

"Nah!" Ruby waved her off with a laugh. "We'll get grounded if we go back home. After all the stuff we got up to this year, we'll be lucky if Dad doesn't come here!"

Weiss smiled. "It must be nice…"

"What? Being grounded? It sucks!" Ruby cried. "All we're allowed to do is do homework and study, though I guess that does sound up your alley…"

"Hey!" Weiss stamped her foot. "I don't always study! It's just you don't want to! You're always trying to have us do something else, like play some dumb card game or something!"

"You take that back! My card games aren't dumb!"

"They are when they cost you your grades!" Weiss yelled. She shook her head softly. "But… I'll admit it. I was wrong about you."

"Huh?"

"Despite your antics and inexperience, you have been a pretty good leader."

"Awwww… Thanks, Weiss! You know, you're a good partner, too!" Ruby blushed. "And I know we got off to a pretty bad start…"

"The worst of starts," Weiss corrected.

"...but I'm glad we could still become friends in the end! You know, even though I… exploded."

"I neither want nor need to be reminded of that incident," Weiss retorted. "And just for the record, we will not be repeating it today, do you understand?!"

"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" Ruby saluted. "Sooooo, canIhelpyoupack?!"

"I'm already packed, dummy," Weiss said, "but you can walk me to the Bullhead. Just… follow a few paces back? I don't need you sneezing again."

"Hey!"

"...That was a joke."

The two continued chatting and teasing each other as they made their way down to the docks, taking in the orange and red hues of the rising sun painting the horizon. As the landing pad came into view, the hum of Bullhead engines filled the air, accompanied by the chaos of students saying their goodbyes and readying for departure.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?"

"Yes, Ruby."

"You don't need one of us to come with you?"

"No."

'In fact, it'd be quite bad if you did,' Weiss thought, hiding a frown.

There was a reason she'd chosen to leave the Academy over the holidays, and despite her teammates' beliefs, it was not to go back and spend time with her… "folks."

No.

She had a different purpose. A far greater goal in mind. A dream tucked away in a secret compartment of the suitcase currently in her arms. After bringing the last of her luggage onboard and saying farewell to her partner, Weiss took a seat by the window and opened her suitcase to gaze at that dream.

The form it took?

A deck of cards. Forty cards, to be exact. Each and every one of them specifically chosen to crown her the new Queen of Games. With a gentle caress, Weiss took out her deck, feeling it under her fingers. The detailed name on the back of each card was one she'd seen plenty of times.

Grimm Monsters.

The most popular trading card game in the entirety of Remnant. A game that predated the Kingdoms themselves, according to legend, at least. No one knew who designed the first card, or created the rules that they used, but the game had spread like wildfire, and now? It could be found in every known store!

With a vast assortment of Monsters, Spells, and Traps for each player to choose from, it was no wonder the game had grown to the point it nearly conquered Remnant itself! Yes. This game was the reason for Weiss's choice to leave Beacon, for during this break, the greatest of Grimm Monsters tournaments was set to occur!

Battle Kingdom.

A once-in-a-lifetime event held between Kingdoms, demanding that all "Duelists", regardless of their age, fight for the throne! And the prize for winning this once-in-a-lifetime event? The greatest of cards!

The card!

The one every player desired!

The Wonderful Wizard and the Brothers Grimm, the most powerful card in the game! A card that could single-handedly win any Duel, regardless of when played!

Weiss had to have it.

'And I will!' she thought. 'With your help, of course.'

She smiled down at the top card in her deck. Her favorite card. Arma Gigas. A 3000 Attack Point Grimm-Type monster that had led her to many a victory.

Not that anyone at Beacon knew she indulged herself in Grimm Monsters.

Nor did her family. After all…

"We Schnees don't stand for such nonsense!"

Ugh. Jacques never let her have fun. But this time, it would be different! This time, she would do as she pleased! And not even Jacques could stop her!

Weiss smiled maniacally, grimly skimming through her cards and recalling her combos. One way or another, she would be Queen, and the Brother Gods would be hers!

"Miss Schnee, apologies for the disturbance, but you have a call."

Weiss looked up, remembering herself as she gazed into the eyes of a waiter.

"A call?" she asked. "Don't tell me it's Ruby? It hasn't been five minutes!" she sighed, putting a hand on her head. "Whatever. I guess I'll take it."

The screen on the back of the seat before her lit up, revealing-

"Father!" she gasped.

Startled, Weiss jumped, accidentally scattering her best cards across the floor.

"Weiss," Jacques greeted. "Have…? What are you doing down there?"

"Nothing! It's nothing," she said, frantically shuffling the cards into a pile. "Just… It's just a little turbulence!"

"On a Beacon Academy Bullhead?"

"Yes, well…" she hopped in her seat. "Not everyone can have the best, father."

"Evidently not," Jacques sniffed. "Why haven't you answered my scroll calls? I've called you at least thirty times over the past ten minutes, and you ignored all of them! I don't recall raising my daughter to be so uninvested in her own future!"

"I don't recall having you raise me at all…"

"What was that?"

"Nothing Father," Weiss said. "I apologize for missing your calls. I… I was preoccupied… studying!"

"Studying?" Jacques narrowed his eyes. "But isn't Beacon on break?"

"It is," she confirmed. "But one can never learn too much about hunting."

"Yes, well… enough of that, then. I need you back in here in Atlas."

"What?!" she covered her mouth. "I mean, 'Why?' I thought you had everything covered?"

"There's a gala we're holding next Friday. The entire family will be in attendance. We're announcing a new SDC facility located right here in Atlas. You will be present to greet our guests and humor them with your singing."

"But… you know I don't sing anymore! And I've already made several plans!"

"Cancel them. This is far more important than whatever you're doing. And before you go getting any funny ideas, don't you dare bring those ruffian teammates. This gala is a private event. We're hosting the Atlas Elite. The last thing we want is to run them all off with those lowly peasants you humor."

"They're not peasants! And this isn't fair! You can't just upend my life!" she yelled. "I made plans! Important plans!"

"As important as the SDC's future?" he asked. "Don't forget, I'm your father, Weiss. You will do as you're told. Particularly if you intend to inherit the company you so desire."

Weiss scowled.

"I've already arranged for a Bullhead at your next stop. If you intend to continue your career as a Huntress, you will be on it."

"...Yes…Sir…" she hissed, biting her lower lip in frustration.

All her dreams…

All her plans…

What was she gonna do now?

RW-BY-OH!

Jaune wasn't exactly the strongest or even most talented student at Beacon, but one thing he never lacked was a sense of honor, especially when it came to his friends.

It was only sheer luck that he'd overheard Cardin gloating about his new card, the prized "Cam-Eyes White Jackalope" he "found" during the last day of school.

"Big ears came and tried to say it was hers! Ha! Can you believe it?" he mocked. "As if a Faunus would have a card like this!"

"I heard there's only four in the world!" Russel laughed.

"And now one's mine," Cardin said, spinning the card on his pointer finger. He snatched it as it slowed, tossing it between his hands while shuffling his deck. "Hey, Sky, wanna go a few rounds?"

"You know I don't play that nerd game."

"Hey!" Cardin barked. "It's not a nerd game. Grimm Monsters is for real men."

"Real men don't have to steal cards," Jaune called out from behind them.

Cardin turned.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't our old pal, Jauney. Heh, what brings you around here? Come to do us some more favors?"

"No," he said. "I'm here for Velvet. That card you found. It's hers."

"No," Cardin said, wagging a finger. "It was hers. Now, it's mine."

"Cardin—"

"Lemme just stop ya there. I didn't steal it, alright, Arc?" he said. "I won it off her. Fair and square. Even if she is a freak."

Team CRDL laughed.

"She's not a freak. And I told you not to mess with my friends," Jaune said.

Cardin waved him off. "And I haven't. Team JNPR and RWBY are fine."

"You know what I mean, Cardin. That card. Give it back."

"Or what, Jauney? You gonna make me?"

"I could," he murmured.

Cardin laughed. "As if, punk. You might've gotten better at fighting, but you're no Pyrrha, and I'm no Ursa. Not to mention, it's four on one."

He stretched out his arms, almost as if he was daring Jaune to attack him.

"I never said I would fight you like that," Jaune whispered. "Cardin, let's duel!"

"What?"

"You said you won it off Velvet, right? Then… I'll just win it back."

Cardin chuckled. "You? Duel me?" He shook his head. "Not a chance!"

"Why not?" he asked. "Scared, Cardin?"

"Don't go puttin' words in my mouth!" Cardin snapped. "I just don't feel like duelin' is all."

"That's not what you were saying to Sky," Jaune replied.

Dove whistled as Cardin narrowed his eyes.

"He's got a point, boss. You chicken?"

"Shut up!" he spat, whacking him away. "I'm not afraid of Arc, Bronzewing!"

"Prove it then," Jaune retorted. "You and me. Let's duel."

Carding frowned and folded his arms.

"Alright, Arc. Got a deck?" he asked.

Jaune took a seat at their table, slamming a forty-card deck on its surface.

Cardin chuckled. "No sleeves? You buy that out the store fresh or something?"

"No," he denied, blushing profusely as he mumbled, "It's my sister's…"

Cardin laughed. "Looks like we got ourselves a girlie man around here!"

"Well, he did rock a dress at the dance," Sky recalled with a snicker.

"Shut up, guys. Are we playing or not?"

"Alright, alright," Cardin chuckled. He took the seat across from Jaune's and set his own Grimm deck on the table. "You know how to play?"

"Only a little. But don't worry. I'll catch on quick," Jaune said.

Cardin smirked. "Whatever you say, newb, but you should know this. If I win, I'm takin' that deck… no matter how much you come cryin'."

They both drew five cards and stared at each other.

"Let's get this show on the road."

"DUEL!"

"We both start with 4000 Aura," Cardin said with a smirk. "I'll go first so you see how it's done. I ain't heartless, after all," he laughed. "Here I go. I draw!"

He drew from the top of his deck.

"Next, I'll summon my Beowolf Minor in Attack Position!" he bellowed.

As he placed the card on the table, it glowed as the dust within it ignited, creating a holographic projection of the Beowolf Minor as it took to the field.

Beowolf Minor - DARK - Grimm - (1500 ATK/1000 DEF)

"What I just did was a Normal Summon," Cardin said, smirking at Jaune. "You only get one Normal Summon per turn, which means it's time to attack!"

He threw a feint.

"Just kiddin'. You can't attack your first turn, so I'll just kick back and watch you make a fool of yourself. Your move, Arc."

"You sure, Cardin?" Jaune inquired.

"Yeah, yeah. Go already!" he drawled. "And make it quick! Else I'll start gettin' second thoughts about takin' this Duel."

"If you're sure…" Jaune reached for his deck. "It's my turn. Draw!"

His eyes widened as he stared at his cards.

"And now, I'm going to beat you."

"What?"

"I'll start by activating the effect of the Boarbatusk in my hand! Since you control a monster while I don't, I can Special Summon it to the field!"

The tusk-bearing Grimm roared as its card was placed across from the Beowolf's, its feet pawing against the surface in preparation to charge.

Boarbatusk - DARK - Grimm - (1000 ATK/1000 DEF)

"Unlike Normal Summons, you can Special Summon as much as you like every turn, a fact I'm going to use to flood the board with powerful Monsters!" Jaune said. "For example…" he played another card, "I activate Beacon's Beacon! Since there are two Grimm-type Monsters in play, I can summon a Hunter or Huntress from my deck!"

"Wha-?" Cardin sputtered. "Hang on a second!"

"I summon Warrior in the Woods!" Jaune said. "And when she's summoned, she's automatically equipped with The Boy's Blade, increasing her Attack Points by 500!"

A dark-haired woman in a tattered robe rose from the card as Jaune placed it.

Warrior in the Woods (with The Boy's Blade) - EARTH - Huntress - (2000 ATK/1500 DEF)

"Stop."

"Next I'll tribute my Boarbatusk to summon Death Stalker," Jaune continued. "And since I offered a Grimm to summon it, I can Special Summon Nevermore, too!"

"Stop!"

Cardin slammed his fist on the table, shaking the cards as he glared at Jaune.

"You didn't tell me you were good at the game!"

"I'm not. But my sister is," Jaune smirked. "Saphron taught me everything she knew about Grimm before I left for Beacon. Guess she was hoping someone in the family would carry on after she quit."

"Saphron…?" Cardin's face turned pale. "N-Not Saphron Cotta?!"

"It's Cotta-Arc, actually," Jaune smiled.

"But she's the World Champion!"

"Yup," Jaune said, making sure to pop the p. "And this? This is her deck. All-Out Attack! Let's Go!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Cardin screamed as Jaune's three Monsters tore through his Beowolf and Aura, depleting him of everything he had in a single devastating attack! As he slumped to the ground, defeated, Jaune quietly rose to his feet.

"I'll be taking Velvet's card back now."

A whimper was Cardin's response.

RW-BY-OH!

Impossible.

Inconceivable!

Incredible!

"ARC!" Weiss roared.

The blonde boy flinched, spinning on his heel as he saw his life flash before his eyes.

"Oh, it's just you, Weiss."

"What do you mean, 'just me?'" the girl muttered. "What are you doing with Team CRDL? I thought you were done with this nonsense?!"

"W-Wait! It's not what you think!"

No, it was exactly what she thought. She knew full well that they had been dueling. She only needed him to confirm it!

"Cardin, well… he took Velvet's card!"

"Is. That. So?" she wondered. She cast an icy gaze on the rest of the group, earning a scoff from their leader. "Hmph! I thought you grew out of your petty bullying phase, Winchester."

"For the last time, I won that card! I wasn't bullying that freak!" Cardin snapped.

"Coco's gonna have your head if she hears you called her that—"

"She won't hear 'nuthin!" he said. "Besides, Arc already won it back. Even if he played dirty…" he glared at Jaune. "I'll have my rematch. And next time, I'm gonna win!"

"Win?" Weiss narrowed her eyes further, glancing down at Jaune's hands. The deck he used was still on display.

'Saphron's deck,' Weiss thought darkly.

Saffron Cotta was one of the most renowned Grimm Monsters players in the world! For years, she was at the top of the boards, winning all kinds of GriM tournaments! But one day, a few years ago, she fell off the face of the earth! Who knew it was just because she had retired? And more, that she was related to Jaune!

Weiss bit her cheek, crossing her arms as she stared at the deck in Jaune's hands. How could a bumbling buffoon like him have a sister as talented as her? That despite his tomfoolery and utter doltness in class, he would be just as good a GriM player?!

It wasn't fair.

While she was forced to slave away at some Gala, Jaune would probably get to see all kinds of super-rare cards during break!

It wasn't fair!

'So make it fair,' a voice whispered in her mind. 'Use him. Use the boy!'

She grabbed him.

"We need to talk," she said.