Author's Note: I've been watching Volume 9 since it first came out. This may not impact how I write this AU fanfic. Interestingly, according to interviews with the showrunners, the story of Volume 9 was slated to happen during the Beacon arc. I don't know how that would work, but something tells me it will make sense as more episodes are released.

Ruby looked up at the large video screen from where she stood in the school auditorium. On it, there was an instant replay of her not only taking down the Death Stalker but also the teamwork demonstrated in taking down the Nevermore that found its way into the Emerald Forest. While the two groups were there to experience it, their immediate survival was such a high priority that they were oblivious to everything else. So to see everything play out from a perspective detached from the fear and adrenaline they experienced was a new experience altogether.

"Jaune Arc, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, and Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white king pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR."

Hm? Jaune's leading the team?

"Led by… Jaune Arc!"

Huh. Well, good for him!

Everyone in the audience gave the new team a round of applause, although Jaune was more surprised that he was even given the leadership role. Frankly, Ruby thought Pyrrha would end up as the team leader. But she didn't know any colors that would work for a team name of that nature.

"And finally: Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Yang Xiao Long."

Belladonna… Ruby's mind echoed. It still feels like I should know that last name...

Ozpin looked at the four of them as they stepped forward. "The four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team RWBY."

Wait a minute, is he about to…?!

"Lead by… Ruby Rose!" Ozpin could tell how Ruby felt. Her expression betrayed surprise, and he noticed something similar with Weiss. Amid the cheering, Ozpin leaned forward and addressed Ruby directly. "You have far more potential than you realize, Miss Rose. May you fulfill your role as leader to the best of your ability."

Before Ruby could respond, she felt a pair of arms grab her and lift her into a bear hug.

"Ooh, I'm so proud of you!" Yang cheered.

Weiss rolled her eyes and smiled at both Ruby and Yang. Well, so much for Team WYBR, she thought to herself.

Even Blake found herself smiling at her new team leader. Her and Yang's interaction was adorable, but she smiled because she could tell Ruby would fit well as a team leader (even if her track record for being a good judge of character was spotty at best). And to top it all off, she would be working alongside a Schnee. This was going to be a unique year for sure.

"So, "Ruby Rose" leading Team RWBY," Coco began. "How does it feel?"

Shortly after the team-forming ceremony, tables with punch bowls were presented for students to enjoy. Everyone came together and formed various social gatherings. The rest of Ruby's team were at different parts of the auditorium; Yang was spending time with friends that graduated from Signal alongside her; Blake was at an otherwise empty table reading her book; Weiss, as far as Ruby could tell from a glance, was trying to schmooze with the rest of Team CFVY now that both teams had adequately introduced themselves.

That left Ruby with Coco, the former with her hands on the table they sat at while gingerly holding her plastic cup full of fruit punch. "It's unexpected, but… Well, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised either."

"That was my reaction when I became the leader of CFVY. So I know what you're going through."

"How did you end up becoming team leader?"

Coco crossed one leg over the other underneath the dining table. "Same way you did. After Fox and I grouped up with Yatsuhashi and Velvet, I took charge while we fought the Grimm in the forest."

Ruby smiled a little. "Did you also have to pick up chess pieces to see which team you would be on?"

"Playing cards," Coco corrected. "And I let Fox pick out the King of Hearts."

Ruby had to hold back her laughter, as mild as it was. "Well, when pairing people together is random enough, letting the blind guy pick a playing card will randomize team formations even further, right?"

Coco grinned. "Yeah, that's the right idea!" Fox had a good sense of humor about his disability, so none of them had any qualms about poking fun at his circumstances. He knew getting upset about something beyond his control wouldn't get him anywhere, so he learned ways to work around it and took everything else in stride.

"Anyway," Coco continued. "I have more advice to give you now that you made it past initiation and became a team leader. Mind you, this is pretty important stuff, so I don't want you to start daydreaming while I talk, alright?"

"Are you kidding?" Ruby replied. "I'm not going to turn down advise from someone who could be my mentor."

"Play your cards right, and I might just be." Coco decided against mentioning how cool it would be to have an apprentice. Especially someone with a unique style who knew how to stick with it. "All of us were watching what you girls were doing during initiation, and so long as you're on your way to becoming a Huntresses, you're still going to have all eyes on you. But most importantly, your teammates will look to you to set an example and tell them what to do. Because you're a leader, you have to work twice as hard, and you can't show any weakness. From now on, Weiss, Blake, and Yang will depend on you to keep them safe and alive."

That's a lot of responsibility. Am I really up to the task? Despite her doubts, Ruby gave a firm nod. "I'll try my best."

Coco lowered her sunglasses and looked Ruby directly in the eyes. "Do. Or do not. There is no "try" when you're a Huntress."

"… O… kay-y-y… I'll do my best, then."

Satisfied that she got her point across, Coco adjusted her sunglasses back to where they were. "My second piece of advice is to never screw up. Mistakes happen, but when you're a team leader and make a mistake, it affects everyone around you."

"No pressure, right?" Ruby commented sardonically.

"Actually, that's where my third piece of advice comes on," Coco continued. "You need to learn to have fun with your new role! Being a Huntress is the best feeling in the world, but being a leader is even greater. Just don't let that power go to your head or use it at the expense of your teammates."

"Well, yeah, that last goes without saying," Ruby agreed. "And besides, Yang is my sister. And I don't want to mess anything up with Weiss again."

"And Blake?" Coco noted Ruby's pause and what her dopey smile betrayed. "You're totally crushing on her, aren't you?"

Ruby's cheeks grew noticeably pink. "I mean, kind of?"

"I don't blame you," Coco replied. "Anyone with an air of mystery around them can be captivating. But I want you to remember that some people would rather have their secrets remain secrets. And sometimes, if you do somehow find out what their deal is? You might not be comfortable with the skeletons in their closet."

Ruby was again reminded of what Blake told her last night about her name: Belladonna. She was hoping to ask more about her family. But as a new and enterprising team leader, Ruby should be performing background checks on her new teammates. She already knew Yang for years (so she didn't need any vetting), and Weiss was a public figure, which left Blake.

Ruby tilted her head and gave Coco a mild squint of her eyes. "Is that why you wear sunglasses indoors? Because you're hiding something?"

Coco smirked at the question. "My life's an open book. And besides, sunglasses give me a tactical advantage. It makes me harder to read, and people can't tell if I'm checking out someone cute."

Ruby's head tilt went to her other shoulder, now curious. "Cute boys or cute girls?"

"Cuteness isn't gender specific, Ruby. At least not in my case."

"That's something you and Yang can agree on." Ruby then had an idea about how to look into Blake. "Hey, this school has a library, right?"

With everyone else still in the auditorium and enjoying themselves, the rest of Beacon was barren. The outdoors, the hallways, and even the library were devoid of life (although the last observation wasn't a surprise since libraries had a habit of being empty anyway). Ruby should have checked to see if the librarian was around. The library's architecture caught her attention.

It was about the same size as the auditorium she was in earlier, if not more impressive. She could see bookshelves and rows of reading desks on the first floor, with a second floor that looked to have more of the same (though it was difficult to tell from her current position). She heard that Beacon had a timeless collection of books, but to be here to see all of them was another matter entirely. And how high the ceiling was, combined with the hanging banners and stylized windows, evoked the feeling that she was in a cathedral.

A cathedral of knowledge, maybe? Ruby wondered to herself after making the initial observation. Either way, I'll likely find something about Blake with the number of books here! Time to get to—

Ruby's entire body flinched from the surprise of hearing someone clearing their throat to get her attention. She quickly turned to see someone standing behind a desk, smiling down at her. This girl was a blue-eyed brunette with long hair with lapis lazuli highlights at the end. She wore a long black dress with blue frills and puffy sleeves that reached her wrists while fishnet gloves covered her hands. Parts of her dress had a texture that resembled scales, not unlike the ones on her long and idly swaying reptilian tail.

Ruby was mildly surprised when she saw a type of Faunus she hadn't encountered before, but it didn't impede her from scrutinizing the girl's familiar appearance. "… Hey, wait. You're the girl with the nunchucks I saw when I arrived at Beacon!"

The Faunus's smile brightened. "You're referring to Queen Cerberus, I assume?" she motioned to the triple-pronged weapon holstered on her hip. "I like it too. And thanks to my Semblance, it's more versatile than it appears."

"And what might that be?"

To demonstrate, the girl moved from behind the front desk. Once in a more open space, she grabbed one of the nunchucks and thrust it forward like a spear. In the span of that thrust, Queen Cerberus's three sections moved forward and, on their own, morphed together to become a staff. The ice blue that was present on it before was now a fire red.

"Whoa!… Wait, your weapon is imbued with dust?"

"It is." The Faunus set the staff down and held it like a simple walking stick. "My Semblance allows me to alter the physical properties of most objects. And people, if I'm feeling dangerous."

Ruby raised an eyebrow. "Why would altering people be dangerous?"

"What's so bad about the Chill?"

Ruby shuddered when she recalled that fairy tale, so the rhetorical question was a good answer. People can die from it. Noted.

"Good, I've got my point across to you. Now, we still need to introduce each other. I already know who you are, but I am Mauve Melanie. Or Ms. Melanie, for you. I am the librarian here at Beacon."

"Oh, perfect! I was hoping to find a book here. Do you have any books that can tell me about the Belladonnas? Maybe something involving genealogy? Or… I guess some kind of phone book I can use? I'm not too picky."

As Ruby prattled on, Mauve thought to herself, You know what? To hell with Headmaster Ozpin's instructions. This girl is Blake's team leader and looks smart enough to have found out eventually. Mauve transformed Queen Cerberus back into its nunchuck form, and without missing a beat, she responded with, "Actually, I know just the thing."

Mauve moved back behind the front desk. She crouched, slid aside a wooden screen door, and grabbed a book she intentionally kept hidden from public view. She stood up with the book in her hand and placed it on the desk for Ruby to see.

"… 'Dynasties and Their Lineages'?" It was when she read the title aloud that her instincts kicked in. I think I know where this is going, Ruby thought. I guess I have two heiresses on my team.

Of course, as Ruby flipped through the pages, she realized there was more to this discovery than she imagined. She found the section under "B" labeled "Belladonna," then her intrigue grew as she flipped through the pages. She noticed a pattern from the illustrations of each person in the Belladonna family tree. Each of them had animal traits that were the telltale signs of a Faunus lineage, which, according to the last page detailing the Belladonna dynasty, standardized into feline characteristics. Ruby looked at the page which showed Ghira Belladonna and Kali Belladonna. Then it finally dawned on her: Ghira founded the White Fang. It was something she learned early on during her time at Signal.

Ruby looked up at Mauve and spoke in a hushed tone. "Blake is a Faunus? Why is she keeping this a secret?"

"I do not know," Mauve answered. "All I know is that Professor Ozpin instructed that I and the rest of the school faculty make no mention of it. With that being said… I have a question that I want to ask you. What are your thoughts on Faunus? And more importantly, how do you feel about the White Fang?"

Since they were already on the topic, Ruby was okay with answering. "Honestly? Maybe it's because I live on Patch and have never met one in person, but it doesn't make sense to hate someone because they're different. I would treat them the same as a human." Ruby leaned over a little to look at Mauve's tail. "Then again, I also think Faunus are cooler. I like your tail!"

Mauve smiled. "Thank you. If you're curious, I am a Komodo Dragon Faunus."

"Oh, that's so cool!" Ruby gleefully exclaimed. "So other than the tail, does that mean you can bite people and envenom them?"

The thought of such a unique ability got a small laugh out of Mauve. "As useful as that would be in combat, I'm afraid not. All Faunus only have one animal trait at a time. The only real "power" I have is night vision, a common ability we share."

"Oh…" Ruby sounded slightly disappointed by the answer. "Night vision's pretty cool too. Um, back on topic, though, you wanted to know my thoughts on the White Fang?" Mauve only nodded to Ruby, prompting her to continue the conversation. "Politics have never really been my strong suit, so I can't speak on them with any authority. So at best, I know they exist, and they've been on the news more than once. I guess I've always wondered why they think violence is the answer, but something tells me that's a dumb thing to ask."

"Miss Rose," Mauve began, looking Ruby in the eyes. "There is no such thing as a stupid question. Only stupid people who don't ask questions. And to answer yours, they didn't use to have an "ends justifies the means" mentality. In fact, do you know why they were originally called the White Fang?"

Ruby shook her head.

"They're white because they aren't stained with blood. It's supposed to represent how Faunus aren't as savage as people think. But current events have made that point moot." Mauve leaned forward against the front desk. "Anyway. Now that you know about Blake's true nature, there are two things I must ask of you."

"I'm not gonna tell anyone else about this," Ruby told her, knowing where the discussion was headed.

"Good!" Mauve explained. "That was the first thing I was going to ask."

"So what's the other one?"

Mauve paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "You've likely figured this out by now, but some Faunus feel shame about their heritage. But others, like me, take pride in being a Faunus, despite the circumstances. Blake shouldn't be ashamed of her pedigree, so if there's ever an opportunity to do so—tactfully, of course—you must let her know that she has nothing to be afraid of."

Ruby was getting a taste of the responsibility of leadership as Mauve talked. Although unique to her team, this one issue would be the first of many to resolve as leader of Team RWBY. Her mind wandered to what Ozpin said during the team initiation: You have far more potential than you realize, Miss Rose. May you fulfill your role as leader to the best of your ability.

"I'll tr—uh, I'll be sure to do that," Ruby assured. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you something."

Mauve stood upright again and focused on Ruby. "Of course."

There was a moment of hesitation, but she spoke her mind. "Do you think Professor Ozpin really sees me as leader material? That I have potential?"

Mauve gave Ruby a warm smile. "It's perfectly normal if you have doubts, Miss Rose, but—"

"Oh, it's not that!" Ruby replied. "It just caught me by surprise."

Mauve gave Ruby a miffed stare for a moment before she continued. "Anyway. This is a man who, for as long as I have known him, has proven to be wise far beyond his years and an astonishing judge of character. If he believes you are worthy of being a team leader, then you should instead ask yourself, 'How hard am I going to work to prove him right?'"

Ruby glanced down as she reflected on the question. How hard will I work to prove him right…? It became apparent to her how much Mauve looked up to Professor Ozpin. And it looks like Ruby had to give him the same amount of faith. She looked into Mauve's eyes and said, "Harder than anyone else here."

Mauve warmly smiled when she heard Ruby's answer. "That's a great attitude to have." Mauve moved around the front desk to stand in front of Ruby again. "But remember that a flame which burns twice as bright lasts half as long. You can push yourself past your limits to improve, but ensure you don't hurt yourself while doing so."

"I get that," Ruby mentioned. "Being here means the world to me, and the last thing I want to do is flunk or drop out."

"Good. If you need any help along the way, you know who to ask."

Ruby walked back towards the library's exit. "Thank you, Ms. Melanie. I'm glad we met." With a gentle wave to Mauve, Ruby turned around and walked out with a new sense of motivation and direction.

I'll be the best team leader that Weiss, Blake, and Yang will ever have!