Chapter 24: Taming of the Schnee
Weiss was all but seathing as she sat at her terminal in the Cross Continental Transit System tower as she read a latest news report. One of the ships belonging to the Schnee Dust Company had been attacked by members of the White Fang. Everyone from the captain of the ship to the cleaning crews were slaughtered and the cargo was stolen. Weiss hoped to be able to use her influence as the company's heiress to find out what exactly was stolen, but the results hadn't been forthcoming.
It seemed like the company always had a new secret that she, for whatever reason, was never informed about. Once again the White Fang had targeted the company and more lives were brutally lost. Another reason she had such a deep loathing for them. How many people had the White Fang killed that were associated with her company?
"Can't you go anywhere without looking like you just got out of a fight?" the voice of Yang Xiao Long cut into Weiss's thoughts.
"You make it sound like I deliberately seek out those situations," a voice which seemed to raise Weiss's ire even further.
She turned her head to see Jacen Horne sitting with Yang and that gray colored urchin from Mantle. She noticed that Jacen seemed to be receiving these injuries more frequently. Not that she particularly cared, Jacen had been a thorn in her side from the first time she met him.
Ruby was an immature child, Yang was a brutish thug who drank till she blacked out, and Weiss had a suspicion there was more to Blake than the latter girl was letting on. Jacen was something different, and the more Weiss came to know him, the more she disliked him. She didn't know what it was about him, but Weiss saw something that went beyond his arrogance and attitude. Jacen had a way of getting under her skin, and Weiss knew he did it on purpose.
Weiss hadn't managed to find out what Jacen's semblance was, as it seemed to have various effects that seemed to defy what was typical of a semblance. It seemed to be a combination of Professor Glynda Goodwitch's telekinetic semblance and an unfamiliar mind control semblance. Then there was his weapon and that droid thing that followed him around. True not every weapon was made the same, but Weiss never heard of any huntsman or huntress who wielded such a weapon as Jacen's lightsaber.
The droid he called Skipper didn't match anything she'd ever seen in any mobile of robotics Atlas had designed. Weiss's gaze fell on the droid in question and she scowled. It wasn't very tasteful to design a robot that resembled a trash can, yet, Skipper showed that it was just as capable as any of the Atlesian Knights.
She averted her gaze when she saw Jacen was looking in her direction. Somehow it seemed like he was personally out to get her. What if he was using his unconventional semblance to turn everyone against her every time she tried getting information from him? During her freetime, she'd been doing research to find out if there was anyone else who had the weapons or abilities that Jacen had.
Sometimes, when she pretended to be asleep, she heard a conversation between Yang and Ruby. She just figured they were just discussing their assignments from one of their classes with Professor Peach, but when Jacen's name entered the discussion, she paid closer attention. She couldn't make sense of what they were talking about, but keywords such as Jedi, lightsaber, and war stood out for her.
The lightsaber she'd already guessed was the name of Jacen's weapon, but the word Jedi was the most unfamiliar term. As for war, Weiss assumed that Yang had been talking about the Great War, but Weiss hadn't found anything about a Jedi fighting at any point during the war.
The door to the tower opened, and Weiss saw the final member of Team RWBY enter. Blake Belladonna was an enigma, and Weiss didn't like mysteries. The girl seemed to disappear whenever she felt like it, and was rarely seen with her teammates unless it had to do with class. There were other things too that Weiss had noticed. Like Blake's avoidance of the subject of the White Fang, or how she would get tense whenever it was mentioned. Something was up with Blake, and Weiss intended to find out what that was.
However, it was Jacen she wanted to figure out. It simply made Weiss angry that, while it seemed other people were included, she was excluded from the discussions. There was something going on, and she was being left out. Her father had always said that she was more responsible than her brother and sister combined, so why wasn't she trusted with whatever secret everyone seemed to be keeping?
Fine, if they wouldn't share, Weiss was going to find out another way. Normally she'd never even considered undergoing such a thought as, not only was it reckless, it would get her in big trouble, likely resulting in her being expelled.
However, she wasn't going to be deterred, she was going to find out what Jacen Horne was hiding, and why everyone else seemed to be in on it.
"I swear she was just staring into my soul," Jacen said after enduring Weiss's icy glare.
Things had gradually returned to normal after Jacen's encounter with Roman's mute assassin Neo. Yang's remark as she saw the slight wound Neo's hidden blade left wasn't lost on him. Still, he thanked the Force that the blade Neo used wasn't poisoned.
"Well she's not yelling at you," Yang said.
"Maybe the Ice Queen is starting to thaw out a bit."
"I wouldn't be so optimistic," Blake said, as she sat in a chair on the opposite end of the table.
"Schnees aren't known for having a warm disposition for anything they see as beneath them."
Jacen noticed that Blake was being somewhat more social, but it was like she wasn't trying to really connect with anyone. Moreover, he felt like she was also being cautious around himself. His mind went back to the photo Tukson had of a young Blake with her father Ghira, a young Dusky Jones, and then there was the young Adam Taurus.
Jacen didn't have specifics on what Blake did while she was with the White Fang and it wasn't his place to go poking her when she didn't want to share parts of her past, but given what little information he got from Dusky, in addition to the events that happened during the Black Citadel, it left little to his imagination as to what Blake had witnessed.
Coupled with the fact that, impossible as it was, a surviving member of the Confederacy of Independent Systems had taken up residence, possibly in Atlas, and they were supplying the White Fang with whatever supply of battle droids they had. He'd hoped to begin looking into that, but his studies at Beacon kept him occupied.
"By the way, what'd you think of uncle Qrow?" Yang asked, snapping Jacen out of his thoughts.
"Oh, he was incredible," Jacen said.
A sound from Gray's end caught Jacen's attention, "You mean you actually saw THE Qrow Branwen in action?" He asked with evident interest.
Small wonder, given that Gray's love of history also involved a study on the Branwen Tribe. True, Qrow was everything Yang and Ruby had said, even with his apparent alcoholism. Still, given how Jacen understood how Qrow's semblance engineered misfortune to both his enemies and his allies, it was likely that Qrow's other companions hadn't been as fortunate.
Nevertheless, Jacen shared his thoughts on how Qrow fought Roman himself as a kind of payback for attacking Ruby. Though when Jacen mentioned how Qrow had sized him up after hearing Jacen's choice of colorful words around Ruby, Yang gave a slight laugh.
"Told ya so," Yang said, giving Jacen a light punch on the shoulder.
Jacen rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Gray, who had been eagerly taking in every detail. After finishing his story, Jacen turned his attention to Blake, who was buried in one of her books. Inwardly, Jacen was grateful that Blake wasn't reading "Ninjas of Love". It was bad enough that Jacen had found that particular book, first in Tukson's bookshop and again on Blake's side of the room she shared with the other girls.
Though Blake also had a collection of books that he himself read and quite enjoyed. The title of the book Blake was currently reading was "Duality" a story detailing a man with two souls fighting for control over his body. He'd brought that up to Gray, but he didn't seem enthusiastic about it. He was more interested in the historical side of books.
"If I ever see that Roman Torchwick myself, I'll break every bone in his body,"Yang said, her hands clenched into fists.
Jacen didn't doubt that Yang could do it either, given that she was a force to be reckoned with, especially with her semblance. Though Yang would have to get through Neo first and Neo would take advantage of Yang's blindspot.
Yang would go down swinging, but she would go down. The thought of that gave Jacen a very uneasy feeling, and he couldn't quite put his finger on why. He knew that Yang wasn't invincible, and that she didn't have the kind of experience Jacen had.
True, during his and Yang's sparring sessions in which he was teaching her to incorporate elements of the Echani martial art, which allowed one to read an opponent during combat, Yang was making some progress. However, Yang still had that tactical tunnel vision where she focused on finishing the fight in one blow. Jacen hoped that, given more training, Yang would be able to use her semblance without using up all the energy she gathers whenever she takes a hit in one blow.
"So, anyone have plans for the Vytal Festival?" Gray asked.
Among everything else that's been going on, the Vytal Festival was still an ongoing topic. Jacen had heard several stories, particularly from Coco and her team about what they might expect in addition to times when they'd actually seen the Vytal Festival held in Mistral one year. Naturally, Rowan viewed it as part of his ongoing rise to redeem the Cú Warrior's honor by demonstrating his skill and valor.
Jacen himself was looking forward to a bit of friendly competition. Naturally, Gray hadn't stopped talking about it due to its historic significance. During his studies, both before and after attending Beacon, he gained more insight into how the Great War influenced modern society throughout Remnant.
"A lot of nations thought that it was the emotions incited by art that lured in massive hordes of Grimm and so any form of self expression were destroyed," Gray explained.
"Never mind that some nations were actually stupid enough to try using Grimm to give them an advantage," Yang put in.
Jacen was also aware that there were some who, even after the Great War, were still hostile towards each other. That was part of the reason why there were always tensions between Mistral and Atlas, and even the Faunus were seen as lower beings. Psarudakis and Fiskare, both being absorbed by Mistral during the war, any people from either of those countries were looked upon with contempt for not being pure Mistralians.
Jacen reflected that if Rouge wasn't ostracized for being a Faunus that got nutrition from drinking blood, her being from Fiskare put her under that same scrutiny. Then there was the prejudice against Jacen and Rowan themselves, and it wasn't because they were from different continents.
Jacen wasn't even born on Remnant, so he had nonconformity more than anyone else while Rowan wasn't so much scrutinized for being a Faunus, but because the Cú Warriors had devolved into brutish thugs that lost their honor. Nevertheless, Jacen was determined to make a good impression due the Vytal Festival.
"Um, I think Ice Queen is staring at you again," Yang said.
Sure enough, Jacen's eyes met those of Weiss's ice blue ones. Even from here, Jacen could tell that she was planning something, but she wanted to wait until they were alone. If that was the case, Jacen would give her that time.
Weiss was waiting outside of the locker room as Team RWBY had finished another training session in Professor Goodwitch's class. She had waited for the perfect opportunity to confront Jacen without drawing any unwanted attention. She knew that she couldn't let this go any longer.
Jacen had made her feel like a fool when he used that power of his to make her stop arguing with him after confronting him about how he'd come to own that droid. He used his telekinesis to nearly strangle Rowan, which still gave Weiss chill's whenever she thought about it. Though, when she reflected on how Jacen had used his ability to catch that oaf Cardin Winchester with his pants down, she actually laughed a bit, but then she remembered when Jacen also used that same power to make her fall unceremoniously to the ground.
That was just the tip of the iceberg. The more Weiss thought about it, the more things came to light. During their sparring matches with Professor Goodwitch, he always managed to anticipate what they were going to do and countered.
"We can have this conversation in the library if you want," Jacen said, just loud enough for Weiss to hear.
Weiss still didn't like how it seemed Jacen knew things which hadn't happened yet, as he apparently knew this meeting was inevitable. Still, Weiss wasn't going to back down now, as she led him into the library.
Weiss looked around to see if anyone was around before turning her attention to Jacen, who leaned against one of the shelves with his arms folded, waiting for Weiss to speak.
"I want to know exactly what you are," Weiss said.
"Ever since you came here, there've been odd things going on."
Jacen let out a sigh, "I'm not trying to make an enemy out of you," he said with what sounded like strained patience.
Weiss scoffed, that was clearly what Jacen was doing. He was just trying to make himself look better than he really was.
Jacen went on, looking Weiss square in the eye, as he said, "I'm not going to lie to you, you're a bit of a pain in the ass," he said.
Weiss was taken aback by Jacen's sudden change in tone, but she remained defiant.
"You're spoiled, arrogant, entitled, and think you're better than everyone else."
Weiss felt like she'd been slapped in the face, how dare Jacen talk to her like that? He had no right! She was about to tell him off when he continued, "However, you have potential, I've said so before after the night of initiation," he said.
Weiss folded her arms, she wasn't buying it, "You're just saying that," she said.
Jacen shook his head, "I don't say anything unless I mean it," he said.
Part of her felt he was being genuine, but she still felt like he was toying with her. There were more questions she had.
"Why did you come here?" She asked.
"Ever consider that there are other people here that have as much to prove as you do?" Jacen asked.
Weiss had never considered that. Everyone else seemed to be perfectly content with their lot in life, why wouldn't they? Weiss had everything, didn't she? It was true that she had more than others, but that wasn't by her choice. Even as a Schnee, it felt like she was always living within her father's shadow.
That was one reason she wanted to become a huntress here at Beacon. Though, it wasn't so much to have everything just because she was a Schnee. Yet, her personal pride brought Weiss back to look Jacen in the eye with her next words.
"Ever since you've come here things have been very odd with you," she said.
"That weird power of yours, that lightsaber, even that robot thing."
"I wasn't lying when I said you have what it takes to be a good huntress," Jacen said, but immediately stopped when Weiss narrowed her eyes.
"Don't toy with me," she said.
"I won't fall for any more of your mind control or levitation."
"I'm being honest," Jacen said.
"How do I know you're not using that same power every time I confront you?" Weiss asked.
"What do you mean?" Jacen asked.
"I mean using your power to get everyone else to go after me if I try confronting you," Weiss said.
"That's more to do with the fact you've been mean ever since initiation," Jacen said, trying not to get angry.
Weiss didn't believe Jacen for one second, he had to be using that strange power of his. She wasn't about to give Jacen the satisfaction of having it work on her this time. Now Weiss came to her main point.
Weiss inhaled then blew out her breath with exaggeration.
"Do you know that there's nothing in any of these books about Jedi?" Weiss said, gesturing to the books on their shelves throughout the library.
"I even used the CCT computer terminals and didn't find anything on lightsabers, Jedi, or that strange power of yours."
Weiss noticed that Jacen stiffened when she used the word Jedi. She didn't understand what that meant either and still didn't know. She'd heard Yang and Ruby talk about it whenever they thought she was asleep.
Jacen quickly recovered from his stiffness, "Weiss, there are some secrets that I can't tell," he said.
Weiss clenched her hands into fists. She'd hoped she wouldn't have to resort to this, but Jacen had left her with no choice. If words weren't going to do the job, she'd do it differently.
"If you won't just tell me, then I challenge you to a duel," Weiss said.
Jacen's eyes widened, "You're actually that determined to find out my secret that you're issuing me a challenge?" He asked in astonishment.
Weiss nodded, but Jacen could tell that she was scared underneath her outward defiance.
Jacen shook his head, how could he make her see reason? As he told her before, she had a lot of potential, and it seemed that the only way he could get her to see reason was to show her through action.
Jacen sighed, resigned to the fact that he couldn't avoid this, he asked, "When and where?"
"Midnight, on the temple ruins where we collected those chess pieces," Weiss said.
If Jacen didn't think Weiss was insane before, he definitely did now. True the shield fence had been repaired after it had been sabotaged, but Ozpin said that there were still more Grimm that had taken advantage of the breach and were now prowling in the Emerald Forest. Grimm were already a problem during the day, but Jacen's first encounter with a pack of Beowolves showed they were just as dangerous, if not more so, at night.
"Weiss, no secret is worth going through such extremes," Jacen said.
Weiss was unmoved, she wasn't backing down, "If you want to prove yourself to me, you'll meet me there," she said.
"It's far too odd that there's never been so much as a mention of whatever you are yet it's like you just appeared out of nowhere."
"Would telling you make any difference?" Jacen asked.
"That depends on what you end up saying and whether I decide if you're even more dangerous than I already suspect," Weiss answered.
"Weiss I'm telling you no amount of information is worth getting killed over," Jacen said, trying to be reasonable.
Jacen knew the real reason Weiss wanted to become a huntress, even if she wasn't ready to explain it to anyone yet.
However, if she was caught doing this, it would get her in deep trouble. Jacen remembered tales he and Maru heard about trouble prone Padawans or younglings who were either severely punished or expelled from the Jedi Order over major offenses even the Council couldn't ignore.
There were stories of a Jedi who was actually expelled from the Jedi Order for taking advantage of an enemy of the Republic by tricking her into thinking he was on her side in order to get her to reveal her plans.
Jacen and Maru were horrified when they heard that story. How could a Jedi be expelled from the Order for simply wanting to do their duty? It seemed the Jedi of old were as capable of hypocrisy as everyone else.
"Don't be late," Weiss said, flicking her hair back, turning on her heel and walking away.
Jacen didn't like how this conversation had gone. She'd gone from indignation to a dangerous resolution to prove herself with the intention of getting the truth out from Jacen.
He'd been right to trust Yang, Ruby and his own team with his secret, though given the recent events wherein the White Fang and Roman Torchwick of all people knew what he was, Weiss was another person he felt he couldn't tell, not so much because of what she'd do when she heard his story, but because she'd be put into more danger than she could possibly imagine.
It wasn't just the White Fang, given that the presence of battle droids at the Black Citadel gave every indication that a surviving member of the Confederacy of Independent Systems had taken up residence, likely in Atlas. If a Separatist found out a Jedi had stumbled upon whatever their operation, they'd be looking for anyone they felt had information. Weiss would become a target if he told her the truth and he didn't want to put her in that position.
He was certain that she had the potential, but it was blocked by her arrogance, the result of being raised in a high class environment not to mention being the closest thing to royalty. Though Jacen sensed there was more to Weiss's mood. She'd said she didn't want things handed to her because she was a Schnee, she wanted to earn them through her own skill.
Perhaps he could help her realize that, though not in any conversation. He'd have to prove that he wasn't just manipulating her through the Force as she wrongly suspected. He'd go not so much to fight her, but to see if he could help her break through her own mental walls.
Weiss had to stop herself from shedding tears out of frustration when she got to her own room. She had no way of knowing whether Jacen was being sincere in his appraisal of her having potential or if he was using his power to make her think so. Part of her felt that he was being genuine and there was no mistaking the urgency when he was warning her against the duel she'd issued.
Still, if she really did have the potential, why wasn't she made the leader? She looked at the empty bunks where everyone else slept. An all too familiar feeling suddenly ran through her, loneliness.
She was alone, even when she was back in Atlas among the many people that all but worshiped her for being a Schnee she was alone.
Willow, her mother and the rightful owner of the Schnee Dust Company, had secluded herself, plunging herself into casks of wine, becoming somewhat estranged.
Winter, her older sister, had joined the Atlesian Military after graduating from the Atlas Academy.
Winter had been her source of strength, especially during times when her father returned home furious after another incident involving the White Fang attacking shipments.
Her brother Whitely had been a different kind of tormentor as he passed himself off as perfect in the eyes of her father, but seemed to always make her feel worse.
When Winter left and Willow buried herself into seclusion, Weiss was made to suffer the brunt of Jacques anger.
Despite being the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, Weiss never felt like she belonged there. All of the praise and admiration she got was because she was a Schnee, but she wanted more than that.
Instinctively her hand rubbed her cheek, the memory of how often he'd hit her out of anger. Now she found that she was crying as she wiped away tears. She wanted to be as far from her cruel father as possible and make a real name for herself, not simply because she was a Schnee, but to be seen for who she actually was.
As Weiss let herself cry, she remembered how Jacen had talked about her having potential and that he could see that she had something she could use to make a real name for herself.
After she dried her eyes she brought herself up and resumed her usual aspect. She looked into a mirror on the far side of the room and motioned to the scar over her eye, the one she'd earned while training with the sentinel.
Absently, she began singing her own song "Mirror, mirror," in a soft and quiet voice which most claimed to be angelic whenever they heard her perform.
Even when she performed, she didn't feel that she deserved any of the praise she got. It was only because of her last name, not for her talents. That was why she wanted to prove that she was more than just the heir to the Schnee Dust Company.
On the last note she actually spoke aloud, "I'm the loneliest of all," she said, laying a gentle hand upon the mirror.
That was when she realized she had nothing left. She was alone in the world, her father didn't care for her, her mother was estranged and Winter was somewhere across Remnant. She hadn't heard from anyone at home in months, not even Winter.
Weiss couldn't understand how Jacen could have gotten into Beacon without so much as a mention of his existence in any history books. After tonight, she'd finally have her answer. She closed her eyes to recompose herself, then she left the room to prepare for this upcoming fight.
From the base of the ruins where Ozpin had placed the chess pieces, Jacen sat in quiet meditation, calling upon the Force to give him guidance on how to handle this situation in a way that will break through Weiss's impenetrable mental walls while also helping her realize he hadn't been tricking her.
Jacen could sense that Weiss had a lot of potential, but it was blocked by the self-imposed walls she had built around her heart. He recalled what he said during their first conversation about her potential being blocked and he wanted to help her get past those walls.
Though Jacen knew that he had his own shortcomings and mental walls. The Fall of Taris was still a fresh wound as was the death of Daro Kilaeon during Order 66. Was there even a method a Jedi could use to overcome the horror of the fact that, by fighting in the Clone Wars at all, the Jedi had lost.
Jacen let out a long sigh as he pondered these thoughts. He had no way of knowing if the Jedi were even still around. If there were any left, where were they?
The night air blew through the trees in the forest and the sky was full of stars with the shattered moon in a waxing half phase of its cycle. He barely gave the wind a second thought, in fact he wasn't truly there.
"Master," Jacen whispered.
He hadn't expected to hear Daro's voice, then again, Jacen didn't think it was possible that he'd even be successful in contacting Daro from beyond the vale of death. He recalled that instant while he was on Pantora when he heard Daro's voice calling his name. In the long months he'd been hiding under the Empire's radar, he'd been trying to make a connection with Daro to see whether or not he could speak to him, but he never received an answer.
Now, as he sat in meditation, Jacen finally had his answer. Daro was dead, he couldn't come back, yet Jacen felt his old Master's presence. It was faint, but he knew it was him.
"Are you there?" Jacen asked. Still there was no reply.
He tried not to let an all too familiar feeling of doubt cloud his mind. He fought against the idea that the voice he'd heard on Pantora was simply a passing memory. Daro had undoubtedly become one with the Force and yet that moment where he heard Daro's voice, ethereal as it was, hinted at a greater mystery which Jacen still had yet to solve. Perhaps if he meditated a little more he might finally receive a message from Daro.
Slowly, with reluctance, he returned to his physical self. The night air still blew through the trees in the Emerald Forest and the shattered moon was still in the same half phase it was in before he began meditating.
"You spoke before, why stay silent when you have more knowledge than I could possibly possess from wherever you are in the Force," Jacen said.
The wind died down and Jacen heard no more of Daro's voice. He closed his eyes and bowed his head, disappointed that he hadn't gotten any answers.
"Who were you talking to just then?" Weiss asked in her usual tone.
Jacen looked over his shoulder and saw her standing on the edge of the ruins with Myrtenaster in hand and dressed in her combat gear. Her rapier was held firmly in her grasp as she waited for her answer. He turned to face her and took in her appearance.
Her eyes were slightly puffy from what Jacen sensed was tears of frustration or something else.
He didn't want to start off the conversation with her by telling her about Daro. She was already angry enough and he knew the conversation would take a turn for the worse. So he decided to do this as a Jedi and help Weiss get out of her own self constructed prison.
"We believed there was a mystic presence which we called the Force," Jacen said.
One of Weiss's eyebrows lifted, "You mean you actually believe there's some magical presence just floating around in the air?" She asked.
Jacen probably shouldn't be surprised by Weiss's skepticism.
Outside of Ozpin's circle and very likely Salem herself, no one throughout Remnant even believed that magic existed. It only existed in fairytales or mythology within this world's view.
It wasn't unusual for those unfamiliar with the Force throughout the galaxy to regard it as magic.
Jacen nodded, he decided to take this slowly, though he wasn't sure how this was going to turn out, he'd never faced such a difficult challenge.
"There's still time to reconsider," Jacen said, trying one more time to convince Weiss.
Weiss shook her head, her expression unwavering.
Jacen sighed, there was no changing her mind, now or ever. He decided that it was best to show her the truth, rather than tell her, the latter of which was exactly what she didn't want to hear.
Without a word she'd drawn her weapon which Jacen saw had a design so unique, it could have passed for a lightsaber in its own way.
He'd only ever witnessed it from a distance, but now that he was confronted with it, he could see that it was something that had likely been In Weiss's family for generations.
He had a sudden flicker of memory as he observed Weiss's ready posture. Perhaps he was imagining it, but from the ready position she took, it gave Jacen the impression of the Makashi style of lightsaber combat, the style utilized by Count Dooku, emphasizing feats that were in line with a fencing style of dueling.
Of course, Jacen had been trained in all seven forms of lightsaber combat, though he preferred to utilize a personalized Ataru form. While Jacen had sufficient skill in Makashi, he didn't often use it due to its association with Dooku.
He recalled that Daro stressed the importance of being familiar with Dooku's style as it can help in certain situations. Therefore, he withdrew his own lightsaber then raised it in a Makashi salute then held it at the ready.
The two of them stood at the edge of the ruins with nothing but the shattered moon as their witness. The night air still blew through the trees and the sky was clear with the stars bright and shimmering in the darkness.
Weiss was doing well in keeping herself composed, but Jacen knew there were a lot of bad thoughts she was harboring.
This wasn't about beating Weiss, it was important for Jacen to help Weiss and show that he wasn't everything she'd wrongly thought.
With Jacen as a Jedi, it was a moral imperative for him to help her see that she had the potential he saw in her. Weiss was also keeping up the front of being above all of this, but Jacen knew otherwise.
"Don't hold anything back," Jacen said.
"Show me what you are made of."
He placed a strong emphasis on "you" when speaking to Weiss.
Without any reply, Weiss lunged forward.
Diving into Makashi, Jacen's blade clashed with Weiss who demonstrated exceptional swordsmanship, the result of years of intense training.
In a way, it made Jacen remember when he was an Initiate who participated in the Council's ceremonial duels which only ended when one combatant disarmed the other.
Weiss lunged, parried, and reposed with Jacen responding in kind, though there were a few times when she over extended, but he chose not to take advantage of them.
Then Weiss, having broken out of a lock, lept backward and a large glyph began to form around her.
Suddenly, the Force shouted a warning as he looked down to see a similar glyph appeared underneath him and it was changing from the bluish color to red just as Weiss's was doing.
At the last second, Jacen leapt up just as the glyph detonated as though it were a mine being set off.
He'd landed a few feet from where he'd been standing and saw a small crater.
Weiss's swordplay had been a diversion so she could prepare a trap by using her semblance to summon a glyph infused with explosive fire dust.
"I'm impressed," Jacen said.
Weiss didn't respond but simply lunged forward and Jacen slipped again into Makashi.
Instinctively, he'd actually thrown out his hand sending Weiss backward, only for her to summon a glyph which she landed on as though it were solid ground then used it to propel her toward Jacen, then she summoned more glyphs and attempted to strike him from different angles.
Jacen ducked, blocked, and sidestepped with such speed that it left Weiss surprised.
Weiss's moves were nothing short of elegant, as though this were a dance and in fact she seemed to actually spin much like a ballerina. Still, it wouldn't do if Jacen made this easy.
It was important that he let Weiss know she fought him with everything she had while he showed her that he wasn't just manipulating her. With a strong Force assisted leap, Jacen managed to avoid another blast from one of Weiss's glyphs and landed on his feet.
After the next few strikes from Weiss, some of which actually went through his own defense, she flipped backward and landed on an elevated glyph looking down at him.
"It seems you have the high ground," Jacen said, though he felt a tinge of dramatic irony with that statement.
There was no mistaking what was going through Weiss's mind. She believed she finally had him.
"You could just surrender now," Weiss said.
"At least you'd be able to preserve your dignity."
"Sorry, but I don't give up easily," Jacen said.
It probably wasn't the right thing to say because Weiss all but sneered at him, "Let's see if we can't fix that," she said, stabbing her weapon into the glyph which spun then turned black.
Suddenly, Jacen felt himself being dragged to the ground as though in high gravity.
With some difficulty, he looked and noticed Weiss had another glyph summoned underneath him, this one infused with gravity dust.
It took all of his strength to keep from being crushed by the gravity Weiss had placed under his feet.
He struggled to try to even lift his head up to where Weiss was standing. She definitely was good, better than Jacen had always expected, but if she thought heavy gravity would make him yield she was sadly mistaken.
Whenever she used her glyphs as she did now, she was always standing on another one, that one likely acting as a focal point for whatever actions she calls her glyphs to do.
Therefore, Jacen focused upon the glyph she was standing on.
Clearing his mind, he reached through the Force to cause the one she was standing on to shrink.
Then as though willing it, Weiss's glyph began to shrink and eventually it vanished, as did the glyph he was trapped in vanished too.
When Jacen opened his eyes he saw Weiss land on a glyph she summoned. He also saw that he'd made a mistake when he'd done that. Weiss was enraged.
"I'm not your plaything!" She spat angrily then lept backward onto another glyph.
This time she moved her weapon in a circular arch and six glyphs appeared in front of her.
Jacen knew he had seconds to get distance from Weiss before she unleashed her attack.
Then with a flick of her wrist, the glyphs began to glow and Jacen had the inspiration not to sink into Makashi for this.
Sure enough, bullets of ice shot from the glyphs as though Weiss were firing a massive automatic gun.
Switching to Soresu, he deftly deflected or dodged the oncoming blows though it was becoming difficult as this continued.
Still, he stood his ground as a Jedi must, no matter how overwhelming the situation was, for that was what he was trained to do.
Then as soon as it had begun, the barrage ended.
Jacen was breathing heavily from the exertion of deflecting or dodging Weiss's attack.
"If it means anything Weiss, they came close to hitting me," Jacen said.
It had indeed been close, even the bullets from the turret of the bulwark Roman Torchwick stole to escape after his dust robbery went sideways hadn't come even close to hitting him as Weiss's crystalline barrage had.
Weiss was frustrated now, undoubtedly thinking Jacen was just toying with her.
"Weiss, you have every right to be here, you might not have been chosen as the leader, but that doesn't mean you can't still make a name for yourself," Jacen said, trying to give her encouragement.
Weiss's eyes widened in surprise and he could tell that she had at least taken his words to be genuine.
"You wanted me to show you everything I can do?" Weiss asked as she prepared herself for something.
"We'll see how you handle this."
Suddenly, a glyph appeared under Weiss and another one was rotating.
Whatever Weiss was about to do, it wasn't going to be like the other times where she simply infused her glyphs with dust.
Going into a Soresu ready stance he showed a slight grin, "Do your best," he said.
Weiss had indeed been getting frustrated as the fight continued.
Jacen and whatever power or semblance he used seemed to give him just as much versatility as her own.
She had also thought that he was simply toying with her, but from how he'd invited her to come at him with everything she had, she felt that this wasn't just some trick.
Though part of her stubbornly refused to allow herself to believe that.
How could she make a name for herself if she wasn't a leader?
Now wasn't the time to hesitate, she'd have to try using her trump card that she'd been saving.
She aimed Myrtenaster outward and began to focus on summoning something, in this situation, the sentinel she'd fought and defeated during her training.
She remembered Winter being able to summon an Alpha Beowolf and an Ursa Major she'd defeated without much effort, but Weiss never seemed to be able to do so.
She tried to recall what Winter had said regarding her semblance, that it was similar to a muscle that needed to be exercised otherwise it became virtually useless.
She could feel her aura being drained as she tried to call forth the sentinel.
She focused really hard on trying to summon the sentinel, but strain was beginning to take over.
That and her head was swimming with the image of her father slapping her in a rage whenever he was disappointed in her.
When the mental pain suddenly became physical, she stopped and the glyphs both vanished leaving her standing before Jacen feeling ashamed.
She could feel the stinging sensation where her father had slapped her.
Why was it that her attempts at summoning always failed? Winter never had problems with summoning anything, so what was stopping Weiss from doing the same?
She fell to her knees and felt tears forming in her eyes. She almost expected Jacen to take a jab at seeing her in a moment of weakness, but when she looked up, he'd attached his weapon to his belt and offered his hand to her.
The stinging in her face continued but she took his hand and he pulled her up to her feet.
She was still breathing heavily from the exertion of her failed attempt to summon the sentinel and felt her aura level falling rapidly.
Her head was beginning to pound and she felt her legs grow weak.
"I'm not sure what that might have been, but if you ever master it, I'm sure it will be a great tool for you," he said, not out of spite, but trying to be sincere.
However, the shock of him seeing her in this state compelled her to run, though it might have been her final mistake as she barely avoided the sweeping claws of an Alpha Beowolf.
She didn't even have time to summon her glyphs as she quickly retreated as the beast growled and leapt toward her.
Before it could strike again, the sound of Jacen's weapon activating made her turn to see that Jacen had hurled it like a throwing disk and it cleaved through the Beowolf's head which toppled over, dissolving as it fell.
She breathed a sigh of relief that she was safe, but was caught off guard when Jacen suddenly pulled her away to avoid another Beowolf, which snarled and leapt at them.
That hadn't been the only one though as Weiss heard a large pack of them emerging from the forest.
On top of feeling ashamed, she now wished she actually had listened to Jacen about fighting in this place.
Jacen knew something like this might happen, but he didn't think there'd be so many Grimm out here.
Also, didn't it just have to be a pack of beowolves?
He still had the scars from his very first encounter.
He saw that Weiss had been shaken by his words, he wasn't sure if they'd gotten through to her, but he was glad she was at least taking a breather.
Then suddenly, a low growl made them both look up to see an Alpha Beowolf standing before them. This one was even bigger than the one Jacen had fought and been wounded by during his first encounter.
Weiss should have listened to his warning and now they were in the thick of perhaps the largest pack of beowolves he'd ever seen so far.
"Weiss, get up!" He shouted, noticing she was still frozen to the spot.
Then, without waiting for her to get up, he raised his hand and focused as hard as he could to bring the Force under his control and send the Alpha flying backwards.
He drew his weapon and sliced through two beowolves that got too close, but he was also trying to keep Weiss protected.
"We have to fight our way out."
Weiss stared at him as though he'd lost his mind.
He'd hoped to use this as a chance to help her, but it seemed to have the opposite effect.
She felt ashamed at being seen at a weak moment and she probably still thought he was just toying with her.
Though there might be one way, even though it might kill him.
He saw that Weiss was about to be overwhelmed by the beowolves and he threw himself at her, pushing her out of the way and taking the brunt of a beowolf clawing at her.
The Force screamed a warning that his aura was reaching the breaking point and soon those claws would be striking Jacen's flesh.
Drawing upon the Force, he sent out a wave of telekinetic energy which tossed the Beowolves in every direction. Then Jacen looked toward Weiss who was still on the ground shaken.
"Can you get up?" Jacen asked.
Slowly, Weiss began to get to her feet though she looked questioningly at him.
"What are you about to do?" She asked.
In answer, Jacen gathered his strength and hurled his hands outward at the oncoming beowolves causing them to be blown away and scatter like leaves in a strong breeze.
There was now a clear pathway for one of them to get through.
"Run and go get help," Jacen said.
Weiss's eyes widened in surprise, no doubt wondering why he would take a chance like that, but she took it and ran through the open pathway while Jacen held back the beowolves as they leapt toward him.
Now Weiss looked at him with concern, "You can't fight all of those Grimm alone," she said.
"I've fought worse," Jacen said.
"Go now before they get back up!"
Without a second's thought, Weiss picked up her weapon and began running through the pathway into the forest.
He was breathing heavily now as he focused again, using the Force to push the beowolves back as he took a step backwards.
He was beginning to feel drained from all the exertion he put his body through, but he continued to focus on the Grimm.
This would be how Jacen showed Weiss what it meant to be a Jedi.
"You're not fighting her, you're fighting me!" Jacen said, readying himself as the beowolves began to close in on him.
He drew on the Force once again and let his lightsaber do the work.
The beowolves fell one after the other as he deflected or dodged their claws, but he felt his strength waning from the exertion of his power and the toll of his aura being weakened.
Weiss ran without any clear direction.
How could Jacen be so stupid as to fight all those Grimm alone?
From where she left, she could hear the sound of Jacen's weapon flashing as each of the beowolves howled in pain and dropped to the ground.
She kept running, thinking that it would have been better if she hadn't challenged him in the first place.
She also didn't know where she was going. She simply followed the path, hoping it led to somewhere she knew.
The path led to an opening with a large lake, motionless and reflecting the moon as though its surface was one of glass rather than water.
Weiss stopped to take a moment to catch her breath.
Now that she had a moment to think, she realized she shouldn't have done what she did.
She didn't know what she was thinking and now she'd left Jacen to fight all those beowolves alone.
Then she heard the sound of Jacen letting out a yell of pain as one or more of the beowolves got through his defenses.
She suddenly stopped and looked over her shoulder.
Never in her life did she feel so foolish.
She was so consumed by her desire to beat Jacen just to find out who he really was that she failed to realize the truth.
Jacen wasn't the one playing games, she was.
She realized now what he was trying to do. He didn't want to see her fail, he was trying to help her succeed, but she couldn't accept it.
He said many times that she had what it took to become a good huntress and he was even encouraging her during their duel.
Now here she was running while he was risking his life to keep the beowolves from attacking her even though she'd been horrible to him.
She looked at the reflective surface of the water, a mirror to her own soul.
There in her reflection, she saw something she hadn't seen in herself before.
She looked into her own eyes and saw the girl Jacen told her she could become.
She realized then what a fool she had been and she also saw that Jacen was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect her from the beowolves.
She turned around and began running back the way she came.
She had to make things right, she had to prove to Jacen that she could be a good huntress and a better person.
She wasn't going to let Jacen die, she'd never forgive herself and she knew that neither Ruby or Yang would let her live it down that she was the cause.
Let him keep his secret, it was time to be a real huntress.
Breathing deeply, covered in a few wounds when one of the beowolves got through his defenses, Jacen struggled to keep himself focused.
He couldn't let any of them go into the forest after Weiss.
Inwardly, he rather wished he'd told someone what was actually happening.
He thought of Rowan who was actually becoming decent, Rouge who was one of the most extraordinary girls he'd ever met, who's moral compass marked her as one who desires to preserve life rather than take it.
Most of all, he thought of Yang, powerfully built and thrill seeking while also being incredibly kind despite her childhood upbringing.
The thought that he was likely to die wasn't filling him with apprehension, it was anger.
At the same time he was afraid of what would happen if he unleashed his anger.
It wasn't the Jedi way to give in to anger and he'd already had a few moments where the Dark Side had taken him over making him dangerous.
Yet, the pain from his wounds, mixed with the images of a distraught Yang, Ruby, and Rouge on top of an enraged Rowan were causing his anger to rise to unprecedented levels.
Then he felt a stronger emotion, hate.
He hated always having to battle these mindless evil beasts, especially since these Grimm were the kind that had wounded him the first time.
He wanted them gone, he wanted to destroy them so they couldn't hurt him, or anyone else.
The more the image of Yang's distraught face came into his mind, the more he felt his hatred becoming white hot.
He swore to Qrow that he'd give his life to protect both Yang and Ruby, but how could he do that if he died here now?
Suddenly, a rush of cold air, he turned to see some of the beowolves behind him encased in ice.
Looking past them, he saw Weiss standing there, looking determined and ready for a fight.
He couldn't help but smile.
As he stood before the Grimm, Weiss came up beside him.
"Thought I told you to go get help," Jacen said.
Other beowolves slowly realized there was another person and attempted to attack only for an array of red glyphs suddenly appeared and Jacen leapt out of the way just as they detonated causing most to be destroyed while others were wounded.
"You're not fighting these things alone," Weiss said.
"Besides, if you die here, I'll never hear the end of it."
Jacen smiled at Weiss's words. It seemed like she was willing to accept him.
The beowolves came toward them, growling and baring their fangs.
Now Jacen felt reinvigorated knowing that Weiss was, for a change, fighting beside him.
The fight continued as though both he and Weiss had been practicing for a major dance number.
Jacen covered Weiss's blind spots while Weiss did the same for him, summoning detonating glyphs, gravity glyphs, she even summoned a number of other glyphs around them which they both used as platforms from which to propel themselves.
They were fighting with the coordination and skill of a well practiced team.
When one of the beowolves got through their defenses, Weiss used her glyphs to trap it while Jacen severed its head with his lightsaber.
Jacen alternated between hurling his lightsaber in a targeted throw arching around them taking off heads or cleaving the surrounding beowolves to using the Force to enhance his fighting reflexes as he dove into Teras Kasi.
While they might have been in sync, Jacen knew they couldn't keep this up forever.
Even Jacen was beginning to feel fatigued from having fought so many beowolves at once and he knew that Weiss was just as exhausted.
Suddenly, the feeling of hatred he'd been enduring till now was as hot as though it were a blazing blue star.
He might have been reinvigorated by Weiss's assistance, but he was still getting more and more angry which further fed his already growing hatred for these dark creatures.
How many innocent people had these things killed throughout the ages? Where did they come from?
One thought ran through his head at this moment.
Destroy all of them, protect Weiss.
This ran through his mind like an endless mantra.
The only thing he did know was that he wanted to kill these Grimm, he wanted to do it because he wanted to.
"Weiss," he said without looking at her.
"Get down."
Weiss might have protested but she understood his tone as one of urgency and not a moment too soon.
The bottled hatred he'd been fighting against suddenly burst out from him and went in all directions.
For a moment there was silence, then when Jacen opened his eyes he was startled by what he saw.
Whatever damage the self destructing droids might have caused was nothing compared with the damage he witnessed.
Much of the pillars of the ruins and even some of the trees in the forest looked like they'd been pulverized, but there was no sign that there was even any beowolves anywhere, at least nothing noticeably physical.
There was a foul stench in his nose and when he stuck out his tongue he nearly vomited.
Whatever he had done, it was evident that he'd unleashed his hatred into an explosive repulse which liquidated the Grimm while pulverizing everything else.
Weiss was slowly getting up and looked around.
Jacen looked around in amazement.
He hadn't felt that kind of power since...
He turned to look at Weiss who was trying to take in what just happened.
"What," Weiss's voice said from behind him while coughing.
"Was that?"
Jacen looked around at the destruction he'd caused.
He was glad he could protect Weiss, but at the same time he feared that he was slowly losing control.
What had happened here might be a sign that Jacen was not as far away from the Dark Side as he thought. First, he'd nearly strangled Rowan to death with the Force. Then he nearly did that again with that psychopath Gin. Now he'd unleashed one of the most devastating manifestations of the Dark Side's destructive power.
He'd had that same darkness seeded perhaps since the end of the Clone Wars. What would happen if he ended up crossing a line that might even get Yang hurt?
Suddenly, he was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt a hand touch his shoulder.
He turned to look at Weiss who, while not injured, was covered in black Grimm ooze which was just beginning to dissolve.
"I'm not sure myself," he said, pulling out a clean cloth which Weiss took to quickly wipe herself off.
Then, as though all the exhaustion he'd been feeling until now hit him at once, Jacen suddenly collapsed.
"Are you alright?" Weiss asked, actually sounding concerned.
Jacen wasn't sure about his current situation either.
He couldn't remember an instant during the Clone Wars in which he'd obliterated an army with such a concentration of Force energy.
Then again he couldn't remember a time in which he felt such a powerful sensation.
Now however, whatever he did seemed to have taken a toll and he now had a clear idea of how Yang felt whenever she unleashed her semblance at its full power.
"Just…need to rest," Jacen said moments before his vision blurred and he finally fell to the ground as blackness took him.
For an instant Weiss stood there astounded by what she just saw.
It looked like Jacen's aura was going out of control, but eventually it became electrified and it burst out from him on all sides.
The result was the vast pack of beowolves being liquified and pulverized along with most of the area.
Weiss was grateful that she'd been in the center when Jacen told her to get down.
Quickly recomposing herself she went over to check Jacen's pulse.
Thankfully it was still visible, but he would need medical attention.
Weiss didn't know what just happened and she didn't know what to make of it.
What Jacen did was something she didn't know was possible, and she thought she knew everything there was to know about Aura.
At the moment she didn't even care about whatever secret Jacen held.
From what she'd seen of what Jacen did, she now knew that he wasn't manipulating her.
Even though she'd been mean and let her bitterness blind her, Jacen was doing everything to protect her from the beowolves even if it potentially killed him.
No one had ever done that before aside from Winter.
More than anything, Jacen had continued to say that she could make a name for herself through his constant encouragement.
She didn't know if she would now, not after her selfish actions nearly resulted in Jacen's death.
Once she got Jacen back, she'd talk to Professor Ozpin, this time not to ask to change to a different team, but to request that she be expelled.
In trying to bring honor to her name, she'd brought further shame.
Not only that, she knew she'd also been utterly mean to Ruby.
It had been her crazy idea that helped them slay the Nevermore.
Even though she knew she deserved her punishment, she hoped she'd have a second chance in which she'd be much nicer to both Jacen and Ruby.
Taking out her scroll, she tapped a number to signal for help.
The mood when Weiss explained what had happened between herself and Jacen was tense as she looked Professor Ozpin in the eye.
Weiss saw Professor Glynda Goodwitch, still bandaged from whatever had made her take time off for a week, and looked at her with a scathing glance.
Professor Ozpin however looked at Weiss with a mixture of sternness and understanding.
When Weiss finished, she bowed her head.
For the first time in her life she felt ashamed of herself for her own actions.
"What I did was stupid, foolish, and I nearly got someone killed," Weiss said, trying not to let sadness into her voice.
Ozpin and Goodwitch looked at each other and then back at Weiss.
The room was silent for a time until Ozpin finally spoke.
He sighed.
"I am not unsympathetic," he said.
"However, you must understand that your behavior has been reprehensible."
Weiss could feel tears stinging her eyes, but she swallowed hard and forced them back.
She deserved this, she'd nearly gotten Jacen killed and now he was unconscious in the medical wing on the academy's grounds.
How could she possibly call herself a huntress if she got someone killed because she was arrogant?
She was about to say something when Professor Ozpin interrupted her.
"However," he said.
"I also see that you are willing to accept responsibility for what you have done."
Weiss looked up and saw Ozpin smiling at her.
"And for that I will not expel you from the Academy," he said.
Weiss could hardly believe what she just heard.
"Even after I've been horrible, not just to Jacen, but towards Ruby?" She asked.
"It takes true strength of character to acknowledge when you have faults that can be improved," Ozpin said.
Weiss thought about this.
Even though she had faults, Jacen still wanted to help her even if it meant that she might find out his secret.
Then she remembered something.
She turned to Ozpin.
"You knew what was happening, didn't you?" Weiss asked.
Ozpin's only response was to smile.
"It is important to note that you do not always need to go alone. After all, no one ever achieved greatness by themselves. You cannot always rely on yourself."
Weiss thought about this and then nodded.
"If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me anytime, Miss Schnee."
With that Weiss bowed and left the office, letting out a sigh of relief.
Now all she had to do was figure out a way to make it up to Ruby, Jacen, and Yang. She had a feeling she'd get that chance when she visited Jacen's medical bedside.
Jacen woke up slowly and he saw the white ceiling of the medical ward.
He blinked a few times and saw that he was still in his clothes.
He also felt a hand holding his.
Turning to see who was holding his hand he saw Yang sitting there with her hair tied up in a ponytail. She'd fallen asleep with her head resting on the head of Jacen's bed. Ruby was resting her head on Yang's shoulder.
Weiss however was nowhere to be seen. Sitting up slowly, he felt a little woozy.
Yang and Ruby both opened their eyes slowly and when they saw Jacen awake they hugged him.
"You're alive!" The voice of Ruby shouted as she hugged him.
"Of course I'm alive," Jacen said.
Ruby let go of him then wiped tears from her eyes, "You had us worried," she said.
It took Jacen a moment to realize that Ruby wasn't in her usual cape and hood, but rather the same pajamas she wore on their first night at Beacon.
Yang of course was wearing her yellow shirt and black shorts.
"How long was I out?" Jacen said, clutching his head as though he were waking up from a hangover.
Yang looked at her scroll, then back at Jacen.
"Almost two days," she said.
Jacen's eyes widened.
"Two days?" He said incredulously.
He tried to remember what had happened before he collapsed.
"Professor Goodwitch along with a few other teachers found both you and Weiss out in the forest," Yang said.
Evidently, Glynda must have recovered enough to return to her duties, though he wondered if Rouge had been here while he'd been out.
He could sense faint echoes of Rouge who was overseeing his recovery.
Donning realization struck Jacen at the mention of Weiss, "What happened?" He asked.
Yang looked like she was about to say something when Jacen interrupted her, "Where's Weiss?"
Yang paused for a moment, "She's resting."
Jacen felt a lump in his throat.
Something bad must have happened to Weiss during the fight, otherwise, why would Yang be hesitant to tell him what happened?
"Yang, what happened?" Jacen said.
Yang sighed, "I'm not sure, but from what Weiss told Ozpin and Glynda, you guys got into a fight with beowolves."
"I can't believe you guys didn't wait for us," Ruby said, sounding annoyed.
Yang, however, continued, "Weiss said that after you were done fighting, you suddenly collapsed and she called for help. You were out cold for nearly two days."
Jacen remembered what he did just before he blacked out, but that wasn't something he wanted to share, especially with his team.
Yang must have been close to strangling Weiss when she heard what had happened.
"After you both got back, Yang was practically ready to kill Weiss when she found out she'd issued a challenge that might have gotten you killed, even Professor Goodwitch was livid," Ruby said, confirming Jacen's suspicions.
Jacen suspected Weiss would be in big trouble when it was discovered what they were doing and he could envision Yang with her purple eyes turning red looking like an absolute nightmare.
Glancing at a particular spot within the medical room, there were still the echoes of Yang yelling angrily at Weiss while the latter wasn't even being her usual defiant manner.
Jacen felt like he knew Weiss enough to know that she was going to try and accept responsibility for what happened.
He sensed faint echoes of Weiss shedding tears and begging Jacen to forgive her.
"What's going to happen to her?" Jacen asked.
Ruby paused to consider the question, "I'm not sure, the last I saw her she was led up to Professor Ozpin's office," she said.
So now Weiss was facing Ozpin himself.
He rather hoped that Ozpin would be merciful despite Weiss's previous actions.
Still, he wanted to speak with Weiss when he got out of the medical ward.
He turned to look at Yang who was now smiling, "She was also worried about you too," she said.
Jacen chuckled at that statement. So he hadn't failed to help get Weiss out of her shell. Obviously she still had a long road ahead, but at least Jacen had started the process.
Ruby looked at him with curiosity, "Even though she's been mean to both of us, you wanted to help her," she said.
"Is this another part of being a Jedi?"
"We're supposed to inspire and help those in need, even if we're not likely to receive praise for it," Jacen answered.
"You have your goal, she has hers."
As if on cue, the sound of heels clicking on the floor came toward them.
From Ruby's reaction when she saw who it was, he knew who it was.
"Um," Weiss said nervously.
He turned to see Weiss standing there holding a mug of coffee with a less icy look on her face.
"I'm sorry," Weiss said but she practically whispered it hoping no one would hear.
Ruby looked like she was about to say something but Jacen held up his hand to silence her.
Weiss had made a mistake, and from the look of regret on her face, she knew that her actions nearly got Jacen killed.
Jacen definitely heard correctly, but he wanted her to repeat it so Ruby could hear.
Adopting an almost smug look he cupped a hand to his ear, "What was that?" He said.
He caught Weiss pouting in disapproval, "I'm not repeating myself," she said, placing the coffee on the bedside table.
Jacen laughed, he felt a little relieved that Weiss seemed to be a little less abrasive and more relaxed.
Yang and Ruby were a little confused at Jacen and Weiss joking around.
"Are you alright Weiss?" Ruby asked.
It took Weiss a while to decide what to say.
"I…I should have been expelled," she finally said.
Ruby looked at her in shock, while Yang and Jacen seemed to have expected this.
Ruby looked at Weiss, unsure of what to say.
Weiss continued, "I'm sorry for how I acted. I was foolish, stupid, and nearly got someone killed because I was selfish."
She paused, "And, I treated you poorly," she said, looking at Ruby.
Weiss had already apologized to Jacen in private, but this was the first time she did so in public.
"I told him about what happened and that you'd done what you could to help me," she said.
"I admitted that I was frustrated, angry, and that I was letting my bitterness prevent me from seeing what you were actually doing."
Weiss had been holding back tears, but now they fell freely from her eyes.
Ruby and Yang were looking at each other unsure of what to do.
"I told him that I deserved to be expelled," Weiss paused for an instant, likely recalling her conversation with Ozpin.
"He said that it took real courage to admit my shortcomings and that was the mark of a real huntress," she said.
Ruby was smiling at Weiss.
"So does this mean we're friends?" She asked.
Weiss wiped her eyes, "Yes, yes, it does."
Jacen smiled as well.
Jacen was surprised that Ozpin seemed to possess an ideology similar to the Jedi belief in a second chance.
"Jacen's right," Ruby eventually said with a warm smile.
"We both have our own dreams to pursue in becoming huntresses."
Jacen looked at Ruby with wonder.
Weiss turned her eyes toward Ruby who was extending her hand.
She then held up a few papers which Jacen recognized as some of Ruby's class assignments.
"This is wrong by the way," she said though not in her usual tone.
Ruby's face flushed slightly and Weiss actually gave a slight smile of her own.
"I might not be the leader, but I'll work to be the best teammate you've ever had," Weiss said.
She extended her hand, and Ruby grasped it.
Yang, who had been watching the exchange silently, was now grinning, and Jacen smiled, as well.
Ruby turned to Jacen, "How are you feeling?"
"I'll live," Jacen said.
Behind Weiss, he saw Blake was standing in the doorway with a mixed look.
As though sensing his gaze, Blake locked eyes with him.
Blake, however, was silent.
Jacen was unsure if she was here to watch what transpired, or if she was just checking in on him. Ironically, Jacen knew that, due to Blake being a Faunus with ties to the White Fang, Weiss and Blake would soon have a similar situation to the one Jacen had just endured.
Blake didn't say anything, she just stared at Jacen with a look of concern.
He wondered if she'd been here the whole time, or if she'd only seen the tail end of the conversation between him, Yang, and Ruby.
Weiss turned her head in Blake's direction, "I'm still not sure about you," she said.
Blake turned her head in Weiss's direction and there was a brief tension before Blake turned, then walked away.
"I wonder if a cat's got her tongue," Yang said.
Jacen nearly choked on his own coffee with Yang's statement. This wasn't the first time Yang's comments hit too close to the mark.
Weiss meanwhile seemed to be trying to process what Yang just said.
"Just an expression," Jacen said calmly once he wiped off the coffee spill.
Hoping to defuse the situation, Jacen looked from his coffee mug to Ruby, then at Weiss.
Jacen reached for the mug and sipped from it, "Where's Ruby's?" He inquired.
Weiss looked from Jacen to Ruby, "I didn't even think you drank coffee," she said looking at Ruby.
"Do you?"
"Um, cream and four sugars," Ruby said rather quickly.
Weiss actually grimaced slightly, "That's a rather blasphemous amount of sugar," she said.
Ruby just shrugged her shoulders.
Weiss then turned to Jacen, "I don't know how you can drink it straight," she said.
"It's an acquired taste, but it works."
Though she eventually sighed, "I'll be back in a minute," she said getting ready to leave.
She didn't immediately head for the door but an almost warm smile creeped onto Weiss's face, "By the way Ruby, I always wanted bunk beds as a kid," she said, then walked out.
When Weiss was gone, Ruby turned to Jacen, "Is it safe to say that Weiss is less icy?" She asked.
Yang gave a small chuckle, "I don't think you can say that," she said.
"Thought puns were Yang's specialty," Jacen said.
"She actually likes my bunk bed idea?" She asked almost in disbelief.
Jacen shrugged, "You heard it from her own mouth," he said, taking another swig from his mug.
"Though I must say it might be smart to ensure the one you sleep in is more secure."
Ruby placed her hands on her hips, "Hey, mine is very well secured," she said pouting a bit.
"Just making an observation," he said, drinking more from his mug.
Looking at Ruby, he could easily see how he and Ruby could be mistaken for siblings.
Certainly, Jacen felt a kind of brotherly affection toward Ruby, especially after he'd helped her get out of a tough spot of doubt.
Off to the side, she felt that Yang was working up to an important question.
"So what exactly did you use to escape the beowolves?" Yang asked.
Jacen hesitated.
He knew what he did, but he wasn't sure how to explain it.
Still, he could tell from the look on Yang and Ruby's faces that they wanted to know.
"You recall me saying the Jedi teach us not to give into our anger?" Jacen asked.
Both Yang and Ruby nodded.
Jacen paused to gather his thoughts, "Anger is not the Jedi way, and we're taught to not give into it," he said.
"Anger leads to the Dark Side," Jacen said, placing emphasis on that term.
He remembered the powerful sensation of unleashing the Force in such a devastating way.
"I suppose in the midst of the fight, I was afraid, though that eventually led to me being angry, and from there," Jacen clenched his fist.
"Hatred, I hated the thought that these dark creatures had undoubtedly killed untold billions throughout this world's history."
His grip on the mug tightened, and his voice became somewhat shaky, "I was angry and afraid, and I used the Force to do something I shouldn't have," he said.
Ruby looked at him, unsure of what to say.
Ruby looked at him with concern, "You mentioned that Jedi don't typically use those emotions," she said.
"I was desperate," Jacen said.
"I didn't care what happened, all I wanted to do was destroy those things while keeping Weiss safe."
He could feel tears forming in his eyes, but he didn't let them fall.
Jacen took a deep breath, "I've been taught to never give in to fear or anger, and I failed."
He looked into Yang's eyes and he knew she was recalling when he was fighting Rowan.
Inwardly, he wondered if Yang was judging him, or even scared of him.
Yang looked like she wanted to say something but wasn't sure how to put it into words.
He still felt bad that he hadn't told Yang of all people what really happened during his mission to the Black Citadel.
"By the way," Yang said.
"When you brought that Commando Droid head, did one of the White Fang people there say who gave them the droids?"
Jacen stiffened, he'd told them about encountering the droids while training in the mountains, but he guessed Rouge must have let it slip that the White Fang was there.
He looked at Yang who had an intense expression on her face.
"No," Jacen said, shaking his head.
"The leader killed himself before I found anything useful."
Jacen felt bad about lying to his team, but he needed to protect them.
He knew he wasn't going to be able to keep the truth about the White Fang secret forever, but he needed more information before he could tell his team.
"Why didn't you just say the White Fang was using some fancy droids the Separatists used to fight you during the war?" Yang said pointedly.
Jacen knew Yang had probably seen through his lie, but he didn't want to tell them the whole truth.
It took Ruby placing a hand on his shoulder to realize that he'd been shaking.
"I've been curious, when you mentioned the Dark Side, what exactly does it feel like?" Ruby asked.
He hadn't expected to give Ruby a philosophical explanation on the Force, but given what occurred, he didn't see the harm in letting Ruby know what he felt whenever he was in a place strong with the Dark Side.
"Have you ever felt warm one moment then suddenly it felt like you were tossed into a place colder than ice and dark, as though you looked up into the night sky and the stars had gone out at once?" Jacen asked.
"From some of my classes at Signal, it was said that the Grimm had a dark presence, like something unnatural," Ruby said.
"Uncle Qrow described the Grimm as a malignant disease that ravages a body."
"Some say the Dark Side feels hot, but the times I've sensed it, and I've sensed it multiple times not just during the war, but throughout my training in addition to my encounters with the Grimm since I arrived, it feels cold, like someone's stabbed you with a blade of ice," Jacen said.
"My master told me that one doesn't need to embrace it, but to be aware of its presence."
"How do the Grimm feel to you?" Ruby asked.
"Cold, primal, with undercurrents of malice that can be felt in a place or object consumed by the Dark Side," Jacen said.
"I can also detect small echoes of the final screams of their victims."
"The Force sounds like a heavy burden," Ruby said.
"It is," Jacen agreed.
"That's why Jedi are trained to show respect for the power of the Force while understanding that without proper control, horrible things can happen."
As though on cue, there was a knock on the door.
Weiss entered with a fresh mug of coffee which, judging from Weiss's expression, was given the copious amount of cream and sugar.
"How can you possibly drink it like this?" she asked Ruby.
Ruby took the coffee and drank a sip, and made a noise of enjoyment, "I think it's good," she said.
Weiss raised an eyebrow, but she didn't say anything else about it.
"So when are you coming back?" Ruby asked.
"The doctor said that I'll be ready to go back tomorrow, but he said I should avoid any strenuous activity for the next couple of days," he said.
Ruby nodded, "Well, I suppose we can all hang out in the dorm until then."
Jacen chuckled, "I'm fine with that, but I will say that I won't be able to do a lot for the next few days," he said.
Jacen would have a lot to explain to Rowan and Gray when he got back.
First he'd focus on recovery, then he'd start finding out the identity of this hidden Separatist and what their plans for Remnant are.
Most importantly, find out if they were potentially linked to Salem.
End