Chapter 10: The Badge and the Burden Part 2

Weiss is now back in her regular attire, readying Myrteaster at the growling creature in the cage barely seen. Me and the rest of the team cheer her on from our seats in the front row.

Yang raises her fist.

"Goooo, Weiss!" Yang shouted.

Blake is waving a small flag that says "RWBY" on the flag. "Fight well!" Blake shouted.

"You got this, Weiss!" I yelled.

"Yeah, represent teeeeam RWBY!" Ruby yelled in a high-pitched volume. Weiss lowers her sword and looks over at Ruby.

"Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" Weiss shouted.

"Oh, um... sorry..." Ruby said, looking sheepish.

"Allllright!" Professor Port shouted. Professor Port is next to the cage, pulling out the Blowhard. "Let the match... begin!"

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

"Ha-ha! Wasn't expecting that, were you?" Professor Port said.

"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby shouted.

"You can do this!" I shouted.

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

"Bold, new approach. I like it!" Professor Port said.

"Come on, Weiss, show it who's boss!" Ruby yelled.

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

"Oh-ho! Now what will you do without your weapon?" Professor Port said.

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

"Weiss! Go for its belly! There is no armor underneath-" Ruby shouts but Weiss cuts her off.

"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss yelled. Ruby looks hurt at Weiss' rebuttal. I patted Ruby's back to comfort her.

"She can be a bitch sometimes, huh?" I said quietly to Ruby. Ruby nodded in agreement. Unfortunately, Weiss heard me. Weiss snapped her head towards me.

"I heard that!" Weiss yelled.

"Well, what do you expect?! It's the truth!" I shouted back.

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

"Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress-in-training! (As Weiss stands up at attention from her exhausted position and Ruby continues to frown) I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant! Class dismissed!" Professor Port said.

Weiss glares and turns away, walking hurriedly to the exit past us. Jaune watches her leave.

"Sheesh, what's with her?" Jaune said.

Me and the rest of team RWBY look at each other with the same question.

Weiss is still storming off. I follow as Ruby turns a corner and we manage to catch up with her.

"Weiss!" Ruby shouted.

"What?" Weiss snapped, turning around.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you being?-" Weiss cuts Ruby off again.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? You're supposed to be a leader, and all you've been so far is a nuisance!" Weiss yelled.

"What did I do?" Ruby scoffed.

"That's just it- you've done nothing to earn your position! Back in the forest, you acted like a child, and you've only continued to do so!" Weiss shouted.

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

"Not a team led by you. I've studied and trained. And quite frankly, I deserve better. Ozpin made a mistake." Weiss said. Ruby looks hurt by Weiss's words.

"Weiss, I-" I started to try to reason with her, but Weiss cut me off.

"And you. You're just as bad as Ruby!" Weiss yelled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I said. "Ruby's my friend!"

"That's the problem! You being around Ruby has made things a whole lot worse. You act just as childish as she does! In class today, you kept talking and you continued to be disruptive!" Weiss said. I held my head low. Weiss was scolding me like a mother would do to her child.

Weiss sighed before continuing on. "I want you to apologize to our teacher for the way you were behaving in class today," Weiss said.

"What?" I said, shocked.

"You heard me! I want you to apologize." Weiss said.

"You can't tell me what to do! You're not my mother!" I yelled.

SLAP!

Weiss slapped me hard across the face. I clutched my cheek as I felt the burning pain. Ruby covers her mouth in shock. Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Lana? Are you okay?" Ruby asks me.

"No..." I said, sobbing a little.

Weiss continues to glare at me. Honestly, I am a bit scared of her right now. "Now come on," Weiss said. Weiss grabs me by the arm and drags me outside to the balcony. I looked back at Ruby. She gives me a sympathetic look.

Professor Ozpin is standing right behind a surprised Ruby with a coffee in one hand and cane in the other. "Hmm... Now that didn't seem to go very well." Professor Ozpin said.

Ruby looks doubtful, even on the verge of tears. "Is she right? Did you make a mistake?" Ruby asked worriedly.

Professor Ozpin laughs slightly. "That remains to be seen." He said.

Weiss is still walking around the hall, gripping my arm tightly until she comes across a balcony where Professor Port is watching the sunset over Beacon Acadamy's rooftops.

"Professor Port!" Weiss said, approaching him, still gripping my arm. Professor Port turns to look at us.

"Ah, Miss. Schnee! And to what do I own this fine pleasure?" Professor Port said.

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

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

"You really think so?" Weiss said, smiling.

"Most surely!" Professor Port said. Professor Port notices Weiss's small frown and lack of eye contact. He also notices me, barely struggling to hold in my tears.

"Hmm... something's troubling you guys." Professor Port said.

"Yes, sir. But first, my teammate here has something to say to you." Weiss said. Weiss bumped her head towards me and gives me a look. "Go on."

"I... I'm sorry for being disruptive in your class today, Professor." I said, trying my best not to burst into tears. Weiss lets go of my arm.

"That's okay, it's only the first day so I understand. Next time do please be more... considerate of those around you." Professor Port said.

"I will, thank you, Professor," I said.

"Now for you Miss. Schnee. Confess to me your strife!" Professor Port said.

"Well... I-I think I should have been the leader of team RWBY!" Weiss said.

Professor Port is silent for a moment before he speaks. "That's preposterous!" Professor Port said.

"I know, right," I muttered quietly under my breath so Weiss couldn't hear.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked Professor Ozpin.

"I mean, it's only been one day. Ruby... I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. But at the moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader be one of them." Professor Ozpin said. He leans in so he can look more directly at Ruby. "Do you?"

Weiss is now getting angry. "Excuse me?!" Weiss yelled.

I took a step back and sat on a bench to give those two some space. I reached for my scroll but then remembered Weiss took it away in class. So, I just leaned back and watched the sunset.

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

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

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

"How dare you!" Weiss yelled angrily.

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

Weiss is crossing her arms, looking defiant. "That's not even remotely true!" Weiss shouted. Under the teacher's gaze, she reluctantly relents. "Well... not entirely true."

"Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you're not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?" Professor Ozpin said.

Ruby looks thoughtful with Ozpin's words, then smiles at him.

"So, the outcome did not fall in your favor. Do you really believe that acting in such a manner would cause those in power to reconsider their decision?" Professor Port said as Weiss finally calms down and looks at him again. "So instead of fretting about what you don't have, savor for what you do. Hone your skills, perfect every technique, and be not the best leader, but the best person you can be."

Weiss smiles a little at the words of wisdom. I smiled too. I'm glad Professor Port is knocking some sense into Weiss.

Professor Ozpin is turning back to Ruby, still talking to her. "You've been burdened with a daunting responsibility, Ruby. I advise you take some time, to think about how you will uphold it." Professor Ozpin said.

Ruby, with a last look of consideration, turns and walks away. She comes to the balcony where Professor Port is walking away from Weiss and me and smiles a little bit at us. My eyes lit up when I saw Ruby. I ran up to Ruby.

"Ruby!" I said while hugging her. Ruby returned my hug.

"Did everything go okay?" Ruby asked me.

"Yeah, I feel a bit better now. It was mostly Weiss and Professor Port talking." I said. Ruby smiles at me, then she inspects the slap wound on my cheek.

"That's bleeding a little. We should wrap it before it gets infected." Ruby said. Ruby took my hand gently and led me back to the dorm room. I greeted Blake and Yang when we walked inside.

"Hi Blake, Yang," I said.

"Hey," Blake said. Yang notices the slap wound on my cheek and gasps. Oh no. I quickly covered it with my hand.

"Lana! What happened to you?" Yang said with concern. I cringed while still covering my wound.

"Weiss slapped her," Ruby said.

"What?! That bitch I'm gonna kill her!" Yang yelled with her eyes glowing red.

"No Yang, don't! I'm fine, I promise!" I shouted frantically to try to calm her down. Yang's eyes turned to its normal color. She sighed.

"Fine. But let's get you cleaned up and get ready for bed." Yang said.

Ruby, Yang, and Blake helped me get the wound cleaned up and helped me get ready for bed. When I finished getting ready for bed I crawled into bed and fell asleep. Today has been a long day.

The full moon shines over the green lights of Beacon, and in the room of team RWBY, the door opens and Weiss' shadow is seen against the hall's light. Blake is sleeping under the covers, Yang is spread out the bed and snoring, I am fast asleep cuddling with my jumbo Simba plush from The Lion King movie. When Weiss lifts the blanket from Ruby's tent, she finds Ruby with her head resting on notes, a pencil in her hand, and open books all around her. Weiss, looking amazed at Ruby's determination, clears her throat and gently shakes Ruby awake who takes a second to regain consciousness and start flailing in surprise.

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

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

Weiss lowers her hand. "How do you take your coffee?" Weiss asked.

"I... I don't..." Ruby said.

"Answerer the question!" Weiss said, getting irritated.

"Uhh, cream and five sugars!" Ruby said nervously. I woke up a bit to the sound of the girls talking.

Weiss sighed. "Don't move," Weiss said. Weiss ducks under to her own bed and comes up a moment later with a fresh cup, offering it to Ruby. "Here."

"Um... Thanks, Weiss." Ruby said.

Weiss smiles then looks apologetic. "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader," Weiss said. Ruby smiles appreciatively. I was shocked hearing that from Weiss. Has she finally turned her attitude around? "Just know that I am going to be the best teammate you'll ever have!" Weiss said. Ruby and Weiss share a smile. "Good luck studying!" Weiss ducks under, only to come up and point at one of Ruby's paper's. "That's wrong, by the way!" Weiss ducks under again and then turns her attention towards Ruby. "Hey, Ruby?"

"Uh-huh?" Ruby said.

"I always wanted bunk beds as a kid," Weiss said. Ruby grins at the progress with her friend and goes back to her notes.

Weiss notices me awake, cuddling my Simba plush. I pretended to be asleep, but Weiss still noticed.

"I can see that you're awake," Weiss said. I sighed, giving up.

"And Lana?" Weiss said.

"Yeah?" I said.

"I'm sorry I slapped you earlier. I promise I'll be more supportive of you from now on." Weiss said.

I smiled at Weiss's words. "Wow, thanks, Weiss," I said. Weiss smiled at me and then left the room.

I smiled happily before falling back asleep.