Chapter 4: New Starts, Old Feelings?
Jaune hated lava planets, the danger of death was ever present, either by normal combat dangers or by the fact that even surviving ejection meant a slow and painful death by, well, burning to death.
To his sides Ruby, Pyrrha and Weiss maintained formation. Their mission was a strange one, there had been bungled communications of strange groups operating in nearby worlds and even worse, any group that managed to communicate the strange encounters then went silent. So now, their mission was to discover what exactly was the cause.
"Alright, who in their right mind comes here? One bad move and you're dead!" - says Jaune in the intercom
"We know Jaune" - responds Weiss, her voice showing that she agreed yet she was tired - "you have mentioned it 3 times already"
"He's not wrong though" - say Pyrrha entering the conversation
Suddenly a voice interrupts their conversation and hell breaks loose as missiles and lightning start flying, burning armor and air as explosions happen on and around them, they have fallen into a trap.
"On me!" - shouts Ruby into the intercom as she starts charging one of the ambushers, the small and unknown machine counterchaging them. It didn't matter, Ruby knew that if they remained within the crossfire they were dead.
As the four of them pushed, the hopelessness of their situation started to dawn on them, the unknown machine, were not only faster but they were hitting farther and with more power than anything they had dealt with.
Then a new group of enemies appeared and their fate was sealed.
Team RWAN wakes up as one, the feeling of burning metal and skin, of smoke and the heat of lava present in all of them.
The four of them instinctively check themselves to see if they don't have any injuries before noticing the rest of their teammates are also awake and doing the same.
The four of them stay lamely in their beds before Pyrrha asks
"Ah, what time is it?"
"It's 6:30 am" - responds Weiss immaculately as she gets out of her bed - "classes are at 9:00 am"
"It's too early" - whines Ruby as she covers herself in her blankets again - "can't we just go back to sleep?"
"Good luck with that" - responds Weiss rolling her eyes getting out of her bed - "I very much doubt you will be able to do so"
"Well, at least we won't have to race to get ready and get breakfast?" - says Jaune, also getting out of his bed.
The others agree with him and rapidly get ready, taking a shower and then putting on their uniforms before going for breakfast.
Breakfast is above anything, calm. There were very few teams, mostly 3rd and 4th years either preparing for their missions or those who were just arriving from theirs. In fact, RWAN was the only first year team present so early in the morning.
After getting their food, the team goes to sit together and start eating their breakfast in silence. A comfortable silence and one that seems and feels slightly familiar as if this is not the first time they are together, which is odd considering none of them have ever met each other before coming to Beacon.
"So, what do we do now?" - asks Jaune - "I mean, I doubt any one us want to stay here doing nothing"
"I suggest we should go to the library" - responds Weiss
"Why?" - responds Ruby obviously not enthused with the idea - "we already will have classes soon, why go to the library before?"
"Because it would be better to get prepared for classes" - responds Weiss in a sharp manner crossing her arms looking at Ruby directly in the eyes..
Ruby whined as a result looking towards the roof, which gains her a sympathetic if awkward smile from Pyrrha while Jaune puts his hand on one of her shoulders as support also sporting an awkward if supporting smile. Not that Ruby notices the silent support.
Weiss meanwhile is not amused, crossing her arms while giving her team a "really?" look.
"How about we get to know more about each other?" - says Jaune trying to defuse the situation - "While we did talk about semblances and our weapons yesterday we didn't really get to know each other better."
It hit the others that it was true, they had passed most of their time eating, organizing their things and talking about their semblances and weapons before going to sleep, that's how tired they were.
"Let's do that then!" - says Ruby, taking the opportunity to escape the possibility of studying before classes had even begun.
Weiss meanwhile sighs but decides to follow her team without raising any more issues as she realizes she is outnumbered.
"Uuuggghhh what a child!" - thinks Weiss frustrated about her leader, not that her teammates are being any better but at least they had the excuse of following their new leader.
Returning back to the team's room had been more peaceful than what they expected and in fact, they had even got some small talk on the way back, mainly what they expected from the classes in Beacon. Weiss expected them to be pushed to their limits and testing their knowledge and combat ability at every opportunity in her serious demeanor, Ruby meanwhile expected the academy to concentrate on how to kill grimm as efficiently as possible, Pyrrha didn't say much not having much expectations and just hoped the academy to increase their abilities, Jaune meanwhile hoped that the academy would teach survival skills. However now that they were back the real meat of the meeting would begin.
Ruby, being the one that had the idea (and being the team's leader) started.
"So! Let's start this with the basics" - ask Ruby with high enthusiasm as she and her teammates are all seated in their beds - "Why did you decide to become huntsmen?"
The question actually surprised Weiss, she had expected her to ask something about their weapons or something dumb like that, instead it was a question that in a way would tell her at least something useful about her new teammates.
Her teammates however seemed unwilling to take the initiative. Jaune was obviously nervous even if he tried to hide it, Pyrrha looked almost peaceful but it was obvious that she didn't want to answer the question either and Ruby, well, their "team leader" had asked the question herself and was expecting and excited for an answer.
Taking the initiative Weiss took a deep breath and then answered.
"I came here to Beacon because I want to take over the SDC and to show it is more than just a way for us to gain money and that it is a way to do good for all of Remnant"
Her voice was measured and calm, it was her objective, for a long while it has been her objective and yet a small part of her felt like she should say more for some reason. Watching at her teammates he sees the three of them pensive with Ruby even showing some surprise at the idea.
"So by being a huntress you plan to show that by taking over the SDC is not for your personal gain?" - asks Jaune, trying to confirm what she had just said.
"That is correct" - says Weiss nodding, keeping her frustration in check.
She could plainly see Ruby expected a different reason as seen by her small frown, from Jaune however she saw a questioning look, not one of criticism but one that showed a lack of understanding, from Pyrrha however she found the barest hints of surprise as if she had expected another answer.
Before she could ask Jaune or Pyrrha their thoughts Jaune interrupted her.
"Well, I think it's my turn now considering this was my idea" - said Jaune his voice and posture betraying a sense of nervousness - "I … I want to be a huntsman, to be a hero, like those in stories and like the huntsmen that told about their experiences."
"What a romantic vision" - Weiss thought immediately - "nowhere really close to reality but it could be worse."
At least it meant Jaune was willing to work hard despite his less than impressive showing during the initiation and for some reason it felt like while true, it wasn't the complete reason as if something was missing.
"Now I think it's my turn" - said Pyrrha her voice calm and controlled - "The reason I came here was because I wanted to expand my horizons and to use my skills as a huntress."
"Unsurprising" - was Weiss' thoughts - "Powerful, skilled yet respectful and controlled"
In more ways than one, the perfect teammate and yet once again there was that miniscule feeling that there was more to what Pyrrha was saying as ridiculous the idea was. Looking at her teammates both Ruby and Jaune were giving her looks of respect.
"As they should"
"Now it's my turn!" - says Ruby excitedly - "I'm at Beacon because I've always wanted to be a huntress like my mom, my dad and my uncle!"
Now it was Weiss' turn to be surprised, she honestly didn't expect the young girl to come from a family of huntsmen. To some level it was understandable, it easily explained how she had been able to jump two grades from her combat school into Beacon.
However it also showed just how utterly unprepared she was as a leader. Such a childish reason to join betrayed her lack of preparation.
Before Weiss could continue her train of thought she was interrupted by Pyrrha.
"So your entire family are huntsmen?" - asks Pyrrha
"Yep! Even my sister is here in Beacon!" - answers happy Ruby - "She's part of Team RBYN."
Weiss couldn't help but mentally wince at the proclamation.
"Her poor teammates"
The conversation after that devolved into simple questions and answers like what they expected of the teachers, the other students and other things. Weiss found it relaxing, her teammates didn't ask about her family, concentrating more on her position as heiress or her singing career.
"She was lucky Ruby, Jaune and at a lesser level, Pyrrha, were so open about themselves" - Weiss thought to herself.
Although they did question if she was planning to take over the SDC immediately after graduating or after doing some field missions for a short while, beyond that she learned a lot from the others like Jaune having 7, seven(!) sisters or both Ruby's father and uncle being teachers in Signal Combat School.
At the back of her mind, it even felt as if this was something she had been missing for a long time.
Any further conversation however was cut short by an explosion. While not particularly strong, it was a cause of shock making them get into alert looking around to their room to see if something had broken and after making sure nothing like that had happened Jaune immediately asks.
"Shouldn't we look at what caused that explosion?"
Nodding in agreement Pyrrha stands up followed by Ruby, then Weiss with Jaune coming last.
Going outside they find Team RBYN's room's door hinged but otherwise in its place with muffled coughs being heard from inside the room. Before anyone of the quartet could do or say anything the door was (possibly literally) kicked open before a girl jumped out looking at her teammates inside the room.
"That was awesome!" - the girl shouted - "let's do it again!"
"Nora, we have to get ready for class" - responds a tired male voice
"But Renny! - answers Nora
"Yeah, what gives?" - interrupts another voice, this time female - "we are just having fun"
"And causing property damage" - answers a fourth voice not giving to for any answer - "and we must hurry if we want to get to class in time"
Making a sound similar to a whine Nora went back to her room in defeat, closing the door leaving the four members of Team RWAN standing outside trying to comprehend what just happened.
"I think we better go to the classroom" - said Ruby before starting to walk to the classroom. Looking at her scroll Weiss noticed it was a good idea and was soon walking alongside her team leader Jaune and Pyrrha following soon after. Hopefully their first day of class would go well.
Their first day of class sucked.
That was the truth of the matter as far Ruby was concerned.
It had started well enough, but Professor Port's classes had been extremely boring, she had dozed off and generally been bored out of her mind, even worse, she had gotten into a fight with Weiss.
It had hurt hearing Weiss saying that she was a terrible leader and while professor Ozpin's words of encouragement helped and given her direction, she had not been able to speak to Weiss after the incident.
Now she was in her team's room studying with her partner while Jaune went out to look for his own partner.
"Pyrrha?" - asks a tired and bored Ruby struggling to continue studying any longer.
"Yeah?" - responds Pyrrha who had been helping her study
"Do you think Weiss has a point?" - asks Ruby now looking directly at the champion.
"Well …" - says Pyrrha obviously uncomfortable about responding, she thinks about not answering the question but Ruby's puppy eyes impression makes the champion's will break.
"Well, she does have a point you acted a bit like a child during professor port's class but …" - starts the champion making Ruby wince but before she could comment Pyrrha continued - "but I don't agree with you don't deserving you position as leader, it was your idea which let us to defeat the giant grimm and you have been trying to be a good leader, you just need experience and learn."
Ruby felt her spirit soar once again, much like headmaster Ozpin, her partner had faith in her.
Now, she only needed to prove Weiss she deserved to be a leader too.
Jaune walked through the corridors of Beacon Academy looking for his partner, it had been several minutes already and there was no sight of her, he was honestly starting to get a little tense.
He had heard what the heiress had said to Ruby and honestly, he didn't agree with it but at the same time, she was not only his teammate but also his partner. If there was someone that should talk to her that wasn't Ruby, it was him.
As he continued to walk he finally found Weiss in a balcony alone looking at the night while sitting in the single bench at the center of the balcony, sighing now finally able to calm himself a bit he walked towards the heiress.
"Weiss" - he called her, surprising Weiss at the moment - "Where have you been, I've been searching for you through the entire academy"
While that last part wasn't entirely true he at least felt like it was.
"What do you want?" - spat back Weiss not even turning to face him - "did Ruby send you to get me?"
"Kinda, yes" - he responded nervous - "she wanted to talk with you"
"I assume she's angry at what I said to her?" - says Weiss standing up and turning to face him, crossing her arms, her face clearly showing both her frustration.
He winced in response but a small part at the back of his mind somehow expected this, as if it was a familiar scenario. Leaving the thought aside he responded with as much calm as he could, he knew the current situation was delicate.
"Not really, she actually took it hard" - responded Jaune hoping Weiss would listen, sadly it was not to be as before he could continue Weiss interrupted.
"So she's just sad and wants me to say sorry?" - sarcasm thick in the heiress' voice.
"It's not that …" - continued Jaune trying to reason with his partner
"Then what is it?" - one again said Weiss cutting him again
"I don't know" - the blonde answers truthfully - "but what I do know is that Ruby isn't looking for a fight, she's not like that"
"And how do you know that?" - responds Weiss totally unimpressed
That was actually a good question, he had only met Ruby a few days ago and yet he felt certain that Ruby didn't want a fight or for Weiss to say sorry.
"Because that's not the type of person Ruby is?" - says Jaune sounding more sure than he is feeling - "She never asked to be a leader of the team in fact despite your clashes she was never but friendly to you."
The response, he saw, surprised Weiss enough to keep her from immediately responding to him and he saw as Weiss slowly went through a flurry of emotions before her face once again set in frustration.
"Alright! I'll go back and talk to her" - said Weiss, obviously not happy about it.
"Ok, then let's go back to our room partner" - said Jaune in response.
Weiss grimaced even more surprisingly enough but said nothing as she started to walk, Jaune followed behind her as a tense silence fell between the two through all the route until they finally reached the door which Jaune knocked before opening announcing both Pyrrha and Ruby that he had come back with Weiss.
Ruby was immediately upon them wanting to talk to Weiss as soon as she could, which she obliged, both going to sit in front of each other on one side of the room.
Both he and Pyrrha crossed views and silently agreed to sit on the other side, listening closely but not interfering knowing that this was between Ruby and Weiss. The next hour would be filled with much talk between the team leader and the heiress finally reaching some kind of agreement, it was not perfect as it was obvious that Weiss had not changed her thoughts about Ruby, or at least not completely, but she had agreed to let Ruby lead the team without issue and she did say she had acted a bit entitled which was something.
Now with the new peace gained, Team RWAN finally went to sleep, hoping that the next day would be much better.
Author notes:
This update also came abnormally fast surprisingly enough, I hope you all enjoy it. Please don't expect me to write the next chapter this fast.