Chapter 7

Team JKHL ROOM 7:00AM

Right now it would seem that all the resident of this room were wide awake already ready to begin their first Day of school. Well, all except Johnny Cage who is still sleeping

"Johnny, wake up." Liu Kang's voice can be heard trying to get the young actor up.

"Ten more minutes." Johnny said with his pillow over his head

"Cage!" Liu Kang stressed

Yawning Johnny sits up all the while glaring at Liu Kang for ruining his sleep.

"Okay I'm up, sheesh. What time is it anyway?"

"7:00." Liu Kang said casually.

"Damn, never thought you'd be that rebellious to skip an entire school Day." Johnny said stretching.

"7:00AM." Liu Kang added.

Taking a very long look at Liu Kang with his left eye twitching he finally yelled "What in the actual fuck Bruce Lee, who the hell gets up by 7 for a 9:00 class!?"

"For the last time Johnny, my name is not Bruce Lee. Also I thought we could use the extra time to train ourselves." Liu Kang said

"And you guys are okay with this?" Johnny asked the other room residents.

"Actually, they were already awake by the time I woke up." Liu Kang said

"Seriously?" He said looking at Scorpion and Sub Zero.

"Old habit." Sub Zero said casually

"I don't require sleep." Scorpion deadpanned

"Why do I have to be in a team where everyone's a workaholic." Johnny signed

"Okay Bruce Lee, give me your scroll let me give you my number so you can call me later cos I'm going back to sleep." Johnny stretched his hand towards Liu Kang.

SILENCE

"Oh no." Johnny said with dread

"What's a scroll? Liu Kang asked

"Oh hell no." Johnny almost yelled

"I am also unfamiliar with this scroll you speak of. Do you mean those paper scrolls?." Scorpion asked

Johnny was just about to scream before Sub Zero brought up his scroll "He's talking about this."

"Ohhh. What's that by the way?" Liu Kang asked

"Screw morning training, we're getting you two your own scroll." Johnny said getting up and rushing into the bathroom.

Sticking his head out of the bathroom Johnny asked "So is there a reason Bruce Lee is the only one with a school uniform?"

True to Johnny's word Scorpion and Sub Zero were still in their ninja garb or in Sub Zero's case assassin's garb.

"I intend to wear my Lin Kuei attire." Sub Zero said

"I burnt mine." Scorpion said casually.

"Of course you did." Johnny sighed as he got back into the bathroom.

MMM

It would seem team TSKK also had similar problem with Team JKHL as both Kitana and Kung Lao did not have or know what a scroll. So both team spent the next two hours getting new scrolls.

Grimm Studies class 9:12AM

Stepping into the class both teams were about taking their seats but was stopped by Professor Port's voice.

"Though I can dismiss your lateness and somewhat disregard of the school uniform but I'm afraid I can't have you in my class wearing masks." Professor Port said.

Just then, the two assassin's and ninja took off their mask. Earning various whispers from the class.

"What's with his eyes?"

"Can he even see?"

"Man that's a really cool battle scar."

Just as the class was commenting on Sub Zero's scar and Scorpion's pale eyes, Yang had other things on her mind.

"Dude, your hair is amazing. How does it not get in your face while wearing a mask?" Yang asked referring to Smoke.

"Honestly, I have no idea." Smoke replied.

"What product do you use?" She asked

"Just coconut oil, some genetics." Smoke said

"That's enough questions for today Miss Yang, I believe it's high time I started today's class." Professor Ports said

MMM

"Monsters! Demons, Prowlers of the night. Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Hu-ha!" Professor Port announced to his students. Barely any of which were even listening.

Ruby had faced many tests in the field, but she soon realized that the ultimate challenge of Beacon was staying awake in Professor Port's class.

The classroom was rather large. On the whiteboard were diagrams and descriptions of different types of Grimm.

The old teacher quickly continued on with his lecture. "And you will too, once you graduate from this prestigious academy!"

Kung Lao, Smoke and Kitana were trying their best not to fall asleep, while Johnny was already drooling all over his textbook. Scorpion and Sub Zero remained composed, but they too, were beginning to drift off. And then there was Liu Kang and Sonya, who were actually listening attentively and taking notes.

Port continued to speak. "Now as I was saying, Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world. Our planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to rip you to shreds. And that's where we come in! Huntsmen. Huntresses," Professor Port said while clicking his tongue and winking at Yang.

Yang awkwardly laughed and rolled her eyes. Smoke however, had subconsciously started fingering his Karambit Knifes at Professor Ports attempt at flirting with Yang.

"Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves. From what, you ask? Why, the very world!" Port exclaimed as he raised his fist on the last part.

"Uhh, That is what you are training to become. But first, a story. A tale of a young, handsome, man. Me. When I was a boy, blah blah blah…." Port began as his speech drifted off into incoherent and literal 'blah's.

Weiss was about to drift off to sleep like the others, but heard Ruby giggling over something as she scribbled on a sheet of paper.

"Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. "Peter," he told me, blah blah blah…" Port continued on, unaware that half his class was out cold.

Ruby began to snicker to herself, attracting the attention of her team, Sub Zero and Scorpion. She held up the paper she had been doodling on, showing a rather bad drawing of Professor Port with stink lines, labeled "Professor Poop" under it. This caused her team (except for Weiss) and Sub Zero to laugh, but Scorpion, being blunt as always, just sat there, not really understanding why she spelled his name incorrectly.

"Ahem… In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity. And I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high. Celebrated, as a hero! The moral of the story? A true huntsman must be honorable!"

Weiss looked again at Ruby, her leader. She was balancing an apple on top of a book on top of a pencil by her finger while making a stupid face. Her expression darkened.

"A true huntsman must be dependable!"

" Now she was sleeping. In class. What does she have that makes her a leader that I don't?!" Weiss thought to herself as she looked on in anger.

"A true huntsman must be strategic, well educated, and wise!"

" Now she's picking her nose. Picking her goddamn nose. That bratty, unprofessional airhead!" Weiss screamed inwardly as she was beginning to snap from outrage.

"Now, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" Port asked the class.

Weiss shot her hand up in the air instantly. "I do, sir!"

Professor Port smiled at her drive and gestured to a rattling cage beside him. "Well then, let's find out, shall we? Step forward and face your opponent!"

Weiss changed into her combat attire and stepped down to the front of the class.

"Gooo Weiss!" Yang cheered.

"Fight well!" Blake cheered also as she waved a RWBY flag in her hand.

"Yeah! Represent team RWBY!" Ruby joyously proclaimed with both fists reaching up to pierce the heavens.

"Ruby! I'm trying to focus!" Weiss barked at the girl.

"Oh. Sorry..." Ruby apologized as she slunk back into her chair.

"Alright. Let the match…begin!" Port declared. He raised his axe and hacked off the lock, revealing a snarling Boarbatusk.

The pig-like Grimm charged Weiss, but she attacked with a sideways swipe, diverting herself away from the creature's charge. She rolled on her back and stood in a kneeling position.

The Grimm stopped to change direction and glared at her with two sets of red orbs.

"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby yelled from her seat.

Weiss dashed toward the Boarbatusk with Myrtenaster pointing forward, but as she collided with the Grimm, the weapon was caught by the Grimm's hooked tusks. She tugged at her sword as the Grimm attempted to keep its ground.

"Aha! Bold new approach! I like it!" Port commented.

"Come on, Weiss! Show it who's boss!" Ruby cheered.

But Weiss stopped to glare at Ruby for distracting her, but this made her lose focus and allowed the Boarbatusk to wrench the rapier from her grip and headbutt her backwards.

"Oho! Now what will you do without your weapon?" Port said.

Weiss leapt to the side to barely dodge a charge and sprinted to pick up her weapon.

"Weiss! Go for its belly! There's no armor undernea-" Ruby attempted to tell her, only to be cut off by the heiress.

"STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!" Weiss snapped at Ruby, who sank her head in guilt.

The Boarbatusk then curled up in a ball and began to spin itself toward Weiss like a wheel. However, Weiss simply summoned a glyph right in front of her, which the Grimm crashed into, sending it down on its back. Weiss then leapt up and summoned another glyph behind her feet in mid-air.

Activating it, she shot down and skewered the Grimm through its vulnerable stomach.

"Bravo! Bravo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true huntress in training!" Port applauded her.

After the match, Port dismissed the class. Weiss scowled at Ruby and then stormed off furiously. Her attitude towards Ruby had not gone unnoticed by members of team TSKK and JKHL as even Johnny who had woken up during Weiss fight noticed her.

"What's she so worked up about?" Johnny asked.

Ruby then got up and ran after her. Scorpion watched everything silently and decided to leave on his own.

Ruby finally caught up to Weiss in the hallways and tried to work their situation out.

"Weiss!" She called as she found the girl in the hallway.

"What?" She replied bitterly.

"What's wrong with you? What're you so worked up ab-" Ruby asked her.

"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 snapped at the young girl.

"What did I ever do?!" Ruby protested.

"That's it! You haven't done anything to gain that position! You acted like a child back in the forest and you've only continued to do so!" Weiss growled at her.

Ruby was confused as to why she was so upset. "Weiss, where is this all coming from? What happened to all that talk about working together? I thought you believed in working as a team!"

Weiss groaned. "A team that I would lead. Not you. I studied and trained my whole life for this, and this is what I get?! Ozpin made a mistake."

Ruby tried to say something, but she just couldn't. If she had anything to say, to object, it was gone with whatever hopes and self-confidence she had. Was Weiss right? Was she even fit to be a leader? Why was she even here?

"Not a good way to treat your friends if you ask me."

Ruby turned to see Kung Lao in his uniform and his arms folded.

"Do you think she's right? Am I not doing good enough?" Ruby cried.

"Well… I don't think we can say for certain yet. You okay?" he asked soothingly.

Ruby gave him a small smile and replied, "I've been better."

The two turned around to see Professor Ozpin standing there having observed the situation.

"Hmm… Well that didn't seem to go very well," he simply stated.

The two youngsters turned in surprise to see Ozpin sipping from his coffee.

'I swear this guy is addicted to coffee,' Kung Lao thought.

"Is she right? Did you make a mistake?" she questioned the headmaster.

"That remains to be seen," he said.

With Weiss

The young Schnee continued to walk through the halls still angry with her team leader. She then heard voices coming from a balcony area she was passing. She looked to see that Professor Port and Scorpion were speaking with each other. This is honestly the first time she had seen the Spectre up close. Without his mask no less.

"Professor Port," she said getting the attention of her teacher.

"Ah, Miss Schnee," replied the professor. "And to what do I owe this fine pleasure?"

"I came to tell you that I enjoyed today's lecture," she said simply.

She turned towards Scorpion who was standing silently the whole time.

"Hello Hanzo," she greeted meekly.

"Ms. Schnee," he returned.

"Of course you did child. You have the blood of a true huntress in you," Professor Port stated bringing her attention back towards the older hunter.

"You really think so?" she asked excitedly.

"Most surely," Professor Port said with enthusiasm.

Weiss smiled, but then that smile turned into a frown.

"Hmm. Something's troubling you," the professor observed.

"Yes sir," Weiss said hesitantly.

"Dear girl, confess to me your strife," he replied in a heroic manner.

'Was that necessary?' Hanzo thought.

"I think I should've been made leader of Team RWBY," she said.

'Is that right?' Hanzo questioned.

He was now a lot more interested in the conversation. There was a moment of silence before Professor Port spoke his mind.

"That's preposterous," he replied bluntly.

(Back with Ruby, Changming, & Professor Ozpin)

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked still confused.

"What he's trying to say is that you haven't even been a leader for a week," Kung Lao interjected. "This is just one day out of many. While time doesn't wait for anyone and you can't get it back, you can learn from the past to ensure you won't make the same mistakes in the present."

Ruby looked at Professor Ozpin for clarification. The headmaster simply nodded in affirmation.

"Ruby. I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet," Ozpin continued. "But I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them."

He paused for a moment before asking, "Do you?"

Ruby opened her mouth to say something, but decided against it as she pondered for a moment.

With Weiss

"Excuse me?" Weiss asked in a shocked manner.

"I believe in Professor Ozpin for many years, and the man's never once led me astray," Professor Port stated.

"So you would blindly accept his decision even after seeing how exceptional I am?" she asked with venom.

"That is where you are wrong Schnee," Ports stated calmly.

Weiss sent a glare towards the Professor, but he didn't back down.

"You think you are superior to everyone because of your family's role in society. You think that everyone is below your level of intellect and capabilities because you "study" and "work hard". True hard work gets you far in life, but sometimes your personality is what gets in the way of what you truly want," he explained.

"What are you jabbering about?" the young heiress asked.

"You claim to be a better leader. But does your personality fit with what being a leader is about?" he asked bluntly.

"My point Miss Schnee is that everything will not be given to you on a silver platter just because you believe to have better skills or qualities than others. You may not be qualified for a certain position in life based on your past decisions, actions, et cetera. However, you can learn to live with the decisions that were made and try to better yourself as an individual and as a teammate rather than complain about your position," Port's concluded

"Professor Port has a point Ms. Schnee," Hanzo said finally speaking "And if your attitude today is any indication, what I see in front of me is a young woman who got everything she wanted."

"That's not true," Weiss countered.

However Hanzo and Professor Port gave her deadpanned looks that signaled they didn't believe her.

"Well not entirely true," she defended weakly.

"Ms. Schnee. If I may say so, listen to the words of your peers. You will learn a lot from them. If not from your professors, then from them," Professor Port stated.

Hanzo turned towards Professor Port and bid him goodnight and also Weiss as he started walking away. As he walked past, Weiss looked down at the ground with her hands folded together over her chest contemplating on something. She then made up her decision.

"Thank you Professor." She turned around "And thank you too Hanzo."

Hanzo stopped where he was, but didn't turn around. There was a moment of silence before he spoke.

"Think nothing of it. Besides, I didn't say much" he stated simply.

"Still you helped, so thank you." Weiss said

Without another word, the young Shirai Ryu continued on to his room.

Later

Weiss entered the dorm quietly. She walked over to Ruby's bed and parted the curtain to see her unconscious face atop a notebook. Her hand still held onto a pencil and she was drooling on top of this one worksheet.

Weiss rolled her eyes and shook the sleeping girl's arm, causing her to stir.

Ruby's eyes fluttered open, then she got up startled by her presence. "W-Weiss! I-I was studying and I guess I fell asleep! I'm sorry, I-"

Weiss cut her off and stared at the empty coffee mug beside Ruby. "How do you take your coffee?"

"Uh, I don't-" Ruby stuttered, not very sure of what to make of the situation.

"Answer the question." Weiss interrupted, but not in the usual demanding voice she used, but in a much calmer and concerned tone.

"Uhh… cream and five sugars!" Ruby quickly answered.

"Don't move." Weiss picked up the empty mug and exited the room for a minute.

Weiss came back a couple minutes later holding a steaming mug of hot coffee.

"Here." Weiss handed Ruby the mug with a smile.

"Um, thanks Weiss." Ruby responded with gratitude.

Weiss stood there for a while and sighed. "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader. And I promise you, I will be the best teammate you'll ever have."

Ruby smiled because could feel the sincerity and empathy in her voice, showing her that Weiss meant every word she had just said, and that touched her deeply.

"Good luck studying!" Weiss said before she stepped down from Ruby's bunk.

She then stepped back up to point at some notes Ruby had written in her notebook. "That's wrong, by the way."

Before Weiss closed the door as she left, she stopped. "Hey, Ruby? I always wanted bunk beds as a kid."

Ruby smiled and sipped her coffee, happy that she had her partner's support as a teammate and a friend