Remnants of a World I Once Knew: Volume 2

Chapter 6

"Well that didn't go very well, did it?," a voice spoke to Ruby. Ruby turned around to see Ozpin. "Oh uh...what do you mean?," Ruby asked. "Your conflict with Ms Schnee. Yes the argument was very....vocal. I imagine that you're more embarrassed now that the possibility of others hearing it extends further," Ozpin replied. Ruby nodded. "Was she right?," Ruby asked. "Was me being a leader a mistake on your end?," she continued. "I've made countless mistakes. Appointing you as leader is anything but a mistake," Ozpin answered. "A...are you sure?," Ruby looked at him. "My dear, you have the potential but what good would that potential do if you don't demonstrate to the best of your abilities? Being a team leader isn't like a uniform you carry into battle. It's a badge you wear constantly. If you are not always performing to the best of your abilities, then what reason do you give others the idea to follow you? Much less call you a leader?," Ozpin asked. Ruby didn't answer. "Leadership is a prestigious role, but a burdening tasks. I advise you take into account for that," Ozpin replied before leaving.

Fives was busy fixing up R7 when he heard a knock. "Come in," Fives answered. The door opened to reveal Weiss. "Oh. Weiss. How can I help you?," Fives asked. "I enjoyed the lecture. It was really thorough," Weiss continued. "Glad you enjoyed it. Now, what is it you really want?," Fives asked. "How do you mean?," Weiss asked in return. "Well, one doesn't come here just to adore my lectures. Especially from a person with the blood and the defiance of a huntress such as yourself," Fives answered. "You really think so?," Weiss asked. "Oh yes. Quite the show you put on during today's lecture," Fives continued, only to glance and see Weiss's expression turn to disappointment. "Oh I know that look. What's wrong?," Fives asked. "It's....it's just......I THINK I SHOULD'VE BEEN THE LEADER OF MY TEAM!," Weiss blurted out. R7 answered with a series of beeps. "What?! How is that funny?!," Weiss squealed. Even Fives snickered. "Weiss. I'm sure Ozpin making Ruby leader was no mistake," Fives continued. "So you would turn a blind eye to the fact that Ruby's still a leader when I'm as gifted as you said earlier?," Weiss asked. "Your talents are only matched by your spoiled attitude of a child," Fives reprimanded.

"Preposterous! How dare you?!," Weiss hissed. "I stand by my point," Fives continued. "I see a girl like yourself who was handed everything down to her. A girl who, even though did not deserve it, gets what she wants," he replied. "That's far from the truth, sir!," Weiss backfired. Fives looked at her with a raised eyebrow. R7 turned her dome to face Weiss. "Well.....not all of it is true," Weiss continued, earning a few chuckles from R7. "Dude. Stop being sassy!," Fives looked at the droid. R7 chirped wildly. Fives rolled his eyes and looked at Weiss. "So the outcome didn't fall to your liking. Do you believe that there's any chance blowing steam will change your position or make Ozpin reconsider the appointment?," Fives asked Weiss. Weiss didn't answer. "When you first arrive, your attitude is one of a spoiled rich person who was always handed down and when things didn't go the way you expect, like not in a team with Pyyrha Nikos, seeing her communicate with Jaune Arc, and you not being leader, you do what spoiled kids would. Throw fits to gain attention and become bitter," Fives answered. "But how does this make me a leader?," Weiss asked.

"It isn't. I'll put it plain and simple. You're not and never will be leader. But what you can do is savor what you already have rather that seethe what you don't have. You've got skills. Hone them. And you've got knowledge. Share them amongst your team. Help them too. Be glad you have a team. Sure you're not appointed leader but rather that be what you aren't, be what you already are. Provide support for your fellow teammates," Fives replied. "You were on a team before?," Weiss asked. "Yes," Fives nodded. "They're dead. So Weiss, savor the fact that even if you're on a team that is still young, be the person to mature and hone your team's abilities," Fives answered as he finishes cleaning R7 up. "Thank you.....for that being a person note," Weiss looked up. "You'll be a fine huntresses soon enough. You may not be appointed leader but leadership is a burden for Ruby. Lend some support to her. Be the best you. The best teammate you can be," Fives answered. "I hardly think so. No one ever listens to my advice," Weiss pouted. "Then take this as a chance to prove me and yourself wrong," Fives chuckled.

That night, Weiss entered her dormitory. She gently closed the door behind her, aware that her teammates were asleep. Blake was quietly reading to herself. On the top bunk, Yang was snoring quietly, her blond hair on one side. Weiss looked to her left to see an arm dangle on the edge of the top bunk, covered in a large blanket in a box like shape. Weiss climbed up, pulling the sheet to see Ruby, fast asleep, in a pile of books and notes, along with a lamp. "Hey," Weiss nudged her shoulder a bit. "H...huh?," Ruby slowly woke up. "Oh! Weiss! Sorry! I was study...," Ruby began but Weiss placed a hand on her mouth. "How do you take your coffee?," Weiss asked taking her hand out from Ruby's mouth. "Huh?," Ruby asked. "Ruby!," Weiss hissed. "Uhhh cream and 7 sugars!," Ruby replied. "Got it," Weiss nodded and was about to turn around when she stopped, looking over her shoulder. "Oh and Ruby?," Weiss began. "Yeah? Ruby asked. "The fact that I found you messy, in pjs, drooling on the mattress with papers everywhere...," Weiss began. "S....sorry Weiss. I know this...," Ruby interrupted. "...the fact that I found you like this, shows a lot about you," Weiss continued. "Meaning?," Ruby asked. "You're doing great with studying. Keep it up," Weiss smiled before leaving to make Ruby's coffee. Ruby was left dumbfounded. Did Weiss just....complimented her? Weiss came back with a warm coffee and placed it on another book. Oh and Question 2's wrong," she points to the nearest paper before closing the makeshift tent and laying down on her bunk. "Ice Queen's got a heart," a voice replied to her. Weiss looked around to see who spoke. Both Blake and Yang were asleep. Weiss shrugged her shoulder and placed the blanket over her before closing her eyes. "Always wanted a bunk bed," Weiss murmured.

"Childish things. Like you," a voice echoed. Weiss opened her eyes quickly. The first thing she noticed is that she was standing. She could've sworn that she was lying down on her bed. "You will never let go of the fact that you should've been leader," the voice continued. Weiss slowly looked around. "Among other things, the White Fang, the Faunus, even your own family. You will never be able to forgive them. Even your teammates, you won't and will not be able to forgive them. Not now. Not ever,"

Weiss growled and whipped back. Although she didn't have her Glyph with her, she was somewhat skilled in melee combat. Weiss whipped around and was about to punch someone when she lowered her rigid stance in disbelief. Her eyes went wide with shock.

In front of her, looking back like a mirror, stood a reflection of herself.