Queen of Beacon III

Model 42, or Sebastian as Winter had named him, was Weiss's own personal robotic butler. Because what Queen didn't have her own butler? Her own personal butler that doubled as a silent assassin, a deadly sniper, an on the fly mechanic, and a blacksmith. All in one. He was everything one could want in a servant. Utterly loyal. Incredibly competent at his job. Obeyed orders without question.

If only he wasn't a soulless machine.

At least in Weiss's opinion. Regardless of what she thought, Model 42 was indeed helpful and Weiss was not one to decline help. And good help at that. After getting Model 42 to stop cleaning the room, he stood at attention and introduced himself to Weiss's teammates.

"Greetings flesh bags." He bowed. "I am Adaptive Cybernetic Assistant Model 42, or as Mistress Winter calls me, Sebastian. That is the name that I would like to be called by."

"Well nice to meet you, Sebastian!" Yang made to move but was pinned against the wall, M42's eyes glowing red.

"Please do not make any sudden movements around her Majesty. I would not recommend it if you wish to keep your life."

"Stand down 42. She is no concern or danger to me. That goes the same for everyone else here." Immediately the android took a step back. Yang glared at it as she wrung her wrist around. "Now, I would like you to leave the room for a moment 42. My teammates and I will be having a discussion on ground rules. I will upload them to your database later." Sebastian nodded and promptly left the room and a tense silence followed.

The room was now unbelievably clean. Not a blemish in sight, nothing out of place. Every cover neatly ironed and folded, the clothing sorted by size and color. The temporary bunkbeds that the team had made yesterday were fused together. The windows were spotless and everyone's weapons were neatly propped up against everyone's bed. Above the headboards was a nameplate.

It was Ruby who broke the silence. "So uh…ground rules right? We should get started." Weiss nodded at her and summoned a golden mahogany desk in the center of the room with a golden chair at the head of it.

"Yes. Let's." Weiss said as she took the chair. "Don't just stand there. Grab your own chairs. Do I look your mother? Do I have to do everything for you?" Yang shot her a glare and dragged two chairs over for herself and Ruby whilst Blake sat on the floor cross-legged. Heh. Fit for a worm.

"Now to start, I will not tolerate-'"

"Hold on there." Yang didn't even flinch at the look that Weiss shot her. "Ruby is the leader here, she should be the ones making the rules."

"Yes, but I am her better. I should be making the rules." Weiss argued. Ruby looked at the two of them back and forth. Blake just sat there looking bored. "But I will humor you. Go ahead. Tell us the rules. Perhaps I will be surprised."

"Uh…um…I think um…"

"See what I mean?" Weiss pointedly looked at Yang while Ruby continued to stutter.

"Let her finish first!"

"I see no reason to when clearly she doesn't know what she's doing." Weiss shot back. Yang stood up and cocked her fist back. Blake reached up and held her back, shaking her head all the while. "Well, Ruby do you still want to continue or shall I make the rules?"

"Um…Okay. But if I don't like what you're saying, then we'll have to change the rules."

"I'm fine with that. Let's get started. I don't like noise. So let's keep the noise to a minimum people." Weiss said, all the while staring at Yang. "Next, I would like to propose a 2 hour study and work period. In that time, nothing but work and studying will be done. I dislike those who do not take their education seriously. Especially one in a place such as Beacon. It would be a spit in that face of those who worked hard to get where they are now. I will not tolerate such laziness here."

"What!? But that's so boring!" Ruby said, before covering her mouth and averting her eyes from Weiss gaze. "I mean…well, I suppose that could work. But can we make it an hour instead of two?"

"If that is what you wish. But just as a warning, I don't think an hour will be enough for you. It will be nonstop, no breaks. No nothing."

"Then why don't we compromise?" Blake butted in. "An hour and a half. How's that sound instead? It'll be plenty of time to finish homework and to study and also have enough time for other things."

"That sound fine to me." Weiss raised an eyebrow. Something sensible from the bow girl? What a surprise. "Next, bathroom time. No more 10 minutes when taking a shower and unless you're clearing your bowels or shaving, I will not tolerate hour long showers."

"That we can agree on," Ruby said, looking at Yang, who grinned at her.

"Good. Moving on." It took a while, but eventually the four of them settled on the rules. Though, almost every single one was made by Weiss and modified to fit their needs by everyone else. "Now that we're done here, Ruby, do you still want to go down to the Combat Room? As my champion, I have to debrief you on what this means."

"Sure! I kinda did want to go out and do some extra practice before going to sleep." Ruby replied, walking over to Crescent Rose. "Just let me go to the bathroom first."

"Go ahead. I must go and update Model 42's database." Waiting for Weiss outside in low power mode was Model 42, leaning against the wall. As soon as Weiss left the room the robot instantly powered back on.

"Your majesty. I do hope that you have managed to set all the ground rules."

"That is true 42. Come with me down to the combat room. I suppose you know the layout of the greatest academy the world of Remnant has ever seen?"

"Yes, I should also point out that there is a giant underground chamber beneath the main hall that is in no official maps of Beacon. Only after some digging around and hacking into the Main Database did I find it. And I am sorry to say, but I have no clue what it could be about." A secret underground chamber eh? Hm…

"Say, Model 42, do you know of the Great Hall of the Maiden of Winter? The one underneath my family's mansion? Do you suppose that Beacon houses the Chamber of the Summer Maiden?"

"It is certainly possible your majesty, but I will have to do some more research before I can come to that conclusion. Now there is something that you need to know about the flesh bag designated as "Blake Belladonna"."

"Hm. What about her?"

"During my initial scan of your teammates and others that I happened to come across, I observed something off about Ms. Belladonna. After some more intense analysis, I observed periodic twitches of the bow on her head. The twitching was rather reminiscent of that of a cat's ears. At first I thought it was just the wind or air ventilation. But with more analysis, and with confirmation from my thermal imaging mode, I have come to the conclusion that the fleshbag designated as Blake Belladonna is a Faunus."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. 100%. I will never come to a complete and utter conclusion unless I am absolutely and completely sure that my hypothesis is correct. What will you do your majesty? Now that this information has been brought to your attention?"

Weiss thought about it. So Blake was a Faunus. Why did that matter? As long as she obeyed her Queen as she should be and didn't get in her way, then Weiss didn't care that Blake was a Faunus. "Nothing. But just to make sure that this doesn't cause any problems, I want you to find out if Blake has any connection to the White Fang. And if that is indeed the case, then I have to take action."

"Your wish is my command. Now, according to this new update, the daughter of the White Rose, AKA Summer Rose, Ruby Rose is now your chosen champion. Are you sure about this your majesty? Her mother may be one of the greatest Huntresses to ever exist, but there is next to nothing known about Ruby Rose's potential."

As the two of them entered an elevator Weiss answered him. "And that Model 42 is what we're going to find out today. I couldn't analyze enough of Ruby's fighting style during initiation. But anyone can use that giant monstrosity called a scythe and use it effectively, I already have great expectations for. I just hope that my expectations are not misplaced."

"I will observe and analyze closely then."

The combat room was located in the center of the campus. Even though it was called a "room", it was more akin to an arena. It was at least twice the size of the practice arena and was separated into 4 sections. One for each year. And almost all of them were in use. There were very few first years, and the ones that were there were mostly just trying to figure out how things were working.

Well, except for Pyrrha Nikos of course.

Ms. Nikos was flying around a horde of simulated Grimm and mowing them down like flies. Weiss didn't even see a single one of them hit her. The simulation ended almost as quickly as it started. Under a minute.

Priscilla Grunbeld and her teammate, who if Weiss recalled was called Garrett Gold, were doing some sparring while Rhinehardt looked on. She and Rhinehardt didn't even acknowledge one another.

"I assume you know how to work these robots?" She asked Pyrrha as the Invincible Girl took a drink of water.

"What? Ah…Yeah, it wasn't me. I asked Priscilla for help. It was all her. But I think I know how to activate it."

"Hm. There's no need. You may go back to your training." Weiss leaned against the wall and put a hand to her chin and close her eyes. This room was too crowded. Too full of filth unworthy to look upon her highness. Weiss's eyes shot open. "Model 42, would you kindly tell Ruby that I've decided to change plans? We will instead meet in one of the fields on campus. If she is not already there." Weiss would not even be surprised if the daughter of the White Rose got lost on the way to the combat room.

"Of course milady." The robot butler bowed. The back of his hand split open and projected a hologram of Weiss's contact list from her scroll. His eyes flash black for a split second before returning to their normal blue. "Done. Let us get going, shall we? It is unsightly for a queen to be late to their meetings."

Everyone in the room froze as the temperature dropped. Weiss glared at the soulless machine as several chains appeared from a nearby glyph and wrapped themselves around Model 42. Floating above his head was a long red spear arcing with red electricity and giving off a bloody mist. "Silence. Who told you that you could speak to me like that? Was it Winter? If so, then it seems that my sister needs to know who is in charge here. Let's go. But never, ever tell me what to do ever again." Weiss stormed off, Model 42 trudging along behind her like nothing was wrong.

The hallway outside which was full of students, faculty members, tourists and visitors fell silent as Weiss stepped out into the hallway. They all stood off to the side and made way for their rightful queen. "42 did you tell Ruby which field to go to?"

"The field just outside the main arena milady. Shall I give you directions?" Weiss swore that the android smiled as his Queen glared at him. Once again the surrounding atmosphere fell in temperature. Someone in the background yelped as Weiss began to leak out killing intent worthy of that of the Hunter of the Sentinels. "I shall take that as a no."

Weiss snarled quietly. "One day you will learn your place. And that day will come soon. Do not be surprised to find yourself rewired and reprogrammed one day and wake up with no memories of what happened to you. You're lucky that you are useful to me as of now."

"I will take care not to anger you enough to do that milady." Model 42 replied. If he was designed to show emotion, he would've had a look of absolute mirth right now. Weiss was sure of that.

Ruby was sitting underneath a tree when Weiss and her robot butler came upon her. "I hope I have not kept you waiting?" Ruby shook her head in response to Weiss's question as she stood up. "Good. Follow me. There should be an open field just over there." Weiss jerked head towards the cliffs facing Forever Fall.

"Eh? Are you sure? What if we fall off?"

"That won't happen Ms. Rose." Model 42 butted in. "However, in the rare case that it does indeed occur I will be there to save you from falling to certain death. Now come, it is not wise to disobey the Queen of Beacon."

"Silence worm. Do not warn others about things that you do on a regular basis." Weiss snapped. The butler chuckled, its monotone and metallic voice sending a chill down the spine of any onlooker. "I said silence. We have dillydallied enough."

The rest of the trek to the cliffs was spent with Ruby asking the insufferable sentient machine questions about Atlas. Things that Weiss herself could very well have answered. But of course, they were questions that anyone with a semblance of intelligence already knew. Then again, Ruby was the definition of a country bumpkin.

Finally, they reached their destination. It was a serene clearing near the edge of the cliffs facing the vast wilderness that was Forever Fall. Farther down the cliff was a section of Beacon jutting out of over the edge of the cliff. The hangar and docking area if Weiss recalled correctly. The smell of fuel only confirmed that. The ground was fairly even and there was actually a small stream that lead into a clear blue pond at the edge.

"Wow…" Ruby took a while to take in the view. "It's not every day you see something like this. Right Weiss?"

"Ruby, I'm a princess. Soon to be queen. I also live directly beside the largest mountains in the world. This type of view is something that I saw every day."

"I know that. It's just…Have you ever seen anything like this, though?" Ruby spread her arms out at the vast forest teeming with scarce wildlife and overrun with Grimm.

Weiss had to admit, it was something that she had not before exactly. But Weiss wasn't one for a good view. It didn't matter to her if it looked good or average or neither. All that mattered was that it belonged to Weiss. The One and Only Queen shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Let us begin."

"Wait!" Ruby cut Weiss off. "Before we start can you uh…tell me what being your champion means?"

A sigh passed through Weiss's lips. She sat down at the edge of the cliff and patted the patch of grass down beside her. "Sit down and let me tell you a story."

"O-Okay…"

"Now…" Weiss began. "Let me you the story of Sigurd Schnee. Perhaps you've heard of him? Regardless, he is arguably the most influential person to ever exist in the history of our dystopian world. Now, forgetting all that mystical stories about the maidens, Sigurd was responsible for the discovery and the weaponization of what we now know as Dust."

The Queen of Beacon reached her hand out towards the forest. "Imagine instead of this giant forest, it was a mountain range. The largest in the world. Mountains for as far as the eye can see. Now imagine, within those mountains, are hundreds if not thousands of mines digging deep into the rock. Digging for dust. For these glowing, multi-colored crystals."

She chuckled. "At first, no one really thought that these crystals would ever amount to anything. Well, look at them now. We depend on dust for everything. For power. For light. For heating. For fuel. Everything. Without it, we are nothing."

"Um…What does this-'"

"Let me continue will you Ruby?" The child of Summer blushed. "I'll get to that. But for now, please, just listen, will you? Anyways…Sigurd Schnee was descended from the Kingdom of Apollon. You've heard of that haven't you?"

"They're the place from which the Legend of the Maidens is thought to have taken place in right?"

"Yes. But it's the also where aura was discovered. Many Huntsmen and Huntresses make it their life's work to journey to Apollon. Not only because of its historical significance but because legend has it that the air is saturated with aura. That almost any ailment and disease are cured. Of course, getting to Apollon is easier said than done."

"How so?"

"The area between Apollon and Atlas-the kingdom closest-is considered to be Grimm Territory. Grimm that you won't see at all in Vytal. Nevermores twice the size of what we fought during initiation. Giant dragon Grimm that are as large as mountains. There are even legends of Humanoid Grimm revered as gods. The land between Atlas and Apollon is No Man's Land. Only the most powerful of Hunters can enter and leave. And even then, it's impossible to do unscathed."

Weiss swung her legs to and fro. "Now, as I've said before, Sigurd, and the rest of my family are descended from Apollon. And my ancestor was obsessed with retaking the ancient kingdom. He gathered the strongest that he could and formed an army to do so. However, none of them intrigued him as much as the man he would name his Champion. Garnet Rose." Ruby's eyes widened. "Do you perhaps know the name Ruby?"

"N-no."

"Hm. That's odd. Your ancestor was the first champion of the Schnee family. He served my father until their deaths during their fifth and so far the last expedition into No Man's Land. They were the best of friends and were both committed to the cause. They believed in Sigurd's dream. And both died for it. I think you get what being my champion is now do you?"

Ruby nodded, at first unsure, and then vigorously. "Yes. I do."

"Good. I believe I've told you my dream before?" Ruby shook her head. "I will become more than a Queen. I will become a symbol from which all can be inspired from. I will become more than a human. I will become a legend. One passed down from father to son. From mother to daughter. Because the older the legend, the harder it is to be forgotten. The stronger it has become. Upon my death, my people shall know of my legend. From the time of my death, till the end of time itself. I will be a symbol for hope and for prosperity. I will remind humanity that we are the strongest. That if we put our mind to it, there is nothing we cannot defeat."

Ruby was silent.

"Why must I do it? Because no one else will. I've never met another soul who is willing to sacrifice everything for the good of mankind. That is until today."

"Wha-Me!?"

"Yes. Do you accept? Will you be the 42nd Champion of the Schnee Family?" Weiss held her hand out. Ruby looked at it. She grabbed Weiss's hand firmly and shook.

"I accept."

Weiss remembered something that Winter had once told her.

The most brilliant of minds can accomplish great things. But the hardest of workers will accomplish the greatest.

And now, Weiss was ready to do so.

"Now, let's begin this fight shall we?"