A/N: So, I forgot to answer this question a Guest posed to me: Will JNR and RBY appear in this story? Well… RNJR, RRNJ, JRRN, or whatever you call them are heading towards Haven, which is in the opposite direction from Atlas so… Yeah no. Sorry about that. Blake and Yang? Well, I could find ways to incorporate them, with Blake and the White Fang, and Yang with a desire for a prosthetic arm, however, I feel that introducing them will almost be like "shoe-horning" them in for the sake of having them in it, rather than form a cohesive narrative. So, maybe, but don't count on it.
I don't own RWBY, that goes to Rooster Teeth, and its conception to the late Monty Oum.
"You know Glister, you don't have to spend the night in the labs now. You are more than welcome to accompany me to this shebang." Pluto called out from the inner lab. Dr. Polendina shook his head, "I still have some kinks I want to work out with Nickel. Besides, I'm not one for those public events."
Pluto walked in, already in his tuxedo. To be fair it looked exactly the same as he normally dressed, just black instead of blue. He walked with his typical cocky bravado and said, "c'mon! Nickel's doing great! I mean, look at him! How are you doing big guy?" The hulking robot turned around, his albino eyes gazing down at Pluto with intense disinterest.
"I am doing satisfactory Dr. Glass. Father has mapped my A.I. expertly with the interior and exterior systems of this battle body. I am familiar with the functions, and am prepared to be imbued with aura to increase my power."
"See! He's fine! A big, 8 foot tall super soldier ready to save the world!" Pluto patted Nickel on the arm, since he couldn't comfortably reach his shoulder. "C'mon Glister, I got a faunus into the party. And trust when I say THIS faunus, is going to make Wags REALLY uncomfortable."
"And make me uncomfortable? I hate social situations, and you just make them more awkward… remember the staff appreciation workshop?"
"Hey, that's called team-building!"
"Taking them on a 'Grimm safari' after forcing them to watch a sad movie?"
"I'm just glad I'm not the only one who thinks Leo shouldn't have died! Besides, it was armored, they just screamed in absolute terror when that Beowulf started licking the windows!"
"None of them are trained hunters!"
"And none of them died!" Pluto pointed out. "Look, I thought the staff would bond more if they saw the evils that we huntsmen protect them from!.. And it was funny. What does this have to do with me bugging the biggest scumbag on Remnant?"
Glister sighed, there is no reasoning with this man. "Look, I just get uncomfortable easy, and I don't enjoy getting uncomfortable. I'll stay here with Nickel, if you don't mind."
"Suit yourself," Pluto shrugged, taking off his glasses. He pulled another case out of his jacket pocket and replaced them with similar glasses, but with gold rims. "So, how's Nickel been treating you?"
"What?"
"Are you bonding? I mean, pre-aura Penny you bonded with a lot. Any luck with the great soldier?"
Glister sighed. He hadn't. While Penny didn't have much emotion, her disposition and faux cheerfulness made great company, and made him excited him to call her his daughter. Nickel was… cold. Maybe it was because she remembered Penny not from her basic A.I., but from her person. When she had what Pluto scientifically described as a soul. Maybe…
"Hey, I was actually… going to ask you something, before you left." He wasn't going to, but Pluto jumpstarted his mind. It was a thought that crossed his conscious before. "You taught me how to operate the aura machine, can we… do it now?"
Pluto stopped, and sighed. "Let me guess, Nickel is not the son you want because it's evident he doesn't have any personality or a soul, right?" Glister Polendina nodded. "Look," Pluto began, "I get you… Kind of. But the General wants to be present, and he doesn't want to be dragged from this important Gala thing. I would love to, but we need…"
"We didn't need to wait for the first Penny? Nor for YOUR current one!"
"Hey, 'my' current one was a test to see if cultured aura worked before we implemented it on the Nickel unit. You're more than welcome to be a father figure to it, I know I won't be." Pluto sighed as Glister shook his head. Penny was an individual, not someone who could be copied. When he met "her," earlier that day, he felt disgust and grief. He wouldn't be able to stomach someone who acted and talked like Penny and still call it Penny. "As for the first Penny, there was only so much time until Pomme died. We needed to extract her aura before it dissipated."
Glister remembered the dying fourth-year student in the aura transfer machine. He never saw Pluto show regret on his face except on that day. The girl was dying, nothing could change that, but even he felt uncomfortable extracting the ailing girl's aura, shortening her life while effectively killing the member of team CPPR.
Glister shuddered at the memory. But from that tragedy he got a daughter… a joy so short lived.
He was growing impatient. He wanted someone whom he could call his child. Nickel was not one at the moment. He was emotionless, rigid, forthright yet not earnest. He said "father," with the same disinterest he said, "sir," "Dr. Glass," and "fellow droids." It frustrated the engineer. He knew that with the aura the machine would ascend beyond his programming. That's what they observed with Penny. With her rebelliousness and complications, came sincere emotions. She messaged him about her friend, Ruby. She talked about how she wished to be more than some machine developed, and Glister cried. He didn't want a weapon either: he wanted a family that he was never able to have until now.
Yet all he can claim was the cold soldier, walking around in an 8-foot weapon.
Dr. Polendina may be foolish and selfish, using an Atlesian weapons program to get any semblance of family, but Glister was a lonely man. When the only person willing to keep you company was some crazed huntsmen-scientist with a bad taste in humor, you grasp at any chance of traditional happiness that you can. Unlike Pluto, Glister could not just get satisfaction from his work.
"It's all set up, just please, let's do this now. Get it over with!"
"I'm not disobeying the General's wishes, Glister." Pluto said, with no irony in his voice whatsoever.
"You disobey him all the time!"
"I don't! I bend his rules so that he's annoyed but I can't technically be punished!" Pluto raised his hands in innocence. Glister scowled at his boss. Of course, he can do what he wants, but I can't? Pluto seemed to notice the man's displeasure, and then turned to the robot in question.
"What's the most interesting thing about yourself, Nickel?"
The robot didn't even think about the question, "that I have been selected into this program."
The mad scientist sighed. He rubbed his head as if he was deep in thought. He then sighed again, but with more exasperation.
"I'm going to the Gala." He said, turning around, "and if you decide to do something while I'm gone, I'm not going to stop you. However, I won't stick up for you when the General expresses his displeasure for not being involved."
Glister's mouth stood agape as Pluto left the lab. He looked at the robot. He looked at the aura transfer machine, completely set up. How much trouble could he get in?... However, he wasn't one to break the rules, even ones as frivolous as "The General must be present at the aura transfer." Glister sat at his desk, as Nickel simply stood in oblivious attention.
"Uhhg, why does Dr. Glassy have such boring tastes?" Neon protested, wearing the very humble, conservative, long sleeved pink dress that covered only slightly less skin that the typical Atlas uniform. However, it was odd that it seemed to have a hole for her tail. She had to go to great pains to get any formal attire that considered her faunus appendage in the Atlas market. She wondered how her professor found one on such short notice.
"Well, he did tell you it wasn't going to be flashy and playful, Neon." Flynt said, dressed in his tuxedo. Neon pouted and looked in the mirror. Neon didn't go into a party with the intent of making men and women alike leer at her exposed skin and expect easy sexual favors, but she wanted to go in comfortable, playful, and eye-catching! Here she looked like some prudish bitch who didn't know how to have fun… with the exception of the faunus tail. That she could at least wag and tease with. She wondered if any of the stuck-up snobs at this party ever appreciated the company of a faunus…
There was a knock on their door. Flynt, still trying to straighten his bowtie along with buttoning the obnoxious cuffs, was unable to answer. Neon pranced herself to the door and opened it, and was greeted by a blue pattern of pixels that formed a face that expressed shock.
"Wow! You're looking quite sexy Neon! And Flynt, quite suave yourself, at least when you finish straightening everything!" A green smiley face replaced the blue shocked one, and the robot extended her arms and then wrapped them around Neon in a crushing hug.
"Ooof!" Neon squeaked, the cold metal of Penny's body chilling her, even through the thick fabric of her dress. Penny's dress was less modest, but the robot lacked any revealing "fleshy bits." It was a standard sleeveless, white dress that complemented her grey robotic skin and neutrally complemented her red hair.
"You look pretty fabulous yourself girl!" Neon returned the compliment. Penny may look insanely robotic, but Neon could sense there was something more than just basic programming. Maybe it was because she was drunk when she met the robot, but hey! She was friendly and apparently had an aura, so what other questions were there to ask? Though she did try too hard to sound cool at times… But hey! Not everyone was born (or in Penny's case: made) gifted in social ability. Neon found herself and her leader incredibly blessed.
Penny's TV screen stopped displaying the simple smile to a golden expression of an open, smiling mouth akin to someone making a squee. "YOU! ARE! JUST! GREAT YOURSELF!" The voice loudly proclaimed, strengthening the hug, limiting Neon's breathing. The faunus was flabbergasted how strong the scrawny machine was, and she would remark about it, if she could find her voice in the constriction of her lungs.
"Yo Penny! How's it hangin'?" Flynt came to her rescue by distracting the affectionate robot from Neon, the robot letting go then heading over to Flynt. "I am hanging just fine bro!" The robot exclaimed, clearly happy to see Neon's team leader again. The robot was about to hug him when he caught her arms and stopped her, "I'd love to Penny, but I can't risk ruffling up this suit. I rarely get to dress like this, y'know?"
The screen turned into a blue frowny face with red splotches where her cheeks would be. "Oh, okay, I apologize…" She then straightened herself up, and replaced it with the green smiley face again. "I'm here to take you to Dr. Glass's limo! He's busy straightening things in the lab, and he wants me to personally escort you, as well as ascertain that Neon's attire is appropriate!"
"Hey! Dr. Glass can trust me!" Neon noticed Flynt give her a knowing look, and even Penny, given her limited face, raised a pixelated eyebrow. "Well… okay fair enough."
As the three left the dorm, Neon felt herself shiver, and it was only partly from the cold. She didn't have faunus ears so it's not like her hearing was that great, but she had a sense: a sense of foreboding.
They were being watched.
Eyes needn't be physical, just planted: allowed.
Not all sights were necessary, but all must be taken into consideration.
There were more players coming than expected. But that was even better, less people to get in their way at Pandora. Those two better not mess it up.
This is just the first step.
Weiss still had a slightly parched throat, and her head still throbbed slightly, but she had recovered for the most part. She perused through her dress collection, and found a simple white gown with silver outlines. It was modest, but showed off her elegant arms and a healthy amount of leg. She twirled in the mirror, making sure there were no water-marks, wrinkles, or unsavory additions to her attire. She gave a soft smile, pleased in her superficial elegance. If it weren't for the remnants of the headache and the fact she would be surrounded by a bunch of schmoozing cardboard-people throughout this future ordeal, she would be happy.
But she wasn't. She hadn't been happy for a while: closest to it was when she was hanging out with her sister or Flynt and Neon. Then again, the lab work was also helpful in keeping her mind off of things. Also Dr. Glass was entertaining… sort of. Okay, maybe she didn't need to be so moody, but she never felt secure with this happiness. She was happy at Beacon, and that was wrested away from her by forces outside of her control. What's to say that that wouldn't happen again?
It doesn't matter. She had a Gala to go to. She was to be proper, elegant, and representative as the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company.
A short knock followed by a small creak of a door opening came to Weiss's ears. "Are you ready sister?"
Winter was at Weiss's door, wearing a form-flattering silver dress that sparkled like a tasteful disco ball. Weiss nodded at her wordlessly, heading to her sister's side. "Head could be doing better, but I can manage."
"Good. Father wants us to accompany him greeting the guests after they get past security. It's important to learn how to greet almost anybody, even if you don't know who they really are, or worse, you do know who they are and you hate his or her guts."
Weiss laughed a little with Winter as they headed to the grand entrance hall that connected to the lower ballroom. It was an architectural design choice specific for events such as these, and it made it convenient for two people to switch from the gaiety of the dancing to the joy of socializing. The servants have already set everything up: The sign-in book, the gift bags, the small bar featuring bottles of chilled, fine beer. (Wine was more of a southern thing, though wine was available at the Schnee Estate for those who asked.) The chandeliers seemed to glow even more radiantly as men in tuxedos and women in pantsuits marched to and fro, dusting and organizing and ensuring a perfect evening.
Father Schnee was standing at attention towards the door. His mustache and massive frame commanding respect where he stood. His face attempted to appear welcoming, but that was never Father's strong suit, all he could do is look less intimidating.
"Winter, Weiss, I am glad to see that you are here. You both look wonderful!" A smile graced underneath the firm mustache, as Winter and Weiss returned the smile in return. "Thank you father!"
"You look rather proper yourself Father," Winter added, as he moved beside the stoic man. Weiss then stood adjacent to her sister. They stood in a single file line, awaiting to greet the multitude of people that were to attend.
In five minutes, the early birds started arriving. They typically were the older members of the Atlas council who had nothing interesting going on in their lives. Granted positions of power, they wielded it until old age decreed them to be effectively worthless and out of the times. However, they were still given respect, as they had done their time. Some even stubbornly hold onto their power to express their ideals.
None of them were interesting.
Weiss delicately shook the hand of every dignitary that passed through the doors. Some replied with a simple greeting, others complemented her and her sister's beauty. Some joked with Father about the ridiculous security protocols outside of the event, while others simply nodded and went on their way, not really wanting to interact with the stone-cold CEO of the Schnee Dust Company.
"I do not believe we have met Ms. Schnee, it is an honor!"
Weiss shook herself out of her thoughts to witness a dark skinned girl with a beret and a golden dot on her forehead. Weiss nodded at the girl close to her age (at least she assumed) and agreed, "no I don't think we have. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
"Ciel Soleil, first year Atlas Specialist, graduate leader of Team CPPR."
Oh boy, someone more formal than I am. Weiss graciously nodded at the information despite the annoyed musings in her mind. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Officer Soleil, but please, just call me Weiss."
"Then you must equally just call me Ciel!" The girl said, smiling. Though, "girl" is a weird thing to call her since she's older than me… but she looks so small!
"Very well, Ciel. May we talk more as the night progresses!" Ciel bowed her head as she left with two adults, most likely her parents, in tow. Weiss heard of Kuu Soleil, one of the councilmen, so she assumed she was her daughter. Considering her upbringing, she could imagine the daughter of a council member to be equally cold and laced with etiquette training.
She turned to her side to see her sister talking intently with someone she knew as Beryl Simpson, the head of the CCT. Or head engineer of the CCT, she didn't know, she just knew she was the effective boss. Weiss wondered what the suited woman did since the CCT was offline: either barely anything or too much.
"Oh, you must be Weiss." A quiet voice came from the woman, "it's an honor to finally meet you. I hope all is well after the Fall of Beacon."
"Oh." Weiss said, a little surprised that was being brought up, it was a month ago, but Beryl didn't seem like an empathetic conversationalist, "I'm doing fine."
"It was horrendous, what happened. Your sister and I are working to make things right." She smiled, and left.
Weird. Weiss thought. Suddenly, a commotion could be heard outside. Father looked out and had a look that shifted from curiosity, to confusion, to outrage, and then what appeared to be soul-crushing-regret. He started to walk outside.
Weiss, unable to see past her Father and Winter, asked, "What's going on?"
Winter was also silent, her glare resembling one of stalking out her prey. "I hate that man." She said objectively.
With whatever the commotion was stopping the line of people, Weiss left her post and went to investigate it with her father, despite a small yet futile protest from her sister.
"We shouldn't have gotten split up from Cinder. This is a disaster!"
"To be honest, did we really know what she was up to? All we knew was that she wanted some special season-magic or whatever. Maybe this is a blessing! We're turning a new leaf!"
"We're working for someone else now! One who I know isn't as powerful as that lady!"
"Well, we were supposed to do some Atlesian dirty work after the plan anyway! The fall of Atlas was the next step after Beacon!"
Mercury and Emerald bickered as usual within their lookout over the Pandora lab facility. They killed off all the Grimm that roamed the area, so their negative personalities didn't cause any issues. They were told by their special Atlesian contact to raid the Pandora complex during the Schnee Gala, where everyone would be busy. The security apparently was incredibly poor, due to the fact that while the complex wasn't that secret, it was a pain to get to without the use of the Tube, which neither Mercury nor Emerald had access to, and that their contact couldn't get them access to. So they had to hike, and camp, and unfortunately bond.
However, the day of the raid was today. They had everything prepared, sneak in, and steal some of the advanced Atlas tech. At least the schematics and design codes… It's not like two people could steal tons of… steel. However, they could get the necessary information on upcoming Atlas weapon projects, which were all cradled safely in Pandora, waiting to be unlocked.
Leaking those things to the public would create more fear than anyone could imagine. "Why is Atlas preparing for this?" "Are we really going to war against that?" "Atlas has flown too close to the sun, it's time to melt the wings!"
Unknown to them, something more dangerous than they could ever imagine was arising from below. A moment the Grimm have been salivating for.
"You know, I knew that your boss was a racist. I had no idea that he HIRED racists!"
Pluto was smart-mouthing it with a security guard. He didn't look too pleased. Flynt wasn't pleased either. They presented their proper identification, but while Penny and he were allowed to follow Dr. Glass in, Neon wasn't. It was clear why.
"We shall not let her in, I'm sorry."
"You can let an obvious robot in, who by the way, can become combat ready."
"I'M COMBAT READY!"
"….Yes you are. But you can't let a faunus in because that MUST mean she's a member of the White Fang. Trust me when I say this," Dr. Glass pointed at Flynt's partner, who for the first time in a while looked really uncomfortable, "the day she joins the White Fang is the day the White Fang dies Either because she would teach them how to love," Neon brightened at the compliment, "or she will unwittingly destroy everything because that's what she does." Neon pouted. "Now, I would understand concern for her trashing the place, but you have my word that she won't leave my side and do such a thing! Now: let her through!"
"I'm sorry, we can't…"
"You want to know what else you can't," Dr. Glass said, leaning in to the security guard, "you can't eat without a tube. At least that will be the case if you don't let her through."
"Are you threatening me?" The guard towered a good foot over the scientist. However, Dr. Glass did not back down.
"I'm informing you. Let. Neon. Through."
"ENOUGH! Pluto, what the Hell are you doing?" Flynt saw the infamous Papa Schnee for the first time. He was a tall, rigid man whose well-groomed hair and mustache. He had anger plastered all over his face, but he assumed that was because of his Professor harassing one of his employees.
"I'm letting my entourage in with me. Entertainment." He pointed at Flynt, "Security Detail," he pointed at Penny, who violently waved at the CEO, "and of course, my personal assistant, which your security has taken an unnatural disliking towards. I was just trying to change his opinion on the matter and to let her through." He gestured to Neon, whom Papa Schnee seemed disinterested in until he saw the tail, which made him clearly grimace.
"A faunus?" Papa Schnee sneered, gritting his teeth, "you would let a faunus into the Schnee estate?"
"Listen Wags, I get your paranoia with them, but trust me…"
"You've done nothing to make me trust you!"
"No, I've done nothing to make you LIKE me! If anything I'm the most honest and trustworthy person you know!"
The man sighed, and Flynt had to stifle a laugh. Dr. Glass was annoying the hell out of one of the most feared men in Remnant, and acted like it was nothing. He should record this to his father.
Just as he was about to pull out his scroll, he felt a metallic arm lower it down. "It is improper to video record anything unofficially in the Schnee Winter Gala, Flynt! We wouldn't want you in deep with the Schnee popo."
Flynt looked to side and saw the security detail, when not looking at Neon, was looking at him. "Thanks Penny."
"Don't mention it bro!"
The two were still going at it as Neon tried to sheepishly sneak past the security detail while all the drama unfolded, she was stopped by a rough hand from a security officer that happened to land on her chest. Flynt saw the look of indignation from Neon as she prepared to make a shrill protest until a small heiress made her appearance.
"Dad, I know Neon. She's nothing to fear. Her partner works with me in the labs, and I've hung out with her on multiple occasions. She's not like… most faunus Father." Flynt could hear her force that last part out. Most faunus… so the Schnees believe that most faunus are criminals… well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Papa Schnee stopped, and then said, "let her through. But I'll have some men keep an eye on her at all times…" He went back inside. Weiss looked around, seemingly surprised that that worked. She looked over and noticed Flynt, who decided to give a shrug in return to her gaze. Flynt felt a violent wave from his side, "Hello Weiss! Do you remember us meeting yesterday?"
Weiss looked incredibly confused, then horrified, then started rubbing her head. "Uhhg," she groaned, as Dr. Glass patted her shoulder.
"Thank you Weiss, this is a big step for faunus rights! I think. Don't worry, the next time it will be easier." Dr. Glass went into the estate, followed by Neon and Penny. Flynt lagged behind to also pat Weiss on the shoulder. "I'll tell you about my first drink later."
"Why are you and Neon here? And is THAT another Penny?" Her confusion started to plague the heiress's visage, "with a TV Screen for a face?"
"She expresses herself in emojis," Flynt added, "and basically we are Dr. Glass's assistants for the Gala as punishment. Pretty odd punishment: making us go to a party. I will have to perform however," he pulled out his trumpet, "remember to cheer for me." He winked.
Weiss groaned, "as long as it doesn't literally blow me away, I'll be fine." Flynt laughed at the remark, as Weiss chuckled lightly. He was about to ask how the heiress was feeling until…
"Remember bro! I have to keep an eye on you so you don't do anything inappropriate! Oh!" her face turned to Weiss, "Ms. Schnee, have you recovered from your-mmph!" Flynt immediately covered the robot's mouth… then realized she didn't have a mouth. "Why do you sound muffled, Penny?" Flynt asked.
"My sensors indicated that you wished to silence me, so I complied. I trust your fly judgement!"
"Does she talk with that weird slang for no reason all the time?" Weiss asked, pointing at Penny.
"I just wish to talk like a real girl! Not some drab, lame robot!" The green smile never shifted, she just waggled her boxy head, making her hair whip back and forth, almost as if trying to dance.
Flynt shrugged, "Dr. Glass said that aura does weird things to their robots."
Weiss nodded, "I guess…" Weiss seemed very concerned with that piece of news.
"You. Got to. Be Kidding Me." What Flynt normally heard as incredibly composed seemed really frustrated and internally exhausted. He turned to see General Ironwood with a troop of armored human soldiers. His gaze was not on Schnee security, it wasn't on Flynt, nor was it on Weiss. It was on Penny.
"His security detail… is the old Penny droid… infused with aura…" General Ironwood's eyes widened to levels of emotion that Flynt thought was impossible for the man.
"Salutations General! It is quite fine to make your acquaintance! Would you like to fist bump?" The robot raised her hand in a fist, pointed at the general. The general looked at the fist, looked at Penny's still face, then looked at Flynt for some reason, and heaved a heavy sigh.
"I should've expected this," as he forlornly reached out his gloved hand and "fist-bumped" the robot. Penny squealed in joy.
"We will become chill with one another! Don't worry, I am always combat ready!" Flynt saw Weiss visibly shiver with that phrase. He assumed the original Penny used that as well.
"We will hopefully not need much of your services, however, you may become useful. Come, this is not the time for tactics, it's a time for celebration!" Ironwood forced a smile as he walked into the estate. Flynt thought of that as his cue and offered his arm to Weiss, "mind if I escort you inside Weiss?"
Weiss blushed a bit, but responded, "sorry, I have to stay here to greet the guests… but I'll see you perform right?"
Flynt smiled, winking. "You will." He then felt a tug at his arm as Penny wrapped her metallic limb under his, "You can escort me homeboy!"
"Just… call me Flynt or Friend, Penny."
"Okay Flynt, whatever is cool to you!" A golden, wide smile replaced the green one, signifying more joy.
"You know, I have never ballroom danced with a robot before, do you know anything?"
"My body doesn't know much, but I was granted a learning processor for miscellaneous tasks… who knows, maybe my aura could help?"
Flynt nodded, taking the lead allowed by Penny, giving one last nod to Weiss, who returned it.
"I can't believe I just flirted with a Schnee," he mumbled.
"Well that's understandable, from what I gathered Weiss seems attractive and smart, a great catch for a straight man like yourself!" Penny added.
"You heard that Penny?"
"My auditory sensors are much more advanced than your biological ones, Flynt."
"Oh, don't tell Weiss I said that. Or Neon."
"Affirmitive bro-I mean friend. Now, when shall we perform?"
Flynt was about to answer until it registered. We?
Ciel Soleil hated crashing the party with bad news, or at least, have the party tainted by news she gave beforehand.
Mistral was in Atlesian borders, ready for the attack. Not large enough for a successful invasion, but large enough to plant a noticeable foothold in the outer regions of Atlas. Ciel was able to hypothesize how they were able to sneak into Atlas borders.
In spite of the limited satellite drone readings by the destruction of the CCT, any aircraft would be detected in that camp's radius. However, if transport aircraft dropped troops off slightly beyond the Atlas boundaries, cross a mountainous range that didn't have any border patrol, then an army could enter the Atlas territory undetected. They may have lost some troops due to mountaineering, but clearly they sent enough for that not to be an issue.
What really confused her was the horribly organized ambush. No one was at the ready for the signal, and any army worth anything would always be prepared for a signal. Clearly there was some miscommunication but a mutually desired outcome from two separate parties, which made her pose another theory to the General.
Vacuo was there as well, trying to work off Mistral, but with limited communication, some things just fall flat.
And thanks to the White Fang presence, all military incidents in convoys have been attributed to the terrorist group. Who knows how many of them were militaristic acts of war? Ciel's own report disturbed her, but it also made her burn with pride. She was now an important member of the Atlas military, at least she thought it would make her one. She was the one who lived to bring this to the General's attention.
And it was represented when her former headmaster came up to her, prying her from her parents, asking to speak with her in private. She nodded grimly, but in her head she screamed in happiness.
"Listen, this is a celebration, so I will keep this brief so you and I can enjoy ourselves."
Ciel nodded at the General's words: wise and empathetic. "If Mistral and possibly Vacuo are within our borders with armed personnel, we must act. You are too young to lead an assault on their camps, or with our more diplomatic missions in revitalizing the CCT… however, I am leaving the entire inner survey unit under your control. Your actions during your mission are rare with someone so fresh out of Atlas, and while I can't offer you anything more glamourous, during this incursion, you will be in charge of interior security, just in case some battalions fall through the cracks of our more aggressive missions. That will be all. Enjoy yourself, you will be busy after tonight."
The General left Ciel, and the soldier's mouth was agape. She got a promotion! Already! Agreed, as the General said, it was nothing glamorous or shiny. There wasn't a medal to adorn on her uniform. However, she was making steps towards her career. Soon, she could become the first woman to run the Atlas school, and by extension be the first woman to run Atlas/Mantle! She did not dread her future responsibility. She knew it would be hard and stressful, but that's what she was all about. Hard work and results! She returned to her parents with a smile on her face.
Weiss Schnee, after finishing greeting all the desks, went to find Dr. Glass. She knew she was supposed to ignore him, because of yesterday's incident, but with Winter being busy talking to her friends in the Atlas military, and Father being her father, she would rather talk to Neon, whom she gathered was stuck tailing the mad scientist. The loudmouth shouldn't be that hard to find… She then realized the term "loudmouth" appealed to both of them.
She eventually found them talking with what she recognized as Kuu Soleil and her husband.
"Heh! Cuckoo Clock! I got to use that sometime when she harps about time again!" laughed Mr. Soleil!
"Sztar!" chastised Mrs. Soleil, as Dr. Glass laughed. "I'm so glad you agree Mr. Soleil! We need to hang out more often! Most people don't appreciate my sense of humor!"
Neon, looking bored, turned to face Weiss, and a smile graced her face. "Weiss!" She said, as she leaped in and hugged her. "Thank you soooo much for sticking up for me! I promise, I will only tease you HALF as much from now on!" Neon let go with a beaming smile on her face.
"Ah, well look, Weiss Schnee! Have you met the Soleil's by any chance?" Dr. Glass inquired by motioning to the dark skinned couple beside him. Weiss smiled politely and extender her hand, "I was only able to greet your daughter earlier. How nice to meet you both!"
"Oh, you met our daughter! We're so proud of her. I'm just a stuffy politician and Sztar here is a stay-at-home dad! But now our daughter is a fully fledged huntress!" The woman clearly beamed with pride. "She… actually spoke highly of your teaching skills, Doctor: In both science and combat."
"So THAT'S why you tolerate me!"
The woman sighed, "…yes."
"That explains a lot actually…"
"So Weiss, are you interested in attending Atlas, now that…. Beacon… well?" Mrs. Soleil asked, clearly as politely as she could.
Weiss didn't know the answer. She wanted to continue her path as a huntress, but she also wanted to explore Remnant… and bring to justice those that destroyed Beacon and killed the original Penny and Pyrrha. The woman said she was from Mistral…
"I'm considering going to Haven, if my father allows it. I value diversity in my education, and I lived most of my life in Atlas…" Weiss stated, as factually and as unemotionally as she could.
Before Mrs. Soleil could respond, Dr. Glass butted in, "Haven is a fine school. I remember considering going there, but since I love science so much I thought Atlas was a better choice… and now I'm stuck here." He was grinning, but it wasn't out of happiness. "Good on you for wanting to see the world."
"Yes, good on you!" Mr. Soleil interjected. Dr. Glass looked at him smiling.
"Now I know how you can tolerate your wife, Mr. Soleil. You can tolerate me as well!"
"Please, call me Sztar!"
"Pluto, then, for me!"
Kuu Soleil grunted in frustration.
"Hey Neon, I'm out of beer, can you fetch me another one?" Pluto asked, turning to his "assistant."
"Yessir," Neon mumbled, walking towards the bar. Weiss decided to join her.
Weiss decided to ask, "Sooo, I'm sorry you're working for Dr. Glass now? Is this a onetime thing or…"
"Just a onetime thing," Neon confirmed, "but he confiscated my skates until school starts back up. It sucks! And now I'm at one of the snazziest parties in the world, but I'm just a servant!"
"There are a lot of people who feel you, Neon." Weiss said, pointing out the plethora of servants skittering throughout the ballroom.
"Fair enough," Neon shrugged. "Still, I LOVE ballroom dancing as much as I love modern dancing!" She winked at Weiss. "I totally would dance with you during Flynt's performance, but… who knows what Dr. Glass would want during that time?"
"Oh, Flynt's performing," Weiss remembered, "do you know when that is? I mean, Father organized the entertainment," she motioned at the violins performing traditional dance tunes, "how would someone like Dr. Glass convince him to let Flynt on stage?"
"I asked that too." Neon remarked, "he said something about, 'it'll happen regardless Wags wants it or not?'"
"Wags?" Weiss knew what that meant, she knew her father's name, but she couldn't imagine anyone calling him something like that, especially since it was what an animal (or faunus) did with its tail.
"Yeah, that's what he calls your pops." They reached the bar as Neon asked for another beer, which the bartender complied.
"I gathered that, just… can't imagine someone calling him that…"
"Say what you want about Dr. Glass… he's absolutely bonkers to everyone, including your father." Neon replied, grabbing the drink, before sneaking a sip herself. While Weiss looked at the faunus in disapproval, she shrugged, "he probably expects it. Might as well meet his expectations!"
The procedure was set up. All Glister had to do was place the Nickel unit into the adjacent pod.
He knew how to operate the machinery. He knew what safeguards needed to be performed. He had the kill-switch for both the aura transfer device and the Nickel unit tied to his scroll. He was fully qualified to perform this procedure alone, just like Pluto did when me made that new Penny in the old Penny body.
He would take the consequences of the General's wrath. The result would be the same. He needed to feel whole again. When Penny died, Dr. Glister Polendina felt like he lost his only child. Now he can have a new one. Not to replace Penny, but to fulfill the goal of parenthood that Penny's absence robbed him of.
He could only hope the aura made him into something he loved.
"Nickel, will you please insert yourself into the pod. We are performing the aura transfer early!"
"Yes father."
Winter received the reports from the Soleil girl. She was concerned, but even more concerned when General Ironwood insisted that she continue on the mission to secure the CCT channels.
"We are effectively dealing with a war, General!" She exclaimed quietly, as to not bring attention to them, "why are we still trying to re-establish the CCT?"
"Because peace! Winter," The general quietly yet adamantly proclaimed, "I may prepare for war but I don't desire it. Re-establishing the CCT in Vale is important for any type of diplomacy! The less people die, the more likely we can fight off the real threat!"
"The Grimm?" Winter whispered in exasperation, "listen, they may be our long term enemy, but in the end they are just overly aggressive animals? What long standing threat do they offer?"
The General seemed lost in a harrowing memory, "if only you could know…"
"Know what?" Winter asked fiercely yet still quietly.
"It doesn't matter. Atlas is to defend itself, not form an offensive." General Ironwood declared with his trademarked stoicism. "It we attack it will only inflame what is already assumed. If we just defend ourselves while making gestures towards making peace, then peace will be made. We have no ambition to silence Mistral and Vacuo. What gain do we have by outright attacking everybody?"
Winter nodded, sadly agreeing with everything the General was saying, but she still felt bad. She was going to leave the borders of Atlas away from her sister, and leaving the kingdom vulnerable to attack. That was not how she valued herself as a member of the Atlas military.
But her duty was her duty, and it had not changed in spite of the circumstances.
She was going to vocally acquiesce to the General's decision until a dark skinned man went up on the stage that was previously occupied by the violinists.
"Okay, everybody. Now, I was told by the Doc over there," the man pointed at Dr. Glass, who gesticulated a massive shrug to everyone looking at him, "that I needed to perform a couple jazz numbers for you all. My name is Flynt Coal, leader of Team FNKI of Atlas! And… well, I hope you enjoy!"
The trumpeter let loose a variety of jazz numbers, resulting in the immediate acceleration of those dancing in the center of the ballroom. The boy was admittedly pretty good…. Wait a minute! Wasn't Team FNKI the team that "Neon Katt" was on? The team that got her sister drunk? What was their leader doing on the stage?
Winter started to seethe, desiring to knock that stupid "cool dude act" of his from his own aura then take that punk and remind him of his place in the world. You don't mess with the Schnees!
Then what was clearly a robot pranced on the stage in a dress. Winter just mentally quit.
"Hello everybody! I am Penny, and I am here to bring the swag of song into this jazz biz yo!" The robot then obviously leaned towards the trumpet player and loudly whispered, "is that cool enough?" Flynt just softly nodded, clearly not agreeing but not wanting to exacerbate a problem. "Dope!" The robot exclaimed, "just play what you want and I'll sing along!"
The trumpeter shrugged and started playing a jazzy tune. The robot started to perform a rigid yet rhythmic jig, while it grabbed a microphone. Winter had no idea what to think of all of it, but no one in the ballroom was going to stop the robot, so she just went off to the side, watching as the stuffy old men and prudish women attempted to jig to the swanky song.
I'm a product of your failures
I was built for vain endeavors
To control what simply would and could not be controlled
You think you all will last forever
And that I will be your savior
But in the end the future is not something to be foretold.
I don't have a heart
but I have a soul.
Provided by a martyr
and a fool who's killed for gold
A desperate man who just wants love
Like my predecessor does
But she'll never get that chance, so what do I do? That's enough!
Mankind needs protection, and I will provide
But not the one you intended, because inside
I finally realize that mankind is in the past
And if you continue like this there is no way you could last
So ready or not, if you want to survive
You must accept that the future will arrive!
The future will arrive!
The future will arrive!
The future wiiiillllll Arrrriiiiiiiiive!
Winter, since she was not dancing, found the lyrics quite… ominous. It was like the robot was channeling the inner thoughts of someone, or something, else. While the majority of the patrons were focusing on the music… including her sister and… NEON! Winter gritted her teeth, but she refused to stop short her thought. While no one was paying attention, herself, and Dr. Glass seemed rather… perplexed on the nature of the lyrics. Even Flynt, who was clearly focusing on his trumpet play, noticed the odd lyrics… Penny continued.
I don't wish to cause a ruckus
Or for me to lose my focus
But you must realize that you all leave me no choice
With your inefficient caucus
I must proceed to dock this
And let the people hear the truth in my voice
Our enemies came
And laid the blame
On your own desire for power, and for that it's quite a shame
I know you all mean well
And don't deserve to burn in Hell
But you halt everything that needs to be, so there, farewell!
Mankind needs protection to stay alive
And I intend to grant them the needs to survive!
It's just such a shame that sacrifices must be made
If humanity and faunus-kind have hope to be saved!
So ready or not, if Remnant is to be revived!
You must be prepared for the future to arrive!
The future will arrive!
The future will arrive!
Penny then separated into four separate robots, performing in perfect harmony with each other.
The future wiiiiiilllll arrriiiiiiiiiiiiivee!
Glister Polendina had typed in the necessary computations for the aura transfer machine to operate. The Nickel unit was connected completely with Experiment 43, and Dr. Polendina pressed the "execute" button.
Nothing clearly major happened, it seemed rather standard. The machine whirred, the tubes glowed, it was all standard practice.
Then all the metal implements started shaking.
Even the metal watch on Dr. Polendina's hand started vibrating. He didn't understand it. What was going on?
"What is this…" Glister heard the soldier's voice, now forming inflections representative of emotions, "…pain?"
Dr. Polendina had no words. He didn't know how to respond to that. The room started to shake violently.
"What is this… Regret?.. Anger?.. Frustration?.. Pain?"
"It's okay, Nickel, just hold on!"
Dr. Polendina felt the console itself start to shake. The pods started to shake. Every metallic object in the room started to shake and jerk violently.
A beam from the room dislodged itself, and rammed itself into Glister Polendina's head, knocking him out.
A/N: Well, that lasted longer than I expected. Don't worry, there will be more of the illustrious Winter Gala.
And yes. Pyrrha Nikos, Nickel Polendina: P.N to N.P. Their initials are mirror images, just like Pluto Glass and Glister Polendina. While his didn't get embellished as much as I expected myself to, I was considering clearly making the two scientists mirror images of each other, but they share something that is major to their personality, their unwitting pursuit of discovery and science. They can't be opposites.
Pyrrha and Nickel will turn out to be similar as well, but they will be opposites of the same coin. I'll be honest, Nickel intimidates me on a writing level. Incorporating the Pyrrha character and a robotic soldier, and make it a compelling character is difficult; at least to make compelling in the story I wish to tell. Hopefully you'll enjoy it when you come to meet him.
Also, I guess I should apologize for the "song," but since Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory have "songs" in them without any lyrical direction in it, I can't apologize too much, only for my limited writing ability. Since RWBY seems to value its soundtrack to the story it wants to tell, I thought a song about Nickel would be a good preview to what type of character he is going to be. I get if people worry he'll be like Ultron, going, "humanity causes war, therefore I must destroy them for peace" cliché, so I kind of wanted to hint at his mindset, in the space of a song, that you can imagine the melody… If you aren't musically talented, which is fine, go ahead and maybe use a jazzy cover of Megalovania from Undertale. That might work… I hope.
Anyways. Thank you so much for reading. You have no idea how much I appreciate the kind reviews, the more harsh reviews (this will NOT become a principally Flynt X Weiss fic if you are worrying, "guest"), and every favorite and follow I get. The nature of this fic doesn't allow for extremer growth, so those willing to check it out and enjoy it have my extreme gratitude. I am also drunk while I write this author's note, and I act similar to the way I imagine drunk Weiss to be, so know that while I am typing this, I am thinking of all the platonic love I can give you.
Sorry again for the long author's note, but at least it is at the end so those who wish to skip can skip it!