I do not own RvB or RWBY
Everyone around was left in stunned silence as Washington walked away.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, the silence did not last.
"Where do you think you're going!?" South shouted. She tried to stand, but quickly fell back down due to her injury. "Get back here now! Finish this!"
"Someone please shut her up before she gets herself killed," Weiss stated.
Yang immediately went to South.
"Easy there sister," Yang said. "How about you stop making that injury of yours any worse and not try to commit suicide while you're at it."
"Stay out of this, you-"
South's retort was cut off as Nora and Ren began dragging her back.
"What the-" South struggled, but was too weak to resist. "Let go!"
"We're just trying to help," Ren assured.
"Ren, she's moving too much," Nora complained. "We could-"
"We're not breaking her legs Nora," Ren said.
"Awww," Nora pouted.
"I think we require more assistance," Ren called to the others.
Yang and Pyrrha went and grabbed South's legs to prevent her from struggling any further.
"Why don't you guys help?" Jaune asked the Reds and Blues.
"Oh, I would love to help!" Caboose exclaimed. He then began to raise his rifle until Church stopped him, pushing Caboose's weapon back down.
"No! No helping, Caboose!" Church shouted.
"Simmons, go help them," Sarge commanded.
"Yes sir," Simmons replied.
"What about me?" Grif asked.
"Are you volunteering to help?" Weiss asked.
"Pffft, no," Grif said. "I just want to be clear that when you ask me something, I'm gonna say no. It's common courtesy."
"Idiot," Both Sarge and Weiss said.
"So, what are we going to do about Agent Washington?" Ruby asked.
"Someone should probably talk to him and see what he plans to do with South," Weiss said.
"I don't know," Church said. "Wash could still be snippy, and he could shoot us if we piss him off."
"I'll talk to him," Blake volunteered, surprising the others. "What?"
"You hate Washington," Weiss said. "Why would you want to talk to him?"
"I don't hate him. I just... disagree with some of his judgments," Blake said. "Besides, I can handle myself if he tries anything."
"Still, it would be safer if someone else went with you," Church said. "Caboose, go with Blake."
"Okay," Caboose simply replied.
"Why Caboose?" Ruby asked.
"Well, if Wash does try to shoot Blake, she could use Caboose as a shield," Church said.
"Well that just makes sense," Caboose agreed.
Blake sighed. "Come on then Caboose. And I'm not using him as a shield." The two of them then went to where Washington was standing.
"The 'Using him as a shield' plan is still an option," Church shouted to them. "Seriously, Caboose won't mind."
Blake just rolled her eyes and kept walking.
When she and Caboose were close to Washington, she spoke up.
"Wash," Blake called to the Freelancer.
There was no response.
"Agent Washington?" Blake called again, but he remained silent.
"Hellooo!" Caboose shouted as he jumped in front of Washington. This got a response from the Freelancer, as he punched Caboose in helmet.
"Caboose!" Blake shouted as she caught him before he fell to the ground.
"Do not sneak up on me!" Washington shouted.
"You could have hurt him," Blake hissed.
"I'm okay, I'm okay," Caboose said. "Why are there stars out? It is not night time."
"He'll be fine," Washington said. "What do you want?"
"We came here to talk to you about what you plan to do with South," Blake said.
"That's not your problem," Washington said.
"It is if you try to kill her again," Blake insisted.
"I'm not-" Washington groaned. "I don't have to tell you anything."
"Yes you do," Blake said, pressing on. "You've heard South's story. Despite what Church says that she might be lying, you should give South the benefit of the doubt. Instead, you're what, thinking of another way to kill her."
"I do believe her! That's the problem!" Washington shouted, and immediately regretted his statement.
"What?" Blake said, confused.
Washington sighed heavily. Seeing no point to hide anything now, he continued. "I believe South's story. Sacrificing himself to keep her safe is exactly something North would do. So no, I don't think she's lying."
"Then, what's the problem?" Blake asked.
"The problem is if I believe her, then eventually, I'm going to have to trust her and forgive her for what she's done," Washington said.
"And that's bad?" Blake said.
"Yes it is," Washington continued. "She shot me and left me for dead to the Meta. I know she lost her brother and she wasn't thinking clearly at the time, but I can't just forget that happened. I want to trust her, but I can't help but think that at some point she might end up betraying us again. I don't know what to do."
"Believe it or not, I understand," Blake said. "I understand what it's like to make a conflicted decision."
"This isn't the part where you tell me your tragic backstory, and how you made the morally right decision and ended up all happy with it," Washington deadpanned.
"...No," Blake said, though her voice was now weaker.
"Thanks, but no thanks," Washington said. "I can figure this out on my own."
"By brooding," Blake said.
"I'm not brooding," Washington shot back.
"Sorry, I mean running away," Blake corrected.
"You know what!" Washington said loudly. "I have had it with you."
"Really?" Blake said sourly.
"You have been on my case ever since we met, and for no good reason," Washington said.
"You tried to shoot us!" Blake reminded.
"That was a misunderstanding!" Washington defended. "But you keep questioning every decision I make and every action I do."
"That's because you're an unstable, trigger-happy soldier who would kill us in our sleep," Blake stated.
"Really? That's all?" Washington asked in an insinuating tone.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Blake asked, eyes narrowing.
"You're hiding something," Washington said. "And you keep giving me this look that I'm going to find out and- Well I don't know what you think I'm going to do."
"I am not hiding anything," Blake said.
"Bullshit," Washington responded.
"You are such a paranoid, self-righteous-!" Blake began, feeling her rising anger.
"And you're a little know-it-all who gets in other people's business!" Washington shouted.
"Stop!" Caboose shouted. This caused Washington and Blake to stop bickering and turn to him. "This is not how friends should act!"
"Friends?" Washington, confused.
"Caboose," Blake spoke. "I wouldn't exactly call us 'friends'."
"You are just not being honest with your words. Like when Church yells at me," Caboose said. "He may say I'm not his friend, but he's just shy to admit it."
"I highly doubt that," Washington said.
"But the important thing is that friends should not fight," Caboose said, ignoring Washington comment. "Especially over something dumb."
"Excuse me!?" Washington shouted incredulously.
"What you are arguing about is dumb Agent Washington," Caboose repeated. "You are being dumb."
"I- what?" Washington stuttered, confused by Caboose's apparent statement.
Blake was also confused at Caboose's words. "Caboose what are you talking about?" she asked.
"The new mean lady was mean to you, then you were mean to the new mean lady," Caboose continued, apparently explaining (or attempting to explain) Washington and South's current problem. "She will then be mean to you, then you will be mean to her. And now you are being mean to Blake, and soon everyone will be mean to everyone all the time and everything will be bad and no one will have fun."
"Are you following this?" Blake asked Washington.
"Surprisingly, I am," Washington said as he continued to listen to Caboose.
"That is not right!" Caboose shouted. "Being mean is not good! Being good is good! You need to be good to the new mean lady, then she will be good to you. Then we can all hold hands and be best friends forever!"
"Caboose, it's not that easy," Washington said. "You can't just expect us to get along with one talk."
"How do you know?" Caboose asked. "You haven't tried."
"I-" Washington stopped speaking and froze at hearing Caboose's words. He was right. Caboose, of all people, was right. He let out a long sigh. "I don't know what to say."
"You could just talk first," Blake said. "After that, whatever happens, happens."
The three of them soon heard a loud female scream.
"Sounds like South's not doing well," Blake said.
Washington just shook his head. "Caboose, why don't go back to the others and help them with South."
"Okay!" Caboose said cheerfully, somehow forgetting the speech he gave, and immediately ran back to the group.
"He is, by far, the oddest person I have ever met," Washington said.
"For me, he's tied with Nora," Blake noted. "So, are we okay?"
"Right now, we're good," Washington replied. "But I'm not wrong about you hiding something. We are going to have a talk about that eventually."
"Right," Blake said softly.
"Good, come on," Washington said. "According to Caboose, South and I need to have a talk."
When the two of them came back to the group, they saw South, out of her armor, her back towards a wall, hand clutching her bleeding side, and constantly groaning.
"Are you okay?" Blake asked.
"I'm bleeding and got manhandled by these idiots, what do you think?" South growled.
"Is that why you screamed like a girl?" Washington said amusingly.
"No I didn't!" Simmons shouted defensively.
"Wait," Blake said as she looked towards Simmons. "That scream was yours?"
"...No," Simmons said unconvincingly.
"It was hilarious!" Grif laughed. "South twisted his arm and he screamed like a little girl!"
"That what he gets for grabbing me," South said.
"I was only trying to help you out of your armor!" Simmons shouted.
"Also losing your self-respect as a man," Yang added.
"Like he had any of that to begin with," Church said.
"Shut up!" Simmons shouted.
"She wouldn't stop squirming," Weiss said. "It took all of us-"
"I didn't help," Church chimed.
"It took most of us to take her armor off," Weiss corrected.
"Well I thought it was fun," Nora grinned. "Like wrestling an Ursa."
"I feel violated," South said.
"Why is she still bleeding?" Washington asked.
"That's the problem, we don't have any bandages or anything to close the wound," Ren said.
"Don't you soldiers have a medic or something?" Jaune asked.
"No!" Church, Sarge, Grif, and Simmons said in unison.
"We have no time for this. We need to patch up that wound," Washington said. "Ruby, can we tear your cloak and-"
"No way!" Ruby shouted as she quickly backed away, clutching her cloak tightly. "You are not cutting up my cloak!"
"It's... important to her," Yang said.
"Oookay then," Washington said. "Does anyone have anything else that we can use to bandage her?"
"Oh, I know something!" Caboose shouted.
"Well, what is it?" Washington asked.
It all happened so fast, that no one reacted when Caboose ran towards Blake and grabbed the bow on her head.
And then pulled it off.
"We can use this!" Caboose shouted happily as he waved around the fabric.
He was met with no response as everyone's attention was directed towards Blake. Her teammates and Team JNPR had their jaws dropped in shock at what just happened. South's jaw dropped as well at what she was looking at, while the rest of the soldiers were probably giving the same expressions under their helmets.
Blake's face was devoid of any expression for a moment, before twisting into a mask of horror.
"What," Washington spoke, breaking the silence. "The fuck. Are those?"
Blake's cat ears were twitching as her horror continued to grow, as well as embarrassment from the stares being directed at her.
"We can... explain?" Ruby said.
After remembering that Weiss had packed some essentials for their trip, including bandages and a medical kit, they bandaged up South, and managed to tie Blake's bow back on.
Ruby, Weiss, and Yang now had their hands on Blake's shoulders trying to comfort her as she sat on the ground, her hands covering her face. Team JNPR, the Reds, and the Blues were several feet away from them to give the team some privacy. Washington and South were somewhere else having a talk.
"So..." Simmons spoke, trying to break the tension. "Blake's a cat."
"She's not a cat, retard," Grif said. "She just has cat ears."
"Which makes her a cat," Caboose said.
"Technically, he right," Nora pointed out.
"She's not a cat," Church said. "She's..." He turned to Team JNPR. "What exactly is she?"
"In our dimension, besides humans, there is another race called Faunus," Ren explained. "Faunus are distinguishable by their... animal features."
"Well that sounds wonderful!" Sarge exclaimed. "Just imagine having bear claws, or gorilla arms, or eagle wings! Why, being a Faunus gives you a complete tactical advantage."
"Not everyone sees it that way," Jaune said sadly.
"What do you mean?" Simmons asked.
"There are... some people who don't see Faunus on equal standing with humans," Pyrrha explains. "It usually leaves Faunus being persecuted and treated unfairly."
"Well that sounds bad," Caboose said. "I would not enjoy being penetrated."
"She said 'persecuted', dumb ass," Grif said.
Before they could continue, they saw Team RWBY coming towards them.
"Hey guys!" Nora shouted. "What's up? How're you doing? We're not talking about Blake!"
"It's fine guys," Blake said. "Really, I'm okay."
"Yeah," Yang grinned. "Blake's feline fine."
"Ugh," Blake groaned. "I change my mind. Where are Washington and South?"
"Somewhere having a talk," Simmons said.
"Is it wise to leave those two alone?" Weiss asked.
"Weiss is right," Ruby agreed. "They almost killed each other earlier."
"I'm sure they'll be fine," Blake said.
"What makes you say that?" Ruby asked.
"I just have a feeling," Blake said.
"Is that a cat thing?" Grif asked.
"Grif, don't be rude!" Sarge shouted. "The proper word is Faunus!"
"Blake, I have so many questions about your species," Simmons said. "It sounds fascinating to discuss. For example, how do your Faunus ears work together with your human ones?"
Blake sighed. "This isn't going to go away soon, is it?"
"Looks like it," Nora said.
"Don't worry Blake," Yang said. "I'm sure you'll do a cat-tastic job handling them."
"Seriously Yang, enough," Blake said.
"Aw, don't take it purr-sonally," Yang said.
Everyone else just facepalmed.
"South, we need to talk," Washington said.
"Really? That's why you dragged me somewhere quiet and alone?" South said sarcastically. "I had no idea."
"Ha ha," Washington said.
"I'm surprised you wanna talk to me and not ask Catwoman over there about her extra pair of ears," South said.
"One thing at a time," Washington said. "I'd rather deal with us right now than ask Blake whatever all that is."
"So there's an 'us' to talk about," South said skeptically.
"That depends, are you going to try to make me kill you again?" Washington stated.
South gave a low growl.
"I'll take that as a no," Washington said.
"If you've got something to say, just say it already," South groaned. "I don't need to hear the passive-aggressive talk, so just get on with it."
"Fine," Washington said. He took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm... sorry."
This brought South to full attention as she looked to Washington. "What?"
"I'm sorry," Washington repeated. "I'm sorry for what happened to North, I'm sorry for what you went through, and I'm sorry for what I said earlier. That was uncalled for."
South seemed to be shocked, and Washington expected that. What he didn't expect was for South to snort and laugh.
"What's so funny?" Washington said. "I'm saying sorry here, and you're laughing? Quit it!"
"You're saying sorry!?" South said as she snickered. "I shot you in the back and left you for dead, and you're apologizing to me! Are you retarded or what!?"
"Trust me, I haven't forgotten," Washington said. "...But to be fair, you lost your brother, and probably weren't thinking straight anymore. On top of the fact that you wanted to die, I think I'd be willing to look past it."
South finally stopped laughing and sighed heavily. "It should've been me. I should have been the one to die, not North."
"South..." Washington said, knowing where this conversation was going.
"It's true!" South shouted. "North was a better fighter, a better soldier, hell, a better person! And me? I'm just the constant screw-up who got her brother killed. So I'm pretty sure that everyone would be better off if I was dead."
"North didn't think so," Washington said. "He gave his life so you could survive. Don't you think you owe it to him to live?"
"And what do you think?" South asked as she clenched her fists. "Do you think I should live?"
"Well, I'm not trying to kill you anymore, am I?" Washington said.
"Heh, good point," South said, visibly relaxing. "So, what now?"
"I was hoping that you would stick with us for now," Washington said.
"What makes you think I would?" South asked.
"Well, we're still looking for the Meta, and I'm assuming you'd want a shot at getting some payback for what it did to North," Washington said.
"So, you want me to risk my life to try and kill the monster with tons of A.I. and enhancements for some misguided attempt to avenge my brother?" South stated bluntly.
"I..." Washington said, not knowing what to say next. "I just thought... I assumed you'd want to..."
"Calm down Wash," South said. "You're right. I do have a score to settle with the Meta. I'm not going anywhere until I see that thing's head on a spike."
"Okay," Washington said. "And gross," he added as an afterthought.
"Baby," South mumbled, although there was some amusement in her tone.
"Come on, let's go back to the others," Washington said. "God knows what kind of questions those soldiers are asking Blake." He and South then began walking back.
"Hey Wash," South said.
"Yeah?" Washington said.
"For what it's worth, sorry about shooting you in the back," South said.
"You can apologize to by helping me take down the Meta," Washington said. "For North."
"For North," South nodded.
The two then continued walking.
"So having two extra ears, which pair do you clean?" Simmons asked.
"Like I said with the other dozen questions you've asked, no comment," Blake said.
"It's for science," Simmons said.
"Creepy science," Jaune commented.
"Which ears do you clean?" Nora asked as well.
"Don't you start!" Blake hissed.
"Looks like kitty over here's getting snippy," Grif said.
"Does anyone have cat nip?" Caboose asked.
"Caboose that's not nice!" Ruby chastised.
"Well do you?" Caboose asked, not getting it.
"Well, I'm glad to see you haven't killed each other yet," Washington said as he and South arrived.
"If Simmons keeps asking his questions, that could change soon," Yang said, as she saw Blake glare daggers at Simmons, who quickly hid behind Sarge.
"Look Wash," Ruby said. "I know you may have some questions about Blake, and as team leader I can assure you-"
"While I do have questions about that," Washington said, directing the statement at Blake, who looked down to avoid his gaze. "We have other things to worry about. Now that the Meta has Delta, we need to-"
"Oh, wait Wash!" Church exclaimed.
"Enough!" Washington said. "I am trying to make a strategy here, and I can't do that if I keep getting interrupted!"
"I get that," Church said. "But-"
"No, no buts!" Washington said.
"I have a message from Delta," Church said quickly.
"Wait, really?" Ruby said in surprise.
"Delta?" Washington said, equally surprised. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Oh come on, seriously?" Church said. "Between explaining about me being ghost, you and South trying to kill each other, and Blake having cat ears, you're wondering why this didn't come up sooner."
"...Fair point," Washington said.
"Who's Delta?" Ren asked.
"The small green man who used to live inside me," Caboose explained.
"The who in what now!?" Jaune said confused.
"He's an A.I.," Weiss explained better. "He's basically an intelligent computer that helps these soldiers."
"Oh great, another one," Grif groaned. "Is this one trying to kill us too?"
"Nah, he's cool," Yang said.
"What did he say?" South asked. "Anything useful?"
"How did you even get in contact with him?" Washington asked.
"He left a message for me in Caboose's head," Church explained. "Actually for me to give to you. I guess he figured out I would get in there and find it."
"He knew you were a... ghost?" Pyrrha said, still having trouble comprehending the fact.
"I guess so," Church said.
"How would he even know that?" Washington wondered.
"Well I didn't tell him," Church said. "But he seemed pretty smart. Maybe he just put two and two together."
"Four," Caboose stated.
"That wasn't a test," Church said to Caboose.
"Yes it was," Caboose insisted. "I won. A-plus."
"Wait, there's test!" Nora cried. "I didn't know there was a test!"
"What was the message?" South asked again, ignore the unnecessary outbursts.
"He said 'Memory is the key'," Church said.
"Memory is the key?" Ruby echoed, confused by the statement.
"Did he say anything else?" Washington asked.
"Nothing important," Church said.
"Memory is the key," Caboose repeated the statement.
"What the hell does that mean?" Grif asked.
"I don't know," Church shrugged. "I'm just the messenger. He said Wash would know."
"Do you know what it means?" Pyrrha asked Washington.
"Memory is the key," Washington said to himself, ignoring Pyrrha, who just frowned towards him.
"That is just so cryptic," Yang said.
"Yeah I know, it didn't make any sense to me either," Church said. "Just sounded like some kind of stupid riddle or something."
"Sarge," Washington said turning to the Reds. "I need you and the Reds to assess the vehicles and see if any of them are still functioning."
"Hey you can't order us around," Simmons said.
"Yeah, that's my job," Sarge grunted.
"Just do it, you morons," South growled.
"Fine," Sarge replied. "But only because you're a lady and ya asked nicely. Come on men."
"Yes sir," Simmons said.
"This sucks," Grif said.
"Come on Ren, let's help out!" Nora said as she grabbed Ren by his sleeves and dragged him along and followed the Reds.
"We'll make sure they don't break anything else," Jaune said as he and Pyrrha followed as well.
"Everyone else, get your gear, we're leaving," Washington said. "Now." He then left them and followed the Reds and Team JNPR.
"What's up with him?" Yang wondered.
"I think he's angry because of what Church said to him," Caboose guessed.
"If I knew it was gonna make him leave, I would've said it sooner," Church said.
"Just do what he says," South said as she grabbed her armor and began putting it on. "Hey, Hello Kitty, could use some help putting this on."
Blake gave a low growl as she gripped Gambol Shroud.
"I'll help her," Weiss said, stopping Blake from pulling out her weapon. "You three help Church and Caboose."
"You got it bestie!" Ruby said.
Weiss just rolled her eyes. "I don't have time to argue with that statement."
"That just means it's true!" Ruby said.
"Let's go ladies!" South shouted.
"Yay more field trips!" Caboose cheered.
"Kill me now," South mumbled.
As they began packing whatever they could salvage, Church approached Blake.
"Hey, Blake," Church said.
"Church," Blake said, sounding exasperated. "If you're going to start asking more questions about my ears, I swear, I'll-"
"No, it's not that," Church said. "There's something I have to tell you."
Blake looked to Church, the seriousness in his voice giving her a feeling that it was important.
So she listened.
Once they finished, South, the Blues, and Team RWBY, arrived at where Washington was speaking with the Reds and Team JNPR.
"What's the word, nerds?" South asked.
"Hey!" Grif shouted. "The only nerd here is Simmons."
"Hey!" Simmons shouted, insulted.
"Or Jaune and the others too," Grif added. "They probably look like nerds."
"Hey!" Jaune shouted as well.
"You kinda do look nerdy," Nora commented.
"Nora!" Jaune shouted indignantly. Nora just shrugged.
"What's the status of the vehicles?" Weiss asked, trying to get back on the subject.
"Are you going to ask 'nicely' like Wash did?" Nora asked, putting air quotes when she said 'nicely'.
"I thought I did," Weiss said, giving a puzzled look.
"Did something happen?" Ruby asked.
"Not necessarily," Pyrrha said.
"We were just telling Washington what we found out about the vehicles," Ren said.
"Which was that none of them work," Washington informed them.
"We could probably fix one by takin' parts from all the other vehicles," Sarge suggested. "That's one of my specialties. Gonna take a while though."
"How long would it take to do that?" Yang asked.
"Couple-a days," Sarge replied.
"No time. We need to start moving ASAP," Washington stated. "And we need fifteen seats. You're gonna have to get me five jeeps in a few hours."
"Or a huge bus," Caboose suggested.
"An armored bus!" Nora said excitedly.
"As much as I could make a beautiful masterpiece, that's too complicated to do in a few hours," Sarge said.
"Then we'll have to get them somewhere else," Washington said. "And I know exactly where we can find them."
"Wash, where are we going?" Blake asked.
"Delta was right," Washington stated to everyone. "Memory is the key."
"But what does that mean?" Church asked.
"It means that only one thing remembers everything about these A.I. and where they come from," Washington said. "It will know how to stop them. We need to unlock the Alpha."
"The Alpha?" Church said.
"What's that?" Ruby asked.
"Wash," South said. "The Alpha's-"
"In the one place we haven't gone," Washington finished as he interrupted South.
"Washington, enough with the cryptic words," Blake said. "Where are we going?"
"I'll tell you where we're going," Washington answered as he looked to all of them. "We're going home."
They didn't know it then, but Washington's next words would soon lead them all to the most dangerous mission so far in this dimension.
"We're going to Command."