0oooooooooooooooo0

Vale launch pads, opposite from Beacon

Ruby

I remembered Colt telling me it was fine to go as I usually dressed, and I had planned to, but then I made a fatal mistake

I asked Yang for advice.

"Oh. My. Gosh!" She had screamed. "My little sister is going on a date with her crush!"

"Yang! I don't have a crush on him!" I protested.

"Oh, you totally do. You talk about him all the time with a little glaze in your eyes. Blake, back me up on this?"

The girl didn't look up from her book. "Totally have a crush, it's so obvious."

Ruby sighed. "So, what am I supposed to do?"

"Well, it's a casual date right, so I don't think you should wear your battle gear." Yang told me. "We need to go shopping!"

Weiss and Blake both looked up and said in almost unison, "I'm coming, too!"

From out in the hall, Coco Adel, leader of team CFVY, poked her head in. "My fashion senses are tingling. Is someone going shopping?"

I nodded. "They're taking me to go shopping for some casual stuff."

"She's going on a date." Yang said excitedly.

"Yang!" I whined. "I don't want everyone in the whole school to know!"

Coco lowered her glasses to the tip of her nose. "I assume my services won't be needed?"

Yang waved her off. "We might call you for some dress up later, we'll take care of the clothes."

"You sure?"

Yang nodded. "I got this."

After hours of shopping, I had apparently chosen the most casual look ever, but with a little help from Yang, Coco, Blake, and Weiss, they claimed they had made it 'acceptable'.

I now stood at the launch pads that would take me to Beacon, glancing around occasionally to look for Colt.

"You certainly look different." I heard him say behind me, and I turned to look at the teen in front of me.

Colt was dressed in a navy-blue shirt and a pair of jeans, a black belt with a rectangular silver buckle was wrapped around his waist, the longsword and his pistol in view from his hips. At his feet were a pair of brown, square-toed cowboy boots. Over his shirt was an open jacket, black with silver buttons and red cuffs, which intercepted his gloved hands.

He looked over me, my own pair of black denim skinny jeans and a pair of black, calf-hugging boots with a two-inch heel, the black T-shirt with a single rose positioned over my heart, a larger version on my back, but that was covered by the tan leather jacket I wore, Crescent Rose hugging my back just below where the edge of the jacket stopped, so, without the weapon there, you would be able to see my lower back.

"Did I overdo it?" I asked, brushing my hair, which I had left alone for the night, out of my face.

He shook his head. "You're outfit looks great, Ruby." He told me, and I blushed at his compliment. "Let's head that way."

I looked around. "Colt, the next bus doesn't show up for a few minutes." I told him, glancing at a clock that read the estimated time for the next city bus.

"I bought a bike." He told me, pointing over to a sleek black-and silver motorcycle with a helmet resting on the handlebars.

"That ought to be fun." I told him. "But I don't have a helmet."

Liquid seeped from his sleeve into his hand, taking form before hardening into a helmet identical to the last.

"Okay, you're going to have to show me how you did that." I told him.

"We can when we're there." He told me, handing the helmet to me, which I slipped onto my head and into a snug fit. We walked over to the bike, and I slid up to Colt, wrapping my arms around his waist. Colt started the motorcycle, then he started slowly, but when he pulled into the first main street, he gassed it, and we tore off into the city.

A good thirty minutes later, we pulled into the carnival pier's parking lot. Colt waited until I was off, then swung off, his helmet disappearing into his sleeve. "Here, toss me your helmet." He told me, and I handed it to him, watching in awe as it melted and disappeared.

He grinned as we began walking. "So, you wanna know my secrets? Ask away." He encouraged, then added, "But one at a time."

"Okay, how do you make stuff disappear and appear in liquid trails?" I asked. "Is it part of your Semblance?"

"No, it's not, I make things appear and disappear through this." He told me, then pulled back his sleeve to reveal a midnight-black gauntlet covering his arm. "I call it the holo-gauntlet."

I stopped and grabbed his arm, examining the device. There was a small depression that allowed me to pop open a cover, where a few buttons and gadgets lay. "What is it?" I asked, looking up at him.

"I made it originally when I had this idea. I used hard-light to create tools and weapons, using a computer and a projector, so it can be used as a scroll, too. It also has equipment to monitor my vitals as chemical readouts, plus a small patch of needles that use different vaccines and shots of adrenaline in times of need." He told me, pressing a button, which made a projector on the small panel that had been hidden by the flap. A screen popped into the air, and below it a keyboard. Both were about five by eight inches, the screen showing nothing but a single symbol, a tribal flame in black detail on a silver pronged shield with a helmet above it and a sword behind the shield.

"I use hand signals to access the different functions in battle, I've upgraded it so now, and it can generate a knife, shield, bow staff, and mini-crossbow in holo-weapons."

"But that doesn't explain the trails of stuff coming from the gauntlet." I told him, crossing my arms.

"Hold on, Ruby, I'll get to it." He told me, then pointed to a small ramp in the underside of the gauntlet where a small hole lay. "I invented a module in the gauntlet that creates a pocket dimension inside it, that's where I keep most of my supplies, weapons, and other objects. I call it the Void. I can request them by using the interface. Then, I wired a liquidizing module to it, using this spigot here to pull in and out the materials, except for one cool setting I use."

"What is it?" I asked him, eager to learn all of the gauntlet's secrets.

He chuckled and stopped to pay for admission into the carnival, then continued after we were inside. He flipped the gauntlet over, exposing his knuckles where four more ramps, this time exposing out of the gauntlet, lay. "I have the computer set to connect to a bar of alloy inside the Void and, with a certain signal," He rolled his fingers into a fist in a wave, and claws extended out, almost two feet long. He did the same with his other hand, and the claws liquefied, but stayed in the same shape, and slipped onto his other hand, at a same place on his gloves, while even more of the alloy made the same set of claws in his gauntlet hand. "It can also discharge energy in a large explosion, but I reserve that unless it's a dire situation."

"That's so cool!" I cried as he relaxed his hand, the blades disappearing into the Void.

He shrugged. "The only downfall is that it has a certain battery, which is really drained if I use it too much, and the battery is charged by solar power, so if I wear a jacket or I use it a lot during the night, it'll power down, cutting me off from my arsenal."

"How'd you get it to use solar power instead of Dust?"

"I'll keep that a secret." He told me, and then winked. He stepped away to buy wristbands for the rides, and I stood there, thinking about the interesting gauntlet and the equally fascinating person who made it.

Colt returned and attached my wristband, his hand sending electric sparks up my arm every time it brushed my skin. "So, where are we headed?"

So began one of the greatest nights ever. Of all time. We rode many rides, saving the Ferris wheel for last, and Colt won me a plush wolf, which reminded me of Zwei back home. I hugged it tight and thanked him over and over, while he just smiled.

Colt, Plush Zwei, and I boarded the Ferris wheel, a giant ride that stood easily over 200 yards tall, with tons of cars on the rim. It rose slowly until the last few cars were loaded, and then we rotated. I looked out to Vale, rested my shin on my arm. The sun had set and the lights lit the city beautifully. I smiled.

"There's a sight that really takes your breath away." Colt said behind me.

I nodded, "Yeah, it's a good view of the city from up here."

"I uh…" He coughed awkwardly. "I wasn't talking about the view."

I flipped around to see his face reddening. "I'm sorry, I made it awkward, I didn't mean it! Well, I did, but it just wasn't the right time and I probably just ruined everyth-"

I cut him off by sliding over to him and leaning in, lightly brushing my hair back and pushing my lips against his, closing my eyes as fire seemed to spread across my body.

Colt froze, and I continued for a couple seconds. I panicked, worried that I'd assumed too much, and was about to pull away.

His hand wrapped around my neck, pulling me back in. I let out a muffled squeak in surprise as he finally got into the kiss. My own first kiss had just been taken, and except for a few tips from Yang every now and again, I was clueless on how to proceed. Our lips separated lightly, then Colt pushed back in, locking my lower lip between his. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, hands hanging loosely off then wall of the carriage.

Colt pulled away, breathing deeply through his nose, and he gave me a grin. "Well, that went better than expected."

I giggled, then he kissed me again. His hand intertwined with mine. He pulled back, the top of his teeth gently nibbling my bottom lip.

"You're way too good at this." I told him.

He shrugged. "I blame media and the internet." He chuckled, our foreheads touching with only a couple inches between our noses. Colt sighed as the Ferris wheel seemed to stop, letting us out. I was amazed. Time seemed to have flown by. I checked my scroll, and my eyes widened. I'd been at the fair with Colt for four hours, and the last Bullhead to Vale was about to leave in five minutes.

"Colt, I need to go. How fast can you get me to the launch pad?"

The answer was very, and it upset my stomach, but I was able to keep it down. We arrived in two minutes, plenty of time to get me onto the Bullhead. I turned one last time to Colt, who offered a weak smile. I stepped up to him and hugged him, then boarded the Bullhead.

0oooooooooooooooooo0

Unknown Location

Colt

I pulled into the small alleyway and stepped off my bike, swinging off the seat and moving a dumpster that covered the small space I had created days ago, sliding my motorcycle into the space before sliding the dumpster back.

Next to the dumpster's original spot was a manhole. I removed the cover and dropped in, then slid the cover back over.

I now stood in a section of the old sewers, which were now obsolete, due to all of the new pipes being connected, and with a little elbow grease and air freshener, you couldn't really pick up the smell. I stepped around to the underground compound I had created, sliding down a pipe to where Summit waited.

"Dude, you did great!" Church materialized due to a projector placed on a table, connected to the computer. The white AI had his arms crossed.

"Thanks for your advice Church." I said awkwardly.

"And…"

I glanced over, eyebrow raised. "And?"

Church sighed. "Aren't you glad for all those awkward lessons on kissing?"

I chuckled, then looked over to Summit.

You're late. The wolf growled in my mind.

"Oh, calm down, Summit." I told him. "It's not like you can't entertain yourself, you've been analyzing all the stuff from our world."

The wolf shook his head, looking at the objects around him. I have learned many things from you, Colt and Church. What shall we go over today?

I smiled and took a seat on the armchair in a corner of the room. Church pointed at the wolf. "I figured I'd let you decide."

I've heard so much about Dust and Aura, tools you humans use. What are they?

Church had been tutoring us both on the modern world, educating us with what he could for the past week. I had found him soon after my arrival in Vale, while adding a small computer system. He had hacked in and quickly decided to stick around, refusing to reveal anything about himself.

I was still a bit wary of Church, due to his secretive nature and sudden appearance, but I allowed the AI to instruct Summit and me in the ways of society. As soon as he learned of my interest in Ruby, he'd began me in the ways of dating. Together, we taught Summit the laws, procedures, and daily rituals of life, as well as understanding the English language. I relayed the message to Church, and he smiled.

"Well, that's a good one, Summit. Accessing files now."

"Dust is a mineral that harnesses certain elements of nature. The four main ones are Fire, Electricity, Ice, and Wind. They're really effective against Grimm, and they can be used in weapons as well as infused into tech and clothes." I told the wolf.

"There are currently twenty types of pure dust and fifty alloys of combined Dust elements and/or metals." Church said. "And only half of those are actually utilized by the majority of the public."

That seems absurd. Why only use a few types?

"I think they don't truly see some of the uses of them, or they don't know. Most are in laboratory and testing stages, while others are used expressly for military Spec Ops."

"Aura is the manifestation of a humanoid's soul. Everyone on Remnant has one, Faunus or human. Only animals and Grimm don't seem to have one." I said, "It protects us, gives us power, could renew someone's stamina or increase their strength."

"And a Semblance is the greatest power your Aura can create. It's a power that is unique to each person's character." Church said. "Colt here is a rare case: most humans can only possess one, he has three."

"Pyromancy, Telekinesis, and telepathy."

What are those? Summit cocked his head to the side.

"Pyromancy is the ability to control fire and summon its creatures. This one time, I was able to call a phoenix and it was there for two seconds, then burst into nothingness." Colt told the wolf. "The other two let me move objects and talk to things by mind. It's how I can talk to you."

"Alright, I think that's all we have for today." Church told them. "Hey, Colt, can I speak to you in private?"

I shrugged. "Sure thing. Summit?"

The wolf trotted away into the abandoned sewers, and I turned to face the AI.

"I've been looking into what you asked. About the fall of your village." Church said easily. "I hacked into the files, and I found something."

I stood, eyes widened. "What?"

"There were signs of sabotage on the gates, someone wanted the Grimm to breach the village walls. So, when your sisters were born, your mother gave so much pain it attracted enough Grimm to get through, leading to the fall."

I shrugged off my jacket and shirt, leaving my white crew undershirt then made my light armor, my Shadow Hunter armor, float into my hands. I kicked off my boots and pants as I pulled on the shirt, then attached the armor to my biceps and right arm I pulled on the pair of pants, the zipper on the side quickly ascending as I pulled on the chrome-plated boots. Next came my bandolier, and I clipped it along with my belt, then strapped on my knives and ammo cases.

"What are you doing, Colt?"

"We're going home, Church." I told him, shrugging on my trench coat and sliding my triple case onto my back before pulling my hat onto my head. "Port to my gauntlet, we're leaving."

I whistled, two pitches, the last higher by an octave than the last, and Summit came running down the stairs. "We're going on a trip, Summit. Back to my old village."

In the Wilds? Why?

"Someone sabotaged the gates. I'm going to find out who and why." I growled. "Let's get going."

0oooooooooooooooooooo0

Atlas

York

I descended the steps from the Bullhead into the frigid air of Altas, dressed in a warm coat that trailed down to my feet, with Maine and all of the Old Freelancers behind me.

Immediately, I saw her, and my heart melted as she ran into my open arms, our lips connecting instantly and the others sighing behind me.

"We're going to the hotel. You find your own ride." North told York, who waved him off as he wrapped his arm around Winter's waist, kissing her fiercely as the other Freelancers left the departure platform.

"Let's get out of this weather." Winter said after pulling away, snow and wind licking at her face as she gazed into his eyes.

York smiled. "Indeed, we should get warmed up." He said with a wink, then took her hand and walked with her into a land of snow and cold, but for all the world, he was as warm as if he was on a beach, due to the woman walking with him. They both wore smiles wider than they'd ever been the past couple weeks, and all seemed right with the world.

0oooooooooooooooooooo0

Song: Unforgotten- O'Donnell and Salvatori

Somewhere in the Wilds, many days later

Colt

The gates of my home were still burst apart, though rust now coated the iron that had been exposed to air for years. A few bones here and there, the littered remains of corpses, the odd weapon, this was all that was left behind of the people I once knew. I gazed forlornly at the burned buildings, remembering the small bakery in the town square, the sweet smells of bread and pastries as I played with Penelope, an old childhood friend. I finally approached my burned home, the prints of Grimm had remained after years on the walls, bloody reminders of scars left behind.

I looked to the porch, which was littered with bullets, my father's final fight. All that remained of the man who had cared for me was a simple femur bone, left behind by the Grimm after it was picked apart.

"Colt. I've been searching for clues while you scoured the city. The gates weren't completely locked, and the guards remain above, in the tower. I'd guess they were killed, murdered by whoever sabotaged this village."

"There was no warning bell." I said softly. "The first warning we had was the sound of people screaming, those monsters growling. A pair of Goliaths had breached the gate, which had seemed impossible. They slowly demolished everyone. Most of our fighters were either dead already or had been too out-of-practice to even help."

"Who would do this?" Church asked. "Was there anyone against this village?"

"No, everyone was welcome, no outsiders gave any…" I froze, eyes widening. "Whoever did this, they did it to kill my family."

"What makes you say that?"

"They used my mother's pain to bring the village's demise. Only someone trying to pull the Grimm in would be that elaborate, that cunning." I told the AI, gripping the two rings that I had attached to a chain I kept around my neck, usually hidden by my shirt.

"I've found something." Church said. "Your village had a soothsayer, right?"

I shook my head. "Crazy old man, more like it. He claimed to be able to see the future at times, but it was almost always the end of the world."

"I found an old record of the man giving a few words at your birth. I believe he was attempting to make a prophecy."

"What was it?"

"The CCT has a file from someone's scroll. Here, just let me get it set up… there."

An old, croaky voice spoke. "This boy has the power to slay evil, to strike fear into the hearts of Grimm and strike a crippling blow to the forces of darkness. His rare power will be coveted, feared, and it will cause him to lose all that he loves at a young age. His thirst for vengeance will not be abetted, and he will find the cause and end it, perhaps even turning into the darkness himself."

I messaged my temples. "He gave speeches at everyone's birth, always warning against 'going to the dark side'. Each one was different, but held the same idea. 'They're going to do great good if you keep them on the right path." He mimicked.

"But what if this old man had a moment of truth? What if, someone else knew of your destiny, and set everything in motion for you to be killed?"

I shook my head. "That's impossible. Besides, they took a record, everyone from the town but me was accounted for: all dead."

"Who says it had to be from town? What if, maybe, just maybe, someone else knew of that prophecy, and came to your town to destroy you."

"I'd say it was a crazy sort of coincidence."

"Trust me, in my business, coincidence is usually impossible." Church stated. "Let's look into it. This guy, He had it all set out. He must have had a plan, so he comes in the cover of night, kills the guards just when your mother goes into labor, and sabotaged the gates."

"This person could have had a grudge against anybody, why me?"

"Maybe he did, but are you saying if you discover he's still out there, you saying you won't take vengeance?"

"I will." I said with a cold determination, holding tightly onto the necklace. "He'll regret the day he destroyed our lives."

0oooooooooooo0

The Next Day

"Hey Colt." Church called from a guard tower. "Come take a look at this."

The Ai was currently inside a modified quad-copter drone Colt had nicked from an Atlas research base in the desert Wilds: Area 57. Colt climbed the ladder, where the skeletal remains of a guard lay leaned against the wall.

"What is it?"

Church made the drone face him, and speakers gave his voice. "What kind of uniforms did the guards where?"

Colt was silent for a full minute and a half, then spoke. "They all wore desert camo cargo pants and shirts. Why?"

"I found a patch of clothing in this guards hands, clenched very tightly." Church stated. "I ran an x-ray scan, detected it, but it's not visible. It could be from the saboteur's clothes."

Colt bent and pried the skeleton's hands open, then pulled a patch of material out of his hands. "It's got an emblem on it."

"What is it?"

Colt held up the symbol, revealing the black chess piece with its red background. "We need to find out who this symbol belongs to. Even if I die trying."

"Alright, let's continue our search of the town." Church suggested.

0oooooooooooooo0

Beacon

Ruby

"As first-year student, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional huntsmen or huntress, on a mission." Ozpin spoke, his voice ringing through the amphitheater. "Some of you may be taken out of the kingdom for several days, others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But, no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."

"This is perfect." I said to the rest of my team. "All we have to do is shadow a huntsmen working in the Southeast."

Yang spoke up. "Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip at night." She added.

"Let's check search and destroy." Weiss suggested, and we all stepped towards the panels.

End Of Volume 1

The Story continues in Volume 2:

RWBY vs. Blue: Chorus Chaos and Breached Betrayal