Chapter 25


Life had resumed on in the city of Vale. While police are still active, and criminals like the White Fang roamed about, most people continued with their lives rather normally. Some even looked joyful, and why wouldn't they? After all, a special event is about to happen soon enough in the coming month. One involving the Vytal Festival is celebrated every year. Where all the kingdoms come and gather together.

Here the four kingdoms come and celebrate the peace they achieved. And what better way to do so then having children fight in battle with risky injuries...Admittingly, most people just enjoy the food and stalls and pretend the first part is ethical.

Whatever the case, the point is the Vytal Festival is an important event. Though if there's one thing that can ruin the mood of this upcoming event, it's the fact that there's a bunch of ships in the air. Ships from Atlas, the military ever present. It brought some tension, yet also some reassurance.

While a few people are worried about the amount of ships, others were actually satisfied. What with the massive crime spree happening and White Fang presence, civilians did feel safe in their hands.

"Man there are way too many ships here." Some just felt annoyed though, particularly how the ships blocked the sun. Yang needed that sun to feel nice and cool, or warm in this case.

"Really?" Ruby says as she looks at the ships. In her hands a 'Get-Well' card. "I think they look awesome!"

"Of course you do." Yang chuckled. "In any case, I hope dad is feeling better. I can't believe he escaped that explosion unharmed."

"I know. How lucky." Yang and Ruby heard how their dad had been caught with those criminals led by that guy called Jason. Some wannabe thief or whatever who actually attacked their old school. Jaune was there and he ended up injured, oddly though, it was mostly him. For some reason their dad despite not having aura escaped unharmed in the Dust explosion compared to Jaune.

"I wonder how Jaune's going?" Ruby then tapped her hip. "I mean, I hear his parents are going to come in a few days."

"Hopefully he'll be fine." Yang shrugged her sister's concern. "I mean, I hear he's already clean of Dust and is just taking a few days off. Heck, what exactly could happen." Aside from the fact his parents know he lied to them, ran away from home, took the family sword, and almost got himself killed. Sadly, these girls didn't know that. Ignorance is bliss.

"Huh, Ruby?" The two girls then stopped hearing a familiar voice. It's none other than Weiss alongside Yang's partner Blake. The two having gone outside for a walk.

"Bestie!" Ruby then tried throwing herself at her 'best friend'.

"No." Weiss wasn't having any of that and stopped her with one hand holding her head. Ruby unable to reach her in the desired hug. Weiss then looked to see Yang and then the card in Ruby's hand. "You guys were going to the hospital."

"Yep." Yang said with Ruby finally getting off Weiss.

"We were going to give him this." Ruby then took out a bag full of cookies. "And this."

"How very...thoughtful." Blake gave a small smile.

"I know." Ruby nodded. After all, who didn't love cookies? Either way, the girls were now together and decided to walk around before the two sisters met their dad. While doing so, they witnessed the citizens slowly putting up decorations for the upcoming Vytal Festival.

"Ooohhh!" For some it was just getting ready early, for others it was a sight to see. And boy did Weiss look happy. This caught her teammates a bit by surprise, not seeing this much emotion in their teammate. Her eyes may as well be sparkling.

"What's up Weiss-Cream? You look more chipper than usual?" Yang asked with a teasing grin. This time though Weiss ignored the comment more satisfied with what she sees than words.

"Well of course I'm satisfied. Why wouldn't I be?" Weiss tells her and the others as she tilts her head in the direction where things are being put up. "I mean, the Vytal Festival is coming and soon."

"You mean a time to spy on other teams?" Ruby asked innocently and out of nowhere.

"No." Though maybe she can do that later. "I'm just more interested in the culture, the new people, their history, and everything related to the Vytal Festival." One can learn a lot about the other kingdoms and their customs. It was practically a good opportunity to learn as much as she can. Something she loved doing, as it was for her own personal interest.

The girls just continued on walking taking in the sights-

"Alright man, let's just fix this window."

-when they stopped. Over by the other side, the four females then saw some police officers. They were standing over what is a crime scene picking up glass and taking photos. A small shop with the owner being interviewed and some yellow tape stopping people from entering. Judging from the inside of the shop and the broken cases, it would appear Dust had been stolen.

"Look at that. Another crime." Yang muttered.

"At least nobody got hurt." Ruby added in seeing nobody was injured. At most just scared a local shop had been robbed and vandalized.

Weiss herself just narrowed her eyes, looking very upset. A small scowl on her lips as she looked away from the scene. "Well, it looks like the White Fang struck again. Tch. How barbaric."

"White Fang?" Ruby tilted her head. "Them?"

"Yes them." Weiss said unaware of the small anger in Blake's eyes. "Those thieves have been spotted all over Vale. Stealing Dust, harming people, even causing a massive breakout in the prison. Honestly, how do they live with themselves?" Weiss continued on a bit with Blake's own frustration slowly growing more and more visible. Until finally, she decided to talk.

"It's not them." She then spoke aloud. Causing the three girls to look at her. "It's not them." She then repeated.

"Not them?" Weiss just narrowed her eyes. "Of course it's them. Who else could it be?"

"Torchwick." Blake answered immediately. "Remember him? The man Ruby fought. He's still at large, along with that Jason guy. It could just as easily be them." Weiss just contemplated that information, thinking about it for a bit. Yang and Ruby doing the same, recalling the many crimes that have been happening over the following semester.

"Hm." Weiss then pushed her hair aside. "I wonder, I suppose it's not impossible." She admitted, though didn't stop. "However, considering the Fang's MO and their audicy of stealing Dust and being reported all over, it's just as likely to be them. Pilfering the Dust so tenaciously, wouldn't you agree?" Before Yang and Ruby could give their answer, Blake spoke first.

"Thinking it's them without any proof...is stupid and self-serving." Weiss's eyes turned sharp, with a small anger in them.

"How dare you," Ruby and Yang both looked a bit worried. Unsure of what was going on. Considering the looks the two girls were giving and their body language, it's clear this won't end pretty.

"Um, guys." Ruby was about to speak up to break the mood. Yet just before they could do anything, the girls then all heard a yelp which soon became a cry of anger.

"Hey stop!" Then in an instant, a young boy with blonde hair revealing his chest and a very voluptuous woman with strange clothing and a staff jumped over the team. The two laughing as a man called out to them. "Those two just dined and dashed! Somebody stop that faunus and human!"

"Sorry about that, but I had no cash!" The boy with a monkey tail said with a grin. Landing on his feet perfectly. "Just put it on my tab!"

"The Buddha will appreciate it if you let us go!" The woman shouted back as she ran with the monkey faunus. "Let's go apprentice!" She then tripped and slammed her face head first onto the ground with the boy looking shocked. "Ah! Help me apprentice!"

"Oh come on!"

As the people watched rather flabbergasted, Weiss wasn't having any of this. "Ruby!" She then called to her partner and leader. "Let's go get them!"

"Huh-wha!? I mean-okay!" Ruby then dashed towards the two with rose petals coming off of her. "Hey you!" She then called out as the two individuals then looked back. "You're not getting away!"

"Oh crap! Super speed!" The boy shouted as he then lifted the strange girl bridal style making her turn red. "Gotta bounce!" He then dashed off at a surprisingly good speed despite the extra weight he held. Still, Ruby felt utter confidence that she could catch them.

She and the boy were already ahead of her team with nobody nearby now. The boy kept running until he suddenly dashed into the nearest alley. Ruby just smirked.

"Hehe! Nobody can outrun m-" Then she slammed into something hard which felt like metal. Landing on the ground with a thump and her eyes temporarily spinning. "Ow!" She said, "What was that?"

"Hello." She then heard a voice where she then opened her eyes, where there she saw a girl with orange hair and a unique dress that glew a little staring down at her with green eyes. "Salutations. Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Ruby just went. A little confused if she hit something else as she was certain she hit something hard. Shaking her head, Ruby then saw the girl holding her hand out to her. Realizing she's on the ground, Ruby took it.

Squish.

Only to have to hold back a scream of pain as while the girl lifted her up, her hand felt like it was being crushed. Oh man, how can such a petite girl be so strong? Her aura was going to take a while fixing this.

"I apologize for crashing into you." The strange girl said letting go of Ruby's hand to her joy. "Did I hurt you?"

"Uh..no?" Ruby said not wanting to tell the girl off. "I was just surprised."

"Ruby!" Before she could continue, Ruby then heard Weiss's voice where she then saw her team coming. All of them looked a bit tired from catching up.

"Oh, hey girls."

"Whatever! Did you catch the thief?" Weiss just called out.

"Oh, uh. No." Ruby responded meekly. "I kinda ran into someone." Literally.

"Oh my, how wonderful." Suddenly interrupting their talk is none other than the strange girl. Giving a rather strange tilt to the head with her holding the edge of her dress. "To meet students of Beacon Academy. Ahem, I am Penny, will you be my friend?"

"...Huh?" The four girls of RWBY went.

"...I am Penny. Will you be my friend?" The girl repeated.

"Ruby, who is she?" Weiss whispered to Ruby.

"No idea."

"Well, she seems...Interesting." Yang grinned with Blake staying silent. Ruby was about to whisper back when suddenly the girl known as Penny just took a huge step forward and got into her face.

"Please be my friend." The girl continued on ignoring personal space. "Or do you not wish to?"

"Wha-um-no, I mean not no, uh?" Ruby was sweating just a bit, and desperately turned her head so her team could help her. Throw her a line to escape. "H-help." She said...Only to find her team gone and having ditched her.

"Wonderful!" Only to be caught by the strong grip of this girl. Clutching her right hand and squeezing very tightly. "We will be friends who speak of hair, fashion, and romance!" She then also noticed the other girls were gone. "Oh my, they are gone. No matter, let us be friends." She then dragged Ruby off who just cried funny tears at her predicament.

Yang, Weiss, and Blake continued on walking hearing the pitiful cries of their leader. Oh well, sacrifices had to be made. She'll be alright.

"Now then," Weiss said getting back on track. "Let us resume our search for the faunus boy. He just might be connected to the White Fang and the local Dust robberies." Upon hearing this, Blake's bow twitched.

"Come on Weiss, you shouldn't say stuff like that." Yang told her.

"What? Am I wrong?" She simply replied. "That person already broke the law. Not to mention it's been reported that a few humans are working with the White Fang, that woman must be one of them."

"Come on, but there's no proof that they're in the wrong."

"And there's no evidence that they are innocent." Weiss shot back. "Besides, the White Fang are nothing but scum who take pleasure in their crime." Blake gripped her fists, looking upset. "If anything, they certainly don't seem to mind their horrible situation."

"Just," Blake then said loudly. "Stop!" This got the two attention. Blake now glaring at Weiss. She then opened her mouth-


"Ah hell no. Not this crap again!" Quickly Roman got the remote and changed the channel to some news network. Abigail and Medea (Lily) looking upset.

"Father!"

"Mr. Torchwick!"

"What?" The theif said as he began changing the channel to some other program he liked than that stupid cartoon scene the two brats were watchign before.

"Why'd you change the channel?" Abigail pouted with Medea (Lily) in agreement.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because you already saw that scene a bajillion times." He snapped back.

"But what's wrong with it?" The freeloader Caster asked.

"Oh I don't know. Maybe that everyone and their mother knows that scene." Roman pointed out. "Two girls fighting, arguing about these dumb bad guys, the argument gets heated until eventually the girl who sympasizes with the group reveals some secret and leaves." The thief then shakes his head. "I'm not watching that again."

The two girls just pouted and folded their arms away.

"How come Mr. Torchwick is so mean?" The Caster asked her fellow childish Servant.

"Father just doesn't like having fun." Abigail puffed her cheeks. The two then eat their cookies angrily leaving crumbs on the floor. Roman just sighed realizing he'll have to clean up after them. Man watching kids is a pain.


It was night time now. The city of Vale is looking peaceful as always. Granted, there was some trouble like the early crime, two suspicious individuals that entered Vale illegally, and some cat faunus running around. But overall, things were fine.

"So that's Beacon huh. Our next destination." Watching this city is a monkey faunus known as Sun who was eating some sandwiches. His eyes are looking at the school beyond the distance. Man it was far away, barley a speck from where he's at.

He then looked behind him where he saw his so-called Master Sanzang who was snoring loudly with a blanket covering her lower half and a stolen pillow below her head. Her chest going up and down from her heavy breathing.

"..." Sun then turned away and decided to think on other thoughts than what he just saw. Uh, he wasn't sure if he's lucky or unlucky. Maybe a bit of both, having experienced a few things he always imagined but thought would never happen in real life. Granted she treated him like a distant friend and she always grabbed onto him-thankfully she didn't look down on his pants in those parts. Whoo, Neptune would be jealous.

"Hm?" Sun then noticed someone at the distance, some girl. Actually, he recognized her. The girl he saw earlier in the day. Though unlike before she wasn't wearing her bow and revealed a pair of cat ears. Smoking. With a playful smile he then got up and stretched a bit. "Time to make some new friends."


Welp, aside from a few small scenes, this was all about RWBY. Granted it's the same scene as always, so naturally it wasn't much sadly. Still, at least it tells us that we're nearing Volume 1, then Volume 2 will start canonline. Just saying, even if Volume 1 ends we'll still be in Act 2. That won't end until...you'll just have to wait and see. Until Next Time.


"And then I met a nice girl. She said she'll be my friend." Penny was a happy girl. To think, at long last she would make a friend. Sure her father was great company along with the pet AI's he made for her. But Penny wanted more than just that. It took a lot of convincing, but she got both her dad and Ironwood to agree with her demands to go to Vale. It was worth it.

"I see, that must be nice."

"Indeed." Penny responded. She then looked at her escort during this fine night. "Which reminds me, why are you here? Not that I'm complaining, but I'm surprised that someone of your caliber is simply an escort." She read this man's information and knew he was powerful. Instantly getting the Specialist title immediately after meeting Ironwood.

"I was...told to escort you as my position is being reviewed." Then taken off just as quick after numerous incidents were the man showed incompetence. While his skill in battle was worthy, his inability to read, child endangerment, two-timing, and foolishly breaking his personal weapon while also destroying other swords by throwing them like daggers causing permanent damage caused Ironwood to remove his Specialist title.

Penny overheard Ironwood wonder why he even gave him the title when he barely even knew him. Asking himself why he even gave the man such a position when he came from nowhere and seemingly didn't exist. It made her wonder something.

"Mr. Are you a hobo?" She then bluntly asked the man since she overheard her father once say this word and Specialist Winter talking to the Ace Ops about the man moving around and having no actual home. The poor escort coughing as he heard the question.

"...No?" He said unsure of himself.

"Okay." While Penny hummed and enjoyed herself in the memories of today, her escort Sigurd just groaned. It would seem he really made his high end position at Atlas lower.

Bzzz. Bzzz.

"Hello."

"Sigurd! How could you lose my daughter in just a single hour! If she's hurt even the slightest, i'll have your hide for this!"

And it would seem it was about to get worse.

Curse his luck.