Chapter 22
When I came back to life from my dungeon, I was soaked it was weird I felt like I was in a shower. I was mostly calm until I heard a scream. Looking to the source I froze shouldn't be surprised that my semblance had done this. The sight I was seeing was an embarrassed Ruby who was just showering trying to cover herself.
Kicking into action I quickly face the wall "I`m so sorry" I say with a red face.
"what are you doing here, did you see anything" she asked embarrassed and I then heard movement as the shower switches off.
"I died doing another dungeon that was too difficult for me and no I didn't ugh see anything" I say stuttering loads in my embarrassment. The last bit wasn't a total lie either I was mostly being honest.
"you can look now" she says so I do slowly. To my relief and slight disappointment, she was now dressed all though she didn't look very dry. She was wearing her heart pyjamas that she wore the day before initiation and her hair was still wet and stuck to her skin. I swallowed before continuing to talk.
"I`m so sorry about that I had no idea I was going to be put in here while you were showering you know how little control I have over my semblance remember" I say starting to mumble with a blush I felt bad for not being upset that this happened.
"Let's just not tell anyone this happened and forget about it" she replied with her own blush and I startle.
Oh shit "If Yang finds me here I`m dead" I say frantically If her finding me sleeping with Ruby bad then I won't survive having been caught in the shower with her.
"yeah your right and she will make fun of me loads after you need to get out of here before you are found" she says making me pout she cares more about being made fun of by Yang then my impending painful death.
"yeah okay I`ll see you later after I enter an easier dungeon" I state saying goodbye to her.
"try not to die this time though" Ruby replies with a wink and I nod before entering the zombie dungeon.
Round one begins
10 enemies
It says and I nod finding a dagger and an oar putting on some rock music. I want to have a bit more fun this time, so I put the oar in both hands and decide to use this. Running around I manage to find where most the enemies are, so I send a heavy swing at the closest one noticing in the corner of my that Nara was attacking a couple others with poisonous spikes.
The swing aimed at the zombies head was a direct hit instantly bludgeoning it but using breaking the oar in half so I then use the newly made spear to stab the zombie in the chest before setting it on fire.
Then I pull out my new dagger and use the rest of my mana to summon as many Draugr as I can giving myself 4 new allies.
And it wasn't long until I had finished my fifth wave and I had left the dungeon to get ready for my lessons.
They were pretty boring as usual what made it worse was that me and Ruby have been barely able to talk to each other no now which got us a few looks things were just too awkward not even watching Jaune fail at asking out Weiss for the millionth time was able to fix things. I`ve been meaning to invite everyone to do that Gears of war dungeon since it sounds fun.
I noticed that Team RWBY was acting weirdly but that wasn't close to being as suspicious as seeing Neptune and Sun climb up a tree to look through team RWBY`s window they better not be trying to perv on them.
So, when they get there, I teleport above them on the tree "boo" I say quietly making them both lose their grip and fall. Sun was able to use his tail to catch himself the lucky guy. I didn't want Neptune to die at least not yet so I quickly catch him my telekinesis giving him the chance to secure himself on the tree.
"Jack right what are you doing here" Sun says after composing himself.
"nothing much" I reply casually "I was walking around and saw two guys try to either break into a dorm room full of girls or spy on them s I wanted to see what was happening what are you two doing" I ask with a raised brow twirling around a knife to add me to my intimidation factor.
I have no interest in hurting them but if they give me the wrong answer I`ll just tell Yang and let her handle the punishment herself.
"what it`s nothing like that" Sun says waving his hands in a placating matter and I nod for him to continue talking "we overheard them speaking about how they are going to go out to Vale today to stop the white Fang and we thought that we should help."
That answer surprising me so much that I lost my grip on the tree and in my effort to save myself I only made it worse causing myself to fall. In my panic I quickly equip my flight boots turning them on.
Only the problem was that in my panic, my boots were at a far higher setting then I was used to as I was training with them and I was sent flying through the glass window at team Ruby`s dorm making them all scream. As they all form fighting positions, I was lucky they didn't have weapons on them.
"Jack" they all say in surprise as Ruby helps me up.
"sorry about that" I apologize rubbing my head I knew that I was pretty hard headed but going through a glass window head first still hurt I probably have some cuts "I got surprised causing me to fall of that tree" I then get some raised brows and I point to the tree that Sun and Neptune were on, they then waved awkwardly "and I tried to stop my fall but my boots were on a higher level than I thought they were on"
"Why were you guys doing anyway" Yang asks giving me a pointed look. And with that I get a good luck at them they had changed clothes and looked good.
Ruby`s clothes didn't change all that much except she looked a bit more mature in her new clothes the normal black arms and were her shoulders where was replaced with grey. Blake had gotten rid of her normal top and jacket thing and was known wearing a white shirt with long sleeves she looked good too all though she had quite a more. belly showing which made her vulnerable.
Weiss was known wearing a dress with a lot whiter shoeing and she had much longer boots covering most of her legs it suited her. Yang didn't look all that different except more of her legs were covered and she had a new jacket that was a lighter colour.
"I saw them climbing up that tree up to your window and I wanted to see what they were doing" I say honestly and team RWBY`s attention quickly goes to them giving them pointed looks.
"yeah how did you even get up there anyway? Wat were you doing" Yang asked.
"Ah, it's easy; I do it all the time." Sun says making me face palm he`s making it sound like he spends his fair time perving on girls, he just, might get his ass kicked before we even go after Torchwick.
"You do what?!" Weiss asks assuming the worst and I can't blame her. I assumed the same thing at first too.
"I climb trees all the time!" Sun replies oblivious to the mine he had almost stepped on. He then flips into the dorm room. "So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?" he says surprising them.
Blake then steps forward "we are going to investigate the situation, as a team." She says putting empathises on the start and end part she will probably be the most difficult to persuade since it was all probably her idea.
"Sorry, Sun, Jack. We don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to." She says apologetically it is a nice thing that there trying to do nice but stupid.
Sun voices his thoughts before even I could "Psh! That's dumb! We should always get friends involved! That's why I brought Neptune!" he then gestures out the window to Neptune.
They then look out the window in a weirdly cartoony way to notice Neptune stood on the ledge as he tries to act cool "Sup?"
"How did you even get up here?" Ruby asks incredulously.
"I have my ways." He says making me scoff.
"my ways my ass I had to save you from falling from there like a minute ago" I say making Ruby giggle as he glares at me half-heartedly.
"hey that was because you scared me and besides you almost fell too" he says making me shrug I didn't really see a point in denying it and it is scaring them was pretty fun anyway. Neptune then becomes nervous probably remembering where he was "Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now." To be fair I was pretty sure that we would survive a fall from there anyway I help him in after Team RWBY nods their agreement.
"hey so" I say becoming serious "I know that some of you may feel as if your responsible for stopping the White Fang and Torchwick but we`re your friends and we`re here to help you so just trust us I`m sure that my semblance will be useful" I want to help them I won't lose anyone else to the White Fang even I fi have to follow them or even tell Ozpin, I won't let my friends get hurt.
"Okay then fine" Ruby says surprising the rest of team RWBY.
"But Ruby" Blake says starting to object, but Ruby doesn't give her a chance as she quickly objects entering leader mode.
"no Blake you're not the only one who wants to stop the White Fang here" Ruby says making Blake pause "and besides we will be more likely to succeed if we have help right Jack" Ruby finishes and I nod smiling at her.
It ends up being decided that I will go With Ruby and Weiss and I quickly invite everyone to a party.
Ruby Rose-the Cookie Monster
Has accepted your party invite
Ruby was the first to accept and I smile at her familiar title.
Yang Xiao long-The Buxom Blonde
has accepted your part invite
no comment.
Blake Belladonna- The Runaway Stray
has accepted your part invite
I didn't really get that stray was cat related I think but it`s probably best to just ignore that for now atleast.
Weiss Schnee- the Ice Queen
has accepted your part invite
I snickered lightly at that even my semblance has given here that nickname.
Sun Wukong- The Shirtless Monkey
has accepted your part invite
I felt let down at that the title just sounded stupid and like Blake`s it was kind of racist too I quickly move past it.
Neptune Vasilis- The Aquaphobic Flirt
has accepted your part invite
That nickname was just so on the nose and dumb but I felt bad for Weiss since she likes him, I guess I will warn her later but I doubt she will listen to me. It was funny seeing how oblivious Ruby was to the fact that Weiss wanted to team with Neptune.
We quickly going to the Transmit tower in Vale after Ruby wouldn't stop begging, she wanted to see it so badly. Me and Weiss had quickly caved to her demands and we got there she wasn't let down at all.
I got to be honest it did look cool the tower was a massive one dwarfing the few trees that were still around and it glowed brightly so we could all see clearly.
"Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up closely! Ruby says and I smile at her excitement.
"It`s pretty cool that`s clear" I say I wonder how long it took to make something like this.
"You should see the one in Atlas!" Weiss says proudly and for all the controversy that happens in Atlas I got to be honest they are certainly very advanced technology wise there.
"That was the first one, right?" Ruby asks.
I nod as Weiss says "Correct"" We then continue walking as Weiss gives us more information about the towers. "Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms to communicate with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War." Weiss says becoming more and more proud of atlas and I notice Ruby acting weirdly.
"Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!" Ruby says making me snort in laughter with her she was also trying to act all dignified like Weiss it was funny, but it really didn't suit her. Weiss was clearly unhappy with the joke as she frowns.
"Don't be a pest! Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much! We could have just as easily made a call from the library!" it was true Weiss did have her there. But it`s nice to see how close they've gotten they still argue like all the time, but the heat was gone.
"I know," she admits not losing her excitement for a second "but it's so cool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!" while she was doing so, I saw a familiar face. Penny wow we haven't seen her since the incident at the docks. I wave at her and watch as when Ruby tries to grab her phone but quickly drops it and it bounces along the pavement before it stops at penny`s feet. She`s lucky that scrolls are so durable especially the ones made for hunters and hunters in training. I`ve probably dropped my scroll more times than I can count.
"Oh!" Penny lets out still as she picks up the scroll and holds it over for Ruby as enthusiastic as ever, I don't even think she noticed us yet I feel like an idiot for waving "You dropped this." And Ruby`s face gets a shocked expression when she recognises her.
"Penny?!" she exclaims almost not believing who she is seeing.
"Uuuh..." Penny replies vocalising her own shock and I just had the feeling that this friendship would cause me pain.
"Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!" yeah and what a night that was, Penny with those swords was so cool.
"S-Sorry. I think you're confused." Penny says suddenly getting all cautious and we might have believed her if she wasn't so bad at lying and clearly startled. Penny then hiccups throwing the scroll into Ruby`s hands who fumbles to catch it. "Uh... I've got to go! "she says quickly walking off much to our surprise.
"it was nice seeing you again" I call out awkwardly as Weiss turns to us.
"What was that about?" Weiss asks as surprised as the rest of us.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Ruby says quickly walking after Penny "You two go make your call! I'll meet up with both later!" she says raising her voice so we an hear her and I sigh. I never really wanted to go into the transit tower anyway they don't treat Faunus well.
"Wait!" Weiss says about to try stop her until she realises how pointless it would be. "I can`t believe she just left us" Weiss says looking like she wants to strangle her.
She won`t like this part "sorry but I`m going to go help her I feel like their more likely to get into to trouble then you and besides I don't feel very comfortable going into an SDC building." I also wanted to see what was wrong with Penny she may have been pretty weird, but she was nice and friendly.
I then watch Weiss`s face go from annoyance to acceptance as she sighs "fine but try to keep the property damage as low as possible" she says waving me off.
I smirk "I`ll do my best" I reply before waving goodbye as I use my map ability to found Ruby. Since that they are in a party I have them all tracked for now with markers Ruby`s was set as the red one and she hadn't gotten far so I jog over there cutting most the time taken by free running across the buildings and anything else in the way. My teleportation ability was also very useful.
When I found them they were near a two storey building and I noticed a nervous Penny next to a smiling Ruby so I quickly drop down next to Ruby making sure to announce my presence beforehand so I don't scare them.
"hey, are you two okay I think that I would be more help here then I would be with Weiss is that okay" I ask not wanting to be over stepping.
"It is okay, friend Jack?" the last bit was more unsure I guess that since I never verbally told her that were friends in the few times we met.
I nod "yeah you can call us friends if you would like that" I say honestly with a smile and she smiles back.
"I wish I could help you, Ruby, Jack, but I don't know anything about those men." She says and I guessed that she meant Torchwick the one she almost beat.
"Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?" Ruby says doing enough speaking for the both of us and saying the stuff that we had both wanted to say.
"Oh, no! Nothing like that!" Penny says in a placating way and I trusted that she was being honest, but she was a bit too gullible and innocent in my opinion like Jaune and Ruby. I was worried that someone would take advantage of them.
"Then where did you go?" Ruby asks.
"have you been okay" I say voicing my own thoughts.
"yes I`ve been sensational it`s just I've never been to another kingdom before. My father asked me not to venture out too far, but... You have to understand, my father loves me very much; he just worries a lot." I could definitely relate to that when I lost my birth parents Jane and my new family were always around if I so much as get a scratch, they will try to nurse me back to health. I was sure that I still am the same way around Jane only it`s gotten a bit more in control.
"Believe me, I know the feeling." Ruby says grinning and the first thought that came to my mind was Yang. Penny quickly smiled back. "But why not let us know you were okay?" I nod in agreement friends should keep in touch.
Penny then seemed to take some time to reply mulling it over "I... was asked not to talk to either of you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really." When she said that red flags were quickly raised in my head that didn't sound normal. I know some of us probably seedy pasts and weren't not perfect, but we are good people we would be mostly good influence.
"Was your dad that upset?" Ruby asks probably seeing it as fishy too the only reason I could see for a person to be cut off from a potential support system would be in the case of abuse and with that I was starting to get angry. To clear my head, I dug my nails into my hands as hard as I could getting emotional would do no good.
"No, it wasn't my father..." she says, and I dug my nails even deeper luckily, I wasn't noticed. But before she could continue megaphones go off distracting us. Looking to the source around the corner j saw that in the enter of the plaza was a hologram of James Ironwood and six of Atlases androids. I never liked the guy I felt like he wasn't trustworthy. I never met the guy but what I heard online and from Qrow painted a picture.
Apparently, he does want to defend atlas and Remnant, but he`s too heavy handed, too ready for war, too paranoid and the treatment of Faunus in Atlas is unacceptable. I know that the last part isn't his fault but as a general shouldn't he have some sway.
There were two large metal boxes with the Atlas emblem on the doors. "The AK-130 has been a standard security model of Remnant for several years, and they have done a fine job. Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you agree?" The prepared speech starts making the audience clap and the drones do a makeshift bow. I`ll give him one thing if he writes his own audience, he seems to be good with people "But... the kingdom of Atlas is a kingdom of innovation, and 'fine'... Well, that's just not good enough, is it? Presenting... the Atlesian Knight-200!" when I saw the new robots I wasn't all that impressed he really just fine tuned them and made them more formidable while also being more friendly looking with how rich atlas is I expected better "Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary." . After the robot's flex and pose he starts talking again. "These models will become active later this year, but they won't be alone! Now, the Atlesian Military has always supported the idea of removing men from the dangers of the battlefield. However, there are still many situations that will undoubtedly require... a human touch. That was something that I had actually agreed with all parts of it, lives are worth a lot more then Lien and machines.
I noticed that Ruby was entranced "Ruby...?" Penny says nervously I guess she must be worried about her. How nice of her but Ruby`s fine.
so, I wave her off "don't worry she`s fine just a bit of a weapon nut" I say as the projection continues to talk.
"So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!" When I saw the massive machine I was worried while yeah this thing could do a lot of good, it could also be used to do a lot of bad and it tends to not take long for stuff like these to go on the black market.
"Now, we couldn't have them here for you today, but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year!" Ironwoods voice says at least it will be kept away from civilians.
"Whoa..." Ruby says hunched in awe and I then noticed how worried Penny was giving me a bad feeling.
"Ruby? Maybe we should go somewhere else." Penny says getting ignored so I shake her.
"yes, what is it I was looking at the cool robot" she complains childishly but my serious look makes her straighten.
Before we could tell her, what was going on or what I knew of it, I see Penny begin to run off and the Atlas military follows her.
we knew" Atlas soldiers spot Penny and go after making her run
"Penny! Wait! Where are you going?" Ruby asks kicking me into gear as I grab her hand breaking out into a run as she is forced to come with me.
"I think that the Atlas military is after her" I say loudly so Ruby could hear me properly.
"but why would they be after Penny" Ruby says confused and I wanted to know too.
"I guess we might be able to ask Penny later just keep running" I reply. And we then run together through the winding alley ways. Both of us have tripped a couple times being clumsy but we would pull each up and soon after we lost one who had to stop a car we separate when Ruby uses an avalanche off boxes by cutting a support beam with Crescent Rose I then set it on fire as Ruby bounces off a wall and uses her semblance to get them away more quickly.
Knowing that I won't be able to match Ruby for speed even when she was carrying someone I teleport as high a above them as I could to give a good vantage point. All I had to do is follow the rose petals before they disappeared.
The sight I saw wasn't a good one Penny had her hands out to try and stop a truck, Ruby was on the ground pushed out the way so I do all that I can to help. I teleport in front of Penny in the split second we have left and do my best to take the collision for her.
It didn't work I wasn't even sure If I could have stopped that truck even If I had all my mana, not unless I destroyed. Instead I was sent flying out the way by an only slightly slower than normal truck.
I was sent flying into a wall making me cry out in pain as I felt something crack and I spit out blood in pain. Quickly remembering what happened I quickly drink HP potions until I can walk again before I make my way over to Penny expecting to have to heal her which means I need mana potions too.
Only Penny was fine much to my surprise. She must have been stronger than Yang to stop the truck I noticed that everyone even Ruby was looking at Penny with wide with fear "Penny...?" Ruby says in shock and the uncertainty is clear.
"Are you okay?" Penny asks and I then recognise him it was the owner of that dust till dawn shop that Torchwick tried to rob.
"Uh-huh..." he nods unsure.
I then watch as Penny backs away and I couldn't help but pity her. I knew not to pity people because when people used to pity me, I would get so angry, but it must hurt to have people look at you with fear. Especially since she did nothing wrong. When Penny ran off again, I made sire to grab Ruby`s hand and knock her out of her stupor. To be honest I was a little annoyed at Ruby, you can't control your emotions but in that split-second Ruby reacted with fear.
Penny saved Ruby`s life, and Ruby showed that she feared her.
"Penny! Come back!" Ruby pleads as we run. Until we stop at an alley Penny stops at an alley unable to go anywhere else. Of course, when we catch up with Penny Ruby quickly let's go off my hand and goes right into Penny`s personal space as she shoots off questions "Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?!" I swallow my annoyance and pull Ruby away from Penny to give her space. Don't get me wrong I really lo-like I meant like I really like Ruby, she`s a good freind but she can be really dense and it can be too much sometimes. When your trying to focus but people wont stop talking, wont stop asking questions it tends to make it worse.
Sometimes you need someone who wont stop pressing until you break but I don't think that this is one of those times.
"let her breathe" I say firmly to Ruby, but then I soften "hey Penny were your friends remember If your okay with telling us what`s going on we would be happy to help." I say to her she looked like she was close to breaking down.
"you can trust us" Ruby says calming down and I nod in agreement as Penny slowly comes to us looking desperate.
"You're my friend`s, right? You promise you're my friend`s?!" Penny says speaking as if the wrong answer would break her.
"I promise" Ruby says softly.
I salute "scouts honour" I reply I`m not great at being serious.
Penny then stays silent for a second looking down at her hands and I got worried that I upset her "I'm not a real girl." Penny says surprising us both as she shows us the damage that the truck had done. Parts of the skin on her hands had been ripped away showing that instead of blood and bone there was metal.
"Oh." Ruby says stunned and boy does that explain her title.