V2E11: Ballroom Blitz

The Vytal Dance, an event that happens once every year to herald the coming of the VytalFest. This year it was Beacon's turn to host and they did not disappoint. The massive amphitheatre had been tastefully decorated in an interesting aesthetic fusion of classical Ballroom Soiré and Discoteca. Fancy dress, doilies, fine tablecloths, streamers, massive bowel ratling subwoofers, fog machines...

It was a mess, but a fun and unique one. No one's complaining and the pretentious fops are too busy smelling their own farts and pretending that they're smart to realize the clash of aesthetics, even if still well executed.

Yang was stunning. Well, more than usual. Her golden yellow dress with white accents gave the usually quite tomboyish girl a mature and womanly aura. Her hair looked softer than soft, thanks to a special hair treatment that she got from Weiss. Yang smiled brightly as she welcomed her friend over at Team JNPR. Jaune and Pyrrha stood shyly next to one another as Nora hung from Ren's arm.

Jaune was wearing a pretty casual suit, open white jacket, black shirt with an orange tie and typical dark blue slacks. Nora wore a cute pink and white short dress with a heart on her bust. Pyrrha wore a red and bronze toga-style dress with lots of jewelry. Finally, Ren wore white slacks, a black shirt with an earthy tie and a green waistcoat with a pink handkerchief.

"Glad you guys could make it!" She welcomed them gladly. "You seemed really busy lately, especially you two."

She pointed with two fingers over at Ren and Jaune. The pair scratched the back of their heads.

"Yeah, you have!" Nora pouted. "It's cutting into our alone time..."

Ren gulped loudly and Jaune laughed awkwardly.

"Yeah, Anon kind of sprung on us with an act he wanted us to do for the dance," Jaune admitted.

Yang leaned in, curious and interested at what her best bud's secret plan was.

"Do tell," she smirked confidently. "C'mon~ I won't laugh!"

Ren shook his head.

"No can do." his tone was definitive. "He told us to keep it a surprise. or..."

The two guys shuddered fearfully as the phantom of a cruel Anon laughing hung above them.

"I don't want to think about it." The guys said in unison.

The girls blinked. Whatever Anon had planned, he really wanted it to be a secret. Yang let them go just as Nora dragged Ren away to the dance floor. Jaune and Pyrrha looked at one other before the yellow squire finally manned up and asked her if she wanted to dance. She smiled shakily before jumping on the occasion. Yang grinned and took a few pictures of the JNPR double couple.

"Anon's gonna love~ this."

She snapped to attention as a squeak of distress and annoyance reached her ears. Ruby stumbled out of the entrance, damning whoever invented high heels. Yang held the sides of her face with a goofy smile.

"Oh my god!" she gushed. "You're gorgeous, sweety!"

Ruby groaned distressfully as she tried to keep her balance.

"Can we have a serious talk about how Weiss fights in these?" She complained. "Because this is hell!"

Yang rested her elbow on her little podium and rested her head on her closed fist, smirking.

"You'll get used to it."

"I can't wait to get out of these!" Ruby paused after giving her sister a good look. "I thought you would have worn the white dress you picked."

The blonde beauty shrugged.

"Meh, I prefer this one." she gave a winning smile. "It has more pizzaz, don't you think?"

Ruby blinked.

"You just want to surprise Anon, don't you."

Yang just smiled.

"Gotta keep him on his toes."

"You're just mad that he read your intention right out the gate."

Yang pouted.

"Oi. I don't need another psychic in my life! Anon's enough as it is!"

"He is pretty good at reading people," Ruby commented. "I still wonder how he does it."

"Same," Yang replied while bobbing her head in agreement.

Sun wasn't much the type for fancy events, too stuffy, too restrained for his wilder tastes. Some of his more restrained friends often told him that he didn't help his stereotype. Many, many times he had to remind them that that was fine by him. Sun loved fun and there wasn't much else to it. Nice and simple.

Unlike the bowtie that Neptune basically forced him to wear, along with the tuxedo that he got for him. He refused to wear it but after some calm discussion (code for Neptune had Sage restrain him to put him in it), Sun acquiesced (for fear of Sage breaking him in half.) Now, he was stuck fighting with what amounted to a noose around his neck, threatening to strangle him until he dropped dead.

"Stupid...Dumb...Neck trap!" Sun pulled against his bowtie forcefully. "How can anyone wear this junk!?"

He felt a hand grab him by the back of his shirt and turn him around. With a yelp from the sudden motion, Sun was now faced with a stunning-looking Blake. She gave him a questioning look before motioning to the tie.

"Need help?" he offered.

"Yes please!" Sun was all too eager to get this thing off of him.

To his disappointment, she didn't free him of his metaphorical collar and instead, tied it properly and comfortably. He sighed dejectedly at that fact but thanked Blake nonetheless.

"Thanks for fixing this... Thing."

"No problem." She took a second to look at his outfit, snorting. "Can't say I'm surprised."

"What? There's nothing wrong with my style!"

"Suspenders, ripped sleeves, no blazer and halfway exposed chest." She shook her head in amusement. "It fits you, that's for certain."

He grinned.

"You know it!" He offered his hand. "Want me to keep you company? You know, until Hope's here."

Sun winked knowingly much to Blake's aggravation and embarrassment. Now he's in on it! Blake covered her face with her hand.

"Goddamnit, not you too..."

Sun chortled as a shadow began looming over him and Blake. The two Faunii froze before slowly turning to the shadow's point of origin. The pair gasped in unison at the sight.

Yang couldn't help but smile nostalgically. Ruby, her dearest baby sister, had just learned to walk. She was clumsy and quite prone to stumbling but it was, if anything, really cute. she would often hold her hand to keep her from falling. That was a long time ago but the sight before her reminded her of that time. Except this time, instead of learning how to walk on her own two feet, she was learning to walk in pumps. Yang snorted as Ruby lurched forward with a fearful squeal. The crimson-clad youth let out a discouraged whimper.

"Why-y-y-y!"

Yang's grin stumbled (like her sister) when the doors swung open. Ruby rose her head and tilted it at her slack-jawed sister. The little leader followed her sister's gaze and as soon as she did, her own jaw hit the floor.

Anon walked in with the Faunii by him, leering and smiling sinisterly. Clad in gilded blacks, his three-piece suit gave him the same aristocratic air that a gentleman crime lord would give. Over his black jacket was an extravagantly decorated blue-lined coat that he wore like a cape, its collar rimmed with soft and shining black fur. his footfall echoed with the leathery click of his heels. Hanging from the breast pocket of his patterned blue waistcoat was the chain of a modern digital pocketwatch mocked up as its analogue ancestor. His gloved hands still bore his rings and his neck, his necklace.

Anon ran a hand through his hair, still maintaining his villainous visage. He scoffed condescendingly, maintaining the act.

"Not even a word in, and I already have you looking at me like I was made of gold." He chuckled charismatically. "Sweeping you off your feet, is going to be easier than breathing."

Yang blinked.

"I'm already swept up though." She breathed out absentmindedly.

Anon swaggered up to her, really getting into character. He stroked her jaw before pulling her face dangerously close to his. Yang held her breath, hanging to his every word.

"By the end of this night, you'll only be looking at me." He smiled seductively.

Yang stayed quiet, completely at a loss for words. She blinked before slowly nodding her head. He smirked playfully before blowing air in her face and completely breaking character with a dorky smile.

"Was it good?" he asked normally.

Yang blinked rapidly before nodding, staggering away towards the restrooms. Anon bellowed out a laugh while Blake crossed her arms with an amused smile.

"Happy with yourself?"

"Fuck yeah I am!"

His aim changed to Ruby, who looked at him with starry eyes. Anon held his arms to the side and flared his cape-like coat.

"Your opinion, dahlin'?"

Ruby rapidly nodded her head with the biggest grin.

"You look even cooler than you did during the investigation!" she praised excitedly. "And you already looked awesome!"

He matched her grin.

"Damn straight!" he pulls out a cigar. "And now, the look is complete."

As he went to put it in his mouth, he heard someone clearing their throat. He turned to see Glynda, wearing a modest but still beautiful purple dress, pointing at a no smoking sign. His shoulders slumped before he put the cigar away sadly. He sulked as he walked to the punch bowl.

He watched as Sun and Blake danced, similarly to Canon but this time it felt more like he was just being friendly instead of how flirty he was in the show. He shook his head, knowing that it was probably because of him.

"I probably gave them the wrong impression..." he muttered to himself before shaking his head. "I guess Black Sun won't happen then... Shame."

He raised his head as Ruby staggered towards him. He met her halfway, helping her to a nearby chair.

"Thanks," she said genuinely, rubbing her ankles.

"No problems," he sat down next to her. "My sister had the same problem when she had to go to her prom night."

She sighed dejectedly.

"I hate these things."

Anon smiled mysteriously, making Ruby pay attention. he pulled a small box from his coat.

"Good thing I have brought these with me."

He gave the box to the crimson speedster who eyed it excitedly.

"Hooo! Present!"

She opened the box, pulling on the ribbon and lifting the lid. She gasped with joy at the sight of a pair of ruby slippers.

"You might not be Dorothy but I'm certain you still make use of 'em," Anon commented slyly, knowing no one will get the reference.

Ruby glomped at him, rubbing her face against his cheek in elation.

"THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!"

Ruby immediately went take off her pumps and dunked them into a nearby trash can, pulling her tongue out in silly resentment. She immediately replaced the old high heels with her new, fresh slippers.

"They even match my dress!" Ruby was overjoyed.

"Glad you like 'em." Anon smiled.

She stood up, looking like she found an oasis in the desert. She took a few easy steps before twirling in delight.

"I can walk again!" She jumped with joy.

Anon chuckled at her cuteness.

"Before I forget," Anon interjected. "Where's Weiss?"

Ruby stopped her celebration just long enough to point at a dejected Weiss sitting on her lonesome in a depopulated nook. Anon grimaced. Looks like she still got turned down. He smacked his lips before standing up.

"Looks like I have another broken heart to fix."

...

Neptune was, as he had thought, hanging out with his leader. Blake was absent, instead having decided to keep her blond friend company at the entrance while her "date" was chilling with his bros. Speaking of which, the men of Team JNPR were joking around with the macaque and the seaman. Anon, in his current flamboyant way, came in to steal everyone's thunder. Jaune was the first to notice him and the first to be without words. The other guys followed his gaze and had similar, if less speechless, reactions. Sun looked at his bud with a knowing smile.

"Even slicker than last time!"

"Always."

Neptune crossed his arms with a cocked brow.

"Is it me or are you doing this on purpose? Because your outfit is even more extravagant than last time."

Anon smile coyly as he wrapped an arm around the seaman's shoulder.

"Maybe." his smile shrunk. "I need to borrow you for a sec, that cool?"

"Yeah sure, lead the way."

Anon and Neptune left for the balcony where they could get a little bit of privacy. Hope leaned against the balcony and lit himself a cigar. Neptune eyed the tobacco product with curiosity.

"You smoke?"

"You never noticed the smell?"

"What smell?"

"The smell of smoke I always have on me. And my room, now that I think about it"

"No, I just thought you had some incense in that weird receptacle on your desk."

Anon chuckled.

"That's an ashtray, you dork."

"Well, you learn something new every day." he shrugged.

Anon took a few puffs before getting to the point.

"You know, Nep," He blew the smoke out of his mouth. "I think you shouldn't have turned Weiss down."

Neptune flinched.

"Uhh... About that..."

Neptune rubbed his arm.

"She kinda asked me before... well, you know."

Anon nodded his head.

"Yeah, figured as much." He took the cigar out of his mouth. "Aren't you going to ask her out now that you know how to dance?"

Neptune kept rubbing his arm, looking down.

"I just... Don't know what to say. I feel like a jerk seeing her like that."

Anon sighed and gave his smack on the hard smack on the back.

"Stop being an idiot and just ask her. No suave or try-hard, just you. The real you."

Neptune looked down.

"I don't know. I just-"

"You know you can break character once in a while, right?"

Neptune looked right back up.

"You're a cool guy, Nep-"

"Thanks, I try. Really, really hard."

"But do you always act cool even when you're with the rest of your team?" Anon continued.

"...No," Neptune admitted. "I tried to, at first. But then Sun saw right through me after a while."

"You don't always have to be cool. In fact, I think everyone would appreciate it if you would cool the act a little."

Neptune pondered his friend's words before smiling.

"You're right."

"I'm rarely wrong." Hope quipped. "And when I am, I take responsibility."

"Yeah... Maybe I should do the same."

Neptune turned to look at a distant Weiss. Anon walked past him after putting his cigar away, patting him on the shoulder as he went.

"Before you go for it, we have some details to hash out with the boys."

Neptune nodded, feeling more confident.

"Hey, Anon?"

"Jawhol?"

"You're really cool, you know that?"

Anon smiled.

"Thanks, I try. Really, really hard."

Neptune smirked before chuckling alongside him.

The pair returned to the group as promised. Ren was the first to ask the obvious.

"Want to tell us what that was about?"

"Oh, you know. Man talk." Anon non-explained.

Ren rolled his eyes.

"Considering what you have in store for us tonight, I think that moniker is going to be under a lot of scrutinies."

Anon grinned like a mad man.

"Oh, Ren!" He started muttering darkly, a dark veil covering his eyes. "You have no idea how thoroughly wrecked your masculinity is going to be."

Ren sighed dejectedly, having resigned himself to his fate. Jaune gave his best friend an understanding tap on the back.

"It's ok, buddy. We'll get through this."

"I can hardly wait." Ren drolled unenthusiastically.

Anon snorted before turning to his macaque co-conspirator.

"Is everything in place?"

Sun shot his thumb up, matching his bud's grin.

"Everything is ready to go, just give the word!"

"Awesome."

"I have to admit, I had my doubts. But this is gonna be pretty hilarious."

Hope gave him a devious look.

"I knew you would understand."

Ren palmed his face with a smile.

"Although I agreed to this, It's still dumb as can be."

"Oh, it's bordering on mentally incompetent," Anon admitted flippantly.

Jaune blushed.

"Is it going to be worth it?"

Anon's grin widened further.

"Totally."

...

Ruby sat on the sideline, enjoying her new footwear as well as some refreshing punch. But aside from her newfound freedom of movement, she was somewhat uninterested in the festivities. She crossed her legs and rested her head on her closed fist, looking in boredom at the dancefloor. Yang had returned from the restroom and when asked of what she did in there, she just dodged the question. Something about refreshing herself? She didn't really know and didn't really care either way. Since then Yang had returned to her post at the entrance, greeting people. Blake was with her to keep her company when things went slow.

To her surprise, she saw Neptune walk up to Weiss. She wasn't alone in her shock because Weiss was in a similar mood. Weiss looked confused but after Neptune told her something, she immediately looked at Anon. He smiled in his usual way and shot her a wink. Weiss smiled warmly before taking Neptune's extended hand. Ruby looked on at a reinvigorated Weiss as she danced with the guy she really hoped to go to the dance with. She smiled, glad that her BFF was finally having some fun after all the trouble she went to organize the bash.

Still, Ruby couldn't help but feel dull despite how animated everything was. She siped on her punch before a familiar presence was felt.

"Not enjoying yourself?"

She turned her head, catching the headmaster in the corner of her eye. She shook her head with an awkward laugh.

"Oh, no. Everything's fine!" She dropped her fake smile. "I'm just not a... Fancy, pantsy... Dancey girl."

"Well, you can't spend your whole life on the battlefield, even if you may want to," Ozpin interjected.

Ruby crossed her arms in exasperation.

"Yeah, that lesson's been floating around a lot lately!"

She felt a chill down her spine as a shadow loomed over her. She heard a soft, sad sigh. She looked upward to her (other) best friend.

"Be careful what you wish for."

Ruby groaned.

"Not you too."

Hope frowned angrily.

"Yes, me too."

Ruby flinched at his anger. Anon's eyes drifted to the people dancing, so carefree and happy. he shook his head.

"I hardly agree with Oz on many things, but this time I simply can't disagree."He sighed sadly. "A life on the battlefield... only leaves behind monsters and broken men."

Ozpin's eyes were wide with surprise.

"You actually agree with me?" His shock was as evident as Hope's annoyance at that reaction.

"Yes, Oz," he replied in aggravation. "You can pick off your jaw off the floor, you're blocking the way to the punch bowl."

His stare turned grave.

"God knows how many broken young men I've seen in the street could attest to my words."

Ozpin crooked a curious brow.

"Is that so?"

Anon paused.

"My land... isn't as peaceful as it is here." his eyes turned glassy. "Men and women fighting and dying for a doomed and flimsy cause... A tragedy born of greed and grief, reprisal for their own sins coming back to enact atrocities on their home soil."

He shook himself out of his thoughts as Ruby laid a soft hand on his forearm. He looked into her concerned eyes, giving her a reassuring smile.

"I'm ok, Ruby."

She smiled back.

"Just making sure."

Anon looked back at the dance floor. He noticed a jubilant Weiss being twirled by Neptune, Sun tearing up the dance floor with Yang as Blake chuckled to herself at how ridiculous the pair looked. He couldn't help but feel a soft fluttery feeling in his hardened heart. He gave Ruby a soft tap on her back.

"Now git, I'm pretty sure your sister has indulged in the punch a bit too much."

Ruby narrowed her eyes and noticed her sister's flushed face and tipsy sway. She facepalmed with a groan.

"Goddamnit, Yang..."

Ruby stomped off with a huff towards her older sibling, leaving the two men behind. Ozpin stared blankly in front of him along with Hope.

"It's not every day that friends are able to come together like this. Time has a way of testing our bonds, but it's nights like these that can help keep them stronger than ever. Nights like these are ones we'll never forget."

Anon pursed his lips in doubt but ended up nodding in agreement.

"I guess you're right, Oz. I guess you're right."

The two stood silent as they watched the many young huntsmen have a good time.

"You care for them quite a lot, mister Hope." The ancient wizard commented.

"How couldn't I?" Anon replied. "They're my friends."

Ozpin hummed positively before his smile turned emotionless.

"Your homeland must have gone through quite the turmoil for you to have experienced so much."

Hope blinked lifelessly.

"Sin City has been a haven for the corrupt and wicked. It's not a place for righteous folk, let alone the gentle and the soft."

"And the rest?"

Anon gave him a sideways glance before huffing humorlessly.

"I can't say it's much better. Sin City is a microcosm of everything wrong with my world. Ancient evils playing with the lives of mortals, mortals either too ambitious or desperate to realize that the power they gave their souls for isn't worth it..." he smirked. "In a way,"

He gave Ozpin a blank stare.

"I guess our worlds aren't too different, in those two regards."

Ozpin smiled sorrowfully.

"I can hardly disagree."

Anon's gaze left the headmaster. He looked to his friend, where RWBY, JNPR, Sun and Neptune bantered and laughed. Anon smiled gladly.

"But," Anon rebuffed himself. "I guess they make it all worth it."

Ozpin paused thoughtfully.

"Indeed, Hope. Indeed."

The doors swung open and three figures walked in. Anon's gaze darkened at the sight of Team CMEN. In response, Cinder smiled in her darkly seductive way.

"And now, the party starts in earnest..."

Anon hung around the punch bowl, mouth puckered in unpleasantness.

"Jesus, whoever spiked this shit as garbage tastes in liquor. This stuff borders on toxic."

"Wha'chu talkin' bout, Nonon?"

The slurred voice came from behind and latched itself on his back. Anon inhaled slowly, knowing exactly who's tits were pressing on him.

"Well, that certainly didn't stop you from indulging," he said under his breath

Hope didn't bother trying to pry Yang off of him at first. Her breath was sweet like the punch but with the distinct reek of ethanol. He raised a brow.

"How many cups did you drink?"

She sputtered indifferently.

"I dunno... three maybe? Or four?"

"The party barely started! How much of a lightweight are you to get drunk off of a couple of diluted drinks?!"

"I'm not lightweight!" She pouted.

He wrenched his shoulder up, trying to get her off.

"Yeah, I can tell!"

She puffed up her reddened cheeks.

"Are you calling me fat?!"

He groaned as he tried to push her off of him to little avail.

"Get off me, you namby pillock!"

"Nyo!"

Her mouth widened into a playful grin. She grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him to the dance floor. Anon immediately realized what she wanted and rolled his eyes.

"Seriously?"

"It's a dance! A dance!" She insisted. "You should be dancing!"

He grunted noncommittally.

"I'm more of the type who hangs back by the punch bowl."

"Like you've been doing for like an hour since the party began?"

"Basically."

"C'mon! That's boring!" Her grin turned flirty. "Let me help you live a little."

The two stepped onto the dance floor. Yang brought him in a close embrace, her warm breath hitting his neck. Anon rolled his eyes and played along since he was on the dance floor anyways. The song was slow and he noticed that the other couples were slow-dancing, holding their dates closely as the gentle song played. Yang's footwork was admirable, if clumsy from her tipsiness. She giggled quietly as Hope took the lead.

"You dance well." She rested her head against his chest. "And here I wanted to be the one to take the lead."

"Next time, try not to indulge too much."

She hummed pleasantly along with the beat.

"Say, Hope?"

"I'm listening."

"You seem tense." She noted. "Are you feeling ok?"

Anon's eyes pivoted down, her golden mane taking most of his visual field. She sounded genuinely concerned. He sighed.

"I'm just being a worrywart. It's nothing."

She hummed affirmatively.

"I hope it's nothing." Her embrace tighten. "I wouldn't want this night to go sour..."

"You did put a lot of effort into it."

The drunken dragon snuggled closer.

"Did I do a good job?" she asked quietly.

She sounds like she wants affirmation... How cute.

"Yeah. This party's awesome." he praised as he gently stroked the side of her face, knowing that she hates it when people touch her hair.

"Thank you..." She smiled before her eyes fluttered close. "I worked really hard, y'know."

"I do. You did a good job."

She started to wobble slightly as her head bobbed back and forth. Anon held her up before her legs could fail her and made way to an out-of-the-way spot. Yang slowly passed out in her friend's arm. Even still, she kept a reassured smile, knowing that her friend was having fun.

...

After leaving Yang in the safety of her annoyed little sister, Anon's mind returned to the assholes-de-la-nuit. He caught glimpse of Cinder sneaking into the ladies' restroom. Now, he expected her to not come back out at all, So it came as a shock when she actually did five minutes later. She looks like she had just freshened up on her makeup, her lashes looked sharper and her complexion more even. She noticed his gaze and gave a flirty wink. Now, this is something he knows she wouldn't do. She acted seductive, yes, but it was more to give a femme fatale impression. The wink was immature and playful and if he knew something about Cinder, it's that she was all business. He averted his gaze with a fake blush and felt his blood boil when "Cinder" let out a girlish giggle.

This is definitely not Cinder. Something's up and don't like it one fucking bit.

"Friend Anon!"

Anon turned and beheld Penny in a cute circuit-board green dress upon hearing his name, waving at him to catch his attention. He chuckled as Penny sauntered over to him with an utterly exhausted Ciel in tow.

"Havin' a good time?" He asked.

"Oh, yes!" Penny joined her hands together as she rocked back in forth with the beat of the music. "This dance is so wonderful and fun!"

Ciel did not share in her partner's energetic enthusiasm. She looked out of breath for some reason.

"I can hardly say the same..." she panted out.

Anon exhaled through his nose in amusement.

"Place is too high energy for you?"

She gave a half-hearted glare.

"To say that this is an understatement is itself an understatement." She groaned.

Anon chuckled at this, earning an eye-roll in the process.

"Do you enjoy other people's suffering?"

"No, just yours."

"You are insufferable."

"So are you."

She sighed.

"I'm not in the mood for this." She wobbled tiredly past the two. "If anyone asks for me, tell them to bugger off."

Hope waved a thumb at her before focusing back on his original target. Mercury and Emerald danced together like they weren't planning a terrorist attack and "Cinder" was being courted by a bunch of guys. She looked pretty uninterested despite her polite smile. She occasionally shot a glance a Hope, one time followed by a wink. He felt his eye twitch. She wasn't even being subtle!

To avoid a rise in his blood pressure, he looked away to his only nearby friend. Penny bobbed her head along with the beat and looked to her boy friend expectantly.

"I'm guessing you want a dance?" he noted with amusement.

"I'm guessing my mannerism indicated as much?" she retorted with similar amusement.

He held out a hand as the music changed to something more energetic and upbeat.

"Can you swing those metal hips around?"

Penny gave a toothy smile.

"Can I?"

It didn't take much time for the two to get into the swing of things, so to speak. Penny's way of dancing was actually quite good, despite her canon Robo-shuffle indicating otherwise.

"Do you have a dancing sub-routine or something?" Anon muttered.

Penny smirked playfully before putting a finger to her lips.

"That's a secret~"

The song ended before being replaced by what Anon could only describe as classical NotSpanish dance music. He glanced over to CME* apprehensively one more time before grabbing Penny and pulling her close. Penny kept dancing along but felt her emergency heatsink going off at how close he was.

"F-friend Anon?"

"Sorry to fuck up your fun but I'd rather be safe than sorry."

His tone was grave but she kept up with the tempo of the song, taking the lead on autopilot whilst she was talking to him.

"Is something wrong?" She asked seriously.

"I know that something shady's up. Problem is, I don't know if it's ongoing or if it's about to."

"What is?"

"The CCTT is going to be infiltrated by an enemy operative."

Penny tried to hide her shock.

"Enemy? From which Kingdom?"

"None, they work for the Dark Queen."

"Who?"

"Ask Ironwood. The point is: I need you to stick with Ruby on the outdoor balcony and keep a lookout for anyone suspicious running along on the streets or on the rooftops. Then you can call me and I'll warn the headmasters."

The song ended and the two gave a gracious bow. Penny nodded her head.

"Roger that, friend Anon. But if I may ask, Why are you asking me in particular?"

"Because I'd prefer if Ruby had backup since I'm certain she's gonna run in to stop them. That and they plan on uploading a virus in the CCTT and I'm more than certain that you can smother the fucker in its crib before it does any real damage."

"Cyber-expertise..." She gave a confident nod. "I'll do my best!"

He smiled and gave her a soft rub on the head.

"I know you will." He sighed in relief. "Thanks, Pen."

She smiled back.

"Anything for my first boy friend!"

Anon snorted.

"You're gonna give people the wrong impression, but sure, whatever."

"I'm ready."

Emerald nodded to herself as the communication bead in her ears transmitted its message to her.

"We'll keep up the watch, so far everyone is too busy having fun or getting drunk off the punch." She looked her dancing partner in the eyes. "Not a bad call, Merc."

He gave his characteristic grin.

"I always aim to please."

The voice from the bead hummed approvingly.

"And Neo?"

The pair stopped dancing for a moment and looked over to "Cinder". She looked ready to pop a blood vessel because some moron got tipsy and tried to cop a feel. He was head first in a trash can and it wasn't because he needed to puke. The pair looked at each other nervously.

"...She hasn't killed anyone..."

"Yet..." Mercury added.

"Tell her to keep up the act."

The real Cinder pulled on her balaclava over her face and fastened the holster holding a silenced magnum. A pair of punch daggers gleamed in the moonlit as they hung from her belt She was covered head to toe with dark urban camo that showed no skin besides her eyelids. Her flat soft heeled boot made nary a sound as she climbed an access ladder to the rooftops. She spoke a few test lines as she played with a knob on her collar until the voice changer made her voice unrecognizable. She smirked confidently under her mask.

"I'll be done before the clock strikes midnight."

Anon felt a chill go down his spine as he felt "Cinder's" eyes on him. He looked up from the ground floor at an indoor balcony. She smiled toothily at him, just as he saw her punch a guy's teeth out before dunking him face-first into a trash can. Mercury and Emerald were near her, doing their own thing. Emerald especially decided to keep an attentive eye on him. He squinted at "Cinder" as he noticed a haze around her eyes. They weren't the ember orbs he knew Cinder had but heterochromatic pink and brown eyes upon closer inspection.

NEO?!

He facepalmed, disappointed in himself.

Of course! How fucking stupid can I be! Why did I not see it earlier?!

Feeling like an idiot, he sighed in a way that only a disappointed father can be. Despite him not having any children... His scroll began vibrating furiously, Penny's icon flashing in bright alert green.

Well, that didn't take long.

He felt Emerald's constant stare burning against the back of his skull like a red hot brand. He shuffled away from prying eyes and tended ears before answering the call.

"I take it everything is going as expected?" He asked, already knowing the answer.

"I picked up a figure dressed in camo running across the rooftops."

Camo?

"If it weren't for my enhanced optics, I doubt Ruby would have been able to see her," Penny explained.

Anon gnashed his teeth.

So I ensured that Cinder would have been found out... Still, if it weren't for my caution, we would have been in a lot of fucking trouble. I can't allow shit like this to happen again.

"Good to hear." He managed to say through his gritted teeth. "Once you're top-side, let Ruby distract her. In the meantime, quarantine the virus before it can do too much damage."

"Roger that, we'll intercept her as soon as we get there."

"Do it," He snarled as the call ended. "I'll get the backup dancers."

Emerald hadn't stopped staring at him since the call started and he returned her spying eyes with an annoyed frown and a raised eyebrow.

"What?" He mouthed to her. "See something you like?"

Emerald didn't stop her intense examination of his current doings. He exhaled through his nose and thought of a way to set her off his trail. He looked at the mass of shades surrounding him and thought of something that could work. He nodded to himself before taking a deep breath. He let himself fall backwards into the crowd, the black shades engulfing his entire being. Emerald's eyes widened in shock when Hope completely disappeared from sight.

V2E11: END!

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