F3: Hello everyong and welcome to chapter 12 of Peppers story. We last left off where our groups have been taking care of there tasks before the debate tonight. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. Also Melyna Mahin belong to MountainKing312 along with Ophelia Sorrel belong to me. With that said Let's Rev It Up!


Volume 4-12 Grey: The Debate (Part 2)

Hours past as it was mid afternoon as Pepper and Melyna were at the house and not long Ophelia and Audra returned as well. Though they waited for Weiss to return from helping Daniel with the debate that happens tonight. Though Pepper had some stuff on her mind after finding out earlier with the singers.

After ten minutes Weiss came walking into the home though she look rather satisfied with her work.

"I take it things went well with Daniel." Pepper said.

"Yeah we were just going over some of thing major points of the debate tonight. Plus helping him with his nervousness on stage. Hopefully it'll be enough to help him through it." Weiss replied.

"Good cause we got something that we need to share with everyone. We found out a lot of thing when we were at her office." Audra began.

"I'm guessing it's nothing good right." Pepper said in which Audra and Ophelia nodded.

"Yeah. Remember those people that were missing. Well turns out Julia has them but we don't know where. She said something about them signing over their companies and whatever contracts they have under them. Plus we found blueprints of Sumire but it looked completely than the original design." Ophelia replied.

"What do you mean different design?" Weiss asked.

Audra brought out her scroll and showed them the picture of the blueprint.

"Yeah... it does look different." Melyna added.

"Plus we heard from her that she planning on making this place the most technological town on Sanus. Saying that their will be no need of the girls to help keep the grimm away." Audra added.

"Does she really think that modernizing the town will keep the grimm away? Plus what about the people that are still here." Weiss asked with concern.

"I'm not sure but let's take this one step at a time. We still have the debate tonight." Melyna replied.

"Yeah though it won't start for another four hours. That gives us time to come up with something." Ophelia stated.

"You girls handle that their's something that I need to take care of before tonight." Weiss replied.

"Really. You've been coming and going these week. Not to mention you've been staying out rather late. Is something going on with you Weiss?" Melyna questioned.

"No. Nothing is going on with me. Just a promise I made to someone that I'm keeping. Besides I'll be back before the debate tonight." Weiss replied as she headed toward the door.

"Just take care of yourself." Pepper replied as Weiss walked out of the home. Not everyone knows where Weiss was going but Pepper already had a feeling where she was going and who she was going to meet. Though that didn't make her worry any less.

=RWBY=

As Weiss was going about town toward her destination she couldn't help but wonder about what Audra and Ophelia found. She wondered what Julia was going to do to the town if she won the election. She did everything she could to help prepare Mr. Arsied for the debate tonight. Then theirs the thought of someone that put a hit out on Pepper which makes her a potential target.

"Something on your mind sister?" Whitely's voice got her attention as she turned to see Whitely out and about as he was carrying around a small bag of groceries.

"Oh Whitely. Yeah sorry I was just thinking for a moment. Especially what's been going on lately." Weiss replied which did bring some interest to Whitely.

"And what exactly has been happening Weiss?" He asked.

Weiss sighed as she wondered if she should inform Whitely about what's been going on and more importantly about Julia and her plan.

"I think he should deserve to know. Especially if its going to effect the clinic as well." Weiss thought as she made up her mind about telling him. She then explained everything that has been going on the last couple of days more importantly what she found out from the two cat faunus.

"Hm... that is rather distrubing. If you know this then why don't we contact professional huntsmen to handle it." Whitely replied.

"We can't. Plus without any valuable evidence she can deny it. Also she is the mayor of the town we can't simply spit out accusations. She'd have us arrested for it." Weiss stated.

"Yes that would be unfortunate. I guess you'll have to figure something out." He said though Whitely took a glance at his sisters prosthetic.

"So how is that holding up for you? No problems with it?" Whitely asked.

Weiss shook her head "Nope. Hawk did a great job with it. Everything is working how it should." Weiss replied as she rolled her prosthetic shoulder.

"Well glad to hear that. Also if you like to Weiss come by the clinic when you can. Mother is planning dinner before going to the debate tonight." Whitely replied.

Weiss nodded "I'll be their. Honestly I kinda missed moms cooking." She said.

"Alright I'll see their." Whitely replied as he walked off. After he walked away Weiss remembered she had something she needed to take care of as she walked toward her destination.

=RWBY=

Weiss arrived at the campsite where Adam was waiting for her to show up as he slightly smiled.

"I guess your ready for more training." Adam stated.

"Yes. So what is it going to be this time? More sword play." Weiss questioned but was answered when Adam handed her a piece of cloth.

"What is this for?" She asked again.

"Your next part of training. Put it around your eyes." Adam said.

"But then I can't see." Weiss countered.

"Just put it on will you." Adam ordered. The lynx sighed as she did as she was told as she wrapped the cloth around her eyes before tying it making sure it was secured.

"Alright now that your blind you can't rely on your eyes to fight. Your enemy has a greater advantage on you. You'll have to rely on your other senses to fight more importantly your hearing." Adam replied.

He held a wooden sword in his hand while passing one to Weiss. Give her being blinded by the blindfold she felt it hit her as she tried to catch it but it unfortunately fell to the ground. She bent over to feel around for her weapon but before she could reach it she felt wood hit under her jaw and then an elbow to her stomach as the wind was knocked out of her as she landed hard on her back.

Before she could get up she felt the wooden blade on her neck "You're opponent will strike at you when you least expect it and will not wait for you to ready yourself." Adam stated before removing the wooden blade from her throat.

"Now let's try that again." Adam said. Weiss got up from the ground and this time she was able to find the weapon and have a better grip of it as she took her stance.

Adam charged at Weiss to swipe at her. Weiss attempted to block but it was no good as she didn't know where the attack was coming from so she tried to block on her left side but she felt her right side get hit knocking her back some. Adam then followed up with slashing behind her right leg making her buckle with him adding insult to injury followed up with a knee strike to the side of her cheek making her once again fall backward on her back.

"Again." Adam replied as they started back up again.

After an hour and plenty more failures Weiss getting rather exhausted from the training but everytime she got knocked down she'd got right back up which was something Adam admired but he noticed that it was starting to take its toll on her.

"Alright let's take a break." Adam replied however Weiss didn't want to stop as she shook her head.

"No! I can... keep going." Weiss said as she took a fighting stance once more keeping the blindfold on.

"Your aura is low and you can barely stand. You don't want to overexert yourself." Adam replied as he rushed at her and iin one swipe he knocked the wooden blade out of her hands completely disarming her.

"Take a break." He said almost in a demanding tone. Just then her legs gave out as she about fell to the ground but Adam managed to catch her.

"Guess a break sounds nice." Weiss replied as she removed the blindfold on her eyes.

Adam carefully sat her down by the tent so that she could relax and that her aura could recover. He then took a botted water from his pouch nearby and handed it to Weiss as she gladly took it.

She unscrewed the lid and began to drink from it take a huge swig from it before setting it aside.

"Thanks. I needed that." She thanked.

Adam only nodded but he wasn't sure how to a conversation with her considering this was still rather new territory for him. Though before he could say anything Weiss spoke up.

"Oh that tip you gave me was really helpful. We're starting to make some head way. Plus we also have an idea what the mayor is doing." Weiss replied.

"Well glad that I could be of some help in that department. The mayor also did look rather suspicious to me." Adam replied.

"Agreed. Though we think that the guardians are involved in this as well. Considering they were hired by her. We still don't have the why though. What's the motive?" Weiss asked.

"Maybe your giving yourself too many questions. Find the ones that need solving and the rest will answer themselves." Adam said.

Weiss hummed at that a moment before she spoke up "Well... we know that Julia wants to modernize the town but that's almost like have to renovate every building." Weiss said.

"Doing that would take far too long for her to do. It'll be years till she renovates the entire city." Adam replied.

"Yeah you've got a point. It would take too long..." Weiss began but then an uncomfortable thought came into her head.

"Unless she builds on the foundation of the remains." Weiss replied which even got Adams attention.

"If I were to modernize the town to get rid all the old I would have to destroy it. Could that be her real goal?" Weiss said.

"What do you think? It would take a lot of firepower to destroy Sumire." Adam replied.

Weiss shook her head "Maybe it's not about firepower. When I was back at Beacon we went on a mission to Mount Glenn. Their was a town their that was ravaged by grimm. The town was destroyed." Weiss said before realizing what she said.

"Oh no. I think I know how she's going to destroy the town. She's going to use grimm to take out the town." Weiss replied.

"That would be bad. Considering theirs not enough huntsmen here in Sumire to do anything." Adam added.

"Though even if I tell the others I'm going to need prove about my theory. Which means if she's hold grimm somewhere than she would have to keep them close by." Weiss added.

"Leave that part to me." Adam replied which surprised Weiss.

"Huh? You sure?" Weiss questioned a hint of worry in her throat.

"In my short time here I've managed to scope out most of the town. Though if the grimm are kept off sight then I bet their has to be a place in the woods that holds them." Adam replied.

"That does sound like a plan. Though how will you be able to contact me?" Weiss asked.

"You live with that Mahan girl right. If anything I can stop by during the night. Though I'll have to leave you with the explainations about me." Adam replied.

Weiss only sighed at this "Fine... you just be careful okay." Weiss said.

Adam couldn't help but smirk before putting a hand on her shoulder as if reassuring her.

"Like a bunch of grimm can kill me. Though you should probably be getting back or whatever your planning." Adam said before taking his leave. Weiss slightly blushed as she put a hand on where his hand was as her heart was beating slightly faster than normal as she watch him leave.

"He better be careful or I'll have to drag his carcuss back to town. Wait... am I... no I couldn't be... could I." Weiss thought. She didn't know it but she was actually getting closer to Adam. She shook out those thoughts before she headed back besides she couldn't miss her mothers dinner for the world as she sent a message to Pepper letting her know that she'll meet them at the debate.

=RWBY=

Meanwhile Julia had returned to the hideout as to checkup on her guardians to make sure they were doing their job. When she entered the hideout she noticed Camilla and Asher were waiting for her.

"Ah their you are boss I take it you have another one of your plans for tonight?" Camilla asked sweetly.

"Perhaps but I was just wanting to talk with our captures if you don't mind. Maybe they've changed their minds about signing the contracts to hand over to me." Julia replied as she went toward the back of the hideout.

When she got their Tock was standing guard making sure nothing happened to them.

"I take it the prisoners are comfortable?" Julia asked but Tock simply looked at the door that was holding the two of them.

"Open it." Julia ordered. Tock took the key from the hook and unlocked the door as she opened it. Julia entered the small room where Michael Hertz and Grace Newheart were sitting with their arms chained up.

"So... have we come to an agreement about giving me what I want or are you going to make this difficult." Julia replied.

"We'll never give our companies to you. You don't deserve them." Michael shouted at her.

"That's right!" Grace said in agreement with the man.

Julia simply sighed as her patients was wearing thin with these two. She went over to the women and grabbed her by the throat and raised her to meet her eyes.

"You know the only reason I've kept you both alive is that those contracts are signed over to me. You may try to act all tough but I know under that skin and bone is a scared women that is waiting for help that'll never come to save you and you know as much as I do that no one knows that you're here. Now I understand that you have a son and daughter." Julia mentioned playing her trump card which made Grace's eyes widen.

"I can make it very difficult for them. I can have them on the streets by tomorrow night if I so wish it. If you value them so much than I suggest you take my offer." Julia replied before shoving Grace back to the ground.

Though it didn't take her too long to answer "Please! Just don't hurt my children!" Grace pleaded.

Julia then brought out a folded piece of paper and layed it in front of Grace.

"Then sign it and all your worries will go away and you can rejoin your family." Julia said as she held out a pen toward Grace.

"Don't sign it!" Michael shouted but was quickly silenced by Julia as she back-handed the man making him fall to the side.

Grace reached out toward the pen and took it gently in her hands. She then looked down at the contract below that was a surrender of all company properties as Julias name was also on the contract. Grace gulped nervously as seh pressed the pen onto the paper before signing her name on the space below.

Julia smiled at this as she took the contract from her before reviewing it making sure everything was correct. Nodding in approval she handed the contract over to Tock to keep a hold of.

"Now since that is all done I'll keep a hold of my end. I'll send you back home to the Upper Coast. But you have to promise me one thing." Julia replied as she took a key to the shackles.

"Y-Yes. What is it?" Grace asked.

"If you tell anyone about what transpired here I will know about it and you'll be dead by sunrise. Understand." Julia replied as Grace nodded vigoriously.

"Good." Julia replied as Grace got up.

"Take the road heading out of town. There's no grimm on that path so you'll be safe. Better get moving now." Julia stated. And like lightning Grace took off and did as instructed.

"Well... that's one down." Julia said before looking toward the man.

"And one more to go. Though I'll be back for you and soon you'll be singing just like her." Julia replied as she left the cell. Tock walked right behind her as she followed her.

"It's about time to head toward town ma'am." Tock reminded.

"Good. Also I want you to remain here to watch over the prisoner. Camilla and Asher will join me as my escort." Julia replied.

"Understood." Tock answered as she decided to head back to the main room.

As Julia walked out Asher and Camilla quickly joined her flanking her on both sides.

"Are you sure it was wise to keep her here ma'am?" Asher asked.

Julia only chuckled "Of course not but if she's smart she won't cause any problems. Besides she's on borrowed time anyway. Plus we can use this opportunity to our advantage to capture a certain pest that's been snooping about." She said.

"Capture ma'am? I thought you wanted to kill her." Asher replied.

"Oh I still want to kill her but I can't help it if I want to have some fun with her first. See what makes her tick." Julia stated as they walked toward the town.

=RWBY=

An hour later after a fullfilling meal the Schnees were walking down the streets toward town hall as that is the meeting place of the debate.

"I never had such a meal like that in a long time. Thanks mother." Weiss thanked.

"Anytime honey. It must've been better than that cafeteria food you've been having back at Beacon." Willow replied.

"Oh a million times better." Weiss added.

However Whitely decided to change the subject a moment "So Weiss... did you meet any friends at Beacon?" He asked.

"Oh yes I've made some friends. They are a rowdy bunch I'll tell you." Weiss chuckled.

"Well care to tell us about them." Whitely replied.

"Who to start with? Well their's Yang. Let me tell you she's got a bit of a temper on her that would make you mistake her for an Ursa. And yeah she may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but..." Weiss stopped a moment remembering her time at Beacon.

"But?" Willow said gesturing her to continue.

"She is someone I can always count on to be their for me when I need her. She listens to our problems and she makes us laugh when it's needed. She's like the rock that I can always fall on." Weiss replied.

"She does sound like a wonderful woman." Whitely replied.

"Then their's Blake. At first I found her rather the quiet type but she's really smart and very skilled in combat. Definately someone I would have watching my back during a fight. I was rather surprised that she was a faunus but after she told me why she hid her ears I wanted to make it up to her. Plus other stuff she had been through." Weiss replied.

"Must've had a rough life then if she had to hide her ears." Willow replied.

"And finally their's Ruby. The one person I'd least expected. She actually got into the academy two years early and quite the prodigy." Weiss replied.

"A prodigy student. Interesting. What else do you know about her?" Whitely asked.

"Believe or not she and Yang are related but they're really step sisters but treat each other like they are siblings reguardless. She's also a big weapons nut that she'll go completely nuts over wanting to know every little bit about a weapon. But what I didn't expect was her being an expert fighter especially when she can swing around a sycthe that is twice her size." Weiss added.

"But if theirs anything I can take away from her... is that while she may act like a kid sometimes its for the right reasons." Weiss said.

"Sounds like you have met some interesting people. People that you can call friends." Whitely replied.

"Yeah... I'm glad that I get to call them my friends. I just wonder if they're okay. I haven't been able to get a hold of them." Weiss said.

"I'm sure they're fine. We know that the Tower is down it's harder to communicate with others. All we can do is pray that things will get better.' Willow answered putting a hand on her daughters shoulder to reassure her.

"Thanks mom." Weiss thanked as they saw the town hall in sight along with noticing Pepper and the others waiting for them.

"Ready to head in. I saw Daniel arrive here earlier and is most likely waiting in the back for you." Pepper replied.

"Alright. A little pep talk before the debate." Weiss said.

"We'll be inside. Good luck in their." Ophelia said as they headed inside with Weiss heading toward the back of town hall where Daniel was waiting for her.

"Miss Schnee. I thought you'd be in the stands to watch?" He asked.

"I wanted to make sure that you'd remembered what we've talked about." Weiss answered.

He nodded in response "Yes I've been memorizing them in my head before coming here. Though that doesn't mean that I'm a little nervous from this." Daniel said.

"Yes I understand that your nervous and its fine to feel that way. Just remember what I've told you. Keep eye contact, listen to the question being asked, and speak clearly. I'll be watching from the side." Weiss added.

"I better get out their then. Wish me luck." He said as he headed toward the stage with Weiss right behind him keeping her distance.

=RWBY=

Inside the town hall it was rather busy as everyone in town was their. The people in town were muttering and chatting about wondering what this debate was going to be about as Pepper and the others were in the crowd of people.

"Well it's certainly a full house tonight." Pepper said looking around at all the people.

"Yep that's what happens when one of these come to town. It attracts everyone as they wonder what's giong to happen to the town and what could be improved." Melyna said.

"Plus the candidates trying to swing peoples ideals to vote for them for mayor. I can't wait to see what happens this time." Ophelia replied.

Suddenly the side door opened as the speaker stepped toward a table that is near the stage before sitting down.

"Alright everyone in the audience. Today is the last electoral debate before election polls open tomorrow. Now need I remind you I request absolute silence during this debate. All scrolls are to be silent or turned off as well. Now then may both parties please step toward your podiums." The male speaker replied as Julia came from the left while Daniel came from the right.

They both first shook hands before taking their respective podiums as they were now getting started.

"Now then let us begin. Mayor Julia this one is for you first. If you are elected as the mayor and remain in office how do you tend to improve the current situation of Sumire?" The male asked.

Julia straightened up before answering "Sumire has been one of the greatest accomplishments from the olden days. To simply improve upon what has already been achieve is a tall order in itself. However that doesn't mean it cannot be done. Our clinic that has been the heart of this town will be the first to recieve the nessecary equipment and medicine to treat its patients. Sumire will recieve the respect that it rightfully deserves." Julia replied.

The male speaker than turned to Daniel "And you Mr. Arsied?" He asked.

Daniel gulped at first before glancing to his left where Weiss was gesturing to take a breath before speaking. Daniel took a breath before he spoke.

"Sumire is, like my opponent stated one of the greatest accomplishments. A town where both human and faunus alike can live together without ridicule from others. I have lived long enough to know that while this town is great it is not perfect. We still face many problems ahead of us. The clinic is just one example. Another is that this town lacks a proper trade route to allow us to trade with the coastal towns. Our town has resources that other towns do not. I believe if we build a trade route between Sumire and the other towns than this town will truly prosper for a long time to come." Daniel replied.

Julia simply looked at the man almost as if seeing a different person standing their.

An hour of a verbal contest continued as each made a valid statement to one another trying to gain ground. It wasn't until the final question that would decide the votes.

"Now then you two this is the final question. First to you Julia. Why do you believe you need to run for mayor?" The male speaker questioned.

"Sumire has not only been my home but the home of my grandmother and grandfather. They protected this town with their very lifes and have given everything to make sure that this town was created. Even though they are no longer with me today they still drive me to become mayor. This town is like a child to me and I would do what I can to not only protect it with my life but to see it grow even further into the future." Julia replied making her voice be heard throughout the crowd.

The male speaker then gestured toward Daniel as he spoke.

"This town has been the forefront in my mind ever since I arrive. I want to make a difference in this town. I know it does sound rather cliche to hear every now and then but when someone feels motivated to do something then you do it. However I am but a simple man and one man cannot do everything on his own. That man needs help from the community that is willing to support him to make that difference. Only then can we make an impact in the town that this man loves. All that I ask is that are you ready to help the man who loves this town." Daniel said confidently.

Julia was stunned at this as she thought this wasn't the same man she went up against several days ago.

"Very well ladies and gentlemen that concludes the electoral debate. Thank you all for your time and please make sure to leave in an orderly fashion. Tomorrow the polls will be opened from noon unitl five. Thank you all and have a great night." The male speaker said as he left as well.

The candidates left the stage while Daniel had a smile on his face as the crowd began to file out. However as they were about to leave town Pepper got caught up in the crowd as she was trying to get out. Luckily she found a space where she could escape the crowd but they were still filing out as their was too many of them.

"I'll wait till the crowd thins out." Pepper said to herself as she waited by a pillar as the crowd began to thin out. A few minutes later as the last person left town hall. Pepper was about to walk out when she suddenly felt strong arms wrap around her neck into a sleepers hold. Pepper struggled in the hold as she was trying to break it as she tried crashing into the wall behind her. However her strength was quickly leaving her as her legs were starting to give out on her as well as her vision was starting to blur.

She tried using what strength she had left to break the hold but it was to no avail as her legs gave out on her along with her arms suddenly feeling limp and her vision was blurry as her eyes closed as darkness took her.

"Well... that was easier than I thought." Camillas voice said as she dragged Peppers dead weight body as they had plans for the wolf faunus as Camilla chuckled evily.


F3: And that is chapter 12 of this story. Let it be know to never separate from the group or this could happen. What kind of plans do they have for Pepper? With that said let me know in the comments about how this story is going and don't forget to follow and favorite this story for future updates. This is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.