Chapter 5: Grey Area
RWBY is owned by RoosterTeeth
(May 30, 2020) I was working on a different version of this Chapter, but I have decided to put that off for the next one. So, I'm working on two Chapters simultaneously! By the time this one goes live, I'll have the next Chapter out the following week.
"So, what even is this Festival about?" Lunatus asked no one in particular. Weiss was unusually chipper today. A beaming smile was on her face.
"A festival dedicated to the cultures of the world! There will be dances! Parades! A tournament! Oh, the amount of planning and organization that goes into this event is simply breathtaking!" Weiss explained as they kept walking.
"You really know how to take a good thing and make it sound boring." Yang remarked. Lunatus found themselves at the docks.
"Are we expecting anyone to show up here?" Lunatus asked. The smell of fish making his stomach growl.
"I've heard that students visiting from Vacuo will be arriving by ship today. And, as a representative of Beacon, I feel as though it is my solemn duty to welcome them to this fine kingdom!" Weiss professed as she turned around to walk somewhere else.
"She wants to spy on them so she'll have the upper hand in the tournament." Blake translated. Weiss scoffs.
"You can't prove that!"
"It's pretty easy to actually." Lunatus commented. He noticed that Ruby was distracted by something. He follows her gaze and notices a shattered window down the street covered in what looks like police tape. Although he didn't want to investigate the matter, his team had other ideas. He stayed further back. The two detectives that were here clearly didn't care much about the robbery. He didn't need to sense their emotions for that. They mentioned how all the Dust was taken, but none of the money.
"Who needs so much Dust?" The detectives answered this by mentioning the White Fang. Lunatus read some books that detail the events that lead to the White Fang's current occupation, and how that has affected the relationship between humans and Faunus. Weiss seemed especially irritated at the mention of them.
"What an awful bunch of degenerates!"
Blake suddenly got hostile, much to Lunatus's surprise. "What's your problem?"
Weiss turned to her. "My problem? I simply don't care for the criminally insane."
Lunatus needed to step away from them before things got out of hand for himself and his team. He quietly went back over to the docks, his teammate's argument becoming less noisy as he tried to get as close to the water as possible. He took in a deep breath.
"You good?" Ryndur asked.
Lunatus shook his head. "I will be once this is over." Lunatus looked out and saw that a large ship just arrived in port. "Do you think I can get some fish for a decent price around here?" It was then he heard somebody cry for help. From his position, he saw a monkey Faunus with a golden tail taunting the sailors. He also saw RWBY were higher up, but he was further away. The Faunus monkey already had a head start on them, so he tried to chase after him, but he was surprisingly agile. Easily able to turn around a corner and disappear.
"Damn he fast." He heard his teammates rounded the corner behind him, but suddenly stop. He turns around and to his surprise Weiss had run into a girl.
"Where did she even come from?! I didn't even sense her!"
"I'm in the same boat as you. I couldn't feel her either. Be careful.
As Lunatus went back to his teammates, he heard the name Penny being dropped. Ruby is the first to respond.
"Hi Penny. I'm Ruby." The rest of the girls introduce themselves in order by team name. Lunatus was too stunned to answer. "And that's Lunatus behind you."
Penny sharply turns around to look at him. He immediately knew she wasn't normal. While her emotions didn't feel like the Grimm, it felt artificial. This was an uncomfortable feeling for him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Lunatus had to take a few steps back. "What is with her?"
"You already said that." Weiss called out from behind Penny.
Penny pauses. "So I did!" Lunatus really needed to get as far away from her as possible.
"Well, this has been a productive afternoon, but we really must be going." Lunatus said to his team as he quickened his pace. He was already well-ahead of them when Penny almost teleported in-front of him, causing him to yelp in shock. He's pretty sure he jumped out of his skin. She peered around him to presumably look over at his team, completely oblivious to Lunatus's plight, but at this point he didn't care. If that Penny girl was distracted, it allows him to get some space. "I need to get out of here! She actually freaks me out."
X-X-X
It wasn't long before Lunatus was back in the dorm. He sat in his sleeping spot. Shaken by Penny's appearance.
"There has got to be an explanation for her! I don't think I can deal with whatever she is!"
"I will not deny that there is something off about her, but she doesn't seem like she is a threat to your teammates."
"Do you think she's a threat to us?"
"That would depend on what she even is. Of that I am unsure." A sudden fear of dread rushes over Lunatus.
"Do you think RWBY made friends with her?"
"Given your leader's track record, it's a possibility." Lunatus groans as he flops onto the floor. "I'm sure we will be used to her as time goes on. But we are going to really need to be on our guard." Lunatus doesn't respond. "Please stop screaming in here!" Lunatus decided to go for a very long walk.
After doing several laps around the school's perimeter, Lunatus looks up and sees that the moon is bright tonight. "Do you need to feed again?"
"Not this time, but I think it would do some good if I had something tomorrow.
Lunatus was about to enter back into the building, when he felt a strong emotional presence. The feelings were: anger, scarred, betrayal, hurt. He rushes over to the source, but as he gets there, he doesn't find anything. "Do you know who that was?"
"I am unsure, it will be best if we go see our team."
Lunatus double-times it back and he sees that the room is open. As he stops to catch his breath, he notices that Blake is gone, and everyone is angry and confused. Ruby is the first to notice him.
"Lunatus! Did you see Blake at all?"
"Why did you ditch us?!" Yang demanded. Lunatus was quick to answer both of their questions.
"I did not see Blake, and I wasn't feeling well. If Blake is missing, we will look for her in the morning. I will be expecting an explanation as to what exactly happened. Right now, we're all tired. Sleep will do us all some good." Weiss remained silent the entire time. Ruby and Yang took a little bit to convince before deciding to get ready for bed. Lunatus left the dorm until Ruby gave the okay to come in. They were all still upset with whatever happened while he was gone. But that would have to wait until morning.
X-X-X
Lunatus was awake early the following morning, and he notices that Blake did not return. He sighs to himself. Ruby stirs moments later and wakes up from her beauty sleep, yawning in the process. She looks over at Blake's empty bunk, and groans sadly. Yang and Weiss woke up a bit later. It was a very awkward breakfast for the team. RWY were hastily finished their meals, leaving Lunatus behind. He could feel the concern from JNPR.
"You guys doing okay?" Jaune asked Lunatus.
He sighed. "We are having some team troubles. We'll work it out. Don't worry about it."
"If there is anything we can do to help just let us know." Pyrrha chimed in with a smile. Lunatus nodded before getting up and leaving.
X-X-X
The team was waiting for him back at the dorm, he closed the door behind him.
"Okay, walk me through what happened."
Weiss was the first to respond. "Blake is a member of the White Fang."
"We don't know that for certain," Ruby rebutted.
"Blake and Weiss were arguing about the White Fang and the Faunas. It escalated to a point where Blake said something she didn't want to." Yang explained.
"She's a criminal." Weiss muttered.
Lunatus stopped that train of thought right there. "Okay, I think I can handle some of this." He looked between all of them. "Here is what I think. I think Blake was a former member of the White Fang." Weiss was going to say something, "I said former. As inno longer associated." Lunatus sat down at the desk. "If my understanding of the White Fang is correct, the group themselves have been around longer than their recently violent nature. Peaceful methods were the norm for them for a long time, but their leader stepped down. Obviously, someone must take their place, and to me it sounds like the person who is currently leading them does not like the Schnee family. On top of that, violence tends to speak louder than non-violence unfortunately. While I approve of the White Fang as a group, I do not support their current methods. If we are to believe that Blake was a member of the White Fang, it is more believable that she would desert. She would have witnessed first-hand the changes they were going through. How the people she trusted changed and how everything she was fighting for was falling apart around her. Personally, I think that coming to Beacon would allow her to start over, as many people I've encountered too." He paused. "Of course, Blake will need to provide us with her side of the story."
"What makes you think she will tell us? She could have left Vale by now." Weiss challenged.
"Where could she go by herself? If she is what you say she is, she has had a target on her back for a long time. She wouldn't be able to get very far and would be killed on the spot if she even tried to go back. I also think she is looking for answers as to the Fang's involvement in Vale. If that Dust robbery is anything to go by, something is going down. That doesn't mean she should try and take it on by herself." His ear twitched. "As to why I think she fled, she accidently revealed a part of her past that she would have rather keep buried to herself that she was not comfortable with telling anyone." Weiss let that sink in. Lunatus was not letting up. "Now, when it comes to you Weiss, I understand where your side of the story is coming from. However, that does not give you the right to treat every single Faunas in such a manner. To me, it only seems to give a manner of truth to the various claims revolving around your family history. To my understanding, the Schnee name is in a similar boat as the White Fang. Both started out meaning something positive, but recent events have caused their respective reputations to be less than ideal. I would have honestly thought the two of you would have been on even ground and have a desire to work together." Weiss seemed surprised by his statement. "I mean, if both of you were to become Huntresses, you could work together to repair your respective groups and bring about positive changes. Certainly, that is better than all of this in-fighting." Lunatus stood up to stretch. "You must have had your reasons outside of the White Fang for wanting to attend Beacon than Atlas. I think if the two of you could talk this out, like a team and a family, you will find you have a lot more in common than you realize." Weiss remained silent. Lunatus sighed. "Well, I think I've lectured long enough, I think it will be our best interest to look for Blake. She is our teammate after all."
Weiss still wasn't talking. He could tell she was guilty and conflicted. "I think I need some time to think." She said more to herself.
Lunatus nodded. He looked between Ruby and Yang. The former was slightly concerned about her partner and teammate. Yang wordlessly walked past Lunatus and Ruby, after giving Weiss a quick hug, rushed after her sister. Lunatus was almost out the door before turning back to her. "We'll have our Scrolls on us if you need anything. I'm also available to talk if you need to." Weiss would not meet his gaze. "You're both good people Weiss. You're not as alone as you think you are." With that he was gone.
"That went rather well."
"I hope so. I don't like playing referee." Lunatus sighed. "Do you really think we'll find Blake?"
"What do your instincts tell you?"
"That we will."
"Then that's all you need to know."
Ruby and Yang were waiting for Lunatus outside of a waiting Bullhead. The three of them got on and spent most of the day looking for her. Lunatus tried to feel out Blake's emotions, but with so many people around, it was difficult to locate her. Lunatus's right ear twitched, and he turned around to see Weiss coming up. She gave him a knowing look, and he nodded. They continued their search well into the night, but they returned empty-handed.
Lunatus had a familiar feeling travel up his spine. He lagged a little behind as he watched his team get closer to the dorm. He quickly turned around and made his way back to the loading docks. There was that feeling in his gut as he knew he didn't want to make his team worry, but he had to do this.
"Lunatus?" He whipped around to see Ruby standing a few feet behind him, a look of confusion and concern on her face. "Where are you going?" she asked innocently.
He froze. Unsure as to what to really say. "I have something that I need to take care of. Although I don't do it often, but when it does occur, I have to take care of it."
She stepped closer. "Is it possible I can help at all?" Lunatus shook his head.
"I have done this before. I will only be gone for the night, and I promise to return in the morning." She suddenly gave him a hug, which the Half-Grimm wasn't expecting.
"Promise me that you will be careful out there. That you won't be gone for a long time." She mumbled.
Lunatus returned the hug as best he could. "Count on it." After a while, she let him go. Lunatus had one foot in the Bullhead before turning back to Ruby, her head crestfallen. "And Ruby," She looked up at him, tears forming in her eyes. "I'll be ok." He reassured her with a smile. Although she was slightly trembling, she returned the gesture and Lunatus stepped on the Bullhead that was waiting for him. He didn't look back at her and as he got further away, he asked Ryndur a question that had been bugging him since yesterday.
"Do you think Blake will try to get herself involved in the White Fang?"
"It's certainly a possibility."
"I mean, if they are in Vale then they would most likely attack under the cover of night." He noticed the doors of the Bullhead open to a grassy plane. After stepping outside, he waited until the Bullhead was completely out of view before transforming. While Ryndur was out and about doing his thing, Lunatus in his subconscious mused over the reasons as to what the White Fang could be doing in Vale.
X-X-X
Lunatus returned the following morning. He snuck back in his teammates fast asleep. He had his bloodied clothes in a labelled black trash bag. After taking a quick shower and getting dressed, he snuggled into his corner. Sometime later, he was woken up by someone rubbing his ears. He nuzzled into the rub, and someone was giggling. His eyes shot open to see Ruby covering her face, her face was red. Weiss was trying to hide a smile while Yang was stifling a laughter. Lunatus looked between the three of them, a frown on his face.
"Which one of you did it?" None of them answered. "At least you're in a good mood." He stood up and silently walked out of the door. He could hear Yang howling with laughter. He smiled while shaking his head.
Later on, the four of them were continuing their search for Blake. Lunatus and Ruby were leading the group, Yang in the middle, and Weiss in the back. They were just making idle chitchat.
"So, where did you go last night?" Yang pestered Lunatus.
Lunatus turned around to walk backwards. "I had to take care of something important. Which took all night to finish up. No, I won't go into more detail on the matter." He turned himself back around.
"Well, at least you came back I'm pretty sure we will find her today." Ruby stated.
"I hope so. I have some things I need to say to her." Weiss mused.
"And I think Weiss' hair looks wonderful today!" Penny stated from behind Weiss, causing everyone to jump.
"Gaah! What the hell?!" Lunatus shouted.
Ruby echoed his sentiment. "Aaaah! Penny! Where did you come from!?"
"Hey guys! What are you up to?" Penny asked, cheerfully ignoring the question. Ruby hesitated.
Yang answered for her. "We're looking for our friend Blake."
"Ooooh, you mean the Faunus girl!" Penny said. Ruby, Weiss, and Yang stared at Penny while Lunatus slowly distanced himself from Penny.
"Wait, how did you know that?" Ruby asked her.
"Uhh, the cat ears?" Penny responded while pointing towards her head.
Yang laughed a little. "What cat ears? She wears a... boooohhh..." The realization dawned on her.
Lunatus groaned. "You mean you guys never noticed?"
Yang turned to him. "You mean you knew!?"
Lunatus scoffed while stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Of course, I did! I thought it was obvious!"
"Why didn't you say anything!?" shouted Ruby.
"I didn't think I needed to!" Lunatus retorted. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Penny chimed in. "So, where is she?" Lunatus used this opportunity to get away from Penny, as she was once again preoccupied.
He felt like he was a good distance away from Penny and stopped to catch his breath. "I do not like her!"
"I didn't think you were this fast, Wolfie." He turned around and saw Yang was uncomfortably close behind him. He leapt back.
"Stop doing that!"
"Doing what?" she asked while tilting her head to the side, a smile on her face.
Lunatus face palmed. "Whatever. What are you even doing here?"
"Doing the same thing you were doing apparently." Lunatus leaned past Yang to see it was Weiss who answered him, she was more out of breath than he was.
Lunatus leaned back. "You two just left Ruby behind!? Shame on you!"
Yang placed her hands on her hips. "Shame on us!? You left her too!" Weiss for once, agreed with Yang.
Lunatus pointed an accusing finger at Yang. "Yeah, but you're her sister." Lunatus pointed to Weiss.
"And you her partner." He then pointed at himself. "I, on the other hand, needed to get away from Penny! You two didn't need to do so!"
Weiss crossed her arms. "What makes you the exception to this?"
Yang added. "You know my sister was worried about you last night!?"
Lunatus defended himself. "I already told you, I had something that I needed to take care of." He turned away from them.
"Penny's emotions make me uncomfortable." His tone becoming concerning. "More so how they are presented than anything else." He began to walk away. He could feel Yang's and Weiss's concerned looks. "I hope it's just me, but it feels like her emotions are artificial. Like they are trying to be real, but they are not." Yang asked him if he was going to be alright. "Yeah, I'll be fine. I just don't know how I feel about Penny." He turned to face the two of them while walking backwards. "I feel that Penny means well, that she's a good person, but I just don't know how I feel about her emotions. And it's not like I can just ask her out of the blue." He shrugged his shoulders. "Right now, we need to focus on finding Blake." He knew that the two girls wanted him to elaborate further, but his tone gave them enough information.
X-X-X
They checked many possible stores to see if Blake had passed by, while being careful not to mention her being a Faunus. It was well into the night when they needed to get back. Lunatus was about to call Ruby, when he heard an explosion in the distance, the sound was coming from the docks. He turned to look at Weiss and Yang, and together they ran towards the source. By the time they got there, Ruby was chatting with Blake and that monkey faunas from earlier. Lunatus looked around and saw that there was a fight that took place. While Blake did not seem to be injured, her emotions showed relief from her teammates, surprise from Weiss as he heard her reconcile with Blake, followed by Weiss's distrust of the monkey faunas. He could hear from Ruby that Penny was around as well, but she was gone. Much to Lunatus's relief. His team looked back at him and mentioned him to come over.
"So, does this mean you guys are all good?" he asked. They nodded. He walked over to the monkey faunas who was sitting on top of a fallen shipping container. He leapt up next to him. "What's your name?"
He turned to look at him. "Sun Wukong but call me Sun." he replied with a prideful smile. His emotions had a very care-free nature, but he also knew when to be serious.
"You've been with Blake the whole weekend, correct?" He nodded. "Thanks for keeping an eye on her."
"At least you trust me more than your teammates."
Lunatus chuckled. "I can read people's emotions. Yours haven't shown any kind of malicious intent. So, I trust you. Just don't make me regret it." He finished with a smile. Sun nervously gave him a thumbs up before disappearing.
Ruby called Lunatus down and they all returned home. The trip was mostly quiet as everyone was emotionally exhausted from this weekend's events. Thankfully there weren't any big projects to work on, so it was decided that everyone will spend a day to relax after class.
(June 6, 2020) Well, this one is done. Like I said, after I upload this Chapter, the next one will be out the following week. I'm not entirely sure I'll keep it at the same time, but it should be relatively close.
This has been TheTriforceofAwesomeness, and I'll see you guys next time.
Peace!
