Chapter 8
Investigation & Discoveries
"Speech"
'Thought'
Flashback / Communication Chatter
Location / Date / Time Change
Professor Port's Lecture Hall
Weiss stared at the clock on her desk as the teacher went on another ego stroking tirade, seemingly unaware that Jaune slid next to her.
"So, Weiss, I was uhh, wondering if you wanted to get a bite to eat after class?" He asked her, but she gave no answer. "Or maybe go see that new Spruce Willis movie? I've got the tickets if you wanna make the trip to Vale. I've heard it's awesome!" Still no answer. "Ooooorrrr, maybe we could just go and study together? I mean you're super smart and I'm-"
The clock turned four and the bell rang. "And then I-oh." Port heard the bell go off. "Timed that one wrong I guess. Well, the amazing conclusion will have to wait! Until next time!"
"Weiss, did you hear me?" Jaune asked as the heiress stood up.
"No, no, no, and yes." She answered his questions in order. Dejected, he slammed his head onto the desk as the other members of Team RWBY passed by.
"One day, lady killer." Yang told him.
Team RWBY's Room
"I thought that class would never end." Blake said as the group finished changing into their new looks. (Slayer, Snowpea, Intruder, and Hunter.)
A rhythmic knock came from the door, signaling it was Team NVAR. "Come in." Ruby said from her bunk.
Natsu walked through the door first. His new look was a black jacket with a white trim. Going up from his pec area were gold lines that reached his shoulders and went down his arms. At his elbows was a skull with black diamond-shaped eyes. His pecs were covered by white wrappings that went around his back. His scarf was still around his neck, leading over his back, which had his emblem. His pants matched his shirt, with the skulls at his knees and his tail stuck out the back. His boots were black with white tops, and his pants legs were stuffed into them. (This outfit is called Jailbreak.)
Vergil was the next to enter. He now wore a black coat that trailed to the right and had a collar that was larger on the left side. On the left bicep was a blue Brassard with ornate scrollwork sewn on it. His hands were covered by white gloves and his legs were covered by blue dress pants and black leather shoes. A chain held his sword to his belt and it hung next to his white pistol. (This outfit is called Reboot.)
Aerith followed the boys. Her new dress was held by a bright red string that went around her neck. Her dress was the same color as the string with a white band that went around her bust and went down her front, the buttons matching the stripe. Around her waist was a purple belt with matching buttons, held above her dress shirt by a black string. On her wrist was a spring like armband. Her legs were covered by a pink skirt with a white line just after her shirt and edges. Her boots were brown with an orange trim and her weapon was in its gun form in the holster under the back of her top. (This outfit is called Kingdom.)
Ryuko was the last to enter. She now wore a dark blue top with a red line going from her sailor collar to the back. Its sleeves bunched up and she wore a red glove on her left hand. Over her her left breast was a black spot with a lighter 'X' on it. To the right was a red, yellow, orange, and black 'eye' and in between the two was a red ribbon. Black suspenders connected her dark blue skirt to her top; two in the front and one in the back, all connected by a belt. Strapped to her back were her Scissor Blades. (This outfit is called Kamui.)
"Alright, now that we're all here, the investigation starts now!" Ruby declared as she jumped off the bed to the floor.
"I'm so glad we're taking this seriously." Vergil sarcastically said.
"Hey, we have a plan." Yang said back. "That's... moderately serious."
"Right." Ruby nodded to her sister. "Everyone remember their roles?"
"You, Aerith, Vergil and I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other Dust robberies or inconstancies." Weiss stood up and stated her group's role. "Seeing as I'm in the family, it shouldn't be a problem."
"The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members." Blake said as Natsu stood beside her. "If me and Natsu can get in, we can hopefully find out what they're planning."
"And if that doesn't work, we just beat the info out of them." Natsu stated the backup plan.
"I've got an old friend on the shady side of town that pretty much knows everything going on in Vale." Yang bragged as Ryuko walked over. "Between me and Ryuko, getting information out of him shouldn't be that hard."
"Great." Ruby said in approval. "We'll meet up near Yang tonight to go over what we learned. Let's do this!"
"Yeah!" A new voice spoke up, making the group turn to the window. Hanging upside down from his tail was Sun.
"Sun!?" Blake asked as they all jumped backed.
"Why are you doing that?" Aerith asked.
"How did you get up here?" Yang asked the bigger question.
"Oh, it's easy. I do this all the time." Sun stated.
"You do what!?" Weiss asked.
"I climb trees all the time." He explained before climbing through the window. "So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?"
"Ye-" Nastu started before Blake cut him off.
"We are going to investigate this matter, as students of Beacon." She emphasized, pointing to the group behind her.
"Sorry, Sun." Ruby said. "We wanna keep as many friends out of this as we can. We don't want to get them involved if we don't have to."
"Well that's stupid." Sun scoffed. "You should get as many friends involved as possible. That's why I brought Neptune."
"Who's Neptune?" Natsu asked.
"He's the guy outside the window." Sun explained, pointing to the window. The group, RWBY in the front, NVAR in the back, looked out the window to see the bluenette hugging the wall, standing on the ledge.
"Sup." He turned and said to the group.
"How did you even get up here?" Ryuko asked.
"I have my ways." He said. "Seriously though, can I come in? This is like, really high up."
"One second." Ryuko's highlights spread and strings shot off her fingers. They spun and condensed into an inch thick rope and she threw it out the window. "Here, grab on." The boy did that and they pulled him in.
"Okay." Ruby spoke up as Neptune dusted himself off. "My group is fine. Sun, you can go with Blake and Natsu." The male Faunus bumped fists in acceptance. "And Neptune, you can go with Yang and Ryuko, since they might need some extra help." The hooded girl pushed the bluenette across the room. "Everyone okay with the new plan?"
"Actually Ruby, why don't you go with Ryuko and Yang?" Weiss suggested. "I mean, she is your sister."
"But, who would go with you three, then?" She asked back.
"Well, Neptune could come with us." Weiss said.
"No." Vergil fervently declined.
"Yeah, let's go." Ruby agreed and pulled the heiress out of the room, followed by their other partners.
Cross Continental Transmit Tower Plaza
"Wowwww!" Ruby stared up at the massive structure with wide eyes and a huge smile.
"I always forget how big the tower is up close." Aerith said as she looked up herself.
"You two should see the one in Atlas." Weiss bragged.
"If I'm not mistaken, that was the first one ever created." Vergil said as the four walked along the path.
"Correct." Weiss nodded. "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."
"More like their reparations for their crimes during it." Vergil mumbled to himself.
"Ooo, look at me." Ruby mocked the heiress. "My names Weiss. I know facts. I'm super rich." She and Aerith shared a laugh.
"That's not funny." Weiss snapped back at the second girl. "Besides, the only reason we're here is because Ruby wanted to see the tower again. We could have just as easily made a call from the library."
"I know, but the tower is so cooool." Ruby said back. "Oh! I'm gonna take a picture." She pulled out her Scroll, only to have it fall out of her hands and slide along the ground until it was stopped by a boot and a hand picked it up.
"You dropped this." Penny said holding the Scroll.
"Penny!?" Ruby asked shocked as the group stared in confusion. "Where have you been!? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks."
"Sorry." Penny said. "You must be confused with someone else." She hiccupped and the Scroll flew into Ruby's hand. "I, uh... have to go!" She turned around and walked away.
"The heck was that about?" Vergil asked confused.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Ruby declared. "Come on, Aerith. Let's go!" She grabbed the girl and started dragging her.
"You two make the call." Aerith said. "We'll meet up with you later!"
"Hey, wait!" Weiss cried out as the other girls got farther away.
"Let's go." Vergil said and the two walked into the tower.
"Penny, where have you been?" Ruby asked as she and Aerith ran down the stairs after Penny. "It's been weeks since we've seen you!"
"I'm afraid that you're still confused..." Penny said before walking ahead.
"What?" Ruby asked confused for real. "Penny, is everything okay?" Her question went unanswered, so she grabbed the other girl's wrist. "Penny, please, stop!" Her friend looked over to the both of the girls. "Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to us."
"Those guys from the docks, we think they're up to something big, something really bad." Aerith jumped in.
"Please, I need you to at least tell us what happened to you that night." Ruby begged. "Please, as your friends."
Penny sighed before glancing from side to side. "It isn't safe to talk here." She whispered to the both of them.
CCT Lobby
Weiss and Vergil walked to the elevator and the doors closed. "Hello, and welcome to the CCT." An automated voice spoke. "How may I help you?"
"We'd like to go to the Communications Room, please." Weiss requested.
"Of course." The voice said back. "Please place your Scrolls on the terminal to verify your identities." The two pulled out there mentioned property and held it up for the system to scan. "Perfect. Thank you, Miss Schnee and Mister Inferno." The two turned to the door before Vergil's eyes wandered to Weiss.
"What are you doing?" He asked as the girl stopped her expressions.
"Practicing my smile." She explained.
"Why?" He asked even more confused.
"It's the first thing people are gonna see on the call." Weiss elaborated. "So it has to be perfect."
"Right." Vergil wasn't buying the explanation as the door opened to the Communications Room. People all around the room where on terminals, talking to people they knew but were far away. The two walked over to the receptionist's desk as a hologram appeared.
"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit Center." The female hologram said. "How may I help you two?"
"We need to make a call to the Schnee Company world headquarters in Atlas." Weiss requested.
"Absolutely." The hologram pressed buttons on her screen. "If you two could make your way over to terminal three, I'll patch you through."
"Thanks." Both said as they walked over to their designated terminal. Weiss sat down in the chair before turning to Vergil.
"Don't say anything about what you hear." She told him.
"Okaaay." Vergil raised an eyebrow at her before she turned on the screen.
"Thank you for contacting the Atlas- oh." The receptionist started before looking up at Weiss. "Miss Schnee, good afternoon. Would you like to speak to your father? I think your sister Winter is here as well."
"No need to do that." Weiss said back. "I was actually wondering if you could get me some files." She reached into her pocket and pulled out her Scroll. "I have a short list here." She placed it on the keyboard, letting the copy be sent to Atlas.
"I see..." The girl on the other side of the call said. "If I'm not intruding, may I ask what these are for?"
"A project for school." Weiss lied.
"It's just..., there are some rather sensitive documents on this list, ma'am." The worker said.
"Well then, we'll be sure to be careful with them." Vergil said leaning in.
"Miss Schnee, are you in danger?" The girl asked.
"No, he's just my partner for this project." The heiress lied again.
"Right..." The worker nodded. "Very well, the data is being transferred to your Scroll now."
"Excellent, that will be all." Weiss said.
"Are you sure you don't want to talk to your father before you go?" The worker asked.
"Yes... I'm sure..." Weiss said.
"Okay, then. Have a nice day." The worker smiled before shutting off the transmission.
"What's wrong with your father?" Vergil asked as the heiress took her Scroll off the keyboard.
"Nothing." Weiss said as she stood up. "I just don't want to talk to him right now."
"If I were you, I'd revel at the chance to speak to my father again." Vergil said as they walked to the elevator.
"What do you mean, 'again'?" Weiss asked.
"He's dead." Vergil said plainly. "Died on a business trip."
Downtown Vale
Caffè
Penny stood outside the caffè, nervously looking around. She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped before she turned to see Ruby and Aerith. The three smiled before they started to walk down the street and talked about the night at the docks.
"I really wish I could help you guys, but I don't know anything about those men." Penny said.
"Okay, but can you tell us what happened that night?" Ruby asked. "We were all together, and then you just disappeared on us. Were you kidnapped!?"
"No! Nothing like that." Penny shook her head.
"So what happened?" Aerith asked from the left. "Where did you go?"
"I've... never been to a different kingdom before." Penny confessed. "My father asked me not to venture out to far, but..." She looked up at the girls who now wore worried faces. "Oh, don't misunderstand. My father loves me very much. It's just that he worries a lot."
"Believe me, I know the feeling." Ruby said.
"Every girl does." Aerith added. "But why didn't you just contact us and let us know you were okay?"
"I... was asked not to talk to you two." Penny confessed. "Or Weiss, or Natsu, or Blake... Anybody really?"
"He was that upset?" Ruby asked.
"No." The bow wearing girl said. "It wasn't my father..."
"The AK-130 has been the standard security model for Remnant for several years." All three looked around the corner to a mob of people gathered, staring at a hologram of General Ironwood and the robots he mentioned. "And they have done a fine job, wouldn't you all agree?" The crowd applauded as the robots bowed in response.
"However, Atlas is a kingdom of innovation!" The hologram said once the crowd stopped. "And 'fine'? Well, that's just not good enough for us." The containers behind the Knights opened and new robots kicked down the ones in front of them. "I give you, the Atlesian Knight 200!" The crowd started cheering again. "Smarter, sleeker, and, I admit, a little less intimidating. 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 soldiers from the dangers of the battlefield." The hologram continued. "However, there all still situations that undoubtedly require a more human touch."
"Ruby..." Penny started, as the scythe wielder stared in awe and Aerith just watched.
"So, our greatest military minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Compamy have come together to create, the Atlesian Paladin!" The general's hologram faded away and was replaced by a hologram of a massive mech, and the crowd went wild. "Now we couldn't get any here for you today, but these Mechanized Battle Suits will be defending the borders of our kingdoms within the year!"
"Whoa..." Ruby stared at the hologram like it was God itself.
"Atlas certainly loves showing off their toys, don't they?" Aerith asked with disdain.
"Can we please just go somewhere else?" Penny asked as she backed away. She noticed two soldiers pointing at her before she turned and ran away.
"Penny?" Ruby asked. "Where are you going?" She and Aerith looked back at the soldiers before they chased after Penny, who turned a corner. They ran past a street and a car hit soldier, forcing the other to go alone.
"Ruby!" Aerith shouted pointing ahead. The hooded girl looked at a pile of crates on a scaffold and understood the plan as Aerith unfolded her staff. Ruby took out her weapon and sliced a beam, sending the crates to the ground. Aerith pole vaulted over the crates, and the solders were forced to find another way around.
Both rounded a corner and chased after Penny before Ruby jumped on the wall and ran. When she was near Penny, she jumped on the wall beside her and grabbed her. "This way!" Ruby shouted before reactivating her Semblace, letting the two shot down an alley, leaving Aerith trying to catch up. Soon, Ruby couldn't keep up the speed and dropped Penny before rolling onto a street.
As she stood up, a truck honked behind her. Seconds before impact, Penny pushed her out of the way and stopped the truck with her bare hands. The truck landed and the driver looked down in shock as Aerith caught up and stared at the scene.
"Penny?" Ruby asked.
"Are you okay?" Penny asked the driver, who nodded. She took her hands off the truck and turned to Ruby as a crowd gathered around them. Unable to deal with the social pressure, Penny ran past Ruby.
"Penny, come back!" Ruby shouted as she and Aerith ran after her. The two caught up with her when she reached a dead end alley. "Penny, please, what is going on!? Why are you running? How did you do that!?"
"I-I can't..." Penny said. "Everything is fine!" She hiccupped. "I don't want to talk about it!" She hiccupped again before covering her hands.
"Penny, if you can just tell us what's wrong, we can help you!" Aerith said.
"No, no, no, you two wouldn't understand!" Penny turned away from the two.
"Give us a chance." Ruby said. "You can trust us!"
"You two are my friends, right?" Penny turned around and asked the two. "You both promise you're my friends!?"
"Yes..." Aerith nodded.
"We promise." Ruby added.
"Listen, I'm not a real girl..." Penny said and held her hands out, letting them see metal plates and bolts under her skin.
"Oh..." Both girls said staring at her hands.
"Penny, I- I don't understand." Ruby spoke after a few seconds of silence.
"Most girls are born..." Penny started to explain. "But I was made... I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an aura." She looked down at her hands in disgust. "I'm not real."
"Of course you are." Aerith said as she took one of the girl's hands.
"But you said-" Penny started.
"Those were toys." Aerith cut her off. "You're not. Toys are bland and devoid of spirit. You're, free thinking, emotional. You know right from wrong, you don't need a program to function. If that isn't real I don't know what is."
"She's right." Ruby added taking the other hand. "You think because you have nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts makes you any less real than us?"
"I don't..." Penny mumbled before looking at the two. "You're both taking this extraordinary well."
"Like Aerith said, you're nothing like those things we saw." Ruby said. "You have a heart and a soul! We can feel it."
"Ohh!" Penny grabbed the two girls and wrapped them in crushing hug. "You two are the best friends anyone could ask for!"
"I could see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower." Ruby mumbled.
"Oh, he's very sweet." Penny said as she ended the hug. "My father's the one who built me. I'm sure the two of you would just love him."
"Wow, he built you all by himself?" Ruby asked impressed.
"Well, almost. He had some help from Mr. Ironwood." Penny confessed.
"The general?" Aerith asked. "Wait, is that why those soldiers were chasing you?"
"They like to protect me." Penny smiled.
"They don't think you can protect yourself?" Ruby asked.
"They don't think I'm ready for it." Penny said. "One day, it will be my duty to save the world. But I still have much to learn. That's why my father let me fight come to the Vytal Festival. I want to see what it's like in the rest of the world, and test myself in the tournament."
"Save the world from what, the Grimm?" Aerith asked. "We're in a time of peace."
"That's not what Mr. Ironwood said." Penny said back.
"Check down there!" All three turned as the sound of the soldiers voice came into ear shot.
"You two have to hide." Penny grabbed Ruby and lifted her over her shoulder.
"Penny what are you doing?" She asked flailing in the air. "You don't have to go with them, we can help you!" Her words went unheard as penny threw her into an open dumpster.
"It's okay, Ruby." Penny said, grappling the cover. "They're not bad people. I just don't want you two to get in trouble. Just promise me neither of you will tell anyone about my secret, okay?"
"I promise." Ruby said.
"Me two." Aerith nodded before climbing in the dumpster herself. Penny closed the lid as the soldiers came running. The girls inside cracked it open to get a glimpse of what was happening.
"Salutations, officers!" Penny saluted the two soldiers.
"Why were you running from us?" One asked. "And what happened to those other girls?"
"What girls?" Penny asked. "I've been by myself all day." She hiccupped, confusing the soldiers.
"You shouldn't cause such a scene." The first said to her.
"Are you okay?" The second asked.
"Just a scratch." Penny said, showing them her hands.
"Penny... Your father isn't going to be happy about this." The first said. "Please, just come with us."
"Yes, sir." Penny nodded and the three walked away, leaving Ruby and Aerith alone in the dumpster.
'Guess that's another secret I have to keep.' Aerith said to herself as a rat ran across Ruby's boot.
Shady Side of Vale
Yang pulled Bumblebee to a stop before taking off her helmet. Next to her, Ryuko pulled up in a purple, low-rider esq motorcycle. "Is this it?" She asked as she took off her own helmet, black with a white circle and lines coming off it.
"Yep." The blonde nodded. "My friends in there." She got off her bike, letting Ryuko see the look on Neptune's face.
"Cool..." He muttered before shaking his head. "And where is here?" He asked before he got off.
Ryuko left her bike and followed the two into an alleyway. "I've heard of this place." Ryuko said looking up at the Dust powered signed; The Bear's Den. "Wasn't it just reopened or something?"
The three walked down stairwell until they saw two men in black suits with red ties and sunglasses standing infront of a massive door. They panicked once they saw the three and ran inside and closed the door. Yang smirked before unfolding her gauntlets and blasting the door open. As the dust settled and the sound of club music roared, Yang walked through the now open door.
"Guess whose back!?" She asked and soon about two dozen guns were pointed at her. As the music started skipping over, she opened her eyes and glared at DJ, who pulled the needle off the record.
"I don't think we share the same definition of 'friend'." Neptune popped up behind her left, shifting some of the guns to him.
"Now I see why this place was closed." Ryuko surmised as she popped up to the right of Yang, putting some guns on her.
"Hold it! No one shoot!" A man in a black vest and red tie forced his way through the gun men. "Blondie, you're here. Why?"
"You still owe me a drink, Junior." Yang said as she walked forward and pulled the man towards the bar.
"Whoahohoho... What a woman..." Neptune said before looking over at two other girls, one in white, the other in red. "Sup?" Both girls rolled their eyes and walked away.
"You will hit on any girl you see, won't you?" Ryuko asked before walking after Yang.
White Fang Meeting Area
Blake ran her fingers along three claw marks on the wall before looking around a corner. Two Faunus walked over to a third, who waved them in. "This is it."
"You sure?" Sun asked, making her glare at him.
"Dude, take her word for it." Natsu said as Blake took off her bow and the three walked forward.
"New recruits, to the right." A member directed the two from before as the other three walked behind them.
"I don't get this." Natsu said holding his mask. "If you believe what you're doing is right, why not show your face to the world?"
"The masks are a symbol." Blake explained. "Humanity wanted to turn us into monsters, so we choice to wear the faces of monsters."
"Grimm masks? That's like super dark." Sun said.
"Yeah, well so was the guy who started it." Blake said back before turning around and walking away, putting her mask on at the same time.
"It's always sunshine and unicorns with her..." Sun mumbled to Natsu before they followed her, putting on their masks as well. The group was guided into a large warehouse of other Faunus, some new recruits, some older members. In front of all of them was a stage and a large curtain. On the stage was a member with a mask with red markings.
"I want to thank you all for coming here." The man on the stage spoke. "For all the new members here, I would like to introduce you to a special comrade of ours." On the other side of the stage, Roman Torchwick stepped out from behind the curtain. "I can assure you, he is the key to getting what we have all fought for for so long."
"Thank you! Thank you!" Roman basked in the 'warm' welcome he received. "Please, I'm not that special."
"Why is a human here!?" A girl with deer horns on her head shouted.
"So glad you asked, deerie." Roman said back. "Look, I'll admit it. Humans are just the worst. Case in point." He pointed to himself. "So I get that you would all love to see us locked up in cages, or better yet, killed. But, before anyone takes out their claws..."
"Is he going somewhere with this?" Sun whispered to Blake.
"...mention the fact that all of us have a common enemy." Roman looked out to the crowd. "They're the ones in control, the people pulling the strings, the dirty, corrupt humans that run our kingdoms. The government, military, even the schools, all of them are at fault for your lot in life." The crowd started to agree with him. "They are nothing but pests that need to be dealt with. Lucky for you, I'm the best exterminator in this town. No offense to any rodents in the room."
He snapped his fingers and the curtain fell, revealing two Atlesian Paladins, decorated with the White Fang emblem. The crowd saw this and went wild with support.
"Those are some big robots." Sun nervously said.
"How did he get ahold of them?" Blake asked her partners.
"As I'm sure many of have heard, these bad boys here..." Roman banged his hand against one of the robots. "... Are Atlas' newest line of toys against all the things that go bump in the night. But thanks to my employer, we've managed to snag a few of them before they've, hit the shelves. Now, many of your brothers have moved to our operation down in the southeast. If you want to stay here in the city, that's okay. But if you are ready to fight for what you believe in, this is just a sample of the arsenal I can provide you. Any questions?"
The crowd shouted and cheered at the human, this time in joy and support. "We'd better get out of here." Blake told the boys.
"All new recruits, come forward." The man before Roman spoke requested and the new members did that.
"We're screwed." Sun said as only he, Blake and Natsu stood still.
The Bear's Den
"I. Don't. Know." Junior answered after he slammed the glass down on the bar top.
"How the hell could you not know?" Yang asked, annoyed.
"I haven't talked to him!" He shouted back. "Hell, I haven't even seen him since the night you first showed up! He paid up front, I loaned him my men, and none of them ever came back." He stood up and looked Yang in the eyes.
"So, where did they go?" Neptune asked, making Junior look at him.
"What kind of moronic question is that!?" He asked the bluenette. "They never came back! Who is this idiot!?"
"Don't worry about him." Yang said, pushing Neptune back. "Worry about me if I don't get the answers I want!"
"I've told you everything I know." Junior growled out. "Torchwick hired my men, and I guess he wasn't happy with them. Which is something I can relate to!" He shouted, letting all his men hear him.
"So you just lent your men to someone without asking any questions?" Ryuko asked leaning in.
"With the kind of pay he offered me, you don't ask a lot of questions." Junior answered glaring at all three of them.
"Come on, you guys. We're leaving." Yang turned around and led the group out of the bar.
"We get everything we need?" Neptune asked.
"We got everything we can..." Yang answered. "Hopefully the others are having better luck than us."
White Fang Meeting Area
"What do we do!?" Sun asked in a panic.
"I'm thinking." Blake said back.
"I say we fight our way out." Natsu put in his two cents, only to have Blake glare at him.
Sun looked up as Roman looked over the crowd before looking at the three. "He sees us." He warned them.
Blake looked around as Roman started walking over to them. She looked near the door and noticed a power box. "He can't see in the dark." She took out her weapon and fired, hitting the box and cutting the power.
"Don't let them get away!" Roman shouted.
"Sun! Natsu! The window!" Blake shouted to her teammates.
"Somebody stop them!" Roman shouted before the sound of machines powering up over took the panic cries of the people gathered.
The three burst out the window before running on the ground. The wall behind them burst and the two suits chased after them, forcing the group to run atop roofs.
"Please tell me at least one of you has, you know, some form of back up!" Sun asked as they jumped from one roof to another.
"On it!" Both Blake and Natsu shouted before they reached for their Scrolls.
CCTT
"Everyone!" Weiss took out her Scroll so she and Vergil could hear Blake. "If you can hear me, we need back-"
"Help!" Sun interrupted to simplify the request. The two rolled their eyes before they ran out the building.
Alleyway
"They got some robots, and they're big! Really big!" Sun shouted as Aerith and Ruby listened.
"No way am I missing this!" Ruby smiled before the two left the ally.
Outside The Bear's Den
"That Torchwick guy is in one!" The group outside the club listened in on their bikes. "But not like, it ate him. He's like, controlling it or something!"
"Where are you guys!?" Yang asked before heavy footsteps from behind caught their attention.
"Huurrryyy!" Sun shouted as the suits chased the Faunus.
"Well, that's convenient." Ryuko said before she and Yang revved their bikes and took off after the metal suits.
The Faunus jumped down onto a street and landed on some cars before sprinting ahead of the suits that followed them. The Paladins knocked cars out of the way as the trio jumped along car roof after car roof.
Yang and Ryuko pulled up behind the suits as Roman growled inside. "We need to slow them down!" Ryuko shouted.
"On it!" Neptune stood up on Bumblebee and reached for his gun when the suits plowed through rows of cars, sending the vehicles flying backwards.
"Hold on!" Yang shouted at the bluenette, who gulped before the riders zoomed past the cars. Clear of the danger, Neptune pulled out his gun and fired at the suits. He spun his gun around and it turned into a guandao with a glowing blade. He jumped off the bike and pressed a button, splitting it into a trident before he stabbed the first suit.
"Neptune, hang on!" Sun shouted at his friend before he slammed his fists together and glowing clones of himself charged the suit. They made contact with it and exploded upon impact. Sun jumped and spun his staff, only to have Neptune fly off and hit him, sending them both off the highway.
"Blake, I'm in position!" Ruby said on the Scroll before Weiss jumped down and created a circle of ice on the road, making Roman's suit slip and fall off the edge of the road.
The second one turned only to be met with an ice blast from the front. "So, that's your power, eh lizard?" The voice of the masked member came out of the machine as it turned to look at Natsu. The Paladin raised its fist to punch Natsu, only to have it jam. He looked back as Ryuko used her Semblance to hold the arm back.
"Eyes forward!" A new voice caught the lieutenant's attention and he looked ahead as Vergil jumped down and shot the suit repeatedly, making the suit loose balance and fall off the edge. Both Paladins landed on their feet, back to back, one facing Ruby and the other Aerith as their teammates landed besides them, weapons at the ready.
"Freezer Burn!" Ruby shouted as she and Blake jumped back as Weiss created another circle of ice that Yang smashed, creating a layer of mist. The suits scanned around for their targets, and Roman found his and started firing. Missing the targets, Ruby charged forward and swung her scythe. "Checkmate!" Blake and Weiss sprinted forward and swung their blades, hitting the legs of the suit.
The lieutenant scanned around before finding Natsu standing in the mist looking up at him. "Bullet Storm!" He shouted before Dust bullets started firing from all directions in the mist, hitting the suit. "Blade Runners!" Ryuko and Vergil ran out of the mist and swung their blades, hitting the suit with every strike. The lieutenant looked ahead as Natsu jumped up and swung his arm, now coated in a blade of ice, and cut off one of the Paladin's arms.
Weiss and Blake jumped back as Roman fired more missiles, only to have Blake, augmented by Weiss' glyphs, to slice thorough them. "Ladybug!" Ruby launched forward and hooked the underside of the suit before she and Blake ran between its legs and sliced before they jumped up and sliced one of its arms off.
Yang jumped on from behind and started punching it with her gauntlets, only to have Roman back up into a pillar. As Yang fell off the pillar, Roman's fist punched her through a pillar.
"Yang!" Blake shouted concerned.
"Don't worry." Ruby told her. "With every hit she gets stronger and then she uses that strength to fight back. That's her Semblance."
Annoyed at his situation, the lieutenant launched his missiles at Aerith, onto have an ice wall erected infront of her and take the blast. "Avalanche!" Natsu shouted and Aerith swung at the wall, sending shards of ice at the suit. "Superman Punch!" He shouted before strings wrapped around his waist. Ryuko swung her arm and sent Natsu flying before he punched the suit, sending it back.
The leader jumped back as Vergil jumped forward. The suit raised its fist and slammed it down on the swordsmen.
"No!" Ryuko shouted.
"Don't worry." Natsu said from beside her. "If what he said is true, than this is nothing." The suit pulled his fist back before a flash of light blinded the White Fang member. As the flash of light faded, Vergil stood there, changed. His body was covered in blue, scale like clothing, and his feet were blue with black nails . His head was coated in a metal/scale helmet and his eyes glowed blue. The sword hilt was coated in the same scales and his pistols were now spiked at the barrel's end.
Both pilots of the suits smirked before they punched again, only to have them blocked. Yang looked with red eyes and punched the arm, causing it to shatter. Vergil jumped out of the way of a kick and sliced the arm as he landed, causing it to fall off. Both moved back from a kick, Yang farther than Vergil.
"Bumblebee!" Ruby shouted and Blake threw her weapon. Yang caught it and swung around a pillar, only to have the suit move out of the way.
"Trebuchet!" Natsu shouted as Ryuko wrapped her strings around Vergil's waist. She pulled her arm back and sent him flying towards the suit, his sword at the ready, only to have the Paladin move.
"We need to slow it down." Both Natsu and Ruby said at the same time.
"And how do we do that?" Weiss asked.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Aerith asked with smile.
"Ice Flower!" Ruby slammed her scythe into the ground as Weiss coated her bullets in ice. Ruby pulled her trigger and fired. When the rounds hit the suit, ice covered the impacted area.
"Corner Pocket!" Natsu incased himself in a sphere of ice before Aerith swung at him, sending him flying towards the suit. The ball shattered upon impact and Natsu used the ice to trap the feet of the suit.
Blake and Ryuko swung again, sending Yang and Vergil, respectively, into their opponents. Yang punched hers and Vergil swung the back of his katana, sending them both back. The suits crashed into each other and shattered, making the lieutenant and Roman roll on the ground. "Just got those things cleaned!"
Both looked up as Yang and Vergil fired a blast from their gauntlets and pistols, respectively. Before impact, a girl landed infront of them and blocked the attack with her umbrella.
"Ladies, gentlemen, ice queen..." Roman said to the group of eight. "Always a pleasure. Neo, if you would?"
The girl bowed at the group before Natsu and Yang launched forward and they both threw a punch, only to have a wall shatter like glass before them. Both looked around as a bullhead flew away with all three inside.
"So, he got a new henchman, huh?" Vergil asked as he returned to normal and the other six ran up to the two.
"I guess, she made our plans, fall apart?" Weiss joked, only to have Team NVAR walk away, shaking their heads.
"No, just no." Yang said as Blake walked away.
"Why not?" Weiss asked. "You do it."
"Weiss, there's a time and a place for jokes." Yang said.
"Was this not it?" The heiress asked.
"No, it just sucked." Yang said as she walked away.
"Well, excuse me for trying." Weiss followed the blonde.
"Hold on, did anyone see where Sun and Neptune went?" Ruby asked.
A Simple Wok Noddle House
"They're okay, right?" Neptune asked as he and Sun ate their noodle bowls.
"Probably." Sun answered.
Forgive me if the double fight seemed bad, I tried my best to make it good. I figured if they both teams fough the same Paladin at the same, it would just end to quickly. No fair to you guys.
I used Senkestsu for Ryuko, mixed the looks from the Kingdom Hearts games for Aerith, and used the Tartarus look for Natsu. Hope you liked the choices.
The poll results this week: Ruby is still in first and Yang is in second place, with Velvet comfortably sitting in third. Neo is now official in forth place, and Coco has beaten Winter and Cinder for fifth place. Only including those two so you know who would is in sixth place.
Next will be a trailer for Vergil, so I hope you'll like it.
Beta read by digemsmack.