Damn, I've been sitting on this chapter for a bit, really should get it out for you guys!
Oh. As a bonus for you guys, if you can recognise the outfits my characters are using and leave your thoughts in a review, you can have a gold star! Here's my hint: They're Fire Emblem character outfits.
Chapter 21: Operation: Investigation: Part 1
Title Song: No Justice (Calm) - Fire Emblem Fates OST
A few days had passed since Teams KOLD and RWBY decided they would look into the criminal activity in Vale. It was Friday afternoon, and Team KOLD returned to their dorm. "Alright, just to be safe, we've planned to use different outfits to help stay under the radar. Everyone got theirs planned?" Asked Koa.
Each of his team nodded. "Alright then, Jas, I really regret this, but we're going to have to do something to disguise your tail. Tail faunus traits are rare, but yours is bright gold," Koa scratched his head, pointing to Jasmine's fluffy appendage.
"No problem, we figured out a way to fix that, we'll get started in there, you guys change out here," Lilo smirked, pointing to the bathroom door. The girls stepped inside, while Koa and Onyx shared a shrug.
Koa stepped out, allowing Onyx to change first. While he waited, he wondered what Lilo and Jasmine were planning. It wasn't long before Onyx came out, signifying that Koa switch to change as well.
The outfit he chose looked like the old Mistralian ninjas, with a sleeveless loose dark blue gi, a black sash around the waist, black pants and a blue cloak trailing from his right shoulder. His holsters were on his belt under the sash. He called this outfit Disciplined Leader.
Onyx came back in, and he was wearing a white shirt under a black waistcoat, black pants and boots. His gloves were brown, and he attached the compact rifle form of Obsidian Guardian to his back. Onyx called his outfit New Beginnings.
"Nice, you look like a ninja," Onyx nodded.
"And you look like a ragged butler," Koa gave a thumbs up.
Lilo came out of the bathroom first, wearing a violet hood, white frilled shirt with a brown garter belt. Below the waist she wore a pair of tight black pants held by a leather belt. She wore large black boots. She called it Lone Wolf.
"Whaddya think?" She gave a twirl.
"Looking good wolfie," Koa grinned.
"Agreed," Onyx nodded.
"Wait until you see her though," Lilo grinned, pointing to the girl now leaving the bathroom. Koa couldn't help but stare at her. Jasmine was wearing an amber coloured cloak-like cardigan over a white blouse. A dark yellow sash was tied around her stomach. She also wore an amber skirt, yellow wristbands with white fingerless gloves, a band around her left thigh, and she finished the look with yellow sandals.
However, Koa wasn't looking at the outfit. He was looking at her hair. "It's white…" He said. Jasmine's golden blonde hair was now as white as Weiss' silver locks, including the nine soft tails tied into one with a red bow.
"Yup, every strand of hair on her head and her tail is now dyed white. It was not easy," Lilo nodded.
"Right, let's go over to RWBY's room, it's almost time to go," Koa said.
All three of his teammates nodded, slipping down the hall and knocking twice, then twice again. Ruby answered it, wearing a long-sleeved, light gray shirt with black belted cuffs near the ends of the sleeves. Over the gray shirt was a black pinafore with two vertical lines of red stitching that resemble the lacing on a corset. She wore a red skirt with a large black print of her emblem on the side and matching black tulle underneath, finished with her stockings and black boots. Her signature red clock has been wrapped around her neck in a scarf-like fashion before trailing behind her like normal.
"Hey, come in, we've just finished getting ready," The young leader said, letting Team KOLD in.
The other three girls of Team RWBY were just going over their weapons or outfits, making sure everything was perfect before they left.
"Alright guys? Ready to go investigate a criminal organisation?" Yang asked. She was wearing a deep-collared cream vest worn over a low cut black shirt; both were covered by a dark gray shrug with a raised collar, three-quarter sleeves adorned with a single black stripe down the outside of each sleeve, and gold cuffs. A black miniskirt was worn under the cream vest. She also wore a pair of crooked black belts with gold accents around her hips and a purple piece of fabric hanging from the left rear side. She wore black stockings attached to her skirt by garter-belts and black ankle boots with multiple buckles.
"You know it, I'm ready to give them some broken legs," Lilo said, giving her fellow brawler a fist bump.
"Hopefully we won't need to do any breaking bones, this is primarily intelligence gather… whoa…" Weiss trailed off, only just now seeing Jasmine. Weiss was wearing a white, double-breasted pea coat with black piping, cuffs, and buttons over a white, pleated full skirt with black lace trim. She also wore a pair of white, thigh-high boots with black heels and lace-topped black stockings.
The four girls glanced at the girl, not expecting a snow fox faunus to walk in the room. "Yeah, she and Lilo just dyed her hair," Onyx nodded.
"She looks like she could be a very distant cousin to you Weiss," Blake remarked. She was wearing a white, v-neck, zip-up crop shirt with a black hem and three-quarter sleeves. Her emblem was printed in off-white on the left side of the shirt. She wore black pants that have a vertical gray stripe on the outer side of each leg and a black belt. On the back of the belt was a black piece of fabric that covers her from hip to hip. Underneath this is a longer, translucent, purple piece of fabric. She also wears black high-heel boots with two straps and buckles. She retains the black ribbons on her forearms and her black bow.
"You're looking pretty decent yourselves guys," Koa voiced the opinion each member of his team was thinking.
All eight students stood in a circle, "Alright, let's recap on our roles." Onyx suggested.
"Right, Weiss, Onyx and I are headed to the CCT. Weiss can use her connections with her family to double check for any other dust thefts and inconsistencies," Ruby said, Weiss nodding.
"The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members. If I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning," Blake said.
"And we're going with you," Lilo said, getting a nod from Jasmine. "I can send the pups to poke around in the back while we listen to what they're up to."
"I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows everything in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard," Yang said.
"And I also have a contact in that neighbourhood who's a brilliant info broker. The weapon systems on the Genesis Dawn aren't working yet, so we've just taken them off for now," Koa said. "Want to come along? I heard there's some trigger-happy people in that part of town."
"Sure, my bike's in for a service," Yang nodded.
"You took it in only now? Yang…" Ruby sighed at her older sister.
"What? The brakes were becoming an issue," Yang defended herself.
"Alright, cut the banter. Let's get busy," Koa said.
"Yeah!" A familiar voice was heard from the open window. Everyone turned to see Sun Wukong handing from his tail from a branch, the sight making everyone stepped back in surprise.
"Sun, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" Lilo growled.
"Sun?" Blake asked, surprised to see him.
"How did you get up there?" Yang then asked.
"Oh this?" Sun asked, gesturing to his tail. "I do this all the time."
"You what?!" Demanded Weiss and Lilo.
"I climb trees all the time," Sun corrected himself, ignoring the sour glare from the girls.
"Watch it monkey boy, if I see you outside our window, you're getting a hardback to the face," Lilo growled.
"Uh… Lilo, there's no tree outside our window," Onyx pointed out. "And please don't threaten my books."
"Anywho, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?" asked Sun, flipping spectacularly onto his feet through the window.
"We are going to investigate the situation, as in our two teams," Blake pointed out.
"Sorry Sun. We don't want to get any more friends involved," Ruby spoke up.
"Pshh, that's dumb. You should always get friends involved, that's why I brought Neptune," Sun pointed behind him.
Team RWBY and Jasmine glanced out the window and saw the blue haired young man standing on the ledge beside the window. "Sup," He gave a casual nod.
"How did you even get up here?" Ruby asked.
"I have my ways, seriously though, can I come in? We're like… really high up," Neptune asked.
After helping the bluenette in, the group figured out how to alter their plans.
"Alright then, Sun, you go with team Faunus, they're going to a White Fang meeting, Neptune, we'd prefer you come with us, giving each team at least three people," Koa said.
Teams decided, the ten students headed for their respective transports.
Vale was as busy as ever, however, Onyx still found it better than Atlas, which was just… too fancy. "Wow, I forgot how big the CCT is," Ruby gushed as they approached the large tower.
"You should see the one in Atlas," Weiss and Onyx both said. "Jinx," Onyx then added, causing the Schnee heiress to pout.
"That was the first one, right?" Ruby asked.
"Yup. Atlas first built one to contact the outlying settlements, after that, they gifted it to the other three kingdoms after the Great War," Onyx nodded, surprising Weiss by beating her to the informatic answer.
Ruby was clearly prepared to counter Weiss' answer, so she shrugged, "Look at me, I'm Onyx, I don't let anything get past me," She said, putting on the most masculine voice she could attempt. Given the differences between his voice and hers, she failed spectacularly.
"Oh don't be a pest to him. Besides, the only reason we came here is because you like the tower so much. We could have just as easily made the call from the school library," Weiss pointed out.
"I know, but it's just so cool! I'm gonna take a picture," Ruby said, making to pull out her scroll, but fumbling as it left her pocket and dropped it.
The scroll bounced a few times, before stopping at a pair of feet. The owner of those feet picked it up, and Onyx glanced at her, a girl with bright orange hair that he'd never seen before. Evidently, Ruby had.
"Penny?!" Ruby asked, surprised.
"Uhh…" Penny seemed nervous for some reason.
"Where have you been? We haven't seen you since the night at the docks," Ruby asked her friend.
"Wait, am I missing something here?" Onyx asked Weiss.
"We met her just before the Blake situation happened, and apparently she helped at the docks that night," Weiss replied.
"S-sorry. I think you're confused," Penny said. This made Onyx frown. Was she trying to act like she didn't know Ruby? The girl then hiccupped, the movement causing the scroll in her hand to bounce into Ruby's, "I've got to go." With that, she quickly turned and walked away.
"What was that about?" Weiss asked.
"I dunno, but I'm gonna find out. You go make your call. I'll meet up later," Ruby said, before dashing after the orange haired girl.
"Wait!" Weiss tried to stop her, but Ruby was already gone. "Ugh!" The heiress shook her head in disappointment. Onyx put a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on, let's get what we came for," Onyx said, guiding his friend into the CCT and towards one of the elevators.
"Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?" Asked a female voice through a speaker.
"We'd like to head to the communications room please," Weiss replied.
"Absolutely, please place your scrolls near the terminal so I may identify you for the record please," The voice said. Weiss did first, then Onyx. "Perfect, thank you Miss Schnee and Mr Stone."
The elevator started to ascend. As it did, Onyx spotted Weiss practicing a smile, before she frowned. "Trying to look prim and proper in case he's on the other end?" He asked.
"No. I just… I just don't want any trouble from anyone there. Especially if he's mentioned or involved," Weiss sighed.
"It's ok. Just deep breaths and keep calm," Onyx assured her.
"Thanks Onyx," Weiss smiled softly.
The elevator came to a halt, letting the two students out into a large room, filled with terminals equally spaced out with divides between offering some privacy for calls. A circular desk stood before them, with a hologram of a woman with brown eyes and brown hair curled to the right, wearing a black suit.
"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit Center. How may I help you?" She asked, almost like a real person.
"We need to make a call to the Schnee Dust Company Headquarters in Atlas please," Weiss replied.
"Absolutely," The woman typed some commands on her keyboard. "If you would like to head over to terminal 3, I'll patch you through."
"Thank you," Onyx spoke up, before heading over to the appropriate terminal for the call.
Soon, the call connected, a blue-eyed, orange haired woman appeared on screen, wearing a grey military styled suit. "Thank you for calling the Atlas- oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon," The worker said, breaking protocol to greet the young heiress. "Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here too."
"No thank you," Weiss said quickly. "I was wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list." She plugged her scroll into the terminal, which sent said list to Atlas.
The lady took a moment to look over the files. "I see. If you don't mind, what may I ask is this for?" She asked.
"School project," Weiss said.
"Um… there's some pretty sensitive documents on this list ma'am," The worker noted, getting nervous.
"Then we'll handle them with care," Weiss said.
"And delete them from our scrolls when we're done," Onyx chimed in.
"… Right. Very well, the data you ask for is being copied to your scroll now," The woman said.
"Wonderful," Weiss said, taking her scroll back.
"Will that be all Miss?" The lady asked.
"Yes thank you," Weiss smiled.
"Actually… Could I ask something from you Miss…?" Onyx asked. Weiss realised he wanted to make use of the call and gave him her seat.
"My name is Coral," The woman said. "How can I help you sir?"
"I just wanted to know how my parents are doing, they're both workers within the SDC, so if you could help me with that…"
"Oh, of course. What are their names?" Coral asked.
"My mother is Maho Stone, my father is Jet Stone," Onyx said.
"Jet and Maho Stone… ah, here we are…" The woman examined the names. "It seems that Mrs Stone is currently handling the transportation for dust from the mines. Hmm… Mr Stone currently is one of the workers that prepares the dust for departures to all the Kingdoms. This is interesting… sir, it says here that Mrs Maho Stone is showing early signs of pregnancy, it's speculated around a couple of months."
Onyx's eyes widened, while Weiss gave a small gasp behind him.
"I… I see. Thank you Coral, that will be all," Onyx said. She nodded, and the screen blackened. "Pregnant? I… I don't believe it…" He muttered.
"That's wonderful news Onyx!" Weiss beamed for him.
"I suppose it is. A few months ago… damn it," He sighed. "I probably left just after."
The two smiled a little, before glancing at the scroll in Weiss' hand. "Come on, let's go find some place to look these over while waiting for word from the other teams."
On the other side of Vale, the rumble of an engine announced the arrival of a Striker-class truck. A hatch on the top was pushed open, and Koa climbed out, as Yang and Neptune dismounted from the side hatch. It had taken most of the afternoon to get across town, following the traffic laws all the way, so it had gotten dark by the time they had arrived.
"Welcome to the shadiest neighbourhood in Vale," Koa said, hopping down to join his temporary teammates. He glanced back at the Genesis Dawn. "For it's first trip since we got it, it's done pretty well."
"I'll say, comfy too," Yang nodded. She glanced to the unassuming doors to a club. "This is my stop," She said.
"It is? Interesting, this is where I asked to meet my contact, Neptune, you keep an eye on Yang, come on," The three headed for the door.
Inside, the club was rather dark, with the floor and walls pitch black. White and red lights were flashing and flying throughout the room, while techno-beat music was playing around the room. Men in black suits with red ties and glasses were preparing to open the club for the night rush, with a handful manning the bar, another in a bear costume standing over the music setup, while others are stood in watchful spots around the club.
A pair of guards rushed into the club, having been the bouncers. They closed the door and held it shut.
The owner of the club, a well-built man wearing a white dress shirt, black vest, red tie, black pants, gloves and boots, scowled at the two. "What are you two idiots doing?" He demanded.
"Junior, she's here! She's back! The one with the-!" They tried to warn him, but they were cut off by an explosion which blasted them away and forced the door open.
Koa rolled his eyes as Yang decided to make her dramatic entrance. The busty blonde sauntered into the club, "Guess who's back!?" She called out.
This had the desired effect of getting the attention of everyone in the club. Unfortunately, this also meant that every club guard aimed their weapons at the energetic brawler. Yang took a moment to glare at the DJ. When she had made her entrance, the track skipped, then started to get garbled, repeating the same two seconds over and over. The bear DJ popped his head up, took the needle off the record, then dropped back down.
"Yeeeah… could you define 'friend' for us please?" Neptune asked as he stepped in next to Yang, who was still public target number one, every guard not letting her leave their sights.
"Seriously though, why are they aiming at you?" Koa asked.
"Stop, stop! Nobody shoot!" The well-built boss ordered, stepping up to meet the three. "Blondie, you're here. Why?" He asked, confused and nervous.
"Hey Junior," Koa said, stepping past the goons. He stopped by the bar, "I'll have something soft please," He requested the bartender, putting some lien on the top.
The man shrugged, reaching under and pulling out a can. "Here you go, one can of cherry Zing," He said.
"That'll do," Koa said, taking the can and heading for one of the enclaves. "'By stepping into the light…'" He began.
"'… We cast away with our shadows," A surprisingly young female voice replied. "Nice to see you again Koa."
"And to you as well Chloe," Koa nodded back, as the girl leaned out of the shadows. She wore a dark green tanker's jacket with a horseshoe emblem on the shoulders and breast. Under the jacket, she wore a black sailor shirt and denim shorts.
"I heard you and foxy were involved in that dockside fight the other week," Chloe said.
"More like we helped clear the stragglers. Anyway, that's kinda why we're speaking this evening. Listen, around a month ago, my team, a second year team and a pro huntress went and investigated a white fang base. There, the second years narrowly survived an encounter with Adam Taurus, the same man who took Jas."
"Right, I remember the guy from your intel gathering, the bull faunus, fights with a katana and the sheathe is a shotgun, right?" Chloe asked.
"That's him. Anyway, it was in the files we pulled from that base where we discovered Adam is one of the leading figures in the White Fang, pulls the strings behind the Vale branch. And that's where you come in. Know anything about the White Fang in Vale? Don't worry about the meeting tonight, we've got people looking into that."
Chloe leaned back. "Hmm… well, I hear that the White Fang have stopped stealing dust. However, an associate of mine told me that they hit a train headed for Vale. Stole the whole thing."
"You're kidding. They stole an entire train? What about the crew? The cargo?" Koa asked.
"I think we both can guess what happened to the crew. As for the cargo, it was a shipment of these new Atlas walkers, designed to take on Goliaths or worse," Chloe said.
"So now the White Fang have enough dust to reduce Vale to a smoking crater, and they've also got a bunch of brand new Atlas mechs? Perfect," Koa sighed. He tossed some bills onto the table, finishing his can. "Alright, guess I'd better inform the others." He stood up. "You know… I still wonder why you chose this line of work Chloe. You were one of the top five in class, why'd you choose this life instead of putting that training to proper use?"
"You know why Koa. My semblance is useless in a fight, and my aura is damn near pathetic. Of course, I still keep up with all the training our teachers taught us, but this line of business just seems more… satisfying," Chloe said.
"So of course instead, you choose the life of Chloe 'Horseshoe' Ace. Info broker for the good guys," Koa sighed. "Alright, keep your ear to the ground, let me know if you learn anything new about the White Fang, Adam or Torchwick."
"Actually, Torchwick has a new sidekick. Neopolitan. Damn terrifying little trickster. If you ever find yourself in a fight with her, watch out for the blade," Chloe said. "I'll give that one for free, as I've almost been spotted by her when snooping around Torchwick's operations."
"Thanks for the advice," Koa said, as she handed him a photo of the girl in question. He'd focus on that when they get back to the Genesis Dawn. "See you next time Ace," Koa said.
He walked out into the streets. Yang and Neptune were standing by the Dawn. "Get what you came for?" Yang asked.
"Well, we could be in for a bigger fight than I thought," Koa sighed.
Koa: Well, that's it for our side of the plan.
Lilo: Now it's our turn!
Onyx: Be careful over there, if they catch you...
Lilo: Relax, we've got it covered!
All: Next time: Operation Investigation Part 2!
A/N: From now on in this story, if an original character name pops up, I'll be sure to give some clarity to their name and the colour they reference.
Maho Stone: Mahogany - usually seen as a very dark red wood or colour.
Jet Stone: Jet is a type of black gemstone
Chloe Ace: Name-play on the green four-leaf clover