The scene opens to Pyrrha gearing up in a locker room. As she walks out of the locker room, we cut to her sparring with Cardin Winchester and back again. Eventually, the fight scene includes the other members of Team CRDL.
While she is still exiting toward the arena, the scene cuts to her spar with Team CRDL.
Glynda approaches from behind Cardin who clutches his ribs.
Glynda: And that's the match.
Cardin: Lucky shot.
Cardin collapses.
Glynda: Well done, Miss Nikos. You should have no problem qualifying for the tournament.
Pyrrha: Thank you, professor.
Glynda: (Tapping her Scroll.) Alright, now I know that's a tough act to follow, but we have time for one more sparring match. (Glynda looks around at the observing students.) Any volunteers? Ms. Belladonna? (Blake slams her book shut and stares wide-eyed at Glynda.) You've been rather docile for the past few classes. Why don't you -
Mercury raises his hand.
Mercury: I'll do it.
Glynda: Mercury, is it? Very well, let's find you an opponent.
Mercury: Actually, I wanna fight... her.
Mercury points to Pyrrha.
Pyrrha: Me?
Glynda: I'm afraid Miss Nikos has just finished the match. I recommend you choose another partner.
Pyrrha: No, it's fine! I'd be happy to oblige.
Mercury struts into the arena, visibly sizing up Pyrrha. Their spar begins when he makes the first attack and is knocked down. Recovering quickly, he deflects an attack and begins trading blows with Pyrrha until she knocks him back with her shield.
Ruby Rose turns toward Emerald sitting behind her.
Ruby: Hey, your friend's doing pretty good.
Emerald gives a fake smile and then rolls her eyes as Ruby turns her back.
Mercury unleashes a series of powerful strikes. Pyrrha allows his kick to slam against her forearm before Mercury manages to disarm her, a kick impaling her blade into the ground. Pyrrha uses her Semblance to redirect the direction of Mercury's next kick. As she charges him with her shield, he shoots off of it and turns his back to her. Pyrrha tries to rush him again.
Mercury: (non-chalant) I forfeit.
Pyrrha almost stumbles as she stops beside him.
Pyrrha: You... don't even want to try?
Mercury: (shrugging) What's the point? You're a world-renowned fighter. We're obviously leagues apart.
Glynda: (offscreen) In that case... Pyrrha Nikos is the victor of the match... again.
Emerald smirks. Mercury sneers smugly. Pyrrha has a annoyed and disappointed look on her face, and places her left hand on her hip. The Aura displays for Pyrrha and Mercury are shown as Mercury's is changed from green to red indicating his loss.
Glynda: Next time, you may want to think a little harder before choosing an opponent.
Mercury: I'll be sure to do that.
An alarm sounds which jolts Blake who has nodded off.
Glynda: (offscreen) That is all for today. And remember, the dance is this weekend. But you all have your first mission on Monday. I will not accept any excuses.
As everyone leaves, Mercury stops beside Emerald.
Mercury: Learning is so much fun.
Outside, SSSN are standing at the entrance as Team RWBY walks past. Sun notices Blake and runs after her.
Sun: (offscreen) Hey, Blake! (Sun grabs Blake by her shoulder.) You uh, doing okay?
Blake: (Blake shuts the book she is reading.) I'm fine.
Sun: So I hear there's this dance going on this weekend... ah, sounds pretty lame, but you and me, I'm thinking, not as lame, huh?
Blake: What?
Sun: The dance! This weekend! You wanna go, or what?
Blake: I don't have time for a stupid dance. I thought you of all people would get that.
Blake walks away past her team. Sun sinks from his rejection.
Blake: (offscreen) You what?
The scene shifts to team RWBY in their dorm room. Blake is sitting with her arms crossed.
Ruby: We want you to go to the dance.
Blake: That's ridiculous.
Yang: Blake, we're worried about you. This investigation is starting to mess with your head.
Weiss: (counting the facts on her fingers) You can't sleep, you hardly eat, and to be honest, your grades have been suffering.
Blake: You think I care about grades? (She shrugs and then gestures out the window.) People's lives are at stake!
Yang puts her hand on Blake's, lowering it.
Yang: We know, and we're all still trying to figure out what Torchwick is up to.
Ruby: Thanks to you and Sun, we know they're operating somewhere outside of southeast Vale.
Weiss: And, the Schnee company records singled out Vale as the primary target for Dust robberies over the last few months.
Yang: Don't forget about their missing military tech too.
Blake: But there's still unanswered questions!
Ruby: Blake, you won't be able to find anything if you can't even keep your eyes open!
Yang: All we're asking is that you take it easy for one day.
Weiss: It will be fun! Yang and I will make sure of it.
Yang: Yeah! We're planning the whole event!
Yang pumps her fists which causes the bed to bounce Blake.
Blake: Excuse me?
Weiss: Team CFVY's away mission lasted longer than expected.
Yang: So, Weiss and I were asked to pick up where they left off. And now we can make sure you have the perfect night.
Weiss: And once it's all over, we'll return for our search, rested and ready.
Ruby: So what do ya think?
Blake: I think this is a colossal waste of time.
Blake walks away from the group and opens the dorm door.
Blake: I'll be in the library.
She walks out of the room.
Yang: Great.
Weiss: She can't keep going on like this.
There's a knock at the door and Weiss approaches and opens it. Jaune appears at the door with a guitar.
Jaune: (singing) Weiss!
Weiss slams the door in his face.
Jaune: (offscreen) Oh, come on, open the door! I promise not to sing.
Weiss opens the door.
Jaune: (singing) I lied! Weiss Schu-nee, will you accompany me, to the dance on... Sunday!?
Weiss: Are you done?
Jaune: (shrugging) Yes?
Weiss: No. (She shuts the door in his face. Turning around, she sees the others staring at her.) What?
Both girls are standing precariously.
Yang: And that is why they call you the Ice Queen.
Ruby finally collapses.
Weiss: All my life, boys have only cared about the perks of my last name. Besides, I already have a date in mind.
Ruby: Date or no date, none of this will matter if we can't get Blake to go.
That night, Pyrrha and Jaune are sparring at their spot on the roof. Jaune appears to gain the upper hand until Pyrrha sweeps his legs out from under him.
Pyrrha: (laughing) Well done! Your swordplay's improved immensely.
Pyrrha helps Jaune to his feet.
Jaune: I couldn't have done it without you.
Pyrrha: So, are you ready to move on to Aura?
Jaune: I'm actually thinking maybe we just skip Aura for tonight? Might go on a jog or something.
Pyrrha: Come on, I know you get frustrated, but you must keep trying. I'm sure you'll discover your Semblance any day now.
Jaune: That's not it. It's just... (hesitating) It's dumb.
Pyrrha: What is it? (She approaches Jaune and places her hand on his shoulder.) Jaune, you know you can tell me.
Jaune: It's... Weiss.
Pyrrha:(face falls slightly) Oh. What about her?
Jaune: I asked her to the dance and she shot me down. (giggling halfheartedly) Big surprise, right?
Pyrrha: Well, I believe the saying goes: There's... plenty of fish in the sea.
Jaune: That's easy for you to say. You've probably got guys clamoring over each other just to ask you out.
Pyrrha:(chuckles half-heartedly) You'd be surprised.
Jaune dismisses the thought.
Jaune: Oh please. If you don't get a date to the dance, I'll wear a dress. Heh.
He walks away. Pyrrha drops her smile and looks rather upset.
Emerald: (offscreen) And finally, Pyrrha Nikos.
The scene shifts to Cinder in her dorm room, sewing a black dress as she sits on one of the beds. Emerald is sitting on the floor while looking at her Scroll, and Mercury is lying on the ground and reading a comic book.
Cinder: Ah, the invincible girl.
Mercury: She's smart, but I wouldn't say invincible.
Cinder: Do tell.
Emerald: Her Semblance is Polarity. But you'd never know just by watching.
Mercury: After she made contact with my boots, she was able to move them around however she wanted. But she only made slight adjustments.
Emerald: Just enough to make it look like she's untouchable. She doesn't broadcast her power, so it puts her opponent at a disadvantage.
Cinder: Hmm... People assume that she's fated for victory, when she's really taking fate into her own hands. Interesting. Add her to the list.
Mercury: You should be able to take her no problem.
Cinder: It's not about overpowering the enemy. It's about taking away what power they have. And we will, in time.
Mercury: I hate waiting.
Cinder: Don't worry, Mercury. We have a fun weekend ahead of us.
Y/N walks into the visible scene.
Y/N: Better be a fun weekend, I've been working my ass off trying to get that relic!
asked!
Weiss walks out of the scene as Yang comes in carrying a massive sound speaker on her shoulder, which bounces her sister and the table she's moping on again to jump in the air when she drops it on the ground.
Yang: (brushing her hands as she approaches Ruby) So, have you picked out a dress yet?
Ruby: What's the point? Who cares about the dance if Blake isn't going?
Yang: Oh, don't worry; she's going. (looks over off-screen, exasperated) Weiss! I thought we agreed: No doilies!
Weiss: (walks up to Yang, pointing in her face) If I don't get doilies, you don't get fog machines!
The girls are interrupted by the sound of doors opening.
Neptune: (walking in with Sun) Your dance is gonna have fog machines?
Weiss: (stepping up to him, becoming sweet) We were thinking about it...
Neptune: That's pretty cool.
Sun: (coming into the scene, acting suave to Weiss' ire) You ladies all excited for dress-up?
Ruby: Pfft... Yeah, right!
Yang: Laugh all you want. I'll be turning heads tomorrow night!
Weiss: (addressing Sun and Neptune) What are you two wearing?
Sun: Uuhhh... this? (gestures to his current shirtless outfit)
Neptune: (steps up and holds a hand in front of his friend's face.) Ignore him for he knows not what he says.
Sun: (knocks Neptune's hand away) Hey, I may have moved to Mistral, but I grew up in Vacuo. It's not exactly a shirt-and-tie kind of place.
Yang: (mirroring Ruby's and Weiss' looks of being told something extremely obvious) Yeah, we noticed.
Sun: (rubbing the back of his head, preparing to ask:) Soooo... what does Blake think of all this? She still being all, y'know... Blake-y?
Weiss: Obviously. (turns and crosses her arms in disapproval)
Ruby: I still can't think of a way to change her mind.
Yang: Guys. (everyone looks at her as she starts walking out) Trust me; Blake will be at the dance tomorrow.
The Faunus herself is sitting at one of the library tables with a holographic screen in front of her. She is obviously more sleep-deprived than ever, barely focusing on what she's seeing... until a small, bright red light appears on the screen. Moving up and down, Blake's eyes follow it down to her hand, then disappears entirely. She looks behind herself, obviously irritated, but no one walking among the tables is her culprit.
Turning back to the computer, she starts typing on the beeping keyboard before the laser dot appears on her hand briefly, prompting her to look around again and still find no one. The red point shows up on the screen, moving around in circles until Blake scowls and pounds her fists on the table. She stands up from her chair and finds the light on the floor, following it blindly through shelves of books until both the dot and its pursuer turn the corner, only for Blake to bump, shocked and shaken out of her more "animal" instincts, into...
Yang: (waving with her left hand as her right holds the laser pointer, in a sing-song voice:) He-lloooo!
Blake: What are you...?
Yang: (grabs Blake's arm) We need to talk.
And with that, amid Blake's single cry of surprise, Yang whisks her partner out of the scene.
Emerging from the steaming bathroom in nothing but a pink towel wrapped around his lower body, Ren sighs in contentedness and starts walking away, only to be stopped by Jaune suddenly appearing in front of him.
Jaune: We need to talk!
And with that, amid Ren's single cry of surprise, Jaune pulls his teammate away, leaving his bottle of "Samurai Shampoo" to spin in the air before dropping to the ground.
Jaune: (sitting on his bed in the dorm room, talking to Ren off-screen) Ren... I'm just gonna say it. You are one of my best friends. These past few months, I feel like we've really bonded, even though you don't say much. I mean, you're really quiet. To be perfectly honest, I don't know that much about you, personally, but darnit, I consider you to be the brother I never had!
Ren: (camera pans out enough to see that he is still only wearing his towel and looking extremely uncomfortable, but he still nods and smiles to Jaune when he's done) And I you. (tries to be attentive from then on, but keeps glancing at his usual outfit hanging by the door)
Jaune: Which is why I wanted to get your advice on... girls.
Ren: Girls? (sounds surprised, but starts reaching out for his clothes while Jaune is looking away)
Jaune: (trying to find the right words) I just... don't know... how to... girls. Um, I-I guess what I'm asking is... Well, how did you and Nora... y'know...
Ren: (puts his hand down after almost touching the green robe, but looks even more awkward now) Uh... uh... uh...
Nora: (clears her throat to get the boys' attention on her, wearing nothing but her emblazoned headphones, a "BOOP" T-shirt, and pink lightning bolt shorts as she reads a book resting on her knees, before she laughs nervously) We're actually not "together-together..."
Jaune: NORA I SAID HEADPHONES ON!
Nora does so quickly under her leader's command.
Ren: (focusing on his friend fully) Jaune, what is this all about?
Jaune: (sighs deeply before speaking, obviously depressed by staring at the floor as he talks) It's Weiss. I'm completely head-over-heels for her, and she won't even give me a chance. She's cold, but she's also incredible. She's smart, and graceful, and talented. I mean, have you heard her sing? I-I just wish she's take me seriously, y'know? I wish I could tell her how I feel without messing it all up.
Pyrrha: (off-screen) Then do it.
Jaune: (looks up to see Pyrrha in the doorway, with Ren and Nora doing the same) Uh, wha?
Pyrrha: (walking into the room) Tell her exactly what you said. No ridiculous schemes, no pick-up lines. Just... be honest.
Jaune: But what if I-
Pyrrha: Jaune. (smiles) You can't get it wrong if it's the truth.
Jaune: (looks up with a new confidence) You're right. (stands up) Thanks, Pyrrha! (looks back to his bed as he goes out) Good talk, Ren!
Ren smiles and waves his thanks while Jaune closes the door. Upon doing so, Pyrrha becomes noticeably less cheerful as she walks over to her desk, with a concerned Nora watching her with sad eyes.
Nora: (sighs) Practice what you preach, Pyrrha.
Blake: Yang, if you're going to tell me to stop, you may as well save your breath.
Yang: (sitting cross-legged on the central desk of the empty classroom they're in, orange light shining across her calm features) I don't want you to stop; I want you to slow down.
Blake: (continuing to pace with arms crossed, still irritated) I don't have the luxury to slow down.
Yang: It's not a luxury; it's a necessity.
Blake: The "necessity" is stopping Torchwick.
Yang: And we're going to. But first you have to sit down and listen to what I have to say. (pats the part of the desk across from her)
Blake: (looks away for a moment until she relents and drapes her legs over the desk's edge) Fine.
Yang: Ruby and I grew up in Patch, an island off the coast of Vale. Our parents were Huntsmen. Our dad taught at Signal, and our mom took on missions around the kingdom. Her name was Summer Rose, and she was, like... Super-Mom: Baker of cookies and slayer of giant monsters. And then... one day she left for a mission and never came back. (looks down as she says this, and Blake looks sorry for her) It was tough. Ruby was really torn up, but... I think she was still too young to really get what was going on, y'know? And my dad just kind of... shut down. It wasn't long before I learned why. Summer wasn't the first love he lost; she was the second. The first... was my mom. (Blake looks amazed at this information as Yang keeps talking) He wouldn't tell me everything, but I learned that the two of them had been on a team together with Summer and Qrow, and that she'd left me with him right after I was born. No one had seen her since.
Blake: Why did she leave you?
Yang: (sighs, then turns to the chalkboard) That question... Why? (gets off the desk and walks to the chalkboard, picking up a piece of chalk) I didn't know an answer, but I was determined to find out. It was all I thought about. I would ask anyone I could about what they knew about her.
As the reminiscent blonde starts drawing on the board, the scene shifts to a flat-painted flashback of a young Yang, with orange bows holding her brunette pigtails, looking at the photo found in a smashed picture frame.
Yang: (off-screen) Then, one day, I found something. What I thought was a clue that could lead me to answers, or maybe even my mother.
The next shot shows Yang walking down a long winding path through the towering trees shedding their leaves with a little creaking wagon pulled right behind her, a little sister in a crimson hood sleeping soundly inside.
Yang: (off-screen) I waited for Dad to leave the house, put Ruby in a wagon, and headed out. I must've walked for hours. I had cuts and bruises, I was totally exhausted, but I wasn't gonna let anything stop me. When we finally got there, I could barely stand, but I didn't care; I had made it. And then I saw them. Those burning red eyes...
In the shadows of the worn-down house the siblings had arrived at, beastly red shapes glow from the darkness.
Yang: (off-screen, while her younger self looks petrified) There we were: A toddler sleeping in the back of a wagon and a stupid girl too exhausted to even cry for help. We might as well have been served on a silver platter. But, as luck would have it, our uncle showed up just in time.
As the Beowolves leap into the air to devour their young prey, the familiar sound of a gun-scythe follows the sight of them all being cut into pieces by a caped warrior. His bird-haired silhouette fades away to present day, where Yang has just finished drawing a clockwork eye.
Yang: My stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night.
Blake: Yang... I'm sorry that happened to you, and I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different. I'm not a child, and this isn't just a search for answers! I can't just-
Yang: (still facing the board, fists clenching) I told you: I'm not telling you to stop! I haven't! To this day, I still want to know what happened to my mother and why she left me, but I will never let that search control me. We're going to find the answers we're looking for, Blake. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, what good are we?
Blake: You don't understand! I'm the only one who can do this!
Yang: No, you don't understand! (turns around sharply to reveal red eyes and the sound of flames) If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?
Blake: I'd fight him!
Yang: You'd lose! (pushes Blake away)
Blake: I can stop him! (tiredly tries to do the same to Yang, but she doesn't even budge)
Yang: You can't even stop me!
She pushes Blake again, knocking her to land on the desk. Yang, still angry-eyed, walks toward Blake as she gets up, but then does the unexpected and embraces her in a hug, her eyes going back to their normal purple.
Yang: I'm not asking you to stop. Just please, get some rest. (pulls back to look at her partner) Not just for you, but for the people you care about. (steps away and starts walking past the startled Blake, who turns when she says over her shoulder:) And if you feel like coming out tomorrow, I'll save you a dance.
Yang winks down at Blake, and Blake stares at Yang as she leaves before sighing heavily and walking away, leaving the all-seeing eye on the board.
The white rose in Jaune's hand bounces up and down as its smiling owner walks through Beacon Academy until he stops at the entrance of a hallway with the sound of a certain voice, causing him to duck behind the columns outside.
Weiss: Neptune! (she walks past Jaune as he peeks around the corner and goes up to Neptune)
Neptune: Oh, uh, hey, what's up?
Weiss: I know this is a little unorthodox, but... I wanted to ask you something. (she puts her hands behind her back trying to look innocent as Jaune drops his smile and recoils at the oncoming words) Would you... like to accompany me to the dance tomorrow?
While Neptune rubs the back of his head and smiles with raised eyebrows, Jaune loses all of his confidence and drops the rose on the ground before walking back from where he came from.
The sight of the lonely, abandoned rose turns into a large collection of the same flowers, one dropping outward, in a large vase behind Yang, now in a short white dress with black heels as she stands at a podium. The doors in front of her open and she flips out upon seeing who walks in.
Yang: Ooohh, you look beautiful!
Ruby: (groans as she looks distressed in her red dress with black lace, belt, and pumps) Can we have a serious talk about how Weiss fights in these? (tries to maintain her balance as she walks to the podium, much to her laughing sister's amusement)
Meanwhile outside, Sun is seen walking around and wearing a new black jacket (now closed up) with a white tie hung around his neck, which he proceeds to fight with before going inside.
Sun: Stupid... dumb... neck trap!
Blake: (off-screen) I knew you'd look better in a tie.
Sun stops his struggling and stares at the dark purple dress worn by Blake, now looking like she traded her dark bags for violet eyeshadow, as she steps forward and takes him by the arm.
Sun: Sooo, does this mean we're going... together?
Blake: Technically, though my first dance is spoken for.
Inside the ballroom, streamers are hung through glass chandeliers, pink and blue balloons are everywhere, and students in dark suits and bright dresses are stepping with each other to the music between the white-clothed tables. Blake is spun around by Yang before they curtsey to one another, and Sun comes up and takes his date's hands as Yang gestures for him to do so. She goes to hang with Ruby and Weiss (in a similar white dress as Yang's) in the back of the room, watching Blake laugh and enjoy herself before smiling at her team.
Yang: I told you she would come.
Weiss: Mission accomplished.
Ruby: (turning to her teammates) Soooo, what do we do now?
Yang: Just have fun! (she proceeds to walk away and do so, with Weiss going the opposite direction and leaving Ruby behind)
Ruby: (Shouting after Yang:) Does that mean I can change out of these stupid things and into my hood now? (upon receiving no answer, she waddles around in her painful footwear) Stupid lady stilts!
Ozpin: Not enjoying yourself?
Ruby: (surprised to see the headmaster step up by her side, but shakes her head and laughs) Oh, no, everything's fine! I'm just not much of a fancy pantsy... dancey girl.
Ozpin: Well, you can't spend your whole life on the battlefield, even if you may want to.
Ruby: (crossing her arms, looking annoyed) Yeah, that lesson's been floating around a lot lately.
Ozpin: (staring out at the dancing couples) If you think about it, fighting and dancing aren't so different. Two partners interlocked, although one wrong move on the ballroom merely leads to a swollen foot.
Ruby: (looking down at her own feet) Or a twisted ankle.
Ozpin: It's not every day that friends are able to come together like this. Time has a way of testing our bonds, but it's nights like these that can help keep them stronger than ever. Nights like these are ones we'll never forget.
Ruby smiles at the words of wisdom, but turns her head at the sound of the doors opening. Yang is back behind the podium, and smiles at the new arrivals.
Yang: You guys are just in time!
Mercury: (as he and Emerald step in with their ballroom best on before the screen goes black and the credits roll:) Wouldn't miss it for the world.
Y/N uses a prototype rifle, firing off plasma beams, testing through the clouds.
Y/N: She's ready to end Salem. I will kill her for her idiocy.
After the opening, the first scene is of random students schmoozing at the dance. Bartholomew Oobleck is shown to be listening intently as Peter Port laughs over some unheard anecdote. Ozpin is standing off to the side with Glynda Goodwitch until General James Ironwood offers his hand for her to dance with him. Jaune Arc approaches Ruby Rose, who is standing pensively near the refreshments tables.
Jaune: I see you're hiding at the punch bowl too.
Ruby: Yep. (An audible *pop* can be heard as Ruby emphasizes the "p".)
Jaune: To the socially awkward.
Ruby giggles and they clink glasses.
Ruby: Sorry things didn't work out with Weiss.
Jaune: Meh, it's fine. Neptune's pretty "cool". I get why she went with him.
Ruby: What do you mean?
Jaune: Well, come on, not many people can pull off blue hair.
Jaune begins to drink his punch.
Ruby: No, I mean, Weiss came to the dance alone.
Jaune chokes in surprise.
Jaune: (turning to Ruby) Uh, what?
Weiss Schnee is shown trying desperately to coax life out of a wilting white rose. When she fails, she looks visibly upset.
Ruby: Yeah, she said that she had too much to focus on to worry about boys.
Laughter draws Weiss' attention to Sun Wukong, Blake Belladonna, and Neptune Vasilias as the latter entertains the others with some impressions and other silly faces. Jaune, shown to be observing as well, becomes visibly perturbed.
Jaune: (speaking in a low growl) Hold my punch.
Jaune hands Ruby his glass and no sooner than he vanishes from sight does she choose to drink from his cup. As Jaune makes his way across the room, shoving other students aside (some of which were not even in his path), he stops short and watches as Pyrrha Nikos passes by. He watches her walk glumly up the stairs and seems to have a change of heart.
The scene shifts to Pyrrha on a balcony as Jaune approaches behind her.
Jaune: (stopping) Hey, Pyrrha.
Pyrrha turns around to face him.
Pyrrha: Hello, Jaune.
Jaune: (approaching) You okay? I haven't seen you tonight.
Pyrrha: (turning back to the balcony) Arrived late, I'm afraid.
Jaune: Well, you look really nice.
Pyrrha: (raising her hand near her mouth) Thank you. (her hand falls away)
Jaune: (nervously tipping on his toes) Your, uh, date isn't going to beat me up for saying that, is he?
Pyrrha: I think you're safe for tonight.
Jaune: (rubbing his hands) So, where is the guy?
Pyrrha turns back toward Jaune.
Pyrrha: (Pyrrha's head sinks in melancholy.) There is no guy.
Jaune: (Jaune chuffs nervously.) What?
Pyrrha: (shaking her head glumly) Nobody asked me.
Jaune: But that's... (gesturing toward her) You're Pyrrha Nikos! (shrugging, dumbfounded) H-How could nobody ask you?
Pyrrha: (turning toward the balcony) I've been blessed with incredible talents and opportunities. I'm constantly surrounded by love and praise, but when you're placed on a pedestal like that for so long, you become separated from the people that put you there in the first place. (turning back to Jaune) Everyone assumes I'm too good for them. That I'm on a level they simply can't attain. It's become impossible to form any sort of meaningful relationship with people. That's what I like about you. When we met, you didn't even know my name. You treated me just like anyone else. And thanks to you, I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. I guess, you're the kind of guy I wish I was here with. Someone who just saw me for me.
Pyrrha looks at Jaune and then walks away while Jaune simply stares in astonishment.
Jaune: W-Wai-!
Jaune watches as Pyrrha turns a corner. Neptune has appeared on the balcony, gesturing toward Jaune.
Neptune: Hey, uh, Jaune, right?
Jaune: (sighs) Yeah.
Neptune: This party's pretty lame, huh? I mean, ballroom dancing. Pfft.
Jaune: Yeah.
Jaune looks back out over the balcony.
Neptune: (gesturing back to the dance) Cute girls, though, huh?
Jaune: (growls as he turns back to Neptune, gesturing) Is that all you think about?
Neptune: (raising his palms to waist level) Huh?
Jaune: Do you even care about the girls you're hitting on? How they feel about you?
Neptune: Whoa! (throwing his palms up) Where's this coming from?
Jaune: (opening his arms wide) How could you just turn her down like that?
Neptune: Wait, h-who?
Jaune: Weiss!
Neptune: I, uh... it, uh... it just didn't work out, you know?
Jaune: What? You think that you're too cool, too many other options? Weiss Schnee asked you to the dance. What in the world could possibly keep you from go-
Neptune: (looking shamefully at the ground) I can't dance!
Jaune: (calmly) Beg your pardon?
Neptune: I can't dance, man!
Jaune: But... you're so cool!
Neptune: Thank you. I try really, really hard.
Jaune: You would rather break a girl's heart and go to a dance alone than just admit to everyone that you can't move in rhythm to music?
Neptune: That about sums it up, yeah.
Jaune: (turning back to the balcony) Well, I certainly feel a lot better about myself.
Neptune: (raising his palms) Please don't tell anybody. Look, if you want Weiss, she's all yours. I don't wanna get in your way.
Jaune turns back towards Neptune.
Jaune: (placing his palms on the stone banister) Do you like her?
Neptune: Yeah, I mean I don't know her too well yet, but she seems pretty cool.
Jaune: Then just go talk to her. No pickup lines, no suave moves, just be yourself. I've heard that's the way to go. (he crosses his arms)
Neptune: Yeah, but then-
Jaune: Hey! You don't have to look cool all the time. In all honesty, if you could be a little less cool, I'd really appreciate it.
Neptune considers Jaune's advice.
Neptune: Yeah, okay.
Jaune: Go talk to her. I guarantee it'll make her night.
Neptune: Thanks. You're a really cool guy, Jaune.
Neptune approaches Jaune, holding his fist out for a bump.
Jaune: (approaching Neptune) Alright, don't lie to my face.
The two of them bump fists and Neptune walks away.
Jaune: (sighs) All right, only one thing left to do.
The scene shifts to show Yang Xiao Long leaning on a handrail and overlooking the festivities from a second tier as Ruby approaches and leans on the rail.
Yang: You know? I think we really needed this.
Blake and Sun are slow dancing while Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie appear to be Waltzing. Penny Polendina is shown to be dancing alone, guarded by two Atlas Soldiers.
Ruby: Yeah, and you did a great job planning it too!
Yang: (reaching over to Ruby) Aw, thanks! (crushing Ruby in a one-arm hug as she flails frantically) It wasn't all me, though. Weiss did a lot too.
Ruby stops struggling and looks down at Weiss. Neptune approaches and rubs his neck nervously. Weiss invites him to sit with her.
Yang: (chuffs) Tomorrow it's back to work.
Ruby: I'm sure we can handle whatever gets thrown at us. (sudden fits of laughter and giggles draw their attention below.) Ex-cept for that.
The camera pushes past some students to Pyrrha who turns around to see...
Pyrrha: Jaune?
Jaune is shown to now be wearing a white dress with a blue ribbon.
Jaune: Eh, a promise is a promise.
Pyrrha: (smiling... then giggling... then laughing aloud) Jaune! You didn't have to!
Jaune: Hey, an Arc never goes back on his word. (extending his hand to Pyrrha) Now do you wanna stand there and laugh at me, or do you wanna dance?
Pyrrha: (offering her own hand) I would love to dance. (Jaune pulls her to him and sweeps her away.) Oh!
Nora: (flailing excitedly) Ren. This... is... happening!
Ren: (looking at the audience) Wait, what "is happening"?
Nora grabs Ren and drags him out onto the dance floor with Pyrrha and Jaune. JNPR performs a short but elaborately choreographed dance, culminating in Jaune spinning Pyrrha.
Pyrrha: I had no idea you were a dancer.
Jaune: Yeah, well, these things tend to happen when you grow up with seven sisters.
Jaune dips Pyrrha and then spins her away.
Neptune and Weiss are shown to be watching the dancers.
Weiss: So, what made you change your mind?
Neptune: Huh?
Weiss: You said you were embarrassed at first. What made you come talk to me?
Neptune: You're looking at him. (they watch Jaune dancing with Pyrrha) You got some good friends looking out for ya.
Jaune and Pyrrha continue to dance. Ren and Nora do a kind of disco dance, Sun and Blake join the mix and Penny and an Atlas guard are showing doing the "robot".
Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai are shown to be observing the students from the next tier.
Emerald: It appears all the dancers have partners.
Cinder: (heard via ear-bud) How long do I have?
Mercury: You should probably be home by midnight, to be safe.
Cinder Fall is shown to be somewhere outside, holding her fingers to her ear.
Cinder: I'll keep my eye on the clock.
Ruby, having made her way to the exit, walks out of the dance and into the night air. She watches a figure running along the rooftops and then moves to pursue.
Outside the Cross Continental Transmit System Tower, Cinder (dressed as a cat burglar), stealthily approaches an armed guard. She knife-hands the back of his head, rendering him unconscious with a stunned grin on his face. She drags him behind some bushes.
Inside the building, Cinder approaches more guards.
Atlas Soldier 1: Excuse me, no one's allowed in this area. (Cinder continues to approach.) Stop!
The soldier opens fire when Cinder does not heed him. She charges in and manages to overpower him, punching the soldier then grabbing his arm. Cinder kicks another soldier and uses the first one's gun to take him out. She then kicks the soldier's knee and throws him against a handrail. Two more soldiers rush her wielding batons. Cinder flash-forges a pair of black blades from fire Dust and slashes at both of them. Batting the first aside she advances on the second and strikes him before sweeping both legs. The first soldier recovers but she blocks each swing with her blades. After blocking a kick she elbows then shoves him to the floor. As he tries to get back up she flips over to kick him in the head, checking for more guards before moving on.
Two guards are shown to be on an elevator.
Atlas Soldier 2: Hey, man, do you know the Wi-Fi password?
Atlas Soldier 3: It's Beacon, but replace the E with a 3 and add a pound symbol to the end.
The elevator door opens to show Cinder waiting. One of the guards notices the fallen men outside. Both guards grow apprehensive as Cinder casually walks onto the elevator, the doors closing as she turns around. Thrashing sounds can be heard from outside the elevator.
Outside the building, Ruby approaches and sees the unconscious guard. She gasps and pulls out her Scroll, dialing for her weapon locker which crashes into the courtyard and opens to reveal Crescent Rose.
Inside the building, the elevator doors open to show Cinder examining a Scroll. The two guards are knocked out.
Cinder: Oh! That's handy.
She pockets the Scroll and walks out of the elevator and toward the control consoles nearby.
Emerald: (via earbud) A party guest is leaving.
Cinder: (sighs) Which one?
Emerald is shown to be dancing with Mercury.
Emerald: Ironwood.
Ironwood is shown to be walking out the door as Ozpin gives his send-off.
Mercury: (offscreen) I guess the general's had enough fun for one night.
Random code appearing on a computer screen is shown to change into a Queen chess piece.
Mercury: (via earbud) Should we intervene?
The other monitors in the room light up.
Cinder: No... we're done here.
As she starts to walk away, she notices the elevator doors opening. Ruby steps out of the elevator slowly, brandishing her weapon.
Ruby: Hello? (She stumbles due to her high-heeled shoes.) Is anyone there? Hello?
Cinder smirks confidently then rises from her hiding place and steps out toward Ruby.
Ruby: Excuse me? You know, it's not a masquerade party, so why don't you take off that-!
Cinder produces a container of dust from her belt expelling a cloud that glows. Condensing into glass shards that go flying at Ruby. A battle ensues as she defends herself then opens fire. Cinder blocks each shot with her hand as parts of the outfit glow. She once again summons a pair of blades, Ruby launches herself forward but Cinder dodges. Her eyes and outfit glowing again as she combines the blades into a bow and fires three arrows. Ruby stumbles back from the resulting explosion and they stare each other down. But their fight is interrupted by the appearance of Ironwood on the nearby elevator. Ruby is visibly glad to see him until she notices that Cinder has disappeared.
In a hallway, Cinder discards two bracelets and her mask to change from her stealth suit into a black dress and enters the dance. Two guards following her crush the bracelets underfoot and are visibly confused at the sight of the crowded dance hall. The screen pans over various people including Neptune dancing and having a good time as they walk back out.
Emerald and Mercury are still dancing together as Cinder taps Emerald's shoulder.
Cinder: Oh, may I cut in?
Emerald steps aside.
Emerald: Of course.
Emerald leaves as Cinder begins to dance with Mercury.
Mercury: And how's your night been?
Cinder: Mmm... a little more exciting than expected.
Mercury: Should we be worried?
Cinder: Hardly... They'll be scratching their heads long after we finished what we came here for.
Mercury: So then what now?
Cinder: Enjoy the rest of the night. After all, it is a party.
The camera pans away from the two showing the rest of the party. Jaune and Pyrrha are sitting at a table, Sun and Blake are dancing, there is a squad of red and yellow soldiers out side and Ironwood is shown approaching Ruby before one last shot of the Queen chess piece appears on the computer screen and the clock chimes midnight.
A faint shadow of Y/N appears.
The opening cuts to a shot of Beacon Academy the next day following the Beacon Dance, then cuts to inside Ozpin's office, with General James Ironwood and Glynda Goodwitch keeping the headmaster company.
Ironwood: They were here... (raising his voice) Ozpin, they were here!
Ironwood angrily slams his fist against Ozpin's desk.
Glynda: We're very much aware of that! Thank you, James.
Ironwood: Fantastic! You're aware! Now are we going to do something about it or should we just stay the course and continue to ignore what's right in front of us?!
An alert sound plays, signifying that someone has arrived on the elevator.
Ozpin: Come in.
Ruby Rose steps out and into the room.
Ruby: Sorry it took so long. Someone accidentally hit all the buttons on the elevator on the way up here. (pausing before quickly explaining herself) It wasn't me.
Ozpin: Thank you for coming, Ruby. How are you feeling?
Ruby: Okay, I guess. I'd feel better if my bad-guy-catching record wasn't O-for-three.
Everyone stares silently.
Ruby: Okay, so that's the tone we're going for, got it.
Ironwood: Ruby, I feel it's appropriate to let you know that I think what you did last night is exactly what being a Huntress is all about. You recognized a threat. You took action. And you did the very best you could.
Ruby: Thank you, sir.
Ozpin: Now, the general here has already informed us of the events that... transpired last night, but now that you've rested, we were wondering if you had anything to add.
Glynda: Was anyone else with her? Did she look familiar to you at all?
Ruby: I... I don't know. She was wearing a mask, and she never said anything to me. But I know she fought with glass. I don't think that was her Semblance, though. Her clothing lit up whenever she attacked.
Glynda: Save for the glass, that sounds like the woman I fought the night we met Ruby.
Ironwood: Embedding Dust into clothing is an age-old technique. It could have been anyone.
Ruby: Wait. You think this girl is connected to Torchwick and the White Fang?
Ozpin: It's possible. But we still lack the required evidence to link the two together.
Ruby: Actually, I... I think I remember her saying something about a hideout, or something, in the southeast. Just outside the Kingdom.
Ozpin: Interesting.
Glynda: I thought you said the intruder never—
Ozpin: Thank you for your cooperation, Ruby. Why don't you go and spend some time with your team? You have a big day ahead of you.
Ruby: (leaving) Any time.
Ozpin: And Miss Rose, please try and be ... discreet about this matter.
Ruby: Yes sir.
The door to Team RWBY's dorm room opens, revealing Yang Xiao Long, Blake Belladonna, and Weiss Schnee inside. The three zoom over to the person in the door, who is revealed to be Ruby.
Yang: What happened?
Ruby: Uh... well, um... (laughing nervously)
The scene cuts back to Ozpin's office.
Ironwood: Well there we have it. We send as many troops as we can to the southeast, find out exactly what's going on, and eradicate any forces that stand in our way.
Glynda: (growls in frustration) Why must your answer to everything involve a triumphant display of military bravado!? You treat every situation like it's a contest of measuring di—!
Ozpin: Glynda!
Glynda: Well, he does.
Ozpin: She's right. As much as I too would love to end this situation once and for all, we must remember that this may go beyond Vale. Beyond Beacon. And if this truly is part of some master plan for which we know not the final move, we mustn't be so bold. Nor can we risk the spread of panic.
Ironwood: I have served you faithfully for years... but if you mean to tell me that your plan is to really hold the defenses, and wait—!
Ozpin: (abruptly stands from his chair) It is not! You're a general, James. So tell me, when you prepare to go to war, which do you send in first? The flag bearers, or the scouts?
The scene cuts back to Team RWBY's dorm.
Weiss: That was a risky move.
Blake: No, I think you handled it well.
Ruby: I hope so.
Yang: I'm sure everything will be alright, Ruby. Oh, I know what will cheer you up!
Yang produces a cylindrical package the length of her forearm.
Ruby: What's that?
Yang: I don't know yet. Dad sent it to us. I thought we could open it together!
Ruby: Ooooh! Something from home!
Ruby zooms over to Yang and wraps herself around Yang, trying to take the cylinder from her. The package opens, and another cylinder, hairy and black, falls out onto the floor and starts to shake. The object suddenly transforms into a corgi. Team RWBY leans in, staring at it.
The animal barks twice. While Weiss and Blake continue to react with great shock, Ruby and Yang react excitedly, with Ruby jumping in the air. Ruby, still airborne, is depicted among a changing blue background and four shots of the dog, two full body shots and two headshots. She then poses as she shouts the dog's name.
Ruby: Zwei!
Blake: He sent a dog?
Weiss: In the mail?
Yang: Oh, he does stuff like this all the time!
Blake disappears, shown now to be on Ruby's bunk.
Blake: Your father or your dog?
Weiss: Are you telling me that this mangy... drooling... mutt is going to wiv wif us foweva? Oh, yes he is, yes he is! Oh, isn't he adorable!
Blake: Please keep it away from my belongings.
Glynda: (Over the intercom) Would all first-year students please report to the amphitheater?
Weiss: Well, we can't exactly leave him here while we're gone for the week.
Ruby sets Zwei down and he walks over to Blake still on the top bunk, and barks.
Yang: Look, there's a letter! (Zwei arrives in front of Yang) "Dear girls, I've got to leave the island for a few days, so I'm sending Zwei to you to take care of. Enclosed is all the food you should need. Love you both, Taiyang."
Dozens of cans of dog food spill out of the small package, piling up around Zwei.
Weiss: What is he supposed to do with that?
A can opener falls from the package, bouncing off Zwei's head.
Yang: Well, that settles it! Come on girls, Zwei will be here when we get back!
Weiss: (talking to Zwei as she leaves) Oh, I'll miss you so much, we're going to be best friends, I can't wait to see you. (her speech deteriorates into incomprehensible baby talk)
Meanwhile, Blake jumps down from Ruby's bunk and jumps across the table, avoiding Zwei.
Ruby stares at Zwei for a moment, before smiling sneakily.
Ruby is wearing a large backpack as she enters the auditorium with other students. She then puts it down next to other students luggage before rejoining her team, who are standing in front of Team JNPR.
Glynda: Quiet! Quiet please. Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin.
Ozpin: Today we stand together, united. Mistral. Atlas. Vacuo. Vale. The four Kingdoms of Remnant. On this day, nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self-expression. And as you are well aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither were the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsman or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the Kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best.
Ozpin steps away as the students all begin to file out of the amphitheater.
Ruby: This is perfect! All we have to do is shadow a Huntsman working in the southeast!
Yang: Yeah! We'll follow them around by day and give them the slip by night!
Weiss: Let's check "search and destroy"!
Team RWBY approaches a hologram screen.
Ruby: Here we go! Quadrant 5 needs Grimm cleared out!
Blake: Well, it's in the southeast!
Yang: Sounds perfect!
Ruby selects it and types in her team name. However, the screen says that first years are not allowed to take this mission.
Weiss: Wonderful!
Blake: Any other ideas?
Ruby: We mail ourselves there!
Ozpin: (offscreen) Well, that's one option.
Ozpin suddenly appears.
Ozpin: Unfortunately, we determined that the concentration of Grimm was too extreme for first-year students. It seems that particular region is rather popular. In fact, I have the sneaking suspicion that you four will make your way there no matter which job you choose.
Weiss, Blake, and Yang glare at Ruby, who nervously rubs her head.
Ruby: Whatever makes you say that?
Ozpin: I'm still curious how you all found yourself at the docks last semester. I'm interested to know how you really learned about a hideout in the southeast. And I certainly wonder why witnesses reported seeing robots and rose petals in a dance club some time ago.
Ruby: Um... well...
Ozpin: I doubt I'll ever find the exact answers I'm looking for. So how about this: instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?
Ozpin selects some things on his scroll, and the hologram screen makes a noise.
Ruby: We won't let you down. Thank you, professor.
Ozpin: Do not thank me for this. Teamwork and persistence have carried you far. But you must understand, the things that await you beyond the protection of the Kingdom will not care. Stay close to your Huntsman at all times, and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission, and he can have you sent back to Beacon, if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory. Good luck.
Team RWBY have left the auditorium and are on their way to the airship that will take them to Quadrant 5.
Yang: That wasn't exactly uplifting.
Blake: But it's the truth.
Ruby: It's gonna to be tough, but I know we can do it!
A student runs past the team.
Student: Hey! Team CFVY is back!
Beacon students gather around to witness the return of Team CFVY. Blake goes up to Velvet Scarlatina.
Blake: Velvet? Are you okay?
Velvet: I'm fine. I had Yatsuhashi to look out for me.
Weiss: Your mission was supposed to end a week ago! What happened?
Velvet: Nothing happened. It was just ... there were just so many... (she looks up and notices Team RWBY's worried expressions) Oh, but don't worry. You first-years are just shadowing Huntsmen, so you should be fine.
Yang: Right.
Velvet: I should go. Be safe, okay?
Ruby: We can do this. We've never backed down before, and we're not going to start now.
Blake: Right.
Ruby: Besides, it won't only be us out there! We'll be fighting alongside a genuine Huntsman!
Yang: Yeah!
The scene immediately cuts to Team RWBY staring with various stunned expressions, having just discovered who they will be shadowing.
Oobleck: Why, hello girls! Who's ready to fight for their lives?
Camera cuts to black.