Legend:
Virginia/Patricia "Pepper" Potts: Now this was something of a challenge for me. I initially wanted to use her live-action version (the Gwyneth Paltrow one) but then I remembered an old Iron man cartoon series that implemented the same 3-D style as RWBY. The show's called "Iron Man's Armored Adventures" if any of you are interested in seeing it for yourselves. It's currently on Netflix but you can see snips of the show on Youtube.
But, I digress. In that show, she had the perfect features to be a young Pepper and as a further bonus, her animation model fits right in the Universe of RWBY. The only downsides to this though are; A. she low-key looks like Nora and B. I'm worried that not a lot of people have actually seen the show and won't know what she looks like. Short of them not searching it up, of course.
So, as a final decision, I have come to the conclusion of letting you guys decide as to what my AU of Pepper looks like. If you guys wanna use the live-action model and render her into the 3D-ness of RWBY in your heads, that's all right. And if you guys wanna use the model from "Armored Adventures", that's still all right. Cuz again, I'm leaving it to you guys and your imaginations to shape her physical form.
Jarvis " The Vision" a.k.a the trusty A.I. of the Stark's (Voice provided by the actor; Paul Bettany): Nope, sorry but we're not using Paul Bettany's "Vision form". But we will be using his voice though. Cuz, I can't imagine any other Jarvis voice except his. And come on, it's freakin' Paul Bettany.
Now, Continue.
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Book 1: Silver and Steel
Chapter 1: Big Brother
Page #6
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As Ruby Rose made her way inside the Stark's building, she looked back towards the double glass doorway to see her older sister, Yang, engaging in a conversation with their Cab Driver.
Hmm, I wonder what they're talking about. Placing her hands on her hips, she opted to wait for her sister to come in before she made her way further inside.
Not because she was afraid of going in alone, oh no. After being an avid customer of the Stark's and their every work-piece for four long years, the young Rose had already checked every nook and cranny of this place from the first floor all the way to the third and had committed it all to her memory. And she was very well familiar with the people who worked here too.
"Ah, Miss Rose." A digital disembodied voice rang throughout the building's speaker system. The voice almost sounded monotone, but Ruby picked up the slight pitches of joy in its tone. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, as always."
"Hey, Jarvis." Looking away from her sister's conversation, Ruby looked towards one of the many CCTV cameras the shop had and waved with a smile. "How have you guys been doing?"
"Quite well, Miss Rose," Jarvis replied, In a well-mannered way. "Miss Rose, " Without so much as a pause for Ruby to follow up on, Jarvis continued. ", I've detected signs of worry in your facial features and in your voice. Noticeable when you asked of our current state of affairs. Is there perhaps something the matter, young Miss?"
Man, I keep forgetting he's a super-smart AI. Ruby thought to herself humorously as she rubbed her neck, a little embarrassed. Well, might as well ask now that he's caught on to me.
"There have been robberies going on all around the Kingdom lately and I was just..." She shrugged meekly. "..I was really kinda worried about you guys."
Indeed. For the past six months, robbery has been a constant main topic in the world of social media and news networks. More specifically, the robberies of hordes worth of Dust and a ton of other stuff the young Rose had heard about. And what's more, it hasn't only been reoccurring within the reaches of the Vale Kingdom either. Mistral, Vacuo, and even both Atlas and Mantle weren't excluded in these robberies. But what always remained a constant aside from Dust being the main things being stolen, is the name of a man which the robberies have given even more infamy than it already did in the past.
Roman "The Nefarious" Torchwick. A name which has been voiced out with fear and venom more often than not.
"Ah yes, there have indeed been cases such as that befalling other business associates of Mr. Stark." Jarvis acknowledged as Ruby glanced around the rows of large shelves housing various weaponry. "Thankfully, none have occurred near our vicinity. But rest your worries, Miss Rose, for the Sir has made many contingency procedures for such an emergency."
"That's sure good news, I'll say." The young Rose's relief came naturally. She really had been worried for them since she first caught wind of the Robberies occurring.
"Oh and speaking of," Ruby perked up, glancing towards the wide dark-oak front desk where usually she'd see a familiar face welcome her in. ", where is everyone? Mr. Howard and Mrs. Maria, I can understand but Ms. Pepper too? Now that's kinda weird."
Being an avid customer for four long years, Ruby had grown accustomed to a certain pattern here at the Stark's. She'd walk in, stare in wonder at the array of weapons, say good morning to Pepper and then proceed to lose herself in checking each and every weapon available and checking if it would be suitable for her precious "Crescent Rose". But today though there was something amiss.
"Ah, Miss. Potts along with Mr. and Mrs. Stark are currently engaged in a business meeting with a known associate." Jarvis answered. "As a matter of fact, I was tasked with locking down the shop for the day. I had already turned away numerous clients as per my given protocol."
Whoa really? The young Rose thought as she glanced back outside to see their cab leaving and Yang waving as it went. "Then why'd you..." She let the question hang in the air, trusting Jarvis to pick it up by himself as she pointed a thumb back towards the glass doorway. The very same doorway that Jarvis had explained was "locked".
"That goes without saying. You've long since become a special client, Miss Ruby. And people who both the Mr. and Mrs. deem special are very much far in between. As such, they have instructed me to treat you with the same special treatment as I would their own son."
"Oh..." Feeling her neck heat up a little, Ruby rubbed it with one hand as she let out a meek chuckle. "...oh wow, uh...thanks, Jarvis. That-that's really nice and all but I think I don't really deserve this."
"Nonsense, young Miss. You've come to the shop every weekend for the past four years. That's about 156 days by my count. And for those 156 days, you've always been, and I quote the Mrs. on this, a "precious stroke of good karma". And recalling your track record here, I couldn't agree more with the Mrs."
"W-well, you know me, hehe." Trying her best to play it cool and hide the blush that was creeping up her neck and towards her face, Ruby crossed her arms over her bust in a "gangster" fashion. "I'm just your friendly neighborhood, Rose. Always happy to be...of..service. Yeah." She finished with a "sure" nod and a "confident" grin.
WHAT?! Still, in her pose, the young Rose screamed internally. Of all the tons of epic stuff I know, why the heck did I go with a Spider-Duder quote?! Why, brain? WHY?!
"Yeah..." Ruby, currently still berating herself in her head, cringed out the word as she seemed to be frozen on the spot.
"Ms. Ruby? Your vitals are spiking. Do you require assistance?"
"Oh, she's fine, Jarvis. Don't worry." With a smile, Yang Xiao Long spoke up as she entered the shop. "She just has this habit of freezing up when she gets more attention than she's used to." She walked up behind her younger sister and put an arm around the blushing mess that was Ruby. "And it gets worse when you compliment her," She half-hugged Ruby tight. ", as you can see, she's that bad in handling a compliment. But that just makes her all the more adorable, really."
"What-I am not bad at being complimented!" Now, her blushing wasn't mostly due to her embarrassment with being complimented but now there was the embarrassment of being called out on how badly she handled compliments mixed in. "I-I'm awesome at being complimented, yeah! Cool and calm as a breeze in the sea."
Yang took one glance at her sister, studied her red face, and nodded sagely with a grin that was both hearty and smug at the same time. "Oh yeah, you are the very embodiment of cool right now, sweetie."
In response to this, Ruby squirmed in an attempt to break free from her sister's half hug and give her a few kicks to the shin for what she had said. But alas, Yang's muscle strength was leagues beyond hers's and she couldn't really use her Semblance to break free. At least not anymore. The blonde maiden had already figured out how to counter that move a few years back.
"Darn it, Yang, " Giving up, the young Rose sighed. ", one minute you're all broody and the next you go all "Yom" mode on me." Exacting a little revenge and getting some sense of satisfaction from it, Ruby gave her the stink eye. "Are you on your period or something?"
Yang laughed, outright laughed with her head reared back, as she held Ruby even tighter. Not tight enough to hurt but just enough to remind her she wasn't getting out of this anytime soon. Short of Yang's "supposed" blood moon affecting her mood again.
"Well, " Quickly calming from her laugh trip, Yang wiped away the tears that had gathered in her eyes from laughing so much. ", you're not wrong but come on sweetie, its rude to say stuff like a girl's monthly visitor out loud." She looked towards the same CCTV Ruby had looked at before she came along and grinned. "Especially in the company of the..." A chuckle escaped her. "...male variety."
"Oh, worry not Miss Yang." Jarvis spoke up in a way that almost sounded playful. "My incorporeal lips are sealed on this matter."
The busty blonde let out a chuckle at that before freeing Ruby from her vice-like half hug.
"So, Jarvis, " Yang addressed the same CCTV camera from before as her little sister playfully glared at her. ", where'd everyone run off to? The place seems pretty empty."
"Jarvis said Mr. and Mrs. Stark are in a meeting right now." Ruby answered for her before Jarvis could.
"Hm..." With pursed lips, the blonde sister hummed as she nodded. Then she looked towards the reception desk and pointed at it. "What, and Pepper too?"
"Yep, I wondered about that too." Ruby responded, already moving towards one of the many large metal shelves that housed much various weaponry. "Jarvis says she's helping Mr. and Mrs. Stark with that meeting or something like that." She continued, eyeing the array long array of modified rifles, hand-cannons, pistols, and knives.
"A meeting huh?" Yang directed her question towards the CCTV.
"As Miss Ruby said, Miss Potts is currently helping out the Mr. and Mrs. in some business affairs with a known associate of theirs. And I hope you'll forgive me for this but my protocol dis-allows me disclose any and all information regarding the meeting they're conducting."
"Oh no, its cool Jarvis." Yang waved off the AI's apology with a smile. "Secret meeting stuff, we get it. So no need to get your 1's and 0's in a fuss." She continued, not failing to hear the small snicker that escaped from her little sister.
And speaking of, the young Rose's attention was caught by a modified hand-cannon placed that was on display along with the rest. She walked closer towards it and picked it up. "Whoa..." She whispered in awe as she analyzed the handguns every feature. And now with it up close, she could see that it was more of a revolver than a handgun. Albeit a larger than normal revolver. "Covert clutch grip, modified cylinder for direct semi-auto auction, and let see..." She unlatched the cylinder and pushed it open before giving it a spin. "...ah, eight-round carrier and whoa-ly molly, these are some pretty big chamber holes. What? Does this thing use .454 casull bullets or something?"
"500-Magnum type bullets to be exact." Jarvis answered immediately.
"Ah...I see-I see..." Almost airily, Ruby acknowledged as she quickly went back to analyzing the hand-cannon-esque revolver.
And there she goes again, Smiling to herself, Yang approached Ruby from behind and looked down on her as she focused seemingly 100 percent of all her attention on to the weapon she was holding. , going all hyper-focused on weapons. Heh, still adorable though. Knowing her little sister well enough, Yang decided to leave her be for now and wait for her to finish.
"...hmm, hey uh...Jarvis?" Without even looking away from the revolver, Ruby called out for the AI.
"Yes?"
"Is this an anti-recoil brace built into its frame?" The young Rose asked, studying the revolver's modified frame as she cocked the revolver's hammer back and gave its ejector rod a push.
"Yes, Miss Rose, it is."
"Hm, sweet." Complimented Ruby, spinning the cylinder before flipping it back in place. "And if I'm not wrong, the hammer and the ejector rod are spring action, right?"
"Correct again, Miss Ruby. The Sir had this one modified for fast-paced shooting action and even faster reload capacity. And with the added recoil bracers, it can deliver maximum damage output without hindering the user with its kick-back."
"Well, I'll say, " Running her hand across the revolver's reinforced 10-inch length barrel, Ruby couldn't help but smile brightly at what a fine piece of work this revolver was. ", it's one helluva cool gun." She finished, spinning the revolver by its trigger guard in a cowboy-or cowgirl in this case-manner before firing imaginary shots at imaginary targets around her.
"Oh, and let me guess, " Placing her hands on her hips in preparation, Yang spoke up from behind Ruby with a knowing look. ", you want me to buy it for you, don't you?"
The young Rose stopped from her imaginary shooting and quickly whirled around to face her older sister, holding the revolver close to her bust all the while.
"Yes, please." She answered cutely with a nod and a toothy smile.
Ruby had been saving up her Lien to buy new parts for her Crescent Rose and also maybe even a few trinkets on the side. But if her heavily loaded on money big sis was going to pay for her, well, she wasn't just going to pass that chance up.
"Welp, guess that's that then." Yang shrugged. "But Rubes, you gotta promise me this time you won't go shop-crazy and buy more stuff you won't be needing." She gently slapped her little sister's forehead with a playful glare. "Like those mini-mine bombs, you bought last week."
"I do too need them, I just...haven't found the time to tinker around in my workshop." The young Rose answered with a pout before her face lit up in remembrance. "Oh, and can I also buy some other stuff for my Crescent? He's been due for an upgrade-slash-check-up for a while now."
"All right, but again-"
"No going-overboard with the purchase, yes, I got it, Mom." Ruby rolled her eyes playfully at her older sister. "I'm not some kind of baby that needs to be told twice, you know."
"That's YOM to you, sweetie, and no," With a grin, Yang stepped forward and ruffled Ruby's hair a bit. ", you'll always be a baby, cuz you'll always be MY baby."
"Urgh, look-just, hold this, " Already realizing the can of beans she had unknowingly shaken up, the young Rose, with a little annoyed grunt, handed the modified revolver to her sister before turning away from her. ", I'll be back in a jiffy." She quickly turned back around and jabbed a pointing finger at one of Yang's considerable sweater puppies. "And don't you go spewing any more baby stories, you hear me?"
Like the last few hundred times in the past with at least a few hundred people. She wasn't sure of it but she had a feeling half of Patch and some few friends of Yang who lived here in Vale already had their fill of "baby stories" from Yang. So much that ACTUAL moms with ACTUAL babies of their own went as far as to include the busty blonde in their inner friendship-circle of mothers. Or as the young Rose has come to call it as; "The Mom-Creed".
"Hehe, no promises, Rubes." Yang gently removed the finger that was jabbing one of her chest orbs, her grin from before exhibiting no signs of disappearing anytime soon.
"Gah..." Giving up and leaving her chances up to Lady Fate, Ruby turned back around. Definitely, on her period She thought to herself with puffed cheeks before transforming into a swirl of red rose petals and zooming towards the shelves at the far back, leaving only a trail of rose petals red as blood as she went.
"I'll call on Miss. Potts, right away. Doubtless, it'll take no more than two minutes for Miss. Rose to collect all she needs."
"You sure 'bout that, Jarvis?" Without so much as paying a glance towards the revolver, Yang made it spin by its trigger guard. Exactly the same way Ruby spun it before. "I mean, you did say they're in a meeting right now, and we really don't wanna disturb whatever it is they're meeting about." With her free hand, she made a "you-know" gesture.
"Oh, that is quite all right, Miss Xiao Long. I've already announced your arrival and Miss. Potts is making haste towards us as we speak."
"Whoa, that was fast." The blonde remarked with a quirked up brow as she placed her free hand on her hip, still spinning the revolver with her other hand all the while.
"Well, you're well enough acquainted with Miss. Potts and her...quirkiness-"
That sure was a long ass pause. Yang thought with a titter.
"-and her discontent with in-activeness. Meetings just so happen to be apart of those. In her own words even, she said; "If-"
"If I'm gonna be stuck in something as boring as a darn meeting, " The woman herself said as she raced down the stairs to the left. ", you better believe I'll split the first chance I get to leave."
Patricia Pepper Potts. A woman that was four years older than Yang. She had long orange-colored hair that reached the back of her neck, light brown eyes, tiny bits of freckles adorning her cheeks just below her eyelids, and olive skin. Her current attire consisted that of a light pink-colored hoodie jacket, jogging pants that were of the shade of color, and what seemed to be flip flops.
"Yang!" With an excited exclamation, the woman known as Pepper ran towards Yang with open arms.
"Hey, Pepper." Easily intercepting the hug with a smile, Yang felt Pepper's arms tighten around her back as she too reciprocated the action.
"You're a lifesaver, Yang, you know that?" Letting go and stepping back, Pepper said to Yang as she hopped back up and down a bit. "I thought I'd never get out of that torture room of BOREDOM." She added with a smile and a little laugh.
"If it was so bad then why'd you go in there in the first place?" Yang inquired with a small laugh of her own.
"Oh girl, you know me, " She jabbed her two thumbs close to her face. ", I'd rather spend one week tinkering around the shop than one minute in there. But, " Her hands fell to her side in a slumped manner as her shoulders slumped as well. ", Mr. Howard and Mrs. Maria said they really needed a third voice for their side and, well you know, I can't really say no to my bosses-slash-foster parents-slash-future parents in law, cuz that'd be just mean. So, I took it upon myself to burden the boredom, but, MAN OH MAN was it tough to do."
"Oh, I'm sure it was." Yang agreed. Only half meaning it as she smiled, ever amused by her friend's over-reactions.
Ever since they met, Yang had always seen the older woman as someone cool to hang out with. Even with her "quirkiness" as Jarvis had put it. In fact, that trait of hers only made her all the more endearing for the young Xiao Long. Like that kind of friend that brings a cheerful mood whenever they're around. And amazingly enough, Pepper herself wasn't even phased with Yang's past anger outbursts. She just took it in stride, made a few over-exaggerated jokes here and there, and got her to calm down after a while. Truly, if she could call someone a girl-buddy, it'd be this woman in front of her. Of course, she had plenty other girl-buddies back at Patch and some here in Vale, but Pepper was unique in her own way.
"Say..." Gaining a serious look, a look Yang barely even saw most of the time, Pepper gestured towards the blonde's attire. "...I just noticed. You're outfit's different from usual."
Uh-oh...Yang gulped. Maybe I can-
"Ah, let me guess, " Before Yang could even come up with a means to change the subject, Pepper clicked her fingers with a wince that signified she was already sure of the answer before Yang even gave it. ", you and Gerald got into another fight again, didnt you?"
Urgh... "Yeah, " With a click of her tongue, Yang answered irritated as she flicked her blonde mane back. Fuck, is it seriously becoming that obvious of a thing for people? Damn it, Gerald. ", we kinda did."
Pepper shook her head slowly, with each shake accompanied with a light "hm-hm". It kind of reminded Yang of the way she'd shake her head at Ruby whenever she ended up doing something she wasn't supposed to do. "Well this just won't do, then." She turned away from Yang. "Hey, Ruby-rubes!"
"Yeah?" The young Rose's voice called back out from somewhere neither Pepper or Yang could see.
"Keep shopping some more sweetie, you're sis and I are gonna have a heart to heart convo." She turned back to Yang with a look that was both knowing and serious. "And I have a feeling this one's gonna be a long one."
First Doppinder and now Pepper, wow, is today supposed to be Yang-Council day or something? But even as she thought this, she didn't feel all that too mad at the chances Lady Life was throwing at her to cool off. It was just a pain in the ass for her to realize how prominent her little...disagreements...with Gerald were becoming. Meh, fuck it. I could use some girl-chat.
"Fine, but don't be surprised with whatever comes outta my mouth. I'm still feeling kinda volatile about him right now."
"Yikes..." Slinking her arm around Yang's, Pepper began leading her towards the desk. The preferable and, really, the only place they could convene for their chat. "...that bad this time?"
"Ugh, you have no idea, Pepps."
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The black-colored double doors leading inside the dimly lit throne room opened to reveal a tall middle-aged man with a slim build and slightly tanned skin making his way inside. The man had greying black hair and a thick mustache that was of the same color shade. His attire consisted that of a gray overcoat with yellow linings, a yellow buttoned undercoat, a yellow dress shirt beneath that and a black necktie as well. His pants were the same color as his overcoat and he wore brown colored cordovan shoes and matching finger-less gloves.
"My Lady, " The man called out in respect as he walked up towards the throne.
It was a monstrous thing. Hideous and haunting. Despite coming back here more times than he had cared to count the man was still appalled at the sight of its mere existence. It was asymmetrical in nature and the multitudes of charred swords unevenly jutting out of its side made it seem as if it had wings. Broken and disfigured wings to be exact. And it's size and height dwarfed out the entirety of the throne room. There were steps even that led up towards the throne's seat. But just like the rest of the throne, these steps we're made from jagged blades charred and melted black and hammered into shape. Truly, a monstrous throne.
And sitting on this throne was the woman he had sworn his servitude and life to. A woman that was currently engulfed with mist so black he could barely even make out her silhouette. Oh, but he knew she was there. And he knew she was watching him. Those bright red demonic eyes of hers piercing past the mist of darkness was and always will be proof enough for him.
", you summoned me." Stopping just short of a few meters from the foot of the monstrous throne, the man got down on one knee and bowed his head low.
"I wish to discuss matters on the researches you've conducted." Her voice rang out from beyond the veil of black mist. It was authoritative yet calm, strong yet gentle. It was the kind of voice one has when they are confident in their every stride. And sensual. Ever so sensual. It unnerved him. But he wasn't sharing that fact with anyone anytime soon. "Surely you've made headways in the projects you've had me fund for you."
"But of course, my Lady." Pushing down the dread that would always creep up his spine whenever he was within her presence, the man lifted his head up and showed her a smile that was by all means confident. "You should not expect anything less of someone as I."
She laughed an amused laugh at that. It was short but it echoed all throughout the empty throne room. It was worriedly warm and disturbingly welcoming. Like the laugh of an old friend or even that of a lover. It was just another thing he had long since added to the list of reasons why she made him quail. But even still, he calmed his heart and his smile never faltered nor did his look of confidence.
"Before that though, " The woman behind the black mist said. ", how far along are you on matters at Mountain Glenn?"
"Ah, I've only just recently received the latest status report from our little Maiden's critters. They've finally breached past the bedrock and have found it, dormant and unresponsive. And alive." The man let out a small laugh as he recalled the sheer rage and terror in the voice of his "associate" handling the operations at Mountain Glenn when he called to check on them. "And according to the cow, his people had the shock of their lives when they saw it up close. Just goes to show you that even the most bull-headed can crack."
"My-my, what great news indeed." The woman appraised. "And I am sure you told them to wait for my command in administering the Dark-Blood, yes?"
"Naturally, my lady." The man replied easily with an air of poise. "The cow and his people as of now are still on standby for my word. And as always, I will wait for yours."
"You've done well." From behind the mist, the woman gave a quick clap for her subordinate. "Now, contact them once more and tell them to gather up all their resources for departure. Have them vacate as far as they can from the southern region but not before giving the Dark-Blood to the creature."
"As you will, my Lady." He bowed low shortly before getting up on his feet. "And what of the researches, my Lady? Did you not wish for me to discuss them with you?"
"That shall be moved for a later time." The woman answered, the silhouette of her arm gently waving him off. "As of now, this is of the utmost priority. Now go."
"As you bid, my Lady." A 90-degree bow after, the man turned away from the woman sitting on her monster throne and began making his way out of the throne room.
A few meters before reaching the black double doors, they opened by themselves and invited him out. It was something he had chalked up to Supernatural a long time ago and he had long since grown accustomed to it. Besides, out of all the bizarreness in the entire castle, this was the most mundane for him. It honestly just reminded him of the automatic open doors back in his homeland.
"And one more thing." The woman called out to him just as he was about to cross the threshold.
Quickly stopping and just as quickly turning back to face her, the man put his hands together behind him as he readied himself for whatever the woman wanted to say with a smile that was always eager to please. "Yes, my Lady?"
"Tell everyone in the castle to brace themselves." Even with this much distance between them, her voice still carried a strong will to it. "The earth will shake soon."
For a second, Arthur's eyes widened by a fraction from what she had just said. But he recovered quickly enough. "It will be as you bid, my Lady." Another deep bow later, he turned away and fully exited the throne room. The black double doors sealing shut once more right after his departure.
Onward.