Ruby raised an eyebrow as her teammate, Weiss, dug through the cot on the ground; Midoriya's sleeping area. Due to the room already being cramped with two bunk beds, the young hero didn't mind having his own smaller setup on the far wall. Currently, however, he was absent and Weiss took the opportunity to do some digging. Ruby sighed. "Uh, Weiss? Maybe you should stop?"

"Not now, Ruby! If our new "teammate" has something to hide, I want to get to the bottom of it!"

"But, you're just messing up his books? Why don't you just ask him?"

"Psh. As if he'll give us a straight answer. He's always beating around the bush! I know he's hiding something." She examined the various books and notes. "Well, he's diligent, I'll give him that." She raised an eyebrow. "But…. this is weird. All of these notes are on the most basic of concepts. It's like a child seeing the world for the first time."

"Well, his grades are pretty impressive. Maybe he's just really good at cramming?" Ruby pointed out.

Weiss sighed as she rearranged the cot to be more orderly. "I guess. I still feel like he's hiding something. Did you see that power he used in Forever Fall? He hasn't used it since."

"Well, he did break his finger doing it."

"And that doesn't weird you out? Our auras are supposed to protect us. What's the point of a Semblance if it just hurts you? Something just doesn't add up." Weiss put a hand to her chin, deep in thought. Ruby just sighed and shrugged.

"How does it feel?" Goodwitch asked, holding Izuku's hand, observantly.

"Better now. I'm glad it wasn't so bad." Izuku said.

Goodwitch remained unenthused. "A broken finger is still a broken finger." She sighed as she put a hand to her chin. The duo were just outside of the school grounds, training in a secluded area. Rather than utilizing his Quirk, Goodwitch had Midoriya practice basic combat maneuvers. "We need to figure out a way for you to exert this powerful aura without destroying yourself. For now, we should stick with your mentor's advice and try to get your body stronger, but we can't wait forever."

Izuku nodded. "Right."

Goodwitch smiled. "Now, head back to your team. I'm sure you lot have plans for today."

Midoriya's expression became grave. "Oh man! Weiss said she wanted to head to town for something important! I have to hurry!" He waved goodbye to his teacher before speeding off towards the dorms.

Izuku felt his heartbeat quicken as he bolted towards the dorm halls and turned a corner, seeing his teammates suddenly facing him. He yelped before jumping back. "Uh, h-hey, guys."

Weiss frowned. "It's about time! Where were you? We were just about to head out without you."

"Just, ah, getting my morning jog in! Heh…" Midoriya jogged in place to emphasize his point. However, Weiss seemed unconvinced.
Ruby smiled. "See! He is diligent! And you were worried, Weiss."

The group headed to the town, Weiss' smile getting wider as they approached. Izuku had seen the town many times already, but each time he couldn't get over the difference to his own world's cities. Today, however, there was a slight difference. There was an air of excitement in the town that he couldn't quite pin down. His musings were soon answered when the group happened upon a sign reading "Welcome to Vale!"

Weiss sighed. "Ah, the Vytal Festival! A celebration of the cultures of the world!"

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Wow, Weiss. You seem excited."

"Of course! This festival is a big deal! The food, the crafts, the people. It's enough to make anyone happy!"

Yang tilted her head. "Wow, you really know how to make a good thing sound boring."

The group walked through town until they reached the docks. Izuku raised an eyebrow. "What are we doing here?"

"The Vytal Tournament is coming up and many students from other schools will be showing up here. I feel it is our duty to greet them and welcome them as representatives of Beacon Academy."

"She wants to gauge the competition to get the upper hand." Blake said, plainly.

"You can't prove that!"

Izuku laughed nervously until he heard Ruby gasp. "Whoa." The group followed her gaze before finally seeing caution tape set up at a nearby dust shop. The group approached, examining the scene. Ruby looked at the two investigators nearby. "What happened?"

"A robbery. Been happening a lot lately." He replied.

Izuku looked at the shop, taking in the scene. 'From what I've heard, there have been several dust shops hit recently. 'No culprits have been caught, but thankfully, most of the shop owners were compliant and left unharmed.'

The investigators' conversing broke him from his thoughts. "They didn't take the money. Again."

"What do you think? White Fang?"

"I'm thinking we ain't paid enough."

Izuku put a hand to his chin. "They didn't take the money, but all of the dst appears to be gone. Granted, dust is a powerful tool, without the proper funds to utilize it, then taking it would be pointless unless they already have money. If that's the case, they must be organized. Even so, why would anyone need so much dust…" He mumbled on and on until Yang punched him in the shoulder. "Ow!"

"Dude, stay with us."

"Uh, right, sorry." He crossed his arms. "The White Fang… weren't they that faunus group we learned about in class?"

Weiss scoffed. "That faunus group is nothing more than a group of degenerate terrorists."

Blake frowned, an eyebrow raised. "What's your problem?"

"My problem? I just don't care for the criminally insane."

"The White Fang aren't psychopaths. They're just misguided."

"They want to exterminate humanity!"

Midoriya stepped back in shock. "E-exterminate? That's kind of heavy…"

Ruby crossed her arms. "I don't know. Why would the White Fang want to rob a dust shop here? Remember, they still haven't caught that Torchwick guy I ran into."

Izuku remember Ruby regaling him with her "heroic tale of justice" on one of the first days they met. "I guess that makes sense. Even so, why would anyone need so much dust?"

"Torchwick or not, those faunus are good for nothing liars and thieves."

"Hey now, that's not necessarily true-" Yang's protest was cut short by a sudden yelling coming from the docks.

"Hey! Stop that faunus!"

The group ran to see the crew of the docked ship scrambling to catch what appeared to be a blonde boy with a monkey tail running away. He taunted his pursuers before hopping onto the docks below and hanging from a lamppost by his tail and snacking on a banana. The investigators from the shop were already on the scene, looking annoyed. "Hey! Get down here this instant."

In response, the faunus threw his banana peel at the guard before jumping over them and making his made his way towards the boardwalk, speeding past Izuku and his team.

Izuku clenched his fist. "We-we should do something!"

Weiss smirked. "You're darn right! We need to observe him! After him!" She exclaimed. The group began their chase after the faunus boy, tailing the investigators as well. Izuku watched the monkey's movements, noting the agility in his form. Unfortunately, he did not note the individual standing before him until he ran into them. Weiss turned the corner and stomped as the faunus jumped out of sight. "No! He got away!"

Izuku was dazed for a moment before looking down to see… a girl? He yelped before backing away. "I-I'm sorry! I-I-I should have w-watched where I was going and-"

"Salutations!"

"Eh?"

Midoriya calmed down as he noticed the girl's rather content expression. It was as if she didn't even register being on the ground. "Are you… okay?"

"I'm wonderful! Thank you for asking!" She replied, jovially.

"Uh, no problem?" Izuku stood, confused. 'It's like she didn't even mind me running into her! I hope I didn't run into her too hard…'

Yang raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to… get up?"

After a moment of deliberation, the strange girl nodded. "Yes." As she got up, the group took a step back, unsure of this new stranger. "My name is Penny! It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"Uh, hi. I'm Izuku." The young hero introduced, holding out a looked at it for a moment before frantically shaking it. Izuku felt a twinge of pain. 'Man, that is some grip!'

"I'm Ruby."

"I'm Weiss."

"Blake."

"Did you hit your head?" Yang asked before getting nudged by Blake. "Oh, I'm Yang."

Penny smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Weiss crossed her arms. "You… already said that."

Penny looked at her for a moment before smiling. "So I did!"

Weiss, wanting to leave this oddity as soon as possible, coughed. "Well, we should be on our way."

Izuku nodded. 'Uh, yeah! Sorry about running into you. We should definitely talk again soon." He said, waving as the group turned to leave… only for the girl to appear in front of them. "What did you say?"

The group remained in a stunned silence, moving out of the way so she had a straight shot for Izuku. "Huh? Me? I,uh-"

"You… want to talk to me again? Like… friends?" She leaned in close, flustering Izuku. He held a hand up to his face, murmuring. "W-well, I…" He looked to his comrades, who were vigorously signalling for him to reject the strange girl. However, looking into her eyes, he didn't find the strength to say such a thing. "Uh, sure! We can be friends."

The group fell back in shock while Penny became ecstatic. "Sensational! We can paint each other's nails, and try on clothes, and talk about cute boys!"

"Um…" Midoriya blushed. 'Does… does she think I'm a girl!?'

Yang decided to break the awkwardness. "So, what are you doing in Vale?"

Penny looked at her with a determined smile. "I'm here to fight in the tournament! I am combat ready!"

Weiss perked up. "Wait, you're here for the tournament? Then you must know that monkey-tailed rapscallion from the boat!"

Penny raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Blake clenched her fist. "Stop saying that! Stop calling him a rapscallion! He's a person!"

"Oh, I'm sorry for speaking the truth! You saw it, he committed a crime! It's probably only a matter of time before he joins up with those good for nothing White Fang!"

Izuku watched the conflict. "Uh, should we…. do something?"

"I'm sure they'll burn themselves out." Ruby said, unsure.

They didn't.

The argument persisted all the way to the dorms. Weiss stood before Blake, arms crossed. "The faunus of the White Fang are pure evil!"

"There's no such thing as pure evil! It's because of people like you who make them take these drastic measures! You're discriminatory!"

"I'm a victim!" Weiss sighed before going to the window and looking out. "The White Fang and the faunus have had a target painted on my family's back for a very long time. I've seen board members executed, friends disappear, a whole train car of dust… stolen. Father would come home angry and… that did not make for a good childhood." She turned to Blake, tears threatening to spill. "The White fang are a bunch of liars, thieves, and murderers!"

"Well, maybe we were just tired of being pushed around!" Blake snapped. The room was in a stunned silence, processing what they just heard. Blake stared for a moment before bolting away.

"B-Blake!" Ruby called, but it was too late. Blake was long gone…