The Dance has arrived! Let's see how well this plays...or if it ends in disaster. As such, this is somewhat an episode-based chapter.

Please enjoy!

Diego hummed merrily to himself as he strolled through the streets of the city, despite the late hour. He was feeling especially cheerful today, for a very special occasion was approaching at Beacon, one which he had managed to get Ozpin to allow him entry on, as well as a blind eye. Approaching a store, he walked in as the owner looked up from his desk. He had apparently just started closing up shop.

"I'm sorry sir, but we're closed," the shopkeeper said. He then looked more closely at Diego and smiled. "Oh, it's you. How can I help you today, my late customer?"

Diego smiled. "Howdy Gabe. Do you have any suits? I'm looking forward to a good night sometime soon and I want to look my best."

Gabe smirked. "Always ready to help out a friend. So, will it be from the rack as usual?"

"Actually, I think we'll have to go with the specials tonight. Wouldn't want to raise Ironwood's suspicions more than they are, now do we?"

"Of course, Diego," Gabe replied, "Wait here."

Gabe disappeared in the back of the shop, then came out with a rather snazzy outfit that Diego couldn't help but smile at.

"Another triumph, my friend," he said as he took the suit. "And I assume it comes with the upgrades I talked about installing into my outfits?"

"Indeed. Formal, yet not too shabby if you get into a bind."

Diego gave him some currency and walked out the door with a happy sigh.

"Well, this will be quite the surprise for the girls to see," he said to himself with a chuckle. He then continued out on his way towards an alley, disappearing into the shadows of the night.

"Ozpin certainly let them outdo themselves," Diego chuckled as he watched the dancing begin from outside a window. He was dressed in his suit, but didn't attempt to enter just yet. As much as he wanted to join, and he eventually would, he also couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. Everything was just too peaceful and happy, yet he could sense some kind of dread in the air. As Diego watched, he noticed two familiar figures advancing towards the doors of the ballroom. He scowled as he watched them enter, then pulled up a Scroll with some info on them. There wasn't much to see.

"Well, at least I know their names," Diego said to himself. "Guess that's one win."

He sat outside for a few more minutes, then sighed and dropped down from the statue he had been on.

"Well, here goes nothing."

Diego started towards the doors, but stopped when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. A figure was making its way across the rooftops and didn't look like the nice kind of person.

"Not on my watch," Diego said with a sigh, taking one last look at the ballroom before chasing after the thief. He kept a reasonable distance from the figure, and soon found himself at restricted area guarded by some of Vale's security. Diego watched as the figure, who he had guessed was a female, take down the guard at the front doors, then strolled inside. Diego knew what was going to happen next, but before he could pursue any further, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw Ruby had just arrived on the scene. Both were surprised to see each other.

"Diego?"

"Ruby? What are you doing here?"

Ruby pulled out her scroll and summoned her drop pod with her equipment inside.

"I followed someone here and decided to help," she said as she took Crescent Rose out of the pod.

"No, I can't let you," Diego protested, "Go back to the ball, I'll handle this."

"I'm not going back," she explained, "As a Huntress, it's my job to help others and make sure justice is served."

Diego sighed in defeat. He knew he wasn't going to get of her, but it was worth a shot.

"Fine, but stay close."

Diego walked cautiously into the building, practically ignoring the bodies strewn about by their attacker. He reached an elevator and stepped inside, with Ruby beside him. Diego pressed a button and the elevator took them to the top floor where the security systems were. The doors opened and he and Ruby both stepped inside. Noticing how quiet it was, Diego started cautiously looking around while Ruby started calling out to make sure if anyone was there. Just then, the figure from before revealed herself. She had a mask on but she was grinning as she rose from her hiding place. However, when she saw Diego, her grin faded.

"You know," Diego stated matter-of-factly, "This isn't a party that involves masks. Also, that is expense equip-"

The girl caused several crystals to appear and fired them at Diego, who deflected them all perfectly. Ruby started firing her rifle at the figure, who deflected them all with her hand. Diego charged towards the girl, who caused two swords to appear out of nowhere, and they began a dangerous game of melee combat. However, Diego was the superior in this fight, and he soon disarmed the girl and forced her to withdraw. Just then, the elevator beeped and the doors opened. Everyone, including Diego turned to see who it was. As soon as Diego recognized the face of the man who walked in, he mentally kicked himself. Ironwood stood before him with a frown on his face, his pistol pointed towards Diego. Ruby turned from Ironwood to Diego, then a look of surprise came across her face. Diego didn't turn around, for he knew what it meant. The girl was gone.

"Ironwood, this is not what you think it is!" Diego exclaimed, trying to reason with the general. The response was a series of rapid rounds fired at Diego, who deflected them all.

"Stop!" Ruby shouted, catching Ironwood off guard and making him give up the attack. Diego chose this moment to disappear via smoke grenade, much to the annoyance of Ironwood. He looked to Ruby with anger, then his expression softened and he sighed.

"We'll discuss this later," he said to her, then escorted Ruby out of the building. As soon as they were gone, Diego peeked out from his cover: a small crevice in the ceiling that he had installed without Ironwood's knowledge for such an occasion.

"That was close," he muttered. Several questions were going through his head at once. Who was the attacker? Why was she here? Did this signal the beginning of things to come? None of these had a clear answer. Diego sighed. He would sort this out later. It was all he could do now.

Besides, he had a dance to attend, and he didn't intend on missing out.

Yang watched the festivities with a slight wistfulness in her eyes. She enjoyed the party and she liked to watch the lovely couples dance together, but something was missing. Yang sighed as she knew what it was. Or more appropriately, who it was.

"Enjoying your night, Goldilocks?" a familiar voice said from behind. Yang was surprised. Could it be? Turning around, she saw Diego standing before her in a very nice looking suit, a grin on his face.

"Diego?" she asked, "What are you doing here? How are you here?"

Diego smiled. "I managed to get Ozpin to turn a blind eye towards me for the night. Plus, how could I resist staying away from such beauty on this momentous occasion?"

Yang smiled and a slight blush crossed her face. Diego chuckled, then noticed the other couples. His eyes gave a little twinkle and he turned to Yang.

"May I have this next dance, Miss Xiao Long?"

Yang gave him the cutest smile he had ever seen her wear.

"You most certainly may," she replied, taking his hand. Together, they walked out onto the dance floor and joined the other couples in a slow-dance, gazing deep into each other's eyes as the night rolled on.

The majority of these chapters are rather short, are they not?

Hope you enjoyed! We'll see you in the next one! Bye!