(And now for me to do what Warhammer 40K has done recently but almost never does. Advance the plot.)
Does This Unit Have A Soul?
Axel's POV
All I wanted was just some sleep, but it looks like I'm in a dream right now. Underwater city from the looks of it, I'm guessing the town center in fact. I look on around and see that this place has the oddest geometry that there could be.
"Hey Lindo." A voice says, turning behind to look it's Cthugha.
"Where am I? What is this place?" I ask
"This is a friend of mine's house, welcome to R'yleh my friend." He says, "We're here for a meeting."
"Between us and who?"
Not a moment later, there arrives Silas, Uriah and Roy.
"Guys?"
"Axel? What's going on here?" Roy asks sounding in awe, seems that they're real.
"All of us must speak upon matters concerning you four." A new, deep and ancient voice says causing even the water to shake. And there they were:
One looked like a massive green and pale serpent, only differences are that it had a torso and humanoid arms that ended with clawed hands. The head still looked like a snake's however with the fangs curving outwards instead of inwards.
Two looked nearly identical, huge and hairy toads. One of them however having a long neck and many feet that are small and like a Goliath's.
The last one, ever so slightly unnerved me. A massive humanoid thing with an octopus for a head, bat wings on it's back, and webbed hands.
"This meeting shall now come to order." The octopus-headed one spoke
"Right then. To all of those who may or may not know among you: these four are Cthulhu, Yig, Hzioulquoigmnzhah, and Tsathoggua." Cthugha says gesturing to each of them.
"Ok a quick question how come all of you look utterly weird?" Uriah asks
"Thatssssss becaussssssse we take thesssssse formsssss asssss we wissssssh you dumbasssssssss." The snake one, Yig hisses
"Geeze, just asking man."
"We are getting far off topic immediately." The octopus-headed Cthulhu spoke, "As Cthugha has been communicating with the human he has chosen. We figured that the human should give his opinion on wether or not that the four of us should speak with ours."
My opinion? Well then.
"I don't see what took you four so long. Silas, Uriah and Roy are great guys."
"Errrrr...well it's probably not that bad. Right?" Uriah adds in a bit nervously
"Hmmm, very well then. Second-"
"HOLD ON NOW I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. WHY SHOULD WE LISTEN TO YOU NOW?" The toad Tsatgoggua asks
"Because I am the leader among you all, and I-"
"Whoa whoa whoa whoa there, who died and made you king eh?" Cthugha asks
"I am the High-Priest here an-"
"I believe that isssss ex-High Priesssssst there friend." Yig hisses
"Oh fuck off you Scalie."
"WHAT WASSSSSS THAT YOU CALLED ME YOU OVER SSSSSSSIZED KALAMARI?!"
"NOT MY FAULT YOU HAVE SLITHERING, FANGED, VENOMOUS PENISES FOR CHILDREN YOU SCALE COVERED WORM!"
"Can't we all just calm down?" The furry toad who's name I can only understand as gibberish says sheepishly, Cthulhu and Yig snap their gazes to him angrily
"STAY THE FUCK OUT OF THIS!" They shout
"ONLY I CAN SHIT TALK MY COUSIN LIKE THAT!" The second of the furry toads, Tsathoggua shoots. And it devolves into a full fledged fight between the four of them.
"Dear God man..." Silas mutters
"Is it always like this?" Roy asks
"I'd say sixty percent of the time." Cthugha states factually
"Good luck with them in your head." I add in dryly
Port's Class, Later That Day
Let it all end. Let Port's class end already, let there be the sign of a benevolent and all loving deity so that I can escape this hell. And Jaune's fidgeting is something that makes me think he's going to say something to Weiss who's just resting her head in her hand, good thing she has a clock set up so we know when to get out and get ready for a night on the town. Everyone know's their part, hopefully it all runs like clockwork.
Have to deal with what Torchwick and the White Fang are doing, if the two of them are a part of this whole conspiratorial garbage involving the Cabal and two other groups. Best we handle it all a few at a time.
And so Jaune moves, sliding up next to dear Ice Queen. I hope he fucks up for this, for Pyrrha's sake.
"So, Weiss, y'know, uh, I-I was thinking after this, maybe we could go grab a bite to eat?" Jaune asks nervously, Weiss ignoring him as though there isn't anyone there. He turns over to look at Port like he actually isn't trying to ask out Weiss, riiiiight before turning his attention back to her.
"And, uh um, I-I've got two tickets to that new Spruce Willis movie, if you wanna make the trip to Vale. I hear it's awesome." He adds, "Aaaand maybe after that, we could study together? I mean, you're smart and I'm, uh... Y'know." He finishes, and just in time for the alarm to go off for Weiss' clock signaling it's four.
And it looks like Port is posing. Oh joy.
"And then I— Oh." He speaks before straightening himself up with people already leaving, "Timed that one wrong, I guess. Well, the stunning conclusion to this story will have to wait. Until next time!" He says laughing
So I take a stand with Weiss, who looks back and gives a smile. I and give a gesture for her to leave first, gotta be polite for my good Weiss cold friend. Jaune simply watching Weiss who's currently packing up.
"Weiss? Did you hear me?" He asks
She doesn't even look at him as she starts to walk away, "No, no, no, yes."
Jaune faceplants right into his desk, groaning. The rest of team RWBY passing by him. "One day." Yang tells him, not even looking as she ruffles his hair. Wait...I have a great idea.
"Hey Jaune."
He turns to look at me with a dejected look on his face, "Yeah Axel?"
"Over heard you getting shot down by Weiss. It's a shame." I say shaking my head, he sighs and stands up.
"Yeah...it is..."
"Why don't you go with Pyrrha?" I suggest, he looks at me like I'm utterly crazy.
"Pyrrha?" He asks incredulously, "She's not gonna say yes." He scoffs
"Why not? You're an impressionable young man who probably has caught the eye of some girl. Know who I mean?"
"I...who'd that be?"
Jaune, I love you man. But you're as dense as a fucking concrete wall at times. I sigh and shake my head.
"Look. I'm sure Pyrrha would love to go see the Spruce Willis movie with you, just ask her to do it with you, alright?"
"Hmmm, couldn't hurt. Well. See you around Axel." He says leaving
"Take care Vomit Boy." I say, he gives me a sharp glare before leaving. Worth it though.
"Playing match maker?" A voice asks
"Why do you ask Oreno?" I ask dully looking to the unfashionable Orchid, who's grinning.
"Meh. Just curious, not that I don't mind." He says shrugging, "But me, Tulip and Lily have had to deal with Ahri fawning over the monkey kid...Sun."
"I'm sorry to hear that man." I say shaking my head, "Do me a solid and keep watch on Jaune and Pyrrha for me?"
"You have it on my honor as a citizen of Vale." He says holding up his hand
"Not going to exactly cut it there man. Met many a person from Vale."
"I swear in the name of my father Oberon Orchid that I'll make sure things between Jaune and Pyrrha go smoothly." He says firmly, I smile and give a nod as I leave.
"Good man Oreno, good man." I say quietly, giving a wave before leaving.
Time to go to work.
A Moment Later
And so the eight of us all have gotten dressed up, me and the guys in the clothes we got yesterday with Roy having his backpack on. And RWBY's little dresses are a bit nice: Yang dressed in what would be her regular outfit but showing less skin...sadly, Blake in a white top and black pants, Weiss in a more business-like dress similar to her regular outfit with black details instead of blue, and Ruby's being a change to a grey undershirt still with her 'combat skirt' and boots.
Blake walking over tightening one of wraps on her arms, looks like we're pretty much ready. "I thought that class would never end."
"Careful there Ms. Belladonna." Cheshire chides, appearing out from under her and Silas' bunk. "Hell could just be an extra extended class involving Port." He then laughs before slipping under the bed again.
I shudder, "I hope not."
"Offtopic." Roy says quickly enough for it to sound like he just said only one word
"Alright, guys, today's the day! The investigation begins!" Ruby says, happily leaping off her bunk with raised arms and narrowly crushing Weiss from the bottom bunk.
"I'm glad to see we're taking this so seriously." Weiss says with sarcasm evident in her voice.
"Hey, we've got a plan! That's... moderately serious." Yang adds in from the top bunk
"I'd say the same but considering who we are...eh, it'll either work out well or we'll just wing it." I state with a shrug, earning a few laughs
"Right!" Ruby says excitedly, "Everyone remember their roles?" She asks, Weiss takes a stand
"You and I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other Dust robberies or inconsistencies. Seeing as I'm in the family, it shouldn't be a problem."
Scratch Weiss
"Me and Roy will come along to ask people about smaller Dust shops that've been hit." Uriah adds in
"Should we find anything related to them we'll get back to the CCT and report our findings to Ruby and Weiss." Roy says happily
Ok, Uriah and Roy are ready
"The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members. If I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning." Blake says with her arms crossed behind her back
"I'll see if I can check up for anything related to Tukson's murder, some correlation might be found there." Silas speaks up as he's popping a few joints
"I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows everything going on in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard..." Yang says
"And I'll be sure to come along in case that he doesn't wanna talk." I add in
And you're stuck to her like a fly on shit.
Bite me Cthugha
I have to agree with him.
Cain, please do me a favor and go fuck yourself again.
At least buy me some dinner first.
"Great! We'll meet up tonight near Yang and Axel to go over what we found." Ruby announces before pumping her fist, "Let's do this!"
"Yeah!" A new voice says, wait what? Looking around it's...Sun, hanging by his tail upside down.
"Sun?!" Blake and Silas say in a tone mixed between alarmed and surprised
"How did you get up there?" Yang asks
"I have a feeling it's due to the fact that he's a monkey, am I right?" I ask the dear 'ol monkey Faunus. He puts a finger up to his lips to tell me to shush.
"Ah, it's easy; I do it all the time." Sun states casually
"You do what?! Weiss shouts, earning a pained groan from Uriah
"Right in my ear Weiss, geez."
"Sorry. But as I said before: You do what?" She asks this time without shouting
"I climb trees all the time!" He states before flipping into the room ignoring Weiss' scowling, "So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?" He asks. Blake steps forward
"We are going to investigate the situation... as teams." She states for the monkey Faunus
"Sun. I'd hate to say it but...you'd probably just get in the way." Silas says rubbing the back of his neck
"Yeah. Sorry, Sun. We don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to." Ruby adds in
"But thank you for the offer." Roy says smiling
"Psh! That's dumb! We should always get friends involved! That's why I brought Neptune!" The Faunus says gesturing out the window, what? Looking outside along with everyone sans Sun there is in fact. Neptune, standing on the ledge.
He turns his gaze over, "'Sup?"
"How did you even get up here?" Ruby asks
"I have my ways." The blue-haired friend of Sun says, just before looking down and appearing squeamish and worried.
"Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now." He asks nervously
"Sure you can-"
"Nope." Uriah says quickly, pushing everyone back inside and closing the window shut.
This is hilariously petty and dickish. I love it
After that Uriah turns around to look at us all, seems Weiss is a tad bit angry with that. And. I'm ever so annoyed.
"Seriously?" I ask dully
"What? You heard him, he has his ways." Uriah says pointing outside, "He found his way up. He can find a way back down."
None of us are buying it.
Uriah's POV
I groan, "Fine...I'll get him inside." I mumble, trudging over to the window
I'm happy that Cthugha sssssssaid that I ssssssshould come along with you, I love it already!
Well my snake friend. Hope you enjoy it all.
I open up the window and drag Neptune inside. Alright, now we can get to work. With everyone standing together in a circle, now with plus one blue-haired sack of shit and one monkey Faunus. There'll be a few changes I bet.
"Alright, me, Uriah and Roy will go with Weiss; Sun, you can go with Blake. Axel will go with Yang." I see Neptune give Weiss a wink, can I please just shoot him? It'll do everyone a favor.
You mean do yourssssssself a favor.
Bite me Yig
Hope you enjoy venom then.
"And Neptune, you can go with Silas since he doesn't have a partner. Everyone good?" Ruby finishes looking between us all
I'm fantastic actually.
"Actually, Ruby, why don't you go with Yang and Axel? After all, she is your sister and he is your friend from childhood." Weiss suggests, as Ruby pushes Neptune next to Silas. The blue-haired moron rocking back and forth, with the dear wolf Faunus stopping it by putting a hand ontop of his head.
"But, Weiss, who would go with you, then? Besides Uriah and Roy I mean." The little reaper asks
"Well... I guess Neptune could come with me." Weiss says, please God no. I look at Ruby in desperation she laughs. "Nah!" She then starts dragging off a less than amused Weiss. "But! But!"
You're the greatest Ruby. So me and Roy follow behind the two of them, once we're outside the door there's a tap on my shoulder.
"Going somewhere?"
"You'd want to know that, wouldn't you Emerald?" I ask looking to the mint-haired thief who's smiling innocently. Oh how many idiots fell for the 'I'm just a little girl no need to be concerned about me' act I'll never know.
"Welllll, it'd be nice." She says, I laugh and shake my head
"Sorry Em. Official business, but I'll be back tonight in case you wanna hang out."
"Alright, see you then buddy."
"You too."
Roy's POV
The CCT: Cross-Continental Transmitter, one of four huge towers in the four kingdom's of Remnant. A beauty of engineering and able to give us to opportunity to talk with people on other continents.
But looking up at it gives me a feeling of reverse-Vertigo.
"Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!" Ruby gasps in awe
"You should see the one in Atlas!" Weiss adds in
"Blatant advertising." Uriah quips
"I actually agree with that." I say
"No it's not!" Weiss says with a bit of chuckling
"The one in Atlas was the first one, right?" Ruby asks
"Correct." Weiss states
"And wasn't it a way of saying 'Let's be friends and not kill eachother' once the Great War ended?" I ask, let's see if Weiss knows.
"Also correct." The heiress states, "Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms to communicate with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War."
"Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!" Ruby says in a mocking high and mighty tone, causing her to snort along with me and Uriah to laugh. Weiss frowns however.
"Don't be a pest!" She says annoyed
"What kind Weiss? Are we termites? Ants? Gnats? Mice? Rats?" I ask innocently
"Can we all just get along?" Uriah suggests holding out his hands
"We can, I just don't want to be pestered. Besides, the only reason we're here is because you two like the tower so much! We could have just as easily made a call from the library!" Weiss adds in
"I know, but it's so coool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!" Ruby says excitedly
WHAT DO YOU EVEN SEE IN HER?
I see plenty, and I love her for it.
Ruby pulls the Scroll out of her clothes but it ends up getting launched and bounced on the pavement.
"Oh! You dropped this." Someone says, looking to who said it and holding the Scroll is. Wait a minute!
"Penny?!" Ruby and I ask at the same time, I can't believe it! Even Penny looks surprised to see us too!
Mind giving us some context here partner?
Friend of mine and Ruby's!
"Uuuh..."
"Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!" Ruby asks
"We've been worried that something happened to you! What happened?" I add in
"S-Sorry. I think you're confused." Penny stutters before letting out a hiccup and tossing Ruby's Scroll into her hand. "Uh... I've got to go!" She then turns around quickly and starts to walk off
"Weird." Uriah says
"What was that about?" Weiss asks curiously
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Ruby states, "You coming Roy?"
"Of course I am!"
"Good." And so she and I start to walk off, "You go make your call! We'll meet up with you later!" Ruby shouts back to the two of our friends as we run off.
"Wait!" "Come back!" The two of them shout back, me and Ruby ending up catching Penny as she's descending down the stairs.
"Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!" Ruby asks the red-headed eccentric girl
"There seems to be a... misunderstanding." Penny replies, walking down the steps
"What?!" Ruby shouts out, with her sliding down the railing and me hurriedly walking down the stairs.
"What's the misunderstanding?" I ask, hoping that there's answer for this. She isn't chipper like she was the first time we met her, something has to be wrong. And a moment afterwards we end up at the bottom of the stairs.
"Penny... Is everything okay?" Ruby questions, sounding quiet and desperate. But Penny just keeps on walking, I'll let Ruby talk for this. "Penny, please stop!" She shouts grabbing the other girl by the arm, stopping her.
"Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to us! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! I need you to tell us what happened to you that night! Please... As your friends." Ruby pleads
"Listen to her Penny. We're worried." I say quietly, Penny let's out a sigh and quickly looks around. Is someone watching her? She comes forward between the two of us quickly and leans in.
"It isn't safe to talk here." She whispers still looking around
What's even going on?
Uriah's POV, CCT Tower
I am not going to be angry at Ruby and Roy. But I will say that it was a tad dickish for them to leave us, had to get dragged inside by Weiss due to her wanting to keep an eye on me. What it was just that one time with Neptune, still...better than going around asking just random strangers about things that they more than likely don't know about.
Still, the inside of the CCT is pretty impressive. Grand and glowing lobby with a big central terminal with people circled around it, but avoiding that Weiss and I approach the elevators.
One of the doors opening up for us to head inside, once inside the door closes and a sound for an AI powering on comes to the air.
"Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?" It asks in it's electronic voice
"We'd like to go to the communications room, please." Weiss says pleasantly
"Absolutely." The AI says in a friendly tone, "Could you please place your Scrolls on the terminal to verify your identities?" It asks
Don't do it
I have to do it.
Well ssssssssshit.
The two of us grab our Scrolls and do as instructed for the AI. "Perfect! Thank you Ms. Schnee, Mr. Greene." The AI says, the elevator beginning it's ascension upwards. Weiss' expression changing form pleasant to serious.
"You alright there Weiss?" I ask
"I'm fine, thank you." She says all too quickly, hmmm.
The elevator stops and the door opens, let's just hurry up. The two of us step out and come to a holographic secretary coming up behind the desk, a series of beeps coming with it.
"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?" It asks politely, sharing the same voice as the AI in the elevator.
"I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas." Weiss tells it
"Absolutely." The hologram says followed by another series of beeps, "If you could head over to Terminal three, I'll patch you through."
"Thank you!" The two of us leave the desk and head over to the cubicles, a few other people in Beacon uniform at terminals. Once we reach the desk Weiss takes a seat, taking a deep and unhappy breath. I put a hand on her shoulder which consequently causes her to look at me.
"Don't worry, we'll be quick." I tell her, she nods and looks back at the screen. The face of a short-haired brunette looking down coming up with the dear Schnee family snowflake rotating behind her.
"Thank you for calling the Atlas-" the brunette cuts herself off once she looks up and her expression changes to be more attentive, "Oh! Ms. Schnee! Good afternoon! Who's the boy there with you?"
"A friend of mine, no worries. I'm not being held hostage." Weiss says in a pleasant tone complete with a smile, I give a smile and wave.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Uriah." I say a bit quickly, the brunette waving in response.
"Well then. Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well."
Weiss has a sister? Huh, who knew? Besides from her of course.
"No thank you!" Weiss says still sounding pleasant, "I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list." She says placing her Scroll into a slot in the keyboard. With a series of noises with the operator looking intently at her side of the screen.
"I see. If you don't mind...what may I ask is this for?" The brunette asks
"School project." Weiss quickly replies
"Um...there are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am." The brunette replies nervously
"Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with care."
"Right...very well." The brunette says still nervous with more noises coming, "The data is being transferred to your Scroll now."
"Wonderful! That will be all, then." Weiss thanks her
"Glad you could help out there miss." I add in
"Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?" The brunette asks, hearing that...Weiss' smile is gone but is quickly replaced.
"Yes, I'm sure." Weiss tells her a bit quietly
"Well, then...have a nice day!" with that the call drops, and through the reflection so does Weiss' happy act.
"Are you...alright there Weiss?" I ask in a worried tone of voice, she doesn't look at me for a few seconds before looking at me. Smiling.
"I'm fine Uriah, no need to worry yourself about me." She lies, with that smile plastered on her face. Axel told me that whenever she lies Weiss smiles, and I see what kind of smile it is: like a façade telling that she's the prim and proper heiress to a family fortune on the outside. But inside, she's sad and scared and alone...a frightened little girl.
Sssssshe'ssss like a little bird, it'sssss wingssss clipped. A little rabbit afraid that the wolvessss will come ssssoon.
You seem to know well about this, how come?
I am a father Uriah. I know when a child hurtsssss
Oh...I never got to meet my dad. And my mom died in childbirth from what I heard.
I'm ssssssssorry for you my friend. You have my ssssssssympathyssssssss
Thanks.
Roy's POV
"You have any idea what Penny's whole deal is?" I ask, Ruby shakes her head in response.
"I don't know. It makes me a bit worried she isn't saying anything, something happen to her?" She wonders out loud, looking toward the normally chipper girl we met weeks ago. Penny's just standing by herself there, looking around nervously like she's being watched by someone.
I give Ruby a little peck on her head, she jumps a bit and it causes her face to flush. "Well...we could try again. 'At first you don't succeed try and try again, at least until you need to stop' as my dad would say!" I tell her hopefully, she snorts.
"Couldn't hurt." She says grinning, walking on over to her with me just following along with her. She puts a hand on Penny's arm causing her to jump, but she turns to see us and gives a smile. With that out of the way the trio of us get back to walking down the street.
"Penny, just for a bit of clarification: you don't know anything, anything at all about those guys?" I ask
"I wish I could help you both, but I don't know anything about those men." She replies honestly
"Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?" Ruby asks
"Was it by those guys we fought? Secret police-style people? Wizards?" I add in, leaning close to her.
"Oh, no! Nothing like that!" Penny responds
"Then where did you go?" Ruby asks
"I've never been to another kingdom before. My father asked me not to venture out too far, but... You have to understand, my father loves me very much; he just worries a lot." Penny replies
"Believe me, I know the feeling." Ruby states with a grin
"I'm not sure about you two girls, it may be different. I get that from my mom at times." I speak up grinning as well
MOMMA'S BOY?
No Tsa, it's just that my parents are concerned about my saftey
THAT'S TSATHOGGUA TO YOU BOY.
Ignoring the loud toad, Penny's grinning too.
"But why not let us know you were okay?" Ruby asks
"I... was asked not to talk to you two. Or Axel. Or Silas. Or Weiss. Or Uriah. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really." Penny replies a bit nonchalantly, swinging from side to side. Geez, that sounds rough
"Was your dad that upset?" Ruby asks with a tone of worry
"No, it wasn't my father..." Penny replies a bit quietly
"Then who?" I ask, but before there's an answer there's the sounds of megaphones announcing...something. Turning a corner there's a crowd gathered around the plaza, with two metal storage containers baring the spear-and-shield emblem of Atlas on it. In front of them are six of the AK One Thirty androids as per a part of the Atlesian army, and to top it off a holographic image of General Ironwood is there too.
"The AK One Thirty has been a standard security model of Remnant for several years, and they have done a fine job. Wouldn't you agree?" The holographic general asks the crowd, who clap and cheer in response which the androids respond with a jerky bow.
"LONG LIVE ATLAS!" Someone shouts, oh wait it's Lily...huh.
Friend of yours?
Yup...mentioned she has a bit of love for Atlas.
Sounds like a riot.
"But...the kingdom of Atlas is a kingdom of innovation, and 'fine'?..." The holographic general chuckles, "Well, that's just not good enough, is it?"
"IT IS NOT SIR!" Lily shouts
"HEY SHUT UP THERE!" A guy shouts back sounding irritated
"YOU WANNA COME AND DO IT STRING BEAN?!...THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!"
Oh Lily, never change.
"Presenting...the Atlesian Knight Two Hundred!" The holographic Ironwood announces with the doors on the containers open up revealing six new-ier, whiter, bulkier, shinier androids who proceed to knock down their predecessors earning more applause.
Poor robos.
"Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary." To demonstrate the new-ier androids flex and pose, "These models will become active later this year, but they won't be alone!" Ironwood announces dramatically, "Now, the Atlesian military has always supported the idea of removing men from the dangers of the battlefield. However, there are still many situations that undoubtedly require a...human touch."
Human touch? What does he mean by that?
"Ruby..? Roy..?" Penny says, she sounds nervous
"So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce...The Atlesian Paladin!" The hologram of Ironwood is replaced by one of a white behemoth standing twice as tall as the Knights at the least! Hinged piston legs, big guns for arms, a rectangular head, this thing is a work of beauty!
"Whoa..." Ruby gasps in awe
"You got that right..." I add in, that thing is art in pure form!
"Roy? Ruby? Maybe we should go somewhere else." Penny says sounding concerned, then there's the sound of feet running along. Snapping out of awe Penny's running away.
"Penny! Wait! Where are you going?" Ruby calls out
"Come back! What are you running from?!" I add in, looking behind there are two Atlesian soldiers running toward the same direction as Penny is going.
Ohhhhhhh nooooooo. I hope I don't have four terrorists for friends.
BUT YOU MIGHT. COULD BE A POSSIBILITY
Stop talking!
Me and Ruby share a quick nod before running after Penny, trying to catch up to her down a winding alley way.
"Down here! She went this way!" One of the soldiers shouts from behind
"We gotta hurry." I mutter, I gotta get ready for this. I hit the side of my backpack and causing it to forming my old weapon, power armor and friend Dragon. Just in case, have a few upgrades in place if there has to be a fight. Still trying to catch up with Penny we come up to a high stack of crates, Ruby unfolds her Crescent Rose and cuts down the support leading to an avalanche behind three of us.
There's Penny just up ahead! Ruby leaps into the air and onto the alley wall, ricocheting off of it and grabbing Penny by the middle.
"This way!" She says with a grimace, and the two disappear in a flash of red and rose petals. Tapping on my back, there's a series of mechanical clinks as out comes one fine upgrade I added: a jetpack. I accelerate quickly before noticing Ruby out in the street and coming to a stop, looking around there's a truck coming and honking.
I run as fast as can to get to Ruby, just when I'm about there and the truck is about to hit Ruby. Penny comes to push her out of the way and holds out her palms, the two make contact and the ground itself cracks and crumbles into pieces from the impact with a shockwave knocking me to the ground as the truck is lifted into the air a bit before slamming back down to earth.
"What?..." I whisper, Penny's alive. How? Semblance?
"Are you ok?" She asks the driver inside who gives a nod, she looks around: first to Ruby, then to a murmuring crowd behind me, then to myself. She goes off running again and bumps into Ruby, I run to Ruby and pick her up.
"Penny! Come back!" She shouts out before getting back into the chase, with me following behind her in tow. The two of us see Penny looking around out of the alleyway, another place for her to run I bet.
"Penny! Please! What is going on?!" An exasperated Ruby asks coming up to Penny, "Why are you running? How did you do that?!"
"I-I can't! Everything's fine!" Penny stutters with a hiccup, "I don't want to talk about it!" Another hiccup. I grab her by the shoulders and look at the nervous girl straight in the eye
"Penny! You came back after weeks when we didn't know where you were! You haven't been talking to us about anything! And right now you stopped a truck with your bare-hands! It stops now Penny! Tell us something!" I plead with her
"Listen to him Penny, if you can just tell us what's wrong, we can help you!" Ruby adds in, Penny breaks out of my grip and retreats away from the both of us.
"No! No, no! You both wouldn't understand..."
"Let us try! You can trust us!"
Penny finally relents and comes up to the both of us with a desperate look in her eyes. "You're my friends, right? You promise you're both my friends?!" She asks pleading, why do I get the feeling this is going to be bad? Ruby and I look to one another and share a nod.
"I promise..." She says softly
"You can trust me." I state
Penny looks down to her hands for a moment, "Roy...Ruby...I'm not a real girl."
She then shows her palms to the both of us, instead of flesh and blood where her skin is torn up. It's grey metal. She's a robot.
"Oh..." "I see." Ruby and I mutter
Told you cousin, now pay up.
WELL SHIT.
(Alrighty then, with that there done I move onto the next part of the story. Hope you all are still enjoying this.)