Before we begin this chapter, I have a Deviantart page. It's SamanthaMatoiStein, so if you have any fan art you wanna share, send it there. Also, these stories will eventually be released on Wattpad, so look out for that.
Weiss is patiently waiting out the minute left on her holographic clock displayed from her desk in the classroom of Professor Peter Port, whose dialogue is merely background nonsense as Jaune slides up next to Weiss and asks, "So, Weiss, y'know, uh, I was thinking after this, maybe we could go grab a bite to eat?" He turns to the teacher for a second, then turns back around and continues, "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 pauses as his words have no effect, but then asks, "Aaaand maybe after that, we could study together? I mean, you're smart and I'm, uh...Y'know." Finally, the clock in front of Weiss gives a shrill beep as it changes from 3:59 to 4:00, and she dismisses it with a wave of her hand. The professor is temporarily unaware of the alarm as he is posing as a towering monster about to attack while continuing, "And then I—Oh." He straightens his stance as the students start to leave and says, "Timed that one wrong, I guess. Well, the stunning conclusion to this story will have to wait. Until next time!" Jaune, watching Weiss as she packs up her Scroll, asks, "Weiss? Did you hear me?" Weiss says while not even looking at Jaune as she walks away, "No, no, no, yes." Upon hearing this, Jaune groans and does a face plant into his desk. As the rest of Team RWBY and IVRY walks out of class behind him, Yang ruffles Jaune's hair without even looking and says, "One day." Yvette then passes and says, "Not likely."
Ruby is strapping the red laces of her shoes. Weiss is gripping the handle of Myrtenaster strapped to her side. Yang's Ember Celica is over her left forearm as she slides the chamber. Blake tightens the black ribbons around her arms. Ivory tightens her scarf. Vanessa wipes the wrinkles out of her combat skirt. Rebel is sharpening Howling Rebel. Yvette is lifting the collar of her jacket. Team RWBY and Team IVRY are preparing in their new outfits. Blake says as she approaches her bunk as she tightens her wraps, "I thought that class would never end." Rebel gets up from her bed and says, "You're not the only one." Ruby say from her position sitting on the hanging bed, "Alright, guys, today's the day! The investigation begins!" She happily leaps off her mattress and onto the floor, arms raised excitedly. She almost lands on Weiss, who is on the bottom bunk. Weiss replies, sarcastically, "I'm glad to see we're taking this so seriously." Yang says, "Hey, we've got a plan! That's...moderately serious." Ruby replies, "Right!" Ivory looks around at her and Ruby's teammates and asks, "Everyone remember their roles?" Weiss says as she and Vanessa stand up, "You, Ruby, Vanessa and I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other Dust robberies or inconsistencies. Seeing as Vanessa and I are in the family, it shouldn't be a problem." Blake says, "The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members." Rebel adds, "If Blake and I can get in, we can hopefully find out what they're planning." Yang states, "Yvette and I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows everything going on in Vale." Yvette adds, "Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard…" Ruby says, "Great! We'll meet up tonight near Yang and Yvette to go over what we found." She pumps her fist and says, "Let's do this!" A voice says, "Yeah!" It is revealed to be a smiling Sun Wukong as he hangs upside-down by his tail in their open window. Both teams are taken aback. Blake says, surprised and alarmed, "Sun!" Yang asks, "How did you get up there?" Sun replies, "Ah, it's easy; I do it all the time." Weiss asks, "You do what?!" Sun replies, "I climb trees all the time!" Without reacting to Weiss' scowl, he flips into the dorm room and asks, "So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?" Rebel replies, "You can say that." Blake says while stepping forward, "We are going to investigate the situation...as teams." Ruby says "Sorry, Sun. We don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to." Sun replies, "Psh! That's dumb! We should always get friends involved! That's why I brought Neptune!" He gestures out the window. The girls lean out the window on top of one another cartoon-style to see the aforementioned teammate of Sun's standing outside, cool as can be as he asks, "'Sup?" Ivory asks, "How did you even get up here?" Neptune replies, "I have my ways." He is standing on a very thin ledge circling the building under the windows and says, nervously, "Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now." Inside the dorm room, the groups are standing in a circle as Ruby lays down the new plan, "Alright, I'll go with Vanessa, Ivory and Weiss; Sun, you can go with Blake and Rebel." As she pushes Neptune past Weiss, he slips her a wink. Weiss looks mildly shocked but then comes to her senses quickly as Ruby continues, "And Neptune, you can go with Yang and Yvette. Everyone good?" Weiss asks, "Actually, Ruby, why don't you and Ivory go with Yang and Yvette? After all, they are your sister and friend." Ruby pushed Neptune, who is stiff as a board, up next to Yang and Yvette. When she is done pushing him, he rocks back and fourth looking nervous. Yang put her hand on his shoulder to stop him from rocking as Ruby asks, "But, Weiss, who would go with you and Vanessa, then?" Weiss replies, "Well...I guess Neptune could come with us." Neptune puts on a suave look and points at Weiss as the team leader cracks up and says, "Hahaha, nah!" Vanessa says something in sign language to Ivory and she replies, "Vanessa's right, you're stuck with us." Weiss is obviously less than amused, yet is powerless to stop Ruby from pulling her by the back out the door. Weiss sticks her arms out fruitlessly trying to get back to Neptune while saying, "But! But!"
Ruby, Weiss, Ivory, and Vanessa are now at a monumental tower that looms over the sparse trees growing around the crossroads below. Ruby says, "Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!" Weiss replies, "You should see the one in Atlas!" Ivory asks, "That was the first one, right?" Weiss replies, "Correct. 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." Ruby, acting high and mighty says, "Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!" She snorts into her hands at Weiss' frown. While Vanessa holds back a snicker, Ivory says, "Good one, Ruby." Weiss says, "Don't be a pest! Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much! We could have just as easily made a call from the library!" As Vanessa nods, Ruby replies, "I know, but it's so cool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!" She grabs her Scroll from a pocket on her clothes, but in her excitement, the device is launched from her hands, bouncing along the pavement until it lands at someone's feet. A voice says, "Oh!" The person, who is revealed to be Penny, picks up the Scroll and extends towards the clumsy teen and says, "You dropped this." Ruby and Ivory ask, shocked, "Penny?!" Penny says, similarly surprised, "Uuuh…" Ruby asks, "Where have you been?" Ivory adds, "We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!" Penny replies, "S-Sorry. I think you're confused." She suddenly hiccups, throwing the Scroll into Ruby's hands. She then says, "Uh...I've got to go!" She turns quickly and walks away. Weiss, turning to Ruby asks, "What was that about?" Ruby replies, "I don't know, but we're going to find out." Ruby and Ivory start walking in Penny's direction as Ruby shouts back to her partner, "You guys go make your call! We'll meet up with you later!" Weiss reaches toward Ruby and says, "Wait!" Seeing the futility of stopping her teammate, she lowers her hand and sighs angrily. She looks towards Vanessa, who shrugs. Ruby and Ivory run up to Penny as she descends the steps until they get in front of the non-eccentric redhead and Ruby asks, "Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!" Penny replies, "There seems to be a...misunderstanding." Ivory asks, "What?!" Penny continues to walk away. The two slides down the rail next to her and Ruby says, "Penny...Is everything okay?" Penny continues forward without reaction. Ruby grabs her by the arm and says, "Penny, please stop!" Penny stops and listens as Ruby continues, "Look, we don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to us!" Ivory says, "Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! We need you to tell us what happened to you that night! Please...As friends." Penny sighs, then glancing to her sides swiftly, she walks over to Ruby's side and leans in close and whispers, "It isn't safe to talk here." Penny looks around suspiciously, much to Ruby and Ivory's confusion.
Weiss and Vanessa walk through the grand, glowing lobby of the tower with pride, avoiding the central terminal and heading straight for the elevator doors, which slide open automatically and close when they're inside. The voice of the CCT AI is projected from a panel near the door as it says, "Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?" Weiss replies, "We'd like to go to the communications room, please." CCT AI says, "Absolutely. Could you please place your Scrolls on the terminal to verify your identities?" Weiss retrieves her Scroll and places it as directed and Vanessa does the same. The CCT AI says, "Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee and Miss Vanessa" Upon the elevator's ascent, Weiss' expressions shifts from pleasant to serious. Vanessa looks at her with worry. Weiss waves her hand as a sign that she's fine. Upon entering the room, four symbols are seen on a computer-twin axes and wreaths, three flying swords pointing down, a spear and shield inside a fragmented circle, and a precise winged shape. Weiss and Vanessa walk up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appears in the seat. Beeps are heard before the projection speaks in a polite manner, "Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?" Weiss replies, "We need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas." CCT AI replies, "Absolutely." After more beeping, "If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through." Weiss replies, "Thank you!" Weiss and Vanessa smile and nod before walking over to their assigned cubicle-like computer, passing a few Beacon students in uniform-one of which is talking to her mother and asking how things are going back in Signal Academy. Weiss sits at her own display while Vanessa stands next to her, both taking a deep, unhappy breath to prepare for the call ahead. The face of a short-haired brunette appears on the monitor with the Schnee snowflake rotating behind her. She does not realize who she is talking to until she looks up while saying, "Thank you for calling the Atlas-Oh! Miss Schnee and Miss Vanessa! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well." Weiss replies, pleasantly, "No, thank you! We were actually wondering if you could find some files for us. I've compiled a short list." Weiss produces her Scroll, placing it into a slot on the keyboard, creating a series of noises as the Operator looks at the data from her side of the screen. The operator asks, "I see. If you don't mind...what may I ask is this for?" Weiss replies, "School project." Vanessa nods in agreement. The operator nervously says, "Um...There are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am." Weiss replies, "Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with care." The operator, still nervous, says, "Right...Very well." More noises happen and the operator says, "The data is being transferred to your Scroll now." Weiss replies, "Wonderful! That will be all, then." The operator asks, "Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?" Vanessa shakes her head as Weiss loses her smile, but quickly replaces it and says, "Yes, we're sure. The operator replies, "Well, then...Have a nice day!" The call is dropped, and so too is Weiss' happy act, seen in the screen's reflection. Weiss then looks towards Vanessa and asks, "He can't stop you here, Vanessa. When will you speak again?" Vanessa shrugs in response.
Penny stands alone near a two-story building with patio furniture and she is looking around nervously when a hand grabs her shoulder, causing her to jump. She turns to see Ruby and Ivory grinning. She smiles in return. The three are now strolling down the street. Penny says, "I wish I could help you, Ruby and Ivory, but I don't know anything about those men." Ruby asks, "Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?" Penny replies, "Oh, no! Nothing like that!" Ivory asks, "Then where did you go?" Penny replies, "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." Ruby says, "Believe me, I know the feeling." She and Ivory grin and Penny grins back as Ruby asks, "But why not let us know you were okay?" Penny replies, "I…was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Or Vanessa. Or Rebel. Or Yvette. Anybody, really." Ivory asks, "Was your dad that upset?" Penny replies, "No, it wasn't my father…" Before she can continue, she, Ivory and Ruby hear the sound of megaphones announcing something, turning around the corner to look at the platform in the center of a plaza where the holographic image of James Ironwood is seen before six AK-130 Androids, who are in turn standing in front of two large metal storage cases with the spear-and-shield emblem on their doors. Ironwood says to the crowd, "The AK-130 has been a standard security model of Remnant for several years, and they have done a fine job. Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you agree?" The clapping of the gathered audience causes the drones to take a jerky bow and Ironwood continues, "But...the kingdom of Atlas is a kingdom of innovation, and 'fine'...Well, that's just not good enough, is it? Presenting...the Atlesian Knight-200!" The doors to the cases roll up, and six new, bulkier, shinier automatons stand at attention before knocking their obsolete predecessors down to the applause of the watchers. Ironwood continues, "Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary." The robots flex and pose as a demonstration as Ironwood continues, "These models will become active later this year, but they won't be alone! 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 will undoubtedly require...a human touch. The last line draws Ruby and Ivory's attention. Penny asks nervously, "Ivory? Ruby..?" Ironwood continues, "So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce...the Atlesian Paladin!" Ironwood's image is replaced with the hologram of a robotic white behemoth, featuring hinged piston legs, large guns for hands, and a rectangular head, standing at least twice as tall as the Knights below it. Ironwood says, voice only, "Now we couldn't have him here for you today, but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year!" Ruby says, hunched in awe, "Whoa…" Penny says, concerned, "Ruby? Ivory? Maybe we should go somewhere else." At the side of the stage, two armored soldiers see Penny, pointing her out and calling in backup. Penny backs away and then breaks into a dead run, which snaps Ruby out of her weapon-awe-induced stupor. Ivory asks, "Penny! Wait! Where are you going?" Ruby and Ivory turn to look back at the soldiers chasing after their friend, and realizing Penny's situation, swiftly follow her in an attempt to catch up down the winding alley. An Atlas Soldier gestures to his partner and says, "Down here! She went this way!" Penny, Ivory and Ruby run across the street with the soldiers following them, though a honking car nearly runs one over. He manages to brace his hands against the hood, which somehow stops the vehicle, and his partner runs along after the girls. Ruby and Ivory are still trying to catch up with Penny, but a high stack of crates on a flimsy support is easily cut down by Crescent Rose and Quarter Stone, causing a wooden avalanche of boxes to block the path. Seeing Penny right ahead of them, Ruby grabs Ivory's hand, leaps into the air and lands on the alley wall, ricocheting off to grab Penny around the middle. Ruby yells, "This way!" She grimaces before the three disappear in a flash of red and rose petals. Ruby dashes away as fast as she can while carrying Penny and with Ivory holding onto her back, but the strain is too great, and they crash to the ground a short while later, with Ruby and Ivory falling all the way into the street. They get up slowly, and in their dazed state, they don't notice the large truck coming up from behind them until the honking is too late of a warning. They stand up just as they're about to be hit, but from out of nowhere, Penny pushes Ruby and Ivory out of the way and holds her palms out. In the split second where the two make contact, the ground beneath Penny cracks and crumbles into pieces, and the From Dust Till Dawn truck is lifted a little ways into the air by the girl's sheer strength. She puts it down, and the Shopkeep stares in awe at the crumples in his hood, just like the Huntresses who got saved. Ruby asks, eyes wide, terrified, uncertain, "Penny..?" Ivory asks, with the same expression on Ruby, "What the…" Penny asks the shopkeep, "Are you okay?" The shopkeep nods, obviously scared and replies, "Uh-huh…" Penny backs away, looking at Ruby and Ivory's frightened expressions, then at the bystanders murmuring to each other in an attempt to understand what just happened. In her panic, she runs from the Atlas soldiers still chasing her down and bumps into Ruby and Ivory, knocking the poor girls out of their stupor as their friend tries to get away again. Ruby yells, "Penny! Come back!" They start going after Penny as the people look at the destruction Penny caused with her bare hands and the soldiers find they lost their target. Penny comes to a stop once she gets out of the alleyway, looking around for where to run next while saying, "Um...Uh…" Ruby and Ivory come up to Penny, exasperated as Ruby asks, "Penny! Please! What is going on?!" Ivory asks, "Why are you running? How did you do that?!" Penny replies, nervous again, "I-I can't! Everything's fine!" She starts to hiccup with each lie, "I-I don't want to talk about it!" She hiccups. Ivory yells, "Don't lie to us! You hiccup when you lie!" Ruby says, "Penny, if you can just tell us what's wrong, we can help you!" Penny says while retreating from her friends, "No! No, no! You wouldn't understand…" Ruby replies, "Let us try!" Ivory adds, "You can trust us!" Penny finally relents, coming up to Ruby and Ivory's faces desperately and asks, "You're my friends, right? You promise you're my friends?!" Ruby softly replies, "I promise." Ivory softly adds, "I promise, too." Penny is silent for a second, then, looking down at her hands, says, "Ruby, Ivory...I'm not a real girl." Penny shows Ruby and Ivory the toll of stopping the truck that would have killed them: Parts of her palm's skin have ripped away, revealing the gray metal underneath. Penny stares sadly at Ruby and Ivory's faces, now completely astounded by their friend's secret as all they can simply say is, "Oh" and "Wow"