The next morning all of the students are in class and 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.
"So, Weiss, y'know, uh, I-I was thinking after this, maybe we could go grab a bite to eat? Jaune then Turns to the teacher for a second, then turns back around.
" 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. Jaune then Pauses as his words have no effect.
" 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.
" And then I— Oh. He then stops and Straightens his stance as the students start to leave.
"Timed that one wrong, I guess. Well, the stunning conclusion to this story will have to wait. Until next time!
Jaune dosent seem to get up at first, Watching Weiss as she packs up her Scroll.
"Weiss? Did you hear me? Weiss dosent even look at Jaune as she anwsers while she walks away.
"No, no, no, yes. Upon hearing this, Jaune groans and does a faceplant into his desk.
the rest of Team RWBY walks out of class behind him, Yang however strokes Jaune's hair without even looking.
"One day. Later all of team rwby was getting ready, Ruby as she straps the red laces of her shoes, Weiss gripping the handle of Myrtenaster strapped to her side, Yang's Ember Celica over her left forearm as she slides the chamber, and then Blake as she is tightening the black ribbons around her arms. A full view of Team RWBY's preparations, reveals their new outfits. Blake then begins Approaching her bunk as she tightens her wraps.
" I thought that class would never end. Ruby nods From her position sitting on the hanging bed.
" Alright, guys, today's the day! The investigation begins! Ruby then Happily leaps off her mattress and onto the floor, arms raised excitedly. She almost lands on Weiss, who is on the bottom bunk.
" I'm glad to see we're taking this so seriously. Yang protests at this and trys to look serious.
"Hey, we've got a plan! That's... moderately good. ruby nods as she looks at her team.
" Right everyone remember their roles? Every member of the team nodded and then began to state their objective, Weiss being the first to do so
"You,grim,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. Blake nodded and then spoke next.
" 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. Yang grins as she gives a thumbs up.
"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...Ruby responds by pumping her fist in encouragement.
"Great! We'll meet up tonight near Yang to go over what we found Let's do this! Sun then decides to add in from the right.
" yeah. After hearing him, the team turned to see a smiling Sun as he hung upside-down by his tail in their open window. The whole team is taken however seems to be the one most surprised and alarmed.
"Sun! Yang looks curious at this and looks at him closely.
"How did you get up there? Sun shrugged at this and smiled.
"Ah, it's easy; I do it all the time. Weiss glared at him and put her hands on her hips.
"You do what?! Sun chuckled at this and his smile turned into a grin.
" I climb trees all the time! Without reacting to Weiss' scowl, he flips into the dorm room. So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy? Blake nods before stepping forward.
" We are going to investigate the situation... as a a team. ruby shook her head at this.
"Sorry, Sun. We don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to. Sun snorted at that and shook his head.
" Psh! That's dumb! We should always get friends involved! That's why I brought Neptune! Sun then begins gesturing out the windowThe 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.
" 'Sup? Ruby seemed confused at neptune and tilted her head.
" How did you even get up here?Neptune smirked and then anwsered cooly.
"I have my ways. Neptune then nervously smiles and shakes a bit.
" Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right the dorm room, the group are standing in a circle as Ruby lays down the new plan.
"Alright, I'll go with grim and Weiss; Sun, you can go with Blake. As she pushes Neptune past Weiss, he slips her a wink. Weiss looks mildly shocked but then comes to her senses quickly. And Neptune, you can go with Yang since she doesn't have a partner. Everyone good? Weiss coughed and interupted.
"Actually, Ruby, why don't you just go with grim? After all, you do have a crush on him if your recent behavior is to reveal anything. Ruby pushed Neptune, who is stiff as a board, up next to yang. 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. Ruby then soon blushed as se figured out what weiss said.
" that dosent matter here anyways Weiss, who would go with you, then? Weiss shrugged at this and tried to look innocent.
" Well... I guess Neptune could come with me. As ruby goes to laugh, Neptune behind her,puts on a suave look and points at Weiss as the team leader cracks up.
"Hahaha, nah! Weiss is obviously less than amused, yet is powerless to stop Ruby from pulling her by the back out the then sticks her arms out fruitlessly trying to get back to Neptune.
" But! But! Meanwhile grim was watching all of this with ranma at his side from the shadows.
" this day is going to be interesting well then come on little one we have things to do grim then shadow traveled after ruby and weiss with ranma on his tail. Later the group could be seen walkin to a monumental tower that looms over the sparse trees growing around the crossroads below. Ruby reacted first with awe and wonder in her eyes.
" Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close! Weiss nods at this with a proud smile.
" You should see the one in Atlas! Grim nods in agreement and smiles as he remembers the past.
" it is quite a sight. Ruby smiles and nods as she looks at weiss.
"That was the first one, right?Weiss smiled at this and nodded.
"Correct. Weiss, grim,ranma, and Ruby are then seen walking down the final path towards the building. Grim in particular found the tower interesting and turned to weiss as he petted ranma while they walked.
" mind explaining a bit about that. Weiss nods with a smile on her face.
" 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 rolls her eyes at this then pretends to be weiss by acting high and mighty.
" Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich! Ruby then snorts into her hands at Weiss' frown while grim chuckles at this before patting ruby on the head.
" come now dont be rude were all friends now. Weiss shook her head at this with an annoyed look.
" 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! Ruby nods and shrugs with a smile.
" I know, but it's so coool! 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 Penny's feet.
"Oh! Penny then Picks up the Scroll and extends towards ruby.
"You dropped this. Ruby and weiss stare for a moment and seem shocked while grim looks concerned.
" Penny?! Penny is similarly surprised and hesitates.
" Uuuh... Ruby then speaks quickly with concern in her voice.
"Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks! Penny hesitates at this before stammering.
"S-Sorry. I think you're confused. She then suddenly hiccups, throwing the Scroll into Ruby's hands.
" Uh... I've got to go bye! She turns quickly and walks away. Weiss looks at grim before turning to Ruby.
"What was that about?Ruby shrugs and looks at her friends.
" I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Ruby then starts walking in Penny's direction and grim and ranma soon followed almost making ruby protest until grim grew his shadow wings and took to the sky with ranma.
" no room for argument here shes my friend to lets both make sure shes okay. Ruby paused and thought about this as she walked and then nodded with a smile as she shouts back to weiss.
" You go make your call! We'll meet up with you later! Weiss protests reaching toward Ruby to try and stop her.
"Wait! Seeing the futility of stopping her teammate, weiss lowers her hand and sighs angrily. Ruby with grim and ranma following,soon catches up,running up to Penny as she descends the steps until she gets in front of the non-eccentric redhead.
" Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks! Penny shakes her head at this and trys to seem calm.
" There seems to be a... misunderstanding. Ruby tilts her head at this in confusion.
"What?! Penny continues to walk away making ruby follow while grim watched with suspicion. Ruby then slides down the rail next to penny and looks at her face.
"Penny... Is everything okay? Penny continues forward without reaction until, Ruby grabs her by the arm.
" Penny, please stop! Penny stops turns around and listens.
"Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to me! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! I need you to tell me what happened to you that night! Please... As a friend. Penny hesitates before sighing, then glancing to her sides swiftly, she walks over to Ruby's side and leans in close.
"It isn't safe to talk then looks around suspiciously, much to Ruby's confusion however grim knew what penny ment as his eyes narrowed at a set of atlas gaurds.
" hmm so its as i first thought shes an android, ironwood what have you done to this poor girl, why is she like this and why do you have her gaurded like this.
Meanwhile, Weiss walks 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 she's inside. The voice of the CCT AI is projected from a panel near the door.
"Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you? Weiss simply talks with a blank pleasent look on her face.
" I'd like to go to the communications room, please. The CCT AI anwsers this right away.
"Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity? Weiss retrieves her scroll and places it as directed.
"Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee. Upon the elevator's ascent, Weiss' expressions shifts from pleasant to serious. 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 walks up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appears in the are then heard before the projection speaks in a polite manner.
" Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?
Weiss smiled and then stated what she wanted.
"I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas. The CCT AI anwsered quickly with beeping following its words.
"Absolutely, If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through. Weiss nods and then says Thank you as she smiles. Weiss then turned around, walking over to her 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. She sits at her own display, 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.
"Thank you for calling the Atlas- Oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well. Weiss shakes her head pleasantly before speaking.
" No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. 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.
" I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for? Weiss reply without hesitation making the operator nervous.
"School project. The Operator nervously nodded at this as she scanned over the documents.
"Um... There are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am. Weiss smiled politely at this and nodded.
"Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with Operator still nervous nods and types away.
"Right... Very well, The data is being transferred to your Scroll now. Weiss smiles at this and nods.
"Wonderful! That will be all, then. Operator looks curious and speaksnup once againm
"Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go? Weiss loses her smile, but quickly replaces it.
" Yes, I'm sure. Operator nods with an akward smile.
"Well, then... Have a nice day! The call is dropped, and so too is Weiss' happy act, seen in the screen's reflection. Meanwhile 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 grinning. She smiles in return. The two then begin strolling down the street. Penny sighed at they walked and shrugged.
"I wish I could help you, Ruby, but I don't know anything about those looked concerned at this and looked penny in the eyes.
"Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?Penny quickly interjected, waving her arms in protest.
" Oh, no! Nothing like that! Ruby tilted her head at this, being curious.
"Then where did you go? Penny hesitated for a moment before speaking.
" 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 nods and accepts this with a small smile.
"Believe me, I know the feeling and i think grim did to. She grins and Penny grins back.
"But why not let us know you were okay? Penny frowned at this and shrugged.
" I... was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really, grim the most. Ruby tilted her head at this and looked amazed.
" Was your dad that upset? Penny shook her head no before anwsering.
"No, it wasn't my father...Before she can continue, she 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.
" 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 as 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 as ironwood speeks.
"Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary. the robots flex and pose as a demonstration while ironwood smiles and keeps talking.
"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's and grims ,whileon the other hand looks nervously at her friend.
" Ruby..? Ruby however is distracted by Ironwoods speech and is staring.
" 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 then continued his voice only being heard in the silence.
"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 is hunched in awe at this making grim snort in the sky.
"Whoa... Penny however seems concerned and nervous
"Ruby? 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 grim cusses at and uses his scroll to call ruby which snaps Ruby out of her weapon-awe-induced stupor.
" ruby pennys running again. Ruby seeing this looks worried and panicked.
"Penny! Wait! Where are you going? Ruby turns to look back at the soldiers chasing after her friend, and realizing Penny's situation, swiftly follows her in an attempt to catch up down the winding of the Atlas Soldiers sees them before: gesturing to his partner.
"Down here! She went this way! Penny and Ruby run across the street with the soldiers and grim 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 is still trying to catch up with Penny, but a high stack of crates on a flimsy support is easily cut down by Crescent Rose, causing a wooden avalanche of boxes to block the path. Seeing Penny right ahead of her, Ruby leaps into the air and lands on the alley wall, ricocheting off to grab Penny around the middle.
"This way! Ruby then grimaces before the two disappear in a flash of red and rose petals making grim curse as he flys faster to keep up.
Ruby dashes away as fast as she can while carrying Penny, but the strain is too great, and they crash to the ground a short while later, with Ruby falling all the way into the street. She gets up slowly, and in her dazed state, she doesn't notice the large truck coming up from behind her until the honking is too late of a warning. She stands up just as she's about to be hit, but from out of nowhere, Penny pushes Ruby out of the way and holds her palms out. At that same time in that split second, grims lands behind penny and wraps his wings around her just as the truck slams into pennys hands and grims shadows, making the ground beneath Penny and grim crack and crumble 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 Shop keep stares in awe at the crumples in his hood, just like the Huntress who got saved. Ruby looks up, eyes wide, terrified, uncertain and gasps at her friend.
"Penny..? Penny gets out of grims hug with with a nod and a smile before turning to the shopkeep.
"Are you okay? Shop keep is nodding, obviously scared.
"Uh-huh... Penny backs away, looking at Ruby's frightened expression, then at the bystanders murmuring to each other in an attempt to understand what just happened. Grim cusses at this and attempts to calm her down but before he can the atlas soldiers show up. Penny In her panic, runs from the Atlas soldiers still chasing her down and bumps into Ruby, knocking the poor girl out of her stupor as her friend tries to get away again.
" Penny! Come back come on grim after her ! she and grim then start going after Penny as the people look at the destruction Penny caused with her bare hands while the soldiers find they lost their target Penny soon comes to a stop once she gets out of the alleyway, looking around for where to run next.
"Um... Uh...Ruby with grims help however left penny trapped as grim landed in front of her while ruby was coming up to Penny from behind, exasperated.
"Penny! Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?! Grim seeing pennys face also adds in gently.
" penny ruby maybe well panicky right now but thats only because shes worried about you, i'am to so please let us help. Penny looks nervous again and stammers as she speaks.
"I-I can't! Everything's fine! she starts to hiccup with each lie.
" I-I don't want to talk about it! (*hiccup*) Ruby steps forward with concern on her face.
"Penny, if you can just tell us what's wrong, we can help you! Grim nods at ruby and steps forward.
" shes right penny she can help, i can shakes her head retreating from her friends in fear.
" No! No, no! You wouldn't understand...
Grim shakes his head at this and looks at penny with compassion.
" penny of course we will were your friends. Ruby nods and adds on to what grim said.
" yes please Let me try! Let grim try You can trust us! Penny finally relents, coming up to Ruby's and grim's faces desperately.
"You're my friends, right? You promise you're my friends?! Ruby smiles with understanding and nods.
" I promise. Grim nods as well and puts a hand on pennys shoulder.
" i promise as stays silent for a second, then, looking down at her hands before speaking. Ruby..grim. I'm not a real then shows grim and Ruby the toll of stopping the truck that would have killed her. Parts of her palm's skin have ripped away, revealing the gray metal underneath. Penny stares sadly at Ruby's face, now completely astounded by her friend's secret as all she can simply say is one word .
"Oh. Grim on the other hand says something that shocks both of them.
" whoever told you, your not a real girl is a dumb ass penny.