File 2: Red Like Ruby

With so many clues to decipher, Mundy decides to find one person that was at the moment where Roman died – Ruby Rose.

Ruby Rose. Daughter of the legendary Summer Rose. She was a huntress, graduated from Atlas Academy, before it dissolved. Ruby was a special type of huntress. We have no intel on her, but her abilities tell all. Superspeed, Teleportation, and especially her Silver Eyes.

Mundy found an apartment near town, and found Ruby Rose. He called, "OI! Are you Ruby Rose?"

"Yes?" She called, from behind the doorway.

"THE Ruby Rose? The same huntress that fought Roman Torchwick and Cinder Fall?"

"Yes." Ruby said.

"May I come in? We need to talk."

Ruby gasped, as she saw Mundy's firearm in his belt. She dashed off, as he cried, "WAIT!" He grumbled, "Not my day." He dashed off, armed with his Sniper Stand.

Ruby was running around the city, in a huge red fireball. This was her Semblance, which she can dash and fly around, using her red cape. Mundy was slower than her, as he was trying to catch up to her.

"Wait, Red!" Ruby stopped, and started dashing off. He yelled, "You don't understand! I'm on your side!"

"Why do you know Torchwick and Cinder?! Why should I trust you?"

"Because I was hired by Neo!"

Ruby barked, "Stay away from me! I have nothing to say for her! She still blames me for killing Torchwick! If she wants an apology, she's wasting her time!"

Mundy gasped, "Wha–? But that's NOT what I–."

Ruby cried, as she sprinted off, "GO AWAY!"

She disappeared, as Mundy was shocked, "What did–? What did Neo do to Red?"

Neo and Ruby had a thing? They hated each other… Figures, since Ruby was there when it happened. Neo thought Ruby killed Roman. But she refused to talk.

XXXXX

At the apartment, Neo was sitting alone, as she saw Mundy come home. He signaled her to sit, as he sat in front of her.

"I met Red. Ruby Rose. Ring a bell?"

Neo nodded, as she seethed. He said, "So, it's true. I tried talking to her, but she refused to listen to reason. I wanted to hear her side of the story." Neo pouted, as he apologized, "I'm sorry, Neo. But it's all part of being a detective. I'm trying to uncover the truth. And what happened that day… Well… I wanted to confirm it, from Red."

I knew about what happened to Roman Torchwick. He was devoured by a Grimm. Sadly, Neo never knew the truth. But… What really caused him to be devoured? The only possible suspects were Cinder Fall and Ruby Rose.
Cinder, because she's the boss to Roman, the underboss. And Ruby, because she was the last person to see Roman alive. But did she do anything to let Roman get eaten?

Mundy said, "I'm doing what I can for you. Red and Cinder are possible suspects."

Neo gasped, and then glared at him. She believed one of them was responsible. Mundy replied, "So, you believe who it was?"

Neo texted, as she was confident. "It was Red. She should've saved Roman. Red… She killed him."

I could never say the truth to Neo. If I did, it'd break her heart. But I'd like to know: Who DID release The Grimm to kill Roman Torchwick?

"I'm doing the best I can, Neo." He said, "I'm sorry…"

Neo sighed, as she held her head down, sobbing a bit. He hugged her and comforted her.

I have to get answers… and soon…

XXXXX

While The Gang was away with MEA, I decided to return to Premier Watts' house. And I told him everything about Roman.

"Poor devil. And Neo has no idea?"

"Nope." Mundy said, "Little bit was still heartbroken over what happened. Neo thought Red killed him. I tried asking her, but she doesn't want anything to do with me."

"You really shouldn't have mentioned Cinder Fall… or Roman Torchwick."

Mundy growled, as Watts said, "I mean, you clearly messed up on the investigation, when you uttered his words. Besides, isn't that your main objective, Oscar Gooden of The Gang?" Mundy's eyes widened, as Watts continued, "Oh, yes… and how did the Euphoria case go, after your recent failure in North Carolina?"

Mundy got up and barked, "Take it back! It was one slip-up, and I refused to let it go. We can worry about Mister, later. For now, it's my beat. And I suggest that you shut your gob, before I give you another mouth!"

Watts said, "You don't scare me… I mean, aren't you the NEW man in the Gang Guys? Plus, I think we know what happened to Scarlet Riley, after she abandoned you."

WHAM!
Watts was pinned to the wall, and Mundy brandished a hunting knife. Mundy yelled, "LEAVE MY LOVE OUT OF THIS, YOU CUNT! You don't ever say my love's name again, in spite. You're just a sad corrupt man who rigged an election! All I want is the truth, behind Cinder and Roman, and Ruby Rose! I don't care what you say to me, but there's a woman that lost the one person she once admired, despite being a criminal, and I want to know what happened between Roman and Red!" He pointed his knife at Watts and said, "I may not have orders to kill, but I can overlook this one. But I play by the book, just like my friends! You can badmouth The Gang, but leave my Scarlet the fuck alone!" he panted, as he said, "I want answers… Where's Cinder Fall? If Ruby won't talk… then she will…"

Watts chuckled, as he said, "Ohhhh, ho-ho-ho-ho-ho… You're desperate, aren't you?" He pushed him back, releasing himself of his grip. "You want answers? Well, in case you haven't realized yet, you Australian Outback Amateur, I don't work for Cinder, anymore… I don't even work for you, either, or your moppets!" Mundy got up, as Watts said, "Like you could threaten me with that steak knife?"

"You think you're bloody clever, Arthur Watts. Don't you?"

"This isn't SALEM!"

"NO! But I'm with The Gang! AND ICPO! But as a member of The Gang, I do what I can to help people! As an agent of ICPO, on the other hand, I have to follow the rules! So, unless you want this implanted into your hollow skull, you tell me everything about Cinder…"

"Ah, yes… And then what? You're going to interrogate her, or scare her away, like how you did Ruby Rose, aren't you? And how has that worked out for you?" He continued, as Mundy grew angrier, "I have known you from afar, Sniper Mundy… from The Authority and NR9 to Egypt and Hope's Peak. You helped A-Fist by defeating Night Raid's top fighter, and you only ran off, just to save Scarlet. Cowardice. And to think you had the firepower to stop Akame. OH! And let's not forget your deal with Steven Nevins in Egypt. The Gang's all here, and you suffered a hole in your gut. If only someone came to you for good advice, and warned you about your duties and the setbacks that came to you, when helping The Gang! Oh, wait… I DID! BUT YOU WERE TOO BUSY BEING THE GANG'S PUNCHING BAG, WHEN ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS YOUR JOB!"

Mundy seethed, as he remembered his past failures, including Imperial Lobby (when he tried to help The Gang save Scarlet, only to get beaten up), Yotsuga Forest (when he fired a bullet to Anna Nishikinomiya, and she tossed it back to him, hitting his wrist), and Egypt (when Steven Nevins used The World to punch a hole into Mundy's stomach).

Watts continued, "You know, I was the one that gave Cinder a reality check! I mean, she was the Autumn Maiden, and almost took Fria's abilities, only for that doll to become the Winter Maiden! Then her moment with Raven Branwen, to ambush everyone for the relic! But look what happened… She screwed up, just like you! I told Cinder this, when she was entitled to doing things her way, and all for herself!
She thinks she's entitled to everything, just because she's suffered, but SUFFERING ISN'T ENOUGH!
You can't just be strong, you have to be smart!
You can't just be deserving, you have to be worthy!
But all she, and you, have ever been… ARE BLOODY MIGRAINES!"

Mundy pinned him down to the floor, and roared in rage, "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

STAB!
He stabbed down hard, missing Watts. The blade was near his left side, and he was shaken. Mundy would never kill anyone (unless needed). Even if he did, even if Watts was evil, he wouldn't. Even if he was ordered to, he wouldn't.

Watts exhaled, as Mundy turned away. He whispered, "You're right… You were right. Since I joined, I was… I was offered to lead The Gang, in Scarlet's absence. But I wasn't ready. I couldn't bear it. I cannot be a leader, not after what I've done. And what happened in Fort Rawls, and again with Shion Sonozaki… And him…" He shuddered in growls, remembering Steven Nevins, "I don't deserve it… Imagine, a black person to lead The Gang, after everything the black people stood for recently, as we matter first… But I'm no hero… I'm no leader…"

He bowed his head and was sad. Watts picked up his knife and gave it to him. He said, "I'm sorry…" Mundy took his knife back, and Watts said, "To be honest… I don't know where Cinder is now. Even if I told you, she'd kill me, anyways. SALEM… It's not just an organization… It's ONE deity."

Mundy walked off, as he said, "Just one thing… If you ever see Neo Politan again… and if you know the truth about what happened that day… Tell her. Not me. Good day, sir."

He walked away, leaving Watts' place, and Watts sighed, "Thank god…" He looked out the window and sighed, "Bloody harlot… If I ever see you again, Cinder, it'll be too soon."

He got a text from his scroll. It was Neo.

"He was here, wasn't he?" Neo responded, and then she added, "If he knows it's her, please… Do what you can."

Watts responded, as he was upset, "I'm afraid you're too late, Neopolitan. He believes it's her… or Red."

XXXXX

Neo was at Ruby's apartment, and she contacted her. Ruby appeared, as she said, "Neo?"

Neo was sad, as she was wearing only her white attire and Roman's hat. She pointed at her scroll, as Ruby said, "I got your message. You wanted to talk to me? I met with a guy that knows you… Dark skin, camos, with a pistol in his pocket."

Neo nodded and stated that he was her friend. And he wants to talk to Ruby. Ruby said, "Is that what this is about? Neo, do you still blame me for what happened to Torchwick? I didn't kill him…"

Neo pouted, as Ruby said, "I would never kill him. But even if I did, I was cornered. I couldn't stop him. He was about to kill me, and… It was a Griffon." Neo's eyes widened. Ruby explained everything, "I didn't kill Roman. He was about to kill me. In all honesty, he deserved it. But you didn't have to take it out on me. If you're going to blame someone, blame Cinder!"

Neo bowed her head and nodded. She seethed, as she grabbed her arms, shaking her. She was sobbing, as she was angry that Ruby didn't save Roman. That's another reason why. Roman was killed by a Griffon, a Grimm griffin, and Ruby was powerless to stop it. He was swallowed whole by it.

"I… I'm sorry… I didn't want to, but I couldn't… You still blame me, that's fine. But I'm not the guilty party. She is." Ruby walked off and turned away. She said, "We have nothing more to say. But just… think about it, won't you?"

Ruby went back inside. Neo was shocked. She dropped to her knees, and she was crying. Hours later, Neo left the premises, and then walked to the streets. She was holding her umbrella over her head and was sad. She then sniffled, as she remembered his name.

"Roman…" inside her heart, it was the only thing she said, just not aloud or under her breath.

She sat down on the bench, as it was raining. She then put her umbrella down and was sad, drenched in the rain shower.

XXXXX

Neo returned to Mundy's apartment, soaking wet. Mundy was waiting for her. He said, "What kept ya, Neo?"

Neo sighed, as she put her umbrella down. She bowed her head and apologized. Mundy said, "No, it's alright. You didn't do anything wrong. But… I'm still upset over this issue. Ruby killed him, Cinder killed him, a wild Grimm killed him, what? I'm at a loss for words, and I cannot even ask my allies for help."

He said to her, "Neo… Nothing is going to change my mind. I'm going to find Cinder Fall, for answers. Then maybe, Roman Torchwick is avenged. But on one condition… The minute we find Cinder Fall and the truth, you have to go turn yourself in." Neo was shocked, as he said, "I got no choice. My boss yelled at me about you. And he says that I'm watching over you, in case you try anything. So, if you want to cooperate, stay out of trouble. You can stay here, if you like."

Neo agreed, as she sat down. Mundy said, "Oh, yeah. Emerald said that she wants to stay with you, too. Plus, she wants you to help at her bar. How's that?"

Neo nodded. He said to her, "Trust me… I'm not giving up. If I can't go to Red, I go to another source. Watts is right about one thing… I have to learn to do my job. I cannot be blinded by my ambition to another. I wanna help you. That's all I ask."

Neo sat up and extended her hand to him. They shook hands, and Neo smiled. He said to her, "Neo… Why don't you go wash up? You're a mess."

Neo bowed, and she went to the shower.

Minutes later, Neo appeared, wearing her new outfit. Mundy smiled, "Hey, look at you."

Neo was wearing white pants, black sleeves, and a pink and black top with straps on her shoulders. Her hair was all wavy and long. She smiled and nodded, saying she looks better now.

"Well, you did right. Your old clothes are in the bin. Plus, no one would recognize you in that attire. Well… mostly the hat and hair… and the eyes."

Neo rolled her eyes, and then snapped her fingers. She changed into a woman in black hair, wearing a black uniform and white shirt. Her eyes went green and she nodded to him.

"That's better. Keep that as your primary disguise. I mean, can't you just change your hair and eyes, and ditch the hat?"

Neo shook her head no, as she stated that her Semblance can only change her entire body to another.

Mundy hugged her and said, "Glad you're here for a while." They hugged each other, as Neo felt like she belongs to someone she likes, other than Roman or Cinder. But this was a first for Neo Politan. She finally found a true friend.

I may never know what may happen, but I won't give up. Neo… she needed solace. She needed acceptance. And she also needed closure. For now, she needed someone to watch over her. Maybe someday, she'll tell me everything.
Literally, she'll "tell" me everything.

XXXXX

Neo stayed behind in Mundy's apartment, away from plain sight. On off days, she works with Emerald, just to pay off some tabs. As for Mundy, he continued his investigation, hoping to one day hunt down Cinder Fall, and maybe ask the questions about what happened that day… when Roman Torchwick died.

Neo Politan may never know the truth, nor she may never figure out who it was that ended Roman's life, but for Neo Politan, or Trivia Vanille, her new life with The Gang has just started… … …provided if they ever meet, that is.

Days later, after The Gang's mission with Euphoria and Father Ritsu, Mundy met with Emerald and Neo.

"Well, then… I think it's time for our next plan." He said, "Once we have more intel, I may need you two. Emerald, Neo…" He saluted, "I look forward to working with you."

Emerald smiled, "Anything to side with the right crowd, for once." And Neo nodded.

Mundy said, "Right. We'll keep in touch."

He left, as Emerald relaxed. Neo went outside, as she went to him. She held her hand to his face, and smiled in happiness, tears flowing down her face.

Mundy smirked, "Heh… I know… I'm not Torchwick. But I'm happy to have met you. Someday, I promise…"

Mundy & Neo's new beginnings had just begun.
But that's another story…

New file, next time…