The Spectacular Spider-Man of Remnant

by YoungCashMang

Everyone's favorite web-slinger becomes a victim of the Parker luck once again. Peter find himself in the world of Remnant, now attempting to rebuild his life, but this world offers new challenges for Spider-Man that he will struggle to overcome. Thankfully, he has a more honest soul to help him through. Older chapters rewritten!

8. Chapter 8

These were honestly some of the best two weeks in Peter's life.

Despite the odds that he believed were against him, he actually got a girlfriend he has a real natural connection to, who is, as far as he's concerned, the living embodiment of adorable.

Peter was grateful for the break, as it allowed him to reestablish his reputation as Spider-Man.

He still couldn't find Roman, but no one really cared, they all too caught up in the joy that their hero thought dead was now back stronger than ever, and it helped that said strength kept Roman from doing anything too big for the time being.

The news was only too happy to report all the good Spidey was doing, as anything Spider related got tons of publicity, and the people loved hearing about their hero.

"In other news, Spider-Man has decided to not just be an able crimefighter, but a positive influence on the community."

The network then cuts to the interviews they conducted around Vale.

"He got my ball down from the roof!"

"I was struggling with a really heavy delivery for a client, and he swoops down and actually offers to take care of it for me!"

"I don't know what to think of him to be honest. He's cool and helps out and all, but I saw him steal some guy's pizza…"

"Spider-Man would never steal from anyone! He has no need, he gets free pizza from Roy's Pizza Place for life! Also be sure to order the Spidey-Special, now 10% off for a limited time only-"

Weiss dreamily took it all in. Her hero had returned and was showing how chivalrous he truly was with his selfless acts of heroism and community outreach. Just like a true knight would.

"I never doubted his return! Unlike some people!" Weiss accuses.

"Well sorry for being logical and assuming a giant warehouse explosion killed him like everyone else!" Yang retorts.

"It is pretty incredible he survived something like that." Blake comments questioningly.

"Of course he did! He's as strong as he is honorable!"

Ruby then runs in the dorm with a big grin. "Petey's taking me out again tonight, then we're going out for snacks, so we're gonna be back a bit late and his Mom knows so it's all good!"

"Again? You both just did that last night!" Weiss reminds her.

"Come on, you know Peter takes her with him to get Spidey pics, he's got a quota to fill!"

"Oh." Weiss tries to hide her jealousy of how much Ruby gets to see Spider-Man. "Well, have fun."

"We always do, and it's super cool seeing Spidey do his stuff!" Ruby brags.

She did have fun though. Peter was amazing being seen up close to what he could actually do.

The way he could dodge was incredible, being able to weave and leap and attack like fluid; it was like something out of a video game. He was just as sweet as ever too, when saw a bullied Faunus kid, and suddenly leapt down, with his presence alone scaring the bullies away.

"Hey don't let it bother you dude!" He comforts as he helps the kid up. "What's your name?"

"Bailey."

"Well Bailey, don't take it too hard, some guys just get intimidated by cool people, I mean, it was like 3 against one there, your coolness probably just scared them! Take it from me dude, I was in your shoes plenty of times when I was your age!"

"Really?" Bailey asks, staring up into his lenses with wonder.

"Yeah! You just gotta find your own way to deal with your bullies, or tell them you're buddies with Spidey!"

He then takes a selfie with the kid, who runs home with the biggest smile on his face.

Spider-Man watches Bailey, making sure he gets home safely, then webs over to Ruby, ready to call it a night for his vigilante work.

Landing and taking off his mask, Peter asks, "So, wanna get something to eat? I'm starving."

"That was incredibly sweet of you Petey." Ruby says with a proud smile.

"Well hey, I've experienced bullies plenty of times before, it ain't fun. I don't mind helping at least a little bit."

Taking his hand, Ruby responds with, "Come on, I know a place we can eat nearby."

---

"Oh, look! She sent the kids again!" Roman says, trying to humor himself in the annoying situation he found himself in with his employer's teenage lackeys, Emerald and Mercury, who just entered the warehouse he was currently avoiding Spidey in. "This is turning out just like the divorce!" He continues joking with a group hug.

"Spare us the thought of you procreating." Emerald begs, being disturbed by the idea.

"That was a joke. And this... just might tell me where you two have been all day." Roman states as he swipes a piece of paper from her.

"What!? How-"

"I'm a professional, sweetheart. Pay attention, maybe you'll learn something." Roman looks at what's written on the paper and realizes he recognizes what it is. "Why do you have this address?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Yeah, I would. Now where have you been all day?

"Cleaning up your problems. One of them, at least." Mercury states.

"I had that under control."

"Two packed bags and a ticket out of Vale said otherwise." Mercury continues.

"Listen, you little punk. If it were up to me, then I would take you and your little street rat friend here and-"

"Do what, Roman?" A new voice asks.

Roman's imposing and fiery employer just arrived, riding down a lift to meet the trio.

"I'd, uh, not kill them?"

"Cinder!" Emerald cheerfully greets.

"I thought I made it clear that you would eliminate the would be runaway." Cinder reminds Roman.

"I was going to-"

"He was going to escape to Vacuo! Mercury and I decided to take it upon ourselves to kill the rat." Emerald kisses up to Cinder.

"I think he was some sort of cat, actually." Mercury corrects.

"What? Like a puma?"

"Yeah, there ya go."

"Quiet." Cinder orders. "Did I not specifically instruct you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale?"

"I just thought..." Emerald defends, as Roman makes faces and gestures at her and Mercury behind Cinder.

"Don't think. Obey."

"... Yes ma'am. It won't happen again." Emerald finishes, upset she didn't please her boss.

"And you." Cinder angrily addresses Roman. "Why wasn't this job done sooner?"

"Uhh? Eh? Eh?! EHHH?!" Roman yells as he points to the vast amounts of dust piling in the warehouse. "Sorry if I've been busy stealing whatever speck of dust I can in the kingdom with the Spider-Freak out there! Who you said would be taken care of, twice already! It's not like we have it easy with that bug putting away dozens of our guys every night!"

"He's scared of the big bad bug boy." Mercury mocks.

"Look around, kid, as infuriating as the Spider is, he's no pushover, and he's a genetically enhanced super soldier. You think you could do better, having to change locations every few days because of him? And besides, I've still got a lot of this town running scared! Police camping out at every corner, dust prices through the roof, and we're still sitting pretty on an old warehouse with more dust crystals, vials, and rounds than we know what to do with! At least until the bug your boss promised would be squashed inevitably finds this one too. Speaking of which, if you guys wouldn't mind filling me in on your grand master plan for his extermination, or the overall plan in general, it might actually make my next string of robberies go a little smoother!"

"Oh, Roman. Have a little faith." She states putting her hand on his face. "You'll know what you need when you need to know it." Roman doesn't fall for her enchanting act, as he looks away in anger. "Besides, I told you, it will take some time to deal with the Spider, but it's still something you don't have to worry about. Not only that, but we're done with Dust." She finishes, walking away.

"Okay, then what now?" Roman asks.

"We're moving. Have the White Fang clear out this building. As you said, 'Not like Spider-Man hasn't found out about it yet.' I'll send you details and coordinates tonight."

"Coordinates?"

"We're proceeding to phase two."

---

"Sir, we have trouble!" A lackey shouts.

"What!? It's not her again is it!?"

"N-no! It's-"

He doesn't get to finish as a certain someone tears off the door to announce himself.

"So this is the famous Junior's club! Gotta hand it to ya, looks like a lot of fun!"

"No!"

Even worse than Blondie is Spider-Man, who just showed how strong he was by ripping off his expensive armored door. His armored door.

Feeling nervous, the club owner and dabbler in the criminal underworld tries to play it cool and asks, "So why is Vale's resident hero here in my club, which he's wrecking? Shouldn't you be snatching purse thieves or rescuing puppies?" Junior then carefully walks backwards to the bar, hoping to get some distance between him and the arachnid.

"As tempting as that is, I'm after much bigger game here."

"I'm sure." Junior smiles, finally reaching the hidden panic button under the bar counter.

His henchmen come running out, hoisting weapons, but Spidey just uses impact webbing to knock them back to a wall, webbing them to it at the same time.

Junior was getting nervous a bit. No one he ever saw was that quick to take down his men.

The Malachite twins suddenly burst behind him, ready to strike him, but without even moving, Spidey activates his semblance, catching the two with his Spider legs.

"I knew my magnetic Spider-charm would bring you two back sooner or later! Ya miss me?"

"Y-you're supposed to be dead!" The blue one shouts, clearly disturbed by the legs in his back.

"Yeah, well, Rome there got too cocky to be a proper hitman, and I survived. Should stick to robbing and livin' the dandy lifestyle, suits him better. You two wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?" Spidey asks, unsheathing his wrist stingers, now really scaring the twins.

"A-all right, all right!" Junior shouts timidly, not wanting to have the situation get any uglier. "They don't know nothing, Torchwick just hired them for the night, that's all! He doesn't involve them very intimately in his things!"

"What about it, he telling the truth you two?" Spider-Man asks, turning to the twins.

"H-he doesn't clue us in very deeply in his plans! Just what he needs us for at the time!" The red twins answers.

"Seems believable." Spidey states as he fires a web behind him and toss the twins into it and webs them in for extra security. "But my real beef's with you."

"M-me?!" Junior timidly asks.

Spidey webs his hands to the bar, not allowing him to do anything else. "People say you're the prime supplier of muscle for Roman, lending him your guys when the White Fang guys aren't feeling up to do so!"

"H-hey, I don't know nothing either!" Junior defends.

Spider-Man then strikes the counter near Junior's hand with his stinger. It punched through the surface, now really scaring him. That counter was made from real tough armor after his encounter with Blondie.

"I'm not lying! He just pays to borrow my men sometimes, but that hasn't been for a while now, since he got the Faunus on his side to take care of him! The last time, none of them even came back!"

"Yeah, I know." Spidey says.

Now Junior was really freaked. They weren't even in jail for when he checked. Did that mean… but Spider-Man didn't…

"Y-you… my men…"

Spider-Man realized what Junior was implying. He thought they were arrested but from what the club owner thought, guess they weren't.

"Why not let him think that. Might get him to talk more."

"What can I say, they weren't too talkative. Had to make an example. Took them to my… Web Lair. Do I need to make another example?"

"W-wait! I think I know who might know his whereabouts!"

"Now you're talking!"

"One of the regulars was complaining to me about Roman! Said he's meeting him at the Big Sky Billiard Room!"

"That dingy bar where the worst of the worst congregates? Makes sense, I know the place. Alright, good job Junior, I even have an idea who this person is, have fun waiting out the webbing then!" Spider-Man quips for a final time before he leaves the club.

Right after he leaves, Junior stands quiet for a minute, then faints.

Spider-Man rushes to the rooftop where he perched a camera, only to see Ruby running with it towards him.

"Pe- I mean Spider-Man, I thought… lets just go back to-"

"Say no more!" He shouts as he takes Ruby's hand and runs back to the roof where he left her.

Once back on a nearby rooftop, Ruby asks, "So everything went ok? I heard the noises and got a bit worried."

Taking off his mask, Peter replies, "Yeah, tried the intimidation thing like you suggested, worked like a charm! The clown's now sleeping the scary off!"

Ruby giggles and and hands him the camera. "Could've gone in with you."

"I know, but if people start noticing Ruby Rose hangs out a lot with Spider-Man, they might get wise- and hey! These are actually really good! Your photography skills are getting real good!"

She smiles and states, "Had the best photographer in Vale to teach me! Also it's almost Glynda's curfew, so we need to go."

"Dang it, the bullhead's gonna leave soon!"

---

Back in one of Beacon's labs, Peter refills his web fluid cartridges as Ruby sat and watched with interest next to him.

"So your mom still mad about the food fight?" Ruby asks Peter..

"Nah, just more annoyed than anything, saying that I need to be a better example as the deputy headmistress's son, and tone down the comedy act I've been getting a reputation for. I think Weiss might have said something to her!"

Peter was grounded for the food fight, with Glynda only letting him out to go on his Spidey patrols. Thankfully it was almost up so he could hang out in the city with his team and Ruby again soon.

Ruby smiles at that and subconsciously leans her head on his shoulder and holds his hand, now that he was done loading the web cartridges, before realizing what she's doing and sits back up.

"S-sorry Petey. I don't mean to be clingy." She told him.

Still holding her hand Peter replies, "I don't mind, and it's actually really cute when you get like that."

She smiles and leans back closer into him, glad she doesn't seem overly attached and can freely show affection to him.

Peter really did find her clinginess cute, but noticed that sometimes she could get awkward about it, being her first boyfriend and all.

She did give him his space though, so it wasn't any bother.

Peter gave Ruby her space as well, when she wanted it, and even if he didn't do that himself, her team would make sure he did.

One such time was that same night, when they got back from their lab date. Peter got thirsty as he was trying to sleep and remembered he left a cup of water by Ruby's bunk.

Right when he took his first step to go get it, he noticed that Weiss was still awake and giving him a cold stare.

"Uhhh…"

She didn't have any emotion to her face, but something about her expression told Peter that he should just go back to his corner.

"...She doesn't think I was trying to do anything… bad right?"

That next day when Peter walks back into the dorm after school, he finds a mischievously smiling Ruby.

"So I heard from Weiss that someone was peeping around while I was sleeping Petey.~"

"I swear, I was just getting a cup I had by the bunk!"

"But my bunk?"

"Ya think that if I would even try anything, I'd do it with your sister there?!"

"I don't know, I'm only going off of what Weiss told me.~"

"I promise, I was just looking for water, not anything… immoral!"

"If you wanted to cuddle, you could've just waited till I was awake.~"

"I just needed water!"

Ruby then kisses her boyfriend's cheek to calm him down. "I know Petey, you're just cute when you get flustered. Now come on, the others are already heading towards the library!" She finishes smiling sweetly.

Despite her awkwardness, Ruby found teasing her boyfriend was a great and easy way to get over it, and was fun making someone as witty as Peter speechless.

He didn't mind either as he could see it helped cut any awkward tension.

"Are ya wearing my sweater?" Peter asks

…

"You don't really wear it anymore, and I like your sweater..."

---

"The nerve he has! Trying to do such a thing, in front of the whole team!"

"Come on Weiss, it was obvious he wasn't gonna do anything to Ruby!" Yang reasons.

"We don't know that! I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone with Peter the Pervert!"

Yang groans at Weiss's unfounded concern. "This is the same Peter that thought he was keeping his crush on Ruby a secret, if he was like that, he wouldn't be able to hide it!"

Call her overprotective, but Weiss wasn't convinced. She witnessed enough guys trying to get close to her for her name and fortune to be wary of most boys. "He would from Ruby, she almost didn't notice his feelings! She's very innocent!"

"But he's also not studpid enough to try anything on his team leader, or when said team consists of 4 heavily armed girls who will put him in the dirt if he did!"

"... As long as he knows."

"And aren't you the one who pointed out Ruby's miraculous ability to shut him up because she has him, 'wrapped around her finger'?"

"Well, she does! And imagine how good it would be for the team if she would get him to take things more seriously!"

"Sounds like you're more concerned about how good it'd be for you!" Yang jokes out. "Really though, that kid does spoil her."

They all knew how hard it was for Peter to say no to Ruby. All she had to do was act cute for Peter to do anything, and if that didn't work, she'd bust out her infamous pout. Needless to say, Peter found himself spoiling her all the time. Though there was a feeling that he wouldn't refuse Ruby whether or not she did her pouts or anything.

"I mean just think about it!" Weiss ranted. "She gets him to agree to almost anything, can shut him up at any moment; she might actually turn him into a respectable huntsman! How does she do it?!"

"He has a giant crush on her that never went away! He still stares at her like a lovesick puppy!" Yang obviously states. "So naturally, she can easily persuade him."

"She can control him." Weiss whispers to herself, deviously thinking of the implications that could have. "So whoever controls Ruby, controls Peter!"

Realizing how that could go, Yang gets a worried look on her face. "That's not-"

"Why didn't I think of that sooner?!"

Weiss then sees a familiar figure walking towards them and quickly makes herself appear more collected.

"General Ironwood!"

The General is an older tall gentleman with graying black hair, dressed in Atlas military formals, whom Weiss and her family are well associated with.

"Hello Miss Schnee." He smiles. "Wonderful to see you. This is your team?"

"Most of them." Weiss replies. "Our leader is with another member right now."

"Ah yes, and that other member is Peter Goodwitch was it?"

"I think he goes by Goodwitch-Parker, but yes. You know him?"

"Only by his work with the news. I was hoping to ask him questions about the subject of his photos."

"Spider-Man! Oh of course General! Peter knows more about him than anyone! What did you hope to ask?"

"Just wanted to know what Vale's resident hero is like is all."

"Peter would be more than happy to share his experience! You could even ask our leader, she goes with him all the time to get photos!" Weiss exclaims, with the others giving her a look.

Ironwood gets an inquisitive look to his face. "Does she now?"

---

"Ironwood certainly loves bringing his work wherever he travels." Glynda states, seeing all the warships the General brought with him.

"Well, running an academy and a military makes him a busy man." Ozpin responds. "But yes, those are a bit of an eyesore"

"You know why he's here."

He then taps a few buttons on his desk to let in the General. "I do."

The doors then open to reveal the unusual guest of the academy.

"Ozpin!" Ironwood greets.

Standing at attention, the Beacon headmaster greets back. "Hello, General."

"Please, drop the formalities." He asks as they both shake hands with Glynda approaching. "It's been too long. And Glynda! It has certainly been too long since we last met."

"Oh, James!" She waves, trying to hide her disdain for the General. "How nice to see you!"

"Heard you recently became a mother. Congratulations!" Ironwood politely smiles at her.

"Yes." She cautiously smiles back.

Eager to cut to the chase, Ozpin asks, "So, what in the world has brought you all the way down from Atlas?" Pouring Ironwood some coffee, Ozpin continues, "Headmasters don't typically travel with their students, for the Vytal Festival."

"Well, you know how much I love Vale this time of year." Ironwood states as he pours a flask into his mug. "Besides, with you hosting, I thought that this might be a good opportunity for us to catch up."

"I can certainly appreciate the quality time between friends, however, a small fleet outside my window has me concerned." Ozpin subtly asks.

"Well, concern is what brought them here."

"I understand that travel between kingdoms has become increasingly difficult." Ozpin replies, already knowing the reason the fleet is here.

"Oz, you and Glynda both know why I brought those men."

Ozpin just sips his coffee as Glynda stares intently.

"We are in a time of peace. Shows of power like this are just going to give off the wrong impression." The Beacon headmaster informs.

"But if what Qrow said is true-"

Ozpin holds up his hand. "If what Qrow said is true, then we will handle it tactfully. It's the Vytal Festival. A time to celebrate unity and peace. So I suggest that you not scare people by transporting hundreds of soldiers halfway across the continent."

Ironwood sighs out, "I'm just being cautious."

"As am I." Ozpin insists. "Which is why we will continue to train the best Huntsmen and Huntresses we can."

"Believe me, I am. Which brings me to the other reason I'm here." Ironwood then pulls out a file from his briefcase. "Doubtless you've heard about Remnant's most famous vigilante?"

Glynda tries to hide a glare as Ozpin cautiously answers, "We have."

"I've seen the footage, and the photos from your son Glynda." The General states as he puts the file on the desk showing various photos of Spider-Man.

Glynda found it much harder to hide her glare.

"He moves with a speed and agility few can match. His abilities, skills, and semblance are on par with only well experienced huntsmen; and the way he's brought down crime! I don't believe a single individual has ever come close to matching that in the world's history!"

Glynda didn't like where this was going. "What are you trying to say James?"

"Why let him do this completely unrestrained or supervised?" The General asks. "My sources tell me despite his clear skill, he's still a child, likely around seventeen. Which also leads me to believe he may very well be a student here, with the showcase of his new abilities as well."

Glynda dropped any concealment of her glare.

"Imagine all the good he could do if he was brought in and we recruited him! If he's been able to strike this kind of a blow to all the crime in Vale, including the White Fang, all in less than a year, just think of what he could do against bigger threats!"

Ozpin could tell this conversation could get ugly fast. "He is a vigilante though. I think he'd be a difficult one to find, let alone have a conversation with to be convinced of joining anything. Even if he is a student, which I highly doubt."

"That may be true, but he has already accepted help from another source, as evidenced by his new armored costume. You wouldn't happen to know anything about him obtaining something that advanced, would you Ozpin?"

"Of course not, you really think I would meddle with a potentially dangerous and quite powerful vigilante, we know nearly nothing about?" Ozpin tries to make his answer sound like it was obvious.

"No I guess not." Ironwood smiles. "But we should find him before someone else does. Glynda, your son, he's interacted with Spider-Man multiple times. If he would be willing to work with me and my men-"

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Glynda shouts. "If you think I'm going to allow you to drag my child into one of your battles, you're sorely mistaken! I'm barely okay with him going out to interact with that vigilante at all!"

"Glynda-" Ironwood tries to continue.

"No! This is the last I'm going to hear of it." She yells before storming out of the office.

Feeling the awkwardness, the General gets up and states, "I think it best I leave as well. Ozpin." He nods before exiting.

Once back on his warship, he tells himself, "Well, can't say I didn't expect that."

Glynda walks back in, having calmed herself from Ironwood's encounter.

"You have to understand where James is coming from, Glynda." Ozpin tells her, trying to make peace between her and the General.

"But he's my son Ozpin." She voices her concern.

"We're going to have to tell him soon."

"...He's not getting Peter involved in anything." Glynda insists.

…

"You know Peter would find himself there if he felt he was needed either way. It's just who he is."

"Ozpin," Glynda scolds. "I've always respected you and agreed with how you handle situations, but this is one thing where we're not going to agree on. Peter already risks his life everyday trying to do what he feels is the right thing, and yes, he probably would get involved with Ironwood's doings on his own, but I'm going to do everything I can to prevent that. I'm his mother, and I'm going to do anything to protect my son." She finishes firmly.

She then walks out for the final time leaving Ozpin to himself.

"Believe me, I get that. More than you know…"

---

"HOW ARE YOU DOING THAT?!"

"Just remembered what the card did-"

"No! How are you able to use strategy that well?!" Weiss shouts.

"Did you really think Petey was dumb?" Ruby asks.

The group got together with team JNPR in the library, and were playing Remnant: The Game. Only everyone was losing to Peter. Weiss had a hard time accepting that Peter could actually do well in a game that relied on smarts to win.

"Not to brag but if my grades are any indication, I at least wouldn't be a knucklehead."

"I always thought Ruby carried you through studying or something! If you're this intelligent, why don't you act like it?!"

"Are ya saying I act dumb? So I like to joke around, that don't mean I make myself look stupid, right? … Guys?"

Everyone either avoids Peter's gaze or gives him a look.

"Petey…"

"Your sense of humor and demeanor tends to indicate someone who at least doesn't take their studies seriously." Ren states.

"Exactly!" Weiss shouts. "If you weren't always acting like an annoying circus clown, your intellect wouldn't be called into question!"

"That's pretty much my personality at this point, I can't change it!"

Weiss just looks at Ruby, hoping for her to reason with her boyfriend.

"I like his sense of humor and goofiness!"

"Ugh!"

"By the way," Peter grins. "Your armies are dead."

"Wha- but I was so close!"

"Don't worry Weiss! I suggest an Atlas-Vacuo alliance to defeat the rogue menace!"

"A proposition I full heartedly agree with!"

Peter then turns to Blake, "Feel free to take your turn anytime ya want."

"I'm good, I think you're holding your own well enough."

"It's two against one here!"

"Hey! Then can I play?" Jaune asks.

"Sorry Jaune, we've already got 5 people. Well, four I guess." Ruby answers.

"Besides, this game requires a certain level of tactical cunning that I seriously doubt that you possess." Weiss tells Jaune.

"That's what you said about Peter." Yang retorts. "And he's been kicking your but the entire time!"

"It's nothing but luck!"

"Well bring it on, Ice Queen! I'll have you know that I have been told that I am a natural born leader!" Jaune confidently tries to convince her.

"By who? Your mother?"

"A-and Pyrrha!

"Hello again!" Pyrrha waves.

Jaune then goes over to Weiss begging with his hands together. "Come on, let me play your hand for a turn!"

"I'm not trusting you with the good citizens of Vacuo, or the new alliance!"

"Why not? You've trusted me with way more important stuff before. I mean, you told us all that Blake is secretly a Fa-"

Pyrrha rushes over to cover her leader's mouth. "Fun-loving person, whom we all admire and respect."

Blake didn't seem to appreciate Jaune's lack of discretion.

"Yeah, hopefully one who loves the kind of fun we're having now; who won't abandon me in my time of need!" Peter tries, helping with hiding Jaune's slip up.

"Right. Well, ladies and Peter, enjoy your battle." He states with a bow as Pyrrha leaves.

Right then, Sun walks in with his blue haired friend, making a peace sign with his hand. "'Sup losers."

"Hey Sun!" Ruby greets, not being able to ignore the 6 pack he was showing off with his unbuttoned shirt, much to Peter's annoyance.

"Why's that clown still trying to show off his sweaty chest? No one wants to see that."

Peter notices again that Ruby's looking.

"I know I don't."

"Ruby, Pete, Yang, Blake... Ice Queen."

"Why does everyone keep calling me that?" Weiss asks.

"I never got a chance to formally introduce you to my old friend Neptune." Sun states.

"Uhh, aren't libraries for reading?" Neptune asks.

"Thank you!" Ren shouts.

Being woken by the shout, Nora yells, "Pancakes!"

"Shut up." Sun tells his friend. "Don't be a nerd."

"Gih, eh, eh, eh! 'Intellectual', okay?" Neptune defends himself. "Thank you."

"Yo." Peter greets back. "And believe me, I get the intellectual bit! Smarties are always looked down on by the people!"

Neptune grins at Peter's quip. "He gets it!"

Not wanting yet another person infected by Peter's intolerable wit, Weiss quickly asks, "So Neptune, where are you from?"

"Haven." He states as he approaches Weiss smoothly. "And I don't believe I've caught your name, snow angel."

Blushing ever so slightly, she answers, "Um, I'm Weiss."

"Are you kidding me!?" Jaune shouts.

"Pleasure to meet you."

"I never took you as the board game playing type." Sun says to Blake.

"Right, well, I think I'm done playing actually." Blake informs. "I'll see you guys later."

"You're gonna leave me to defend myself all alone?!" Peter cries out, looking behind him to see Ruby and Weiss evilly smiling at him.

"Please?"

---

"How did this happen?!" Yang angrily shouts.

"I told you Petey's smart!" Ruby responds. "We would've won if you had just attacked when I told you!"

The group had just come back from the library, with Peter going towards the school mailing room to personally receive a package of photography supplies he ordered. He had an idea that someone was going to steal his stuff if he didn't take care of it himself, due to the recent rise of people trying to get Spidey pics.

Blake was also about to leave immediately after they got in the dorm too before Weiss right at her.

"Stop. Lately you've been quiet, antisocial and moody!"

"Uh, have you met Blake?" Yang sarcastically asks.

"Which I get is kind of your thing, but you've been doing it more than usual! Which quite frankly, is unacceptable! You made a promise to me, to all of us, that you would let us know if something was wrong!" Weiss then flips through the air a few times and lands on a chair, balancing herself with its two back legs before asking her question. "So, Blake Belladonna, what is wrong?"

Blake sighs in defeat. "I just… I don't understand how everyone can be so calm." Blake answers.

Seeing the same look in her eyes she's seen in Peter's, Ruby asks, "You're still thinking about Torchwick?"

"Torchwick, the White Fang, Spider-Man, all of it! Something big is happening and no one except a single vigilante is doing anything about it!"

"Ozpin told us not to worry." Yang reasons. "Between the police, the Huntsmen, and like you said Spider-Man of all people, they're gonna be gone soon!"

"Yang's right!" Weiss agreed. "Spider-Man is back, and stronger than ever! He's already stuck a giant hit to their plans, and he's even lowered the crime rate back down! They don't stand a chance against a true hero!" Weiss says with a longing expression.

"Well I'm not going to be waiting around for Spider-Man to swing in and solve everything!" Blake insists. "I doubt he knows the White Fang like I do!"

"Okay, between blowing up nightclubs, stopping thieves, fighting for freedom, and taking pictures of heroes, I'm sure the three of you and Peter think that you're all ready to go out and apprehend these ne'er-do-wells!

"Uh, who?" Ruby asks.

"But let me once again be the voice of reason. We're students! We're not ready to handle this sort of situation!"

Ruby immediately thought of Peter's nightly activities. "Well yeah, but… Isn't Spider-Man around our age? And he does this every night."

"We're not ready!" Weiss repeats.

"No, Ruby's right! Spider-Man is probably around our age, and is obviously a huntsman in training, who may very well be a student here! He never waited to be 'ready'!" Blake exclaims.

Ruby gets a bit of a sheepish expression, knowing that Blake was actually kind of right with Spidey.

A knock then is heard from the door as Peter enters, finally coming back from his trip to the mailroom.

"Speak of the Spider." Ruby thought.

"Ok, whoever started this trend of amateurs trying their luck at getting Spidey photos, drove the price of equipment up big time!"

"Aren't you an amateur too?" Yang teases.

"Hey, I'm a good amateur! You've seen my stuff!"

"Petey's a professional!" Ruby comments.

"As I was saying, we may never be ready!" Blake continues reasoning. "Our enemies aren't just going to sit around and wait for graduation day. They're out there, somewhere, planning their next move, and none of us know what it is, but it's coming! Whether we're ready or not! Are we really going to leave it to some vigilante in tights, who we know nothing about, to solve all our problems for us?!"

"Excuse me, but that vigilante has saved countless lives and risked his own just as many to combat the White Fang, with great success I might add!" Weiss defends.

Blake's comment did strike a chord with Ruby. Only because she felt bad that Peter was being left to fight the terrorists virtually by himself. She did sometimes go with him, mostly for support in case anything got too dicey, and to take photos from different angles, using the techniques Peter taught her. They were even having a date tonight to do that. But now there was an opportunity to hopefully help Peter eliminate the danger before him.

"Not to mention he also pays my bills." Peter quips.

"Blake has a point though, Spidey's just one dude going up against all the bad guys all alone! So," She starts as she waves her arms excitedly. "All in favor of becoming the youngest Huntresses and Huntsman to single-handedly take down a corrupt organization conspiring against the Kingdom of Vale, say aye."

"Yes! I love it when you're feisty!" Yang tells Blake.

"Hold up, I know this might be a bit contradictory on my part, but I don't know if we wanna get involved in something like this. Right Weiss?" Peter says, hoping the more level-headed out of them would agree.

"I suppose it could be fun, and we might see Spider-Man…"

"Really? Fine. Guess that means I'm gonna have to get involved then. Just don't tell Ma, I just got ungrounded!"

"None of you said aye!" Ruby whines.

"Alright then, we're in this together!" Blake smiles. "Also didn't you say you and Ruby were going out to get pictures again tonight or tomorrow?" Blake asks Peter.

"Aye! I mean, yeah." Peter answers uneasily, not knowing what she was going with her question.

Ruby knew what she might be getting at and didn't like it. Going out for those things was her and Peter's time.

"Would you mind if we went with you guys?"

Weiss's face really lit up at that. "You have to! You still owe us!"

"Uhhh-" Peter thinks in a panic and tries to quickly be clever. "Actually me and Ruby were gonna do a rain check on that tomorrow, mom's got stuff she needed me to do!" Peter quickly adds. "Even got Jaune to cover for me! He's gonna be taking care of pics for me then!" He thought the mention of Jaune would hopefully get Weiss to not want to go so he could use that to throw the rest of the team off the spider scent.

"Why didn't you ask us?!" Weiss shouts. "Are you really going to leave your contractual duties to an inexperienced… person?!"

Peter thought his goal was accomplished. "Sorry, didn't wanna bother you all!"

"Well I guess we'll have to go along with him to make sure he doesn't fail! Better yet, why don't we all go tonight?"

Peter thought he literally heard his plan crack right then.

"W-wait, ya guys don't gotta do that for me! Really, I'm sure the guy's got it covered!"

Weiss thinks for a beat. "No. Don't you worry Peter, we'll make sure you get your photos!"

"…Super."

Yang, thinking that Peter and Ruby wanted time alone together, says, "Actually, I think tomorrow would be better, the rest of us aren't really ready for something like that right now, so you and Ruby have fun tonight!"

"B-but, but"

"Sounds great!" Ruby loudly shouts.

"Yeah!" Yang cheers with finger guns.

Blake just lets out, "Hmm."

"I guess a day to prepare wouldn't hurt." Weiss disappointedly mutters.

"I'll even ask Spidey to see you guys tomorrow!" Peter states, which Weiss perks up at. "Also, anyone seen my sweater?"

"I left that and my board game at the library!" Ruby gasps out. "Come on Petey!"

"We're doomed." Weiss laments as Ruby pulls Peter along with her. "Oh, and I forgot to tell Peter about the General!"

---

Ruby was running so fast, she almost ran into some students, but Peter managed to stop her in time so no one got hurt.

"Oh! Sorry. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Emerald replies. "Just watch where you're going."

"Oh, right, sorry. Um, I'm Ruby, and this is my boyfriend, Peter! Are you new?"

"Visiting from Haven, actually." Cinder answers behind Emerald. "You're not the same Peter Goodwitch who's Spider-Man's personal photographer, are you?"

"Yeah. That's me." He answers.

Ruby didn't like how she was looking at Peter.

"Why is everyone always so obsessed with my boyfriend?!"

Ruby goes over to hold Peter's hand, in case there was any doubt who he was with, allowing her to see Peter was staring back at the lady.

She could see his expression, even if he tried to hide it. Ruby knew that look; he was looking at the dark-haired student like she was about to attack him. Even the lady now seemed on edge around him.

"Ooh! You're here for the festival!" Ruby breaks in, hoping to ease any tension. "But exchange students have their own dormitory."

"I guess we just got turned around." Mercury explains.

"Hey, don't worry, it happens all the time. Uh, your building is just east of here." Ruby directs.

"Thanks." Cinder replies. "Maybe we'll see you around."

"Yeah, maybe!" Ruby waves away as she and Peter walk back to the library. "Oh, uh, and welcome to Beacon!"

---

Once they're alone in the library, Ruby asks Peter about the encounter.

"What's wrong Petey? You and that lady seemed on edge around each other."

"I can't explain it." He replies. "The spider sense was going off around all of them, but the dark-haired one just made it go haywire, like she wanted to attack me. And I can't help but feel like I've seen her before."

Squeezing his hand, Ruby assures, "I'm sure it's fine, I mean, maybe she's just a good fighter and the sense is warning you of that? And she probably was a bit intimidated, you are kind of a famous photographer after all!"

"Y-yeah, yeah. Maybe…"

Peter didn't want to worry Ruby, but very few individuals were dangerous enough to warrant that kind of a response to the spider sense, and each one ended up being some of the biggest threats to his life.

Maybe Ruby was right though, after all, the sense had changed since Jaune activated his semblance. Maybe it functioned a bit differently now.

"Also, what were you thinking back at the dorm?!" Ruby scolds as they gather their things. "They're gonna be looking for Spidey now, and expect Jaune to be there too!"

"It was all my instincts came up with at the time!" Peter defends, lowering his voice as they walk out. "I'll think of something!"

"Excuse me, you're Peter right? Glynda's son?" A new voice asks in the hallway.

Peter looks over and immediately recognizes who it is, thanks to his mother.

"Y-yeah, and you're the army guy right?"

"General Ironwood." He smiles out with his hand outstretched.

Peter shakes it but his hand is pretty stiff, like he's being cautious.

Ignoring it, Peter still puts on a friendly face.

"Your mother has said a lot about you. She says you're one of the best in your class."

"Well I mean my mom's a higher up in the school, gotta make sure I don't let her down!"

"That reminds me, you're also the photographer VNN sends to document Spider-Man right?"

"It's just a hobby that I make money off of." Peter says, now becoming a bit wary.

"Hmm." The General replies. "Very mysterious person he is. What's even more strange is that from what eyewitnesses say, he even sounds young, like a teenager."

"Well, ya know, he might just be one of those dudes with a young sounding voice!" Peter quickly states, hoping the General doesn't get wise.

"Perhaps, but I hear the police are seeking him for questioning. It's not everyday that someone as young as he may be is this powerful, nor takes up vigilantism."

Peter knew that the police had been wanting to bring him in, but never took it too seriously. There wasn't any actual warrant and they seemed to have an unspoken agreement that as long as he didn't go overboard with the bad guys, they at least wouldn't actively be trying to arrest him.

"Just questioning though right? It's not like he's committed any crimes or anything right?"

"He is a vigilante. And one who the police are asking for my assistance with."

Ruby takes Peter's hand in hers as he starts sweating a bit, but still trying his best to hide it. "Aw, really? Didn't think they were that curious!"

"He appears to be a very powerful individual, warranting their's, and now my attention. If you hear anything, please be sure to reach out."

Ironwood hands Peter a card with his contact info.

"No one wants to see him in handcuffs, if you can, please try and talk Spider-Man into going with the police. I promise it will be alright. I believe it's the best option right now."

After he walks away, Peter can only think, "I'm seeing why Mom doesn't really care for him, this guys kinda intense!"

Ironwood heads back to his temporary office then says to himself, "That boy has a very strange accent."

"That was kinda weird." Ruby reflects.

"That dude was definitely focused, just wish that focus wasn't on bringing Spidey."

"Maybe you could talk to him though?" Ruby asked.

Peter thought for a minute before sighing. "Believe me I can understand where he's coming from, but he ain't the first to try that. Didn't really go too good the last time."

"But were you actually open to it though?" Ruby inquired, knowing her boyfriend well enough to have a guess at the answer.

"I mean, they could've-maybe if… ok, maybe not, but… I wear the mask for a reason!"

"I know Petey, but if the Council themselves are asking the General to take you down, it might just be safer if you at least talk to Ironwood." Ruby didn't want anything to happen to Peter.

"I don't know. Mom doesn't care for him, and that don't exactly add a feeling of comfort to letting him know about the 'night job'."

Appreciating his logic, Ruby then asks, "Have you thought up how you're gonna convince Jaune to cover for you at the last minute though?"

Peter gets a mischievous glint to his eye.

"Really?! Weiss is gonna be there?!"

"Yeah man, she's a real big fan of Spidey, and wanted help getting pictures tomorrow, but I'm gonna be unavailable, so I was hoping ya could cover for me!"

"Aw yeah Peter, I'll get you those pics!... And on an unrelated note, can I ask you something?"

"Go for it dude."

"Well, you know, you and Ruby… How'd you do that?"

Peter didn't think he followed what Jaune was trying to ask. "What do ya mean?"

"You managed to get with your crush, and she really seems to like you! I… I'm not having that luck. So, how'd you do it?"

"But I'm really not someone who-" Peter doesn't finish as he sees the desperate look in the blonde's eyes. "Look man, you're right, I was lucky. Real lucky. Ruby could do a lot better than me if she wanted. Weiss even said that a few times. And while it's funny, it's also true, but I really don't know what she sees in me. Though I think it somehow actually helped that apparently my crush on her was real obvious. But point is, my mom told me honesty would go a long way, and it did. Now I'm dating a really awesome girl!"

"Weiss already knows how I feel though." Jaune sadly states.

"Ruby did too! Maybe ya just gotta make it like, deeply known to her, I did that!"

Jaune then gets an idea that his feelings would really get across to Weiss if he did something extravagant to wow her.

It's like Peter said, honesty would go a long way, and he had to make it really known to her!

"You're right! Thanks Peter!"

---

"I can't believe the council actually considers you a threat! After everything you've done for the kingdom?"

"Maybe they're just curious about a strange vigilante with even weirder abilities."

Peter went to his mother's office to tell her what Ironwood told him, but she already found out, thanks to the General's earlier visit with her and Ozpin.

"Did Ozzy say anything about what we can do?"

"No." Glynda responds. "He did say he believes the situation may be eased if we let James know about you."

"Uh, usually I think Ozpin knows what he's talking about, but Ironwood reminds me of a dude from back home who found out who I was that I never really trusted. All the General needs is an eyepatch."

"That reminds me, I don't know if I want you going out tonight, or even tomorrow for that matter."

"Wha? Mom!"

"Peter, the police, and now Ironwood are going to be searching for you. I think it would be best if you took the night off. Why don't you use that time to take Ruby somewhere nice for the evening?" Glynda suggests.

That did sound really nice to Peter, especially now that his grounding was over. But unfortunately it was now moot.

"About that…"

"What happened?" His mother demanded.

"The girls, including Ruby and team JNPR are gonna be looking for Spidey tomorrow, and I already told them I'd ask Spider-Man to see them."

Glynda's eye twitches a bit at her son's predictable, yet thoughtless behavior.

"I still don't think I want you going either nights."

"I'll just pop in and out these next few nights, just enough to stop a few crimes, see the girls tomorrow and guys and get! Ruby's gonna be there both times too!"

Glynda was put a bit at ease at that. She knew Ruby was just as worried about Peter as she was, and Ruby could help with anything that went bad during that time.

"And they'd probably be wondering why Spidey broke his word when Peter was unavailable! Also, I think I'm getting close to finding Roman! For real this time!"

After thinking a bit, Glynda finally says, "One hour, tonight and tomorrow, and not a second longer. Then you get right back home, and be very careful from here on out."

---

"Come on, come on! We have to go!" Weiss urged her teammates.

"We've all been ready for a good while, we're just waiting for you to finish getting ready!" Ruby defends.

"I just want to make sure I'm presentable!"

"You mean you wanna look good for Spidey!" Yang snarked.

Everyone was getting ready to get the photos for Peter, with Weiss having dropped a lot of lien to get the best camera she could, even going as far as asking Velvet which ones were good.

"You could have asked Peter for pointers if you wanted, he already gave me some." Ruby tells her partner.

"I didn't want him to think I couldn't do this."

Blake didn't really share their excitement. She wanted to meet with Spider-Man for different reasons. If she could convince him to accept her help to fight the White Fang…

"So did Peter say how Spider-Man would find us?" Weiss asks Ruby.

Trying to come up with something on the spot, Ruby tells her teammate, "Petey just said he'd be able to find us with, uh, his spider powers."

"What specifically would those be?" Blake inquires.

"Um, you know… his early arachnid warning system?"

"What?"

"The thing that lets him have a good sense of everything!"

"How do you know about that?" Weiss asks.

"Spidey told me." Ruby answers.

"Ooo, Spidey was willing to share that info with you? Not too surprising, as he seems interested in you!~" Yang kids to her.

Ruby just smiles a bit as Weiss states,"I-I think he was just making small talk, maybe it's just info he's just comfortable sharing with others."

"I'm sure he is." Yang finishes.

A knock then is heard at their door.

"Hey Weiss!" Jaune excitedly shouts, decked out in night vision binoculars and a hunting camera.

Nora herself had a giant net in place of her hammer.

"What's with the net?" Weiss asks.

"In case Spidey is too quick to snag a picture of!" Nora smiles.

"This'll be fun!" Ruby states.

---

"So apparently Spider-Man can usually lift around 10 metric tons! A-and he's got the durability to handle that kind of stress on his body!" Jaune exclaims, hoping to impress Weiss with his knowledge on Spider-Man.

He asked Peter all about the Arachnid, and memorized everything he was told, thinking Weiss would be interested in all these facts.

She wasn't. She just wanted to look for Spidey.

"That was clear to anyone who's seen him in action up close." She deadpans.

"B-but did you know that he shows more characteristics of spiders than most spider Faunus?"

"Yes. I've actually met him."

"O-oh."

Pyrrha looks on with sad envy. Why couldn't Weiss see he was going through some great lengths just to be able to hold a conversation with her?

He wouldn't have to put that much effort to get her attention.

Ruby was with her towards the back of the group, just seeming to enjoy the night air, expectant of Spidey any second.

Pyrrha would be lying if she said she wasn't a bit envious of team RWBY's leader. She got her crush's attention without even trying. Now they're dating and being cute together; Ruby was even wearing Peter's old sweater right now!

Maybe Ruby would have some advice for her situation.

"Hey Ruby, can I ask you something?" Pyrrha asks.

"Of course, what did you need?"

Pyrrha hesitates for a bit before answering. "How did you get Peter to… you know… get feelings for you?"

Ruby didn't really expect that but knew where this came from. Jaune made it clear he liked Weiss, but couldn't see that Pyrrha was actually interested in him. His density reminded her of Peter's.

"W-well, Petey actually admitted he had a crush on me since we met, and you know how obvious it was that he really liked me, even if he thought he was being sneaky about it, until he got the nerve to finally ask me out!"

"But what made him decide to do that? I always felt Peter was kind of hesitant to really allow himself to have feelings like that."

Ruby felt like that too before they became a couple. She always thought there was something more to the reason he was the way he is, but could never figure it out. She might ask him sometime in the future.

"I don't know, but he seemed to think that if he didn't, Cardin of all people would. Even if that jerk asked me out, I wouldn't say yes. But if Peter had waited any longer, I would've just asked him out myself."

"Oh." Pyrrha says, with it being clear on her face that she was hoping for more, but Ruby did say that if Peter didn't ask her out first, she would've done so herself. Maybe she should do the same.

"Is this also about Jaune?" Ruby asks the spartan girl.

"What?! How do you-"

"You're almost as obvious as Peter when it comes to your feelings." Ruby smiles out sympathetically. "And both him and Jaune are pretty dense."

"I know." Pyrrha defeatedly acknowledges.

"But hey, if you want, maybe we can help you! Petey can be pretty romantic when he wants to. And since I do have experience in dealing with dense boys, we could figure something out!"

Pyrrha gives her a grateful smile. "Thanks Ruby."

"No problem, you know Petey wasn't even able to tell I was flirting with him before!"

"Are you serious?!" Pyrrha laughs out. "You were as obvious as his staring!"

"He still stares at me like that!"

Pyhrra laughs at that. "Does he still think he's hiding it?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if he did, but it's really cute, so I don't mind."

"I actually was thinking about going antiquing with Jaune in a few days, if you and Peter wanna go and…"

"Play wingman?" Ruby finishes with a smile.

Pyrrha just looks sheepish with pleading eyes. "It could be fun to hang out with you two as well."

"Of course." Ruby smiles.

Weiss then complains, "How does Peter always find him?! We've been out here for a long time and found nothing!"

"It's only been 20 minutes." Yang informs.

"Aw yeah, that guy can be a pain, he moves around real fast." A voice with an exaggerated accent calls from above, perched on the side of a building.

Weiss gasps as she does a last minute check up to make sure she looks ok.

"Hey Spidey!" Ruby happily shouts.

"Hiyah!" Nora shouts as she swings her net on the Arachnid. "I got him!"

"Unhand him this instant!" Weiss orders. "I'm terribly sorry Spider-Man."

"It's all good, she's still a lot more polite than some other schmucks tryin' to get a glance at me!"

After Nora lets him loose, Spider-Man jumps down closer and hangs upside down from a web attached to a fire escape. "Parker told me some ladies would be lookin' for me, said one real good-lookin' girl in particular was hopin' for a glance." He teases, looking over at Ruby.

She blushed a bit at his flirting.

Weiss thought Spider-Man was talking about her. And tried to hide her own brightly red face.

"Awww, that's very sweet of you Spidey, but I'm not interested at the time!" Nora states.

Ignoring her, Weiss greets, "T-thank you for meeting with us."

"Woah, Spider-Man! He's a lot shorter up close." Jaune lets out.

"Are you serious?! Do you have any idea who you're talking to?!" Weiss vigorously defends. "This is the greatest hero Vale has ever known!"

Ruby just lightly laughs at that.

"It's all good, it's all good! Ah know Ah ain't the tallest kid around!" Spider-Man responds.

"So you're at least a teenager then." Blake's voice breaks in. "Are you a huntsman in training?"

"Uh, *cough* A-Ah never said that, just young!"

"You do seem younger than most adults though." Blake continues.

"What is this an interrogation?!" Weiss barks. "He deserves more respect than that for all he's done!"

"Just curious." Blake responds, not really caring if her questions were upsetting Weiss. "I was also hoping to ask you some questions about your fight with the White Fang."

"Not really much to tell, other than them goin' a bit into hidin' again."

"That's a tactic they've used before, and even though you've been the biggest threat to them for the past few months, the organization, and Roman have managed to evade you."

"Ouch, way to rub that one in." Spidey thinks as Weiss and Jaune start taking photos.

"He ain't gonna be on the loose for long. That clown can't play hide n' seek forever."

Ruby could tell that statement struck a nerve with him. "I think what Blake is trying to say, is that she believes you could use help with your fight against them."

Steeling herself, Blake informs, "I was a former operative of the White Fang. I know them, how they operate, where some important locations are; important details."

"Aw, Ah appreciate the offer, but Ah try not to get too many people involved, Ah don't want others gettin' hurt in this whole thing, ya know? But when ya got info for me, ya can usually give it to Parker and his girl, they often talk to me."

"Why can't I just talk to you?"

"I can talk to you too!" Weiss hopefully suggests.

"Aw dang! Ya know, Ah think Ah hear some sirens, that means Ah gotta get goin', tell ya boy Parker Ah'll be seein' him!"

"Wait! No! Why does he always leave so soon…" Weiss longingly stares where Spider-Man left.

"Probably doesn't wanna keep his girlfriend waiting." Ruby states, feeling jealous again over Weiss' crush on Spidey.

"Y-you don't know if he's seeing someone." Weiss retorts.

"We don't know if he isn't either."

Blake then wonders, "Did it strike any of you as odd that he was being really secretive just now."

"He is a vigilante who conceals his identity. I don't believe he'd be easily forthcoming about his actions unless he felt he really needed to." Ren informs.

Ren did have a point, it would make sense, he does wear a mask after all. "But why did he seem more comfortable with Peter or Ruby if he's so secretive?" Pyrrha asks.

"He's used to Peter, and I think he's got a crush on Ruby too, he did call her cute at one point!" Yang smiles out. "Peter better watch out!"

"N-no he doesn't!" Weiss cries, trying to convince herself Spidey doesn't have feelings for her leader.

Ruby blushes at that. "Spidey's cool, but I think I like Peter Parker a lot more."

Weiss breathes a sigh of relief.

Blake just stares off where Spider-Man went off. "Yeah."

"I know I've heard that accent before ." She thinks.

---

"Man, I know Blake was always a bit suspicious of me, but it's like now she's trying to get to who's behind the mask! Least she doesn't see any connection between Spider-Man and Parker!"

Spider-Man then sees an after hours dust robbery in progress. "Great, this can take my mind off that."

"Hey buddy, ya know the sign says closed right? Ya gonna have to wait till tomorrow!"

Suddenly the 'burglar' flashes a gun and badge and yells, "Freeze!"

"Oh dang."

Bright spotlights then light up the area, trained on Spidey with a bunch of cops aiming their weapons at him.

"Don't worry guys, he's not a real criminal, and neither am I! So since there's no crime around, I'll just be going!"

"Spider-Man, please get down on the ground with your hands behind your head and take your mask off." A policeman with a megaphone orders.

"Uh, no thank you?"

"Now!"

"Aw come on guys, I thought we had a good thing goin'! Ya know, mutual partnership!"

"We aren't asking anymore. I'm sorry but you're formally placed under arrest."

"Spider-Man, please, we don't want to hurt you." An officer who clearly was the captain here. "Just please come with us, nothing bad will happen, we just need you to answer some questions."

"Yeah, and I bet those questions include 'who are ya?' Sorry but that kinda defeats the whole purpose of the secret identity thing, I wear this whole thing for a reason!"

Faster than the police can react, Spider-Man activates the Spider-State and fires a webline to escape.

"And I got someone waiting for me!"

He doesn't get very far before a dust round rips through his webbing, forcing him to cling to the side of a building.

"Hold on son."

Spidey recognized that voice.

He looks over and sees General Ironwood himself jumping out of a bullhead.

"H-hey" Spider-Man says before clearing his throat to go back to an exaggerated accent and deeper voice. "How's it goin'? Ya seem a bit higher up than a cop!"

"Making your voice deeper and talking a bit differently? Makes me believe we've met before."

"Uh, no! Ah doubt it, Ah don't really get out too much beyond nighttime!"

"I was hoping we could talk."

"That'd be nice, as long as it ain't in no police station, those places ain't the most comfortable."

"You seemed to be ok doing that with Ozpin a few months ago."

"Oh dang he got good info."

"There was a real cute girl there, Ah wouldn't be the best superhero around if Ah just left 'er there!"

"You do seem quite fond of Ruby Rose, she often seems to be in the same areas as you."

"Oh no."

"Maybe Ah just have a crush and follow 'er around. Come on, girl like that? It can't be too hard to imagine!"

"I thought she was dating Peter Parker? Your photographer?"

"Aw man, for real? Guess that means any chance Ah had with 'er is done now! Shoulda guessed the way he describes 'er."

"So you would've revealed your identity to her?"

"Ah didn't say that, just really wishful thinkin' on my part, spiders get lonely ya know!"

"Indeed, so why continue your crusade on your own, when help is so readily available?"

"Did he talk to Blake?"

"Not really used to workin' with others, and Ah try to keep 'em safe. Which Ah think Ah'll do for myself and head on home now."

"You know I'm not about to let you leave son. The Vale council has asked for my help in bringing you in."

"Aw poop."

Spidey leaps as high as he can, thankful he already activated his semblance, but Ironwood was prepared for that.

Right above his head goes a dust round that he could see was electrical.

He dodges it, and swings away with the General hot on his tail.

"Don't wanna fight this guy, especially since he's really only doing his job. Can also imagine what the papers would call it. 'Masked Menace Beats up War Hero!'"

"Ya tryin' to kill me?!" He shouts, gliding with the web wings to the nearest wall.

"If the footage of you serves right, that round would hardly be lethal to you!"

"Nice to know ya takin' it easy on me!" Spidey shouts as he fires webbing at his feet.

The older gentleman was surprisingly spry though as he manages to avoid it.

"You have extraordinary strength to have been able to jump so high. And your reflexes! I don't believe I've ever seen anyone with that great of reaction time!"

"Aww really? Thanks! Nice to know I'm impressing such a celebrated General." Spidey continues, firing impact webbing as Ironwood only shoots it away.

"You also have the most peculiar accent and dialect. I believe I've only heard it once before."

"For real? Ah thought a globetrottin' General would be gettin' out more!"

Spider-Man then tries going for a knee strike in his chest, but Ironwood manages to block that too, with his elbow. The teen thought he even heard metal being struck before backflipping away.

"I do." Ironwood replies. " Which makes your accent that much more strange. Tell me, are you from Vale?"

"Uh, yeah! Y'know, there's plenty of burroughs in Vale with different accents, I'm just from one of them!"

"The way you just changed your speech and dropped the voice you were doing makes me believe you may not be completely telling the truth right now."

"N-no! *cough* No! Your question just caught me off guard!"

"How did that question catch you off guard?"

Spider-Man then crouches vertically on the wall he jumped to. "Uh… listen, I'm sure we both got places to be and people waiting for us, so how about we continue this next week?"

"Son, I told you, I'm not letting you leave without answering some questions."

Deciding to drop the facade, Spider-Man plainly says, "Look, I get it. Some vigilante pops in out of nowhere and does crazy things, it gets attention. Enough for the council to ask someone to handle it. I can understand that. But understand where I'm coming from. What would happen if everyone knew who I was? I'd get no rest from anyone, not to mention my enemies would be going after me or anyone I cared about. Myself I can handle, but I got others to think about."

…

"You have a point son." Ironwood then holsters his weapons. "I let you off the hook for now, but ask yourself this. Wouldn't it be safer for you and your loved ones if you joined something that could protect you and them? One that looked its own?"

As Ironwood turns away, he finishes with, "I won't be able to let you go the next time you come out, so please, consider what I said."

Spidey just nods and says, "I can respect that."

Leaping and gliding back to campus, the Arachnid thinks to himself, "Does Ironwood know who I am? He seemed to at least have a good idea. He has my respect though in at least trying to be cordial, even if he's giving me an ultimatum. Fury didn't even do that, just kinda told me it is what it is, whether I like it or not. This guy isn't nearly as forceable, at least he's kinda giving me a choice… Maybe I should ask Mom what she thinks. He still didn't halfta nearly kill me with a headshot!"

---

"I don't think he was trying to kill you Petey."

"He wouldn't be the first clown to try that!"

Ruby groans at her boyfriend's paranoia, even if it was kinda understandable. "He has an entire army at his disposal, if he really wanted you dead, he could just sic them all on you. And a single dust round even to your head wouldn't kill you, especially since it sounds like it was more like a stun round!"

"...That's a good point."

Peter was resting his head in Ruby's lap in a Weiss approved manner, at his corner after his encounter with Ironwood. It would be a good while before the others finished getting their photos developed. She could tell he was nervous that the General hinted he knew who was behind the mask, so she was trying to comfort him.

"But at least he let you go this time."

"He said next time I wouldn't be so lucky. I can still understand his position, just sucks."

"I'm here for you either way Petey." She says, rubbing his head. "I'm sure no matter what happens, everything will work out. And you got your mom and Ozpin! They'll be looking out for you too!"

Peter needed her optimism, even if it conflicted a bit with his own cynicism. "You're always right, Rubes." He says smiling.

Smiling back, she replies, "I know."

They then changed the subject and just talked about whatever, enjoying each other's company. Ruby loved this time with Peter. He really was an awesome boyfriend who was a lot of fun, had the greatest sense of humor, was a great person to talk to, and was able to be convinced to do almost anything by her acting cute, such as pouting.

Almost anything.

"Plleeeaaassse!" She asked, using her best pout. "It'd be so cool! We'd be matching!"

Peter steels his resolve against Ruby's pouting insistence, making note to not look up at her eyes, lest he fail. "No, Spider-Man doesn't wear a cape! It just wouldn't go with the whole thing I got down."

"But you'd be so much cooler! It'd even help you glide better than your 'web wings!'"

"I like the web wings though! They get the job done and don't look out of place!"

"The cape isn't out of place! Other superheroes wear one, even vampires! You're already kinda like a vampire!"

"What? How am I like a vampire?"

"Spiders suck blood, and you have your cute little fangs!"

"T-those aren't cute! They're supposed to be intimidating! Scaring the bad guys!"

"You wear a mask, they aren't gonna scare anybody! And they come out when you get excited about something, so they make you look like a little bat or a kitty!"

Blushing with somewhat wounded pride, Peter just quietly says, "I'm a scary intimidating Spider… who's never had a craving for blood!"

"You're a super cute Spider who almost ate a bug once." Ruby says with a sly smile on her face.

"H-hey, that was never confirmed!"

"Or denied~ So your vampire-like characteristics would make even more sense for you to have a cape!"

"If we're going off of that, I'd be sleeping in a coffin and not eating garlic bread, which I'd hope never happens!"

"It's still cool I kind of have a cute little vampire boyfriend!" Ruby jokes out.

"Been reading Blake's romance novels again?"

"Life imitates art!"

"I wouldn't call it art."

"Don't let Blake hear you say that!"

"Hear me say what?" Blake asks, walking in with the others, including team JNPR.

"He's dissing on your books!"

"H-hey, they're just not my thing! I'm more of a sci-fi guy!"

"Nerd!" Nora shouts.

"We got your photos Peter!" Jaune proudly states, showing him their work.

…

"Jaune." Peter politely responds. "I really appreciate what ya did for me as a personal favor. I do. But there's no way I'm attaching my name to these."

"Wha- b-but! They're not that bad!"

"The angling messed up, you caught too much glare, and you didn't focus right on Spidey! I've built up a certain reputation at VNN, I can't risk it! The only ones I'd feel comfortable using are Weiss's."

"I told you he was untrained!" Weiss puts her thoughts in. "It takes a certain professional skill to capture Spider-Man in a respectable way!"

"Yeah, but I still can't use some of your's, a lot of them are just pictures of the guy's abs and arms!… Wait…"

"Th-those were mistakes!" Weiss frantically states. She thought she already put those away. "I-I'll just take them for you!"

Ruby tried to hide her disapproval of that with a forced smile. "Oh really? Are you sure Spidey appreciates those 'mistakes'?"

"I'm sure Spidey doesn't mind!" Nora says. "He's pretty flirty, he said I was 'real good looking'!

Ren seemed a bit uncharacteristically agitated at that.

"I think he's just being friendly!" Ruby lets out, eager to change the subject.

"Which reminds me Peter," Blake questions. "His accent sounds similar to yours. Where did you say you were from again?"

Panicking, Peter blurts out, "New York!"

"I thought you said it was a place called Queens?" Ruby asks.

"Forest Hills was the neighborhood!" Peter saves. "Queens is the burrough, New York is the village!"

"What happened to old York?" Yang asks the brown haired teen.

"Nothing, settlers from it came to a new area and called it New! Ya know, like New Zealand!"

"What? I never heard of those places!" Weiss states.

"They're really outta the way, not surprising they'de go unnoticed!"

"Hm" Blake replies, getting suspicious. "Sounds a bit big to be that unnoticed."

…

"I know, right?... Aw, Ma's texting me, better go see what she wants!" Peter exclaims, excusing himself out of the room.

---

"He did what?"

"I mean if the council's really making him Mom-"

"They are." Ozpin informs. "Your recent show of power has them believing you could be a great potential threat that would be extremely difficult to match."

He had a difficult day, trying to convince the council he had nothing to do with the vigilante, but would offer any assistance in capturing him. It was only lip service, but they were being backed into a corner.

"I think it's time we involved James into the know about Peter. He seems to already have a feeling that he's Spider-Man."

"Absolutely not!" Glynda insists.

"He was at least polite about it, we could hear what he has to say." Suggests Peter.

"No! If the situation is getting this dire, then maybe Peter should stop going out as Spider-Man!"

"I can't do that Mom."

Glynda didn't want to hear that. "Peter-"

"I know you're worrying Mom, but I feel like I'm needed out there. Roman's finally being driven back and things are actually getting safer crime-wise. I'm not the most comfortable with Ironwood knowing about me either, but back home, mainstream superheroes had their identities public. Like the Avengers had their own facility to live at where they'd be safe with their loved ones. I'm not naive enough to believe I'd get the same treatment but I think we're running out of options. I don't wanna have to retire, so maybe we can work something out?"

Glynda admired her son's resolve, but was still not wanting him involved with the General. She knew how he was. Sure he'd be ok with Peter fighting crime for now, then he'd need help with some faraway Grimm that most huntsmen couldn't handle. Then he'd ask Peter to help with conflicts with rouge huntsmen and bandits. The next thing anyone knows, Peter's an on-call soldier with superpowered abilities few can handle, being turned into a weapon for Ironwood's or the council's use.

But they were right. Options were limited.

"We're not agreeing to anything without Ironwood understanding that under no uncertain terms, Peter is still a child. My child, who will not be roped into any government conflicts. He's not a soldier."

---

"Tonight's top story: Spider-Man, Hero Or Menace? The Vale Council has officially called for the arrest of the vigilante known as Spider-Man, even going as far as asking for the assistance of visiting Atlas General, James Ironwood, who declined an interview, but this decision has many Vale residents divided on the subject."

"I knew that freak was no good to begin with! I heard he steals pizzas from teenagers!"

"He saved my son from getting bullied, that young man is a hero!"

"I don't care if he's a masked vigilante, he's actually being a positive influence and helping out with the giant crime problem, you don't hear the police complaining!"

"He stinks, and I don't like him!"

Ruby didn't like the news story she was watching on her scroll. While it made her happy that so many people were defending Spidey as a hero, there seemed to be an equal amount of people who didn't like him at all. Why couldn't they see he was just trying to do everything he could to be a hero who did the right thing, even if he hid his identity? Peter took it in stride though, and even seemed surprised there weren't more people who just flat out hated him. She didn't know why he thought that, but also knew Peter could have some pretty thick skin. Maybe it also helped that she often told him how amazing he was at being Spider-Man, and that no matter what, he always had her support. She also was thinking her convincing of him resting more helped as well, which she really enjoyed, since it kept him safer and led to more cute dates and him spoiling her.

Right now was no time to focus on negativity anyway, tonight was gonna be fun! Professor 'Poop's' class was finally over, so Ruby walks out with her boyfriend, smiling and holding his hand.

"I thought that class would never end." Blake complains as she dresses for their night in the dorm.

"Ya ever get the feeling that maybe at least some of those adventures only happened in his head?" Peter questions, coming out of changing in the bathroom.

"You should show respect to our professors!" Weiss scolds. "Even if you may be right…"

Ruby then excitedly announces, "Alright, guys, today's the day! The investigation begins!"

At that, she jumps off her bed with her giddiness right in front of Weiss, proudly showing off how she more successfully integrated Peter's sweater into a new outfit.

"I'm glad to see we're taking this so seriously." The girl in white deadpans.

Yang counters with, "Hey, we've got a plan! That's, moderately serious."

"Yeah!" Ruby agrees. "Does everyone remember their roles?"

Weiss answers, "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."

"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 reviews.

Yang states, "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!"

"And I'm gonna scope out info from one of the spots I found with VNN for info!" Peter infroms.

"Wait, you mean you found that place while looking for Spider-Man for the news?" Weiss asks.

"Kind of, they sometimes ask me to photograph crime scenes and things like that."

"You think Spider-Man might appear?" Weiss asks, hoping he may.

"I doubt it! I've never really seen him there, I've really just gone there to help with investigative reporting!" Peter answers a bit too quickly, which no one but Blake caught on to.

"Uh, you know Ruby, I don't think it's a good idea for Peter to go by himself, I could go wi-"

"Nope! I trust Petey, so just meet up tonight near Yang to go over what we found when we're done." Ruby says, shutting that idea down. "Let's do this!" She yells with a fist pump.

"Yeah!" A new voice agrees. The team looks out the window and sees a spying Sun, hanging upside down by his tail, Spidey style, with the sweaty chest Peter didn't like seeing.

"That was my thing…"

"Sun!"

"Another pervert!" Weiss shouts.

"How did you get up there?" Yang asks.

"Ah, it's easy, I do it all the time!" Sun answers.

"You do what?" Weiss demands.

"I climb trees all the time! So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?"

"Now I know where you got the idea to sneak around to look at Ruby!" Weiss whispers to Peter.

"We are going to investigate the situation. As a team." Blake insists.

"Sorry, Sun." Ruby tells him more politely. "We don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to."

"Pssh! That's dumb! We should always get friends involved! That's why I brought Neptune!"

The team looks out the window to see Neptune, trying his best to look cool as he clings to the edge of the building.

"'Sup!" Neptune greets.

Ruby asks, "How did you even get up here?"

"I have my ways." Neptune coily states, trying to hide his nervousness at being close to falling. "Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now."

Now with everyone inside, they all get to organize the investigation with the two teens now joining on the investigation outing.

"Alright, I'll go with Weiss, Sun, you can go with Blake. And Neptune, you can go with Yang since she doesn't have a partner. Everyone good?"

"You sure you don't want to go with Peter? He is your boyfriend after all…" Weiss asks her partner.

"But, Weiss, who would go with you, then?"

"Well... I guess Neptune could come with me."

"Hahaha, nah!"

"Then I can still go with Peter since he'd still be without a partn-"

"HA! HA! HA!" Ruby loudly laughs as she pulls Weiss away.

"But! But!"

---

"You're really sure you're gonna be alright?" Ruby questions.

Ruby started to have second thoughts about letting Peter go by himself since Weiss reminded her of how dangerous his job really was, along with the recent news story about the council trying to arrest him.

Peter was going to a really rough area where he previously found some pretty dangerous criminals meeting at, enough to give him more trouble than the usual ones. The club owner he scared into talking told him that people there had info on Roman's whereabouts.

"I'll be fine, it's nothing I haven't done a thousand times before!"

"I can still go with, or-"

"Come on Ruby, it's just gonna be a real quick trip is all. Besides, I don't think a dingy billiards bar is really your scene." Peter jokes trying to put her at ease.

It didn't really do much.

"I just don't want that thing with the warehouse to happen again…"

Seeing her face, Peter tries one more thing to cheer her up.

"Hey, how about after I finish up, I'll just go and meet you guys, and maybe you and I can see about trying that new bakery we've had our eye on."

Her face immediately lights up at that. "Really?!"

"Why not, it really shouldn't take long, those guys' biggest threat is the stench of cheap booze and dollar store cologne, I'll be in and out in no time!"

Ruby smiled at her boyfriend. Yang was right, Peter really did spoil her. "Thanks Petey."

He kisses her cheek goodbye. "No sweat."

Weiss looked at the two with a bit of longing and almost jealousy. Not because she liked Peter in a romantic way, but because she could see how happy they made each other.

She just wished she had someone like that, who was interested in her for who she was as a person, not because she was the heiress of the biggest dust company in the world.

She couldn't help but think Spider-Man would be that someone. He always saved everybody, regardless of who they were. Maybe if Ruby ever got busy with something, she could be the one to accompany Peter and meet the hero again.

She could see it now, she would assure Spider-Man that she wasn't like other girls who couldn't be trusted or would fear him, she'd be an ally, or even something more, and after assisting him in his quest for justice, she could convince him to remove his mask allowing her to see his surely handsome-

"Wooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!" Ruby admires, breaking Weiss from her romantic fantasy.

"Y-yes. You should see the one in Atlas!"

"That was the first one, right?"

"Correct." Weiss confirms. "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 teases, giggling at her own humor.

"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!"

"I know, but it's so cool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!"

"I gotta get Petey to take us up there!" Ruby thinks as she gets out her scroll.

But as she gets it out she fumbles and drops it, so it slides away to Penny, now finally seen after mysteriously disappearing.

"Oh! You dropped this." She politely states, picking it up for Ruby.

"Penny?!"

"Uhhh…"

"Where have you been? No one has seen you since that night at the docks!"

"I'm sorry. I think you're confused." She hiccups out before nervously leaving. "Uh... I've got to go!"

"What was that about?" Weiss asks her partner.

"I don't know… but I'm going to find out. You go make your call! I'll meet up with you later!"

"Wait! Ughhh!" Weiss sighs out. "And to think, I could've gone with Peter to probably see Spider-Man."

Easily catching up to the orange haired teen, Ruby concerningly asks, "Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!"

"There seems to be a misunderstanding." She brushes off.

"What?! Penny, is everything okay?" The girl keeps ignoring Ruby, until she grabs her arm. "Penny, please stop! 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."

That struck a chord with Penny as Ruby was the first real friend she made. Finally relenting, she sighs out, "It isn't safe to talk here."

Weiss just decides to go about her task and let Ruby play with her friend.

"Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?"

"I'd like to go to the communications room, please." Weiss answers the elevator's computer.

"Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity?... Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee."

Weiss gets a bit nervous going up. While it's not too hard to get the info she needs, she still hopes to be able to avoid certain eyes prying on her. Still, she must maintain a professional appearance, which she keeps as she walks up to the holographic receptionist.

"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?"

"I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas."

"Absolutely. If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through."

"Thank you!"

Once she reaches the cubicle she was directed to, she braves herself for the call with deep breaths. She can do this, just keep a politely professional appearance, as expected of a Schnee. Suddenly, the face of the Schnee headquarters receptionist appears on the screen.

"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."

"No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list." Weiss requests.

Weiss plugs her scroll in the computer, which gets a surprise from the lady on the other end.

"I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for?"

"School project." Weiss states.

"Um, there are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am."

"Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with care."

"Right." The receptionist nervously answers as she does what Weiss asked. "Very well. The data is being transferred to your Scroll now."

"Wonderful! That will be all, then."

"Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?" The receptionist asks one final time.

Weiss's smile wavers, but she still manages to keep her appearance, and insists, "Yes, I'm sure."

"Well then, have a nice day!"

Once the call is ended, Weiss finally lets go of the fake smile she's been keeping up.

---

"I wish I could help you, Ruby, but I don't know anything about those men."

"Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?"

Ruby thought they'd be safer walking with the crowd at Vale, which seemed to put Penny a little more at ease.

"Oh, no! Nothing like that!"

"Then where did you go?"

"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."

"Believe me, I know the feeling." She smiles at Penny, knowing how her own father gets, and how much Peter worries her sometimes. "But why not let us know you were okay?"

"I… was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really. Except for Peter maybe."

Now feeling protective for her boyfriend, Ruby asks with suspicion, "Was your dad that upset? And why only Peter?"

"No, it wasn't my father…"

Before she can continue, she and Ruby hear the sound of megaphones announcing something, which reveals to be an Atlesian showcase of their new tech in the middle of a plaza, with a hologram of General Ironwood presenting them.

"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 audience claps as the androids take a bow. "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!" For dramatic effect, the new robots kick down the older models and strike poses as Ruby watches in awe. "Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary. 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."

"Ruby?" Penny tries to warn, as two soldiers spot them, but she's too captivated.

"So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce; The Atlesian Paladin!"

The hologram then shows the Paladin being a giant hulking robot, armed to the teeth; making it a walking tank.

"Now, we couldn't have them here for you today," Ironwood continues, "but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year!"

"Whoaa." Ruby lets out with stars in her eyes.

"Ruby? Maybe we should go somewhere else." Penny warns for the final time as two soldiers point at the two, causing them to finally run away.

"Penny! Wait! Where are you going?" She asks, taking a second to glance what caused her friend to run away. It was two soldiers now chasing the two. They both rush across a street, hoping the traffic would slow them down, only for one soldier managing to stop a small car as the other continues.

"Down here! She went this way!"

Still on Penny's tail, Ruby uses her scythe to cut down the wooden support beams to some shoddily constructed storage rig, which seems to work in buying them time.

"This way!" Ruby shouts as she grabs onto Penny, using her semblance to get them both out of the way, even though she's struggling under the extra weight.

The weight ends up being too heavy for Ruby as they both crash in the street. Ruby is too woozy from the impact to realize a dust truck is heading right at her. At the last minute before the vehicle hits her, Penny pushes Ruby from harm's way, and is able to stop it with her bare hands, with Ruby and the crowd shocked at her display of strength.

"Penny?" Ruby asks with slight fear as she looks at the destruction of the street and truck from Penny's block.

"Are you okay?" Penny asks the driver.

"Uh-huh."

Penny looks scared herself as she sees Ruby and the crowd's expressions and runs away again, with Ruby chasing after her again.

"Penny! Come back!"

Penny accidentally corners herself in an alley, with nowhere left to run as Ruby finally catches up to her.

"Penny! Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?!"

Her questions don't help her nervousness as Penny responds with, "I-I can't! Everything's fine! I-I don't want to talk about it!" Her lying doesn't convince Ruby, as she hiccups after nearly every word.

"Penny, if you can just tell me what's wrong, I can help you!"

"No! No, no! You wouldn't understand…"

"Let me try! You can trust me!"

Seeing Ruby's face, Penny decides to finally tell Ruby what's really going on and gets close to ask, "You're my friend, right? You promise you're my friend?!"

"I promise."

"Ruby... I'm not a real girl." Penny proves by showing the robotics under her torn skin.

Looking at her hands, Ruby responds, "Penny, I-I don't understand."

"Most girls are born, but I was made. I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an Aura. I'm not real."

Holding Penny's hands, Ruby insists, "Of course you are. You think just because you've got nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts makes you any less real than me?"

She was a bit taken aback with Ruby's acceptance. "I don't, um… You're taking this extraordinarily well."

"You're not like those things we saw back there! You've got a heart, and a soul, I can feel it!" She says, tapping Penny's chest. Maybe it helped that her relationship with Peter allowed her to accept weird happenings better, but she could tell Penny was an actual person, not a machine.

Touched by Ruby's kindness, she gets her in a big hug and goes, "Oooh Ruby! You're the best friend anyone could have!"

"I can see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower!" Ruby croaks, feeling crushed from Penny's hug.

"Oh, he's very sweet! My father's the one that built me! I'm sure you would love him!"

"Wow. He built you all by himself?"

"Well, almost! He had some help from Mr. Ironwood, they're close friends!"

"The General?! Wait, is that why those soldiers were after you?"

"They like to protect me, too!"

"They don't think you can protect yourself?" Ruby skeptically asks. "Also why does Ironwood want to arrest Spider-Man?"

"Well, they're not sure if I'm ready yet. One day, it will be my job to save the world, but I still have a lot left to learn. That's why my father let me come to the Vytal Festival. I want to see what it's like in the rest of the world, and test myself in the Tournament. As for Spider-Man… you need to understand, they don't actually want to hurt him. Mr. Ironwood just wants to see if he can maybe be an ally! He's so powerful, and apparently only a teenager, so he's hoping that he can become even stronger when he gets older. He also wants him to meet my father! They think the secret of his powers is in his DNA, so they're both hoping to see if it can be extracted to study! Which is also why Mr. Ironwood was only okay with me talking to Peter, he wanted to see if he knows more about him!"

"Penny, what are you talking about? Peter doesn't know much more than anyone else about him. And save the world? We're in a time of peace! Ironwood doesn't need to recruit Spider-Man for anything, things are just fine with him staying here in Vale protecting people! He's been fostering this peace we're in!"

"That's not what Mr. Ironwood said."

"Check down here!"

"You have to hide!" Penny whispers as she lifts Ruby and carries her to a dumpster.

"Penny, wait! What are you doing? You don't have to go with them! I can help you!" Ruby whines, squirming in the air as Penny puts her in the trash.

"It's okay, Ruby. They're not bad people; I just don't want to get you in trouble. Just promise me you won't tell anyone else my secret. Okay?" She looks to the red haired teen with pleading eyes.

"I promise."

She smiles at that but loses it right away. "Also… Be careful around Peter. He… he may not be who he seems. Mr. Ironwood thinks he might know more about Spider-Man than he says."

Ruby is a bit concerned with Penny's warning, and now wishes she did go with Peter to the bar. What if Ironwood was there waiting for him and finally forced him into whatever he was planning? She can't do anything now though but hide.

"There she is!"

Ruby peeks out the dumpster to check on Penny, making sure she's ok.

"Salutations, officers!"

"Why were you running? And what happened to the other girl?"

"What girl? I've been by myself all day!" Penny hiccups out.

"You shouldn't cause such a scene."

"Are you okay?" The other soldier asks.

"Just a scratch." She states, showing her palms.

"Penny, your father isn't going to be happy about this."

"Please, just come with us."

"Yes, sir!"

Ruby looks on, worried about all that Penny said. While it made sense that Ironwood wanted to recruit him, she thought it was something like for huntsman work or something to finally put Roman and the White Fang away. But if Ironwood believes the time of peace they're in is being threatened… She's not gonna sit on the sidelines for whatever fight he's preparing for, especially when her boyfriend is going to be involved.

She doesn't get the chance to think any further when a rat makes its presence known in the dumpster.

---

"Hurry, close the door, she's coming!" A bunch of henchmen in a nightclub in a more dangerous area of Vale shout.

Their boss angrily demands, "What are you two idiots doing?!"

The lackeys only scream and babble as an explosion blasts them away from the doors, forcing them open as Yang casually walks in smiling.

"Guess who's back!"

The large amount of guns, and the goons pointing them at her face doesn't scare her. She only changes her expression to glare at the guy in the bear costume at the dj booth, whose record was scratched, so it kept repeating itself. To be spared from her wrath, he quickly gets from his hiding place to take the needle off, then goes back down.

"Yeah, so could you define "friend" for me?" Neptune asks, hiding behind her.

"Stop! Stop! Nobody shoot! Blondie, you're here! Why?" Junior asks angrily; he just got the door reinforced and fixed!

"You still owe me a drink." She answers the club owner.

"Whoa-ho-ho-ho, what a woman!" Neptune says with obvious attraction, to no one in particular, then sees the club owner's pretty female enforcers. "Sup?"

In perfect unison, they both scoff and tell him, "Whatever."

---

"This is it." Blake tells Sun, recognizing the three inconspicuous claw marks on the side of a building where some Faunus were sneakily entering.

"You sure?" Sun asks, feeling those things could be anything, but sees Blake's glare at him. "Y'know, I'm just gonna take your word for it."

"New recruits, keep to the right!" An operative shouts.

"I don't get it." Sun questions as he puts on the mask the operative gave him. "If you believe what you're doing is right, why hide who you are?"

"The masks are a symbol. Humanity wanted to make monsters out of us, so we chose to don the faces of monsters." Blake answers. "Besides, Spider-Man wears one, and no one criticizes him as much."

"I guess. Still though, grimm masks... That's kind of dark."

"So was the guy who started it."

"Always sunshine and rainbows with you." Sun teases.

Soon they're in a warehouse building with the other newbies, with a makeshift stage to present their cause, with the White Fang symbol proudly serving as its backdrop.

"Thank you all for coming." A higher ranking official states. "For those of you who are joining us for the first time tonight, allow me to introduce a very special comrade of ours! I can assure you, he is the key to obtaining what we have fought for for so long!"

Said comrade steps forth, revealing himself to be Roman Torchwick, with much of the new people booing him.

"Thank you, thank you!" He jokingly bows. "Please, hold your applause!"

"What's a human doing here?!" A deer Faunus demands.

"I'm glad you asked, 'Deerie!' Now, I'll be the first to admit, humans... are the worst. Case in point!" Roman continues joking, pointing to himself. "So, I understand why you would like to see us all locked away, or, better yet, killed!"

"So, is he going somewhere with this?" Sun whispers to Blake.

"But, before the claws come out, I'd like to mention the fact that you and I all have a common enemy. The ones in control, the people pulling the strings, the dirty, rotten humans that run our kingdoms! Government, military, even the schools, they're all to blame for your lot in life! And they're all pests that need to be dealt with! And let's not forget the one who's been their personal muscle! Spider-Man has been a thorn in our side for too long! A traitor to his own kind, who's been nothing but a hindrance for the advancement of Faunus everywhere, and who you'd all like to see squashed! Fortunately, I'm the best exterminator of such pests around! No offense to any rodents or insects in the room."

At that, Roman snaps, and a curtain falls, revealing a stolen Atlas Paladin, which Neo proudly poses next to the mech, showing it off as she puts a prohibition sticker on it that hat Spider-Man's face under the diagonal line. Unfortunately for Roman, the crowd of new recruits were divided about his comment about Spider-Man.

"Whoa, that's a big robot." Sun remarks.

"How did he get that?" Blake wonders.

"Spider-Man's a hero, he saves both Faunus and humans!"

"That arachnid is a traitor!"

"He saved my sister when you guys decided to sacrifice her to try and kill him!"

"Now, now, Spidey may be a bit of a controversial subject. Some say he's a hero, a webbed warrior of Faunus rights, symbol of unity between Faunus and humans! But I ask you, if the Spider is such a champion of his people, then why isn't he with you all? If he really thought the organization needed improvement, then why wouldn't he do it among all of you, where he could do the most for it? I'll tell you, it's because he's just the errand boy of the very people who oppress us!"

Fewer recruits are booing at that statement as some take what Roman said to heart.

"Come on people, think about it! His new semblance, that new expensive onesie? Who else but the elite could have gotten that for him? The evidence is right there that he's working for the headmaster of Beacon Academy! He's probably a student or staff member himself there!"

"That creep is a sellout to all Faunus!" Someone shouts

"Exactly! But not to worry! Didn't I say I'm the best exterminator around!? As some of you may have heard, this right here," Roman says as he taps the mech, "is Atlas' newest defense against all the scary things in the world. And thanks to my employer, we've managed to snag a few before they, eh, 'hit the shelves'! Now, many of your brothers have already moved down to our new operation in the southeast. If you'd rather stay within the city, that's fine. But if you're truly ready to fight for what you believe in, unlike that Spider, then this is the arsenal I can provide you! Any questions?"

His response is met with a thunderous round of applause.

Noticing things are about to get risky for them to remain, Blake whispers to Sun, "We should get out of here."

"Will all new recruits, please come forward!" A White Fang official shouts.

"Welp!" Sun whimpers.

---

Junior wasn't having a good time. Blondie the destroyer came back, and was asking questions like she was some kind of cop.

"I don't know!" He yells, slamming down his drink.

"How can you not know?" Yang presses.

"I haven't talked to him! I haven't even seen the guy since the night you first came in here. He paid up front, I lent him my men, and none of them ever. Came. Back." Junior points at her.

"So where did they go?" Neptune slides in, hoping to contribute.

"What kind of stupid question is that? They never came back! Who is this guy?"

"Don't worry about him." Yang dismisses, smacking Neptune into attention. "Worry about me if I don't find out what I want!"

"I already told you everything! Torchwick hired my boys, and I guess he wasn't happy with them, which is something I can relate to! That or something worse happened to them. Word is that they ran into Spider-Man, I believe it, some who mess around with that guy aren't heard from again! My guys don't exactly have a winning track record against the creep."

The twins nearby glared over at him, not liking what he said. Even if it was true.

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you heard all the stories? The bug's looking for Torchwick too, he's been freaking out guys left and right! Some say he's been threatening to haul them away in his 'web lair' or something. Came here the other day threatening to do the same to me! I wouldn't wanna find out if that was true, I hate spiders. Those legs and bone things in his wrists are something outta a nightmare. So like I said, I told him, now you all I know!"

"Spider-Man was really here?" Yang asks with interest.

"Came here like some demon, freaking out the twins like something awful, guess they don't care for bugs either! No one here was able to do much against him, so the next thing I know, everyone's webbed to the wall, and starts asking the same thing you are! Only, I was interested in keeping him from getting me or any more of my guys!"

"Worse is gonna happen to you if you don't start being more useful!" Yang keeps threatening.

"Somehow I doubt even you Blondie can match what that… thing was gonna do, even if there was anymore to tell! I swear, I could see fangs under that mask of his…"

Yang scoffs and walks away. "Come on Neptune."

Eagerly following, he asks, "We get everything we need?"

"Well, we got everything we can. I know Junior though. Whatever happened with Spidey really shook him up."

"Y-yeah, I could see that." Neptune responds. "You really think Spider-Man really is that scary?"

"Doubt it. I've met the guy more than once, he's really a kinda short little teen who tries to make his voice sound deeper. Got good muscles though. But looks like we're still on square one with this whole thing. Hopefully the rest of the team is having better luck."

---

"Come on guys I'm just asking for some info and I'll be on my way! I promise!"

"The only thing you'll be on your way to is the grave!"

"Ouch, good comeback! Have I finally found someone to match wits with?"

Spider-Man's answer comes in the form of a crowbar thrown towards him before he dodges it and webs up the guy.

"Guess not!"

Spidey then decides to go for a different tactic on the only guy left standing at the dive.

Said guy is frantically trying to get away, only to have his hand webbed to the doorknob.

"Where you going Turk?"

"Hell no!"

Turk Barret was a thug Spidey repeatedly went up against. He was some true scum that often managed to wiggle out of jail.

Kind of a mixed blessing, as Spidey found he seemed to always to know everything that was going on in the criminal underworld, and was easy to shake info out of.

"Seem to be in a hurry. Got nasty work to work to make a quick buck off of? Or maybe you're off to your pal, Roman!"

Activating his semblance, the spider legs pop out his back, with the stingers sliding out his wrists, making him actually look pretty horrifying to anyone watching.

"Getting the hang of this intimidation thing!"

Making his spider legs drag behind him for a spooky effect, Spider-Man continues, "Now, I don't wanna spend a lot of time here with the likes of you, but I'm needing info. So if ya don't wanna be cooperative…" He falsely threatens with one of his stingers.

"W-wait, I might know something!"

"Is it actual info, or are ya just about to spew something everyone knows? Don't forget, I'm well aware of how slimy you are!"

"W-word is Roman isn't working alone!"

"Duh, it's been obvious for months, everyone knows that he cut a deal with the White Fang! Ya better have something better!"

"I m-mean besides those guys! They say he's the employee in that relationship!"

Spidey then gets close to the cowering baddie.

"Go on."

"They say his employer some kind of chick who's got some kind of fire semblance thing! She's powerful enough to put Roman on a leash!"

Spider-Man was silent for a while. Roman was working with some fire lady when he first met Ruby, and Roman had already mentioned he had an employer before. Spidey nearly forgot he said that.

So he's just a puppet, Fire Lady's lackey. Must be a tough girl if she's able to control him.

"Alright, ya win a one way ticket to jail instead of a cocoon."

"Oh, thank God." The criminal sighs in relief.

Suddenly the spider sense goes off with Spider-Man looking behind home to see a group of armed baddies advancing their way towards him.

Before he can even let out a quip, a red arc of energy makes its way to the group, disabling them before they got to Spidey.

He then turns to a new person in the bar, who apparently created the arc.

"Wait, who are you?"

The guy who took care of the baddies only sheaths his blood red katana and walks forward.

He had some kind of White Fang mask on with a black cloak, accented with red rose patterns.

Spider-Man thought the guy looked like an edgy male version of Ruby, if she was also a bull Faunus.

"Hello Spider-Man. I was hoping we could talk. My name is Adam"

---

Ironwood was sitting at his desk in deep thought.

"While it certainly is very possible, there are still some inconsistencies. He doesn't appear to be Faunus, nor have the ability to effectively hide it. Could still be explained by his semblance. But Glynda hardly seems the type to allow her child to take on any kind of illegal activities, especially vigilantism. Could likely be wrong about him being the one."

A message notification from Ironwood's scroll breaks him away from his findings. He finishes recording them before looking at the message. The scroll showed it was from Ozpin.

James, we need to urgently talk. It's about the recent events regarding the vigilante you encountered.

Looks like the General would be getting some answers after all. He straightens his tie and leaves for Ozpin's office.

Big surprise, this chapter took me a lot longer than I hoped it would. I was trying to balance out taking my time with it, and not having incredibly long pauses between chapters, which ended up working more or less. Also, in case some of you guys missed it, some things were changed from how I originally wrote the chapters, such as Ruby not being aware that Peter is from another world. Me and my co-writer agreed it was too early, so Ruby just thinks he got caught in an experiment gone wrong, and honed his skills as a vigilante in his home village before testing his powers in Vale. As always, thank you all so much for the views, reviews, and suggestions, I do read them and appreciate them, so please continue writing them! And yes, the kid Bailey is a reference to Spider Boy, also I'll try and fix the narrative tense in chapter 1, just wanted to put this out there before I do that.

Also a big thanks to my co-writer, Mrsauce906 and my beta reader, 13talos. Thanks for reading!