Weiss wasn't sure why she bothered waiting up there. It was nearing midnight at Beacon Academy, and there she stood waiting on the rooftop of her dorm building.
A few days had passed since the incident at the docks. Although News Outlets focused more on the crimes done by Torchwick and the White Fang, viewers were more intrigued by the reported 'Birdarang' found at the scene. Since then, there has been an increase of reports about crimes being stopped by a young vigilante at night. Of course, the police denied any record of Robin being in Vale, but it's been increasingly difficult with the amount of eye-witness testimonies and 'Birdarangs' she kept leaving behind.
Had she been younger, Weiss would've been ecstatic at the news of the vigilante's return. But after nearly an entire year of radio silence and isolation, she wasn't sure what to feel. She had mixed emotions in regards to her vigilante friend. Sure, she was glad to hear that she was alive and well, but it was difficult to be joyous when the same person disappeared for months without warning or a proper goodbye.
Her feelings were complicated, but things in her life were already complicated as is; she already got her hands full with Beacon academics and building a better relationship with not only her team, but also her partner and team leader; add unpackaging her complex feelings of Blake's past with the White Fang, and you have a recipe for certain psychological meltdown. The revelation of Robin's return would throw a wrench into her psychological cogs to try to process everything. It would be ideal to simply ignore it, and deal with everything else first.
It would've been a decent plan, had her legs and brain not carried her to wait on Beacon's rooftops every night.
Old habits die hard. Weiss thought to herself.
For the last couple days, she would head for the dorm rooftops and simply wait there for an hour before heading back to her team's room. While waiting, she would admire the beautiful view she had of Vale, its lights illuminating not only the city, but the night sky as well.
It was similar to what she did before back in Atlas; everyday at midnight, she would wait until everyone in Schnee Manor was asleep before sneaking up to the roof and waiting for her only friend. If the nights were too cold or the house was still too lively, she would wait in her room until she heard 3 knocks from her window to notify the vigilante's arrival. They didn't care what they did, whether it was talk about their days or play games that Weiss never heard of, and how long it lasted. It was the only time in their days where they can fully relax and de-stress from the lives they had.
They kept the habit until something happened a year ago. Robin's nightly visits became more far in-between. Each visit, she was less chatty, less active, and looked even more tired than usual. She kept to herself about the details, often dismissing her concerns with 'I'll be fine', but Weiss knew something had been off with her.
Then one day, she just never appeared for weeks on end. It wasn't until later on did Weiss find out about Batman and Robin's altercation with the Joker. Of course she didn't believe a single word the News was telling them; Batman and Robin don't just die; they were superheroes! Unfortunately, with days passing without a sighting of them, Weiss believed the idea less and less.
Honestly, she should be used to it by now. There were many moments in her life when someone close to her would abandon her; Her father, her mother, her sister Winter, why would she feel any different? Why did the memory hurt more when compared to the memories of her own family?
Maybe it's a reminder why I shouldn't be doing this. Weiss angrily thought to herself. She and her team had a big test the next day and it was already getting late. Fortunately, her hour was already up.
As she turned to head back inside, the familiar flapping of a cape from behind stopped her in her tracks. Weiss sighed before talking aloud. "You know I always hated you sneaking up on me."
"And yet, I still remember you being weirded out whenever I didn't."
The modulator was certainly new. Turning around, Weiss was greeted to the sight of her old friend. Although the armor looked different, it was still a familiar design that she would recognize from years ago. From the domino mask, hood, the colored cape, even to the ridiculous pixie boots.
"Standing in place without saying a word isn't a step up from it you know."
Robin smirked and shrugged in response. "Old habits die hard."
Weiss frowned and looked away at the mention of 'Old Habits'. Robin caught her words too late, and regret soon seeped in when she realized. She too couldn't look at her old friend.
Perhaps it was time to address the elephant in the room.
However, neither of the two were sure on how to. There were far too many things to talk about. Each had so many things to say, but didn't know where to start. They weren't even sure who should speak up first.
Not wanting the tension to build, Robin was first to speak up. "I'm sorry."
"For which?" Weiss asked.
"Disappearing without a proper goodbye? Not keeping in contact with you? Lying to you about my problems?"
"You don't have to explain to me," Weiss replied before further explaining. "I heard what happened on the news."
Robin's fist clenched and the lenses of her mask shut. It still hurts to be reminded of that day. "I was…in a dark place after that."
"I can only imagine." Weiss sympathized. "But I can't just ignore that the last couple months didn't happen."
"I won't hold it against you," Robin said as she looked straight into the heiress' eyes. "If you don't want to see me again, that is."
"No!" The heiress quickly answered, startling the Girl Wonder. Realizing her outburst, she tried to recompose herself. "I-I mean, it's not that I don't want to see you again! It's just that…we can't just get back into the routine we had before. Things changed, we've changed."
She has a point. Robin thought to herself. She knew that there were going to be consequences to her actions, and knew that it would be difficult to make amends. With how things currently are, she was in no place to dictate or suggest how to move forward. It was entirely up to Weiss.
Weiss herself wasn't sure how to proceed. There was a lot on her plate right now and it was already too much for her to handle all at once. However, she also didn't want to lose her old friend, who was already making an effort to make up for lost time.
An idea then came to mind. "How about we just talk."
That confused the Girl Wonder. "That's…what we're doing right now, isn't it?"
"No, I mean we fix this by just…keeping in touch, like normal people. If we can't even do that then…" Weiss trailed off, not wanting to give that part of the idea anymore thought. It was the best she could come up with. She just hopes that Robin would be okay with that and that it wouldn't lead to the latter idea.
Fortunately for her, Robin seemed to accept the idea and smiled before digging into her utility belt and tossing her something.
Catching it, it looked to be a round device with an 'R' on the cover.
"What's this?" Weiss asked.
"It's my old communicator. A neat little gadget I helped make a while back."
Speaking of, the device's cover flipped open, revealing parallel screens within the top and bottom. While the screen above had a revolving 'R' for a screensaver, the one below showed a digital keyboard, space for touchscreen, and various other options.
"You can use that to contact me, send a distress signal to me whenever you get into trouble, and it even comes with a built-in gps. Just take into consideration that my working hours are often after midnight, sooo~"
Her last comment got a chuckle out of the heiress while she kept the communicator. "That won't be an issue. Just, promise that you'll actually keep in touch this time."
With a grin, Robin crossed out the 'R' over her left breast plate before raising the same arm. "Girl Wonder's honor."
Weiss couldn't help, but laugh at her antics. To be honest, although she occasionally found similar acts childish, she kinda missed it. Maybe that's why she had grown more accustomed to Ruby and Yang's behavior. Speaking of…
"It's getting late," Weiss started before gesturing to the roof's exit. "I have to get back inside before my team starts to get worried. I'm sure we can talk more another time."
"You can count on it," Robin answered as she made her way to the roof's edge. Before leaping off the edge, she gave one final look at Weiss and smirked. "Just signal me when you need me."
Peering over, Weiss saw no traces of where she could've gone or how she disappeared. One day, she's going to learn how the hell she was able to do that.
Heading back inside, she couldn't help but toy over the communicator she was given. It was far different than the normal scrolls, but it looked both superior and inferior at the same time. It was far more bulky in design, but the features mentioned seem to make it more advanced that it seems. Not only that, her thoughts about it seemed to flourish. Was it a sign of trust? Does it even work? How does it work?
She was far too deep in thought to have noticed her quick venture down the stairs and through the dorms. She hadn't even noticed some had been tailing her in the hallway. Or heard the person call out to her. It wasn't until they shook her shoulder and called out once more.
"Remnant to Weiss!"
The heiress held back a shriek and glared at whoever disturbed her train of thought. It was Ruby, dressed in her pajamas and slippers.
"Whoa, sorry about that." She apologized.
"Ruby? Why are you- ? When did you- ?"
"It was getting late and you weren't back at the dorms yet, so I went out and looked for you," Ruby answered first. "I tried calling out to you, but you seemed distracted. Is…something wrong?"
Weiss sighed before assuring her team leader. "Sorry, I was just…catching up with someone."
"I hope it wasn't too bad if it got you to be that distant to everything."
"No no, it was a, relieving experience to say the least," Weiss smiled to herself, much secretly to the Girl Wonder's relief.
"Well then, I hope you're relieved enough to help review the team for tomorrow's exam."
That got Weiss to moan in contempt. "Has Yang finally gotten the equations down?" She asked, but groaned when Ruby's response was a cheeky grin. "I swear, it's impossible to teach her anything outside of combat."
"If it makes you feel any better, Blake was able to simplify it enough for Yang to memorize it."
Once more, the heiress sighed to herself in frustration while pinching the bridge of her nose. At least she wasn't the only one helping with academics. But then again, the thought of Blake using combat photos to better explain the lesson to Yang was kinda funny.
"We're a team, Weiss," Ruby patted her shoulder before crossing out her heart and raising her hand. "Team leader's honor, I will make sure we're all helping each other out. Come on, if we hurry back in time, we could finish our review session before midnight."
While Ruby walked back to their dorm room, Weiss' smile immediately fell at her partner's familiar actions. It…It couldn't be…Right? There was no way. At the same time, parts of her mind had started to piece together some similarities.
Shaking her head, the heiress followed behind her team leader, her mind still unable to shake away the new thoughts that now plagued her head.
Traveling from Beacon to Vale at this time of night would've been difficult for anyone else, especially when trying to dodge the security systems Ozpin had around the campus. Any other student would've already been caught before they even left school grounds. But for Ruby? It only took her 30 minutes to get around them all, and another 20 to sneak into Vale.
Although she did plan to patrol the city once more, the Girl Wonder needed to do something first. Ever since her altercation with Roman Torchwick and the White Fang, something had been bothering her. What caused the shipping container to fall?
It was no accident that the cargo fell in the midst of her interrogation with Torchwick. Someone had shot the chain that held it high in the air, and the fragmentation of the hook proved that. That left two questions: who shot it and why?
The White Fang was out of the question. Although they were intended to work with one another, it's doubtful that they would willingly sacrifice their own to save Torchwick if he were ever to be caught. Additionally, they didn't have any look-outs or snipers in the area and none of the henchmen who were on the scene had the firepower to break something that sturdy.
Close ally of Torchwick? Not many are willing to work with him, especially with his track record of double-crossing when things turn too dicey. Although, there are reports of him working alongside a smaller, but deadly accomplice with an umbrella. But she's never been reported to carry or use any sort of firearms, and often works close encounters. If she were there, she would've appeared in person, not shot from a far, along with risking his life in the process.
So that left with one option, an unknown third party. And based on the evidence, someone wants him dead.
With his track record, there could be a number of reasons for someone wanting Torchwick dead; Unpaid debts; Pissed off the wrong people; A double-crossed ex-coworker. Looking for the right motive is a needle in a haystack. So that leaves one question: who?
First she had to narrow down where the shot came from. Since she didn't have the proper equipment, it wasn't going to be easy to pin-point the location of where the shot came from. She was going to have to calculate everything by hand. Hours of analyzing security camera footage and whatever her mask was able to record led her to a tall abandoned building not too far from the docks.
It took a bit, but after climbing numerous flights of stairs, Ruby made it to the building's rooftop. Being as close to the ocean, it was inevitable for a cold breeze to bring a cold chill down her own spine. She was fortunate enough to have brought her hoodie to keep her body and ears from freezing.
Using her mask, she scanned the area and compared it to her findings. The building itself was within reasonable distance of a proper sniper spot. It had a perfect view of not only the docks, but especially the area she had fought Torchwick. Although there was a breeze, it's still within reasonable parameters for the shot. This was the place. All she needed now was to know what fired.
And not further did she have to look as her mask caught the glimmer of something beneath the gravel of the roof. Digging it up, she found the casing of a single .50 caliber shell, but it didn't match any Dust round she was familiar with. She grimaced upon realizing the smell from within the casing, Gunpowder.
It's not a coincidence to have gunpowder-based bullets appear in 2 separate crime scenes, especially within Vale and a week apart from one another. There is a new player in town.
But how do the two cases connect? What did they have to do with Victor and why do they want Roman Torchwick dead?
Ruby's attention would shift back to the casing, because her eyes caught something slipped within, a ripped rolled-up thin piece of paper. Realization struck her like a brick wall; someone wanted her to find this. Looking for answers, she unrolled the piece and read it.
'I knew you would find this. See you real soon.'
Her lenses narrowed at the red 'R' symbol that signed the note. It looked almost like her Robin symbol.
Who the hell had the gull?
Never had he ever ran so fast from danger in his entire life. Perhaps his rabbit faunus trait was kicking in his fight or being part of the White Fang had taught him to face his enemies with pride and dignity. If he were to die, then it would be for the cause of fighting back against humanity and their discrimination. It's what they told him, it's what Adam told him. If you aren't with him, you're against him. But right now? He'd rather die by Adam's blade than face his stalker.
He hadn't even seen whomever was chasing him. However, their presence was almost impossible to not notice; the smell of oil that hit his nose from a couple blocks back; the sound of heavy boots that followed him since; but what scared him the most was the glimpses of a silhouette out of the corner of his eyes. His instincts knew that something was awry, and almost immediately did it tell him he was in danger. By then, he had already made a break for it, and then the hunt began.
Although he wasn't in uniform, his hunter already knew how to differentiate him. He'd already ran through different streets and dark alleyways; Pushing through small crowds and knocking down whomever stayed in his way. And yet, no matter where he turned or how far he got, he could feel them still right behind his-
*BANG*
"GAH!"
A piercing pain struck through his leg, causing him to crash and roll across the concrete ground. He cried out in anguish and clenched his teeth in pain as the bullet wound continued to bleed. Thinking fast, the faunus man ripped a part of his shirt and wrapped it tight around his leg. If he moved fast enough, then maybe-
*BANG*
The faunus grit his teeth and cried out as another bullet shot through his other leg. It's too late now. His pursuer caught up to him.
There was no time. Looking around, he found a nearby dumpster with numerous boxes and bags of garbage surrounding it. Maybe if he hid himself, perhaps whomever was chasing him would give up. With whatever strength he had left, he turned onto his front and clawed his way to the nearby alley. The pain in his legs were agonizing and profusely bled as he dragged himself to temporary safety.
But it was all for naught when he heard the heavy sound of someone dropping from behind me. Before he could pick up his pace, he cried out as his hunter stepped on his bullet wound, pinning his leg in the process.
"Don't even try."
He froze at the modulated voice. He KNEW who it was.
Looking back, a familiar figure towered before him; the black combat boots; the dark gray cargo pants that held his pistols to his sides; the brown leather jacket; and lastly, the red helmet with white eyes that hid their voice and identity.
"Y-You! Please, I gave you everything I knew!"
"You seem to have left out that part about Roman Torchwick being there AND how big the operation was!"
"They didn't tell us who our sponsor was, let alone a damn human! All we knew was that we'd be working with someone who would help our cause!"
"Hm, looks like I am going to have to jump ahead of schedule."
With the cock of a pistol, the wounded faunus wasted no time to plead for his life. "Wait! I can still be of use to you! Dates! Locations! Information! Anything I hear will be messaged back to you!
"Then allow me to send them a message: The Red Hood's in town!"
*BANG*
Somewhere in the far side of Vale, Roman Torchwick slammed close the large doors of his current safe warehouse.
Dumping the case he held onto a nearby table, he crashed into a nearby office chair, his bowler hat covering his eyes as he attempted to catch up on some well-earned rest. After that failure of a heist and dealing with the amateurs that is the White Fang, it's a miracle that he made it back to his safehouse without toppling over. Whatever update his 'employer' wants can wait until tomorrow. Kicking his feet up, Roman drifted off to whatever paradise his mind would take him.
Unfortunately, whatever shut eye he was hoping to get was interrupted by someone shaking his foot and dropping something next to it. The criminal grumbled and cursed to himself before turning his attention towards his petite partner-in-crime.
"You better have a good damn reason, Neo."
The girl raised a brow at him and had her arms folded before gesturing to the scroll tablet she placed next to his feet. The tablet itself had an on-going call with a number he immediately recognized. Ah, damn it.
"How very disappointing, Roman."
"I wasn't expecting to hear from you this soon."
"We were expecting more from you."
"Well, we didn't exactly plan for a goddamn vigilante to show up and make a mess of everything. So you better start expecting some delays," Roman retorted, sarcasm dripping from his words. "And it was YOUR idea to work with those mutts from the White Fang."
"All part of the plan, Roman," The caller said, her camera switching on to reveal her silhouette and bright glowing eyes. "Whatever the case, you can start bringing that little ice cream girl of yours if you think it will help keep things on track."
Hmpth! Neo pouted and glared at her words from behind the scroll tablet.
"We have big plans, Roman. And it all hinges on YOUR cooperation. Do not let this become a habit."
Without another word, the call ended, and not a second later did the tablet get tossed across the tablet.
Roman Torchwick returned to his position of leaning further back into his office chair. His eyes were closed while his hand pinched the bridge of his nose to suppress the upcoming headache he's going to have. So much for a peaceful night.
"Well Neo, it looks like we're both going to be busy."
Ozpin carefully looked over the provided documents of the two individuals before him. Although matters of late enrollees and transfer students were often delegated (*Cough* forced upon *Cough*) by Headmistress Goodwitch, this specific case took a great personal interest for the Headmaster.
"It says here you both are transferees from-?"
"Haven Academy, sir." The green-haired girl answered. "We've been recommended by Leonardo Lionheart."
"Ah yes, I see the letter from Leo. Although, his signature seems quite different from last time I saw it."
The green-haired girl stiffened and her smile faltered a bit. "Is it?"
Fortunately, he didn't dwell too much on it. "He must've been in a hurry to write this."
While the green-haired girl silently breathed in relief, her companion had her eyes glued onto the headmaster, almost analyzing everything he did. Not that he minded, of course.
"Not many students are willing to transfer from an already prestigious academy, especially not in the midst of an on-going term," Ozpin pointed out. "Why come to Beacon?"
"Well, my friend and I believe our future hinges on better developing our skills at the most dedicated Huntsman and Huntress Academy in Vale." She answered without a beat.
What was noteworthy was that her raven-haired companion nodded with much affirmation at the statement, after being noticeably cued from under the table. While the green-haired girl thought she was able to slip one more past him, Ozpin knew her companion had noticed his observation somehow. Intriguing. The headmaster thought and kept to himself.
"And what do you plan on achieving after graduating?"
Both girls looked at one another and nodded in agreement. With a mighty smirk, the girl answered. "To save the world."
"Hm," was all Ozpin said while he hid his reaction behind the folder and documents. He kept silent for a couple minutes, contemplating on a decision, before placing everything down and facing the two girls.
"Ms. Sustrai," He called out to the green-haired girl before turning to the raven-haired. "Ms. Fall,"
While Ms. Sustrai held her breath and gripped her chair, Ms. Fall stiffened and grimaced at the mention.
He smiled at the pair. "Welcome to Beacon Academy."
And that finally wraps up Volume 1! It took me 3 years to have finally finish this part of the story. Also, keep in mind that I will follow this story up with another that will be concerned around RWBY Volume 2 plot, along with mixing Red Hood in it. So, keep an eye out for that.
Thank you to all those who have read, followed, favorited, and even reviewed my story! I cannot thank you all enough for the support. Before the year ends, I will try to update the rest of my backlogged stories, and maybe even post something that I had been holding onto for a couple months now. Once again, I would like to thank everyone for the support, please leave a review or a comment, and I hope you enjoyed.
I do not own any of the characters. All characters and names used are owned by either Rooster Teeth and Detective Comics (DC).