A/N: I'm back babies! Geez it's been a couple of months hasn't it? I am so happy that I got to complete this chapter. There maybe some choices that you may disagree with this chapter but rest assured I have a reason for these decisions.
Also, I really hope that this and next chapter will get some people guessing about where this story goes. With that, let's begin.
Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan-based homage. Transformers and GI Joe are owned by Hasbro. RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and created by the late Monty Oum. Please support the official release.
…Seven Months Later
September 14, 2015
Clayton's Sports Dive
Jasper, Nevada
12:51 pm
It was a quiet day in Jasper. The people walked the streets of the town that morning as they went about their business. The people were abuzz with anticipation. Some were eager to get sweets for the trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. Others bought food to make for the feast of All Saint's day on the first of November after fasting the night before on All Hallow's Eve. Some went to buy costumes with their kids. Some walked to an important meeting or were getting off work after completing their early morning shift. While a few gathered in restaurants with friends and/or partners.
Some even went to the gas station to fill up their cars or go to places like Clayton's to watch sports and look at the memorabilia that lined the walls of the establishment. Many customers were out to kill time until the Padres and Diamond Backs went to bat later that day. Currently, the Dodgers were leading by two against the Rockies. It was around this time that a girl walked in. By now she was eight-teen and walked with a swagger. Several teens looked her way. Some were drawn and attracted to her physique while a few looked on with envy. She had long blonde hair that flowed down her back and wore a brown bomber jacket over a yellow crop tank with an black emblem of a burning heart on its left side. Her jacket was unzipped to expose her stomach to show off a little. She wore brown shorts with black leggings and brown boots.
She took her seat at the bar counter and ordered a diet Pepsi. She and her friends had traveled around the world. While she still had three years until she could get a sunrise here again, she always enjoyed coming back here. Here, Yang felt free. She knew about the problems this "country" faced and its complicated history. However, life for her and her friends was at its best here for the most part. She was still getting used to the idea that countries/nations were Earth's version of kingdoms but that was a minor adjustment compared to how many of them there were and how some didn't think others existed. It was much more surprising, however, to learn that neither Grimm nor Faunus existed on this world but that didn't stop the Humans of this world from finding something to discriminate against each other about. No country was free of guilt and it seemed that appearance wasn't the only thing that people here discriminated against and this nation was no different. Again, due to the country's complicated history.
The bartender, a man with brown hair with a streak of gray hair wearing green pants, black boots and a white t-shirt handed Yang her drink.
"Highly unusual to see you here at this time. They let you out early?" the bartender asked.
Yang smiled.
"Sure did. Coach wanted me to get myself ready for the match at six tonight so she talked with the Principal and she let the team out early and so here I am." Yang replied, leaning back in her chair.
The bartender gave out a dry laugh.
"You know if you didn't tip well I would call Jasper High and see what's going on but the last time I did that you proved me wrong. Besides, the extra hand you give has been keeping the place in shape." he said.
"Thanks." Yang said.
She then grabbed and sipped her soft drink. The bartender cleaned a glass.
"How's your friend doing? Her interview go well?" he asked.
Yang gave a dry laugh.
"I wish, Weiss hasn't heard back from them yet. They said they'd get back to her soon." she replied.
The bartender looked antsy.
"You know there are better options. If you want I could help get started locally. Won't have to race back and forth. Besides, there are businesses with better reputations too." said the Bartender.
"If only. But we don't have much choice. She says working for a major business would look good on a resume. Also, and don't get me wrong I like working here, it will help us stay afloat easier and we might be able to get a more permanent home, you know." Yang leaned forward and took a sip from her cup.
"I don't like it either, but There's not much else we can do until we graduate." Yang said.
The bartender nodded understandingly. He turned to put down his now clean cup and Yang took another sip.
"What about the auto shop? How's it holding up?" Clayton asked.
"It's doing well, Ruby wants to start turning it into an actual house soon. We can't keep living in an auto shop forever." Yang answered.
"I hear that. Let me know if you need a hand with the renovations." Clayton said
"Thanks, Clayton. I'll keep that in mind." Yang said.
The bar door opened and trouble walked in.
"Hey sweetcakes." said voice. Yang sighed at the voice. She knew it well. She turned to see him with an annoyed look on her face.
"Hey Vince." Yang droned.
"So what's a girl like you doing here?" Vince asked.
"Resting, now please, leave." Yang retorted.
Yang swung her hand to lightly swat Vince's hands away who leaned back and raised his hands in the air.
"Whoa, whoa, hey there sunshine. No need to scorch me. I was just thinking. Since you and I have some time off before our big matches tonight. What say you and me have some fun together?" Vince said before leaning back in.
Yang was not having it by this point and looked at him in disgust. While he had the skills to lead the wrestling team, he was also extremely cocky both in, and much more so, outside of the ring and on some occasions it cost him dearly.
"Not interested. My friends and I have other plans afterwards." she answered.
The jock scoffed.
"With the Color Crew? Please, don't you ever have some time to yourself? Ever fully unwind?" Vince asked.
"Yes, and now is one of them. Besides, it's women's wrestling. YOU are not competing tonight." Yang said.
"Still that shouldn't stop the fun should it?" Vince continued.
"Please stop. Your attempt to get me to join your idea of "fun" won't work. So make like a tree and leaf." Yang replied.
"Come on, what does it take to get your attention? I mean it's not like Dorky's going to fare better with Sierra but you and me, we've got a shot." Vince told her.
Yang tightened her grip on her glass and looked at Vince.
"His name is Darby, Jack Darby." she retorted venomously.
The bartender noticed Yang's lilac eyes darken. He knew Yang was about to snap.
"Son, I think it's best if you walk away from her. Trust me, it's not worth the trouble." he said.
Vince turned to the bartender.
"This isn't your discussion so but out." Vince answered.
He then looked at Yang who ignored him.
"Besides, who doesn't wonder what she's like. Especially that hair."
Vince went to reach for Yang's hair but the Sun Dragon grabbed his hand tightly. Yang's eyes closed as she let in and out a long breath.
"Wow, strong grip there huh?" Vince responded.
Yang tightened her grip.
"Okay, now it's starting to hurt."
She turned to Vince.
"Okay seriously, Yang let go!" Vince said as he started to worry.
The bar was quieting down. All eyes transfixed on the scene between the two high schoolers.
"Yang, let go!" Vince ordered with a raised voice.
Yang opened her eyes, now a shade of blood red.
"Yang, sto-ow! Let go!" Vince said.
Yang remained silent and watched as he squirmed to get his hand free.
"Let go!"
Now Vince was getting angry. Who did she think she was to go this far and potentially break his hand. He was Vince, the wrestling team captain, the most popular guy in school, the one kid you didn't mess with and he was being humbled by this upstart who appeared out of nowhere. He couldn't stand for that.
"I said let go-."
Yang pulled him close as he began to panic and tried to pry Yang's iron grip off his hand.
"Let me make this clear." she began.
"Unless I say otherwise, there's one, and only one, thing you need to know."
Yang tightened her grip as a cracking sound was heard. Vince grunted in pain over what was happening. She then leaned into his face.
"Don't. Touch. My. Hair." she quietly seethed.
"Got it?"
Vince nodded slowly.
"Sure thing." he said.
"Good." Yang replied and let go of his wrist.
Vince wrapped his hand around the hand Yang grabbed and glared at her. This wasn't over, not by a long shot.
"One day that temper of yours is going to get you killed, you know that?" he remarked.
"Not unless it gets you first." Yang retorted.
Vince was ticked and he would get even but now was not the time. He needed to get ready for the match later that night.
"Stay safe in that auto shop of yours, Yang. You never know what can go wrong." Vince threatened.
He then left the bar as his anger boiled.
Yang breathed a sigh as her eyes went back from red to lilac and turned to her drink. Before she did, she noticed the bartender was staring at her in shock. She then turned and saw the stunned faces of all the patrons and waiters looking at her. She just gave a nonchalant look of confusion.
"What? He'll be fine." Yang said.
Immediately, the patrons returned to their normal routines. Eating, drinking, and watching the ball game.
"Glad to see you didn't blow a fuse." the bartender said.
"No problem. Wrestling and anger management have helped out with a lot of recent events in my life." Yang said.
"I hear that. Are you coming to work tonight after the game?" the bartender asked.
"Sorry, Clayton. I've got a friend coming the next day. I'll definitely be here tomorrow though."
The bartender, Clayton, smiled.
"Understandable." he said.
Yang then felt a vibration on her scroll, she pulled it slightly from her pocket and saw it was from Blake. She knew what that meant. Yang took out a few dollars for the soda and got out of her seat.
"I have to go, my friends need me." she said as she turned to leave out the door.
"Well, in case I don't see you afterwards, have a good night, Yang." Clayton told her.
Yang looked back.
"You too." she said.
Yang then left and went to her bike.
Vince's Auto Repair
Edge of Jasper
September 14, 2016 03:29 pm
Yang arrived at the shop just a couple minutes ago. Nora and Jaune were currently working a red and black van with a streak of yellow on both sides alongside Ruby and Weiss while Pyrrha and Blake waited inside and Ren waited next to a lever. On the grill of the van was the symbol of the Autobots and no one knew it was there.
"Hey everyone, I'm back." Yang said sing-songingly.
"Hi sis, how was Clayton's?" Ruby asked.
"It was fine. Had a bit of an issue with Vince for a bit but nothing terrible." she replied
JNPR and Weiss paused at Yang's words. Ruby got a little worried. Yang looked at them all confused.
"What?" Yang asked.
Weiss, rolled out from under the van with oil on her right cheek.
"Please tell us you didn't start a fight again?" Weiss asked.
"Relax, I just grabbed his hand after he tried to hit on me and touch my hair and NO, I did not break it." Yang replied nonchalantly. The whole room breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good news." Jaune said.
"Personally, I would have gone for the legs." Nora said and immediately regretted her choice of words. Everyone then glared at her, including Yang.
"Not literally, mind you." Nora said.
"Still, we can't leave anything to chance." Ruby said. She then went back to helping Weiss who rolled back under the van.
"And that reconnects the fuel line to the engine. Everything good up there you two?" Weiss said to Jaune.
The blonde looked inside and fiddled with his end of the engine to make sure it was secure.
"We're good up here." Jaune said.
Ruby nodded.
"Okay, fire it up!" Ruby called inside the van to Blake and Pyrrha.
The pair turned the key to the van in the ignition and the van roared to life. Everyone cheered in celebration. Ruby turned to give a thumbs up to Ren who pulled a lever and lowered the vehicle.
"Alright!" Nora declared with cheer. She breathed a sigh of relief and spoke again.
It would have been a shame if they couldn't fix the van in time. It was their first true vehicle in their makeshift home.
Yang looked around at her found family as they shook hands, hugged, and laughed.
Her sister's black and red hair had grown a little but only went past the bottom of her neck. Ruby wore a long sleeved black and red t-shirt with black shorts bearing a silver colored print of her emblem of a fiery rose on her left front pocket and red and black shoes with gray laces.
Weiss retained her white hair's off center ponytail and tiara and wore a white polo shirt with a baby blue under shirt. Her polo also had her emblem of a six cornered snowflake sewn on the polo's left side over her heart . She also wore ice blue dress pants with brown dress shoes. Weiss also started wearing white gloves thanks in part to Yang who thought that they would fit her "Ice Queen" persona, and while she despised her nickname, she kept on wearing them partially due to how comfortable they felt.
Blake Meanwhile had almost completely changed her wardrobe. She wore a black denim jacket over a white tank top with black shorts and stockings with black tennis shoes. Blake also began braiding parts of her long black hair as she tried a new style for her hair and wore a black and white custom beanie with her emblem of a belladonna flower sewn into the design. She designed it so that the bow covering her cat ears beneath could stick out through it.
Jaune adopted a basic style, his blond hair was as unkempt as ever and he kept his black and white sneakers and blue jeans. However, he now had a yellow and white striped t-shirt with a white circle on the back that contained the two yellow crescents that were his emblem inside the circle.
Nora adopted a black and pink jacket over the sleeveless t-shirt she arrived on the planet in. She also continued to wear her pink fingerless gloves and shoes while ditching the pink skirt for pink sorts.
Pyrrha almost looked completely different. She still kept her circlet but she had cut her fiery red hair at the ponytail to half its original length and decided to let it flow down her back. She wore a red crop with a print of her emblem of a spear over a shield in black off center to her right side. This was placed under a brown short sleeve jacket with dark green buttons. She also wore black pants and brown boots. She wrapped her sash around her waist as she did before but also entwined with a red colored belt and her brown gloves were nowhere to be seen on her person. If not for the circlet and sash, Yang would swear she was seeing a completely different person.
Ren also removed his ponytail but, unlike Pyrrha, did not cut his long black hair along with its streak of magenta. Ren was also beginning to grow some facial hair. He wore an unbuttoned, sleeveless green jacket over a black, short-sleeved t-shirt with the emblem of a lotus flower sewn in white on Ren's left and the emblem sewn in green on his right. He had long white pants and black pink tennis shoes with green laces.
The group had changed so much in the last seven months. For the first time, things were looking up.
When they awoke to find the ship in ruins, they quickly discovered something had gone horribly wrong. Call it what they will but Yang knew from plenty of films growing up that a crash landing was never a good sign. Still, they were all alive and the plan was largely unchanged. The group split up to search around the globe for potential allies and now had the additional objective of repairing their ship or building a new one. To this day, both missions have proven fruitless. So, for the time being, Ruby told the group to stay where they were and hunker down until a plan could be made. Penny would travel between the groups to keep a line of communication with each other.
By now, the groups were as follows: Team CRDL had taken up residence in a place called London, England on the continent of Europe. Apparently they said the city reminded them of Vale back home. Team SSSN, meanwhile, was harder to track. Sometimes they would pop up in North America and set up shop in a place called Toronto while other times, they went down south to a place called Argentina. Though why that was the case was unknown. Penny never said why because she didn't want to disrespect their privacy. Ruby respected that but still wanted to make sure they were ready when she needed them. Blake and Weiss weren't happy about that and wanted a more solid answer for SSSN's activities. As for Team ABRN, they were harder to track down. While they mostly remained on an island nation known as Japan in the city of Yokohama. The group would split and sometimes appear in places like China, India, Vietnam, and Myanmar before heading back. As much as she admired Arslan's determination, she was worried that her desire to prove herself would lead to someone drawing attention and they couldn't have that, not this soon.
The search was proving fruitless but with their only way off world destroyed, all they could do was stay here until they could find a way home.
So, Teams RWBY and JNPR decided to stay near the crash site and settled in Jasper. It was a quiet town in the middle of a "state" called "Nevada". It was near a mine where people searched for a mineral that gave the town its name and sat in the shadow of an abandoned missile silo.
Upon arriving in Jasper, the group learned how difficult starting a life on Earth would be. Lien was useless as a form of currency and relied on a currency system called US Dollars which were only obtainable by getting a job. Until very recently, making ends meet was a challenge and for the first two months, RWBY and JNPR lived on the streets until they met Clayton who let them stay and hired Yang for a decent salary. Eventually, they saved enough to buy an old auto shop for a decent price. The previous owner had retired and was already planning to let the shop go and he figured it would be better to sell it rather than tear it down. So, they bought the shop and began to turn it into something that resembled a house. The two teams slept in separate rooms on inflatable mattresses with JNPR taking the front desk and RWBY taking the second garage for the moment.
Aside from a few incidents where some of them accidentally used their semblances and the occasional "dark car", things were relatively quiet. As the group celebrated, Nora looked at the clock on the wall and saw the time. It was 3:30 pm. Nora's eyes widened. Ren looked out the garage window.
"Yang, we need to get ready! We need to be at practice in an hour!" Nora said
"Oh crap, you're right! I'll go get changed!" Yang said with wide eyes and the pair ran to their sides to get ready.
"It's back." Ren said. Everyone paused and turned to Ren.
"The same car agaim?" Jaune asked.
Ren nodded.
Ruby and Jaune looked at each other before approaching the garage window and peering outside next to Ren and sure enough, there it was. A single dark purple and black muscle car was parked in the parking lot and sitting in the parking space. This had been going on for weeks now and for about one hour, the car would sit in the same spot facing the garage. Its lights turned off and yet somehow, everyone felt that it wasn't just sitting idle. Yang groaned and rubbed her face.
"Oh, of all the times it had to show up it had to pick NOW?!" Yang said as her lilac eyes briefly flashed red and her hair combusted for a moment just as brief.
"Still, we can't stay here for an hour, if either of us is late we'll be disqualified." Nora stated.
"She's right, besides it would look suspicious to a lot of people if you two didn't show up. Miko would lose her mind if her bandmate didn't step in the ring." Pyrrha seconded.
"Regardless, something bad happens either way. That car always spells trouble but the question now is, which one will be worse?" Jaune said. Yang thought back to Vince's words from Clayton's bar and wondered if he told the driver. If he did, Yang would make sure he never forgot the beating she'd give him for the rest of his life. And if he was the one driving it. Well, he'd wish he wasn't.
"I say we risk it. If any case nothing will happen ." Ruby said.
"And what if something does? Need I remind you how hard it was to get this place? If we lose the shop we lose everything we have here, even our weapons." Weiss exclaimed.
"Then we bring them with us." Jaune said.
Everyone turned their heads toward Jaun as he explained his plan.
"We take what we can, load it in the van, and take it to Jasper High with us. Once the match is over, we deal with whoever's inside that car and we head back here. If the shop is destroyed when we get back then we at least haven't lost everything."
Everyone pondered Jaune's plan. It provided a sound strategy and made sure that if things went south they still had something of theirs left with them.
"So we all agree with Jaune's plan?" Ruby asked.
Everyone, sans Jaune and Ruby nodded their heads.
"Alright, let's load up and get out of here." Ruby ordered and they went to grab their things.
3:32pm
The group of eight left in the van with all of the weapons and gear they brought with them to Remnant. As the garage door opened. Jaune drove the van out, into the parking lot and out onto the road. The Vehicon sat there in his parking space, watching them leave. He had been tailing them for almost an Earth month ever since his fellow soldiers picked up a series of energon signatures that were strangely mobile. It soon became clear what was going on and it was decided that they were to be brought in.
As they got on the road, the Vehicon turned on his radio. The organics were able to repair Ironhide and this could be a problem. The visual display showed the Decepticon symbol as the call began
"Lord Starscream, I have found the organics. It appears that they have managed to repair an Autobot." the Vehicon said.
"Can you confirm your report?" asked the voice of Starscream.
"Affirmative. However, the Autobot's identity is unknown. Should I continue to investigate?" replied the Vehicon.
"That won't be necessary. Soundwave is leading a strike team to scrap the Autobot and retrieve the fleshlings. In the meantime, make sure that these specimens can't run and hide when we strike. I want to make sure we can bring them back quickly." Starscream's voice told the Vehicon soldier.
"With pleasure." the Vehicon said.
The Vehicon then transformed into his robot mode and reached his arm toward the garage and his hand turned into a gun. The Vehicon opened fire on the empty building.
City Roads
3:34pm
The yellow and black muscle car drove down the road, flanked by a pair of white and blue cars. Their search for Ironhide had been a challenging one. After he disappeared two months ago, Bumblebee and his team of Autotroopers were hoping for a breakthrough.
"Face it, he's gone and Bee is losing his mind." one Autotrooper said.
"No he's not, Bumblebee is thorough for one thing and two, Ironhide doesn't go off the grid like this. There has to be a reason." said the other.
"To you, maybe. I on the other hand want to finish this and power down for a nap back at the Ark." the first one said.
"We aren't leaving until we get Ironhide home, understand?" Bumblebee spoke.
"Sir, yes sir." the second Autotrooper said.
"Yes, sir." the first Autotrooper groaned.
"Good, now let's be patient and we'll find him. Ironhide is bound to show up sooner or later." Bee added.
As soon as he said that, the trio watched as the van that was Ironhide's vehicle form turned into the opposite side of the road. Soon after, a pair of Vehicon cars came passing by and both were focused on Ironhide.
"Should we be patient now?" ask the first Autotrooper.
Bumblebee didn't say a word as he led his team in pursuit of the Vehicons and subsequently their fellow Autobot. Bumblebee then radioed HQ for back up. If there's one thing he's learned, it's that where there are Vehicons, there's bound to be someone worse.
Jasper High School
Gymnasium
5:45 pm
The bell rang as the match began. Yang then grappled with her opponent as Nora cheered from the sides but her voice merely blended in with the rest of the crowd which included her friends. They all sat in the same row alongside some of the friends, Raf, Jack, and Miko.
Rafael was only a year younger than Ruby but the two were rather good study buddies. Jack was about eight-teen, like most of the group and was one of the first people to help them settle into Jasper after RWBY and JNPR enrolled at Jasper High. This of course dragged Miko into the picture as well. The two were best friends and after Jack befriended the huntsmen, Miko tagged along.
Miko turned to Ren.
"Yang sure is giving it her all." Miko said.
"She always does. Though, I'm waiting to see how Nora fairs." Ren replied.
Miko gave Ren a sly grin that he quickly noticed.
"What?" Ren asked.
Miko shook her head.
"Nothing, just happy to see you cheering her on. Makes me wonder if you two are more than friends. Hmm, now that I think about it, the two of you together just sounds adorable." Miko said.
Ren blushed.
"Come on, there's nothing wrong with asking out your best friend. I did that once and we made it work for a while." Miko said.
"Until you didn't and that's what worries me." Ren responded.
Miko understood her friend's worries, she faced the same thing too. Yes, they made it work but it didn't last because of how often they argued and decided to break up so they didn't hurt each other further and ruin their friendship. Miko looked worriedly at Jack as she remembered that part of their lives. It may have been a year since they decided to just be friends but the memories they shared were still there, both good and bad. She then looked down toward Nora who continued to cheer Yang who now had the upper hand and was putting her opponent in a hold. Miko took a breath and looked back to Ren.
"I've been there too. If that happens it's going to sting for a bit. It's not pleasant but, you can always opt to be friends after some time apart. It's what happened to us. However, that may not happen and if that's the case then, you'll never want to let her go and she won't either." Miko stated.
Ren smiled.
"Thanks, Miko." he said.
"Anytime" Miko said with a light punch to his arm causing the two to briefly laugh.
They heard the bell for the ring and everyone erupted in applause with Ren and Miko turning and cheering at the sight of Yang pinning her opponent to the ground. Everyone sprang to their feet and cheered at Yang's victory. As Yang and her opponent walked off to sit with her teammates. Nora was called out next and she stepped into the wrestling ring with her opponent.
The bell rang and Nora and her opponent charged at each other as the teams and crowd cheer for their wrestler. Nora grabbed her opponent's waist and attempted to lift her over her shoulder. However, her opponent was able to keep herself from being lifted up. She grabbed Nora's arm and tried to drag her to the ground.
The crowd tensed as Nora seemed to be on the back foot but, aside from Teams RWBY and JNPR, everyone was worried she'd lose and failed to see Nora smirking.
"Gotcha" Nora whispered to herself.
With that, Nora pulled on her arm as her opponent tried to maintain control. Everyone thought Nora was crazy, even her opponent thought so. She looked like she was going to tear off her arm. However, Nora had a plan. The surprise made Nora's opponent loosen her feet, just as planned.
Nora pulled her opponent to the ground and used weight and free arm and legs to put her opponent in a hold. The bell rang and the crowd cheered. The match felt longer than it was but in reality, it ended as soon as it began. The Jasper Student began to chant.
"Thun-der-bolt! Thun-der-bolt! Thun-der-bolt!" they cried and cheered.
With that, the match ended and Nora returned to her seat.
Jasper High School
Front Entrance
07:48 pm
Team RWBY and JNPR left the school in celebration. After Nora finished her match, the rest of the competition went through like a breeze. The matches went back and forth but thanks to Nora and Yang's wins, Jasper was able to win the competition. Jack, Miko, and Raf had already gone home after the crowd dispersed but promised to meet up to celebrate tomorrow.
While the three of them were not the only ones who knew of them, Raf, Jack, and Miko were the ones who truly knew them all. Most people swarmed around Yang, Nora, and Pyrrha. All of whom wanted to be their "friends." However, they always insisted they leave the rest of the group behind which resulted in resounding "no"s from all three of them. This desire to stick together and each one of them having a one or two colors on their attire consistently led to the eight being labeled as "the Color Crew". However, most people wanting the eight to split was only part of the reason. The attention they had garnered was not something they wanted to get any larger. That combined with the band that Miko had formed with Nora and Ren was pushing things to their limits.
Still, the band paid well for the group when they got a chance to perform. It made for a decent bonus every once in a while but it only took them so far without drawing too much attention outside of school.
Still, that did little to dampen their spirits. Tonight's events were far too enjoyable to do so. Soon, the group arrived at the van. One by one they entered. Ruby and Weiss rode in the front with the latter at the wheel while Yang, Blake, and Team JNPR climbed in the back and closed the side doors.
"So, where to first? Should we make a quick stop at Clayton's to start and then head to the cliffside?" Ruby asked as she looked back at her sister.
"Nah, I'd rather let Clayton rest tonight. Besides, we can just head on up to the cliffs now." Yang said.
"Hey, why not stop and grab a s'mores kit?" Nora said. She gasped before continuing.
"Maybe even hot dogs and buns!" Nora brimmed with excitement.
"I'm down for that." Jaune chimed in.
"I'll make sure we get some drinks while we do." Pyrrha said.
The rest of the group gave their votes of approval. Ruby nodded and looked at Weiss.
"Alright, let's do it." Ruby said.
Weiss nodded and looked ahead, didn't notice the two cars facing her and prepared to reverse out of the parking lot.
Suddenly, a screeching sound was heard. Weiss stomped on the brakes as a black and purple car stopped behind her and boxing her and her friends in. Its headlights were on at full blast. This was followed by the two cars in front doing the same.
Weiss grunted at the blinding light.
She covered her eyes as they adjusted.
"What's going on?" Nora asked.
Pyrrha made her way to the front of the van while Blake went to a side window. There they saw the cars.
At that moment. The invincible girl and the cat Faunus realized what was going on.
"Guys," Blake began.
"Get your weapons."
Everyone went to grab their weapons and arm themselves but then, a new voice spoke up.
"Don't do that. It won't work in this fight, not like this." The voice spoke.
This sudden sentence spooked the whole group.
"Who said that?" Weiss asked.
"That would be me, your van. Though my name is actually Ironhide but that's irrelevant at the moment." the voice replied.
As the van, Ironhide, continued, Ruby noticed the screen on the dashboard glowed bright red with a strange symbol in the center in yellow, the symbol of the Autobots.
"Right now we have Vehicons targeting me, and by extension, targeting you. If you want to get out of this alive, you need to listen to me and to do what I tell you so we get out of here. Do you understand?" Ironhide's voice finished.
The surrounding Vehicons backed up to prepare their attack. The huntsmen were uncertain but if they could trust a sentient van and some felt it would be better to fight. Yang was about to get up and fight but Ruby stopped her.
"What do we do?" Ruby asked
"Ruby, you can't be serious." Weiss remarked.
Ruby looked at the heiress.
"I'm not sure about this either but, something tells me we should listen." Ruby replied.
Weiss sighed.
"You better be right." she said.
Ruby smiled.
"Alright, what you need to do is keep your heads down and hold on tight." Ironhide said.
Ruby did just that with Weiss and everyone else doing so more slowly.
The Vehicons saw this and they decided to move in. The Vehicon behind Ironhide revved their engines.
"Uh, Ironhide, what now?" Weiss said.
"Wait for it." replied the Autobot
The Vehicons tires screeched.
"Wait for it."
"Ironhide?!" Weiss exclaimed.
The Vehicons zoomed towards them and…
"Now!" Ironhide exclaimed
A crashing sound was heard. However, everyone was unharmed.
"Ironhide, get going!" a new voice exclaimed.
"On it!" Ironhide replied.
Immediately, Ironhide rushed forward and drove over grass and dirt and onto the empty road.
As Ironhide began to drive away, Ren looked up and out of the rear window to see a pair of robots engaged in combat.
City Roads
08:05pm
"We're clear." Ironhide spoke. Everyone raised their heads again while in their seats.
"What was that?" Pyrrha asked.
"Vehicons, Decepticon foot soldiers. Usually sent to handle simple tasks like provide assistance and mine energon. This, however, is different. The fact that they waited for you to attack isn't normal." Ironhide explains.
"Which means?" Jaune asked.
"Which means they're only after me or…"
A series of gunshot rang out and pierced the metal doors behind the van. Jaune and Pyrrha grabbed their shields and leaned forward to hold them behind their backs and protect their friends as best they could while keeping their heads down. The pair slanted their shields as bullets bounced off them. Glass windows shattered, sparks of metal bounce off the shield of Crocea Mors and Akoúo̱ as Jaune and Pyrrha held up their respective shields. Then, there was silence; the shooting had stopped. Pyrrha and Jaune their shields and the invincible girl turned around and saw the group's pursuer: a dark blue assault vehicle with a pair roof mounted cannon and radar. In the middle of the hood was a glass window rimmed with yellow and in the center, purple symbol of the Decepticons emblazoned in purple.
"Soundwave," Ironhide growled
"What the crap is going on?!" Weiss exclaimed.
Soundwave's hood opened and ejected three cassettes. One was red, one was black, and one was blue. The red one transformed into a red and black bird with a silver jetpack with turrets. The black one transformed into a black and white leopard with cannons mounted on its hind legs. Finally, the blue cassette transformed into a humanoid robot carrying a pair of alien guns on its back. It grabbed one of them with one hand and landed on the ground with the cat as the bird dived down toward Ironhide.
The sides of Ironhide's vehicle form opened up to reveal a pair of cannons that turned around and began shooting at the cassettes. They, along with Soundwave in vehicle form, returned fire. At that moment, Yang and Nora looked at each other and nodded. Nora grabbed Magnhild while Yang activated Ember Celica and rolled down the window, to Ironhide's concern.
"What are you doing?" he asked the two ex-huntresses.
They didn't respond and instead, made their way to the window and began to shoot at the team of cassettes. As Yang fired her twin shotgun gauntlets, the bird swooped in and swiped at her with his talons. It then grabbed one of Yang's arms while she tried to fend off its other leg with that same arm. The bird attempted to peck at her eyes but Yang held up her free arm and gauntlet to block his beak.
Nora meanwhile fired several grenades at the cat but the feline jumped between shots and leapt at Nora who turned Magnhild into its hammer form to block the cat's jaws as the vehicle, despite its size, avoided the shots which exploded past them and caused some nearby cars to get caught in the crossfire. The cat clawed at the sides of Ironhide's vehicle form as Nora kept his jaws from biting anything other than the handle of her weapon the cat's jaws were currently biting.
Meanwhile, the blue robot shot at Ironhide whenever he could as he inched closer and closer before grabbing the hole where a now shattered rear window was and holstered his gun. He then turned his now free hand and arm into a pile driver and reached in.
The robot activated said piledriver and began hitting the back of several seats causing Jaune, Pyrrha and Blake to duck before their faces met the end of the robot's weapon. A task that was proving more challenging than the other two fights going on between Yang and Nora and their respective opponents. However, Ironhide decided he had enough.
Withdrawing the cannon above the cat, he swerved to the left and forced the feline to hit a light pole. He then fired at the birds back causing the avian to withdraw. Finally, Ironhide opened the backdoors of his vehicle form and placed the blue robot in the perfect position of the cannon on his right side. He shot the robot who lost his grip and fell off. One by one, the creatures transformed back into cassettes and jumped back to Soundwave and shooting at them whenever possible.
Ironhide gunned it for the outskirts of the town as they accelerated away. However, their pursuer wasn't far behind and with fresh Vehicon reinforcements.
"What's with these guys?! It's like they don't know when to quit!" Nora exclaimed.
"That's the thing, they don't. Fortunately, neither do we." Ironhide answered.
As he said that, a small group of white and blue cars led by a yellow and black muscle car drove past Ironhide and rammed into the Vehicons. As they vanished into the darkness, the two vehicles seemed to start changing. The Muscle car meanwhile opened a couple of compartments on its hood and shot Soundwave who turned his attention to face this new opponent and allowing for some distance as the car began luring the Decepticon communications officer away.
"I'm guessing those are friends of yours?" Pyrrha asked rhetorically.
"Family" Ironhide corrected.
"We need to move fast, that won't keep Soundwave and his forces occupied for long. We need to get you home and safe, quickly!"
Ironhide then put the pedal to the metal and zoomed down to the garage.
Vince's Auto Repair
08:47 pm
One of the benefits of being on the edge of Jasper was that when something goes horribly wrong, you have time before it draws attention. This was one such case where the attention wasn't needed right now. The group returned to the burning ruins of the repair shop and the car from earlier had disappeared.
RWBY and JNPR were in shock as Ironhide pulled into the parking lot. The two teams got out with their weapons, gear, and few belongings they had. Jaune, Pyrrha, and Nora had donned their armor while Ruby put on her tattered cloak. Blake had discarded her beanie and Weiss wore her combat skirt. They stared in various emotional states. Most, like Ruby and Ren, looked on in horror at the building. Meanwhile, Blake and Yang's eyes watered at seeing their ruined home. While Blake was about to break down, Yang clenched her fist and her eyes slowly turned red. Nora was also angered by the attack on the parking lot. Whatever the attacker's were after, they either got it before or were buried alive when the shop went up in smoke.
"We're too late." Ironhide muttered.
Ruby walked toward the rubble and continued to stare into the scattered flames. She just stared in thought and for a second she swore she saw a Judge laughing in the flames.
"Uhh… guys." Jaune said when he looked back.
Ruby snapped out of her stupor when the sound of screeching tires and quieting engines was heard. Everyone turned around to see Soundwave roll up and his cassettes jumped down and stood beside the arriving Vehicons, ready to attack.
Soundwave transformed as his hood turned into his chest, the cannon settled onto his right shoulder and the wheels folded into his back and the back of his legs. The glass center of his hood became his chest. His head and helm resembled that of the Decepticon emblem with a battle mask of his mouth and nose and a red visor covering his optics.
The Vehicons transformed into a series of identical drones with a red visor and only a red dot for a mouth. No emotion or expression was formed on their faces, only the cold, stern expression could be seen.
Behind his visor, Soundwave scanned the ex-huntsmen and ex-huntresses and quickly identified his targets.
"Guess they managed to shake your friends." Yang said
"I hope that's the worst of it." Ironhide replied
"Rumble, Laserbeak, Ravage, attack." Soundwave ordered and the bird, Laserbeak, the cat, Ravage, and the robot, Rumble all charged.
RWBY and JNPR prepared their weapons for a fight but Ironhide reversed and rammed the creatures and turned around.
Then, just as he finished, Ironhide transformed into a red and gray robot. A pair of cannons appeared from his arms as he charged the Decepticon communications officer. RWBY and JNPR were left stunned by Ironhide's transformation. Their van was a robot the whole time?! They didn't have time to dwell on this as the cassettes attacked. Ravage tackled Jaune while Laserbeak dived down and grabbed Weiss with his talons while Rumble turned his arms into pile drivers and attacked Yang and Ruby.
"Frenzy, Ratbat, eject. Operation: Detainment" Soundwave ordered. His chest opened up and two more cassettes opened up. One a purple cassette that transformed into the purple bat form of Ratbat with a yellow armored pack. Frenzy meanwhile transformed from his red and black cassette into a red and black twin of Rumble as he turned his arms into piledrivers. Ratbat shot at Blake and Ren and grabbed them and carried them into the air. Frenzy meanwhile charged at Nora and Pyrrha who were trying to help Jaune. He lured the two away and coordinated with Rumble to corner their respective opponents.
Ren and Blake struggled to attack Ratbat in their current position. The speed at which they were flying made it difficult for their arms to swing their weapons or aim them at the Decepticon cassette. Ren then noticed Laserbeak approaching with Weiss attempting to stab the mechanical avian in the neck. He took his free arm and aimed Storm flower at Laserbeak's jetpack. He shot at the bird as bullets bounced off his armored hide. Weiss did her best to shield herself as Ren continued this reckless act. She looked up and got an idea. She turned the chamber in the hilt in Myrtenaster until it landed on the slot with blue, ice dust, and pulled the trigger of her weapon causing it to glow a faint ocean blue. Weiss then stabbed Laserbeak's jetpack causing ice to form on the engines. At that moment, one of Ren's shots hit the engine and began to cover it in ice. Laserbeak squawked in pain as a result of the ice that built on the engines causing him to release the heiress who used her semblance to generate a series of glyphs in front of her. She cocked the hammer of Myrtenaster and pulled the trigger and fired a round at Ratbat's chest. The force of the impact disoriented the bat and released Ren and Blake. Blake turned the blade of Gambol Shroud into its pistol form and tossed it at a nearby tree with the blade of her weapon lodging into the bark. Ren aimed the two dagger pistols of Stormflower at the same target and extended the blades and launched them at the tree with a rope connecting them to the rest of the weapon and the blades stabbed the trunk. Ren and Blake pulled on their weapon and flew toward the tree. Ren began to reel in the line for Stormflower as he got closer. The two stuck their feet on the tree and freed their weapons before jumping down off the tree. Blake transformed the pistol back into its sword form and drew out the cleaver/sheath of her weapon from her back and ran straight for her friends. Ren charged at Ravage, who was currently on top of Jaune in an attempt to maul him, and kicked the Decepticon feline in the side. Ren reached his hand down and helped pull Jaune up.
"Thanks," Jaune said.
"Don't thank me yet." Ren replied.
A caw was heard as the avian form of Laserbeak came crashing down. The ice shattered and damaged the jets in his pack upon impact as he tumbled. The same could not be said for his guns. Laserbeak shot at Jaune who raised his shield in defense. Ren meanwhile fired at Ravage who kept dodging the shots and making his way closer. Ravage then attempted to leap onto Ren who instead ducked, rolled back and kicked Ravage again, this time in the belly. This proceeded to anger the feline cassette even more. Instead, he opted for a new approach. Ravage lowered his body as if to bow but also gave his hind legs the perfect position to fire their rockets. He then proceeded to fire them at the two. Ren's eyes widened with terror.
"Jaune, incoming!" Ren cried.
The blonde knight quickly noticed the missiles and turned to block the rockets as Laserbeak continued to fire his guns. The missiles hit Crocea Mors's shield and sent the two ex-huntsmen flying with some of Laserbeak's shots hitting them as they flew. Jaune and Ren laid on the ground in pain from the shots Laserbeak inflicted on them. Fortunately, their aura prevented them from being riddled with holes. That's when Ratbat appeared over their heads. He pulled back his wings and then swung forward causing the ice on his body to shatter. The weapons on the purple rodent's back moved forward slowly and then, once they were in front of his head, the tips began to spark with electricity. Jaune began to speak.
"Oh sh-"
Ruby, Yang, Nora, and Pyrrha meanwhile were trying to get some space between them and the twin cassettes. They would punch and jab them with their twin pile drivers and push them back into a corner. Rumble socked Ruby and Yang in the face head on as Frenzy got Nora in the side. Pyrrha meanwhile proved more of a challenge. While she wasn't fairing too much better, she had managed to stab and strike Frenzy a couple of times. The red and black robot was starting to get irritated. He turned his piledrivers back into arms and feigned a punch but Pyrrha wasn't fooled and moved close to attack with Miló in its xiphos form, just as Frenzy planned. He grabbed hold of Miló one hand and pulled a gun from his back with the other hand. Frenzy attempted shoot her but, the invincible girl manage to raise Akoúo̱ and block the shot, she then used her semblance, Polarity to push herself and Frenzy apart and retrieve her xiphos. Once she did, she extended it into its javelin form. She reunited with Nora, Ruby and Yang as Rumble and Frenzy closed in.
However, a wall of ice suddenly erupted in front of the twins and a glyph formed in front of the four girls with Weiss landing on said glyph before it disappeared.
"Weiss!" Ruby exclaimed.
Weiss turned and gave Ruby a smile.
"You all need a hand?" Weiss asked.
The ice behind her began to crack as Rumble and Frenzy began to break through as Blake joined her friends.
"The more the merrier." Yang said.
The ice shattered and the two Decepticons stepped forward with weapons drawn. The now group of five ready their weapons and waited for their opponents to strike.
"Time to break their legs!" Nora declared.
Gripping Magnhild tightly, Nora's body began to spark with pink electricity.
Ironhide shot at Soundwave and his Vehicon entourage. Soundwave and his Vehicon troops returned fire. Ironhide pulled out a light pole and smacked two of the Vehicons with it before attempting to do the same with Soundwave who instead grabbed and blocked it. The two began to struggle to pin the other down. However, two of the Vehicons charged and tackled the Autobot to the ground. Soundwave got up, through the lamp post aside and cocked his rifle as he approached Ironhide who was fighting to pull off the Vehicons. Ironhide was being choked by one hanging on his back while he fought against the other. He headbutted the one in front of him and ripped off one of its arms as it attempted to shoot him. Ironhide moved to ensure it shot the Vehicon on his back. This worked and killed the Vehicon. Ironhide then threw the chasse of the deceased Decepticon and threw it onto the Vehicon's body, knocking it out. He rose to his feet and turned to Soundwave with his weapons drawn and ready. The two stared each other down as RWBY and JNPR battled the cassettes. Jaune and Ren fought against Ratbat and Ravage while the rest fought against Rumble, Frenzy, and Laserbeak and, unbeknownst to Ironhide the two groups of humans kept getting closer.
Neither Ironhide nor Soundwave moved. Both stood still as time seemed to slow down.
Mechanical hands twitched.
Optics narrowed.
Ironhide raised his cannons for fire but Soundwave fired a sonic blast before the Autobot weapons specialist could shoot.
Ironhide found himself on the ground with sparks jetting from his shoulder, side, and one of his arm cannons. He looked up at Soundwave who walked towards him. The Autobot soldier stood up and readied his cannons and shot Soundwave, disorienting the Decepticon communications officer long enough for Ironhide to charge him. He tackled Soundwave and they began to tumble down the hill into the parking lot near the fight between the cassettes and the ex-huntsmen.
"Submit, Autobot and relinquish the energon." Soundwave ordered.
"Funny, I thought you 'Cons already had it. Just trying to spite us now?" Ironhide quipped.
"The Energon is here. You have been carrying it." Soundwave clarified.
"You must be joking. Has Starscream's leadership run you all so deep into the ground that you're going to use us as a fuel source?" Ironhide remarked.
"You are not the source." Soundwave said.
This response confused Ironhide. The Decepticons didn't have the energon and Soundwave said that he had it. This didn't make sense. The only things he had were…
The cassettes had now cornered all of Teams RWBY and JNPR with Ravage and Ratbat pushing the group together. Ratbat then charged his weapons and zapped the group of eight. Ironhide heard this and turned to see what was happening. Horrified, the Autobot weapons specialist attempted to intervene. However, he was then shot in the back and fell to the ground. He turned his head to see the Vehicon from earlier rising to its feet with its arm reattached and formed and transformed into a cannon. Ironhide started to get up but quickly found Soundwave standing over him. He pointed his weapon and stomped on Ironhide's other cannon for good measure.
"Surrender, the energon." Soundwave ordered
"I told you… I don't have it." Ironhide replied.
"You will relinquish the energon or it will be destroyed." Soundwave repeated.
Ironhide was more confused. Why would Soundwave threaten to destroy the energon if he didn't have it. He turned his head to see what was happening.
Ruby, meanwhile, tried to get up but heard the cocking of a gun and looked up only to stare down the barrel of Rumble's gun.
"Don't move." he said.
Ironhide looked on as Soundwave's cassettes aimed their weapons at the group. Then, it clicked. They were living on top of the energon. They were the energon.
"Surrender, and relinquish the energon. I will not ask again." Soundwave said.
This was not good. For Ironhide, it was a no win situation. If he surrendered, Soundwave would take the Humans and kill them. If he refused, Soundwave would kill the Humans and him with them. Either way, the humans died.
"You have only one choice." Soundwave began.
Ironhide heard the sound of car engines. He raised his optics ahead of the road and saw a yellow and black muscle car with a white and blue car in tow.
"Surrender, Autobot." Soundwave said
However, there was one red, white, and blue truck that led the charge.
"You are alone." Soundwave finished.
Ironhide smirked and looked up at Soundwave.
"Wanna bet?" Ironhide remarked.
A truck horn blared and Soundwave turned around as Ironhide rolled out of the way just in time before the truck rammed Soundwave. The White and Blue car transformed and attacked the Vehicon head on while the yellow and black muscle car made a hard turn and transformed into his robot mode of Bumblebee who pulled out a pair of blasters and opened fire on the cassettes alongside Ironhide while the cassettes immediately dispersed. Ratbat and Laserbeak took to the sky. Ravage ran back and charged at the new arrival. Frenzy charged at Ironhide but Rumble had other ideas.
"Screw this." Rumble said as he pulled out both guns and aimed them at the group.
"Energon or no energon, I ain't gonna let the Autobots get their hands on you freaks." Rumble said.
However, before he could fire a shot, Nora charged and hit him in the chest with the head of Magnhild in its hammer form. A bolt of lightning streamed from the head of the hammer and zapped Rumble sending flying and convulsing in between his cassette and robot forms. Nora looked back at her friends who were too surprised to move. While familiar with Nora's semblance and her antics, the idea of her impulsiveness being the thing that got them out of a bind was not something they expected.
"What? Are we just going to stand around and let them have all the fun?" Nora asked.
The group was snapped out of their shock by Laserbeak and Ratbat. The ex-huntsmen readied themselves and charged back into the battle.
As the white and blue Autotrooper fought against the Vehicon, Soundwave found himself face to face with the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, himself. Now in his robot form. Optimus stood ready to fight Soundwave.
The Decepticon communications officer stood ready to fight as Prime pulled out his ion blaster and fired at Soundwave who dodged each shot and tackled Optimus only to for Optimus to rollback and kick Soundwave in the chest, turn around and shoot him twice with one shot hitting his shoulder while the other hit his shoulder cannon. Disarmed, Soundwave stared down Optimus who simply stared back.
"Stand down, Soundwave." Optimus ordered.
Soundwave remained silent and did not reply. He stared down at his visor and saw the battle between his cassettes and the combined Autobot-Human force. It wasn't going well. Rumble was down, Frenzy was pinned down by Ironhide, Ravage couldn't get close enough to the other Autobot, and the humans were holding their own with a series of glyphs appearing and disappearing around Laserbeak and Ratbat.
"This isn't over." Soundwave replied.
Soundwave, in an uncharacteristic moment of panic, charged straight for Ironhide and tackled him to the ground. He fired a shot from his rifle and grabbed a now partially conscious Rumble and opened his chest.
"Frenzy, Laserbeak, Ravage, Ratbat, return!" Soundwave ordered and the cassettes returned to their master and transformed before they entered the opening in his chest before Soundwave closed it. He then ran and shot the Autotrooper before waving the Vehicon to retreat. The Decepticons then transformed and fled the scene.
Optimus sighed in relief. With the threat now passed, RWBY and JNPR breathed a collective sigh of relief as Ironhide got back onto his feet.
Ironhide reconvened with the other Autobots.
"Thank Primus you made it in time. A few more astro-seconds and I would've been scrap and this time for good." Ironhide said.
Optimus and Bumblebee helped up the wounded Autotrooper.
"It is good to see you too, old friend. When you disappeared we feared the worst." Optimus replied.
"I would have been too had some friendly faces not intervened. Though to be fair, they assumed I was just a van." Ironhide said.
"Did you at least get the energon?" Bumblebee asked.
Ironhide grew nervous at that question and rubbed the back of his metal head. He sighed
"That's where things may get complicated." Ironhide replied.
"What do you mean?" Bumblebee asked.
"It's… better if I showed you." Ironhide answered.
Ironhide then led Optimus, and Bumblebee to a recovering RWBY and JNPR.
The two groups then looked at each other with Ruby giving a nervous wave.
"Hi" Ruby said.
"I think the energon we've been searching for was not something we could just mine out of the ground." Ironhide said.
The Autobots looked down at the ex-huntsmen who looked back up at the group. Optimus had a troubled expression in his ocean blue optics as he thought on Ironhide's words.
It seemed there was more to this than meets the eye.
A/N: With that, we conclude the second chapter of this three-part intro. Yes, you heard that right, this first arc is a trilogy and next chapter will be the moment where our heroes get a proper introduction to the Autobots as a whole and we get to see more of the aftermath of the battle in this chapter.
With that said, please don't be mad about the"redesigns". Rest assured RWBY and JNPR will have their Beacon Arc designs throughout this first season. Yes, you heard that right, first season. Consider these first three chapters something of a three-part season premiere to the Exiles series. Back to the redesigns, however, I made this decision because the main goal for them was to blend in without attracting attention (for all the good that did them against the Cons) and after the crash happened, all twenty-one passengers on the Quintesson ship are officially stranded on Earth. So that adds another problem to fix. Not only do they need allies to fight the Quintessons, but they also have to find a way to leave Earth once they have their allies.
Suffice it to say this is going to be one heck of an adventure. Be sure to keep an eye out for what's ahead, starting with Clayton.
But that's all I got for today I hope you enjoyed. Please Read and Review.
Live life to the fullest and God bless you.