Chapter 15: An Investigation's Insight.
It took some time to make a plan, but eventually, team RWBYA was all set with one and ready to go. That's once they finished with classes of course.
The next day, it was usual for classes in Beacon. Glynda's combat training, which had Aoihi getting a lighter load because he was her favorite student; Professor Oobleck's Faunus culture and history class, where he made sure that students KNEW of the Human Purity and how they and their sympathizers had a role in White Fang's rise to violence; and then there was Professor Port, who was unfortunately chatting away too much with stories that really didn't matter in his Grimm class. Ruby did draw and try to focus on more proper details, while Blake read a book, Yang snacked on a cereal bar, Weiss was trying to withstand the pressure and Aoihi was busy writing down PROPER information that his teammates needed to pass the class.
"Psst! Weiss!"
Weiss glanced over as Aoihi handed her a few papers of very good information on the Grimm.
"I know professor Port is a bit dull, so I'm giving you and the other three this to study so you all can pass."
A smile cracked between Weiss's lips as she looked at Aoihi.
"Thanks, Aoihi." She smiled, before grinning mischievously and handing him a cereal bar from her pocket. "We're going to need to have the energy for tonight, so take one."
"Thank you."
As he began to munch on the Cereal bar, Aoihi noticed Professor Port going past the end time again. He sniggered, as he gestured to Blake to cover her ears as he put on some noise canceling headphones and pulled an air horn out from his bag.
"HHHHOOOONNNNKKKK!"
"That's enough Professor Port! We're now running 2 minutes behind schedule!"
The professor blinked in surprise as he looked at the clock before gasping.
"Oh my! My apologies everyone! You all may leave now!"
Everyone in the student seats began to stand up and leave as the girls of RWBYA were stifling their laughter.
"Works every time." He soon whispered to Weiss who was covering her mouth even more now to hold back her giggles.
Back at the dorm room of the four girls of RWBYA, were busy gearing up for the night's main event. Unlike previous times, this time everyone was wearing different outfits.
Slayer, Ruby's outfit, consists of a long-sleeve, light gray shirt with black belted cuffs near the ends of the sleeves. Over top of the gray shirt is a black pinafore with two vertical lines of red stitching that resemble the lacing on a corset. She wore a red skirt with a large black print of her emblem on the side and matching black tulle underneath.
Weiss's outfit, Snowpea, had a white, double-breasted pea coat with black piping, cuffs, and buttons over a white, pleated full skirt with black lace trim. Wearing a pair of white, thigh-high boots with black heels and lace-topped black stockings.
Blake's attire, Intruder, is a white, v-neck, zip-up crop shirt with a black hem and three-quarter sleeves. Her emblem is printed in off-white on the left side of the shirt. She also wore black pants that have a vertical gray stripe on the outer side of each leg and a black belt.
As for Yang's outfit, Hunter, consisted of a deep-collared cream vest worn over a low cut black shirt; both are covered by a dark gray shrug with a raised collar, three-quarter sleeves adorned with a single black stripe down the outside of each sleeve, and gold cuffs. A black mini skirt is worn under the cream vest.
As the girls were finishing up, a knock came from the door.
"Hey! It's me, you four!" Aoihi's voice spoke from the door. "I just got done getting dressed in my dorm. Just let me know when it's okay to come in, alright?!"
"We're all dressed too, Aoihi!" Ruby called back. "It's okay to come in!"
With a sigh of relief on his end, Aoihi entered the dorm, with his present alternate outfit, Sapphire. It consisted of black brogue boots, navy blue trousers, fingerless gloves, a white dress shirt with a navy blue necktie, and a bright blue, double breasted trench coat with Azurestorm attached to its belt. To say Weiss was impressed with his style that seemed to match her's would be an understatement.
"Oh! Aoihi! You look so good in that!"
"Thanks, Weiss." Aoihi replied, as he gave a shy smile in return. His blush being prominent. "You look great as well."
Weiss smiled back at Aoihi's compliment as she also blushed in return.
"Okay!" Ruby said, getting everyone's attention. "Team RWBYA is all here now! So! Let's go over the roles we have!"
"You, Aoihi and I will to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other dust robberies or inconsistencies." Weiss began. "Seeing as I am the heiress and the member of the family, I will have no problem."
"The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members." Blake then stated. "If I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning."
"I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows EVERYTHING going on in Vale." Yang soon chimed in. "Getting information out of him shouldn't be TOO hard…"
Ruby smiled at all of this. "Sweet! We'll meet up tonight near Yang to go over what we found!" She then said as she pumped her fist. "Let's do this!"
"Yeah!"
The sudden voice from the window caught team RWBYA off guard as they all looked over at it.
"Ah! Sun!" Blake shrieked as she leaped backwards like a cat.
"How did you get up there?" Yang asked with curiosity.
Sun only grinned. "Simple! I do it all the time!"
Weiss rose an eyebrow in confusion. "Do WHAT all the time?"
"Climb trees." The monkey Faunus replied as he leapt to the floor. "So, we're finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?"
Blake shook her head. "We're investigating this as a TEAM, Sun."
"Sorry, Sun." Ruby added. "But we don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to."
Sun scoffed. "Pssht! That's stupid! Friends should ALWAYS be involved! Because you never know if you're going to need the extra help! That's why I brought Neptune."
All of Team RWBYA looked out of the window and saw Neptune standing on the ledge outside.
"Sup."
"How did you get up here?" Ruby asked as the blue haired boy replied in a cool voice.
"I have my ways." He then began to look nervously at them. "Um… can I come in now? It's pretty high up here."
The five all sighed and allowed Neptune to enter as he glanced at Weiss with the same dumb smile he had when attempting to hit on someone.
"Hmm… very chic! You look absolutely dazzling, Weiss! Maybe after this investigation we can hit it off at a restaurant or movie theater?"
Weiss scoffed in disgust. "I rather eat soap than date you, Neptune."
Neptune huffed in indignation as Aoihi held a smug smirk.
"You enjoy making him have his dreams crushed, don't you, Weiss?"
Weiss smiled and looked at Aoihi with a flirtatious smile.
"Oh, you have no idea, Aoihi." She replied with a suggestive whisper as she gently pressed her body against his and nuzzled him. "Hmm. You're so much more charming than Neptune."
Ruby, Blake, and Yang sniggered as they saw this scene.
"Okay! New plan! Neptune goes with Yang, Sun goes with Blake, and me Aoihi and Weiss stay the same!"
Neptune gritted his teeth at this.
"Nu-uh! I go with Weiss! Aoihi goes with Yang!"
Weiss shook her head.
"No, Neptune. AOIHI is the guy who's coming with me."
Neptune scowled in jealousy.
"Oh! So what?! You like the Autistic reject over me?! I think you're making a mistake here, Weiss! I'm the coolest guy around! I'm the better option for you!"
Weiss grinned smugly. "Hmm? Really now? Well, did you know Aoihi's an incredible fighter?"
"Big deal! Any HUNTSMAN in training can be one!" Neptune stated with a scoff.
"How about straight A's?" Weiss asked, holding that smug expression.
"I get them, most of the time." Neptune replied with a voice that is starting to faulter.
"How about weapons? Aoihi's got a Katana that can use dust."
"My weapon's cool!" Neptune scoffed. "It turns into a trident!"
"Which is probably the ONLY notable thing about you Neptune." Weiss stated with a sophisticated voice. "For I KNOW you don't have a motorcycle."
Neptune spluttered. "What does THAT have to do with ANYTHING?!" Weiss only grinned more deviously.
"Aoihi has GOT a motorcycle, which he DOES drive and drives pretty darn well!" Weiss stated with a hint of pride. "He's very smooth and skilled when driving it, not to mention fast, oh! And very good at giving a girl the time of her life on it with how civilized and respectful he can be. It's a complete dream to ride on the back of his motorcycle with him!"
Neptune could only stare in shock as Ruby, Blake and Yang burst into laughter.
"Easy there, Neptune!" Ruby said with a smile. "You don't want to swallow any flies, do ya?"
Aoihi and Weiss can only snigger as the boy in the blue trench coat grabbed his keys from the key rack.
"Okay! Weiss! Ruby! Let's get going! When we're done with the CCT, we'll be taking Blazing Azure to meet up with Yang in the shady side of town."
"Sweet!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Dibs on the motorcycle's back!" Weiss stated with a grin.
"Oh come on, Weiss! Don't make me sit in the sidecar, please!"
"Sorry." Weiss replied. "But I'm not giving up my seat behind Aoihi, Ruby."
Ruby sighed with disappointment.
"Ugh. Why did I even bother?"
Unfortunately for Aoihi and Weiss, the journey to the CCT was anything but peaceful. All because Ruby's complaints having of being in the sidecar afterwards sounded out their thoughts
"I am NOT having this conversation with you, Ruby! For the 300th time and FINAL time, shut your pie hole!" Aoihi said with annoyance as they walked towards Beacon tower.
Fortunately, Ruby's attitude all changed as they walked towards the tower.
"Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!"
Both Aoihi and Weiss smiled at this.
"You should definitely see the one in Atlas."
"Yeah." Aoihi chimed in to Weiss's remark. "I actually used THAT one once or twice when I had to go to Atlas to chase down Human Purity members from Vale. It was honestly pretty impressive to look at."
"I can only imagine." Ruby replied with a smile. "It was the first one built, right?"
"Correct." Weiss replied, as they all walked towards it. "After the Great War, Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System as a gift to them. So they can communicate with each other."
Ruby began to smirk mischievously.
"Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!" Seeing the unamused expression of Weiss, Ruby sniggered.
"Ugh! 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!"
"Easy, Weiss." Aoihi spoke in a kind tone of voice as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ruby was just joking about. No need to be so angry, okay?"
Weiss exhaled and calmed down, as Ruby smiled at the interaction between her teammates.
"Aww! You both look so lovely together." She remarked. "Ooh! Stay like that! I'm going to take a picture of you both AFTER I take a picture of the tower!"
Excited, Ruby eagerly pulled her scroll from her pocket. However, in that excitement, she accidentally flicked her wrist too hard and it flew out of her hand.
"Whoops!"
The scroll bounced three times, before dropping and skidding towards the foot of a certain girl with a pink bow and red hair. She picked it up and handed it to Ruby.
"Oh! Here, you dropped this."
Ruby gasped in surprise and Aoihi and Weiss widened their eyes.
"Penny?"
Penny stepped back in surprise, looking a bit nervous too.
"Oh! Uh! Sorry! I think you have me mistaken for someone else!" She let off a hiccup before running, tossing the scroll, back into Ruby's hands. This only made Ruby more worried.
"Penny! Wait! Stop!" She cried as she began to dash after Penny.
Weiss was about to chase after Ruby when Aoihi stopped her. "Weiss, focus on the task at hand. Ruby's NOT fighting Grimm. She's just trying to help a friend. So with no immediate danger to our leader, let's get done what we came here to do. Alright?"
"Okay." Weiss replied with a hesitant voice, trusting Aoihi's words and decision.
As Ruby chased Penny, she desperately called out to her. "Penny! Wait! Penny!" She slid down the railing of the nearest staircase as she tried again.
"Penny... Is everything okay?" Penny didn't reply as Ruby grabbed her by the arm to prevent her from walking any further. "Penny! Please! Stop!" She then pleaded as Penny then looked at Ruby and listened. "Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you HAVE to listen to me! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! I need you to tell me what happened to you that night! PLEASE... As a friend."
Penny looked at Ruby with a nervous glance as she sighed.
"It isn't safe to talk here." She said with a whisper, with her glancing about in suspicion making Ruby all the more worried.
Walking into the CCT, Weiss and Aoihi stepped through the lobby, passing the desk clerk who grants access to out of Beacon visitors to see Ozpin, and stepped into the elevator. The AI then spoke.
"Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?"
"We would like to go to the communications room, please." Weiss replied as the AI spoke again.
"Absolutely. Could you please place your Scrolls on the terminal to verify your identities?" Both Aoihi and Weiss did, as the AI processed the information. "Perfect! Thank you very much Ms. Schnee, Mr. Moeruhi."
As the elevator continued, Weiss practiced fake smiles, as Aoihi took notice.
"Weiss? What are you doing?"
"Trying to hold up a professional appearance." She replied with her fake confidence, which Aoihi saw through.
"I'm here with you, Weiss. You're not alone, okay?" His eyes suddenly blinked in surprise as he found his right hand against Weiss's cheek. He was about to pull it away in embarrassment before Weiss placed her hand over it with a thankful smile and gently melted against the warmth of Aoihi's palm.
"Aoihi…" She stated with her smile as she only looked at him with affection. Aoihi couldn't hold his affectionate glance back as he gently felt her scar with his thumb.
"Mm. I love it when you do that." She uttered, now feeling much better as the elevator doors opened. Stepping out, both Aoihi and Weiss saw the hologram projection of the CCT AI.
"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?"
Weiss was prompt to respond.
"We need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas."
The AI was very responsive to the request.
"Alright! Head over to terminal 3 and I'll patch you both through!"
"Okay! Thank you." The white haired girl replied as she walked towards the terminal with her hand being held by Aoihi's. They both sat down as the screen flickered on.
"Thank you for calling the Atlas- Oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon! And oh my! Is that a boyfriend?"
Both of them sighed and face palmed.
"No. Aoihi Moeruhi here ISN'T a boyfriend, but he is a teammate I am very close to."
The operator nodded in acknowledgment. "Okay. I see. Well, would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well."
Weiss held up her pleasant voice and attitude as her hand holding with Aoihi was kept hidden.
"No thank you! I was wondering if you can find some files for me. I compiled a short list."
Placing her scroll into the slot, the operator looked closely at the data she received.
"I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for?"
"School project!" Weiss replied.
"Yeah. One that I'm helping her on." Aoihi added, to make things more convincing. However the Operator was still unsure.
"Um... There are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am."
Weiss just held a smile. "Don't worry, Aoihi and I will make sure that they are handled with care."
The operator sighed in defeat. "Alright. Very well. The data is being transferred into your scroll now."
"Thank you." Weiss replied with a smile. However, what the operator asked next caused her to frown.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?"
Weiss froze and stammered for a moment as Aoihi was quick to notice and reply promptly.
"I think it'll be better that she doesn't speak to him right now." He stated with a stern voice. "She's under a lot of pressure from this project of ours and I don't think he adding more to that pressure will help."
The operator stared for a moment before blinking.
"Are you certain you're not Ms. Schnee's boyfriend?"
"Just a good friend." Aoihi replied as the operator nodded and ended the call.
"Aoihi…" Weiss uttered in disbelief as she looked at the boy in disbelief. She didn't expect him to catch on that quickly and stick his neck out for her.
Back with Ruby and Penny, the two were walking with one another, talking.
"I wish I could help you, Ruby," Penny stated to the girl with the red hood. "But, I don't know anything about those men."
Ruby wasn't at all deterred from this.
"Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?"
Penny shook her head. "I wasn't. Not at all."
"Then where DID you go?"
Penny sighed. "I never been to another kingdom before. My father asked me not to venture out too far. You must understand, my father loves me very much. He worries a lot."
Ruby gave her a sympathetic smile. "Trust me, Penny. I understand completely. My father is very much the same." This made Penny smile some. "But if the case, why didn't you say anything?"
Penny frowned. "I was asked not to talk to anyone."
Ruby now was concerned. "Was your father that upset?"
Penny sighed again. "No. It wasn't my father, it was…"
Before she could continue, a presentation of the new Atlesian Knight-200 was being shown to the public as well as additional new advancements made by Atlas for defense and protection was being shown. As Ruby stood in a Weapon nerd stupor, Penny noticed two armed Atlesian soldiers who saw her.
"There she is!"
She darted off, Ruby soon breaking from her stupor and following her. The chase went on for several minutes until Ruby grabbed Penny and attempted to use her Semblance to help her friend make a quick getaway. However, Ruby fell into the street right as a truck from the Dust till Dawn shop was coming towards them. Without hesitation, Penny stood up and held her hand in front of her, and stopped the truck with a clang and crunch.
"Phew! Sir! Are you okay?"
The shopkeeper of many talents nodded in thanks, grateful that he didn't hit Ruby. However upon seeing the Atlas soldiers again, Penny darted into an alley as Ruby dashed after her.
"Penny! Wait!"
Penny soon came to a stop in the alleyway.
"Penny, what is wrong? Why are you running? How did you stop that truck?"
Penny got nervous as she began to hiccup again. "I-I'm fine. N-nothing's wrong."
Ruby was not going to accept that answer.
"Penny, please, let me help."
Penny flinched. "No! No! You won't understand!"
"Then let me try! You CAN trust me!"
This got Penny to freeze and look at Ruby straight in the eye.
"You're my friend, right? You promise you're truly my friend?"
Ruby was only more firm and confident in her answer.
"I swear that I am, Penny. I promise you."
With an exhale, Penny looked at Ruby, putting all of her trust into her friend.
"Ruby, I'm not a real girl."
As she then showed her palms, the skin that was once in Penny's hands were now gone and revealing a metallic section underneath. It was then that Ruby realized what Penny meant.
"Oh."
She was an android.