A few weeks went by and the Vytal festival was starting to be set up. Weiss insisted we go out and see the beginning of the festival. I agreed citing the fact we should get to know our opponents. Something felt… almost monumental about the day and I just couldn't pin it down. It seemed like just a regular day but a gut feeling told me something important happened today. I shrugged off the feeling as we landed in Vale.

We wandered the city for a while, had some lunch, and started looking at some of the shops. As we turned the corner we noticed a crime scene with a few cops chatting. The feeling of déjà vu returned, "Excuse me officer, what happened?"

The cop shrugged, "Another dust shop robbery." He was clearly not interested in saying any more and turned to leave our group on the other side of the police tape.

His officer buddy shouted something from inside the shop, "They left the money again! Who could possibly use this much dust?"

The first cop shrugged, "An army?"

The second cop looked contemplative, "I suppose so. It's probably the White Fang."

As the officers walked out of earshot I heard Weiss starting to complain about faunus terrorist groups and that was when the significance of today came crashing around me. My eyes fearfully widened. I couldn't just let these events repeat exactly as they did.

Blake immediately turned on Weiss, "What are you suggesting exactly?" Blake growled out.

"Well, clearly those filthy faunus terrorists are planning something big. I can only imagine what a group of animals needs that much dust for."

Blake was literally growling at this point, her anger boiling up, "Stop being such an ignorant little girl." She shot back. It looked like she was planning to punch Weiss but suddenly we all heard a noise and yelling at the dock behind us. We turned and saw Sun running from the ship he'd stowed away on.

I involuntary let out a small smile. I hadn't seen him in 12 years. He'd died pretty early on and I knew Blake was good friends with him.

I tuned out of my thoughts in time to see him run past us and found Weiss grabbing my hand. She really wanted to run after him to 'check on the competition.' We ran and soon found Weiss on the ground in front of me, Blake and Yang were breathing heavily behind me. There, lying on the ground, was Penny. Penny who was both a good friend and a ferocious enemy. Poor, adorable, naive, sweet Penny.

"Dang it, he got away." Weiss grumbled. I rolled my eyes and pointed at the girl she landed on.

Weiss' eyes turned to saucers as she scrambled to get off the poor girl, "I sincerely apologize for running you over. We were following a rapscallion who was evading the police. Did you by chance see where that filthy monkey tailed boy went?"

Blake's eyes narrowed again and her fist clenched so I intervened, "Hi, I'm Ruby. Would you like to get up?"

Penny giggled and then looked thoughtful, "Yes." She then got off the ground, "Salutations. I'm Penny. It is a pleasure to meet you."

We all introduced ourselves to Penny and she told us she was here for the tournament. Explanations didn't get much further than that but she was certainly excited about it all. I made sure to tell Penny I would love to be friends, and then we proceeded home as it was getting dark.

We got home just in time for the fireworks. I wish I meant real fireworks but… not quite.

"I just don't understand why you are so upset about my opinion on a group of degenerate terrorists. They are good for nothing trouble makers!" came Weiss's anger.

"What I don't understand is how you can generalize an entire group of people! Its ignorant and frankly, I thought you were smarter than that." Blake threw back at Weiss who looked scandalized.

"Well, maybe if they didn't go around killing people I wouldn't have reason to think they were just animals!" Weiss yelled back. I was sitting there waiting for the moment. I had a different plan than last time. It would certainly make everything a bit easier.

Blake screamed out, "Well maybe if there we less people like Cardin…" her glare intensified, "Maybe if there were less people like you, we wouldn't have resorted to that!" Blake stopped and realized what she'd said. That was my cue. Blake started to run.

After she'd left the room, I turned to Weiss and Yang, "I'm going to follow her and make sure she's okay." I looked directly at Weiss, "You are going to think about whether or not you would want to be judged based on the actions of others. Then consider if what you're saying is true or really just kinda racist." Weiss looked angrily at me and I smiled sadly. I activated my semblance and chased after Blake.

I caught up to Blake near the fountain. She was breathing heavily and looked like she wanted to cry. Her bow had been discarded. "Hey Blake…"

Blake snapped around, "Damnit Ruby, you shouldn't have followed me."

I smiled back, "Why not? As your team leader I have to make sure you are okay."

"Oh? Yeah, I'm sure you are checking on the dirty terrorist faunus." She spat back.

I shook my head and pulled Blake into a hug. She stiffened at the contact. I knew even in the future she rarely has physical contact with people she's not close to. I just really didn't care at the moment, "You know Blake, I don't think you're a terrorist. I think your ears are kinda cute. You're my teammate and thats all that matters."

"But… I was part of the White Fang," she brokenly whispered.

I nodded, "Yep, you were. Did you notice thats a past tense statement? I know I don't read as much as you do, and I'm not as academic as Weiss, but, I do know when something is in the past." I replied cheekily.

Blake sniffled a little, "Thanks for coming for me, but I don't think I can go back to the dorm."

"Okay. Let's go get dinner. I hear theres a place set up for the festival that has some killer fish." I smiled brightly.

Blake stopped and glared at me, "Is that a cat joke?"

I giggled, "Not quite, I mean yes, but I also know you like fish. Its kind of hard to miss how often you order it."

Once we arrived at the restaurant I could tell Blake was having a lot of conflicting thoughts, "What, cat got your tongue?" The gaze she gave me screamed, 'shut up,' so I apologized, "sorry… I grew up with Yang."

Blake shook her head, "You know, I saw Yang's face when she found out. She looked surprised and then a little hurt. Weiss looked down right angry. You… you looked relieved."

I nervously chuckled, "Well thats a strange way to interpret my confused face." First Pyrrha and now Blake. Maybe I really should have left when I first suggested it.

Blake brought a piercing gaze on me, "You were very clearly relieved. Why? All day you were tense. The tension didn't leave until I said I was a faunus. For Yang and Weiss, they got tense when they heard those words. But, from what I saw, you looked like you could finally relax."

Well,… what's one more tiny itty bitty, minute, silly little white lie… right? "I knew." I finally said, "I saw your bow twitch our first week of school. It wasn't that hard to guess. I didn't know you were part of the White Fang though."

Blake looked surprised, "So… you were relieved it was finally out in the open?" She looked semi skeptical about it but I could tell she was believing me.

I nodded enthusiastically and then words poured out of my mouth so fast, I wasn't even entirely sure what I was saying, "Yeah. I mean the entire day was just Weiss complaining about faunus. I knew you were one and that upset me. I wasn't just going to tell everyone you were a faunus though cause that's your secret to keep. And I'm rambling…" I stopped myself took a large breath of air. Well,… I think she's buying it.

Blake seemed relieved herself by my response and nodded. She proceeded to tell me all about her life as a White Fang member and how it changed over time. It was one of those moments that felt like I'd been here before but I figured I'd let Blake get it off her mind.

After she finally got it all off her chest we began walking around Vale. I could tell she wasn't ready to go back just yet. As we turned a corner a form dropped right before our eyes. I reached for my weapon and then visibly relaxed as I realized it was Sun.

Sun smiled, "Hey ladies. You know I was wondering when I'd get to see you again gorgeous." He winked at Blake. I rolled my eyes at his pathetic attempt but figured it probably had gone a little like this last time.

Blake looked incredulously at him, "Should I know you?"

"Well, I am the dashing, amazing, fantastic, Sun Wukong. It is truly a pleasure to meet you." He dropped from the light post he was hanging on and offered his hand to her, "I certainly am honored to meet such a gorgeous faunus such as yourself."

Blake looked surprised seeing as her bow was firmly in place, "What?"

"Oh come on now, your ears twitch your bow. It's not that hard to figure out." He said looking disbelieving that she thought that would work.

I pumped my fist in the air, "Ha! See! I told you it was easy to catch."

Blake turned her glower to me, "Yet, you two seem to be the only ones who noticed."

Sun shrugged, "Guess we're both just super preceptive"

I whispered to Sun, "I think you mean perceptive."

"Right, we're super perceptive." He nodded happily, "Annnd now to segue, I also happened to overhear that someone on the docks is planning to steal a bunch of dust. I've been curious and wanted to check it out. Wanna help?"

I looked at Blake, "It could be the White Fang. I mean… they have been stealing from dust shops."

Blake looked lost in thought and began talking to herself allowed, "Well, the White Fang have never needed that much dust before. It doesn't seem like they would do that. I… I would like to see why they have been doing this stuff lately."

I nodded, "Well, they never did catch that Torchwick guy that I stopped before school started." To be fair, I did catch him and then I locked him up. Then he escaped. Then I killed him. It was a great game of cat and mouse… he just always assumed he was the cat. Poor guy.

Blake's features took on a new determination and I figured we were going to go stop the White Fang.

Blake looked to Sun, "Lead the way then."

Sun smiled and took off in the direction of the docks. As we got closer, we slowed down and began to sneak forward. That was when I caught my first look at Torchwick since I returned to this time.

"Oh come on, move it you animals! We have to get these shipments ready to go and out of here." Torchwick took a swing at a faunus that near him, "I don't know why I thought you idiots would be useful."

Blake clenched her fist, "This isn't right." She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, "They would never work for a human. Especially not a human like him." She gestured at Torchwick with disgust dripping in her every word.

I nodded, "That's Torchwick."

I barely had his name out of my mouth as Blake blazed forward and removed her bow, "Brothers of the White Fang, we need to stop helping someone like him. I do not know what he's promised you but he represents everything we are against. Please reconsider and help fight for our rights instead of working for a suppressor."

Torchwick started to slow clap, "Bravo! Really that was amazing! I have never heard a more heartfelt speech in my life!" He grinned and laughed, "Really though, get her." He ordered his men menacingly. The other faunus obeyed immediately and started to charge forward.

Sun immediately became worried and charged out of hiding to help. I, however, knew I had a very big fish to fry. I quietly snuck around the side of the building towards Torchwick. He was starting to get frustrated, "Oh come on you idiots! There's only two of them!"

I chose that moment to speed forward and attack. Crescent Rose unfolded as I moved forward. He saw me at the last minute and was able to bring his cane up just enough to take most of the brunt.

"Well, hello Red. I have missed seeing your face but I was not planning for you to be here today." He swung his cane back and started attacking.

I fought back quickly. My plan was to kill him here and now. No reason to pass up this opportunity. He was clearly starting to get concerned as my hits were striking him more often than not. He looked to be getting tired. "It's been nice seeing you again Red. I hope you keep in touch." He then threw a dust capsule that caused smoke.

I growled and leapt after him as he headed for the airship. Neo started shooting out of it and I got a glance of Cinder sitting in the pilot seat. I saw red.

Before I knew it I was damaging the helicopter and Blake was trying to get me under control, "Stop it Ruby. If you bring that down it could set off the dust on the ground and blow everything!"

"I don't care!" I shouted back, "I need to stop them." Blake held on tighter and her age gave her the physical strength to stop me even as I was trying to get out of her grip. I finally felt the wave of anger pass and my mental faculties returned. Even if I stop them all right now… I have no idea where Salem is. The sobering thought made me stop fighting. I just slumped to the ground as Torchwick, Neo, and Cinder escaped.

After Blake and Weiss made up and Team RWBY was back together, we headed back to Beacon for some well deserved sleep. As we approached the corridor to the dorm I heard a voice behind me, "Miss Rose, may I speak to you. I'd like to debrief you on what yourself and Miss Belladonna did this evening."

I sighed, "Very well headmaster. Please tell me this won't take long because I'm tired."

Weiss' eyes went wide and she glared at me, "Ruby, please try to have a modicum of manners. He is the headmaster. Treat him with respect."

I mumbled an apology to Weiss and Ozpin and then followed them out of earshot, "This cannot possibly be about what happened today."

Ozpin smiled, "Well partially. I couldn't just say I needed to speak to you about secret intelligence involving the fate of Remnant now could I?" With how tired I was, his attempt at a joke just grated on my nerves.

I rolled my eyes and we walked in silence towards his heavily protected Vault. After entering and closing the door I looked expectantly at him, "First of all Miss Rose, does anyone suspect so far?"

I shook my head, "I have had an issue with Pyrrha getting a little suspicious. I have also had a small flub with Blake but both of those have been handled. I'm not concerned."

"Very well, in that case, I heard reports that you had to be restrained from trying to explode the helicopter that took Mr. Torchwick away. Do you have any information to add to that?"

I swallowed hard, "I… saw who was on the helicopter and saw red. One of the leaders of the war was on it and all I could think of was killing her right then and there. If Blake hadn't stopped me," I took a deep breath, "I might have blown up the entire dock in the process."

Ozpin nodded, "I received an encrypted message from your Uncle Crow earlier. It said 'the Queen has Pawns.' I'm assuming you know what that means better than I do."

I nodded, "Salem is the Queen, which I believe you were already aware of." Ozpin murmured his confirmation and I continued, "She has more than pawns though. She has Knights, Rooks, Bishops, the whole nine yards. Her right hand is named Cinder Fall. She's the most dangerous person working for Salem."

"Do you know her next move?" Ozpin asked looking concerned about Cinder's recent proximity to his students.

I laughed, "Oh yeah, I know where she'll be very soon. You have to leave her to me though." I paused and considered my next suggestion, "You should also get Pyrrha on board with the Fall Maiden before the tournament."

He looked concerned, "How did you… fine will she accept?"

"Pyrrha is one of the most honorable people I have ever met. She has a heart of gold and just wants to help. If you tell her that sitting in that machine will help, then she'll do it. Just make sure you do it quickly and don't allow her to compete in the tournament with that power. Have her do the teams, then transfer the power. Then, have Nora and Ren or Jaune go to the doubles match." I explained hoping he wouldn't blow off the suggestion. He eventually nodded his acceptance of my suggestion and then excused me for the night.

It was going to feel like forever leading up to the tournament but, at least I knew I had a chance to stop the disaster.

Author's Note: So here is the promised weekend post. I've been having one hell of a week so I've been slower than usual. That being said, it is the weekend. I have been awake for about an our or two and have written most of chapter 5. So I should have a few more chapters written this weekend and I'll decide if I should post them sooner or later.

On a side note, I have been writing some of these chapters at work when we have down time. When that happens I don't have access to what I've already written. So, if you see an inconsistency or something, please let me know. Feel free to review or PM me. As always, enjoy.