Woohoo A chapter I did not have to rerelease. Honestly was still polishing this one so yeah wanted to make sure it was what I wanted before I release it. SO to a review I got... from Nightslayer004. I do not know what Justice you speak of if you are Talking about Raven then I guess that'll be kinda different in the chapters to come. Now if You mean with either Pyrrha or Summer I have no idea what you mean. I already have the plan for Pyrrha for Volume 3 and forward as well as the rest so I don't really know what you are referring too, But I shall endeavor to try and do the thing your thinking of. Yeah so Volume 2 not getting as much traction as I would Expect. Mostly because I kinda just posted all the chapters in one go but going forward it will be back to whenever I Finish the chapter. So enough bout me writing ONTO THE CHAPTER.
Disclaimer* I do not own either RWBY or Naruto. RWBY Belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum and Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Please Support the Official release
"Talk"
'Thought'
"Comms"
The Sun and the Moon
Chapter 17: By Stroke of Midnight
"I see you're hiding at the punch bowl too." Jaune says approaching Ruby who was standing by the punch bowl as the dance continues on.
"Yep." Ruby replied with audible pop.
"To the socially awkward." Jaune said causing Ruby to giggle and they clink glasses.
"Sorry things didn't work out with Weiss." Ruby said looking to the blond.
"Meh, it's fine. Neptune's pretty "cool". I get why she went with him." Jaune said gaining Ruby's attention.
Ruby looked at him with a confused expression and asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well, come on, not many people can pull off blue hair." Jaune answered as he took a drink of his punch.
"No, I mean, Weiss came to the dance alone." Ruby said causing Jaune to choke in surprise.
Jaune then turned to Ruby. "Uh, what?"
"Yeah, she said that she had too much to focus on to worry about boys." Ruby said as the pair look at Weiss trying desperately to coax life out of a wilting white rose.
Laughter draws Weiss' attention to Sun, Blake, and Neptune as the latter entertains the others with some impressions and other silly faces. Jaune, shown to be observing as well, becomes visibly perturbed.
Jaune let's out a low growl. "Hold my punch."
Jaune hands Ruby his glass and no sooner than he vanishes from sight does she choose to drink from his cup. As Jaune makes his way across the room, shoving other students aside, he stops short and watches as Pyrrha Nikos passes by. He watches her walk glumly up the stairs for a moment before shaking his head until he also watches Robin walking the opposite direction toward the dorms he sighs then proceeds to follow the brunette.
Robin sighed sadly as she walk through the halls of Beacon. Her footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the dance downstairs. Jaune quickened his pace to catch up with Robin, calling out her name softly. She turned around, surprise flickering in her eyes when she saw Jaune approaching.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jaune asked, concern evident in his voice.
Robin managed a weak smile, attempting to mask her sadness. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just needed a breather from the dance, you know?"
Jaune looked at her knowing she was lying, but for the life of him did not know why. Jaune hesitated for a moment, not wanting to press Robin if she wasn't ready to talk. But her sadness was evident, and he couldn't just let her be. He took a step closer and gently said, "Robin, you don't have to pretend with me. If something's bothering you, I'm here to listen."
Robin's eyes met his, and the façade she had put up began to crumble. She sighed, letting her shoulders sag, and confessed, "It's just that I thought this dance would be different. I thought I'd have someone to share it with, but..."
"But it didn't turn out the way you hoped," Jaune finished her sentence, his voice filled with empathy.
"I don't know why I even came." Robin said starting to breakdown a bit. "I didn't bring a date and the one guy I wanted to bring me to the dance, wanted to take someone else."
"What who is this guy, I'm gonna show him and Neptune what I think about them." Jaune said in annoyance then turned to Robin. "Please tell me it was Neptune cause it would be so much better!"
Robin then turned to Jaune suddenly grabbing surprising him as she brought him into a kiss, but he quickly responded, his initial shock giving way to a mixture of surprise and warmth. Their lips met, and for a brief moment, the world around them seemed to fade into the background. It was a kiss filled with raw emotion, a shared understanding of disappointment and the desire for comfort.
As they pulled away, their eyes met, and Robin's gaze was filled with a mixture of emotions – relief, vulnerability, and something more. "It was you, you big dummy."
Realization dawned on Jaune's face, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wait, me?" he stammered, still processing Robin's words.
She nodded, a small, wistful smile on her lips. "Yes, Jaune. I wanted to come to the dance with you. I've liked you for a while now, but I never had the courage to say anything."
A mix of emotions flooded Jaune's expression – astonishment, disbelief, and then a dawning sense of understanding. "I... I had no idea," he admitted, feeling a pang of regret for not noticing Robin's feelings earlier.
"Of course you didn't you dumb lovable farm-boy!"
The night air was cool as Pyrrha found solace on the balcony, leaning against the wrought-iron railing that overlooked the city below. The soft glow of the moon illuminated her features, and a gentle breeze tousled her hair.
A familiar voice interrupted her quiet moment as Naruto comes to a stop. "Hey, Pyrrha."
Turning around, Pyrrha faced Naruto, a small smile playing on her lips. "Hello, Naruto."
Naruto closed the distance, his footsteps echoing against the balcony's surface. "You okay? I haven't seen you tonight."
Pyrrha sighed, turning her gaze back to the sprawling city lights below. "Arrived late, I'm afraid."
"Well, you look really nice." Naruto said with a small smile as Pyrrha blushed subtly, raising her hand near her mouth in a modest gesture.
"Thank you." Pyrrha said allowing her hand to fall back to her side.
"Your, uh, date isn't going to beat me up for saying that, is he?" Naruto joked as he looked around.
"I think you're safe for tonight." Pyrrha said smiling but gave a sad expression
"So, where is the guy?"
Pyrrha then turns back toward Naruto as her head sinks in melancholy. "There is no guy."
"What?" Naruto asked slightly surprised.
Pyrrha then shakes her head glumly. "Nobody asked me."
"But that's..." Naruto began before knowing what to say. "Why did nobody ask you? And how come you didn't come to me?"
"Naruto..." Pyrrha said as she turns back to the balcony. "You know this ... I've been blessed with incredible talents and opportunities. I'm constantly surrounded by love and praise, but when you're placed on a pedestal like that for so long, you become separated from the people that put you there in the first place. Everyone assumes I'm too good for them. That I'm on a level they simply can't attain. It's become impossible to form any sort of meaningful relationship with people. That's what I like about you. When we met, you didn't even know my name. You treated me just like anyone else. And thanks to you, I've made friendships that will last a lifetime. I guess, you're the kind of guy I wish I was here with. Someone who just saw me for me."
Pyrrha looks at Naruto and then walks away while Naruto simply stares in astonishment.
"W-Wai-! Pyrrha!" Naruto said as he watches as Pyrrha turns a corner. Then Neptune has appeared on the balcony, gesturing toward Naruto.
"Hey, uh, Naruto, right?"
"Yeah." Naruto answered with a sigh.
"This party's pretty lame, huh? I mean, ballroom dancing. Pfft." Neptune said coolly trying to keep the conversation alive
"Yeah." Naruto said as he looks back out over the balcony.
Neptune then gestures back to the dance. "Cute girls, though, huh?"
"Is that all you think about?" A voice growls out the pair turn to see Jaune as he strolls to Neptune, gesturing.
Neptune then raised his palms to waist level. "Huh?"
"Do you even care about the girls you're hitting on? How they feel about you?" Jaune said as Naruto picked up on that Jaune was not only talking to Neptune, but to himself as well. Naruto looked over and saw Robin standing there watching everything as locked eye's with Naruto she mouthed 'let him vent' which he understood immediately.
"Whoa!" Neptune said throwing his palms up. "Where's this coming from?"
"How could you just turn her down like that?" Jaune asked opening his arms wide.
"Wait, h-who?" Neptune asked slightly fearful.
"Weiss!" Jaune answered narrowing his eyes.
"I, uh... it, uh... it just didn't work out, you know?" Neptune stammered out.
"What? You think that you're too cool, too many other options? Weiss Schnee asked you to the dance. What in the world could possibly keep you from go-" Jaune began with Naruto wondering the same question before Neptune interrupted Jaune.
"I can't dance!" Neptune answered looking shamefully at the ground.
"Beg your pardon?" Naruto piped in slightly surprised.
"I can't dance, man!" Neptune repeated with embarrassment.
"But... you're so cool!" Jaune chimed gain with Neptune gaining a smug look.
"Thank you. I try really, really hard."
"You would rather break a girl's heart and go to a dance alone than just admit to everyone that you can't move in rhythm to music?" Robin said coming up to the three standing next Jaune wrapping her arms around Jaune catching Naruto by surprise.
"That about sums it up, yeah." Neptune said not noticing where Robin was.
Jaune then turns back to the balcony. "Well, I certainly feel a lot better about myself."
Neptune raises his palms. "Please don't tell anybody. Look, if you want Weiss, she's all yours. I don't wanna get in your way."
Jaune turns back towards Neptune as he places his palms on the stone banister. "Do you like her?"
"Yeah, I mean I don't know her too well yet, but she seems pretty cool."
"Then just go talk to her. No pickup lines, no suave moves, just be yourself. I've heard that's the way to go." Jaune said as he crosses his arms with Robin giving a small giggle.
"Yeah, but then-"
"Hey! You don't have to look cool all the time. In all honesty, if you could be a little less cool, I'd really appreciate it." Jaune said looking back to Neptune as he considers Jaune's advice.
"Yeah, okay." Neptune said with a nod.
"Go talk to her. I guarantee it'll make her night."
"Thanks. You're a really cool guy, Jaune." Neptune said approaches Jaune, holding his fist out for a bump.
"Alright, don't lie to my face." Jaune said as the two of them bump fists and Neptune walks away.
"All right, only one thing left to do." Jaune said with a sigh confusing both Naruto and Robin.
"Uh, what would that be?" Naruto asked looking at Jaune as he chuckles.
"A Promise I made to someone I intend to keep." Jaune answers as he kisses Robin on the cheek. "I'll catch up with you on the dance floor."
"Alright just don't take too long." Robin said as Jaune ran off she turned to Naruto who gave her a knowing look. "What?"
"So.. You and Jaune since when?" Naruto asked with a mischievous smile.
"Oh knock it off you..." Robin said with a swat of Naruto's arm as she walks away.
Naruto then leans on the balcony deep in thought. 'I guess I am also gonna have to do something for Weiss and Pyrrha'
As his thoughts continue he leaves to rejoin the dance.
Yang Xiao Long leans on a handrail and overlooking the festivities from a second tier as Ruby approaches and leans on the rail.
"You know? I think we really needed this." Yang said as she looks down to see that Blake and Naruto are slow dancing while Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie appear to be Waltzing. Penny Polendina is shown to be dancing alone, guarded by two Atlas Soldiers.
"Yeah, and you did a great job planning it too!" Ruby said turning to her sister.
"Aw, thanks!" Yang said reaching over to Ruby crushing her in a one-arm hug as she flails frantically. "It wasn't all me, though. Weiss did a lot too."
Ruby stops struggling and looks down at Weiss. Neptune approaches and rubs his neck nervously. Weiss invites him to sit with her.
"Tomorrow it's back to work." Yang said with a chuff.
"I'm sure we can handle whatever gets thrown at us." Ruby said as a sudden fits of laughter and giggles draw their attention below. "Ex-cept for that."
A figure pushes past some students to Pyrrha and Robin who turns around to see...
"Jaune?" Pyrrha said while Robin is slightly taken aback as Jaune appears to now be wearing a white dress with a blue ribbon.
"Eh, a promise is a promise." Jaune said awkwardly.
Robin began smiling... then giggling... then laughing aloud. "Jaune! You didn't have to!"
"Yes, you definitely did not need to!" Pyrrha cried out laughing as hard as Robin
"Hey, an Arc never goes back on his word." Jaune said extending his hand to Robin. "Now do you wanna stand there and laugh at me, or do you wanna dance?."
Robin offers her own hand. "I would love to dance."
Jaune pulls her to him but, before he could sweep her away Pyrrha grabs his hand. "Robin, do mind if I steal your first dance."
Robin looks concerned for a sec, but then smiles. "Have at it Pyr."
Nora then flails excitedly. "Ren. This... is... happening!"
Ren then looks around. "Wait, what "is happening"?"
Nora grabs Ren and drags him out onto the dance floor with Pyrrha and Jaune. JNPR performs a short but elaborately choreographed dance, culminating in Jaune spinning Pyrrha.
"I had no idea you were a dancer." Pyrrha said as the group continued to dance.
"Yeah, well, these things tend to happen when you grow up with seven sisters." Jaune said as he dips Pyrrha and then spins her away.
"Mind if I cut in?" Robin asked with a smile.
"Not at all, he is all yours." Pyrrha said placing Robin's hand into Jaune as he pulls her close.
"Sorry for the wait again." Jaune said softly as he gazes into Robin's eye.
"Well your making it up to me now aren't you?" Robin said as the two began to dance
Neptune and Weiss watches the dancers dance from the seats of their chairs as Weiss looks to Neptune.
"So, what made you change your mind?" Weiss asked curiously.
"Huh?"
"You said you were embarrassed at first. What made you come talk to me?" Weiss asked continuing to look at Neptune.
"You're looking at him." Neptune said as they watch Jaune dancing with Pyrrha. "You got some good friends looking out for ya."
Then suddenly Naruto came out and held his hand to Weiss. "Weiss would you honor me with this dance"
"But what about Blake?" Weiss asked looking at Naruto.
"Sun was her third dance and I didn't feel like dancing alone, so how bout it." Naruto said with a smile as Weiss blushes hard as she took Naruto's hand.
"Alright" Weiss answered as Naruto guided to her to the dance floor as Jaune, Robin and Pyrrha continue to dance. Ren and Nora do a kind of disco dance, Sun and Blake join the mix and Penny and an Atlas guard are showing doing the "robot". Nathan and Yang dancing close to one another with content smile on their faces as Lightning is seen dancing with a tall, well-built man with spiky black hair, and the iconic sky-blue eyes wearing a Atlas Military Uniform similar to Nathan's and Sakura and Sasuke just dancing close to one another.
Mercury and Emerald are observing the students from the next tier as Emerald puts a hand to her ear.
"It appears all the dancers have partners."
"How long do I have?" Cinder asked her voice coming from the earbud
"You should probably be home by midnight, to be safe." Mercury said with a slight chuckle.
Cinder Fall is shown to be somewhere outside, holding her fingers to her ear. "I'll keep my eye on the clock."
"Cinder be carful, if you need help..." Menma began standing next to her in His Coat.
"Fret naught Dearest Menma, I'll call you when I need you." Cinder said as she takes off leaving Menma behind who just sighes.
"What is the point of me being here then if I am not gonna help you?" Menma asked himself before noticing Ruby, having made her way to the exit, walks out of the dance and into the night air. She watches a figure running along the rooftops and then moves to pursue. "Great another thing I will need to deal with."
Outside the Cross Continental Transmit System Tower, Cinder stealthily approaches an armed guard. She knife-hands the back of his head, rendering him unconscious with a stunned grin on his face. She drags him behind some bushes.
Inside the building, Cinder approaches more guards.
"Excuse me, no one's allowed in this area." The Soldier said as Cinder continues to approach. "Stop!"
The soldier opens fire when Cinder does not heed him. She charges in and manages to overpower him, punching the soldier then grabbing his arm. Cinder kicks another soldier and uses the first one's gun to take him out. She then kicks the soldier's knee and throws him against a handrail. Two more soldiers rush her wielding batons. Cinder flash-forges a pair of black blades from fire Dust and slashes at both of them. Batting the first aside she advances on the second and strikes him before sweeping both legs. The first soldier recovers but she blocks each swing with her blades. After blocking a kick she elbows then shoves him to the floor. As he tries to get back up she flips over to kick him in the head, checking for more guards before moving on.
"Hey, man, do you know the Wi-Fi password?" A Atlas soldier asks as the Two guards are shown to be on an elevator.
"It's Beacon, but replace the E with a 3 and add a pound symbol to the end." The other Soldier answers as the elevator door opens to show Cinder waiting. One of the guards notices the fallen men outside. Both guards grow apprehensive as Cinder casually walks onto the elevator, the doors closing as she turns around. Thrashing sounds can be heard from outside the elevator.
Outside the building, Ruby approaches and sees the unconscious guard. She gasps and pulls out her Scroll, dialing for her weapon locker which crashes into the courtyard and opens to reveal Crescent Rose.
Inside the building, the elevator doors open to show Cinder examining a Scroll. With the two guards inside the elevator are knocked out.
"Oh! That's handy." Cinder said as she pockets the Scroll and walks out of the elevator and toward the control consoles nearby.
"A party guest is leaving." Emerald said over the comms.
"Which one?" Cinder asked with a sigh.
"Ironwood."
"I guess the general's had enough fun for one night." Mercury chimed in with a quip.
Random code appearing on a computer screen is shown to change into a Queen chess piece.
"Should we intervene?" Mercury asked as the other monitors in the room light up.
"No... we're done here." Cinder said as she starts to walk away, she notices the elevator doors opening. Ruby steps out of the elevator slowly, brandishing her weapon.
"Hello?" Ruby called out as she stumbles due to her high-heeled shoes. "Is anyone there? Hello?"
Cinder smirks confidently then rises from her hiding place and steps out toward Ruby.
"Excuse me? You know, it's not a masquerade party, so why don't you take off that-!" Ruby said as Cinder produces a container of dust from her belt expelling a cloud that glows. Condensing into glass shards that go flying at Ruby. A battle ensues as she defends herself then opens fire. Cinder blocks each shot with her hand as parts of the outfit glow. She once again summons a pair of blades, Ruby launches herself forward but Cinder dodges. Her eyes and outfit glowing again as she combines the blades into a bow and fires three arrows. Ruby stumbles back from the resulting explosion and they stare each other down. Cinder then proceeds to fire another barrage of arrows as Ruby tried to dodge but tripped her self closing her eyes as suddenly the three arrows were destroyed as Naruto suddenly appears keyblade in hand.
"Ruby... You ok?" Naruto asked keeping his eye's on Cinder who narrows then silently seething.
"Yeah I'm ok." Ruby said as she attempts to get up.
"Stay down Ruby, call for back up... I got this." Naruto said taking a combat stance as he faces Cinder. The atmosphere is tense as they size each other up.
Cinder smirks, confident in her abilities. "You think you can stop me, little hero? How amusing."
Naruto remains calm, his keyblade at the ready. "I don't know who you are or what you're after, but I won't let you harm anyone."
Without further words, Cinder lunges at Naruto, utilizing her fiery semblance to enhance her attacks. Naruto, however, swiftly dodges her strikes and counters with his keyblade, creating shockwaves that keep Cinder at bay.
As the battle intensifies, Ruby watches from the sidelines, still recovering from the earlier attack. She pulls out her scroll to call for backup, hoping that help arrives soon.
Naruto and Cinder continue exchanging blows, the clash of their weapons echoing through the corridor. Cinder's attacks become more aggressive, and she utilizes her maiden powers to unleash powerful fire attacks. Naruto responds with his skills and the magical abilities of his keyblade.
Cinder then gets backed into a corner as Naruto goes for the knock out blow when he dodges a thrust from Menma with his keyblade held high.
"Queen, I told you to call me if you needed help.." Menma said with a slight growl in his voice.
"I said It was under control." Cinder said as she got up as she prepared to join in the fight again But their fight is interrupted by the appearance of Ironwood on the nearby elevator. Ruby is visibly glad to see him until she notices that Cinder and Menma has disappeared on the the dark spiral of a portal left behind as Naruto dismissed his keyblade and proceeded to help Ruby up.
In a hallway, Cinder discards two bracelets and her mask to change from her stealth suit into a black dress and enters the dance as Menma follows in Suit. Two guards following her crush the bracelets underfoot and are visibly confused at the sight of the crowded dance hall. The screen pans over various people including Neptune dancing and having a good time as they walk back out.
Emerald and Mercury are still dancing together as Cinder taps Emerald's shoulder.
"Oh, may I cut in?" Cinder as as Emerald steps aside.
"Of course." Emerald said as she leaves as Cinder begins to dance with Mercury.
"And how's your night been?"
"Mmm... a little more exciting than expected." Cinder said with a slight frown as Menma begins to dance with Emerald to keep up appearances.
"Should we be worried?" Mercury asked as Cinder shakes her head.
"Hardly... They'll be scratching their heads long after we finished what we came here for." Cinder answered with a sly smile.
"So then what now?" Mercury asked looking to his boss.
"Enjoy the rest of the night. After all, it is a party." Cinder said as Jaune and Robin are sitting at a table holding hands, Sun and Blake are dancing, there is a squad of red and yellow soldiers out side and Ironwood is shown approaching Ruby and Naruto before the Queen chess piece appears on the computer screen and the clock chimes midnight.
End of chapter. Whew got it done so Yeah Robin and Jaune, I hinted at Robin liking Jaune for awhile now but decided hey love bird KISS already. Then also setting up Pyrrha and Weiss's relationship with Naruto that'll progress in the chapters to come. But beyond that much else I wanted to originally show Naruto wielding fire magic in his fight with Cinder and Menma, but did not have the means to showcase it without disrupting the flow of the chapter. So yeah Chapter 18 will FINALLY introduce Castle Oblivion and that whole mess along with RWBY doing their MT Glenn stuff so STAY TUNE...