Chp. 7: Not-So-Happy Huntresses
Mantle, Atlas
February 8, 2020
The next day down in the streets of Mantle, Keaton, Alex, and Cassandra were wandering down the sidewalk looking out at their surroundings.
Keaton wore a pair of black snow boots, a pair of dark blue jeans, and a green and gray closed coat.
Alex wears a green puffy jacket, a pair of gray snow boots with silver buckles, a pair of dark blue jeans, and a pair of black fingerless gloves. He still retains his beanie over his head.
Cassandra wore a a pair of brown snow boots, a pair of gray sweat pants, a large dark blue snow coat that reached down to her thighs, and a long gray scarf around her neck.
"Keep your eyes peeled. The Happy Huntresses' sightings are mostly within this area. And try not to draw attention to ourselves," Keaton said.
A pair of trucks drive by with miners, mostly consisting of Faunus, covered in black material, sitting in the beds.
"Poor bastards. You think that they were gonna work in the Schnee Dust Company mines to provide for themselves and their families, but get the shit end of the stick instead," Alex said.
"To the point of downright slavery and racial discrimination," Cassandra added.
"A lot of the higher ups and world leaders back at home would not stand for it. They are gonna get involved in this once open relations between our worlds commences," Alex said.
"We'll deal with that later. Right now, the Happy Huntresses are our priority," Keaton said.
"Captain, I got eyes on one of them," Alex said, looking off behind Keaton.
Keaton and Cassandra turned to see someone across the street. They saw Fiona Thyme happily waving at a woman with Fox ears and a little boy who also has fox ears.
"Fiona Thyme. The bleeding heart of the group and most loyal to Robyn Hill," Cassandra said.
"Alright. Let's go greet her. But let's not try to scar her though," Keaton said.
The three marines walked across the street and approached the sheep Faunus.
"Excuse us," Keaton spoke as the Happy Huntress turned around to face the marines.
"Yes, can I help you?" Fiona asked.
"We're sorry to interupt your job helping the citizens of Mantle, but is there a chance we can talk to your leader and your other teammates?" Alex asked.
"Why do you ask?" Fiona asked.
"Have you watched the news regarding the attack on Vale and Beacon Academy?" Cassandra asked.
"Yes. And some unknown militia group arrived and fought off the Grimm and the White Fang," Fiona answered. "Why are you asking this?"
"What if we told you that the three of us are actually with that unknown militia?" Alex asked.
"Is this some sort of joke?" Fiona asked with uncertainty.
"This is no joke, ma'am. We can assure you," Cassandra answered.
"Relax. We're not gonna hurt you or your friends. None of you are in trouble. We just want to talk," Keaton said.
"You want to talk, huh?" a new voice cuts in.
Keaton, Cassandra, and Alex all looked around for a moment wondering where that voice was coming from. Suddenly, Robyn Hill, May Marigold, and Joanna Greenleaf appear out of thin air behind Fiona. The three other Happy Huntresses who had been May's semblance, Invisibility Field, appeared to have been listening to the conversation.
"If whoever you say you are is true, take my hand," Robyn said as she extended her hand.
Keaton approached Robyn and grasped onto her hand. A pale lilac aura manifests over their heads and forearms. Keaton knew what she was doing and was activating her semblance, Lie Detection.
"Now tell us again. Who are you people, and who do you work for?" Robyn asked.
"We're the United States Marines, a branch of the United States military that we serve," Keaton answered.
As soon as he gave his answer to Robyn, the aura on both of their arms turned green, telling Robyn that Keaton was telling the truth. The Happy Huntresses all gave surprised looks on their faces upon the answer.
"United States? Never heard of it," May said.
"What is this United States?" Robyn asked.
"The most powerful nation in our world," Keaton answered as the Aura flashed green again.
"Most powerful nation? You're saying you guys are more powerful than Atlas or something?" Joanna asked.
"You have no idea, ma'am," Alex answered.
"Wait. You said 'Your world.' What do you mean by that?" Robyn asked.
"We're humans from another world known as Earth," Keaton answered.
The Aura on Robyn and Keaton's arms flashed green, causing all four of the Happy Huntresses to gain stunned looks on their faces.
"This is crazy. This has to be a joke!" May said.
"My semblance can tell us if a person is telling the truth. As crazy as this looks and sounds, he's telling the truth. My semblance confirms it," Robyn said.
Fiona, May, and Joanna all stared at their leader for a moment before they all turned their attention back to the marine captain.
"So why are you here?" Robyn asked.
"A few months ago A group of students from Beacon Academy accidently appeared into our world by using a new type of Dust acquired from the Schnee Dust Company. They had made contact with a group of teenagers native to Earth. The existence of a new world would get our world concerned. Currently, the existence of both worlds are kept a secret to the public," Keaton explained as the Aura turned green.
"His brother was one of them," Cassandra added, pointing her thumb at her captain.
"There was no reason to bring that up, Sergeant," Keaton said.
"So what do you want us for? What does all of this have to do with us?" Fiona asked.
"In our world, the students, you Happy Huntresses, the Huntsman Academies, all of Remnant exists as a popular fictional web show viewed by millions. You all eventually get yourselves in the middle of an ongoing conflict that's been plaguing Remnant for a long time. And I'm not talking about the Grimm," Keaton explained.
The Aura on Keaton and Robyn's arms flash green once more. The Happy Huntresses were shocked upon this revelation that was answered to them,while Robyn slowly pulled her hand back.
"A web show?" Fiona asked.
"We're nothing but entertainment to you guys?! We don't exist to you?!" Robyn angrily asked.
"Ms. Hill, calm down. It's obvious that you gals are real. You're all standing right in front of us living and breathing aren't you?" Alex asked.
"He's got a point, Robyn," Joanna said.
"The reason we came to you is because we want to ask you four for an alliance with us and General Ironwood," Keaton said.
"Nobody's forcing you to join but before you decide, we want you to watch something first back up in Atlas," Alex added.
"You mean that web show you mentioned?" May asked.
"Yes," Keaton said.
'The Happy Huntresses huddled together and started to murmer to each other for a couple minutes before breaking off the huddle to face the marines again.
"Show us the show, then we'll decide," Robyn said.
Atlas Command Center
Later back at the command center, the Happy Huntresses were taken up to the command center to watch RWBY General Ironwood, the Ace-Ops, Bulldog, Ice Pick, Missionary, and Steel were all gathered inside with the others. After several hours of watching all seven volumes, the Happy Huntresses were all stunned by the stuff that happened in the show. They were also angry with Jacques Schnee when he made a deal with Arther Watts which led to chaos all over in Mantle so he could win the seat on the Council. And they grew even more furious when General Ironwood plans to raise Atlas higher up into the atmosphere and leave the citizens of Mantle to die.
"MOTHERFUCKER!" Robyn screamed.
Keaton and Bulldog were both restraining Robyn by her arms as she tried to rush herself at General Ironwood as the Ace-Ops stood in front of him to protect him. Ice Pick, Missionary, Steel, and Cassandra were blocking May and Joanna's path as they tried to aid their leader, while Fiona stood by and watched.
"Let me go! I just wanna stick some arrows up his ass!" Robyn yelled.
"Ms. Hill! Cool it!" Bulldog ordered.
"Please, Robyn! Stop! The events in the show haven't even happened yet!" Fiona said.
"She's right. You're just trying to attack the General for no reason," Steel added.
Robyn soon stops struggling and turns her attention to Keaton.
"Listen, I know you don't trust Ironwood after watching the show, but if you don't want to listen to Ironwood, then maybe you can listen to us," Keaton said.
"We've been nothing but truthful to you, and we didn't even try to bring you in by force." Cassandra said.
"We're offering you the option to work alongside us. We want to start this new chapter for both worlds by maintaining an alliance and prove that we can work together," Alex added.
"And if we don't?" Joanna asked.
"Then that's fine. Nobody's forcing you to do anything. We just want the best for both worlds," Missionary answered.
Robyn looked at the Terrans for a moment, then turned her head to look over at May, Joanna, and Fiona. She then turns her head back around to face the Marines and Army men.
"Fine. We'll play along... For now," she said.
"But we got our eyes on you," May said, looking at Ironwood and the Ace-Ops.
"Whatever," Harriet said with an eyeroll.
"So what are you gonna do about Schnee by the way?" Fiona asked.
"Just leave him to us," Ice Pick answered.
"We've got special plans for him," Steel said with a devious smirk on his face.