Chapter 12: A New Quest Begins

The table was set, character sheets were in place, and snacks were piled high. Team RWBY, joined by Jaune and Sun, were ready for a fresh campaign in Ruby's latest game world. They'd just wrapped up their haunted-cabin adventure and were diving into a brand-new session, this time following Yang's latest house rule: no character continuity between campaigns. It was time to start fresh.

Ruby, settling into her seat as DM, grinned as she pulled out a new map of the game's setting—a sprawling, retro-futuristic city surrounded by ancient, towering forests. "Alright, welcome to Wondertown!" she announced. "A city that combines high-tech skyscrapers with old-world charm. There's neon lights, hovercars, but also enchanted forests just outside the city walls." She spread her hands in excitement. "Now, to get started… I want everyone to describe their characters! Who they are, what they do, and, uh… what their catchphrase is!"

Yang blinked. "Catchphrases? Where'd that come from?"

Ruby shrugged. "I dunno, just thought it'd be fun!"

With a shrug, she set the stage by going first. "My character's name is Emberia Flare! She's a fierce fire maiden, bold and brave." Ruby's eyes sparkled as she described her character. "She can summon flames that let her reach new heights, and her sword, Inferno Blade, is so hot it can cut through almost anything!"

Everyone nodded approvingly, though Ruby quickly realized her catchphrase idea didn't quite fit.

"Okay, forget catchphrases. Let's just give everyone a cool name."

Weiss cleared her throat. "My character is Astra Seraphim. She's a gifted healer, able to mend wounds with just a touch. But she's also a harbinger, a sort of magical seer. She knows when a powerful enemy is near. Her weapon is the Staff of Storms, which channels lightning and spreads healing powers to her companions."

"Nice!" Ruby nodded, making notes. "Blake, you're up!"

Blake leaned back with a mischievous glint in her eye. "My character's name is Shadow Cat, a stealthy ninja kitten-human hybrid. She can vanish in a puff of smoke, leaving enemies in confusion. Every time she does, she says…" Blake smirked, "…'Ninja Vanish.'"

Yang chuckled, her eyes twinkling as she gave Blake a playful look. "So you're a sneaky cat ninja, huh? Guess I'd better keep an eye on you, Shadow Cat."

Blake's expression didn't waver, though there was a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"Alright, Yang, your turn," Ruby prompted.

Yang leaned forward, practically buzzing with enthusiasm. "My character's name is Grilka Stormbreaker. She's a half-orc, half-human hunter and gatherer—strong, sexy, and tough as nails." Yang flexed her arms as she continued. "Grilka's strength lets her lift practically anything, and she can slam the ground to make it shake. Her weapons? A war hammer for the heavy stuff and a dart gun that shoots all kinds of fun darts."

The group murmured in approval, and then all eyes turned to Jaune.

He cleared his throat, fidgeting slightly. "Well, my character's name is Sir Arthur Remington. He's a brave, if slightly clumsy knight, who—"

"Clumsy?" Yang teased. "Couldn't tell."

Jaune blushed but continued, holding up his sheet for effect. "He wears dark armor with gold trim that helps him blend into the shadows… when it's not too shiny." Everyone snickered as he continued. "He's got an enchanted sword that repairs itself and can even grow larger when he's up against a giant foe. And his shield? Virtually indestructible… except it's weak to… zinc."

Ruby choked on a laugh. "You know most shields are made of zinc, right?"

Jaune looked embarrassed, hastily erasing the weakness and scribbling something new. "Fine. Weak to plasma. That's way cooler, anyway!"

Ruby gave him a thumbs-up, then turned to Sun. "Okay, Sun, let's hear it!"

Sun grinned, leaning back in his chair. "My guy's name is Zen Lionheart, a mystical monk with the ability to slow time around him. When he does, he can strike at his enemies while they're practically frozen. He's got a bo staff that can extend like a mile, and just in case, a couple of knives."

With everyone's characters introduced, Ruby set the scene, her face lighting up with excitement.

"You're all gathered in Wondertown, the biggest retro-futuristic city on the continent! The mayor has called upon your group for a quest. Word has reached the city that in one month's time, a massive dragon plans to attack, planning to scorch Wondertown to the ground. The mayor needs brave warriors—like you—to find a way to stop it."

Ruby paused for dramatic effect, then leaned back in her chair with a smug smile. "So… your first task is to head to the Wondertown Mall to buy some supplies."

Yang frowned. "Wait, the mall?"

Ruby shrugged. "It's modern-day Wondertown! That's where you get supplies!"

Yang shrugged, chuckling. "Guess I can work with that."

"Great! So you all head to your first destination… the local bus stop!" Ruby grinned, clearly having fun as she set the scene with excessive detail.

The team exchanged looks, trying to hold back laughter.

"The bus stop?" Weiss asked, eyebrows raised.

Ruby nodded. "Yep! You're standing at the Wondertown Central Bus Stop, waiting for the 8:35 bus to the mall. And, uh… it's currently 8:27. So you've got eight minutes."

Jaune looked incredulous. "What are we supposed to do for eight minutes?"

Sun leaned back, looking thoughtful. "Well, we could do some team bonding! Maybe share backstories or battle strategies."

Blake, still grinning, leaned in. "Or Grilka could try to impress Shadow Cat with a feat of strength."

Yang gave her a teasing look. "You wanna see Grilka's strength, Shadow Cat? I could lift this entire bus shelter if you want."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you save it for the dragon, big shot?"

Jaune leaned over to Ruby. "Can't we just fast-forward to the mall?"

Ruby shook her head with a mischievous grin. "Nope! I want everyone to feel the full experience. So… you're all just waiting for the bus."

Weiss rolled her eyes, sighing dramatically. "Fine, let's just wait."

The group fell into a funny silence, each imagining their characters standing awkwardly at a fantasy bus stop in full armor, cloaks, and weaponry, waiting for public transport. Yang made a show of pretending to check an imaginary watch on her character's wrist. Blake tapped her foot in faux impatience.

Then Ruby held up her hand. "After what feels like forever… the 8:35 bus finally arrives!"

The group let out a cheer as they all pretended to clamber onto an invisible bus, each describing how their characters awkwardly crammed into seats, weapons and armor taking up far too much space.

Ruby kept her grin as she narrated the bus ride, adding little details like a cranky driver, other fantasy passengers giving them funny looks, and the faint jingle of elevator music playing over the intercom.

Finally, she announced, "And after fifteen long, uncomfortable minutes on the bus, you reach… the Wondertown Mall!"

They all breathed a sigh of relief, but Yang shook her head, laughing. "I still can't believe our epic journey starts at a mall."

Ruby shrugged. "Hey, even heroes need to shop sometimes. Now, let the adventure begin!"