"Wooow! I forgot how huge the Transmit Tower looks up close!" Ruby said, spinning around with wide eyes, craning her neck to take in the structure in awe.
Weiss walked beside her, arms crossed, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "You should see the one in Atlas," she said, her tone carrying a hint of pride.
Ruby stopped spinning and looked at Weiss, tilting her head. "Wasn't that the first one they built?"
Weiss nodded. "Correct. Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to connect the four kingdoms. It was their gift to the world after the Great War."
Ruby puffed out her chest and placed her hands on her hips, adopting a mock haughty tone. "Ooooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know big, fancy facts! I'm so rich!" She snorted into her hands, laughing at her own impression.
Weiss frowned, clearly unimpressed. "Don't be a pest! The only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much. We could have made the call from the library."
Ruby stuck out her tongue. "But the library isn't cool! Ooh, I'm gonna take a picture!" She reached into her pocket and pulled out her Scroll, only for it to slip from her grasp in her excitement.
The device bounced along the pavement before landing at a pair of familiar boots.
"Oh!" Penny exclaimed, bending down to pick it up. She held it out toward Ruby with a smile. "You dropped this."
"Penny?!" Ruby gasped, her face lighting up.
Penny froze, her smile faltering. "Uh... I think you're confused!" she said, a nervous hiccup escaping as she shoved the Scroll back into Ruby's hands. "I've gotta go!"
Before Ruby could react, Penny turned on her heel and started walking away in a hurry.
Ruby frowned, stuffing her Scroll into her pocket. "Penny! Wait!" she called, running after her. Weiss groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Ruby!"
"You go make your call! I'll meet up with you later!" Ruby waved back without turning around.
Weiss sighed, watching Ruby disappear around a corner before heading toward the Transmit Tower.
Back outside, Ruby dashed after Penny, her boots clattering against the pavement.
"Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!" Ruby called, catching up to her friend.
"There's been... a misunderstanding," Penny said, her voice shaky.
Ruby grabbed Penny's arm, stopping her. "What misunderstanding? What happened to you that night? Please, Penny! You can tell me—I'm your friend!"
Weiss strode confidently through the grand lobby of the Transmit Tower, her posture impeccable and her gaze unwavering. She avoided the bustling central terminal, heading directly for the sleek elevator doors. They slid open with a soft, barely audible hum.
As the doors closed behind her, a glowing panel near the elevator controls lit up, and the AI's polite voice activated.
"Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I assist you today?"
"I'd like to go to the communications room, please," Weiss said, her voice calm and precise.
"Certainly. Please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity."
Weiss retrieved her Scroll from her pocket and placed it on the designated slot.
"Thank you, Miss Schnee," the AI chirped.
The elevator began its smooth ascent, and Weiss's expression shifted. The composed mask she wore moments ago gave way to a more focused, determined demeanor. She steeled herself, preparing for the task ahead.
When the elevator doors opened, Weiss stepped into the spacious communications room. Rows of high-tech terminals glowed faintly, casting cool light across the minimalist space. A few Beacon students sat at their assigned stations, deep in conversation. Weiss walked briskly past them, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor, until she reached her assigned terminal.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Weiss sat down. She knew this was no simple task, but she was ready.
At the terminal, Weiss placed her Scroll into the slot. A faint beep confirmed the system's activation, and the monitor flickered to life. A holographic receptionist materialized, the Schnee snowflake faintly rotating in the background.
"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit Center. How may I assist you?"
"I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas," Weiss said, her voice steady but polite.
"Of course." The hologram processed her request, the screen flashing briefly. "Please proceed to Terminal 3, where your connection will be established."
"Thank you," Weiss replied with a small nod, standing and moving to the indicated terminal.
On her way, Weiss passed a student chatting warmly on another line, recounting stories about her mother and asking about Signal Academy. Weiss spared them a fleeting glance before refocusing on her own mission.
At Terminal 3, Weiss sat down and inserted her Scroll into the slot. The screen came alive, and a brunette operator appeared, her expression professional but relaxed. However, upon recognizing Weiss, the operator straightened immediately, her eyes widening.
"Thank you for calling the Atlas Transmit Center—Oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon!"
Weiss offered a polite smile. "Good afternoon. I'd like to request assistance retrieving some files. I've compiled a list on my Scroll."
The operator hesitated momentarily but nodded. "Certainly, ma'am. If you could give me a moment to review the data..."
The system beeped as Weiss's file list transferred.
"I see," the operator said cautiously after reviewing the contents. "If you don't mind my asking... What are these files for?"
"School project," Weiss replied smoothly, her expression unwavering.
The operator's voice wavered. "Some of these documents are... sensitive, Miss Schnee."
Weiss's smile didn't falter. "I understand. I'll handle them with the utmost care."
"Right... Very well," the operator conceded, initiating the transfer. "The data is being uploaded to your Scroll now."
"Wonderful. That will be all," Weiss said, her tone calm but firm.
The operator paused again. "Are you sure you don't want me to patch you through to your father? Or perhaps your sister Winter? She's here today."
Weiss's smile faltered briefly but quickly recovered. "No, thank you. This is sufficient."
"Very well. Have a nice day!"
The call ended with a soft click. As the screen darkened, Weiss sat back, her composed expression giving way to a more resolute one. Whatever emotions stirred beneath her polished exterior, she pushed them aside. There was no time for hesitation.
The two began walking down a side street, away from the bustle of the main plaza. Ruby kept her eyes on Penny, who seemed increasingly anxious, her movements more erratic. The closer they got to an alleyway, the more Penny seemed to retreat into herself.
Ruby, oblivious to the shift in Penny's behavior, tried to keep the conversation going. "I was so worried about you, Penny. After that night at the docks, we all thought something terrible happened to you. You just disappeared!"
Penny stopped walking, her posture stiffening as she gripped her arm nervously. She avoided Ruby's gaze. "I... I didn't mean to make you worry," Penny mumbled. "I was just following my father's orders."
Ruby's eyes narrowed. "Orders? What do you mean? Penny, you can tell me. Did someone hurt you?"
Penny shook her head quickly. "No, no one hurt me! It's just... I can't explain right now."
Ruby felt a wave of frustration building up. She placed her hands on her hips, trying to hold back the worry in her voice. "Penny, we're friends. I don't understand why you're hiding from us."
"I'm not hiding from you!" Penny snapped, her voice rising slightly. But as soon as she said it, her shoulders slumped, and she looked down. "I just... I can't tell you. I wish I could, but I can't."
Ruby softened, her tone turning gentler. "You know you can trust me, right? You don't have to hide anything from me. Whatever it is, I can help."
Penny's eyes flickered with doubt, but she finally nodded. "I promise I'll explain, just not now. Please... can we leave this place?" she asked, looking around nervously.
Ruby hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Okay, Penny. We'll get out of here."
Just as they turned to leave, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the alley. Penny's eyes widened in panic.
"We need to go—now!" Penny hissed, grabbing Ruby by the wrist and pulling her along.
Ruby barely had time to react as Penny's grip tightened. The two of them dashed down the alley, but before they could reach the end, the sound of megaphones blared through the street, and Ruby heard someone shouting behind them.
"Stop right there!" a voice commanded.
Ruby glanced over her shoulder, her heart racing. She could see two Atlas soldiers advancing toward them. The moment Penny noticed them, her face drained of color.
"We're not safe here, Ruby. Please, just trust me," Penny begged, her voice filled with urgency.
Ruby was about to respond when Penny suddenly broke into a full sprint, pulling Ruby along with her. "Penny, wait! What's going on?!" Ruby shouted, struggling to keep up as they weaved through the crowded streets.
The soldiers were closing in, but Ruby didn't want to let Penny go. She pushed forward, trying to catch up to her friend. Penny glanced over her shoulder, eyes wide with fear. The alley narrowed ahead, and Penny, desperate, made a sharp turn around a corner.
But the two soldiers weren't far behind. One of them called out to his partner, "She went this way!"
Ruby was just behind Penny, but she felt the gap widening. With a burst of speed, Ruby leapt onto the side of a building, using her agility to run up the wall and leap from rooftop to rooftop, hoping to catch Penny.
"Ruby! I can't—!" Penny cried out, but Ruby was already airborne, landing just in front of her.
"Gotcha!" Ruby grinned, grabbing Penny by the arm and pulling her out of harm's way. "We're not losing you again!"
Penny didn't respond, only looking over her shoulder nervously as they ran through a back alley, heading in a direction Ruby couldn't quite make out. The two of them raced past shops, their footsteps echoing in the empty street.
But then, everything came to a screeching halt. Ruby turned a corner just in time to see a large truck speeding down the road straight toward her. In her panic, Ruby froze in place, too stunned to move.
Before Ruby could react, Penny shoved her out of the way, and the ground beneath her cracked and crumbled. Penny's hands shot out, gripping the truck with incredible force, and with a violent jerk, the vehicle lifted off the ground.
"Whoa..." Ruby gasped, her jaw dropping as Penny lowered the truck carefully, setting it down with an unsettling ease. The truck driver's eyes widened in shock as he took in the damage, his hand trembling as he adjusted his hat.
"Are you alright?" Penny asked softly, her voice calm despite the chaos around her.
The shopkeeper stood there in awe, his mouth agape. "Y-Yeah... I'm fine..."
But Ruby was speechless. "Penny... What...?" she whispered, still trying to wrap her mind around what had just happened.
Penny's eyes were filled with fear and sadness as she backed away, her voice shaking. "I'm sorry, Ruby. I didn't want you to see that..."
Ruby's heart sank. "Penny, what are you—?"
Before Ruby could ask another question, Penny broke into a run again, disappearing down another alley. Ruby stood frozen, her mind racing as the sound of the soldiers' footsteps grew closer.
"Penny!" Ruby shouted, running after her once more. "Come back! You can't run away forever!"
"Penny, I-I don't understand..." Ruby whispered, her heart racing with the weight of Penny's words.
Penny, her voice soft and filled with sadness, looked away for a moment. "Most girls are born, but I was made. I'm the world's first synthetic person capable of generating an Aura." She turned her head, her eyes sorrowful. "I'm not real..."
Ruby's expression softened, and she gently took Penny's hands in her own. "Of course you are. You think just because you've got nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts makes you any less real than me?" Ruby smiled reassuringly, her eyes filled with sincerity.
Penny blinked in surprise, leaning in closer to Ruby's face, her voice incredulous. "You're... taking this extraordinarily well."
Ruby laughed lightly, her hands still gripping Penny's. "You're not like those things we saw back there." She tapped her chest. "You've got a heart, and a soul; I can feel it!"
Penny's eyes shimmered with emotion, and in an instant, she wrapped Ruby in a tight hug, shaking her back and forth in sheer joy. "Ooohh... oh Ruby! You're the best friend anyone could have!"
Ruby groaned slightly, muffled in the embrace. "I can see why your father would want to protect such a delicate flower!"
Penny giggled and released Ruby, stepping back with a bright, happy grin on her face. "Oh, he's very sweet! My father's the one that built me! I'm sure you would love him!"
Ruby's eyes widened in amazement. "Wow." She chuckled. "He built you all by himself?"
Penny shook her head, her grin never faltering. "Well, almost! He had some help from Mr. Ironwood."
"Mr. Ironwood?" Ruby blinked, surprised. "The General?! Wait... is that why those soldiers were after you?"
Penny tilted her head slightly, her voice light and innocent. "They like to protect me, too!"
Ruby raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "They don't think you can protect yourself?"
Penny shrugged, a small frown tugging at her lips. "They're not sure if I'm ready yet... One day, it will be my job to save the world, but I still have a lot left to learn. That's why my father let me come to the Vytal Festival. I want to see what it's like in the rest of the world, and test myself in the Tournament."
Ruby's confusion deepened. "Penny, what are you talking about? Save the world from what? We're in a time of peace!"
Penny looked baffled, her brow furrowed. "That's not what Mr. Ironwood said..."
Before Ruby could ask any more questions, a voice from the distance broke the moment.
"Check down here!" a soldier shouted from off-screen.
Penny's eyes widened, her body tensing. "You have to hide!" Without hesitation, she hoisted Ruby effortlessly above her head, carrying her with surprising strength.
"Penny, wait!" Ruby yelped, her arms flailing. "What are you doing? You don't have to go with them! I can help you!"
Penny rushed toward the nearby dumpster, and without a second thought, she threw Ruby inside, lifting the lid just enough for Ruby to still talk. "It's okay, Ruby. They're not bad people; I just don't want to get you in trouble. Just promise me you won't tell anyone else my secret. Okay?" Penny's eyes were wide and serious, the weight of the request clear in her gaze.
Ruby's heart ached for her friend, but she nodded, looking Penny straight in the eye. "I promise."
As the lid was closed, Ruby lowered her head into the garbage, the grim reality of the situation settling in. But she couldn't help but lift the lid just a little, peeking out to watch what was happening outside.
The voice of the soldier was clear as he called out, "There she is!"
Penny's voice rang out cheerfully as she tried to play along. "Sal-u-tations, officers!"
The soldiers paused, clearly skeptical. "Why were you running? And what happened to the other girl?"
Penny's smile remained wide, though her words seemed rehearsed. "What girl? I've been by myself all day!" She hiccupped loudly, then smiled again, her demeanor almost robotic.
The first soldier frowned, clearly not buying it. "You shouldn't cause such a scene."
"Are you okay?" the second soldier asked, eyeing Penny's palms.
Penny showed them her "injured" palms, displaying the small scratches she'd inflicted on herself earlier. "Just a scratch."
The first soldier sighed. "Penny, your father isn't going to be happy about this."
The second soldier sighed as well, looking at Penny with more concern than before. "Please, just come with us."
"Yes, sir!" Penny replied, her voice bright and obedient as she turned to follow them.
Ruby watched the soldiers walk away with Penny, feeling a wave of sadness wash over her. Her friend, so full of life, was being treated like a tool—a machine. A loud screech of a rat beneath her startled her, and Ruby stumbled, falling hard against the dumpster.
She gasped, realizing the lid had snapped shut on her, trapping her inside with the garbage. She groaned, trying to make herself comfortable in the cramped space. All she could do now was wait and hope that Penny would be okay.
Blake's fingers gently traced the three scratch marks etched into the wall, a silent signal marking the path ahead. She peered cautiously around the corner, her sharp eyes catching sight of two horned Faunus being ushered into a building by a bearded man. Her expression hardened as she turned to Sun, who was standing next to her, his body tense and alert.
"This is it," Blake whispered, her voice barely audible.
Sun raised an eyebrow, a flicker of uncertainty in his amber eyes. He glanced between Blake and the building, his usual carefree demeanor subdued. "You sure about this?" he murmured, leaning closer to her.
Blake's gaze remained fixed on the building as the Faunus disappeared inside. She took a deep, steadying breath. "I have to be," she replied, her voice quiet but resolute.
Sun hesitated, his tail twitching slightly. "Alright..." he said reluctantly. Adjusting the mask in his hand, he shot her a sidelong glance. "Guess we're doing this your way."
Blake gave a slight nod, her focus unwavering. The weight of the mission pressed heavily on her shoulders, but there was no room for doubt now.
"Let's go," she murmured. With practiced ease, she unfastened the bow from her head, revealing her Faunus ears. Her fingers moved quickly to secure the Grimm-like mask over her face, concealing her identity. She stepped forward into the shadows, Sun trailing closely behind.
The pair moved silently, weaving through the dimly lit streets until they reached the building's entrance. The faint hum of voices and footsteps echoed from within—a mix of anticipation and tension. Blake glanced over her shoulder, ensuring Sun was still with her. His usual lightheartedness had given way to a cautious, nervous energy, though his presence remained steady.
As they entered, Blake's senses sharpened. The air inside was thick with the mingled smells of sweat, metal, and dust. The room was dimly lit, its occupants shrouded in shadow. Faunus recruits milled about, their faces masked, their movements deliberate. A man stood at the far end of the room, shouting instructions over the din.
"New recruits, keep to the right!" the man barked, his deep voice cutting through the noise.
Blake and Sun joined the line of recruits, keeping their heads low and their movements purposeful. Around them, a sea of Faunus soldiers in white vests and black hoods filled the room. The atmosphere was charged, every sound and movement laced with tension.
Sun leaned closer to Blake, his voice low and curious. "I don't get it. If you believe in what you're doing, why hide who you are?"
Blake shot him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable behind the mask. "The masks are a symbol," she explained evenly. "Humanity wanted to make monsters out of us, so we chose to don the faces of monsters."
Sun frowned slightly. "Grimm masks… That's kinda dark."
Blake's voice turned somber, her gaze fixed ahead. "So was the guy who started it."
With that, she slipped the mask on fully, the action smooth and practiced. The gesture carried a weight that Sun didn't fully understand, but he recognized its significance.
"Always sunshine and rainbows with you," Sun muttered under his breath as he pulled on his own mask.
Blake ignored the comment, her focus shifting to the hallway ahead. As they were led deeper into the building, the recruits passed rows of display cases containing weapons, relics, and trophies—each a testament to the White Fang's militant history. At the end of the hall, they entered a large room packed with Faunus, their faces obscured by hoods and masks. The murmurs of the crowd quieted as a figure stepped onto the stage.
The man, masked and heavily tattooed, exuded authority as he addressed the recruits. "Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice commanding and deliberate. "For those of you joining us tonight, allow me to introduce a very special ally. I assure you, he is the key to achieving what we have fought for all these years!"
Blake's eyes narrowed as she exchanged a quick glance with Sun. Both of them tensed as a pair of boots stepped into view, accompanied by the metallic tapping of a cane.
Roman Torchwick.
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of angry murmurs and shouts, but Roman remained unfazed, a smug grin on his face.
"Thank you, thank you!" Roman called out, his voice dripping with mockery. He gave an exaggerated bow, clearly reveling in the attention. Neopolitan emerged silently behind him, her presence a sharp contrast to the chaos around them.
"Please, hold your applause!" Roman continued, raising a hand theatrically. His tone was both playful and condescending.
The room simmered with unease. One voice rose above the rest: "What's a human doing here?" a Faunus demanded, his tone accusatory.
Roman chuckled, clearly expecting the reaction. "Ah, I'm glad you asked," he said smoothly, his grin widening. "Humans are the worst. Case in point—me!" He gestured to himself with mock sincerity before adopting a more serious tone. "But before you start sharpening your claws, remember this: we have a common enemy. The ones in control. The humans pulling the strings, running the kingdoms, the military, even the schools—they're the real problem."
The crowd's murmurs shifted, a mix of reluctant agreement and skepticism. Roman seized the moment, his voice growing louder and more impassioned. "And that's why I'm here—to help you even the odds. Lucky for you, I'm the best exterminator around."
With a snap of his fingers, the curtain behind him dropped, revealing a towering Atlesian Paladin-290. Its massive frame bore the White Fang's symbol, painted boldly on its shoulder. The room erupted in applause and cheers.
Sun's jaw dropped. "Whoa… That's a big robot," he muttered under his breath, a mixture of awe and concern.
Blake's expression darkened. Her mind raced as she took in the sight of the Paladin. "How did he get that?" she whispered, her voice tinged with anger and unease.
Before either of them could react further, the White Fang Lieutenant's voice rang out. "Will all new recruits please come forward!"
Roman's gaze swept the room, his sharp eyes locking onto Blake and Sun. His smirk widened, and he leaned toward Neo, whispering something that made her smile slyly.
Sun stiffened beside Blake. "Uh… Pretty sure he sees us," he said, raising a hand in an awkward attempt at a wave. "Hey there."
Blake's attention snapped to a junction box on the wall. The odds were against them, but the lights… Her hand moved swiftly to Gambol Shroud. In one fluid motion, she transformed it into its pistol form and fired. Sparks erupted from the junction box, and the room plunged into darkness.
Five minutes ago, Gohan had positioned himself near the front of the crowd, his masked face tilted downward as he focused on the steady flow of energy signatures entering the building. His posture was deliberately neutral, blending seamlessly among the other recruits, yet his senses were razor-sharp, scanning for any signs of danger.
Then it hit him—a familiar energy signature. Blake.
The sensation rippled through him, distinct and unmistakable. Her Ki, subtle yet laced with an undercurrent of quiet intensity, stood out among the chaotic medley of auras. His chest tightened, but he kept his composure. What is she doing here?
Blake's presence triggered a storm of questions. Of all his new teammates, she was the most enigmatic. Ruby's enthusiasm made her easy to connect with, Weiss had a reserved but predictable nature, and Yang's boldness felt like home—a reminder of his own childhood friendships. But Blake? Blake was an enigma.
She was quiet, calculated, and always watching. When Gohan had joined the team, her amber eyes seemed to linger on him longer than anyone else's. It wasn't suspicion in the traditional sense—more like an unspoken challenge, as if she were peeling back his layers, piece by piece. He always felt as though she was just one step away from unraveling his secret.
He turned his head slightly, and his breath caught. There, standing a few feet ahead of him, was a figure he couldn't mistake. Her sleek black hair framed her face, but what drew his attention were the cat ears, twitching faintly atop her head. The bow she usually wore was nowhere in sight.
Of course. The realization struck him like a lightning bolt. That's why she saw through me so easily.
As a Faunus, Blake would naturally pick up on subtle signs that others missed. The lingering glances, the way she quietly probed him with questions—it all made sense now. She knew he wasn't what he claimed to be, though she couldn't place what he truly was.
Still, the bigger question remained: Why is she here?
His mind whirred, cycling through possibilities. Was she investigating the White Fang? Had Ozpin sent her team on a parallel mission without informing him? Or was her presence more personal, tied to the cause she had walked away from?
Gohan's eyes flicked toward her again. She moved with the crowd, her steps deliberate but unassuming. To anyone else, she was just another recruit. But to Gohan, her energy was a beacon, betraying the tension she kept buried under her composed facade.
She wasn't alone. A sandy-haired Faunus moved beside her, his carefree demeanor contrasting with the sharp focus emanating from him. The boy spoke to her in hushed tones, his casual posture a mask for his readiness. Gohan's instincts flared. Who is he?
Before he could piece it together, Roman Torchwick took the stage, his flamboyant voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. His theatrical gestures and sharp wit elicited cheers from some recruits and quiet skepticism from others. Gohan shifted his attention back to Blake. Unlike the crowd, she remained still, her eyes narrowed and fixed on Torchwick with laser-like focus.
The tension spiked as the curtains parted, revealing the looming Atlesian Paladin-290. Its cold, metallic frame towered over the stage, a silent testament to the White Fang's growing power. Gohan felt Blake's unease radiate sharply, mirrored by the faint shift in her companion's energy.
The White Fang Lieutenant barked orders, his voice cutting through the din. Recruits shuffled forward, forming a hesitant line in front of the stage under the watchful eyes of the Lieutenant and his armed guards.
Gohan didn't move, his attention locked on Blake and her companion as they followed the crowd. Her every step was calculated, each movement measured. The boy beside her maintained his laid-back facade, but Gohan could feel the tension beneath his casual exterior.
Then, Torchwick's sharp gaze swept over the line, his trademark smirk curling into something more sinister. He raised a gloved hand, the movement so subtle it might have been missed—except his gesture pointed directly at Blake.
Gohan's heart sank. Torchwick's smirk deepened as he leaned toward Neopolitan, who stood silently at his side. She tilted her head, her expression unreadable, and gave a single nod. The two exchanged a glance before Torchwick returned his focus to the recruits, his smirk never faltering.
What's he planning? Gohan wondered, his senses tingling with unease.
He felt the answer before he saw it. Blake's energy flared, a surge of determination breaking through her calm exterior. Her hand darted to Gambol Shroud, and in a single fluid motion, she drew the weapon, transforming it into its pistol form. With a deafening crack, she fired a shot at the junction box above the stage.
The lights sputtered out, plunging the warehouse into darkness. Chaos erupted instantly. Sparks from the shattered box illuminated fragments of the scene—panicked recruits scattering, guards shouting orders, boots pounding against the concrete floor.
Gohan's senses locked onto Blake's Ki amidst the turmoil. It burned brightly, a sharp, focused beacon guiding her through the chaos. Beside her was the boy's energy, lighter and more agile, moving in perfect tandem with hers.
The floor trembled beneath Gohan's feet as a low mechanical hum built into a deafening roar. The Paladin came to life, its massive frame lurching forward. The crowd erupted into screams, scattering as the machine's imposing bulk began tearing through the warehouse.
Gohan's heart raced as he tracked the Paladin's pursuit. Blake and her companion's energy signatures darted toward an exit, weaving and dodging to evade the mechanical titan.
With a thunderous crash, the Paladin tore through the wall, debris raining down as its hulking form emerged into the moonlit night. The machine's silhouette loomed against the dark sky, illuminated by the silvery glow of the moon.
Outside, Blake and her companion moved quickly, their energy erratic but determined. Gohan's fists clenched as he followed the scene. The urge to intervene burned within him, but he forced himself to remain still, his mind racing through his options.
The night air carried the sounds of destruction, but Gohan's focus stayed on Blake. Whatever her reasons for being here, she was in danger—and the fight wasn't over yet.
Blake darted across the rooftops, her movements a seamless blend of grace and precision. Each leap and bound carried her effortlessly over the gaps between buildings, the cityscape a blur beneath her. Behind her, the Paladin thundered forward, its massive frame turning streets into rubble. The ground trembled with every step, the cacophony of twisted metal and shattering concrete reverberating through the air.
Her sharp eyes scanned ahead, calculating the best route with each passing second. The tension in her chest tightened, but she pressed on, focused and unyielding. Mid-air, she flipped open her Scroll with a practiced flick, its glow illuminating her determined expression.
Static crackled before Weiss Schnee's voice cut through, sharp and poised. "Blake? What's going on?" Though her tone was steady, a trace of concern was unmistakable.
Blake's voice remained calm despite the chaos. "We need backup. Now—"
A scream interrupted her transmission. "HEEEELLLLP!" Sun's frantic voice echoed through the channel, and Blake instinctively glanced to her side. There he was, leaping between cars, narrowly avoiding a sedan the Paladin had flung aside like a discarded toy.
Weiss sighed audibly, the sound of her heels clicking against the ground punctuating her irritation. "Always the dramatics," she muttered, though there was a faint smirk in her tone. Without hesitation, she gripped Myrtenaster and started for the nearest exit, her pace brisk.
Meanwhile, Ruby Rose stood beside a dumpster in a side alley, her Scroll buzzing in her hand. As Sun's panicked voice played through the line, her silver eyes lit up with excitement.
"Big robot!" Sun stammered, his voice crackling over the comm. "And it's BIG! Like… really BIG!"
Ruby's grin stretched ear to ear. "Oh, I am so not missing this!" She snapped her Scroll shut and dashed into the street, her cloak billowing behind her like a crimson streak of energy.
Elsewhere, Yang Xiao Long lounged confidently on her motorcycle, her helmet in place and signature sunglasses reflecting the city lights. Beside her, Neptune leaned closer, watching the glowing screen in her hand.
Sun's voice cut through again, frantic. "Torchwick's in it! He's controlling it somehow! But like, not in it like it ate him—he's driving it!"
Yang smirked, revving her engine. "Where are you guys?" she asked, the bike vibrating under her hands as adrenaline surged through her.
As if on cue, Blake and Sun appeared at the end of the road, sprinting full speed with the Paladin crashing through the streets behind them. Vehicles swerved, tires screeched, and drivers screamed as the mech shoved everything aside in its relentless pursuit.
Neptune blinked, staring at the chaos. "Uh… yeah. I think I see them."
Yang's smirk widened. "Got it." She snapped her Scroll shut, twisted the throttle, and the bike roared to life. Neptune barely had time to hop on before she sped off, the tires screeching as they tore down the road.
On the highway, Blake and Sun weaved through traffic, using vehicles as makeshift platforms to stay ahead of the Paladin. The mech, driven by Roman Torchwick's relentless focus, plowed through the congestion like a wrecking ball. Cars flew, horns blared, and debris rained down as the towering machine cleared a path of destruction.
Inside the cockpit, Torchwick grinned wickedly, his fingers gripping the controls. Holographic screens flickered around him, displaying tactical data and the chaos outside. "Run all you want," he muttered, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "You can't escape me."
Blake didn't look back. She couldn't afford to. Every muscle in her body burned with determination as she darted ahead, her mind already working on the next move.
Gohan stood frozen, his grip tightening around the Scroll Qrow had given him. Until now, he had barely paid attention to the device, his focus consumed by maintaining his cover and navigating the complexities of the White Fang. The sudden buzz in his palm jolted him from his thoughts, his eyes narrowing as Blake's name flashed across the screen.
It wasn't a message—it was a call.
His heart skipped a beat, a rush of both curiosity and concern surging through him. He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then pressed "accept" with a steady hand.
"Blake?" he asked, his voice cautious but unwavering, bracing for whatever was about to unfold. The air felt thick with tension as he waited, the faint crackle of static filling the silence.
Blake's voice came through, strained and urgent, the gravity of her words cutting through the static. After a brief pause, confusion crept into her voice. "Gohan! How... We need help—this is bad. We need backup, now."
Gohan's pulse quickened, the weight of her words sinking in. There was no time to hesitate. "I'm on my way, Blake." His voice remained calm, but the determination in his tone was unmistakable.
As he spoke, his senses sharpened—he could feel the eyes of the White Fang recruits on him, suspicion thick in the air. In that moment, he knew he couldn't keep pretending any longer. If they were going to notice him, he would make it count. He had to buy himself some time.
With a deep breath, Gohan ripped off his mask and tossed it aside. His energy flared, the familiar hum of power coursing through him as he prepared for what was to come.
The air around Gohan shimmered as his Ki exploded outward, a torrent of raw energy that blasted through the space. The immense wave of force surged around him, sending the White Fang sprawling in every direction. Bodies slammed into walls or crashed to the ground with bone-rattling force. The shockwave tore through the area, displacing debris and kicking up a cloud of dust that engulfed the warehouse.
Caught completely off guard, the White Fang recruits were thrown into disarray, their weapons clattering to the floor. Their startled shouts were drowned out by the deafening roar of Gohan's energy, which continued to rip through the air. The ground beneath him trembled, and the very atmosphere seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the blast.
Gohan stood in the heart of the chaos, his breathing steady despite the eruption of power that had just surged from him. His heart raced, but not from the physical toll—it was the weight of urgency that gripped him. Blake's voice echoed in his mind, strained and full of desperation. Guilt gnawed at him. He had hesitated, trying to preserve his cover, but now that hesitation felt like a mistake. Blake needed him, and nothing else mattered.
His gaze swept over the scattered recruits, groaning and struggling to push themselves up from the ground, weapons abandoned around them. They were incapacitated, but Gohan didn't waste another moment on them. His mission had shifted in an instant.
Qrow stood in the shadows, his eyes narrowing as chaos unfolded before him. Ozpin had been right all along—Team RWBY, with their unshakable sense of justice, was prepared to take down the White Fang. But his focus wasn't entirely on them. No, his attention was locked on Gohan. The boy stood amidst the wreckage, glowing with an ethereal white flame. His power radiated in a way that sent a shiver down Qrow's spine—this was a force unlike anything he had ever witnessed. It was power beyond anything he had imagined from a kid.
Qrow's mind drifted back to the first time he encountered Gohan, a moment far from ideal. He had been trailing the Fall Maiden, Amber, through an overcast forest. The scene was quiet, the soft rustle of trees and distant bird calls the only sound. A narrow path cut through the woods, bordered by a wooden fence that separated nature from the carefully tended land beyond.
FlashBack
Through the mist, a lone white horse trotted along the path, its hooves steady against the earth. On its back was a rider, cloaked in deep green with golden armor that caught the faint light. The hood of her cloak was pulled up, but there was no mistaking her—the young maiden, Amber, was not far from the truth of the power she wielded.
Qrow had been tracking her from a distance, the mission clear. Amber was supposed to be under his protection, but the world had other plans.
Cinder and her associates had attacked without warning. The explosion of energy shattered the calm of the clearing. Qrow reacted instinctively, leaping into the fray, swinging Harbinger down to sever the web that had ensnared Amber and forcing their attackers back.
In the midst of the chaos, a voice reached his ears—cold, unsettling, and eerily calm. "Don't worry, moral," it said, its tone unnervingly composed. "I've sent them away from you. But you will watch over a boy now. He's interesting—more than you can understand. He will be an asset to you in the future."
The words hit him like a shockwave, lingering long after they had been spoken. The voice, like something godly or otherworldly, burrowed deep into his mind. It wasn't a mere suggestion—it felt like a command, an order from something far beyond his understanding. The weight of the words felt like a curse, a prophecy that gnawed at him.
Qrow had seen battles, betrayals, the chaos of war—but this felt different. The voice echoed in his mind as he safely delivered Amber to Ozpin. It was a presence that wouldn't let him forget, that refused to release him from its grip.
After ensuring Amber was safe in Ozpin's care, Qrow couldn't shake the pull to return to the cabin. He needed answers, or at least some sense of what was really going on. With a deep sigh, he made his way back.
When he stepped inside, something was wrong. The familiar wooden interior had been overtaken by strange, advanced medical equipment—devices unlike anything he'd ever seen. They hummed with life, blinking lights casting an eerie glow in the dim space. His fingers traced over the smooth surfaces of the unfamiliar tools, each one a mystery. There was no doubt now: this boy was at the center of something far beyond his comprehension.
Just as Qrow was about to delve deeper into the room, a deafening explosion shook the entire cabin. The windows rattled, and the walls seemed to shudder with the force.
Before he could react, that same chilling voice invaded his mind, its tone cold and commanding. "He has arrived. Go fetch him. He will need medical assistance."
Qrow's heart skipped a beat. The voice—it felt like it had been etched directly into his mind. He clenched his fists, scanning the room, his eyes narrowing in frustration.
"Who are you?" Qrow growled, but the only answer was the faint static of the voice retreating.
Outside, Qrow stood at the edge of a crater, staring down at the boy lying motionless in the wreckage. The destruction was total—charred earth, twisted metal, craters that looked like something out of a warzone. There was no sign of life in the boy's body. The bloodstains on the ground only heightened the gnawing dread in Qrow's chest.
"No way he's alive," Qrow muttered, shaking his head. The explosion had been massive—enough to tear apart anything in its path. A kid like him couldn't survive that. But then, the voice echoed in his mind again, its tone as cold and indifferent as ever:
"He is not dead. He will need medical assistance."
Qrow clenched his fists, annoyance flooding him. He hated when that voice spoke so detachedly, as if it had no care for the chaos it left in its wake. But he couldn't ignore it. Not this time.
He approached cautiously, stepping over the debris as he neared the boy's still form. Kneeling beside him, Qrow felt a faint pulse under his fingertips. "Damn," he muttered, half in disbelief. The kid was alive.
Qrow's eyes scanned Gohan's battered body. His arm was twisted at an unnatural angle, a clear sign of the immense force he'd endured. A hole in his left shoulder, cuts and bruises across his face—all signs of a brutal battle. The kid had clearly been through hell.
Slowly, Qrow adjusted the boy's position, his steps deliberate as he carried him out of the crater. Gohan's limp form grew heavier with each step, but Qrow pressed on. The voice in his head echoed once again: "He is important. Protect him."
End of Flashback
Suddenly, a deafening sonic boom pierced the air. Qrow snapped his head up, his eyes tracking the source of the noise. But before he could fully react, Gohan's glowing form had already disappeared.
The air around Qrow still hummed from the sheer force of the boy's takeoff. Dust and debris swirled in his wake as Gohan launched himself into the sky, the power radiating from him crackling through the atmosphere. He shot toward the threat with such speed that Qrow barely had time to process it before the boy was already a speck in the distance.