Greetings and happy new year, everyone! So, the new triple patch just came in, and it's quite overwhelming to say the least. But at least Teddy and Bridget are free to get, so that's a plus. Also, I pulled Luna after 40 pulls! Anyway, this chapter would probably be shorter than most since by the time this comes out, I'll be stuck in school. So expect my uploading to slow down.
Okay, time to address some comments before we start this uh… beach chapter.
Dasosiglord2.0: Heh. Someone really doesn't want Sharkspear to show up. Not that I blame you, but I have no intention to do that since there's no reason why they would appear in the story right now. As for Roland and Lamia? I have some plans for them, just not right now at least.
SolSparda36: Oh yes that is true with how Lucia, Luna and Liv are counted as inhumanly beautiful and attractive to everyone. Especially with what I planned for their outfits, which should be recognizable to some of their skins.
Now that we're done with the comments from the last chapter, let's get this chapter on the road!
As always, I do not own RWBY, it belongs to Viz Media nor own anything from Punishing Gray Raven under Kuro Games. Only the OCs in the story are of my creation.
Now approaching the docking bay with Luna, Penny and Liv behind her, Lucia hums to herself as her airship can be seen far in the skies slowly approaching them. Of course, on the way here, she had briefed Penny on the events that had transpired and how she managed to arrest both Torchwick and Adam that single night with Luna's assistance.
As well as the fact of the presence of that Grimm machine abomination. Understandably, Penny was horrified at such a monster and even wondered how or why those scientists were creating such horrific creatures that would cause a catastrophe should they break free and leak all over the world.
Lucia, followed by Luna could only conclude that this was the actions of one of the scientists, specifically Merlot with his utterly insane obsession with Grimm biology. Either way, it only brought more questions about why Racher and Merlot were working with Torchwick and Adam.
Aware of the need to fill in additional information, Lucia informed all of them that apparently, they have Torchwick going around and stealing all the Dust he could get and bringing it to them while Adam gives some additional 'manpower'. Of course, the idea of additional dust and manpower being funnelled to the rogue scientists sent waves of alarm, since it's clear that they're trying to sustain themselves through other means.
Still, it was too early to act, since the plans to launch a raid on the facility grew ever closer. So, until Lucia can gather more data from both Torchwick and Adam in their cells onboard the Griffin, they would not inform the General for now. After all, it is likely that General Ironwood wouldn't approve of the fact that Lucia acted without his authority. And for good reason, too.
Watching as the Griffin slowly descended onto the platform, an idea struck Lucia. Since they as well as team RWBY and JNPR are going to the beach today, perhaps they should use her jet to take them there? By all calculations of all nearby beach sites, they can be there in minutes compared to hours if they were to have to take an airship.
Of course, that shouldn't be too hard since she just needs to get Torchwick's compliance to remain silent the whole trip while also and likely gagging Adam, so his furious rantings won't attract the attention of everyone else. Yes… that sounds like a wonderful idea out of sheer efficiency.
"Sister, where are Roman Torchwick and Adam Taurus in the Griffin?" Penny asks her sister through their private channel before getting a swift response from Lucia while she couldn't help but let out a chuckle silently. After all, she had to get creative on how to safeguard the two of them and result in making their cells inside her craft, as it had an additional compartment underneath the cargo bay.
"They are located beneath the cargo bay, sister. Some modifications were required to ensure the environment is suitable for their basic biological needs." And as a form of good gesture towards her two captives, Lucia even procured a bed, a table with a simple stool chair, a sink and a toilet bowl. All that is left is food and water to keep both of them from starving or dehydrating to death, but that's easy to buy with the Liens allocated not only to her, but her sisters and Liv as well by General Ironwood.
"That outstanding thinking, sister!" Penny gushed with a smile on her face as the Griffin finally lands and all four of them walk in to make some preparations for the beach trip while also sending a message to both team RWBY and JNPR that they can use the Griffin to take them there.
As soon as they entered the Griffin, Penny, alongside Liv, split off from Lucia to follow Luna towards the laser-powered nano-assembler in another compartment of the craft. As for Lucia, she went down through a trap door that leads to the compartment underneath the cargo bay and just there, both Torchwick and Adam can be seen in their respective cells, though only Torchwick notices her first.
"Hey missy, I know I'm supposed to stay here without my scroll and all, but can I have it back?" He asks while immediately earning a raised eye, while Adam can be heard snorting with disdain in the background while lying on his bed and staring at the lights above.
"Why?"
"I need it just for a moment. I just want to text Neo and tell her that I'm doing good here, and that you're treating me good. Well, good enough as one can be in a cell." The criminal explains while she stares deeply into him. Her systems can tell that Torchwick was being sincere about his desire to only contact Neo.
But even then, there's always a chance, no matter how small, that he would use this to inform Cinder. Or course, Alpha had already had full access to all of Torchwick's scroll information when she hacked it not too long ago, but that would be incredibly suspicious if he learns that he cannot contact his subordinate. Even then, Torchwick has so far been incredibly cooperative at the price of freedom, so perhaps that is enough to keep him loyal until the end?
"Very well then. While you're at it, do ask her for some details on your boss, no doubt they will be suspicious about your lack of response." Lucia says as she walks over to one of the nearby cabinets before reaching into it and taking out the Criminal's Scroll. As she glances back at Torchwick in his cell, the criminal himself can be seen staring at her just centimetres from the metal bars made from tungsten-titanium alloys reinforced with carbon nanotubes.
Yes. One could say Lucia did go overboard with the cells, but she isn't taking any chances of either Torchwick or especially Adam breaking out of their cells and potentially causing damage to her ship. Besides, a deep research and calculation had concluded that this set of alloys reinforced with carbon nanotubes would be sufficient to hold aura users in it.
Of course, the main drawback and the reason why Altas resorted to using Hard light instead was because of the sheer cost to manufacture it. But again, the presence of nano-assemblers made manufacturing costs smaller by a large margin. Though it did take some time to print the entire cell out and actually fix it by herself.
After walking back and sticking her hand through Torchwick's cell with his scroll in her hand, Lucia uttered just loud enough for the criminal to hear. "Just don't make me regret my decision." Her eyes shimmering with an uncanny glow, while Torchwick could only meekly nod his head.
"Yeah. Sure…" With that, the criminal took his scroll back and began texting to his second while Alpha glances around before walking over to Adam's cell while the bull Faunus gave no thought to responding or even acknowledging to her.
"Guess there's no point talking to him until a later date… though incredibly unlikely he would open up if by all calculations suggest."
She could conclude before bringing her attention onto Adam before the trap door into this compartment suddenly opens and Penny sticks her head in. "There you are, sister Lucia!" Penny smiles with the same joy she always has on her face. "Liv wants to ask if we should buy some food and drinks for later beach event. Oh! Also, team RWBY and JNPR had responded and agreed to go to the beach through the Griffin!"
"I see. Tell Liv that sounds like a fantastic idea, sister, and I appreciate you letting me know." Lucia couldn't help but smile at her little sister's enthusiasm. It is quite infectious at times, and even someone who had lost and regained her humanity to an extent couldn't help but find Penny's positivity enduring.
"And what about our carefully created outfits?" Lucia decided to bring that up and got an immediate answer.
"Sister Luna is working on them now, and I think they look spectacular! You should see them for yourself!" Penny happily chirped before disappearing back upstairs, while Lucia brought her gaze back onto Torchwick.
[Conversation between Roman Torchwick and Neopolitan summarised.]
[Neopolitan is ecstatic that Roman Torchwick is well and unharmed.]
[Details that Cinder fall is spooked by Roman and Adam's sudden disappearance.]
[Priority warning! Neapolitan has informed Torchwick that Racher and Merlot have come into contact with Cinder Fall and leaked some information on Lucia Alpha, Luna Laurel, Penny Polendina and Liv Idonia!]
[However, there is no mention of mechanical origins.]
[Threat level of origin leak increased.]
Lucia's eyes narrowed down upon processing all the information in her Hud. This bolds ill if those two scientists are taking a much bolder stance to her efforts of sabotage by informing Cinder just like that. But rash actions will not benefit her right now, especially since today's event is more like a time for her and everyone else to take a break.
"Well, I'll take my leave and leave you and Adam alone for now." Lucia says as she begins walking over to the ladder that would take her up and out of this compartment. "I have other matters to address. Also, I'm going shopping, so what food do you want to have?"
"Eh, some ramen noodles do sound nice to have."
"Sure." With that, Lucia began climbing up the stairs with a plan in mind.
Lucia POV
Well, it certainly didn't take things too long to get done, since only an hour had passed after we left to buy some supplies for our lunch and possibly dinner at the beach before we had to pick up team RWBY and JNPR from beacon. Weiss had helpfully sent the details on where this designated beach location is supposed to be, and yeah. I believe that things should be well enough since we would be there before the peak crowds come.
And also… Luna? What was going through your mind when you chose to make my swimwear? Not that I am against it but… it's something alright… Regardless, as I usually do and presence needed, I will always be in the cockpit of my personal jet, piloting it with Luna and Penny just behind me in their seats, while Liv joined team RWBY and JNPR in the main cabin and locked into their seats with their bags and other foodstuffs we brought along.
Understandably, we were all excited about a chance to go to the beach. After all, it has been months or potentially years since I last went to the beach based on all previous recollections, and it clears that this trip will be their first time going to the beach and same with Liv. Though knowing her, she'll be there to ensure that nobody gets hurt as she usually does.
As for the rest of team RWBY and JNPR, they seemed pretty excited about this chance, but it was clear to me that Blake wasn't as focused as she normally is, since I have zero doubt, she's digging all she can about Torchwick.
Who I have in a cell on the very same jet she's in at the moment.
In fact, I'm pretty sure Torchwick's trail going cold thanks to me is going to drive her utterly insane now that I think about it. Perhaps I should do something about that before she begins to think that she has lost his trail and burns herself even more. An alternative idea is to privately show that I have Torchwick with me the whole time, but that poses many risks if I were to do that.
Mainly that I am unsure if it is wise to tell her due to how volatile that cat girl is based on all the data given to me by my father over the White Fang. But leaving it unattended is also inadvisable. When I find the time, I should try to calm her worries at least. If nothing else, or if the situation demands of it, I would tell her what I know and hopefully that would sate her eagerness to engage the Fang.
[Destination reached in 5 minutes. All sensors indicate that there are no potential witnesses until the first bus arrives in 30 minutes.]
Ah, that's wonderful news to hear. With nobody there yet, it should be possible to land the Griffin at the nearby car park and alight us before having it take off and perhaps perform constant surveillance of the surrounding region. Yeah… I prefer not having to deal with any surprise attacks from either Grimm nor any of the other creations for Racher and Merlot.
Taking a quick glance to my left and to my right despite the helmet still on my head, I can see that Penny is brimming with excitement with the same smile she always had, while Luna seems passive right now. "We're about to reach our destination, sisters." I announce as I bring my eyes back to the front.
"That's wonderful! I always wanted to go to the beach! What do you think we can do over there?" My little sister blurts out excitingly before Luna joins the conversation.
"We brought plenty of food as well as other necessities for this event. Alternatively, the participation of several activities would make this entertaining. Excluding swimming for me." Right. Luna never seemed to like the oceans that much thanks to her hair length which keeps getting tangled. Not that I can blame her.
Our long hairs are prone to tangling more often than you think, especially my sister with her twin tails.
"That is true, but take this as an informative way to learn how to adapt to aquatic environments before the coming assault on Merlot and Racher's underwater base." I join into the conversation and offer a suggestion. After all, since we're going to have to attack their underwater base, gaining some experience on how to swim effectively would prove helpful alongside the other help General Ironwood intends to bring.
It wouldn't surprise me if he assigns us with some sort of aquatic propulsion system to allow us to move faster in the waters. Though, I'm more concerned with what awaits us there once we officially begin the assault. With that thing Luna and I took out not too long ago, I fear that we may see more of those things stored in captivity and released on us all. And my worry of potential cross contamination that could occur once we begin fighting.
On the plus side, my sister seemed able to deal with them well enough, as well as that kill switch programme for father's nanomachines we have in our systems that we can use to (hopefully) shut them down before any potential infection could spread. Of course, there is still BPB-26 and ATL-01 to worry about, as it is highly likely both will be there to defend the laboratory.
"Very well then." I heard Luna mutter out. And is there a hint of reluctance there?
No matter.
Eventually, we arrived at the beach and it's a wonderful sight! Sure, it isn't that much different from the beaches on Earth, but there's little to no rubbish at all and none floating in it, which is nice. Furthermore, there were only less than a handful of people there, so it was relatively easy to find a good spot for us to set up before changing at the respective change sites.
And… wear what Luna made for me. It's a bikini top with incredibly short shorts, with its colour pallets white and teal. It also came with a nice sun hat with some accessories on it and a literal bunny plushie as well, plus a pair of sunglasses that form the word "COOL". Literally. I seriously wonder what was going through my sister's systems when it came to designing them, but it is creative, I'll give her that.
Lastly, there are also bits of accessories on my arms and legs and sandals to go alongside the whole thing. By the time I was done changing and ensuring that there were no visible parts or way to show that I wasn't human at all, I left the changing room to see that much of team RWBY and JNPR had already unpacked everything we brought. Furthermore, it appears that Luna, Penny and Liv were still changing since we were the last to go into the changing room.
As I walked towards them, Ruby was the first to notice me and my new outfit my sister made me, and she blurted out in the most Ruby way ever as she gasped dramatically with her finger pointing straight at me. "Guys! Guys! Look at her! Ohmygoodnessshelooksamazing!" With her silver eyes shining with sheer awe, Ruby immediately zips over to my location with her Semblance and begins orbiting around me with a smile before having a good look at my sun hat. "Oh, my goodness! Her hat even has a bunny on it! It's so cute!"
Ruby coos while I can see the rest of team RWBY walking towards me and marvel at my choice of swimwear. Well. Except for JNPR, since Jaune and Ren were trying their best not to blush in my presence. Which did earn Nora and Pyrrha's attention, and they swiftly dragged them away from me while covering their eyes.
Heh… truly my inhuman beauty is a curse at times.
"That is quite the outfit your sister got ya, Lucia." Yang grins at me with a hand under her chin and on her hip. "I mean, damn. Despite not being much, you still look so hot that the boys have to be taken away." She giggled before sticking her thumb behind her. I am not sure if it should be mentioned, but Ruby and Weiss are wearing a one-piece swimsuit dress with their signature colours and the same can be said for Yang and Blake who wear bikinis with their colours.
Of course, Blake had her signature ribbon on her head to hide her cat ears. Not that that matters to me, of course. "As to be expected." I chuckled as I brushed my hair aside before Weiss asked me.
"Must your outfit be so… eye-catching, Lucia? It does seem custom-made, that is for sure."
"Well, my sister chose this outfit, so I suppose you can tell her that." I chimed in before catching Blake's bow twitching a bit, followed by footsteps as I turned to see Luna leaving the changing room. Unlike mine, her outfit consists of a two-piece swimsuit in colours of white, teal and a shade of white purple. She also has sandals with an inch thick sole and her twin tails tied up with beads made from crystals of some kind.
Though upon closer analysis, they seem to be just glass but shaped and crafted in a way they mimic the appearance of crystals. Also, she has pieces of cloth that shine like crystals coming down from her waist. Not a bad idea in terms of looks, to be honest. "Wow. Way to make us all look simple, Luna." I picked up Yang chiming again before I spotted a smug from my sister. She must be really proud of her creation to be smiling just like that.
"Indeed."
"I think all these swimsuit designs would make Coco go nuts…" Blake mutters out before the heiress butts into the conversation.
"That is true. The day Coco saw that outfit, she lost her mind over how amazing they were designed and wanted to know who designed them." She mutters as I have to nod my head. Luna's designs were so different from the usual that they immediately caught Coco's attention and even at one point, she literally walked up to my sister and had an interesting discussion on fashion.
Frankly, the rest of Team RWBY and JNPR didn't know it at the time, but Coco shared her scroll number with Luna and from all previous transmission detections, both of them have been in contact about their shared interests. I'm pleased to see that my little sister is making friends here besides team RWBY and JNPR plus… Cardin.
Of all people…
Bloody simp.
As much as I hate to admit it, Luna's been a good influence on Cardin in the most unexpected way. I know my sister didn't appreciate his constant flirting attempts and bluntly told him to stop it countless times at this point, but that didn't deter him in the slightest. In a strange way, it was because of my sister that is why Cardin changed his ways. And I meant it.
Anyway, moving on from that guy, I can see that much of team RWBY were distracted with my little sister and soon Penny and Liv were done changing and just like with me, Luna had gone far beyond and crafted them both an extraordinary outfit. Penny has a swimsuit with various shades of green befitting her colour palette and interestingly enough, Luna had given Penny's swimsuit design a somewhat techno like design with its neo green lines on certain parts of the suit and shiny appearance.
Even more, Penny had arm and leg sleeves coloured black and, as mentioned earlier, had neon green lines all over it. Strangely enough, it reminds me of her rebuilt form from volume seven, unlike the constructed version who stands before me. I wonder where Luna got the inspiration from because the designs feel like something that would come out of science fiction back on Earth…
Though unlike me and Luna, Penny had no slippers on and is going full on bare-footed.
And lastly, Liv.
I wonder if Luna was experimenting with different genres of designs because unlike hers, mine or Penny's, Liv still retains the gold and white colours she always has on her outfit, but this one is more has a more exotic beauty, if I were to put it into words, Liv wears what is clearly a black bodysuit underneath a white dress and overall, it makes her look a bit like a mermaid with the strands of cloth that appear to come around the lower back and flowed down almost like jellyfish tentacles.
Well… At least, that's what I think they are inspired by.
And just like Penny, Liv chose not to wear any slippers and as it had happened to me and Luna, their appearance awed team RWBY. "Oh wow! You look wonderful!" I heard Ruby gushing again as she sped off towards my little sister, and Liv was caught off guard. Or only Liv in this case. Penny just beamed at the praise she's receiving from Ruby.
"I know right! Sister Luna made this for me, and I know she did a spectacular job designing it!"
"You know, with all four of your distinctive swimwear, I believe we'll attract a lot of unwanted attention." Weiss sights as she rests a hand on her forehead, though still carrying a smile on her lips. I have to agree, with our already inhuman beauty, we would no doubt attract attention. Especially from the other boys or men soon to arrive in an hour for some beach time.
"You say it as if it's a bad thing." Yang chimed in as I noticed her sliding up to Luna before whispering into her ear. But thanks to my enhanced audio sensors, I immediately picked up what she was whispering. "Yo, Luna, I know you're technically my teacher and stuff, but do you think you can make me and the rest of team RWBY some new swimsuits to wear in the future?"
Yang… What are you planning?
And surprisingly, to my surprise, my little sister seems to be buying it with a subtle nod. "Perhaps at a later date that could be arranged, Yang."
"Yesss…." Yang cheers softly as she scoots back to her partner, while Blake silently raises an eyebrow. With all that happening, I think it's time we have some fun before everyone comes in. How about a nice dip in the sea? It has been some time since I went swimming, and I believe it would be nice to do some laps before going to make lunch.
Yeah. That would do just nicely.
Far away in Vale…
Cinder finds herself in her safehouse scrounging through paper after paper, coming up with all sorts of contingencies that could help her after learning all she could from those and machines and one once human among them. Frankly, the whole case has been incredibly stressful for the half-fall maiden, since learning about these construct frames those machines possess made her extremely alarmed at their abilities.
Possessing superhuman reaction speeds that surpassed even the most veteran Huntsman, Cinder honestly has doubts even with her semblance and maiden powers she could stand up against them. That's how powerful those things were that despite all her arrogance and pride, even she knows that she's outmatched by those things.
And that makes her furious.
She hated feeling weak, but even Cinder came to realise that as much as she detested the scientists who had her on a leash, they indirectly informed her of the threats and how dangerous they were. Thus, letting her know that her plans to infiltrate Beacon would have ended in decisive failure, with the likeness of her death or capture in the process.
On further thought, despite holding her by the neck and taking her assets, Dr Merlot and Racher have been so far open about those abominable machines as Racher calls them and how engaging them would be suicide, and that only their machines could challenge them. And now one of those machines is arriving soon with a recompense package, as they call it.
Whatever it was, Cinder could only hope that it would help her turn the tide because she wouldn't want to disappoint her mistress with this setback in her plans. Even so, she needs to inform her that Atlas has brought some ancient and dangerous technology back onto the field and how it could stop her.
Glaring at all her written notes all over the table, Cinder found herself processing every single information slowly before the sound of shuffling could be heard from behind right as a familiar voice made his presence known as always.
"Hola amigo!" BPB-26 can be heard announcing his presence with the very same drama and grander he's known to show to everyone as he walks in unannounced behind Cinder. As for the half-Fall Maiden, she flinches at his voice with alarm, only to calm down immediately after upon recognising his voice. "Seems you have been busy since our last talk."
"One has to be with the information you granted me not too long ago." Cinder responds coolly, despite the distaste she bears internally for that thing. Even she finds these Grimm machine hybrids uncanny, and she has already seen many, thanks to her mistress. "Now, what brings you here?" The half-fall maiden asks as BPB-26 chuckles lightly as he reaches into his coat and pulls out a vial of some sort of black substance.
"My my, so untrusting, must you be? Have a little faith because the compensation present you are due has arrived." He explains before tossing the vial into the air, before dramatically catching it mid-air and presenting it towards Cinder. "But a doll knows nothing about why the puppet master makes it dance the way they wish."
Cinder's silence was all that she gave upon hearing his cryptic speech while staring at the black substance in the vial presented. Her eyes narrowed down as that substance seemed to be strangely alive. "What is that thing?"
"A recompense gift from my creator if you ask. The power and essence that forge me into existence, but I'd advise you to be wary of such things. Nor should you foolishly meddle in it without proper care, less you wither from its power." BPB-26 explains before Cinder brings her eyes up straight to his.
"Then why give it to me?"
"I do not know nor like it that my creator deems this a viable gift to sooth your anger. But the story must keep going with all its players and thus, I will obey his words despite my reservations against giving such a sample to an untrustworthy actor." The Grimm hybrid states his word as fact before Cinder takes the vial off his hand. It is clear to her that even BPB-26 doesn't seem to approve of giving this thing to her for some reason.
Even then, it reminds her of the Grimm pools her mistress showed her countless times. Perhaps she could provide some answers. If so, she must leave immediately before Ironwood's machines catch wind of her soon. Staring at the vial, the half-fall maiden looks up to see BPB-26 departing, only for him to stop suddenly and turn his head towards her, lacking any of the bravado he had earlier.
"Know one thing, hermana. What you choose to do with it will affect the story we play in such ways that it will change it radically. For Humanity and our resident animal people. I dare wonder will this day bring its final end, or a new beginning? Whatever the case, this day's fate will be defined by your hand." With that, he swiftly makes his departure, while Cinder silently watches as he leaves.
With that, the half-fall maiden's eyes dipped down towards the sample as she frowned. "What do I choose to do with it? I choose what gives me the power I am destined to have. This must be done. My mistress must know what this vial contains." And so, Cinder now has a new objective.
Bring the sample to her master.
Salem.
And cut! God-damn, this took forever thanks to my procrastination in full force!
Anyway, I'm done with this chapter despite how I was supposed to post this last well. But better-late-than-never, as one would say. But I digress, I hope you liked this chapter and hope you all are enjoying the three in one patch happening to synchronise both the global and CN servers. I also go Luna Oblivion, Teddy and Bridget and I love them all!
Moving on, I know that the beach segment doesn't seem like much, but I fully intend to do a full recap of the next chapter and the aftermath of what's happening. And as you can tell, Lucia, Luna and Liv's designs are based on their coating in the game while Penny's is mostly cyberpunk-ish inspired!
And then Cinder… Well, things are about to go poorly for everyone once she gets that sample of Grimm Virus sample to Salem. I'm sure some of you can read the wall and see what that will enthral and how Canons about to be burned to bits and more PGR inspired incidents will happen.
Who knows, perhaps we'll see an even more powerful Salem down the lins…
But for now, I am done. If you enjoy this story, do follow and favour it, so I know you want more in the future! And while at it, do leave a review of what you think of this chapter, as I enjoy reading it and replying to it!
I will see you people in the next chapter and Merry early Christmas everyone!
RGQC out!