It was the next day and Team RRWBY was in Oobleck's class and Weiss was patiently waiting out the minute left on her holographic clock displayed from her desk in the classroom of Professor Peter Port as he is talking about something from his youth that no one was really paying attention to not even Weiss herself as Jaune slid up next to Weiss once again trying to ask her out.
"So Weiss, you know uh, I was thinking that after this, maybe we could go grab a bite to eat?" the delusional Blonde Knight of Team JNPR asked before turning towards Port to see if he was looking their way before turning back.
"And, uh um, I-I've got two tickets to that new Spruce Willis movie, if you wanna make the trip to Vale. I hear it's awesome." Jaune explained, pausing as his words are having no effect on her cold heart.
"Aaaand maybe after that, we could study together? I mean, you're smart and I'm, uh... Y'know." Jaune added, finally at his most desperate stage.
Finally, the clock in front of Weiss gives a shrill beep as it changes from 3:59 to 4:00, and she dismisses it with a wave of her hand while Port is temporarily unaware of the bell ringing still in the middle of his class.
"And then I— Oh." Professor Port said as he straightens his stance as the students start to leave. "Timed that one wrong, I guess. Well, the stunning conclusion to this story will have to wait. Until next time!" Port stated as his class ended.
Jaune groaned in his head watching Weiss as she packs up her stuff.
"Weiss? Did you hear me?" Jaune asked, hoping for a yes.
"No, no, no, yes." Weiss replied, not even looking at him, causing him to groan and facepalm.
Team RWBY and Team 10 were walking by, feeling a little bad out for the Blonde Knight of Team JNPR.
"Maybe one day, Jaune." Yang encouraged the Blonde Knight of Team JNPR, patting his head.
"I'd just give up. She's impossible. Besides, try asking someone else" said Rex as he left with his team.
Team RRWBY's dorm
The team made it back to their dorms after another boring lesson from Oobleck, at least to Yang and Ruby it was, but Rex had gotten used to Oobleck's crazy nature. Not to mention the info he gave him, really gave Rex an understanding of this world more and more. Now they were preparing to go out on their secret mission.
Inside Team RRWBY's dorm room, Ruby's strapping the red laces of her shoes, as she wore different clothes than her usual. Ruby's outfit consisted of a long-sleeve, light gray shirt with black belted cuffs near the ends of the sleeves. Over top of the gray shirt is a black pinafore with two vertical lines of red stitching that resemble the lacing on a corset. She wears a red skirt with a large black print of her emblem on the side and matching black tulle underneath.
Her stockings and shoes remain the same as her Original outfit, though the boots lack the red trim that decorated the top. A few pieces of metal arranged in an abstract shape are attached to the shoulder of her left sleeve, and her cloak's hood has been wrapped around her neck in a scarf-like fashion, while the rest hangs down like normal.
Weiss was checking and making sure she had plenty of dust in her weapon, while wearing her new clothes. Weiss's new outfit consisted of a white, double-breasted jacket with black piping, cuffs and buttons over a white, pleated full skirt with black lace trim. She also wears a pair of white, thigh high boots with black heels and lace-topped black stockings.
Yang was making sure she had plenty of shotgun shells for her gauntlets, while also wearing her new clothes. Yang's outfit consisted of a deep-collared cream vest worn over a low cut black shirt; both are covered by a dark gray shrug with a raised collar, three-quarter sleeves adorned with a single black stripe down the outside of each sleeve, and gold cuffs. A black miniskirt is worn under the cream vest.
A pair of crooked black belts with gold accents are slung around her hip, with a purple piece of fabric attached to the left-rear section of the lower belt. She wears thigh high stockings attached to her miniskirt by garter-belts on the front and back of each thigh, decorated with four golden studs above her knee and her emblem on the outside of each thigh in gold. She also wears black ankle boots with multiple buckles and white ribbons on the back tied in a bow and around her neck is a purple pendant set in silver.
Blake was tightening the ribbons on her arms as she too wore new clothes. Blake's outfit consisted of a white, v-neck, zip-up crop shirt with a black hem and three-quarter sleeves. Her emblem is printed in off-white on the left side of the shirt. She wears black pants that have a vertical gray stripe on the outer side of each leg and a black belt. Attached to the rear of the belt is a black piece of fabric that covers her from hip to hip. Underneath this is a longer, translucent, purple piece of fabric. She also wears black high-heel boots with two straps and buckles and purple undersoles, reaching to mid-calf. She retains the black ribbons on her forearms and her black bow.
Rex just changed into his old clothes.
"I thought that class would never end." Blake said, tightening her ribbons more.
"I've said that about every class every since I landed at this stinking academy" said Rex.
"You are such a lazy butt" snarked Weiss.
"Ask those two big Grimm from before, and Torchwick if I'm lazy" retorted Rex.
"Whatever" said Weiss as she loaded her dust cylinders into her weapon.
"Alright, guys, today's the day! The investigation begins!" Ruby stated excitedly, jumping off the couch, much to her partner's displeasure.
"I'm glad to see we're taking this so seriously." Weiss said sarcastically.
"Hey, we've got a plan! That's... moderately serious." Yang added, grinning with her own sense of humor.
"Right. Now everyone remember their roles" said Ruby, checking on her teammates missions.
"Ruby and I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records and see if there have been any more robberies or issues. Seeing as how I'm in the family, it shouldn't be a problem" said Weiss.
"The White Fang has normal faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members. If I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning" said Blake.
"Me and Rex will drive into Vale. I've got a friend on the shady side of town that knows everything happening in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard. Plus if things go south, I'll have this strong hero to keep me safe" said Yang while laying her arm on top of Rex shoulder.
He sighed saying "Do you anything except be a tease" said Rex as he looked at Yang.
"Nope" was all Yang said.
"Get a room you two" snarked Weiss.
"We are in a room" said Yang.
"We're doomed" said Weiss covering her face with her hands.
"Great. We'll meet up with Yang and Rex to go over the plan. Let's do this" cheered Ruby.
"Yea. Let's do this" said a voice that wasn't any of theirs. They looked at the window and saw a familiar face. Their friend Sun was hanging upside down by his tail with his arms a legs in a seated position.
"Sun. How'd you get up here" said Yang.
"He's a monkey. How do you think he got up here" said Rex.
Sun swung into the room saying "so are we going to get back at that Torchwick guy."
"WE" are going to going to investigate the situation... as a team" said Blake.
"Sorry Sun, but we don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to" said Ruby.
"Pftw that's dumb. You should always get friends involved. That why I brought Neptune" said Sun pointing his thumb outside.
The team looked out and saw Neptune hugging the wall.
"Sup" was all he said.
"How did you even get up" said Ruby.
"I have my ways. Seriously can I come in. We're really high up" said Neptune looking down.
After another quick meeting
The team had to make some changes to the plan. Ruby, Weiss, and Neptune were going to the CCT and looking for records. He wanted to go with Rex but Yang said no and gave him an evil look to where he obliged.
Sun and Blake were going the White Fang meeting. And Rex and Yang were still going together to the shady side of town. The teams split as Yang and Rex got to her motorcycle to where Yang had a plan.
"I'll race you there" said Yang challenging Rex.
"Why" said Rex in curious manner.
"Cause Im amazing riding Bumblebee so I'm curious how fast you bike is" said Yang.
Rex thought it would be fun to humor her since he thought it would be nice to have some fun while he could.
"Okay, I'll take your bet. What happens we lose" said Rex.
"Loser has to take the person out on a date" smirked Yang.
"Still being a tease I see, but you do realize I don't have money, right" said Rex.
"Well then you better get a job and get that money and get me a fancy date" said yang acting smug.
"Ok. Want to play that way huh. Fine, you're on" challenged Rex. They got on their motorcycles and sped off to Vale.
Timeskip
The Cross Continental Transmission System or the CCT what's the site to be held for a first time visitor.
Its extremely large courtyard with the symbol of a Beacon in the center surrounded by four miniature pools are in the shape of a square surrounding it.
The building itself was an extremely large tower rivaling that of Beacon with the same architect having clearly designed it with a single goal of constructing a building that would last for generations to come.
"Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!" Ruby exclaimed, excited to see one of the largest towers.
"It is pretty impressive actually." Neptune added.
"You should see the one in Atlas." Weiss stated with pride.
"That was the first one right?" Neptune asked.
"Correct. Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms to communicate with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War." Weiss explained, once again proud of her home kingdom's accomplishments.
"Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!" Ruby said, acting all high and mighty as she snorted into her hands at Weiss's frown.
"Don't talk to me, peasants, I'm Weiss Schnee and I'm too important for any lonely commoners to talk to me." Neptune added in a mock tone, making her frown even more.
"I don't sound like that. And, don't be a pest! Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much! We could have just as easily made a call from the library!" Weiss replied, annoyed by Ruby and Neptune's childish insults.
"I know, but it's so coool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!" Ruby exclaimed as she grabbed her Scroll from a pocket on her clothes, but in her excitement, the device launched from her hands, bouncing along the pavement until it landed at the feet of someone they hadn't seen for a while. Penny.
"Oh! You dropped this." Penny said, picking up the Scroll and extending towards the clumsy teen.
"Penny?" Ruby asked, shocked because it has nearly been a while since they last saw her after the Battle at the docks in Vale.
"Umm, who's the new girl" Neptune asked, which made Penny nervous.
"S-Sorry. I think you're confused." Penny lied, causing her to hiccup, and throwing the Scroll into Ruby's hands.
"Uh... I've got to go!" Penny added, walking away quickly and hopefully Ruby and anyone else doesn't find out her secret.
"What was that about?" Weiss asked, a little weirded out more than usual with Penny.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Ruby replied as she started walking in Penny's direction as she shouted back to her partners.
"You go make your call! I'll meet up with you two later!" Ruby shouted, walking towards the secret Android.
"Ruby, wait!" Weiss shouted in the futility of stopping her teammate as she lowered her hand and sighed, knowing that there's nothing she can do to stop her.
"Let's just go" Neptune stated.
City of Vale
With Ruby.
"Penny! Where have you been? It's been a couple of weeks. We've been worried about you." Ruby asked as she descended the steps until she got in front of the non-eccentric redhead.
"There seems to be a... misunderstanding." Penny replied, feeling worse than she already does.
"What?" Ruby asked as Penny continued to walk away, causing Ruby to slide down the rail next to her.
"Penny... Is everything okay?" Ruby asked as Penny continued forward without reaction until Ruby grabbed her by the arm finally making her stop and listen.
"Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to me! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! I need you to tell me what happened to you that night! Please... As a friend." Ruby asked, wanting to do everything in her power to help people.
Sighing and realizing that her first friend will not give up no matter what she says, she starts to glance to her side swiftly before she walks over to Ruby's side and leans in close.
"It isn't safe to talk here." Penny stated as she looked around suspiciously, much to Ruby's confusion.
Communications Tower
Weiss and Neptune were walking through the grand, glowing lobby of the tower with pride, avoiding the central terminal and heading straight for the elevator doors, which slide open automatically and close when they are inside causing the voice of the CCT AI to come on line from a panel near the door.
"Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?" The CCT AI asked.
"We would like to go to the communications room, please." Weiss replied politely.
"Absolutely. Could you please place your Scrolls on the terminal to verify your identities?" The CCT AI asked as the two pulled out their scrolls, putting them in the required panels.
"Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee, and Mr. Neptune" the AI replied as the elevator began to go up as Weiss's expressions shifted from pleasant to serious.
Upon entering the room, four symbols are seen on a computer - twin axes and wreaths for Vale, three flying swords pointing down for Valco, a spear and shield inside a fragmented circle for Atlas, and a precise winged shape for Mistral.
The two walked up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appeared in the seat.
"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?" The secretary asked in a polite manner.
"I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas." Weiss replied.
"Absolutely. If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through to Schnee Headquarters." The Holographic secretary explained with her directions.
"Thank you!" The two Huntsmen-in-training replied.
Weiss smiled and nodded before walking over to her assigned cubicle-like computer, passing a few Beacon students in uniform - one of which is talking to her mother and asking how things are going back in Signal Academy. She sat at her own display, taking a deep, unhappy breath to prepare for the call ahead. The face of a short-haired brunette appears on the monitor with the Schnee snowflake rotating behind her.
"Thank you for calling the Atlas- Oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter and Mother might be here as well." The terminal operator asked the Schnee Heiress.
"No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list." Weiss replied as she produced her Scroll, placing it into a slot on the keyboard, creating a series of noises as the Operator looks at the data from her side of the screen.
"I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for?" The operator asked, looking a little nervous.
"School project." Weiss replied, without missing a beat.
"Um... There are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am." The operator stated nervously.
"Well then, I'll be sure to take extra care of them." Weiss replied.
"Right... Very well The data is being transferred to your Scroll now." The operator explained, typing a few things on her computer.
"Wonderful! That will be all, then." Weiss replied with a smile.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?" The operator asked, causing Weiss to lose her smile, but quickly replaced it.
"Yes, I'm sure." Weiss replied, trying to not growl at the operator.
"Well, then... Have a nice day!" The Operator replies as the call is dropped, and so too is Weiss's happy act, seen in the screen's reflection.
Quickly getting over it, she walked began walking away from the terminal.
"Got what we need" asked Neptune.
"Yep. Now lets go find Ruby" said Weiss as they headed down the elevator.
City of Vale
With Ruby and Penny.
Penny stood alone near a two-story building with patio furniture and she is looking around nervously when a hand grabs her shoulder, causing her to jump. She turns to see Ruby grinning. She smiles in return before they begin to walk down the sidewalk.
"I wish I could help you, Ruby, but I don't know anything about those men." Penny stated, wishing that she could help some more.
"Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, I went looking for you, but I couldn't find you anywhere. It's like you just you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?" Ruby asked, hoping that's not the case.
"Oh, no! Nothing like that!" Penny replied, assuring that she wasn't kidnapped.
"Then where did you go?" Ruby asked, honestly curious.
"I've never been to another kingdom before. My father asked me not to venture out too far, but... You have to understand, my father loves me very much; he just worries a lot." Penny explained, remembering all the times her father tries to keep her out of trouble.
"Believe me, I know the feeling. But why not let us know you were okay?" Ruby asked, feeling concerned for her new friend.
"I... was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Or Rex. Or Anybody, really." Penny replied sadly since she wants to have friends.
"Was your dad that upset?" Ruby asked.
"No, it wasn't my father..." Penny began, but before she can continue, she and Ruby hear the sound of megaphones announcing something, turning around the corner to look at the platform in the center of a plaza where the holographic image of General James Ironwood is seen before six AK-130 Androids, who are in turn standing in front of two large metal storage cases with the spear-and-shield emblem on their doors.
"The AK-130 has been a standard security model of Remnant for several years, and they have done a fine job. Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you agree?" the Hologram of James Ironwood asked, pausing for the clapping of the gathered audience causes the drones to take a bow.
"But... the kingdom of Atlas is a kingdom of innovation, and 'fine'... Well, that's just not good enough, is it? Presenting... the Atlesian Knight-200!" James explained, causing the doors to the cases roll up, and six new, bulkier, shinier automatons stand at attention before knocking their obsolete predecessors down to the applause of the watchers.
"Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary." James added, causing the robots to flex and pose as a demonstration.
"These models will become active later this year, but they won't be alone! Now, the Atlesian Military has always supported the idea of removing men from the dangers of the battlefield. However, there are still many situations that will undoubtedly require... a human touch." James explained, drawing the attention of everyone essentially Ruby.
"Ruby?" Penny asked nervously.
"So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!" James explained before his hologram was replaced with the hologram of a robotic white behemoth, featuring hinged piston legs, large guns for hands, and a rectangular head, standing at least twice as tall as the Knights below it.
"Now, we couldn't have him here for you today, but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year!" James added over the speakers
"Whoa, that is so cool!" Ruby exclaimed, amazed by the giant suit.
"Ruby? Maybe we should go somewhere else." Penny suggested as two armored Atlesian Human soldiers see Penny, pointing her out and calling in backup.
Penny backs away and then breaks into a dead run, which snaps Ruby out of her weapon-awe-induced stupor.
"Penny! Wait! Where are you going?" Ruby asks before she turns to look back at the soldiers chasing after her friend, and realizing Penny's situation, swiftly follows her in an attempt to catch up down the winding alley.
"Down here! She went this way!" one soldier stated, giving chase.
Penny and Ruby run across the street with the soldiers following them, though a honking car nearly runs over one soldier he manages to brace his hands against the hood somehow stops the vehicle, and his partner runs along after the girls.
Ruby is still trying to catch up with Penny, but a high stack of crates on a flimsy support is easily cut down by Crescent Rose, causing a wooden avalanche of boxes to block the path. Seeing Penny right ahead of her, Ruby leaps into the air and lands on the alley wall, ricocheting off to grab Penny around the middle.
"This way!" Ruby stated as she grimaced at Penny's weight before the two disappeared in a flash of red rose petals.
Ruby dashes away as fast as she can while carrying Penny, but the strain is too great, and they crash to the ground a short while later, with Ruby falling all the way into the street. She gets up slowly, and in her dazed state, she doesn't notice the large truck coming up from behind her until the honking is too late of a warning. She stands up just as she's about to be hit, but from out of nowhere, Penny pushes Ruby out of the way and holds her palms out.
In the split second where the two make contact, the ground beneath Penny cracks and crumbles into pieces, and the From Dust Till Dawn truck is lifted a little ways into the air by the girl's sheer strength. She puts it down, and the Shopkeep stares in awe at the crumples in his hood, just like the Huntress who got saved.
"Penny..?" Ruby asked, a little scared of her friend's sheer strength.
"Are you okay?" Penny asked, getting a nod from the scared Shopkeeper as Penny backed away looking at Ruby's frightened expression then as the bystanders murmured to each other in an attempt to understand what just happened. In her panic she runs from the Atlas soldiers who were still chasing her down and bumps into Ruby knocking the poor girl out of her stupor as her friend tries to get away again.
"Penny! Come back!" Ruby cries out as she starts going after Penny as the people look at the destruction Penny caused with her bare hands as the soldiers try to find they lost their target.
"Penny! Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?!" Ruby asked, feeling exasperated as she finally caught up to her scared friend.
"I-I can't! Everything's fine!" Penny lied before she started to hiccup with each lie.
"I-I don't want to talk about it!" Penny added, hiccuping again as she lied.
"Penny, if you can just tell me what's wrong, I can help you!" Ruby stated, trying to convince Penny to let her help.
"No! No, no! You wouldn't understand..." Penny replied, backing away from the Red Rose Reaper.
"Let me try! You can trust me!" Ruby stated, a little annoyed with Penny's reluctance.
"You're my friend, right? You promise you're my friend?!" Penny asked, getting in Ruby's face.
"I promise." Ruby replied gently, so to not upset Penny.
"Ruby... I'm not a real girl." Penny explained after a few seconds.
Penny then shows Ruby the toll of stopping the truck that would have killed her: Parts of her palm's skin have ripped away, revealing the gray metal underneath. Penny stares sadly at Ruby's face, now completely astounded by her friend's secret.
"Oh." Was all Ruby could say as the realization came over her. "And I thought only Rex could do something like that" she thought