Chereads / Red Like Roses / Chapter 20 - A Minor Hiccup

Chapter 20 - A Minor Hiccup

Kirito and Asuna's house…

Jared is watching some YouTube videos with Lisbeth and Silica. He is having some fun seeing Marriland go through Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu.

"So, this guy goes through every single Pokémon game." Lisbeth said, looking at the TV screen. "And these are the latest ones in your time."

"Yeah." Jared said, drinking a cup of tea. "It is."

"I find Eevee to be cute." Silica said, petting Pina. "As well as Vulpix. What about Squirtle?"

"I prefer Eevee over Pikachu any day. Then again, Shaymin is my favorite Pokémon of all time."

"Only you two go for cute Pokémon." Lisbeth said, crossing her arms. "What is Team RWBY up to anyway?"

"They're doing boring stuff at Beacon. They're stuck in Professor Port's class. And I'm just lying down in Weiss' bed."

"You're using the Augma to be in ALFheim online. While being in the ice queen's bed."

"Yup."

Team RWBY's room….

A close up of Ruby's hands as she straps the red laces of her shoes. Switch to a close up of Weiss' hand gripping the handle of Myrtenaster strapped to her side. Switch to a close up of Yang's Ember Celica over her left forearm as she slides the chamber. Switch to a close up of Blake tightening the black ribbons around her arms. Switch to full view of Team RWBY's preparations, revealing their new outfits. And Jared wakes up with the Augma on his head.

"I thought that class would never end." Blake said, approaching her bunk as she tightens her wraps.

"This is why I chose all of time and space over school." Jared said, eating some chocolate chip cookies. "What's the plan, Little Red?"

"Alright, guys, today's the day! The investigation begins!" Ruby said, from her position sitting on the bed.

Ruby happily leaps off her mattress and onto the floor, arms raised excitedly. She almost lands on Weiss and Jared, who is on the bottom bunk.

"I'm glad to see we're taking this so seriously." Weiss said, sarcastically. "And get off my bed. You usually go into the virtual world on Ruby's bed."

"Sorry." Jared said, jumping off of Weiss' bed to walk around the room. "When do we ever take things seriously, ice queen?"

"Hey, we've got a plan! That's...moderately serious." Yang said.

"Right!" Ruby said, looking around at her teammates and the only friend she wants involved in this. "Everyone remember their roles?"

Weiss stands up as Jared looks at each member of Team RWBY who state their objective.

"You, Jared, and I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other Dust robberies or inconsistencies. Seeing as I'm in the family, it shouldn't be a problem." Weiss said.

"The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members. If I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning." Blake said.

"I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows everything going on in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard…" Yang said.

"And I can hang out with the leader of this amazing team. The rest of you can do your own thing. I want to have fun with my girl." Jared said, looking over at Ruby. "I'll text you guys hints if you need them. When you actually don't."

"Great! We'll meet up tonight near Yang to go over what we found." Ruby said, pumping her fist. "Let's do this!"

"Yeah!" Sun said, smiling as he hangs upside-down by his tail in their open window.

The whole of Team RWBY is taken aback.

"Sun!" Blake said, surprised and alarmed.

"How did you get up there?" Yang asked.

"Ah, it's easy. I do it all the time." Sun said.

"You do what?!" Weiss exclaimed.

"I climb trees all the time!" Sun said, without reacting to Weiss' scowl, he flips into the dorm room. "So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?"

"We are going to investigate the situation...as a team." Blake said, stepping forward.

"Sorry, Sun. We don't want to get more friends involved if we don't have to." Ruby said.

"Psh! That's dumb! We should always get more friends involved! You don't need to always rely on Jared! That's why I brought Neptune!" Sun said, gesturing out the window.

The girls lean out the window on top of one another cartoon-style to see the aforementioned teammate of Sun's standing outside, cool as can be.

"'Sup?" Neptune asked.

"How did you even get up here?" Ruby asked.

"I have my ways." Neptune said, standing on a very thin ledge circling the building under the windows.

"Yeah, that is beyond crazy." Jared said, laughing a lot. "I would never climb like that. Or get up there in a spontaneous way."

"Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now." Neptune said, nervously.

Inside the dorm room, the group are standing in a circle as Ruby lays down the new plan.

"Alright, Jared and I will go with Weiss; Sun, you can go with Blake." Ruby said, pushing Neptune past Weiss, he slips her a wink. Weiss looks mildly shocked but then comes to her senses quickly. "And Neptune, you can go with Yang since she doesn't have a partner. Everyone good?"

"Actually, Ruby, why don't you and Jared go with Yang? After all, Yang is your sister. And Jared, you like hanging out with Yang too, because you and her like making bad puns." Weiss said, looking between Ruby and Jared.

Ruby pushed Neptune, who is stiff as a board, up next to Yang. When she is done pushing him, he rocks back and forth looking nervous. Yang put her hand on his shoulder to stop him from rocking.

"But, Weiss, who would go with you, then?" Ruby asked.

"Well...I guess Neptune could come with me." Weiss said.

"Ooo, Weiss likes Neptune." Jared said, smiling. "Weiss likes Neptune!"

"I do not!"

"Yes you do!" Jared said, when Neptune puts on a suave look and points at Weiss.

"Hahaha, nah!" Ruby said, cracking up.

Weiss is obviously less than amused, yet is powerless to stop Ruby from pulling her by the back out the door. As Jared is skipping from behind, following Ruby and Weiss.

"But! But!" Weiss said, sticking her arms out fruitlessly trying to get back to Neptune.

Vale….

Ruby, Weiss, and Jared are looking at a monumental tower that looms over the sparse trees growing around the crossroads below.

"Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!" Ruby said, happily.

"You should see the one in Atlas!" Weiss said.

"That was the first one, right?"

"Correct."

"I'm never gonna get over this view." Jared said, drinking some hot chocolate. "The scenery. It's so cool."

Weiss, Ruby, and Jared are walking down the path towards the building.

"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 said.

"Oooh, look at me!" Ruby said, acting high and mighty. "My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!"

Ruby snorts into her hands at Weiss' frown.

"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 said, angrily.

"I know, but it's so coool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!" Ruby said, grabbing her Scroll from a pocket on her clothes, but in her excitement, the device is launched from her hands, bouncing along the pavement until it lands at Penny's feet.

"Oh!" Penny said, picking up the Scroll and extends towards the clumsy teen. "You dropped this."

"Penny?!" Ruby exclaimed, shocked.

"Uuuh…" Penny said, similarly surprised.

"Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!"

"S...Sorry. I think you're confused." Penny said, when she suddenly hiccups, throwing the Scroll into Ruby's hands. "Uh...I've got to go!"

"Yeah, she's nervous and lying." Jared said, as Penny turns quickly and walks away. "The hiccups give it away."

"What was that about?" Weiss asked, looking at Ruby and Jared.

"I don't know, but we're going to find out." Ruby said, as she and Jared start walking in Penny's direction.

"It won't take long, ice queen." Jared said, holding Ruby's hand. "I promise."

"You go make your call! We'll meet up with you later!" Ruby said, shouting back at Weiss.

"Wait!" Weiss said, reaching towards Ruby and Jared.

Seeing the futility of stopping Ruby and Jared, Weiss lowers her hand and sighs angrily.

"Man, I haven't seen Penny in a while too." Jared said, running up to Penny with Ruby. "I've been spending way too much time in ALFheim online."

"I know you have." Ruby said, as she and Jared got in front of the non-eccentric redhead. "Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!"

"There seems to be a...misunderstanding." Penny said, sadly.

"What?!" Ruby exclaimed, while Penny continues to walk away.

"A couple of weeks since we encountered Torchwick like that." Jared said, as he and Ruby slide down the rail next to Penny. "This isn't like you Penny."

"Penny...is everything okay?" Ruby asked, and Penny continues forward without reaction.

"Penny." Jared said, walking up to Penny and grabbed her by the arm.

"Penny, please stop!" Ruby said, and Penny stops and listens. "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. Jared already know what happened, and he's been keeping it a secret for me."

"I have." Jared said, while Penny lets out a sigh. "I know way too much sometimes."

"You're as secretive as Blake." Ruby said, when Penny glances to her sides swiftly. "You only like to hang out with us for the adventure."

"It isn't safe to talk here." Penny said, walking over to Ruby and Jared's side to lean on close.

Penny looks around suspiciously, much to Ruby's confusion.

Vale Tower...

Weiss walks 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 she's inside.

The voice of the CCT AI is projected from a panel near the door, "Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?"

"I'd like to go to the communications room, please." Weiss said.

"Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity?" The CCT AI asked, and Weiss retrieves her Scroll and places it as directed. "Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee."

Upon the elevator's ascent, Weiss' expressions shifts from pleasant to serious. Upon entering the room, four symbols are seen on a computer...twin axes and wreaths, three flying swords pointing down, a spear and shield inside a fragmented circle, and a precise winged shape. Weiss walks up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appears in the seat.

"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?" The CCT AI asked, speaking in a polite manner after beeps are heard.

"I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas." Weiss said.

"Absolutely." The CCT AI said, after more beeping. "If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through."

"Thank you!"

Weiss smiles and nods 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 sits 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. She does not realize who she is talking to until she looks up.

"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 might be here as well." The Schnee Corp Operator said.

"No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list." Weiss said, pleasantly.

Weiss produces 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 Schnee Corp Operator asked.

"School project." Weiss said.

"Um...there are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am." The Schnee Corp Operator said, nervously.

"Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with care."

"Right…" The Schnee Corp Operator said, still nervous. "Very well." More noises are made from a keyboard. "The data is being transferred to your Scroll now."

"Wonderful! That will be all, then." Weiss said.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?"

Weiss loses her smile, but quickly replaces it, "Yes, I'm sure."

"Well, then...have a nice day!"

The call is dropped, and so too is Weiss' happy act, seen in the screen's reflection.

Vale streets...

Penny stands 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 with Jared. She smiles in return. Ruby, Jared, and Penny are strolling down the street.

"I wish I could help you, Ruby, Jared, but I don't know anything about those men." Penny said, sadly.

"Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?" Ruby asked.

"Oh, no! Nothing like that!"

"Then where did you go?"

"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."

"Believe me, I know the feeling." Ruby said, grinning.

"Me too, my dad used to text me 24/7 wondering if I'm okay." Jared said, smiling. "But friends, we look out for each other."

"And why not let us know you were okay?" Ruby asked, when Penny grins back at her and Jared.

"I...was asked not to talk to the both of you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really." Penny said, frowning.

"Was your dad that upset?"

"No, it wasn't my father…"

Before Penny can continue, she, Jared, 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 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?" Ironwood asked, as the clapping of the gathered audience causes the drones to take a jerky 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!" 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." The robots 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."

The last line draws Ruby's attention.

"Ruby..?" Penny asked, nervously.

"I don't like this." Jared said, grabbing Ruby's hand. "Can't get that image of a Dalek out of my head."

"So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce...the Atlesian Paladin!" Ironwood said, happily.

Ironwood's image is 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!" Ironwood said, his voice coming out of a speaker.

"Whoa…" Ruby said, hunched in awe.

"Ruby? Jared? Maybe we should go somewhere else." Penny said, concerned.

At the side of the stage, two armored 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 asked, turning to look back at the soldiers chasing after Penny.

"I think it's a chase!" Jared said, activating a Monado Art with the art enabled. "Monado Speed!"

"Come on!" Ruby said, as she and Jared swiftly follows Penny in an attempt to catch up down the winding alley.

"Down here! She went this way!" The Atlas soldier said, gesturing to his partner.

Penny, Ruby, and Jared run across the street with the soldiers following them, though a honking car nearly runs one over. He manages to brace his hands against the hood, which somehow stops the vehicle, and his partner runs along after the girls.

Ruby and Jared 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 and the Monado, causing a wooden avalanche of boxes to block the path. Seeing Penny right ahead of her and Jared, Ruby leaps into the air and lands on the alley wall.

"We need a way out of here." Jared said, when Ruby ricocheting off the alley way to grab Penny and him around the middle. "The Monado Art Can't last!"

"This way!" Ruby said, grimacing before the three disappear in a flash of red and rose petals

Ruby dashes away as fast as she can while carrying Penny and Jared, 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, on top of Jared.

"Oww…" Jared said, with Ruby sitting on his back. "The one time…"

Ruby gets up slowly from sitting on Jared, and in her dazed state, she doesn't notice the large truck coming up from behind her and the fanboy until the honking is too late of a warning.

"Sorry…" Ruby said, as she stands up just as they're about to be hit. "Monado Art, now!"

"You had to land on me, Ruby." Jared said, and out of nowhere, Penny pushes Ruby and him out of the way and holds her palms out. "Oh my god, I forgot about this."

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, eyes wide, terrified, and uncertain.

"Are you okay?" Penny asked, looking at the shopkeep.

"Uh-huh…" The shopkeep said, nodding, and he is obviously scared.

Penny backs away, looking at Ruby's frightened expression, then at the bystanders murmuring to each other in an attempt to understand what just happened.

"Penny!" Jared said, as Penny runs from the Atlas soldiers still chasing her down and bumps into Ruby and Jared, knocking the poor duo out of her stupor as their friend tries to get away again.

"Crap! I love that girl, as much as you, Little Red!"

"Penny! Come back!" Ruby said, as she and Jared start going after Penny as the people look at the destruction Penny caused with her bare hands and the soldiers find they lost their target. "How much did you know?"

"A lot." Jared said, running with the Monado in his hand. "I need to explain the truth to Penny. About what I know to make her feel safe."

"Um…" Penny said, coming to a stop once she gets out of the alleyway, looking around for where to run next. "Uh…"

"Penny! Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?!" Ruby exclaimed, coming up to Penny with Jared, exasperated.

"I...I can't!" Penny said, nervous again. "Everything's fine!" She starts to hiccup with each lie. "I...I don't want to talk about it!"

"Yes, you do. Penny Polendina." Jared said, when Penny hiccups again. "I know when you're lying."

"Penny, if you can just tell me what's wrong, we can help you!" Ruby said, looking at Penny.

"No! No, no! The two of you wouldn't understand…" Penny said, retreating from Ruby and Jared.

"Let us try! You can trust us!"

"You're my friends, right? You promise you're my friends?!" Penny exclaimed, and she finally relents, coming up to Ruby and Jared's faces desperately.

"I promise." Ruby said, softly.

"Cross my heart." Jared said, doing the hand motion that symbolizing that you're making a promise. "Now tell us. I've been holding this back from Ruby for months now."

"Ruby, Jared…" Penny said, silent for a second, then, looking down at her hands. "I'm not a real girl."

Penny shows Ruby and Jared the toll of stopping the truck that would have killed them: 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 as all she can simply say is...

"Oh." Ruby said.