"Although rioting in Mantle is finally under control, how does it feel to know that the majority of those involved were your supporters?"
"I don't condone rioting, especially when our city is being denied aid for the hardships we've already had to go through, but Jacques Schnee's latest stunt is holding the city hostage for his own political gain." Robyn said sounding doleful. "So I understand their anger, but ask that they show it not in the streets but at the polls today."
A few sound bites later and the reporter was thanking Robyn for her time and heading out.
As soon as the door closed Robyn sighed and collapsed her shoulders. The strength of appearance needed to run for office was exhausting. "I hate reporters." She said garnering smirks from her Huntresses, as well as Blake and Yang, whom had worked with Robyn and her "Happy Huntresses" all night quelling the riots and reducing the outrage.
Jaune stood outside General Ironwood's office waiting. He was the first to arrive but was eventually joined by Qrow, Clover, and Ruby. There was a tension in the room that no one them enjoyed. Jaune was about to break the silence when a nearby elevator chimed and Winter exited. Jaune felt, awkward and just ever so slightly ashamed of himself for how he had last spoken to Weiss, he didn't make eye contact with her. They all simply stood there, just outside of Ironwood's office waiting.
The few minutes it actually was felt like hours. The election, Jacques Schnee's ploy, the shut down of SDC essential businesses, and the riots had them all on edge. When the doors opened and Ironwood and Oscar stepped out a slight weight seemed to lift off of Jaune's shoulders. They needed to do something, anything to help the people in Mantle, and the first step was talking about it and convincing Ironwood that the situation in Mantle was worth it.
"Thank you Oscar. Even without Oz you're proving to be wise council. Take those reports to Councilman Sleet and Councilwoman Camilla. Tell them that I'm scheduling a meeting to discuss some classified military operations with them. Their offices will reach out to me for the details." Ironwood said with a gently smile. "After that, see to some R&R. You've earned it."
Oscar returned Ironwood's smile and ran off but not before giving everyone else a smile and wave.
"Please come in. We have much to discuss."
"So James, what exactly is the kid telling Sleet and Camilla?" Qrow asked once the doors were closed. "Are you informing the Council of the Amity Communications Tower?" It was the question on everyone's mind. When could they tell people about it. The operation was top level secrets, but there were dozens of technicians and protective details in the know, to some degree or another. Many had concerns and questioned why Ironwood hadn't informed the rest of the council, though never aloud.
Ironwood sat down at his desk and hung his head, letting out a heavy sigh. "Yes. I do indeed plan on telling them about Amity. Most of the hard work is done. The Communication aspect of the retrofits is complete. The rest of the work going forward is structural and propulsion." Ironwood tapped his scroll and brought up a holographic of the refurbished Amity. "We still can't raise Amity into orbit, but some of the techs working with Doctor Polendina think that in the event of an emergency we can tow Amity to an operational height and broadcast from there." The holo depicted 8 Atlesian cruisers raising Amity into a green zone and the tower started to ping. "Barring an invasion, or an attack on Amity, we'll be just fine."
Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief. "So with Amity so close to finish, have you given any thought to your announcement?" Ruby asked sounding concerned. "Telling the world about Salem without causing panic, or people to lose hope. It needs to be something special."
Ironwood nodded. "Aside from the harsh reality and cold hard facts, I haven't given it much thought." He said looking her in the eyes. "But you're right. It needs to be finely worded. I supposed I can give something a test run with Sleet and Camilla. There's not much reason to keep the rest of the council in the dark now. We're past the hard part." Ironwood said sounding less stressed then he had been for a while. "That's not why I called this meeting though. With Jacques Schnee announcement last night Mantle is more volatile then ever. What ever election brings, we'll be waking up to a new Atlas tomorrow. I had planned on ordering some R&R but I think a different tact is in order."
There was a confused silence. "With reports from Qrow, Xiao-Long and Belladonna, I feel confident in bandying my support to Robyn Hill. Though as a member of the council its not that simple." Ironwood said before rotating his chair and looking out the windows onto the view of Atlas. "I'm ordering Beacon Squad to head down to Mantle and hand out supplies as needed. I can't be seen supporting Robyn right now, but Atlas is fully within its jurisdiction to offer humanitarian aid where needed. As licensed Huntsmen and Huntresses, these are missions that won't arouse suspicion, or at least won't cause any blow back."
Jaune thumbed his chin. "This makes you and Robyn look like the heroes, but vilifies Jacques. But most importantly, this helps the people of Mantle." Jaune said stepping forward, mood elevated significantly. "How soon do we move?" The room chuckled at Jaune's enthusiasm.
A few hours later all of what Ironwood had repeatedly referred to as Beacon Squad arrived in the streets of Mantle handing out Atlas goods to the locals. They were instructed that if anyone asked about the Ironwood-Atlas connection, to insist that they were from Beacon, and this mission was a simple humanitarian one. They were to allow the locals to reach their own conclusions, if this was a mission, then it came from an Atlas Mission board.
Jaune was asked to meet with Robyn Hill and to be the face of this operation. Robyn was already the hometown hero and Jaune was a rising star of Mantle. Together they were all anyone could talk about. Even Penny, the protector of Mantle, couldn't tear the press away from Jaune and Robyn as they handed out food to the locals.
"Daily Mantle, could you tell us who you are and why your here?" Asked a reporter stabbing a microphone at Jaune between crates of food.
Jaune froze. He had grown comfortable with a lot of things, but public speaking, still wasn't one of them. "Oh, uhm, well. My name is Jaune Arc. I'm a Huntsman from Beacon." Jaune said before receiving a nudge from one of the Happy Huntresses. He looked back to the reporter, putting on his 'work face'. "You want this interview then walk and talk." Jaune quickly got back to moving boxes of supplies.
"I'm here because helping Mantle was the right thing to do, so when this came up on the mission board there wasn't a second thought. What Jacques Schnee has done is criminal and I'm here supporting Robyn Hill in actually helping people, not just lording power over the people of Mantle." Jaune said walking with a stack of boxes. He and his friends had been given the suggestion by Clover to make the mission look as impressive as possible. So with an ample boost to his strength with Aura, he carried more then he'd be able to otherwise.
"So are you endorsing Robyn Hill for the Atlas Council?"
Jaune placed the boxes down with a resounding thud. "My name is Jaune Arc, Huntsman, survivor of the Fall of Beacon, and Robyn Hill has my full support." Jaune said looking directly at the camera. Swiftly placing a hand on his shoulder Nora and Ren stood on either side of him.
"Nora Valkyrie, Huntress, survivor of the Fall of Beacon, and I support Robyn Hill."
"Lie Ren, Huntsman, survivor of the Fall of Beacon, and I support Robyn Hill."
Before long Team RWBY had joined them in the endorsement. When all the supplies from Atlas had been distributed every news outlet had corralled them into a group photo with Robyn and her Happy Huntresses.
"This does not bode well for us." Watts said as he watched the news on one of his numerous scrolls. He leaned against a steel beam from within an abandoned warehouse on the other side of town. "Jacques chances were bad enough as it was, but this. It seems we'll have to try something a little more direct, don't you think?"
Slinking out of the shadows, the mechanical tail of Tyrian followed by the man himself. "Oh, goody."
"I still don't like this," Weiss said, scowling at her scroll. "I mean a victory party? Doesn't this feel just a little premature?"
"Orders are orders. With the success of the supplies we gave Mantle and the press attention it got, Ironwood wants us there, giving Robyn our support," Ruby said from her bunk. "Besides, Penny and the Ace Ops are working security, all we have to do is enjoy the party, talk to some people, and relax. What's the worst that can happen?"
"This is Ruby Rose, Councillor Hill was attacked. We have wounded and need medical support! Hello! Is anyone there!" Ruby shouted as she continued with chest compressions. "I repeat this is Ruby Rose, I'm a Huntress. We need medical."
Jaune stood next to her with a grimace on his face. "Ruby, stop," he said, defeat in his voice. "She's gone."
6 hours earlier
"A trap?" Jaune asked, watching as the shutters slid into place, basking Ironwood's office in darkness. The holoprojector rose from the floor and into place before emitting a display of the warehouse that Robyn Hill had announced would be hosting her preeminent victory party. Several locations were highlighted and labelled, including the only two entrances, a front door leading to the main street and a back door behind the stage, leading to an alley.
"That's the plan," Clover said, pointing to several of the locations. "With the attention you and your friends are getting for helping Robyn, we're predicting that Tyrian Callows won't be able to resist the opportunity. As far as the public knows, you and your friends just happened to be in Atlas and took that humanitarian mission. As it currently stands, there's nothing connecting you guys to the General and the possible high classified construction project we've got out in the tundra."
Jaune nodded and stroked his chin. "Yeah, but Tyrian would know that Ruby, Ren, Nora and myself have travelled with Qrow. The enemy would know that we have the lamp, and now that we're in Atlas, they'll assume we've delivered it to the general." Jaune stated an obvious logic, which was the actuality of the situation. "But you're not wrong. Put us there with Robyn and the Happy Huntresses and its very appealing. Perhaps too appealing, no?"
Ironwood nodded and walked around the holographic projection. "We've considered that possibility, but decided to go through with the plan anyway," he said. "If Tyrian Callows does show up, then all of Beacon Squad will be there, Robyn and her Huntresses will be there, and just off site the Ace Ops will be waiting in discrete unmarked vehicles, running surveillance, on a closed network in case our mysterious hacker is also involved."
"If he doesn't, well then the night continues without incident and we resume operations, waiting for another opportunity," Ironwood said, looking over the layout of the warehouse. "Robyn will be made aware of the operation, but only Robyn. It'll take some convincing, but I'm confident that she'll agreed to keep this operation from any prying ears. She understands the stakes"
Clover took a lull in the conversation to resume the planning. "We've set up a few avenues that Callows might attempt to use for either infiltration or escape. Earlier today, before Robyn made the announcement we had some Atlas technicians in plains clothes set up non-networked cameras in the area," he said, bringing up the positions and viewpoints. "They'll be physically connected to our unmarked vehicles. The only issue now is whether Callows will show."
Jaune nodded and looked over the cameras, checking for blind spots. "It's a trap and we're the bait. I don't have a problem with that, or the risks," Jaune said, reigning in his frustration with the general and Clover. "What I do have issue with is leaving my friends in the dark. The Ace Ops will know, I'll know, but my Team? Team RWBY? They'll be left hanging there if it all goes wrong!"
"Fiona stop!" "Robyn behind you!"
Jaune looked over the mission briefing for the fourth time and liked it even less. Although the humanitarian mission was successful, more successful than anticipated, the work wasn't done yet. The press highlighting their work with Robyn Hill was all the talk of Atlas and Mantle. The news circuits had been having a field day with the coverage nonstop since it happened. "Beacon Huntsmen and Huntresses rally to assist Robyn Hill and Mantle, announce their support for her election. Jacques Schnee vilified. Shut down of SDC facilities, Criminal?"
It was all very sensational and at times droll. The Mantle specific news was paying more attention to the actual efforts and results, the supplies and Robyn, while the Atlas specific outlets were focused on the drama. Weiss was in the spotlight quite a bit. "Schnee household Schism? Former SDC Heiress Weiss Schnee seen in Mantle on humanitarian mission with Team announces support for Robyn Hill's election, in direct opposition to Jacques' campaign. Winter Schnee reportedly also at odds with family. More on page 7."
Ironwood's name had come up a few times with some Pro-Atlas opinion pieces questioning his position for allowing Huntsmen from other Kingdoms to take humanitarian missions on an Atlas Mission Board. The Military PR response was precise and effective. "Missions boards in all Kingdoms are not and have never been limited to nationality. The system allows for all Huntresses and Huntsmen to take missions wherever they are for all purposes. These brave few simply got to the posting first and did their duty. To imply that certain mission within Atlas' borders should only be authorized for Atlas Huntresses and Huntsmen borders on xenophobic."
Most of the opinions, both official or editorial, were positive. All of the Mantle coverage was good, and about half of the ones in Atlas were good, so it was a win. Though the fallout was not outside of predictions.
"Tyrian Callows, you're under arrest!" "Oh, I don't think so."
"I don't like this. Keeping secrets from them. It just feels like what Ozpin did, to us, to everyone," Jaune exclaimed while pacing. "I hate the secrets and the lying. But if Tyrian does figure it out, if we slip up and he gets away, then we're no better off than we were." In a bout of frustration, Jaune punched a nearby bulkhead, denting it inward.
"Please refrain from damaging my quarters any further," Winter said, sitting in her favorite chair. "I, understand your vexation, truly, I do, but why did you come here? Why did you come to see me with this?"
Jaune's pacing froze. "I, I'm not sure," Jaune said, not even convincing himself. "I guess I- I just needed someone to vent to. Someone I trusted." There was an awkward silence. Jaune swallowed hard. He knew what was burgeoning between them. He wasn't oblivious this time. He enjoyed their time together, on mission or otherwise.
Even now just being in the room with her made things less daunting. "I'm normally… incredibly bad at this, but you make things seem more manageable. Everything we're doing. All the incomprehensible stakes don't seem so unachievable," Jaune said, looking out the window behind her desk. "Ironwood's faith in us, I wasn't sure we deserved it at first. With everything we've done and failed to do. All the losses and defeats. But now we're actually doing it. We're fighting back."
Winter smiled. "Thank you Jaune. I will admit that the situation seems less bleak when you're around as well. Your boundless optimism, that ever present smile and boyish charm," she said, feeling her cheeks flush. "You've proven to be far from what my sister described. I believe her exact words were 'insufferable', 'incompetent', and 'pig-headed'. I don't know what exactly transpired between you two at Beacon, though I am aware that you sought to court my sister and she was adamant on her… disapproval."
Jaune laughed pitifully. "But then she and I had the opportunity she informed me of your exploits getting to Atlas, how you handled yourself during the Fall of Beacon, and your bravery at Haven. Though I was quite cross to learn that she omitted her injury," Winter said, still smiling. "I believe I'm rambling though."
"No, it's fine. I've been known to ramble a bit myself," Jaune said before a small chuckle. "I don't really know what's happening here, but I don't want to ignore it. Not this time." Gathering all of his courage Jaune closed the distance between and took her hand in his. "Tell me to stop and I'll stop. Tell me to leave and I'll leave." With his other hand he cupped her face.
Winter felt her face warm in his touch and her heart accelerated. The officer in her told her to make him stop, to end this now. That it wasn't right, it wasn't professional. But everything else in her wanted him to stay. He was right, they didn't know what was between them, but she didn't want to ignore it either. "I don't want you to leave."
Neither of them knew who leaned in first, but it didn't matter. Slowly they shared a very gentle, very tender kiss.
"This is Jaune. Hill, Ruby and I are in pursuit of Tyrian. Send backup to our location."
Jaune stood at the makeshift entrance to the 'Employees Only' area of the stage. It was nothing more than a hastily made stage and some curtains, but it served well enough to keep the regular folk away. A few had come up to him specifically to thank him for the supplies and for helping Mantle, though he humble about it and made no issue of the matter.
At first the warehouse seemed too large of a venue for the event, and Jaune had a clear view of his friends, but slowly more and more people started filing in and he lost sight of everyone else. "Comm check. Everything good?" Jaune said, looking at the stage tapping his ear.
"Ruby and Weiss here, everything's fine on the South corner."
"Blake here. Yang and I have the North side. All good."
"Nora and Ren at the main entrance. Nothing odd here."
Jaune let out a breath he didn't notice he was holding. "Just checking. I know this is a party, but technically we're on the clock, so let's give these people a reason to trust us other than just handing out Atlas' supplies to them," Jaune said, scanning the room. He didn't want to tip their hand, so to speak, but he wanted his friends to be ready.
Before long, Robyn Hill and her Happy Huntresses arrived. The crowd was excited, cheering and chanting at their mere arrival. Jaune met eyes with Robyn from across the stage who nodded her head to the back. Jaune caught the meaning and made his way backstage.
"Robyn Hill, Jaune Arc. We never really got the chance to talk yesterday, what with handing out all the supplies," Jaune said, offering her his hand. She looked at him incredulously before taking it. "I trust you're ready for tonight."
"Trust eh?" Robyn said with a smile. She hadn't let go of Jaune's hand and looked at him. "What's going on with Amity out in the tundra?" Before Jaune knew what was happening their hands started to glow a dim grey with aura.
"I'm afraid it's not my place to say." Jaune said firmly, watching as their hands were basked in a green aura before he tore his grip from hers. "Neat trick. Don't do that again." Jaune looked around and saw that the Happy Huntresses were standing off to the side, seemingly waiting for Robyn to make her address. "I understand that the General told you what is at stake here, so if you need anything relating to that, let me know."
Jaune didn't give Robyn the chance to follow up and walked back to his position. "Ok, eyes up everyone," Jaune said to his comms, "Robyn's going to take the stage, keep an eye out." Jaune internally lamented about trying to keep his friends on mission even though they don't know what that mission is.
"Relax Jaune, it's just a speech," Yang's voice in his ear chided. "I don't think anyone here is gonna try anything that Robyn and her team can't handle."
There was a chorus of everyone else agreeing with Yang, only cementing in Jaune his feeling of dread and guilt. He was about to try and reaffirm a sense of duty when a screech of feedback came out the sound system of the building, forcing his attention to the stage.
Fiona stood there, timidly holding a microphone at arm's length. "He-he, well, that worked." Fiona said timidly. Looking up at Fiona and the stage, Jaune noticed the current poll results behind her. Robyn's lead had shrunk dramatically from only a few hours ago. 57% to 43%. A stark contrast to the 70/30 the day had started with. The crowd began chanting "Robyn".
Before long Fiona started the main event of the evening. "I want to thank everyone for going to the polls today. This is Mantle's moment. I know that, like me, you're all thrilled that we chose Robyn as our voice in Atlas. No one has fought harder for Mantle than she has," Fiona said before stopping to wipe tears from her eyes. "I know Robyn will continue that fight on the Council. Will you share a few words?"
Fiona turned to look at an off stage Robyn, causing the crowd to intensify their chanting of Robyn's name. Robyn walked onto the stage, causing the crowd to cheer. She took the microphone and gave Fiona a one armed hug.
"I've never been much for public speaking, probably wasn't my best idea ever to go into politics," Robyn said, smiling at the crowd. "Thank you so much, everyone, for choosing me. You said you believe in me. But I'm the one who believes in all of you. You've proven to me that as individuals, we are strong. But together, we're unstoppable."
Jaune tore his gaze away from the stage and scanned the crowd again.
"So no matter what happens tonight, win or lose, we will continue to fight for our city, because it is this city that brings us together," Robyn said before raising a fist in solidarity. The crowd began to cheer more and upbeat music resumed playing.
Jaune sighed and let his shoulders relax a little. "Ok, I'm going to do a round." Jaune said to his comms. "Ruby, you mind taking over at the stage entrance?"
There was a slight hiss of static before Ruby's voice came across. "Yeah. On my way." She said cheerily. A small smile graced Jaune's face at Ruby's optimism. It didn't take long for Ruby to practically burst out of the crowd pulling her cloak behind her, looking back at the crowd with a childish scowl.
Jaune smiled and approached Ruby. Before Jaune could thank her for covering his position Ruby's face flashed into fear and confusion. Jaune ran closer and saw what she saw, a familiar but updated tail recoiled in the crowd. Jaune and Ruby only briefly saw the manic smile of a laughing Tyrian. Before either of them could get a word out, the lights all turned off.
There was a brief moment of a quiet confusion, the calm before the storm.
In the darkness Jaune and Ruby drew their weapons. They stood there, on edge, waiting for something to happen. Then, as if the universe wanted to prove Jaune right, something terrible happened. Not that he or Ruby could tell what it was, but the blood curdling screams within the crowd was clear. "Blake! We've got Tyrian in the crowd. We need eyes on him!" Jaune nearly shouted into his comms.
Before Jaune and Ruby could push their way into the crowd, the panic pushed against them, throwing Ruby against the wall. Jaune rushed to her side as she took the brunt of the impact to the back of her head. "Ruby!" Jaune said, kneeling next to her and immediately patting the back of her head, checking for blood. She seemed to only be dazed.
"Nora, Ren!" Jaune said, holding a barely conscious Ruby in his arms. "Make sure he doesn't get out with the crowd. Weiss, we need light in here! Yang, be ready to back up Blake. This guy is extremely dangerous. Like Qrow level strong."
There was a chorus of affirmation and though he couldn't see it, he had every confidence that his friends were doing their part. Slowly Ruby got her feet. "Ruby? You good?" Jaune asked as he helped her steady herself.
"Yeah, just wasn't expecting that hit. What's going on?" Ruby asked before unfurling Crescent Rose.
Jaune stood up, unsuccessfully peering into the darkness. "Tyrian's here. We have to protect Robyn," he said, guiding Ruby in darkness to the stage access. As they approached, they heard the signature sounds of Gambol Shroud firing in the dark. The dim lights coming through the windows or underneath doors allowed Jaune to get to the stage, Ruby close behind.
As they ran up on stage the warehouse started glowing with a soft light as Weiss threw glowing, flaming glyphs all across the warehouse. In a moment everyone saw Tyrian Callows in the middle of the warehouse, surrounded by his victims. Blake laid at his feet, holding her stomach, a bleeding wound. "Oh, that's an unfortunate turn of events," Tyrian said with a cackle.
Tyrian looked around at all of his foes. "Well, things have gotten a bit more interesting than anticipated." Tyrian said before only narrowly dodging the incoming strike from Yang who had been out of sight directly above him. The ground behind Tyrian exploded and Tyrian lept backward, gracefully transitioning into a back-flip and landing into a roll.
Standing on the stage with Jaune and Ruby in front of her, Robyn stared, dumbfounded at Tyrian. "Ironwood was telling the truth, she said, struggling to believe it. "Tyrian Callows, you'll pay for this!" Robyn shouted in rage as she dived off the stage, crossbow in its War Fan mode. She swiped wildly at Tyrian who dodged all of her attacks effortlessly.
The Happy Huntresses were right behind Robyn, attempting to attack Tyrian in melee and at a distance. Tyrian though was seemingly unable to be hit. When May and Joanna closed the distance and attacked in sync, Tyrian merely took the opportunity to redirect their weapons into each other and used Joanna as a human shield against Fiona's bolts, casually discarding her when he surprised Fiona with his tail, tossing her across the warehouse.
Without backup, Jaune and Ruby leaped to Robyn's aid, attempting to catch Tyrian off guard, but to dismal results. Tyrian casually dodged and redirected their attacks, almost causing them to strike each other a few times. Despite how much they'd improved since their first confrontation in Oniyuri, they were still outclassed. Taking a more reserved approach, Jaune carefully pulled back, signalling to Ruby and Robyn to do the same, slowly and deliberately surrounding Tyrian.
Ren and Nora remained at the main door, determined not to let Tyrian escape. Yang was kneeling next to Blake and was attempting to dress her wound. Weiss was standing off to the side, concentrating on maintaining the Fire glyphs they needed to see. All this left only Jaune, Ruby, and Robyn to deal with Tyrian.
"What?!" Tyrian shouted to seemingly no one. He glared at empty space off to his side. "But they're all right here! I should just kill them all and be done with it!" Tyrian let out a guttural scream of anger. "Fine!" He turned his attention back to Robyn. "It appears our little run in is going to have to be, cut, short." He smiled as he gestured to the corpses all around him. "Perhaps another time."
Tyrian suddenly dashed forward, poised for an attack on Robyn only to somersault over her as she swung at him, playfully smacking her in the back of the head as he did, quickly dashing to the stage and towards the back entrance behind it. As he landed on the stage, the lights suddenly came back on.
The existence of light allowed Weiss to drop her continued effort on the Fire glyphs and she staggered to one knee. Yang was still applying pressure on Blake's wound, which Jaune noted wasn't purple, alleviating some of his dread.
Tyrian performed a wide sweeping bow on the stage before rushing out the back. Robyn, practically snarling, rushed after him, Jaune and Ruby close on her heels. "Nora! Ren! Support Team RWBY until help arrives," Jaune shouted on his way out. Once in the alley, Jaune and Ruby caught up with Robyn as she still had a visual on Tyrian.
"This is Jaune. Hill, Ruby and I are in pursuit of Tyrian. Send backup to our location," Jaune said into his radio, trying not to look at Ruby who was giving him a confused look. This confusion was short lived as overhead a familiar trail of lightning and hook appeared on the roofs. Before long Harriet and Clover arrived, intercepting Tyrian's path and standing in front of him.
Clover, extending his kingfisher, stared Tyrian down, blocking the madman's escape. "Tyrian Callows, you're under arrest!" Clover said, obviously prepared for the fight. Tyrian cracked a smile before slowly laughing.
"Oh, I don't think so," Tyrian said as he lowered himself into a feral combat stance. Launching himself towards Clover, Tyrian unleashed a flurry of swipes with his wrist blades, none of which hit their mark.
Frustrated, Tyrian changed up his combat style, moving in a more grotesque manner and adding swipes of his tail. Jaune, Ruby, and Robyn watched in awe as Clover dodged the onslaught of attacks, but moved to assist. Before any of them could though, a streak of lightning whipped past them. Before anyone could react Harriet had tackled Tyrian from behind in a near imperceptible ball of lightning. The pair rolled down the alley a few feet with Harriet violently pushing herself off of Tyrian revealing that in the tussle, she'd managed to wrap Tyrian in a gravity bolo.
Severely limited in his movements, Tyrian struggled to get back to his feet, a deep scowl on his face. Again Tyrian seems to hear voices. "No! Things are not going well!" Tyrian shouted, looking up at the sky to nothing. "That would be very appreciated!" Tyrian returned his glare to Clover. "You look familiar. Have I tried to kill you before?" Tyrian said, cracking a smile.
Clover, despite an obvious attempt to maintain composure, moved in to continue the attack on Tyrian, who while restrained by the bolo, was still a genuine threat. Nimbly, Clover dodged Tyrian's kicks and managed to attach his hook to the bolo, jerking Tyrian around and keeping him off balance constantly.
Sensing an opportunity, Robyn leaped at Tyrian, whose head snapped around to meet her gaze before jumping and tucking into as small of a target as possible causing Robyn to miss her very powerful swing. Before hitting the ground, Tyrian unrolled to his full height, firmly planting both feet in Robyn's face and crashing her into Clover.
Anger radiating off of her, Harriet rushed at Tyrian, the lightning of her semblance streaking behind her. She threw her arm back, readying for a strike, but before she could make contact with her foe an Atlas surveillance drone brutally collided with her face. Harriet was knocked off course and violently crashed to the ground, rolling and barrelling through crates before she finally impacted a wall, breaking her Aura.
To everyone's surprise, and Tyrian's glee, a small fleet of Atlas surveillance drones flew in to swarm around Tyrian, seemingly protecting him. The standard soft blue lights of the drones were replaced with an ominous red. From within the swarm Tyrian smirked at his would-be captors and resumed his escape. As Ruby and Robyn attempted to give chase, the drones descended on them, activating their self defence function and bristling with an electrical charge.
Jaune watched from right behind Ruby and Robyn as any contact they made with their weapons severely debilitated them, if only momentarily. They both attempted to fall back, refraining from melee and opting to only fire at the drones. Thinking quickly, Jaune saw an opening and moved to take it. He ran away slightly to give himself the needed space for the running start. "Ruby, up!" Jaune said, breaking into a sprint.
Catching on instantly, Ruby prepared her scythe and at the right moment as Jaune jumped she positioned herself under him and fired Crescent Rose, propelling him over the drone swarm. Jaune gracelessly rolled through the air and righted himself above the drones, facing his shield straight down and readying himself. With a repulsion of gravity dust all the drones crashed hard into the concrete, shattering in impact.
Jaune tumbled to the ground but got up quickly. "Let's move," he said to Ruby and Robyn. They continued down the alley after Tyrian, only barely seeing him turn a corner. As they caught up to the corner they saw the remains of the gravity bolo on the ground when they passed it. Ahead of them Tyrian was free of it, running in his trademark low to the ground bounding.
Jaune, Ruby, and Robyn struggled to keep up with Tyrian but as luck would have it, Tyrian led them to a dead end. "It's over Callows. You've got nowhere to run," Robyn said, taking point.
Tyrian whipped around with a scowl, only for it to dissolve into a smile. "Goody." He said before lowering himself into his feral combat stance. Before he could launch himself at them though, a shot came from the rooftops and the Happy Huntresses arrived to help. Fiona, May, and Joanna descended on Tyrian, having learned from their mistake at the warehouse and not letting him force them to hit each other. Robyn quickly joined in but to middling effect.
Jaune and Ruby watched, anxiously, wanting to help but not seeing an opening in the coordinated teamwork of the Happy Huntresses. The combined efforts of the Huntresses didn't seem to be suited for someone like Tyrian, but worked well enough at pushing him further and further back to the dead end of the ally.
As they continued their advantage the Huntresses grew just ever so slightly bolder, taking wider hits, moving just out of position. By the time Robyn noticed that, it was too late. "Fiona stop!" Robyn cried out. Tyrian had also seen it and in a furious spin and flurry of kicks repelled the Huntresses just as they were about to make their move, pushing them all off balance. Robyn collapsed next to May.
Seeing his opening Tyrian slowly raised his tall behind him, readying to strike at an unaware Robyn. "Robyn, behind you!" May screamed, getting her wits back first. Robyn clenched her eyes and waited for the hit.
Robyn felt a dull thud and was confused. She had expected to feel slashing or piercing, but the impact was barely noticeable. She looked up and saw Joanna smiling at her. "Sorry Robyn. Guess we won't get to have that rematch after all. Don't go and do anything reckless now. Mantle still needs you," Joanna said weakly, blood slowly starting to leak from her lips.
Behind her stood Tyrian, robotic tail embedded in Joanna's back. Weakly, Joanna put her arms behind her and gently felt Tyrian's stinger buried in her back. With the last of her strength and aura Joanna activated her semblance, turning her hands and arm into the same metal of Tyrian's prosthetic stinger and squeezed it with all her might, caving it in under her grip. "Get Robyn out of here!" Joanna shouted.
"What?!" Tyrian shrieked and attempted to pull away, but Joanna's grip was too strong. "No! No! Noooo!" Tyrian screamed. Jaune and Ruby took this opportunity to rush in and help the down Huntresses, Joanna's body transmuting more and more into metal.
Tyrian attempted to strike Joanna with his wrist blades, but her entire body was metal already. Anger and dread filled his face as he looked at Ruby and Jaune. His expression changed to one of worry when voices could be heard in the distance.
It was the rest of the Ace Ops. They were closing in on their location. Jaune's scroll hadn't stopped transmitting since he requested backup.
There was a tense silence as Tyrian unleashed a barrage of ineffective swipes on Joanna. "No-no-no-no-no!" Tyrian repeated under his breath. He glared daggers at each of them, only to pause on Ruby. Something dawned on him. "Oh not again!"
Before anyone could move to stop him Tyrian scissored his stinger between his wrist blades and cleaved it off. "AHH!" Tyrian writhed, though not in pain, but frustration and anger. Jaune and Ruby made to engage him but before they could several surveillance drones appeared between them and initiated a self-destruct. The explosion knocked Jaune and Ruby back.
When the ringing in their ears ceased Jaune saw no signs of Tyrian. He was gone. They had failed.
With Tyrian gone Jonna's semblance receded and she collapsed. Ruby rushed over to Joanna and checked her pulse. "She's not breathing!" Ruby cried out and began administering chest compressions. She paused only briefly enough to tap the comms in her ear. "This is Ruby Rose, Councillor Hill was attacked. We have wounded and need medical support! Hello! Is anyone there!" Ruby shouted as she continued with chest compressions. "I repeat this is Ruby Rose, I'm a Huntress. We need medical."
Jaune stood next to her with a grimace on his face. "Ruby, stop," he said, defeat in his voice. "She's gone."
Jaune stood in Ironwood's office and looked out the window upon Atlas, a quiet rage brewing inside of him. Less than an hour ago he was in Mantle, securing Robyn Hill's premature, but ultimately fruitful victory. Though it was marred by the violence perpetrated by Tyrion Callows. 14 dead, including Joanna Greenleaf. Jaune hadn't seen or heard of Robyn since the incident. The Ace Ops had secured the area then he and Ruby were ordered back to Atlas to report to Ironwood immediately.
Their reports were given to the general in the hangar. He was directing ships and troops in person as they arrived. Ironwood simply took them aside and asked for a recounting of the operation. After being dismissed they were ordered to wait in the general's office.
Ruby was sat against the wall, with her hood up, playing a game on her scroll. When asked about it, she didn't make eye contact and just said she needed the distraction. She was processing. She knew that death was a part of their life now, but it never sat well with Ruby. Jaune knew he didn't approach it in a healthier manner, embracing anger to avoid pain, but now he was just angry about what the secret of the operation had cost.
If he had just told his friends, or Robyn and her Happy Huntresses what their actual goal was for the evening, then maybe things could have gone differently. He knew what he wanted to do now, but it wasn't his choice alone to make. So when he messaged Oscar to come see them in Ironwood's office, he was going to do his best to convince him and Ruby that Ironwood deserved to know about Ozma and Salem.
"You promised me the election! What the hell was that?!" Jacques shouted from behind his desk. His third glass of brandy already finished as Watts entered his office, unannounced and without warning. "I gave you my credentials and you were supposed to win me the election. A 'digital push' as you put it. Instead Robyn Hill wins in a landslide and is immediately attacked by persons unknown. Don't take me for a fool Arthur. I know you had a hand in that."
Arthur Watts paid Jacques little mind, instead he seemed intent on perusing Jacques collection of literature and other shelf items. "Well, we don't always get what we want," Arthur said, finally taking a seat. "Here I was thinking I'd get you into office and leave Ironwood with a little digital gift. Instead those brats from Beacon show you up and completely undermine that ridiculous power play of yours. I'm good Jacques, but to swing the votes that much would have been far too suspicious with how much the public had turned on you."
Jacques scoffed and moved to pour himself another drink but decided against it. "So what now Arthur?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yes, well the attack was meant for Ironwood's pet robot. She was supposed to be there, and my, associate was meant to make it so that it appeared as if she'd attacked Hill and her supporters," Arthur said, coming off as nothing more than a little frustrated and bored. "So the 'what now' as you put it forces us to reevaluate. We're going to need a new plan to get you on that Council. One that doesn't expose us anymore then it already has."
There was a silence in the room. A tense silence. "So Arthur, tell me exactly, how did you mean to make it appear as if Ironwood's science project had massacred those people?" Jacques said with a smirk.
Arthur's eyes lit up. "Ahh. Clever as ever Jacques."
"Ruby, Jaune is right. The cost of our secrets isn't worth people's lives," Oscar said firmly. "Look what secrets already cost us. I say as soon as Ironwood arrives, we tell him."
Jaune nodded and placed a hand on Oscar's shoulder. He was pleased that Oscar agreed that he agreed with him. Ruby still seemed determined though. "Ruby, wasn't the point of keeping Ironwood in the dark about this to wait and see. To see if he could be trusted?" Jaune asked gesticulating fiercely. "I think we can confirm that Ironwood is one hundred percent on our side Ruby. We should do this. We have to do this."
Ruby was obviously frustrated as she glowered at Jaune and Oscar but ultimately relented. "You're right. I just thought we'd have more time." Ruby said pulling her hood off. "This is, Ozpin's greatest secret. He kept this from everyone. Now we have to decide who knows this truth."
They shared a look of affirmation. They were doing it.
Qrow stood against a wall waiting for Clover to finish ordering around a room full of Atlas mooks. He had unfortunately position on the exact opposite possible escape route of the Hill Rally that Tyrian had taken. So when it happened, he was of no use to anyone. Clover had filled him in on the trip back to Atlas. Robyn and her Happy Huntresses were in the transport ahead of them. They were escorted directly to the nearest medical facility from the military dock. There was no rush, nothing could be done, but they had just lost a teammate. They weren't going to leave her quite yet.
"That about wraps that up." Clover said approaching Qrow and breaking him out of his musings. "Things are kind of a mess right now. Still waiting to hear if our orders will include making Tyrian a known issue to the public or Mantle PD."
Qrow nodded. As much as it could be argued that keeping it a secret was a mistake, forcing the enemy into the open like that could make them bolder, more dangerous. "Yeah, I hear that." Qrow said standing up straight. "So what now?"
Clover sighed and pinched his brow. "I'm not sure, but I'm going to suggest getting some rest." Clover said leading Qrow back inside. "No idea when we'll get orders, so any amount of shut eye is a good thing right now."
"Got that right." Qrow said chuckling a little. "I just hope the kids are handling things alright." He'd been in the life long enough to know that people, especially those newer to the profession had a hard time dealing with the ugly truths of it all. Not everyone makes it back after a mission all the time.
Clover nodded. "Well, I know your niece is in a debrief with Arc, Pine, and the general. He's quite proficient at handling people in situations like this. If he can help keep their heads on straight, he'll do what he can." Clover said confidently. "He's made of some pretty strong stuff as you know."
"She, can't be killed," Ironwood said, equal parts terrified and mystified. Oscar had just recounted all of Jinn's tale to Ironwood as Jaune and Ruby stood next to him. "Jinn told you this?"
Oscar nodded. "She showed us when we asked what was Ozpin hiding,"
Ironwood nodded slowly, still struggling with the revelation. "Why? Why would Oz keep this from us? From the people who trusted him?" Ironwood asked to no one in general. He hung his head and buried his face in his hands.
Oscar approached Ironwood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "He was worried you'd lose hope," Oscar said gently. "We're sorry we kept this from you, too. We didn't know who to trust. But you've done nothing since our arrival but earn our trust."
Ironwood slowly lifted his head out of his hands. He was clearly distraught and processing. Ruby was silent, but smiling and Jaune was uncharacteristically stoic. "After what happened with Lionheart, well you'd admonish us for not taking precautions, no?" Jaune asked sounding just ever so slightly bitter about something.
Ironwood nodded and rose from his desk. "You're absolutely right. Ozpin kept his secrets and you were all caught in the crossfire. Then Leo betrayed us and again, it was you and your friends in the middle of it all." Ironwood said, looking out the window. "Then you arrive in Atlas, with all of our military and posturing. You're arrested by my operatives, you were right to reserve judgment. I would have done the same. Even now, trusting me with this. You had nothing to gain from this. There was no pressure, no threat. But you decided to trust me and to tell me the truth. Thank you."
Had he been a bit more sentimental, Ironwood would have brushed away a tear.
Oscar smiled. "You should be thanking Jaune. It was his idea after all to tell you," Oscar said, gesturing to Jaune. "While we trust you, I think we were all just so wrapped up in maintaining the secret that telling you and risking alienating you was just unthinkable. It was Jaune's moral compass that led us to this decision."
"I sincerely hope this isn't another world shattering revelation. I don't know if I can handle that." Ironwood said with a pleading smile. "If not, what did you want to talk about?"
Now that they were alone and the moment was upon him, Jaune lost the words in his mouth. "Sir, you know that I do my best when it comes to being a Huntsman. I do my best not to shrink in front of a challenge." Jaune said as he slowly built up momentum and courage. "So when it dawned on me that I'd have to have this conversation, I, well, I'm at a loss for words sir."
Ironwood raised an eyebrow. "Well, if it's mission critical, I guess approach it like a mission report."
Jaune nodded. "A mission report? That could work." Jaune said briefly looking at the ceiling. "Ok, here goes. Prior to the Hill Rally operation, I approached Specialist Schnee with my concerns regarding morale and the effectiveness of what is and isn't known about the operation to my team. Specialist Schnee offered sound advice and assurance that the operational secrets were for the best given that tipping our hand would be worse than failure. At which point I agreed and thanked her. I then proceeded to compliment Specialist Schnee, followed by a declaration of admiration and romantic intention. I then engaged Specialist Schnee in a kiss, and we agreed in a confirmation that we would attempt to make it work, regardless of the dire situation. Sir."
Jaune was a little out of breath and panting just slightly. Ironwood just looked at Jaune with an expression of blank shock.
"You mean like… a date?" Jaune asked the question tentatively. He felt like he was making a fool of himself. He worried for a moment that he was misinterpreting her words but the bright and hopeful grin that spread across her face put his worries to rest.
"How about it Jaune? You and me painting the town red, what do you say?" She asked enthusiastically.
Jaune felt like a deer caught in headlights. He was being asked out on a date! A girl was asking him to go on a date! His mind raced with apprehension and excitement intertwined with one another. A date! No girl had ever asked him out on a date before. He was always the one asking girls out, asking and getting shot down. But not right now, not tonight.
"Yeah lets do it," he answered her as his excitement beat down his apprehension. "Saturday we'll dance the night away!" He said with far more confidence than he actually felt.
"Yay!" Neon cheered, pulling him into a quick hug. Her enthusiasm was a little overwhelming, was she really so excited to go out with him?
They walked together towards the door, Neon hung off his arm rolling on her skates beside him as they walked. It seemed a little much to Jaune considering they weren't exactly anything official but he could hardly complain about it. It felt nice.
They exited the diner and all eyes went to the two of them. Jaune felt a flush of embarrassment as everyone looked at the two of them. Neon squeezed his arm tighter and beamed.
"Ready to go?" Jaune asked the group as he wondered just what he should say pertaining to the faunus girl hanging off his arm. He looked at everyone glancing their way and noticed a missing face.
"Where's Penny?" He asked, glancing around again.
"Penny had to leave," Weiss explained, "she got a call about some kind of emergency and needed to leave."
"Aww," Neon whined, "that's too bad, I needed to thank her for helping me."
"Helping you?" Jaune asked her as they started down the sidewalk for the bullhead pickup. "You talk to her about this?"
Neon nodded, "Mm-hmm, I asked her if you happened to be dating anybody," she explained happily, "I was a little worried you might've already been taken and I didn't want to step on anybody's toes, especially if it was blondies."
Jaune went a little red at that. Dating Yang was only possible in his wildest dreams. "Nah, there's no one like that," he assured her, "I uh… I've never really had a girlfriend, or went on a date."
"What?!" Neon exclaimed, earning a couple of glances from his friends. He would have expected Nora to be a little more hyper and excited to see a girl on his arm but his teammate only showed a mild sense of amusement. "Seriously a stud like you? No girlfriend? No dates? Like ever?" She pressed him.
"Well I wasn't really a knock out with the ladies at Beacon," Jaune explained to her deciding that it would probably be tactless to mention the present company he had relentlessly pursued, strangely enough he had caught Weiss looking in their direction now and then. He wondered what that was about. "After Beacon I didn't really have a lot of time or opportunities for romance."
That felt like a massive understatement. After Pyrrha he hadn't exactly put much thought towards it period. On the road with Ruby and his teammates he hadn't exactly been meeting very many people, Ruby felt like a little sister to him and Nora and Ren were together together despite her insistence that they weren't. When he remembered how much he fretted about going to the dance and trying to earn Weiss's affection. Now it seemed so distant and small to him.
"Well aren't I a lucky gal nabbing you," she said flattering him. "But seriously? I have a hard time believing you didn't catch any girl's attention."
"Well I caught one," Jaune admitted, "but I didn't notice... until it was too late."
Neon's bright features dulled at his words and she gave his arm a comforting squeeze. "I understand," she told him, softening a bit, "you don't need to explain more if you don't want to."
Jaune nodded, "thanks… let's not talk about that right now."
Neon nodded in agreement respecting his desires to avoid that particular topic. They walked together in relative silence as they reached the landing zone for the bullheads to take them back to Atlas. They sat together and exchanged idle chatter throughout the flight. It felt surreal just how easily he was able to comfortably talk to her. It felt a little strange to have her clutching his arm but it still felt nice all the same. The attention was certainly pleasant if a little strange, he hadn't really ever had anyone show such open interest to him.
The bullhead touched down on the academy landing pad and they stepped off and migrated towards the dorm rooms. "We part here," Jaune said as they reached his dorm room. Team RWBY didn't bother to wait up and say their goodbyes and instead left. Flynt bid them farewell with a quiet tip of his hat, only Ren and Nora waited up as he spoke with Neon.
"That's too bad," Neon pouted playfully, "I suppose I'll have to wait for Saturday night to have some more of you."
Jaune grinned nervously at her. "You can always text me if you want, Flynt has my number."
Neon grinned at that, "I'll do that," she promised.
Jaune scratched the back of his head, "I'll see you Saturday."
Neon beamed but extended her arm poking his chest with her index finger. "You better suit up blondie, cuz I'll be dressed to kill."
Neon gave him a suggestive wink before turning with a flick of her cat tail and leaving with a sway of her hips. Jaune gulped as he watched her leave.
"Take a picture Jaune," Nora said, "it'll last longer."
Jaune blinked and realized he was staring at an empty hallway. "Sorry," he apologized, "I just… I didn't expect this to happen tonight."
"It certainly was unforeseen," Ren commented as they began walking for their own dorm.
"Do you like her?" Nora asked him carefully.
"I guess I'm going to find out," Jaune answered her, "I mean that is what people do on dates right? Get to know each other?"
Nora nodded, "Yup," she said, "that's what people usually do on dates."
Nora's reaction to him scoring a date for Saturday night seemed rather muted to him. It had in fact been rather strange that even team RWBY hadn't offered much comment to him having a suddenly busy Saturday night or Neon hanging off his arm.
"Are you excited?" Ren asked him as they reached their dorm room and stepped in.
Jaune nodded, "yeah," he answered him honestly, it's just… I have really but a lot of thought towards relationships lately, I'm just feeling a little blindsided."
"I'll say," Nora commented as she opened the drawer for some pajamas. "I wasn't expecting you to go out with her of all people, those moms would have been less of a surprise."
"I told you Nora, it's not like that, they're just friendly," Jaune s as he grabbed his own pajamas to get ready for bed and to wake up early again.
"Uh huh," Nora said, clearly unconvinced.
In moments they had all changed into their sleepwear and settled into their bunks. Laying in the dark Jaune stared at the ceiling of his bunk contemplating his coming date. It felt surreal to him, he tried imagining himself in the coming Saturday dancing it up with Neon. Dancing was at least something he knew he was capable of, hell he was actually pretty good at it. Everything else seemed worrying. He needed to get a suit, everything he had to wear was for huntsman missions or sleepwear like he had on. What would they talk about? What if she didn't like him? What if she did? What if she wanted to become an official couple?
Why did that worry him?
His scroll beeped softly and he reached over for it. The screen flowed brightly in the dark and he took a moment to squint and let his eyes adjust to the light. It was a text message but it wasn't from a listed number. He opened it.
A grinning Neon looked at him from a selfie photo, one green eye closed in a wink. She was laying down on a bunk just like wearing an attractive set of panamas, a night shirt hugged her figure enticingly and a pair of sleep shorts exposed her shapely legs. He looked down at the text beneath her alluring photo.
NOW YOU GOT MY NUMBER AND A PIC FOR MY CONTACT PAGE. SWEET DREAMS STUD!
She was certainly forward to say the least. He briefly wondered if she was expecting a selfie of himself and decided to risk it and flashed a photo of himself. Nothing sexy, he wasn't sure he could pull that off, but he smiled at the camera and sent it to her.
SWEET DREAMS NEON
He hit send and wondered if he should have tried calling her something flattering like she had. He supposed it was too late now and she had likely viewed his selfie and read the text. He set his scroll down and rolled away, closing his eyes. Everything about this felt new and exciting, but equally distressing and scary too. Was he ready for this?
He slowly managed to find sleep as his mind buzzed with Neon and his coming date.
Penny had rushed out of the diner before Jaune and Neon could catch her eavesdropping on them. Thankfully she had been able to find Weiss and ask her to lie on her behalf, she told her to simply tell Jaune that she had been called away on an emergency that required her attention. Her jet boots couldn't rocket her away from that place fast enough.
She had flown a lap around the city looking for anything that could require her attention. Sadly there was nothing to be detected on her police scanner, no thefts or vehicle collisions, nothing to distract her.
After a fruitless hour trying to find something to take her mind off Jaune she relented and returned to Atlas. There was a bitter irony to it, ever since Ruby had come to Atlas she had desired more and more free time to devote with her friends, with Jaune. But now when what she wanted more than anything was to bury herself in work she couldn't find anything to distract her from this hollow feeling in her chest.
With her options limited she made way for the only place she could think of. She strolled down the hallways making a beeline for Team RWBY's room. Weiss was the one that opened the door for her.
"I thought you might come by," Weiss said as Penny uncharacteristically strolled inside and right past her.
"You all know about what happened?" Penny asked them. The team sat around in their pajamas and on their respective bunks looking at her.
"Yeah we noticed," Yang said scratching her mane of blonde hair. "It was kind of hard no to with her hanging off of him. It's official, Jaune clearly has an uncanny habit of attracting green eyed redheads, yourself included."
"What do I do?" Penny asked, ignoring Yang and addressing the rest of the team as she stood in the middle of the room. "Jaune said yes," she rambled to them, "she asked him out and he said yes to her, he wants to go out with her, what do I do?"
Everyone of the girls looked at her quietly as she eyed them all hoping for answers. "I don't know," Ruby answered, releasing a sorrowful sigh, "I don't think there's really anything we can do."
"There has to be something!" Penny exclaimed. "I… I should find Neon, do what Weiss said and tell her about my feelings, she might back off, cancel the date."
"I suggested that before she asked him out," Weiss clarified, "I don't think that's a good idea now that she asked him out or accepted."
"That wouldn't be very fair to Neon, Penny," Blake explained, "and honestly it wouldn't be very fair to Jaune either, he said yes, he wants to go on this date."
"What about if I tell Jaune the truth?" Penny suggested, there had to be an answer to this, some way of stopping it.
"Penny," Weiss sighed at her, "I think Jaune has enough on his plate already," she explained. "I know this is hard but you have to think about Jaune's feelings, he's gone through a lot and dropping a bombshell on him like that would only confuse him."
Penny clenched her fists shaking as she spoke, "why are you against me?!"
"Hey!" Yang barked. "We're not against you Penny but Jaune is our friend too and we want him to be happy!"
"But Jaune should be-," Penny stammered under the blonde's heated stare.
"With you!?" Yang interrupted. "If you really care about him Penny then you'll want him to be happy, even if it's not with you!"
Penny turned away from her faltering under her intense stare. "She just… she swooped in, it is not fair!" She argued feeling her volatile concoction of emotions boiling up.
"Fair?!" Yang retorted stepping off her bunk. "You had every opportunity to be honest with Jaune! You could have asked him out anytime in the last week and a half, that sounds pretty fair to me Penny. The only thing Neon is guilty of is having the courage to do what you couldn't!"
Penny turned away and faced the empty wall. She wanted to cry, she wanted to run away. She had no words, Yang was right.
"I know this sucks Penny," Yang told her, stepping close. Her voice had softened and she put her hands on her shoulders comfortingly.
"It hurts!" Penny told her clutching her chest. "It actually hurts. Why does it hurt?"
"Because love doesn't always work out like we'd like it to Penny." Yang told her, pulling her into her arms. Penny remained facing the wall as the blonde embraced her from behind. "Sometimes the things that give us the most joy can cause us the most pain."
"How do I make it stop?" Penny asked her.
"You don't," Yang sighed, "sorry but all you can do let it fade."
"There has to be something I can do!" Penny insisted, "if I can not stop this then I can at least stop it from hurting so much."
"You could stop caring about Jaune," Yang suggested, "do you think you could do that?"
Penny was silent as she considered that. Stop caring about Jaune? The idea sounded impossible to her, and even if she was capable of it the very idea felt wrong in every way. Even if Jaune did not share her feeling she knew he cared for her too, the idea sounded like a betrayal to her. And the very thought of not caring for his happiness, of feeling indifferent to his smile was unthinkable. "No," Penny answered her. She turned around in Yang's grasp and returned the hug, she really needed a hug.
The rest of team RWBY had stood up from their bunks and crowded around the two of them adding themselves into the hug. It at least felt good to have her friends here offering her what comfort they could. After a minute of their group hug the five of them split apart and the various teammates returned to sitting on their respective bunks. Penny took a seat in a chair and tried her best to relax, finding herself a little eased thanks to Yang.
"If I may give my thoughts on the matter," Weiss said once everyone was settled in and comfortable. "This might not be very serious, Jaune and Neon are going on a date, but they're not dating yet."
Blake nodded in agreement, "that is true, I do not want you to get your hopes up Penny but we do not even know how things are going to go."
Weiss nodded in agreement, "exactly, this is just one date and anything can happen, and I don't think Neon is Jaune's type."
"If she is not his type then why did he agree to the date?" Penny asked her.
"I don't know," Weiss said, shrugging her shoulders. "It's not like I've ever known Jaune to date around a lot. He might not exactly know his type but I doubt it's someone as loud and eccentric as Neon."
Yang chuckled, "also she's super annoying, if Jaune can stand to date someone as hyperactive and mouthy as Neon then he has a stronger character than I've given him credit for."
Penny smiled at that. Yang's sense of humor wasn't always to her taste but it did ease the tension when it worked. She looked over at Ruby who was actively listening from the comfort of her bed but has been rather quiet for the majority of the conversation.
"What do you think Ruby?" Penny asked looking to her best friend for some wisdom.
Ruby blinked as her friend looked to her and blushed a bit. "I uh… I don't know if I'm really qualified to give you any advice on romance Penny, I don't really have a lot of expierence with that sort of things."
"But you are Jaune's friend," Penny reasoned, "surely you must have some thoughts to contribute."
Ruby sighed, "Penny… you're both my friends, and I'd love for the two of you to find each other… but honestly I'm happy for Jaune right now. I wasn't sure if he was ready for any kind of a relationship, he might still not be ready. But that Jaune simply took a step forward today is good, it means he's healing and I need you to understand how important that is."
Penny gave her friend a nod, "I understand Ruby, I just wish Jaune could have taken that step forward with me."
"We would have all liked that Penny," Ruby assured her. "But as Jaune's friend I need to think about what's best for him, so right now that means I need to support this date and whatever comes of it, and you should too."
Penny nodded, "alright Ruby, I will try."