Sun: Finally, she speaks! Nearly two days and you've given me nothing but small talk and weird looks!
Sun: (Blake gives Sun a firm look) Yeah, like that.
Blake: (rolls her eyes before closing them and looking at him sadly) Sun... Are you familiar with the White Fang?
Sun: Of course! I don't think there's a Faunus on the planet who hasn't heard of them. Stupid, holier-than-thou creeps that use force to get whatever they want. Bunch of freaks, if you ask me!
Blake: (sips her drink while listening until she speaks up for the big reveal) I was once a member of the White Fang.
Sun: (promptly goes cross-eyed and chokes on his drink, making him put it down and wipe his mouth as he holds up a hand to process this information) Wait a minute, you were a member of the White Fang?!
Luke: It's true. She was a member for most of her life, actually. You could almost say she was born into it...
Blake: (off-screen) Back then, things were different. In the ashes of war, the White Fang was meant to be a symbol of peace and unity between Humans and the Faunus.
The audience is shown the dark outlines of two trios, animal-eared and tailed Faunus on one side, regular Humans on the other shaking hands and making peace after their struggle. This does not last long, as seen by a white Faunus cowering in fear of the gray-and-black aggressors harassing the hybrid. Later, more Faunus are pushing the crowd away from their bullied brethren.
Blake: (off-screen) Of course, despite being promised equality, the Faunus were subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. And so, the White Fang rose up as a voice of our people. And I was there.
Blake: (off-screen) I was at the front of every rally. I took part in every boycott. I actually thought we were making a difference. But I was just a youthful optimist.
Cutting from the child version of Blake, the blue flag of a white wolf with sad eyes and a circle behind its head is lowered, and raised in its stead is a red monster with three bloody scratches and teeth bared at the world.
Blake: (off-screen) Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place.
Luke: (off-screen) A new leader, with a new way of thinking.
A quick series of images are shown - Faunus replacing their picket signs with axes and blades, windows being broken, thieves leaping on trains to steal their cargo.
Blake: (off-screen) Suddenly, our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us, hijacking cargo from companies that used Faunus labor. And the worst part was, it was working. We were being treated like equals. But not out of respect... out of fear.
The flashback shows one more image of three Faunus individuals standing in a dominating manner with malicious grins until Blake puts down her teacup in front of a stunned Sun.
Blake: So, I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their violence, and instead, I would dedicate my life to becoming a Huntress. So here I am: a criminal hiding in plain view,
Blake: all with the help of a little black bow. (she wiggles her cat ears beneath the fashionable disguise to demonstrate)
Sun: (coming to terms with this) So... have you told your friends any of this?
Blake merely looks down in shame and says nothing.
Luke: I'm sure you can make it up to them, somehow.
(With RWY and REB)
Ruby: (shouting) Blaaaake!
Rin: (also shouting) Luuuuke!
Yang: (also calling out) Blaaaake!
Rex: (Shouts) Luuuuke!! Blaaake!!
Ruby: (continuing to scream) Blaaaaaaaake! Where aaaare yoooouuuu!?
Yang: Blake!
Briana: This is pointless! We're never gonna find them!
Elena: I've been trying to get a hold of Luke's scroll for hours, but he's not picking up.
Ruby: (turning on Weiss) Weiiiiss, you're not helping!
Rin: Yeah, I don't see you do anything!
Weiss: Oh! You know what might be able to help? The police!
Ruby: (crossing her arms in irritation) Ugh, Weiss...
Weiss: It was just an idea!
Briana: Yeah, a bad one, at least.
Yang: Weiss, I think we should hear her side of the story before we jump to any conclusions.
Rin: Instead of jumping to conclusions, you could at least hear her out, first.
Weiss: I think that when we hear it, you'll all realize I was right!
Penny: (following behind Weiss) And I think Weiss' hair looks wonderful today!
Ruby: Aaaah! Penny! Where did you come from!?
Rex: Were you following us this whole time?!
Penny: (cheerfully ignoring the question) Hey guys! What are you up to?
Ruby: Uhh...
Yang: We're looking for our friend Blake.
Rex: And Luke.
Penny: Ooooh, you mean the Faunus girl and the cat boy!
Ruby, Weiss, and Yang stare at Penny.
Ruby: Wait, how did you know that?
Penny: Uhh, the cat ears? (points to her head)
Yang: (laughing a little) What cat ears? She wears a... booooowww...
Rin: Oooooohhhhhhhh....
The realization leaves them in silence as a tumbleweed blows through in the wind.
Ruby: (whispering to Elena) She does like tuna a lot...
Elena: (whispering to Ruby) She's not an actual cat, Ruby.
Penny: So, where are they?
Ruby: We don't know. She's been missing since Friday.
Rex: Yeah, I told Luke last night to look after her. He is her brother, after all.
Penny: (gasping) That's terrible! (approaching an uncomfortable Ruby) Well, don't you worry Rex and Ruby, my friends! I won't rest until we find your teammate!
Ruby: (doing her best to continue smiling) Uh, that's really nice of you, Penny, but we're okay! Really! Right, guys?
She looks over Penny to direct her question at Yang, Rin, Weiss, and the Percival twins who's blinking outlines are all that's left of their sudden departure from the company of the strange girl.
Rex: You traitors!!!
A tumbleweed blows past them again in the quiet.
Rex: Seriously, where'd that tumbleweed come from? It's not a desert.
Penny: It sure is windy today!
(With the Belladonnas and Sun)
Sun: (hands behind his head) So, what's the plan now?
Blake: (contemplating) I still don't believe the White Fang is behind these robberies. They've never needed that much Dust before.
Sun: (widening his eyes) What if they did? (lowering his arms and pacing in front of Blake as he continues his theory) I mean... the only way to prove that they didn't do it, is to go to the place where they would most likely go to if they were to do it, and not find them there! Right?
Luke: I think you might be on to something, monkey boy.
Blake: The only thing is, I've no idea where that would be.
Luke: So, why were you on the ship yesterday?
Sun: Well, while I was on the ship, I heard some guys talking about offloading a huge shipment of Dust coming in from Atlas.
Luke: Really?
Blake: How huge?
Sun: Huge. Big Schnee Company freighter.
Blake: You're sure?
Luke: For real?
(With Rin, Yang, Weiss, and the Percival twins)
Yang: (coming out of a shop with Weiss, waving to the person inside) Thanks anyways! (sighs) This is hopeless. (at Weiss when she looks around nonchalantly) You really don't care if we find her, do you?
Weiss: Don't be stupid; of course I do. I'm just afraid of what she'll say when we find her. (walks forward, calling over her shoulder:) The innocent never run, Yang!
Rin: So now the truth hurts, does it?
Yang looks down in thought.
(With Rex, Ruby, and Penny)
Penny: So, Blake is your friend?
Ruby: (sighs) Yes, Penny.
Penny: But you're mad at her?
Ruby: Yes. Well, I'm not. Weiss is.
Penny: Is she friends with Blake?
Ruby: Well, that's kind of up in the air right now...
Penny: (trying to contemplate this) But why?
Rex: (sighs) What is this? A million dollar questions?
Ruby: (sighs again) Well, you see, Blake might not be who we thought she was...
Penny: (gasps) Is she a man?
Rex: What!? No, Penny! Why would you even say that?
Ruby: (stops and sighs, looking at Penny as she talks now) I don't know what she is. She didn't exactly talk to us before she decided to run off.
Rex: She just needed some time for herself.
Penny: I don't have a lot of friends, but if I did, I would want them to talk to me about things.
Ruby: (turns her gaze downward sadly) Me too...
Rex: And me three...
Amidst the chirping of crickets and darkness of night, Blake and Luke laid flat on their stomachs on the rooftop overlooking the shipment of Schnee Dust containers.
Luke: Yup, this has got the SDC stench all over it.
Sun: (off-screen) Did I miss anything?
Blake: (looking up as Sun drops down to her right) Not really. They've offloaded the crates from the boat. Now they're just sitting there.
Sun: Cool. (holds out one of the green apples in his arms) I stole you some food!
Blake: (giving Sun a questioning look) Do you always break the law without giving a second thought?
Sun: (defensively countering:) Hey, weren't you in a cult or something?
Sun: (Blake delivers an angry glare at him) Okay, too soon!
Just as he says this, the winds blows all around them, and they look up to see a Bullhead's searchlights flashing around for a landing spot, descending in the middle of the cargo containers and extending a ramp for a black hooded individual with a metallic fanged mask to come out of.
Blake: Oh no...
Sun: Is that them?
Luke: Yeah, it's them. (staring at the bloody wolf on the back of the man's outfit).
White Fang Soldier: (to the other White Fang members coming from the aircraft, motioning with his rifle) All right, grab the tow cables!
Sun: You really didn't think they were behind it, did you?
Blake: (staring sadly at the scene) No. I think deep down I knew. I just didn't want to be right.
???: Hey! What's the holdup!? (the soldiers look up at Roman gesturing widely and coming down the ramp)
Luke: (Shocked) You've got to be kiddn' me! Why's he here?
Roman: We're not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment, so why don't you animals try to pick up the pace?
Blake: This isn't right. The White Fang would never work with a Human. Especially not one like that. (she stands up and unsheathes the Katana of Gambol Shroud before walking off the edge of the roof)
Sun: (alarmed) Hey, what are you doing?!
Luke: Blake, wait!
Blake falls to the ground in a crouch, then continues on to hide behind one of the containers, peeking around the corner to see Roman berate a White Fang member holding a coil of rope.
Roman: No, you idiot! This isn't a leash! (as he's looking around, Blake suddenly appears behind him with her blade at his throat)
Roman: What the- Oh, for f- (rolls his eyes when he's cut off by Blake mid-swear)
Blake: Nobody move!
The White Fang soldiers ready their guns and equip their swords in response.
Roman: Whoa! Take it easy there, little lady.
As the White Fang closes in on her, Blake uses her free hand to go for her bow and remove it, causing the ribbon to fall away as her Faunus ears are shown to the world. Luke comes in the frey.
Luke: Everybody, put your weapons away! This is not a drill!
Blake: Brothers of the White Fang! Why are you aiding this scum?
Luke: Don't you guys see? He's a criminal of his permanent records!
The White Fang members lower their weapons a little at this development, unsure of what to do, when Roman laughs.
Roman: Oh, kid, didn't you get the memo?
Luke: Got somethin' to say?
Roman: The White Fang and I are going in on a joint business venture together!
Blake: Tell me what it is or I'll put an end to your little operation.
Suddenly, the air is filled with more turbines blowing the wind wildly around the holdup.
Roman: (looking up) I wouldn't exactly call it a little operation...
Two more Bullheads are hovering above the heist, and as Blake watches in horror, Roman smiles and manages to fire his cane at Blake's feet as Luke noticed.
Luke: (alarms) Sis, get back!
Penny, Rex, and Ruby turn around upon hearing the noise, seeing the smoke rise from the docking bay just a few buildings away.
Ruby: Oh, no...
A ring came from Rex's scroll.
Rex: (Gasps) It's Luke! (Answers the call)
Luke: (On-scroll) Dude! We could sure use some help!
Rex: Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are you, dude?
Luke: (On-scroll) Meet us at the docks! Torchwick is here!
Call ended.
Rex: Oh, man.
Ruby: Rex, you know where they are?
Rex: Yeah, deja Vu! We gotta get to the docks! Might wanna hold on tight!
Ruby and Penny grabbed both of Rex's hands and speeds off at the streets.
Blake, dazed but relatively unhurt on the ground, quickly rolls and runs out of the way of Roman's continued attacks, flaming missiles destroying cargo behind her as she flips and uses her semblance to dodge then retreats behind more containers.
Roman: (approaching slowly) Here, kitty, kitty, kitty... (his taunt is interrupted when a banana peel lands on his head, causing him to toss it aside then look up and growl at the assailant eyes widening)
Sun: Woohoo!
Sun leaps from the container above Roman and drops down on the criminal's face feet-first, rolling up and readying himself to fight.
Luke: Nice land!
Sun: Thanks! (To Roman) Leave her alone!
The Bullheads open to let more White Fang members descend on the scene, standing by Roman as he gets up and surrounding Sun and Luke.
Roman: You are not the brightest banana in the bunch, are you, kids?
With that said, the White Fang charge at the cat and monkey Faunuses, but they managed to dodge slashes and get some of the soldiers with his fists and kicks until he rolls out of the way of one's sword.
Sun: Haha!
Pulling out a collapsible red staff. He quickly uses this to beat down on each opponent that nears him, felling each one in a single flaming blow when he twirls it around, even creating a scorching shockwave to beat the last of them.
Luke pulls out Arondight and slashes everyone blow for blow and parries to parry.
Blake peers around the corner of the container to watch Sun jump around and beat another White Fang soldier, landing on his back and causing him to fly over toward Roman's head. The crime boss ducks then growls in annoyance and aims his cane at Sun, Luke shouts 'Heads up!' firing a shot that he defends himself from just when Blake leaps into the action.
Blake: He's mine!
Blake goes in close and becomes a blur of afterimages as she slashes both blades at Roman, who backs away and deflects each would-be blow with his cane at unbelievable speeds. Blake continues to dash, hop over, and slide around Roman to try and find a weak spot. Finally landing a blow after using her Semblance but he quickly recovers, deflecting several more attacks before attempting to punch her in the face. Only to hit a clone as she flips away. The two clash weapons again, then Torchwick jabs her in the side.
Roman: Hahaha! (He lands a few more hits on Blake until one final beating to the head with his cane causes her to go down)
Just as Roman deals with one opponent, Sun appears right behind her. Vaulting over Blake he kicks Roman in the chest and disconnects his staff into two spinning circles of flame-firing shotgun nunchucks that only slow down once to show the audience what they are before becoming twin arcs of offense again.
Sun swings each gun at Roman while firing everything he has at him, but even with the rapid series of shots and flying bullets, Roman manages to defend himself against every bullet and hit until a millisecond-long pause allows Blake to get a slash in and knock him back.
On his back, Roman notices a container hanging by a crane right above the three warriors, and gets up to fire his cane at its supports. Blake leaps behind it, but Sun and Luke barely miss when they jumped forward, ending up right below the nozzle of Roman's cane. Just as he's about to fire, his, Luke's, and Sun's attention are drawn to a familiar voice.
Ruby: (off-screen) Hey!
Ruby and Rex appears on the rooftop overlooking them, Crescent Rose extended and Caliburn and ready for action.
Rex: Hey, Torchwick. Did you miss us?
Roman: (losing interest in Sun, waving) Well, hello, Red and Blue! Isn't it past your bedtime?
Penny: (approaching them) Ruby, are these people your friends?
Ruby: Penny, get back!
Rex: This isn't your fight, Penny!
While their attention is diverted, Roman snarls and fires his cane at her, launching the young Huntress-in-training.
Rex: Ruby! Get back!
Rex pushes Ruby out of the way and takes the shot.
Rex: AAAAAH!
Ruby: Rex!
Rex: (hold his right arm) I'm okay.
Ruby: (Gasps in horror) Your arm! It's bleeding out!
Roman gives off a professional-level evil laugh at his attack on the young boy.
Penny turns her head toward the criminal and gives her first glare, walking forward while Rex tries to get back up.
Ruby: Penny, wait! Stop! (she raises her hand in a futile attempt to stop her)
Rex: Ruby. Let her take care of it.
Penny: Don't worry, Ruby. I'm combat ready!
Her backpack mechanically opens up, and from its dark depths comes a single sword that extends and multiples into several blades hovering over Penny's back.
Sun: Whoa! (he runs off to safety)
Luke: Sheesh! Who is this chick?
Three Bullheads come from the skies and open fire on the battle, but Penny merely forms a shield and launches two of her swords into the wall behind her, which in turn pull their wielder back with their strings. When her swords swirl around her again, she commands them to open their points and build up a large glowing ball of green light. With a punching action, several bright lasers crack the pavement when they fire at the transports and slice each one in half, causing several of the White Fang members inside to fall and letting Ruby and Rex watch as Bullheads fall in pieces behind her.
Stunned, she turns back to Penny as she aims her swords at the remaining Bullheads holding the crate of Dust and pulls back on their wires, tugging the aircraft with them.
Ruby: (watching in awe) Whoa... How is she doing that?
Rex: She's using those swords on the bullhead like a puppet.
Seeing the Bullhead's flight fall under Penny's control, Roman grimaces and turns to run towards the last transport.
Penny, after her large green pupils dilate for a second, pulls with all her might on the strings, and the aircraft crashes into a stack of crates, causing an explosion as a result.
Roman: (watching from the safety of his escape) These kids just keep getting weirder... (with his observation made, he uses his cane to close the doors, and the jet lifts off, flying away from the lost battle)
Later, a handful of police cars were at the docks, and the ambulance came to patch up Rex's arm. where Ruby, Blake, Luke, Sun, and Penny are sitting on boxes in silence. That is, until Weiss, Rin, the Percival twins and Yang appear on the scene. Rin runs up to Rex and hugs him.
Rin: (Worried) Rex! I was so worried about you! What happened to your arm?!
Rex: It's okay, Sis. I used my aura to protect me from Torchwick's blow.
Ruby: Look Weiss, it's not what you think, she explained the whole thing. See, she doesn't actually have a bow, she has kitty ears and they're actually kind of cute...
Blake: Weiss, I want you to know that I'm no longer associated with the White Fang. Back when I was with the-
Weiss: Stop! Do you have any idea of how long we've been searching for you? (she pauses) Twelve hours. That means I've had twelve hours to think about this. And in that twelve hours, I've decided...
Yang, the Percivals, Ventis, Luke, Sun, and Ruby look on, worried.
Weiss: I don't care.
Blake: (surprised) You don't care?
Weiss: You said you're not one of them anymore, right?
Blake: No, I-I haven't been since I was younger-
Weiss: Ah-bahp-bahp-bahp! I don't want to hear it. All I want to know is that the next time something this big comes up... you'll come to your teammates. And not some... (looking at Sun behind her as she catches herself) Someone else.
Blake: (looking at Ruby and Yang grinning at her, she wipes a tear from her eye, nodding) Of course.
Weiss smiles and nods. The moment is serious for a second more until Ruby and Rin screams:
Ruby and Rin: Yeah! Team RWBY/REBL is back together!
Weiss: (as the five gather with each other, she points accusingly at Sun) I'm still not quite sure about how I feel about you! (Sun laughs nervously)
Rex: You'll get used to her, pal.
Ruby: (looking around) Hey, wait a minute... Where's Penny?
Briana: Wasn't she just here a second ago?
Elena: She probably went home somewhere.
From the darkened back seat of a limo, Penny watches the group of friends reuniting with each other.
Penny's Driver: (off-screen) You should know better than to go running around in a strange city.
Penny: (lowering her head, sadly) I know, sir.
Penny's Driver: (off-screen, as the car drives off from the scene) Penny, your time will come...
Luke: Since it has been a crazy day, I vote for a victory nap. Whaddya say?
Team RWBY and REBL agreed.
Rex looked back at Ruby lowering her head down.
Yang: Hey, Rex. Go for it.
Rex: Huh?
Rin: Come on, bro. You can't deny it. Now's your chance.
Rex: Um, are you two sure about this?
Yang and Rin: Positive.
Rin: Bro, this is your chance to tell her how you feel.
Yang: Rex, if anyone has to be close to Ruby, it's gotta be you. Go get her. (Leaves with the group)
Rin: (patted his shoulder) She's all yours. (Following Yang)
Rex: (Inhale and exhale) Hey.
Ruby: Hey, Rex, how's your arm doing?
Rex: Oh, it's fine. It should heal up for a couple of days.
Ruby: I'm... sorry.
Rex: Ruby, it's not your fault.
Ruby: Of course, it is! I got you hurt and I thought you would...
Rex: Ruby. Listen, it's not your fault. You did what you could. There's also something I have to tell you that's really been bugging me.
Ruby: Me too. I'll go first. Since that day we first met, I couldn't even stop thinking of you. You really are an amazing skilled-fighter, Rex. (Blushes a little)
Rex: Huh, you think so?
Ruby: I know so! So, is there something you want to tell me?
Rex: Oh, uh, sure, I'll just start with a song.
Rex:
There's something missing
Something's not quite right
And I can feel it calling
To me every night
Ruby:
A little voice inside
Tells me someone is out there
And I must never give up
Searching everywhere!
Ruby:
(Someday 3x)
Rex:
We are gonna be together
Life will be so much better
We will build a bond no one can break
Ruby
(Someday 3x)
Rex:
No more dark clouds above
United in the light of love
The story can only end one way
We'll be together someday
Ruby:
(Someday 3x)
Rex:
We are gonna be together
Life will be so much better
We will build a bond no one can break yeah
Ruby:
(Someday 3x)
Rex:
No more dark clouds above
United in the light of love
The story can only end one way
We'll be together someday
Someday!
be together someday!
While they ended their song, Rex was surprised that Ruby can sing, too.
Rex: I have no idea you could sing, too.
Ruby: (Blushes) Hehe, I've been practicing. (Inhales her breath) Here we go. Thanks for your help and saving me. I love you, Rex.
Rex: (Blushes) Huh?
Ruby: (her head became red and thinking) I SAID IT OUT LOUD!!!
Rex: (smiles) Ruby, I love you, too!
Ruby: (Blushes) What!?
Rex: I love you and you only. I'll prove to you by doing this.
He puts his lips on hers. Ruby blushes super madly, they kissed for about 10 seconds.
Rex: I was thinking if you want to be my girlfriend.
Ruby: I would love to, Rex! (Hugs him)
Rex: Hahahaha!!
Meanwhile, Ozpin is seen holding a Scroll showing a "LIVE FEED" of Ruby at the docks. He closes the video and opens up a communication with Qrow, whose team name and other information is left blank and his only message is: "QUEEN HAS PAWNS."
Ozpin: Hmmm...
(Meanwhile with Torchwick)
He goes over to a table and places down a case of mysterious contents, sighing in tiredness.
???: (off-screen) How very disappointing, Roman.
Roman: (turning around suddenly when he hears the voice and their noisy entrance) Whoa! Hehe... I wasn't expecting to see you guys so soon...
???: (of the three figures before Roman, only her head, containing yellow eyes and flowing dark hair, is seen) We were expecting... more from you.
Roman: (laughing a little before getting serious) Hey! You were the ones who suggested working with those stupid mutts from the White Fang.
???: (chuckling darkly) And you will continue to do so. (she summons a fireball in her hand and steps out of the darkness with her two companions, a gray-haired man and mint-haired, tanned woman) We have big plans for you, Roman.
???: All we ask is... a little cooperation.
END OF PART 16 AND VOLUME 1