Act 3-4: Hatching a Plan

Shadow's POV

When I told Blake to only bring people that could help, I didn't mean bring seven other people.

She brought not only the rest of her team with her, but team SKTS had followed as well. The explanation was that they refused to be left out on this investigation and wanted to help. Seeing as how stubborn they were acting, I gave in and let them help.

The original reason I wanted so little people was in case something went wrong. Being an agent of GUN, one of my top priorities is to prevent civilian causalities. As skilled as team RWBY was in combat, they still fell under that category. As for team SKTS, I felt that they would slow me down in more ways than one.

And because of this reunion, I was forced to involve in a short 'catching up' conversation. The only thing I found interesting was that Sonic had the cyan Chaos Emerald. That meant that the whereabouts of four Chaos Emeralds were known, and two were in our possession.

Anyway, I was now in the dorm room of team RWBY, along with teams RWBY (obviously) and team SKTS, with the former sporting different. We were going over our plan before starting.

"Alright everyone, today's the day!" Ruby exclaimed. "The investigation begins!"

At least, that's what we were supposed to be doing.

"I'm so glad we're taking this so seriously," Weiss remarked sarcastically.

"The feeling is mutual," I agreeded.

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

I don't think that helps. At all.

"Does everyone remember their roles?" Tails asked.

Everyone nodded, with Weiss starting the talking. "Tails, Ruby, and I will head for the CCT and check the Schnee Dust Compant records for any other Dust robberies or inconsistencies. Seeing as I'm in the family, it shouldn't be a problem."

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

Next to speak was Yang. "I've got an old friend on the shady side of town who tends to know things. Me and Knuckles should be able to get some info out of him pretty easily."

"And hey, if he doesn't, at least I get to punch someone in the face," Knuckles said with a grin while pounding his fists together.

Seriously, why is this idiot the guardian of the Master Emerald?

"And lastly, but most certainly not least," Sonic boasted, "me and Shads will check around Vale for any stray Chaos Emeralds. Shouldn't be too hard since both of us have Chaos Emeralds."

"And if at all possible, we'll try to find out anything on Metallix's whereabouts," I added.

"We'll meet up by Yang and compare notes on what we found," Ruby finished. "This should be a piece of cake!"

"Wait, what do I do?" Silver asked.

"Hm?" Ruby questioned before changing to a face of realization. "Oh my Monty, we forgot about Silver!"

"Wouldn't exactly be a first for me," the psychokinesis dead panned. "I...guess I could just go with Blake in case something goes wrong."

"You sure you want to come along?" Blake asked. "The White Fang don't take too kindly to intruders."

"I've come to this timeline multiple times to fix a ruined future on more than one occasion. I think I can handle something like this."

"He ain't lyin," Sonic added.

"Anyway," Ruby continued, "I now officially declare that our investigations starts now!"

"Yeah!"

Oh for crying out loud!

Yang's POV

So our mystery guest was Sun, who was (literally) hanging outside our window. And he also got Neptune up here, somehow. Not that I have a problem with it or anything like that.

After we let them into the room, Neptune still stood there like a cardboard cutout. I regret not taking a picture of him.

"Alright, let's hatch a plan!" Ruby exclaimed.

"But we already have one," Blake reminded.

"Well we're hatching a new one!" Ruby started pushing Neptune towards me and Knux. "Neptune can go with you and Knuckles, and Sun can go with Blake and Silver. Everyone else still has the same roles."

"Alrighty then," Sonic said with a cocky grin. "See ya guys later!" Sonic then dashed out of the room, followed by Shadow.

"Actually Ruby," Weiss started, "why don't you go with Yang? I mean, she is your sister after all."

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

"Well, I guess Neptune could come with me."

Is that blushing I see? Oh man, this was WAY too good to be true!

My sis just stood there for a few moments before laughing. "Nah!" She then proceeded to drag Weiss out of the room.

"Well that was a thing," I muttered.

"I should probably go ahead and follow them," Tails said. He started to leave, but then stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot!"

"Forgot what?" Blake asked.

Tails reached behind him and pulled out a small box. And then he handed it to me. "Here. I made this for you."

"Wow, you got her a box," Knuckles remanded. "That's a lame present."

Nearly everyone facepalmed.

I opened the small box to see a small anklet with a red gem. "Tails, if you really wanted to charm a girl with jewelry, I'd try Weiss."

The fox just shook his head. "It's much more than that. Along with making weapons for Knuckles, Silver, and myself, I've also decided to construct upgrades for your team. Originally, I was going to give them to everyone on Monday once everything was finished, but I figured I'd give you yours now because of the circumstances." Tails pointed at the anklet. "This is the Flame Ring. It used to belong to Sonic, but I made some modifications so that it boosts your semblance."

Okay, now THAT is awesome.

I quickly put the Flame Ring on my left ankle above my sock. Got to say it looked pretty cool. "Thanks for the upgrade."

"No problem!" Tails greeted. "See you all later." He then ran out of the room to follow Ruby and Weiss.

"We'd best get going too," Blake said as her group starting leaving the room.

"Let's just pray nothing too crazy happens," Silver muttered.

After the three of them left, Knuckles looked at the still frozen Neptune and then to me. "You're making me carry him, aren't you?"

"Yup!" I replied.

The echidna sighed. "I hate you so much right now."

YANG CAN NOW USE THE FLAME RING

Weiss' POV

Saying that I didn't want to make the call in the first place was a massive understatement.

Personally, I feel that the better term would be uncomfortable. To put it in a way all of you would understand, imagine seeing someone that you haven't seen in a long time and the two became extremely distant from each other. That is how I feel right now.

Ever since I'd learned Blake's true identity, I started to show more gratitude towards the Faunus. And since my family's company doesn't have the best attitude towards the Faunus in general, it would just feel awkward.

I'd just ask for what I needed, then end the call. It sounded so much easier in my head.

Anyway, the three of us were now walking in front of the CCT. Ruby, as usual, was in awe from it...even though she sees this place everyday.

"I keep forgetting how big the Transit tower looks up close!" Ruby said in her awe.

"You should see the one in Atlas," I replied.

"That's also the location of where the first CCT tower was built, right?" Tails asked.

I nodded. "Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War."

"Oooh, look at me! I'm Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!" Ruby mocked.

"Don't be a pest!" I snapped. "Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much. We could have just as easily made this call from the library."

"I know, but it's just so cool!" Ruby basically squealed. "Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!"

And like the clumsy dolt she is, she dropped her scroll. Naturally someone picked it up. "You dropped this."

What I wasn't expecting was the person to be a certain red head.

"Penny!?"

"Uh..."

"Who's Penny?" Tails wondered.

"Where have you been?" Ruby asked, going up to Penny. "We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!"

Tails then had a look of realization. "You're the girl my team saw at the docks that was attacking with the flying swords?!"

"S-Sorry. I think you're confused," Penny replied. She then hiccuped, causing Ruby's scroll to end up back in Ruby's hands. "Uh...I've got to go!" And like that, she just took off.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out," Ruby said, chasing after Penny. "You two go make the call! I'll meet up with you later!"

Naturally, Tails and I tried to get her to come back, but it failed. That left the two of us to walk into the CCT, and the hardest part of my role began.

Tails' POV

How would I describe Penny? Well for starters, she's weird.

When I say weird, I don't mean the normal kind of weird. This was FAR from that case. I may have just met her for the first time, but something about her behavior seemed off. Even the way she talked didn't seem normal. And this might just be me, but something about her hiccup sounded suspicious.

It almost seemed like Penny was a...robot...

...

Yeah, I'm definetly overthinking this.

Back to the task at hand, Weiss and I entered the CCT. To give you a summary of what it looks like, it's basically a giant computer. I don't think I need to say why.

But I wasn't extremely focused on the area at the time. I found myself more concerned about how Weiss was acting.

She wasn't acting, well, like herself. She seemed nervous just going up the elevator, which anyone could notice through her trying to force a smile.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Hm?" Weiss turned towards me. "I'm fine."

"You sure? You just seem not yourself right now."

"You're imagining things."

I sighed. "If you say so."

The elevator got to the communications floor and the two of us exited. Weiss talked to the hologram to request a call, resulting in the two of us being directed towards a terminal. Obviously, Weiss sat down for the call while stood to the side.

After she took a deep breath, Weiss made her call. The first thing I saw was a girl I was unfamiliar with, who I assumed was the operator. "Thank you for calling the Atlas- Oh! Ms Schnee! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well."

Weiss had a center named Winter? That's a weird name to give someone.

"No thank you," Weiss replied. "I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list." She then placed her scroll into the terminal.

"I see," the operator said. "If you don't mind...may I ask what this is for?"

Weiss shrugged. "School project."

The operator looked at the screen from her end. "Um...there are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am."

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

"Right." There was a pause. "The data is being transferred to your scroll."

"Wonderful!" Weiss thanked. "That will be all then."

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to talk to your father before you go?"

"...Yes, I'm sure."

"Well then...have a nice day!" The call ended, and Weiss' smile faded immediately.

"Seriously, are you sure you're alright?" I asked again.

Weiss hesitated. "...Yes."

"Sure? You seem...well, not fine."

"I said I'm fine, alright!?" Weiss snapped. "Just stop pestering me about it already!"

...That certainly ended that topic of discussion. Though I couldn't help but wonder what was really bothering Weiss.

I just hope the others weren't dealing with a near mental breakdown like Weiss was.

STAGE CLEAR

TOTAL EMBLEMS: 26