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arc-misadventures · 6 days ago

Text

Right on Schedule

Jaune looked over a progress report as he was once again was inspecting the walls of, Mantle's newest fortifications. The time graph they had made was displaying good progress the wall. Displaying that for a week, and a half of work, they were well on schedule, even ahead of it in some areas. But, there was a very noticeable dip in the chart from two days ago. A dip that, Jaune didn't like.

Jaune: Hey, Major Skender?

Major Felix Skender, was an officer in the, Atlas Engineer Corp. Jaune had talked to, Major Skender quite often when he came to inspect the wall. He had come to like the fellow. He was a little quirky, though from, Jaune's experience that tended to me a normal habit of anyone into pyrotechnics. Least, Major Skender seemed to be the saner side of things.

At least he hoped he was.

Maj. Skender: Yes, Sir?

Jaune: It's nice to see how things are coming along. I dare say you might be ahead of schedule.

Maj. Skender: Ahh, thank you, Sir! Yes, we are being encouraged by the higher ups to get this completed as soon as we can. That way we can get back to work on the, CC...?!

Jaune's hand shot up silencing, Major Skender instantly. Jaune, gave the, Major a cautionary gaze as he lowered his hand.

Jaune: We do not address it as that. We address it as, General Ironwood's Project, Ironwood's Secret Project, or anthing along those lines. But, we do not say what it is. It is a secret project after all, Major.

Maj. Skender: Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir.

Jaune: Good, make sure that the other officers are made aware of this as well. There are many who would take great pleasure in derailing the, General's future plans.

Maj. Skender: Understood, Sir.

Jaune: Now then, about this timetable here... What was this dip here you experience two days ago? You were delayed by about half a day, but you've made up for it. Good job on that, Major.

Maj. Skendor: Oh, thank you, Sir!

Jaune: But, nonetheless; what happened here?

Maj. Skender: Two days ago...? Ahh yes, a bunch of, Happy Huntresses came by, and were disturbing the workers.

Jaune: The, Happy Huntresses? What did they do?

Maj. Skender: They were interrogating some of the workers; They were asking them about what weapons we were installing, how long we were taking. Why did it take so long for, General Ironwood to order the reconstruction, and fortification of the walls. Things such as that.

Jaune: Weren't the people of, Mantle already made aware of these things; Why were they asking what should be seen as common knowledge?

Maj. Skender: I'm sorry, Sir, but I do not know why.

Jaune: Hmmm... Very well then...

Jaune handed back the data slate before giving one last look at the construction upon the wall.

Jaune: I will be taking my leave then. Till later, Major.

Maj. Skender: Till later, Sir.

The Major offered, Jaune a salute who returned one in kind. Jaune then made his way down a flight of stairs. As he made away from the wall he pulled out his scroll, and typed out a simple message to, 'Finch.'

"We need to talk."

Jaune quickly put away his scroll as he walked down the many paths of, Mantle interacting with civilians as he went about. He kept walking until he felt a buzz from his pocket, and he checked his scroll, and read the message that he had been sent.

"Okay. Usual spot?"

"On my way."

Jaune quickly made his way towards the downtown area of, Mantle, heading into one of the many empty warehouses in the southern parts of, Mantle.

As, Jaune entered the warehouse, he was met with the familiar sight of, Robyn Hill resting against one of the many empty crates. She pushed herself off the crate as she walked towards, Jaune. An odd smile spread across her face that, Jaune could not quite place as she walked towards him.

Robyn: Hello, Jaune. What is it?

Jaune: Hello, Robyn. I need to ask you about something that happened a couple a days ago.

Robyn: I suppose you're asking about the incident at the wall that happened the other day?

Robyn crossed her arms, and shook her head. Jaune worried that he may have upset her, but her eyes said she was more so disappointed. Was she disappointed in him for not trusting her? No, no she wasn't disappointed in, Jaune. She was disappointed in herself. Herself, and her followers.

Jaune: What happened?

Robyn: Some of my followers... they saw how quickly the wall was repaired. So, they went to the wall, and wanted to know why, General Ironwood was taking so long to order it's reconstruction if it only took three days to do. Since the, Engineers couldn't explain it, the people got angry, and... well they got rowdy.

Jaune: And, the Engineer's had to keep them back so they didn't get too close to the construction site. Otherwise something could have happen to them. Or, worse, one of them could have gotten hurt.

Robyn: Exactlly.

Jaune: So that's why construction was delayed. Since I didn't hear anything about a mass arrest, I suppose it was dealt with peacefully?

Robyn: Yes, two of my cohorts; Fiona, and another member of the. Happy Huntresses, May Marigold came by, and dispersed them. I told them to make sure things like this didn't happen again.

Jaune: They better. The sections getting the new fortifications will have armed guards around them all the time. While I am certain of the, Atlasian Militaries trigger discipline, I wouldn't hold it past, Ironwood to get... itchy fingers.

Robyn: Do you think, General Ironwood would order his troops to open fire on civilians?!

Jaune waved his hand down, placing one on his lips as he looked at, Robyn. Her voiced echoing in the empty warehouse.

Jaune: Your voice carries, Robyn; In more ways than one.

Robyn: I'm sorry... I just... Do you seriously think, General Ironwood would do that?

Jaune looked at, Robyn before turning to look away shaking his head.

Jaune: I not saying he will, but... If he was pushed far enough...

Robyn: Oh... oh no... No wonder you want me on the council; The more I learn about, General Ironwood, the more I understand why you want someone to put a leash on him.

Jaune: Someone has to, and the only person who could is... preoccupied...

Robyn: Preoccupied with what?

Jaune: Uhhh...? A severe case of identity crisis...

Robyn: Really?

Jaune: More, or less...

Jaune didn't want to lie to, Robyn, he wanted to keep her trust in him. But, knowing about Ozpin, and Oscar was a whole bucket of worms that he didn't want to deal with. And, besides, even if she used her semblance on him, he wasn't lying. Technically.

Robyn: ...

Robyn: Very well. Is that it all you wanted to talk about, Jaune?

Jaune: That's it. Is there anything you want from me, Robyn?

Robyn: Uhh... yes there is.

Jaune: Oh, what is it?

Robyn: I was wondering if you wouldn't mind coming to one of my rallies I'm having today?

Jaune: Oh, why so?

Robyn: Several reasons. You've mostly heard about my political policies, and plans from my supporters.

Jaune: I have.

Robyn: Well, I was wondering if you'd like to hear it from the horses mouth. To know what I think of, and how I plan to help the people of, Mantle, and Atlas.

Jaune: And, to have a, Specialist there to... show their... No, to show, Atlas's support for you?

Robyn stopped, and stared at, Jaune. A coy smile appeared across her lips as she pointed a finger at him.

Robyn: You can say that.

Jaune returned her coy smile with one of his own.

Jaune: If anyone asks, just say I'm there to keep the peace. We'll use the incident at the wall the other day as an example.

Robyn: Alright then. Let's do this.

~~~

Jaune had never been at a political rally before. He thought it would involve a lot of wine sipping, and snobbish wealthy people speaking down to people. If this was a political rally run by someone like, Jacques Schnee it would no doubt be like that. But, no, this was more simple, more relatable. It was nice.

Although, Jaune certainly had something to say about her posters.

; Jaune? Jaune!

Jaune: Hmm? Oh, hello, Casey, fancy seeing you here today.

Casey Roll. One of the mothers he often saw when he was leading kids to school, and often was the one who gave him rather large servings of casseroles to him. While he did miss taking those kids to school, he was tired of all the casseroles...

Casey: Hi, Jaune! I haven't seen you lately, what are you doing here?

Jaune: Oh, I'm just here to make sure things go smoothly. We don't want another incident like we had at the wall the other day.

Casey: Oh, I heard about that. People were upset that, General Ironwood didn't order the repairs of the wall sooner if it was only going to take a matter of days to rebuild it. But, luckily he listened to, Robyn Hill so he decided to rebuild the wall, and fortify it!

Jaune smiled, Casey's enthusiasm was infectious, but even more so at the news that his little rumor was spreading so well. He told, Casey's friends about his little white lie, if she was repeating it, then no doubt others were as well.

Casey: So, even though you're here just watching things, are you enjoying yourself?

Jaune: To a point. I'm just inspecting the 'art' right now.

Casey: You mean the, Robyn's political posters.?

Jaune: Yes. The political posters...

Casey: ...

Casey: You hate it don't you?

Jaune: Oh absolutely. This an absolutely the worse design you can make for a political poster. I mean, give me a marker, and five minutes, and boom! Wanted poster!

Casey: ...

Casey: Oh shit... you could do that... How much?

Jaune: Hmmm...?

Jaune: At least ten thousand lien.

Casey: That's fair.

Jaune: I mean, why doesn't she have a slogan, or anything like that? 'Robyn Hill, The Hope of Mantle.' Something simple like that. At least she could be smiling in the photo. Or, is being dead on the inside a natural expression for people from, Atlas, and Mantle?

Casey: Yes.

Jaune stopped staring at, Robyn's picture to give, Casey a concerned look. But, based upon the expression on, Casey's face that she was giving him, she was in fact: dead serious.

Jaune: ...

Casey: ...

Jaune: Noted...

Casey shrugged her shoulders before she let loose a startled gasp as she darted to the side, Jaune looked over to see, Robyn, and a few of her, Happy Huntresses behind her.

Robyn: Hello, Specialist Arc, it's nice to see, General Ironwood's underlings showing some concern with the common people of, Mantle.

Jaune: Hello, Miss Hill. The concerns of, Mantle are also the concerns of, Atlas. So of course, General Ironwood is concerned about the common people of, Atlas. but, in this case, Miss. Hill I am here to keep the peace. We do not wish for another incident from your followers, like we did at the wall the other day.

Robyn: There wouldn't have been an 'incident' if, General Ironwood had rebuilt the wall once it was broken.

Jaune: So you say.

Casey had back away as, Jaune, and Robyn had begun to verbally spare with one another. As soon as she was out of earshot the conversation changed to something that carried a more casual air to it.

Jaune: Putting up a facade for your darling fans?

Robyn: We may be... allies of sorts, Jaune. But, since you are an, Atlasian Specialist, I do have to put up an air of defiance towards you, and by extension, General Ironwood. I'm glad you caught on so quickly, Jaune.

Jaune: It was simple enough to catch on to. I've seen how you act with my fellow, Specialists. So it was easy enough to play the... polite jerk with you.

Robyn: So you did... Well if you'll excuse me, I must address the people of, Mantle.

Jaune: Best of luck then... 'Councilwoman' Hill.

Jaune's comment may have been taken as a teasing jest from, Jaune. As if saying that she will never get a seat on the council. But, Robyn knew from the small smirk that, Jaune gave her was that she had his full support, and hope for her to get that seat on the council. For the good of, Mantle, and Atlas.

~~~

Robyn: Welcome everyone!

A cheer of zeal, and joy abundance echoed through the auditorium as, Robyn stood on the stage, and walked before her supporters. Jaune spared, Robyn a look as she took the stage before his eyes rested on the crowd, and watched them carefully.

Robyn: As many you have seen, Atlas have begun the reconstruction of the walls of, Mantle!

More cheers echoed as, Robyn celebrated the walls reconstruction with her supporters.

Robyn: I know many of you are happy that the people of, Atlas are supporting the people of, Mantle. That they are not only rebuilding the breach in the wall, but also fortifying it! Adding weapons to protect the people of, Mantle from the, Grimm!

Robyn: I know some of you are angry. That this should have been done years ago, that the walls should have been fortified as they will be the day they were built. Or, the fact that when they start firing those guns, it will be rather loud...

The audience laughed at, Robyn's simple remark. But, after hearing that, Jaune made a mental note in the back of his mind that they better inform people when they started test firing the weapon emplacements. He could think of several reasons why people wouldn't like that.

Robyn: But, the people of, Mantle, and Atlas are one people. We may call ourselves, Mantlites, or Atlasians, but at the end of the day, we are one people. One people who should not be fighting each other, but a common enemy: The Grimm.

Jaune could hear murmurs of agreements as, Robyn said those words. The Grimm were the people of, Mantle, and Atlas true enemy. Not each other. Jaune could agree with that, the Gri...?!

Jaune's mind abandoned his previous train of thoughts on, Robyn's word. Something was here, someone was here. Jaune had seen something. A lanky individual, a brown cloak over their head. Jaune recognized that shape. And, if it was who he thought it was, then things were about to get messy...

Jaune drowned out the world as he slowly weaved his way through the crowd. His mind was solely focused on the individual that was moving closer to the stage. Jaune quickly made his way to cut them off, but was careful to make his sure his presence was unnoticed. But, if it was who he feared it was, he knew their attention solely focused on, Robyn.

And, it was, considering they never saw him coming until his cerulean eyes locked in on his crazed yellow eyes.

Jaune: Hello, Tyrian~!

Tyrian: Wha?!

Jaune pulled out his sword, and sent it flying towards, Tyrian's face. People screamed as they ran out of the way, and started to flee the building. Unfortunately, Tyrian was a slippery bastard as he weaved out of the way of, Crocea Mors pristine white blade.

The crowd started screaming as they ran away. Jaune tapped his hip several times before deploying his shield, and taking a defensive stance at the mad scorpion faunas.

Tyrian: Whoa-hahaha! Well, hello again!

Jaune: I would say it's nice to see you again, but that'd be a lie.

Tyrian: Hahaha! Well it's nice to see you again!

Jaune: I doubt that...

Jaune was stalling for time; Jaune's greatest concern wasn't just, Tyrian, but also the civilians here. But, as he was stalling for time, most of the civilians in the auditorium had managed to escape, the only one that remained was, Robyn. She had sent, Fiona, and May off to help evacuate the civilians. With one extra huntresses, the odds were now on his side. But, nonetheless... the odds are never good when fighting a psychopath.

Tyrian: Well, since you spoiled the fun I bes... Whaa?!

Jaune stabbed forward with his sword hoping to catch, Tyrian off guard, but he managed to dodge out of the way, but, Jaune was more focused on keeping him here, and not letting the slippery bastard from getting away.

Jaune swung his sword in an upward arc, before leveling it it to stab at, Tyrian, before pulling back his blade back, deflecting the mad scorpions bladed gauntlets.

Tyrian jumped back before charging forward, and jumping on, Jaune's shield planning to throw him off balance, and take him down. But, just like many others before him, they all underestimated, Jaune's capabilities.

Jaune felt, Tyrian push on his shield, and cackle on as he readied his stinger to stab at, Jaune only for, Jaune to push his arm forward, and send him flying back. He spun in the air before landing on his feet, he let out a maniacal laugh before it was cut short as, Jaune bashed him in the face with his shield.

Jaune thought he was going to have an easier time dealing with this pyshco since his stinger was cut shot by, Ruby. But, evidently he had gotten a prosthetic tail to replace it. That just made him all the more dangerous.

Robyn: Jaune, duck!

Jaune 's body dropped into a squat before quickly standing back up as an crossbow bolt whizzed above him. Tyrian's bladed gauntlets flew through the air as he started knocking down the various blots, Robyn sent flying at him.

Tyrian leapt over, Jaune, and charged, Robyn. Robyn's crossbow changed into a bladed shield as she started crossing blades with, Tyrian. Jaune realized as he ran up towards the pair that, Tyrian wasn't just randomly here, he was here for a reason. He was here to carry out an assassination, and Robyn was the target.

Jaune: Robyn! He's a scorpion faunas! Watch out for his stinger!

Robyn: Got it!

This was the first time, Jaune got to see, Robyn in a fight, and to put it simply; She fought just like her name sake: Like a bird. Robyn's movement were as smooth, and as majestic as a robin in flight. Her skill with her weapon was as precise as a master violinist's. And she was deadly as a hawk on the hunt. It was mesmerizing to see. Almost.

Jaune's eyes weren't looking at the beauty of, Robyn's fighting style . His eyes were only taking in her passively, his attention was solely focused on, Tyrian. And, he saw something he didn't like.

A dark violet glow enveloped, Tyrian's hand as he reached for, Robyn's side. Jaune saw what a lilac field around, Robyn's side disperse, and make a hole on her side. Jaune suddenly realized something that was very, very dangerous.

That glow around, Tyrian's hand was an active sign of him using his semblance. And, Tyrian's semblance was capable of making holes in people auras! It was the perfect semblance for a, Hunter killer.

Jaune: Robyn! Back away from him!

Robyn, jumped back before, Tyrian could land a fatal blow. Tyrian charged her, but before he could he had to dash back as, Crocea Mors came flying past him. Jaune did see this as a dangerous move; Throwing his primary weapon, and leaving him relatively defenseless. But, Robyn's death was an even worse outcome for the future of, Mantle, and Atlas.

Tyrian laughed as, Jaune's sword flew past him, and he swiftly turned on him, and jumped atop of. Jaune. This action caught, Jaune off guard; Jaune had over extended himself allowing, Tyrian to land on top of him. Luckily, Jaune still had his shield on him, but, Tyrian had him pinned to the ground.

Jaune felt his aura being pulled away by, Tyrian's semblance. Jaune quickly activated his own semblance amping up his aura, trying to cover the breach in his wall, but it was too little, too late.

Jaune: AHHH?!

Jaune felt a searing burning pain as, Tyrian's stinger dug into his shoulder, injecting him with his vile poison.

Robyn: NOOO!

Robyn yelled as she fired bolt, after bolt at, Tyrian. But, Robyn had charged in too close to, Tyrian.

Tyrian effortlessly jumped off of, Jaune's prone body, and tackled, Robyn. Pinning her to the ground as his stinger rose into the air.

Tyrian: Ah-HAHAHA! It's my lucky day! Not only do I get to kill an annoying little, Huntsman! But, also the savior of, Mantle! Ah-HAHAHAHA!!!

Robyn's eyes widened in fear as, Tyrian's stinger hanged above his head, ready to dive down, and kill her. Robyn struggled against, Tyrian, trying to free herself from his grasp, but to no avail.

Tyrian laugh maniacally assured of his victory. But, as, Jaune watched, Tyrion prepare to kill, Robyn, he remembered something, something, Pyrrha had said to him years ago, back when she was training him on the roofs of, Beacon Academy, back when things were a simpler, happier time.

Pyrrha: "Remember, Jaune, landing the final blow is when your opponent is most vulnerable."

As Tyrian Laughed in mad glee at his assured victory, his laughter was suddenly cut short as, Jaune wrapped his hands around his head, and growled into the monsters ear.

Jaune: I'm not buried yet!

"SNAP, KER-CRAK!!!"

The sound of, Tyrian's neck snapping echoed throughout the auditorium like a gun shot. It was deafening in it's brutal energy, and the sound of the dull thud as, Jaune threw, Tyrian's wretched corpse off of, Robyn.

Jaune's breath came out heavily as he stared at, Tyrian's corpse, a maniacal smile still etched across his face. Robyn looked at, Jaune with wide eyes, stunned silent as she looked about her savior.

Jaune: But, you will be, you bastard son of a bitch!

Jaune yelled this out, panting heavily as before his body gave out, and he fell down, landing on the ground with a solid thud.

Robyn: Jaune...? Jaune?!

Robyn shouted his name as she ran over to him, cupping his face in her hands as she checked him over.

Robyn: Oh no, nonononono!

The doors to the auditorium burst open as several members of the, Specialist team came rushing in.

Clover: Jaune we got your message, what hap... Jaune?!

Clover, and Harriet ran over to, Jaune while, Marrow, Vine, and Elm kept the crowd out.

Clover: What the hell happened?!

Robyn: That psycho attacked us! He stabbed, Jaune with his tail!

Harriet: What psy...?! Wait, that's, Tyrian Callows?!

Clover: He stabbed, Jaune with his tail?!

Marrow: Fuck, that means he's been poisoned!

Clover: Call for a medevac!

Vine: On it!

Clover then pushed, Robyn out of the way as he looked down at, Jaune ever growing pale face.

Clover: Jaune! Jaune answer me!

He couldn't answer him, his voice had left him.

Clover: Jaune! Look at me! Look at me!

His couldn't look at him, his vision was getting blurry.

Clover: Jaune stay with me! Stay with me, Jaune!

He couldn't stay, he was leaving him.

Winter: JAUNE?!

His world faded into the darkness.

#rwby #jaune arc #ruby rose #pyrrha nikos #robyn hill #fiona tyme #may marigold #jame ironwood #marrow amin #clover ebi #harriet bree #vine zeki #elm ederne #tyrian callows #oscar pine #rwby ozpin #jacques schnee #winter schnee

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arc-misadventures · 2 months ago

Note

In an effort to improve moral the council and Ironwood have agreed to Yang's plan and instigate the largest hide and seek game ever (TM) with a billion lien prize utilizing Penny as the seeker while the military holds a military "Exercise" outside the kingdom.

Nora wins

A few weeks later Jaune shows up and asks if the game is still going on.

The Hunt

Ironwood: Attention people of, Atlas, and Mantle! Today we will be conducting the worlds largest game of, Hide, and Go Seek!

Ironwood: Now I know many of you find this stupid, and silly. But, I am sure that for a prize of one billion Lien will change your minds! That's right people, the last person found, be they be male, or female, young, and old, human, and faunas alike will receive a prize of one billion Lien to do whatever they desire to do with it!

Ironwood: Now then, our seekers for this game will be, Atlas's proud Knights, and our loyal defender, Penny Polendina! Take it away, Ms. Polendina!

Penny: Thank you, General Ironwood! Salutations everyone! As the, General said, we will be hosting the worlds largest game of hide, and go seek with the grand prize for the last person found, winning one billion Lien! Now the rules are simple! Hide, and don't get caught! Of course we must advise you to hide in safe places, ant to not go anywhere that could get yourself hurt!

Penny: Now I have a complete data base of every individual who lives, in, Atlas, and Mantle. So I will be able to tell who has been found, and who is left to be found~! So don't worry, I won't leave a stone unturned in this great hunt!

Penny: And, with that, you all have five hours before the game begins! Starting... Now!

Penny: Good luck everyone, and let the games begin!

~~~ Penny: Aren't you going to hide, General?

Ironwood: Me? No, nonono, I am not interested in playing this game. Go right on ahead, Penny. Happy hunting.

Penny: I will go do that, Sir!

~~~

Penny: 1 hr 37 mins have elapsed since the start of the game: 1,721 players, and counting have been found.

Penny: ...

Penny: 1,722 players have been found; Hello friend, Blake!

Blake: What?! How did you find me so fast?!

Penny: Your hiding spot was not out of place, but empty boxes do not jiggle.

Blake: Shit! Knew I should have grab something to read that wasn't so spicy...

~~~

Penny: 2,520 players have been found, and 5% of, Atlas, and Mantle have been explored.

(Smash!)

Penny: 2,521 players have been found; Hello, Specials Ederne!

Elm: Hi, Penny... was it the fact I knock over the shelf that gave me away?

Penny: Negative. Your head is peeking over the top shelf.

Elm: Dammit! Curse my tall muscular build!

~~~

Penny: 3,791 players have been found, and 9.61% of Atlas, and Mantle have been searched.

(Creak)

Penny: Hmmm?

Penny looks up, and sees a bundle of read cloth hanging precariously from a chandler.

Penny: Hello, Ruby!

Ruby: H-Hi.. Penny...

Penny: How did you get up there, Ruby?

Ruby: My semblance.

Penny: Fascinating.

Penny: ...

Ruby: ...

Penny: Do you need help getting down?

Ruby: YES! Please help me I'm going to fall!

Penny: On it!

~~~

Penny: Hello, Friend Weiss!

Weiss: Oh? Hello, Penny. Would you care for a cup of tea?

Penny: No thank you.

Weiss: Tell me, how did you find me?

Penny: You mentioned where you were going to hide when this game was mentioned to, Yang; So, I just had to look. But, I must ask, how did you get a tea set all the way up here?

Weiss: Ahh well...

Weiss, and Penny look down to see the beautiful landscape of, Atlas, and Mantle.

Weiss: We, Schnee's have our ways~!

~~~

Penny: 5,782... Correction, 5,832 players have been found, 13.9% of, Atlas, and Mantle have been explored.

(Ca-thunk!)

Penny heard a sound emanate from within a broom closet.

Penny: Hmm? Investigating.

Penny walked to the closet, and opened the door, inside she found, Specialist Bree, and Ebi, within.

Penny: Salutations, Specialist Bree, Specialist Ebi! Only parents, and their young children are allowed to be together during the game of, Hide, and Go Seek. You two being together disqualifies both of you.

Clover: O-Oh does it? Shoot. I was running out of time to find a hiding spot, and I just jumped in here. And, well Harriet was already here, and the game started so... I just stayed here.

Harriet: I would have kicked him out, but it already started... So...

Penny: Understandable. Well, I will leave, and continue my search! But, before I go, Specialist Ebi?

Clover: Yes, Penny?

Penny: Your uniform seems to be undone, and there appears to be smudges on your face.

Clover: Oh did it, I hadn't notice.

Penny: Did something happen?

Clover: Ohh... Just got a little lucky. That's all.

Penny: I understood. Now then, the hunt continues!

Clover: Good luck, Penny!

Harriet: Bye.

Penny shuts the door, and the two stand there in silence for a moment before, Harriet slaps his chest.

Harriet: 'Got a little lucky?!' We finally have a chance to have some fun, and that's how you play it off?

Clover: Hey. I got to spend time with you, I can name a thousand reasons why that's considered lucky by anyone.

Harriet: Oh shut up, and kiss me.

Clover: Oh how lucky me~!

~~~

Penny: 7,127 players found, 27.3% of Atlas, and Mantle have been explored. Continuing the search. Hmm...?

Penny stops, as she sees a can on the side of the road being kicked to the side, and yet she saw no one was around to kick it.

Penny: Investigating... Heat Vision Activated.

Penny: Scanning...

Penny: Heat source detected, Knight's being issued to conduct search.

: Ahh! Whoa hey hey hey?!

Penny: Contestant found. Identify yourself.

: May. May Marigold...

Penny: Contestant, May Marigold has been disqualified from game for cheating.

May: What?! I'm disqualified for using my semblance?!

Penny: Negative: You are allowed to use your semblance if it allows you to stay hidden; But, you are disqualified for moving about, instead of staying hidden.

May: That's...!

May: That's fair...

Penny: Punishment has be administered. The hunt shall continue.

~~~

Winter: Oh, hello, Penny.

Penny: Salutations, Specialist Schnee!

Winter: I see you found everyone in my family. Please tell me my mother wasn't in the wine cellar...

Penny: She was not, she was in the kitchen making a cup of tea.

Winter: She was making a cup of tea? That sounds... okay...? I'll need to have a word with her... that's odd...

Penny: I was unable to find, Jacques Schnee. Do you perhaps have any ideas where I could find him?

Whitely: Father locked himself in the families panic room all by himself. He locked himself in there well before the competition started so no one else could get in.

Winter: Still as petty as ever... I'll show you to the panic room, I'm not interested in letting him win. This way, Penny.

Penny: Thank you~!

Winter: Here it is, just hack the door, and you should get in.

Penny: Hacking...

Whitely: Isn't this cheating? Telling your friend where, Father is?

Winter: She was going to check anyway. Might as well speed things along.

Penny: Vault open.

Winter: Alright, Father you have been found might as well...?! Whitely, stay back!

Whitely: Why? I need to...?!

Winter: I said, stay back!

Penny: Oh, this is unexpected...

Jacques Schnee, was lounging peacefully in his chair, his head staring at the ceiling, a cup of wine sat before him, his once proud white business suit, stained red with his blood.

Jacquess Schnee's throat had been slit.

Jacques Schnee, was dead.

~~~

Ironwood: You found his dead body in a panic room behind a locked vault door?

Winter: Indeed sir.

Ironwood: Suicide?

Winter: No idea, Sir. We will know more once the autopsy has been completed.

Ironwood: I guess someone thought that this game of hide, and go seek would be the opportune moment to commit a crime. But, within a locked safe? This makes no sense...

Winter: Records indicate that the door was only opened twice; When he went in, and when we went in to check on him.

Ironwood: Peculiar... Hmmm... Assemble whatever, Specialist's that have been found, and start investigating this at once. The fact that it was your father who was killed is one thing, but the fact that it happened behind a locked door is something else entirely.

Winter: At once, Sir!

Ironwood: They waited until the game began, and then killed him when no one was looking... This isn't good... Not good at all.

~~~

Penny: 9,723 player's, and 52.6% of Atlas, and Mantle have been searched.

Penny: Friend, Ren?

Ren: Oh, hello, Penny.

Penny: How did you get that tea set up in that tree? That is a potential fire hazard.

Ren: Don't worry, it's an electric heater, no open flame of any sort. Tell me, have you found, Nora yet?

Penny: Negative. Friend Nora has yet to be found. Do you have any idea where friend, Nora might be?

Ren: I don't know where exactly, Nora is. But, to give you a clue where she might be; Nora is probably in a place that doesn't seem physically possible to be in.

Penny: What? But, how is that possible?

Ren: It's, Nora.

Penny: I do not understand?

Ren: Neither do I.

Penny: Oh... Okay...?

~~~

Penny: Remove yourself from the premises at once.

Oscar: What? H-How did you find me?

Penny: The Vault is routinely monitored. You were found instantly hours ago the moment you walked into the premises.

Oscar: What?! Then how come you didn't call me out sooner, I've been waiting here for hours!

Penny: It was not to be checked until 70% of Atlas's, and Mantle's total population, and 80% of it's territory had been searched.

Oscar: Aww man... I waisted my whole day here...

~~~

Yang: Sup, Penny~!

Penny: Friend, Yang... W-Why are you in my room...?

Yang: Cause of all the places I thought you would never look, I doubted you would look in your own room.

Penny: That is correct... 99.9%, 15,971 inhabitants of Atlas, and Mantle have been found. And, 100% of the grounds of Atlas, and Mantle have been checked. Your guess that this would be the last place I would have check is correct.

Yang: Does that mean I won?!

Penny: Negative. The last individual to be found is, Nora Valkyrie.

Yang: Damn! I was so close. Well, lets meet up in the, General's office to announce the winner.

Penny: Very well.

Yang: Oh, and, Penny?

Penny: Yes?

Yang: About this, Ruby Chibi-ish plushie you have here...

Penny: W-What plushie...? Hiccup!

Yang: Relax, I'm totally fine with you two being a thing. That's not what I wanted to ask you about at all.

Penny: Oh? Then what is it?

Yang: Where can I get one~?

~~~

Ironwood: So you found everyone, Penny?

Penny: I have found everyone, but one.

Ironwood: Then we have a winner then?

Penny: Yes, Sir. Nora Valkyrie is the winner.

Ironwood: Then we shall announce that the game is over so she can come out of wherever it is she is hiding.

Penny: Very well, Sir!

~~~

Yang: So, wait, he was found dead in a panic room?

Weiss: Yes, apparently that is where, Winter, and Penny found him.

Blake: I would say I'm sorry, Weiss.

Ruby: But...?

Blake: What? I said, I would say I'm sorry, but come on, it's Jacques Schnee!

Ruby: But, he's, Weiss's dad!

Weiss: Nonono... It's alright, in fact I believe that the moment it is made public there will be people celebrating in the streets.

Yang: Whoo! Block party!

Clover: So where did they find you two?

Marrow: I was hiding in a locker, but it turned out to be a rocket locker, and I got sent out into the wastelands by accident. So I spent my time out there waiting to be picked up.

Vine: I was hiding in the, Bullhead that was sent to pick him up.

Harriet: HA!

Clover: Tough break.

Qrow: The found me after they knocked over a wine barrel, and it smashed on the floor.

Yang: I thought you gave up drinking, Uncle Qrow? What were you doing in a wine barrel?!

Qrow: It was empty! And, I don't know, I just sorta... fell into it.

Oscar: Just your semblance playing up on you?

Qrow: Oh shut up.

Oscar: Sorry.

Ironwood: Ahh, I see everyone's here. Good, since you're all close friends with, Ms. Valkyrie, perhaps one of you could tell us where she could be?

Weiss: You still haven't found her?

Blake: Have you tried notifying her on her scroll?

Penny: We have, but we have received no response.

Ruby: Hmmm... Hey, are those coffee cups?

Blake: They have, Nora's name on them.

Ren: Oh... oh that's not good.

Ironwood: Why, what's wrong?

Ren: Nora is hyperactive as it is, when she has coffee she gets super charged. Which results in... incidents happening.

Ironwood: Incidents? What kind of incidents?

Yang: Yes.

Ironwood: Okay...?

Clover: Then how do we find her to let her know she won?

Nora: I WON?!

RW: AHHHH!

Elm: Oh gods!?

Yang: The hell?!

Blake: NYAAHHHH!!!

MV: AHHH!!

Ironwood: Wait... did she...?

Penny: Hi, Friend Nora!

Nora: Hi~!

Nora: So, did I win?!

Ironwood: Yes, Miss Valkyrie, you did win.

Nora: FUCK YEAH!

Ironwood: I must ask though, where were you?

Nora: I drank two espressos here, and phased between realities, until I was in the null zone, where I excited in a state of non-existence. There I stayed until I was summoned from the void, and brought back to the material realm.

RWBYRO: ...

Qrow: Uhhh...?

CHEVM: ...?

Penny: Really?

Ironwood: Huw... there's video of her standing here in this room, then she just disappears... What?

Ren: Best not to dwell on it, Sir. It's just better that way.

Ironwood: Very well? Haaa... Alright then, we shall now announce the winner.

Nora: Whoo!

RWBYRO: YAY!

Winter: Ahh... I see you found, Miss Valkyrie. Where was she?

Ironwood: She was here.

Winter: Here...? In this room?

Winter: ...

Winter: Where?

Clover: We'll explain later. I hope...

Winter: I see...? Well then, congratulations then, Miss Valkyrie. You won, Atlas's, and Mantles first game of Hide, and Go Seek.

Nora: Yes! I win, I win~! DadadaaaDA!

Winter: Once, again I offer you my congratulations. I think you, and your friends should get together to... Hold on... Two, four, six, seven... We're is, Jaune?

Nora: J-Jaune...?

Weiss: Jaune's not here...?

Ruby: What? D-Didn't we see him... somewhere?

Yang: He was in this?

Blake: D-Didn't he tell you where he was hiding?

Ren: I thought he told you...

Nora: OH NO! We did it again! We all forgot about, Jaune!

Marrow: Wait, didn't you say you have a registry of everyone in, Mantle, and Atlas. You used it for the game.

Clover: Didn't you find everyone?

Harriet: You said you searched all of Mantle, and Atlas, right?

Penny: Checking...

Penny: ...

Penny: File corruption detected... Correcting...

Penny: ...

Penny: Corruption fixed. One file of, Luna Jaune Arc has been found. 99.9% of all inhabitants of Atlas, and Mantle have been found.

Blake: Wait, his first name is, Luna?

Ruby: Did you guys know?

Nora: No?!

Winter: Oh gods... Penny, do you know where, Jaune is?

Penny: Yes! I can track where his location is with his scroll!

Winter: Good, where is he?

Penny: He is...? Odd... He is located around the park in downtown, Mantle?

Ironwood: How is that odd?

Penny: I check the park myself... Myself, and thirty Knights were in the area... a-a-and we d-d-didn't f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-find HIM?!

With that, Penny short circuited, and fell to her knees. Everyone began to freakout, Penny's mind rebooted, and she quickly shot up, and saluted everyone!

Ruby: P-Penny, are you okay?

Penny: I am combat ready! Why, did something happen?

Clover: You found out where, Jaune is, and you...

Penny: Really? He is the winner of the game; Where is he?

Clover: The park in downtown, Mantle.

Penny: Really? I checked there, and I didn't see him there at all! I wonder where he was hiding?

Clover: Uhhh...?

Ironwood: I think we need to have, Dr. Polendina run a diagnostics on, Penny after this.

Winter: I agree, but first we must find, Jaune.

~~~

Team RWBY, Nora, Oscar, Penny, and Winter head towards the downtown, Mantle park. They noticed the various people who lost the game going about their day. They had happy faces, and they they could over hear them chatting about how much fun they had playing a massive game of hide, and go seek.

But, as they moved past the various happy faces, they eventually found one that stood out all on his own. A dour, and quiet expression was present across his face as he sat alone, playing a game of chess all against himself.

Nora: Jaune!

Ruby: Jaune, you're here!

Weiss: What are you doing here?

Jaune: Yeah... I've been here all day. Didn't you...? No you didn't see my note since you're asking me, 'What am I doing here?'

Yang: So, you've been here all day?

Jaune: More, or less. I did leave for a bit to grab a drink, and a hotdog from a hotdog stand. Good hotdog...

Jaune gestured to a pile of trash next to him.

Blake: Oh, you spilt some ketchup on your hand.

Jaune: Oh, I did...

Jaune licked his thumb before rubbing the smear off his hand.

Jaune: So, what's up?

Penny: Congrats, Jaune! You won!

Jaune: ...

Jaune: Won what?

Yang: The massive game of hide, and go seek... you won.

Jaune: Wait, we were doing that? I thought that was just a thing, Yang talked about.

Ruby: Yeah, d-didn't you know?

Jaune: Nope.

Ruby: Well we did...

Penny: And, you won!

Jaune: Yay.

Yang: Jaune, you won the one billion Lien prize!

Jaune: Again... yay.

Ruby: You don't care?

Jaune: ...

Jaune: Meh... maybe.

Nora: But, Jaune! Think of all the pancakes you can buy!

Jaune: Guys... I don't care. I'm just here playing chess.

Winter: By yourself?

Jaune: Well, people could have joined me, but they were all busy playing hide, and go seek, so...

Weiss: Okay...?

Ruby: So, uhhh... Should we go, and announce that, Jaune won?

Penny: General Ironwood plans to announce the winner tomorrow. So, we are fine.

Yang: In that case, where did you get that hotdog? Cause damn, am I hungry!

Jaune: It's somewhere on the other side of the park. It's easy enough to find.

Ruby: Awesome! Let's go guys!

Yang: Whoo! Hot dogs!

Oscar: I haven't had one in ages!

Nora: I'm gonna eat out their stall!

Weiss: I've never had a hotdog before.

Blake: I don't think I’ve ever had one either.

Ruby: What?! We must rectify that at once!

Swiftly the members of, Team RWBY, Nora, Ren, Oscar, and Penny swiftly left to enjoy hot dogs, leaving, Jaune all on his own once again. Or, so he thought.

Cause standing there, looking down on, Jaune from his seat was one, Winter Schnee.

Winter: Were you really all 'alone' today, were you?

Jaune said nothing, but his gaze darting to the side said everything.

Winter: May I... join you for a round, or two?

Jaune stares at, Winter for a moment, before resetting the chessboard, and turns it so that white is facing her.

Jaune: The first move is yours.

Winter smiled as she sat down, and made her first move.