Chapter 9 - Robbery in Vale

The sun was high in the sky, casting its warm glow over the bustling streets of Vale. It had been two months since the initiation and the formation of Teams RWBY and JNPR. In that time, the bonds between the two teams had grown immensely. They often trained together, studied together, and, much to their surprise, spent their free time together.

For the girls of each team—Ruby, Blake, Yang, Nora, and Pyrrha—one bond stood out more than any other: their growing admiration, and perhaps affection, for Weiss Schnee. Her grace, intelligence, and quiet strength captivated them, and as time passed, those feelings evolved into something more profound. Though unspoken, their lingering glances, subtle gestures, and moments of vulnerability hinted at emotions they were still learning to understand.

Weiss had always carried herself with poise and grace, but her maturity, quiet acts of kindness, and occasional vulnerability made her stand out. Whether it was helping Ruby organize her notes after a long night of cramming or giving Pyrrha quiet words of encouragement during a particularly challenging spar, Weiss had an undeniable magnetism that drew her teammates to her.

On the other hand, Jaune could only watch this development unfold with amazement and dismay. One evening, as the two teams shared a meal in the Beacon cafeteria, Jaune leaned toward Ren, his voice low. "So… uh… is it just me, or does everyone have a thing for Weiss?"

Ren raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Jaune continued, a sigh escaping his lips. "I mean, even Ruby! I didn't think Weiss was her type. And Pyrrha? She's got that whole warrior goddess vibe going on, and she's still…" He trailed off, gesturing vaguely in Weiss's direction, where the heiress laughed softly at one of Nora's jokes.

"It seems," Ren said finally, his tone neutral, "that your chances of dating Weiss are… slim."

Jaune slumped in his seat. "No kidding."

Ren placed a calming hand on Jaune's shoulder. "Don't worry, Jaune. There are other fish in the sea."

"Yeah, but I don't think any of those fish are here," Jaune muttered, earning a quiet chuckle from his partner.

Later, RWBY and JNPR are currently out in Vale. The streets of Vale hummed with energy, the city basking in the golden warmth of a Friday afternoon. It was the perfect day for a stroll, and with the Vytal Festival drawing closer, excitement had seeped into every corner of the bustling town. Festival preparations were in full swing—merchants showcased vibrant wares in every shade imaginable, and the air carried the enticing aromas of freshly baked treats. Children darted between adults, waving tiny flags representing their kingdoms, while colorful banners swayed gently from the lampposts above. Amidst this cheerful chaos, Team RWBY and Team JNPR meandered through the lively streets, enjoying each other's company and anticipating the grand event.

"Wow," Ruby said, her silver eyes wide with wonder. "It's even bigger than I imagined!"

Nora skipped ahead, dragging Ren behind her. "Look at all the food stalls! Ren, do you think they have pancakes?!"

"We'll check," Ren said patiently, though his eyes darted warily to the overly enthusiastic vendor waving a spatula in their direction.

As the group continued down the street, Weiss walked in the center, her elegant demeanor drawing more than a few admiring glances from passersby. Blake stayed close to her side, her amber eyes darting from one stall to the next, while Yang and Pyrrha walked slightly behind, chatting about upcoming matches in the festival's combat tournaments.

Their cheerful conversation was interrupted when they passed a corner shop with shattered windows. Yellow caution tape crisscrossed the door, and a detective stood outside, jotting notes onto a small notepad.

"Whoa," Ruby said, slowing to a stop. "What happened here?"

The detective looked up, raising an eyebrow as the group approached. "Robbery," he said curtly, flipping his notepad closed.

"Another one," his partner said, leaving the shop with a frustrated sigh. "That's the second Dust shop hit this week. Same pattern as before."

"Dust shop?" Weiss repeated, her tone sharp.

"Yeah," the first detective confirmed. "And here's the weird part—the robber didn't touch the money. Just cleaned out the Dust and left."

Ruby tilted her head, confused. "Why would someone rob a store and leave the money behind? That doesn't make any sense."

"White Fang, maybe?" the second detective said, his voice gruff. "They've been getting bolder lately."

Jaune blinked. "White Fang? What's that?"

Ren folded his arms. "They're a Faunus organization. Originally peaceful, but lately, they've been associated with more… militant activities."

Pyrrha frowned, her emerald eyes clouding with sympathy. "That's awful. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for the shop owners."

Nora, however, balled her fists. "If I ever find those robbers, I'm gonna break their legs!"

Yang cracked her knuckles, a fiery grin spreading across her face. "I'll help."

"That won't be necessary," a quiet voice said. Blake stepped forward, her expression uncharacteristically serious. "The White Fang… they're not what you think. They're not just criminals. They're misguided, sure, but they're fighting for something they believe in."

The group fell silent, turning to look at Blake. Weiss's expression shifted, a hint of sympathy creeping into her icy blue eyes. "Blake," she began carefully, "I understand where you're coming from, but the White Fang isn't just misguided. They've committed atrocities—attacks on civilians, sabotage, even murder."

Blake's eyes widened slightly, and she shook her head. "That's not true. The White Fang wouldn't—"

Weiss interrupted her by pulling out her Scroll. She tapped a few buttons before turning the screen toward Blake, revealing a series of headlines and security footage clips. Each one depicted violent acts attributed to the White Fang, including bombings and assaults.

Blake stared at the images on Weiss's Scroll, her amber eyes wide with disbelief. Her hands trembled slightly as she struggled to process the evidence before her. "No… that can't be right," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Weiss lowered her Scroll, her expression softening. Her usual air of superiority was replaced with a calm, measured tone. "Blake," she began gently, "we all know. About… you."

Blake's breath caught in her throat. Her body went rigid, and her gaze darted to the others. Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke. "You… know?"

Ren stepped forward, his serene demeanor as steady as ever. He gestured toward Blake's bow with a faint but knowing smile. "It wasn't exactly subtle. No bow moves like that on its own."

Blake's cheeks flushed deep crimson, and her ears twitched beneath the black fabric of her bow, betraying her embarrassment. She instinctively touched the bow as if it might shield her from their knowing stares.

Before anyone could respond further, a sudden commotion echoed from the nearby docks. Raised voices, a mixture of confusion and alarm, rippled through the crowd. Heads turned toward the source of the disturbance.

"What's going on over there?" Yang asked, her violet eyes narrowing in curiosity as she began weaving toward the growing crowd.

The rest of the group followed, pushing their way to the front just in time to catch sight of the spectacle unfolding. A Faunus with a golden monkey tail leaped nimbly from the deck of a small ship, his movement fluid and playful. His grin stretched wide, exuding confidence and mischief as he effortlessly evaded two sailors who lunged at him, their hands grasping at the air.

"Better luck next time, boys!" he called out, his voice brimming with cheer and mockery. He landed lightly on the boat's railing, balancing effortlessly despite the precarious position. The golden tail behind him flicked animatedly, adding to the air of cocky defiance.

The sailors stumbled back, glaring up at the Faunus as he crouched on the railing, clearly enjoying the chaos he was causing. The crowd murmured in a mix of fascination and disapproval, their attention fully captured by the golden-tailed stranger.

Ruby tilted her head, curiosity lighting up her silver eyes. "Who's that?"

Weiss's gaze hardened, her sharp eyes tracking the figure as her hand moved instinctively to Myrtenaster. She stood tall, her tone calm yet commanding. "I don't know," she said, her voice as cold and cutting as ice, "but we're about to find out."

The mysterious Faunus leaped from the ship's railing to the dock with effortless grace, his landing as smooth as a predator stalking its prey. He moved swiftly, breaking into a sprint, his movements confident and precise. The sailors shouted after him, their voices laced with frustration, but the Faunus only laughed—a carefree, taunting sound—as he waved over his shoulder, mocking their futile attempts to catch him.

Ruby's eyes widened in excitement. "Let's go!" she exclaimed, already dashing after him, Crescent Rose gripped tightly in her hands.

Weiss sighed quietly, more exasperated than annoyed, before taking the lead. "Stay close and don't get ahead of yourselves," she ordered, her steps purposeful and unhurried, yet swift enough to maintain control of the situation.

The two teams exchanged glances, a shared curiosity sparking between them as they followed Weiss. Weapons at the ready, they moved with a heightened sense of caution, eager to uncover the truth behind the mysterious figure.