Ron’s Journey Through Remnant

As the Vytal Festival drew near, Beacon Academy was abuzz with excitement. The streets of Vale were alive with color and activity, bustling with preparations for the grand event. Team GRAM, taking a well-deserved break from their rigorous training, decided to spend their Friday afternoon exploring the city.

Gaster led the way through the winding streets of Vale, his hands clasped behind his back as he examined the various bookshops that lined the avenue. His eyes flickered with interest at every title he passed, occasionally stopping to leaf through a book that caught his attention. Maple walked alongside him, her gaze wandering over the vibrant displays, though she was mostly there to enjoy the atmosphere and offer her thoughts whenever Gaster found something particularly interesting.

At the docks, Adrian was immersed in his own task, negotiating with a fishmonger over the best cuts of the freshest catch. His Faunus instincts made him a discerning customer, and he wasn't one to settle for anything less than the best. The fishmonger, already accustomed to Adrian's sharp eye, bantered back and forth with him, both of them enjoying the light-hearted exchange.

Meanwhile, Ron was at a weapons shop, scanning the shelves for parts and supplies. His sharp eye for detail guided him as he picked out various components, mentally cataloging everything he might need for any potential problems that could arise during the Festival. His mind was always a few steps ahead, considering every possible scenario and preparing for the unexpected.

After finishing his shopping, Ron rejoined the rest of Team GRAM as they made their way to the docks. Gaster, ever the strategist, wanted to take the opportunity to scout the teams from other academies who had started arriving for the Vytal Festival. It was a chance to gather valuable information and assess potential competitors.

As they walked through the bustling streets of Vale, the team enjoyed the lively atmosphere, though each was focused on their thoughts. Ron kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his mind still running through contingencies. Maple chatted with Gaster about the various teams they might encounter, her curiosity piqued by the diversity of the students. Adrian, carrying his freshly purchased fish, seemed more relaxed, though his ears twitched occasionally as he listened in on nearby conversations.

However, their relatively peaceful stroll was interrupted when they unexpectedly crossed paths with Team RWBY. The two teams stopped in their tracks, and the air grew tense.

Weiss's eyes narrowed as she spotted Gaster, clearly displeased by the encounter. For her, Gaster had always been a source of discomfort. His cold demeanor and the way he challenged her had left a lasting impression, and she wasn't thrilled to run into him now.

Gaster's reaction was equally frosty. He gave Weiss a sidelong glance, his expression unreadable but unmistakably disapproving. The friction between them was palpable, a lingering result of their past interactions. Despite this, Gaster remained silent, choosing not to engage directly. He had more important matters to attend to than indulging in another clash with Weiss.

Ruby, ever the peacemaker, tried to ease the tension with a friendly smile.

[Ruby]: Hey, Gaster! Maple, Adrian, Ron! Are you guys heading to the docks too?

Maple returned Ruby's smile with a nod, appreciating the attempt to defuse the situation.

[Maple]: Yeah, Gaster wants to check out the other teams. What about you?

[Yang]: Really? Weiss wants to do that too.

Both teams exchanged surprised glances at the coincidence. Before the conversation could continue, Ron's sharp eye caught sight of something troubling.

[Ron]: This reminds me—have you found any open Dust stores? All the ones I visited were robbed.

Ruby's attention was drawn to a nearby Dust store that had been vandalized and ransacked. The shattered windows and scattered debris painted a grim picture.

[Ruby]: Over there. It looks like this one was hit too.

As they approached, they overheard detectives from the Vale Police Department discussing the incident.

[Detective]: This is the second one this week. Just like the last time, none of the Lien was taken—only the Dust.

Another detective nodded, his expression grim.

[Detective 2]: The only reason someone would need this much Dust is if they were planning something big. Could be the White Fang.

Hearing this, Weiss's expression darkened. Her thoughts immediately went to the Faunus group she despised.

[Weiss]: Of course, it's the White Fang. Those degenerates are always behind this kind of thing.

Blake tensed at Weiss's words, her fists clenching at her sides.

[Blake]: They're not all like that. The White Fang might be misguided, but they wouldn't just steal Dust without a reason.

Weiss scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

[Weiss]: Misguided? They're criminals, Blake. Stealing, lying, cheating—that's all they know how to do.

Blake's eyes flashed with anger, and before she could respond, Ruby interjected.

[Ruby]: Actually, I'm not so sure it's the White Fang. I've seen someone else trying to pull a Dust robbery before—Roman Torchwick.

Weiss shot Blake a sidelong glare.

[Weiss]: Those Faunus only know how to lie, cheat, and steal. That's just the truth.

Blake's patience snapped, her voice rising with frustration.

[Blake]: That's not true, Weiss! You can't just paint all Faunus with the same brush. The White Fang may have started with noble intentions, but—

[Yang]: Guys, let's not jump to conclusions. Not all Faunus are bad.

Before the argument could escalate further, a sudden commotion erupted at the docks nearby. All heads turned as they saw a young Faunus with golden hair leaping off a ship, pursued by detectives.

[Ron]: What now?

The Faunus, seemingly unfazed, winked at Blake as he dashed by, causing her to blink in surprise.

[Weiss]: Is he part of the tournament? Let's go after him!

With that, Weiss led Team RWBY in pursuit of the mysterious Faunus. Team GRAM, curious about the situation but more concerned with their own objectives, watched as the others ran off.

[Adrian]: Seems like things just got a lot more interesting.

Gaster nodded, his mind already working through the possibilities.

[Gaster]: Let's not lose sight of our mission. The Festival is close, and we need to be ready for anything.

As Team GRAM made their way back to Beacon after finishing their errands in the city, the afternoon light faded into the evening. When they reached the school grounds, they noticed a palpable tension in the air, an unease that seemed to permeate the entire campus. It wasn't long before they discovered the source—Weiss and Blake had been arguing since their return from Vale, and it hadn't let up since.

Back in the dorm rooms that night, the argument finally reached a breaking point.

[Blake]: You don't even realize how discriminatory you sound, Weiss!

Weiss, clearly fed up with the ongoing confrontation, snapped back with a force that surprised everyone.

[Weiss]: Discriminatory? Do you think I'm discriminatory? Do you even know what I've been through because of the White Fang?

Blake fell silent, caught off guard by the intensity in Weiss's voice.

[Weiss]: They've been at war with the Schnee Dust Company for as long as I can remember! Do you know how many of my friends and family have been hurt or killed because of them? They've stolen entire trains full of Dust, and every time they strike, my father—he's enraged! My whole childhood was shaped by the terror they caused!

Weiss's voice shook with a mixture of anger and pain, emotions that she rarely allowed to surface so openly.

[Weiss]: I hate the White Fang because they're liars, thieves, and murderers! They've ruined lives—my life—and you have the nerve to defend them?

Weiss's outburst left the room in a tense silence, everyone unsure of how to respond. Seeing Weiss on the verge of breaking down, Ron and Maple stepped forward, trying to diffuse the situation.

[Ron]: Weiss, calm down. This isn't helping anyone.

[Maple]: We get that you've been through a lot, but yelling at each other isn't going to solve anything.

However, their attempts to mediate only seemed to make things worse. Overcome with frustration, Blake shouted back, her voice laced with anger and sorrow.

[Blake]: The White Fang… they were tired of being pushed around! They, we—

She stopped abruptly, realizing the slip she'd made. The word "we" hung in the air like a guillotine, its implications heavy and unmistakable. Everyone in the room froze, the truth sinking in as Blake her connection to the White Fang became glaringly apparent.

For a moment, Blake stood there, wide-eyed and trembling, before the full weight of what she had revealed hit her. Panic took over, and without another word, she bolted from the room with a speed that no ordinary human could match.

[Ruby]: Blake, wait—

But it was too late. Blake was already gone, leaving behind a stunned silence and a room full of confused and concerned friends.

[Adrian]: That… did not go well.

[Gaster]: No, it didn't.

Two days had passed since Blake's sudden departure, and the absence of their teammate weighed heavily on Team RWBY and Team GRAM. The once vibrant and lively atmosphere at Beacon had turned somber as both teams grappled with the shock and confusion left in the wake of Blake's revelation.

Ruby and Yang, along with Team GRAM, were determined to search for Blake, their concern for their friend outweighing any lingering questions about her past. To them, Blake was still a teammate, someone they cared about deeply, and they were unwilling to believe the worst without hearing her side of the story.

[Maple]: She must be scared. We need to make sure she knows we're here for her.

[Adrian]: I don't care what she's been through with the White Fang; we can help her.

Meanwhile, Weiss was struggling to reconcile the truth about Blake with her own fears and prejudices. The idea that someone so closely connected to the White Fang, an organization that had caused her family so much pain, had been right under her nose the entire time was too much for her to process. In her shock, Weiss found herself unable to see Blake as anything other than a criminal.

[Weiss]: We should get the police involved. She's part of the White Fang; she could be dangerous.

[Ron]: No, Weiss. She's our teammate, not some criminal to be hunted down.

[Weiss]: But how can we just ignore what she's done?

[Ron]: We're not ignoring it, but we need to hear her side before we make any decisions.

Weiss opened her mouth to argue, but the firm resolve in Ron's voice made her pause. She knew he was right, even if her emotions were clouding her judgment.

As they continued their discussion, a familiar voice interrupted them.

[Penny]: What are you all doing?

The group turned to see Penny Polendina standing behind them, her wide, curious eyes focused intently on the conversation. The sudden appearance startled everyone.

Ruby: Penny! Uh, we're… we're looking for someone.

[Penny]: Looking for someone? Who?

[Yang]: Our teammate, Blake. She's been missing since Friday.

Penny's expression shifted to one of determination as she stepped forward.

[Penny]: Then I will help you find her!

Ruby quickly tried to wave off Penny's offer, worried about involving anyone else in their already complicated situation.

Ruby: Oh, that's okay, Penny. We've got it under control.

When Ruby turned to Yang and the others for support, she found that they had already moved on ahead, leaving her alone with Penny. Gaster was the only one still present, meticulously jotting down notes as he observed the situation.

[Penny]: Why did Blake run away? Isn't she, your friend?

Ruby sighed deeply, her expression a mixture of frustration and sadness as she struggled to find the right words to explain the situation.

[Ruby]: It's complicated, Penny. Weiss and Blake… they've been arguing a lot. Blake was hurt by something that happened, and then she just ran off without telling anyone where she was going.

Penny's brow furrowed in concern as she tried to make sense of the situation.

[Penny]: If I had a friend, I would want them to talk to me before running away. It's important to communicate, especially when things are difficult.

Ruby felt a pang of sadness at Penny's insight. It was clear that Penny's perspective came from a place of genuine understanding, which made Ruby's heart ache even more.

[Ruby]: Yeah… me too.

As they continued their search, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling that they were missing something crucial, something that only Blake could reveal. She felt a growing sense of urgency to find her friend before it was too late.

Meanwhile, as the rest of Team GRAM moved on with their search, Adrian suggested a potential lead.

[Adrian]: Let's head to the docks. There's supposed to be a shipment of Dust arriving tonight. If Blake is trying to stay hidden, she might be there.

That night, Ron, Adrian, and Maple took their positions on a rooftop overlooking the docks, preparing for their stakeout. The moon cast a dim light over the port, where a massive shipment of Dust from the Schnee Dust Company had just arrived. Their vantage point gave them a clear view of the area, and they settled in to keep watch.

That night, Ron, Adrian, and Maple took their positions on a rooftop overlooking the docks. They had chosen a vantage point where they could see the arrival of the large shipment of Schnee Dust Company Dust from Atlas. The anticipation was palpable as they watched the activity below, their eyes scanning for any signs of trouble.

A Bullhead landed smoothly on the dock, its engines thrumming as it touched down. The ramp lowered, and several White Fang members emerged, their faces hidden behind their masks. Roman Torchwick followed, his presence unmistakable as he strode confidently down the ramp. He barked orders at the White Fang members, referring to them dismissively as animals, a behavior that confirmed their uneasy alliance with him.

As Roman began directing the White Fang members, a figure slipped through the shadows—Blake Belladonna. She crept up behind Roman, her Gambol Shroud poised with its sharp edge against his neck, while she aimed its pistol at the White Fang members.

[Blake]: Why are you working with them?

Roman's smirk remained as he responded coolly.

[Roman]: Business venture. Sometimes, you have to make deals with the devil to get what you want.

Before Blake could react further, more Bullheads descended, creating a diversion. Roman took advantage of the confusion, firing a shot from his Melodic Cudgel that exploded near Blake's feet. The blast sent her reeling, giving Roman the chance to escape. Blake, agile as ever, evaded his shots with swift, graceful movements before retreating.

Sun Wukong, who had been waiting for his moment, leaped onto the scene to confront Roman. He deftly used his gun nunchucks, engaging Roman in a fierce battle. As the two clashed, Ron, Adrian, and Maple arrived, surprising Blake.

[Ron]: We're here to find you. We didn't want to let you face this alone.

Blake was momentarily taken aback by their presence but quickly refocused as Roman prepared to escalate the fight. He attempted to engage Sun and Ron, but Blake intervened, declaring the fight hers.

[Blake]: This fight is mine!

Blake employed her Semblance to its fullest extent, using it in rapid succession to disorient Roman. She leaped around him, her dual-wielded Gambol Shroud a blur of movement. Despite her impressive skills, Roman managed to keep up, blocking her relentless attacks and eventually knocking her down.

Sun took advantage of the distraction, battling Roman with his nunchucks. Despite his skill, Roman was able to counter each of Sun's moves. Blake recovered quickly and launched a surprise attack, knocking Roman off balance. In retaliation, Roman fired at a hanging shipping container, sending it crashing down between Blake and Sun. They both dove out of the way, narrowly escaping.

Roman seized the opportunity to corner Sun, his cane aimed directly at him. Before he could fire, Ruby Rose arrived on a nearby rooftop, alerted by the explosion from the shipping container. Roman's eyes narrowed as he recognized her, but before he could act, Penny Polendina intervened, distracting Ruby.

Roman exploited the distraction, shooting at Ruby. However, Maple swiftly blocked the shot with her shield, protecting her teammate.

[Penny]: Stay back!

Enraged by the near miss, Penny joined the fray. She activated her Semblance, Floating Array, and unleashed a barrage of attacks. Her weapon's lasers cut through the White Fang members and even sliced through two Bullheads providing air support. With expert precision, she used the wires on her swords to drag a third Bullhead from the sky, pulling it down and destroying it.

Amidst the chaos, Roman realized the fight was slipping out of his control. He commandeered a fourth Bullhead, which ascended rapidly, escaping into the night sky.

The battle at the docks had been intense and chaotic, As the dust settled and the remnants of the confrontation were cleared, everyone was left to assess the fallout and plan their next steps.

After the intense battle, the group gathered, their faces showing signs of exhaustion and relief. Gaster, Weiss, and Yang rejoined the others, each carrying their own mix of emotions from the skirmish. The air was thick with a sense of resolution as Ruby took a deep breath, determined to address the ongoing conflict between Weiss and Blake.

[Ruby]: Alright, everyone. We need to sort things out. Weiss, Blake… let's talk.

Weiss, though visibly tired, stood firm. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze fixed on Blake.

[Weiss]: Over the past twelve hours, while searching for you, I've had time to reflect. I've come to realize that your past… it doesn't matter because I don't care, What matters is that we're a team. If something significant happens, we need to communicate with each other, not rely on strangers.

Blake's eyes welled up with tears as she heard Weiss's heartfelt words. The weight of their earlier argument seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of mutual understanding.

[Blake]: Thank you, Weiss. I'm sorry for not talking to you sooner.

Weiss nodded, her expression softening.

[Weiss]: And Sun… I'm still not sure how I feel about you, but I'm willing to give it a chance.

Sun, though somewhat taken aback, nodded in understanding. Ruby felt a surge of happiness seeing the team beginning to mend their rift.

[Ruby]: I'm glad we're starting to work things out. But wait… where's Penny?

The group looked around, noticing Penny's absence. Before Ruby could voice her concern further, Ron stepped forward, breaking the momentary silence.

[Ron]: Since we've managed to bring everyone back together and find Blake, how about we celebrate? I'm hosting a big fest at Team GRAM's dorm. It's on me—let's make it a proper celebration!

The suggestion brought a flicker of joy to everyone's faces. Ruby nodded in agreement, grateful for the opportunity to put the recent tensions behind them.

[Ron]: Also, don't worry about Penny. She left on her own. Tonight, we'll have fish and soup at the dorm.

The promise of a hearty meal and the chance to celebrate together lifted everyone's spirits. As they made their way to Team GRAM's dorm, the atmosphere began to lighten, with laughter and chatter filling the air. Ruby, Yang, and a few others continued to search for Penny, determined to ensure she was okay.

When they arrived at the dorm, Ron, Adrian, and Maple had already started preparing for the fest. The kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of fish and soup, mingling with the comforting scent of freshly baked bread. The decorations were simple but inviting, with warm lights and colorful banners.

[Chapter end]