The streets of Vale bustling with life, sunlight dancing off the stone and glass of the city as Team RWBY wandered along the walkways, their shopping spree at CC Clothing now behind them.
"I still can't believe they're going to deliver our clothes directly to Beacon," Weiss said, walking with her arms crossed but clearly in high spirits.
"Yup," Yang chimed in, hands behind her head. "Super convenient. Now we can eat without hauling a mountain of shopping bags around."
Blake gave a quiet, approving "Mmhmm," as she walked beside them, a rare relaxed smile on her face.
Ruby, who had looked half-asleep from the exhaustion of trying on outfits for hours straight, suddenly perked up like a light bulb.
"Wait—did someone say food?" she said with a sparkle in her eyes. "Ooh! What about sandwiches? And cookies! Gotta have cookies!"
Weiss raised a skeptical brow. "Sandwiches?"
She was about to protest—probably something about fine dining—when she paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Actually… that doesn't sound too terrible. Do you know any decent places?"
Ruby turned to Yang, eyes shining with silent excitement.
Yang smirked, already in sync. "On three?"
They both pointed in the same direction and shouted together:
"Delly's Deli!"
A short while later…Nestled in a quiet back alley of Vale, away from the main streets and tourist bustle, stood a modest sandwich shop with an old wooden sign that read "Delly's Deli"
Inside, the shop had a warm, homey feel. The kind of place that looked unchanged for years—no fancy digital screens, just handwritten menus and the smell of fresh bread and sizzling meats wafting from the back. It wasn't large, just enough room for a few tables and a long counter, but the vibe was cozy and familiar.
Team RWBY sat at a corner booth, enjoying their freshly made sandwiches. The atmosphere was relaxed, laughter and light banter filling the air between bites.
Weiss took another bite of her sandwich and let out an almost involuntary hum of satisfaction. "When I first saw this place," she began, dabbing her lips with a napkin, "I genuinely thought you were dragging me into some sketchy back-alley dive. But after this sandwich…"
She sighed, glancing toward the kitchen. "I've never been so wrong. I would love to hire this man to cook for my family."
Ruby nearly choked on her cookie. "What?! No way! You can't just steal him! If he's gone, who's going to make these heavenly sandwiches?!"
Yang leaned forward, grinning. "Yeah, Princess, leave some joy for us common folk."
Weiss rolled her eyes but smiled. "Relax. I was only joking…"
Then added under her breath, "...Partially."
The table burst into a mix of laughter and teasing. Even Blake gave a soft chuckle as she reached for another bite.
The bond between the girls was undeniable now. What started as four strangers had, in just a month, already become something more. A team. A family.
As Team RWBY enjoyed their meal, the chime above the deli's door rang again. Two women entered, stepping in from the bright streets of Vale into the cozy warmth of Delly's Deli.
One of them stood out immediately. She was graceful and elegant, dressed in sleek black with gold accents, a red scarf draped over her shoulders like flowing fire. Her amber eyes gleamed with intelligence—and something colder just beneath the surface. Her black hair was pinned up in an intricate style, and every movement she made was calculated, like a dancer who always knew the next step.
The second woman, standing just behind her, was more reserved. Darker in both dress and demeanor, she kept her hood up and her gaze low, surveying the room with quiet attention.
The first woman, with a pleasant smile, approached Team RWBY's table.
"Hello there," she said warmly, her voice smooth and polite. "You four seem like students. What school are you all from?"
Ruby, still halfway through a cookie, perked up. "We're huntresses in training! We go to Beacon Academy."
The woman tilted her head, feigning admiration. "I see… So you're the future protectors of Vale? The ones who'll keep the Grimm at bay?"
Yang leaned forward with a confident grin, bumping her fist into her open palm. "We won't just defend Vale. We'll push the Grimm back so far they'll forget the city even exists."
Weiss added with a bit of professional flair, "We're Team RWBY. I'm Weiss, this is Ruby—"
Ruby gave a bright wave, still munching on her sandwich. "Hi!"
Weiss continued, "—the blonde is Yang, and this one," she gestured to her left, "is Blake."
Blake, who had been quietly watching the newcomers, gave a simple nod in greeting, her golden eyes not leaving the woman in black.
The woman's smile widened ever so slightly as she looked over each of them, her gaze lingering on Ruby just a moment longer than the others.
"Well, it's an honor to meet you all," she said sweetly. "I'm sure the future of Vale is in... capable hands."
There was a subtle pause before she turned back to her companion.
"Shall we?" she asked softly, and the two women moved toward the counter to order, leaving Team RWBY with a sense of… something they couldn't quite put their finger on.
Just as she reached the front of the shop, the woman looked back over her shoulder—just for a moment—and offered them a final smile.
It didn't quite reach her eyes.
As the pair of mysterious women took their seats near the back corner of the deli, Blake found her amber eyes subtly drawn to the one cloaked in black.
Something about her presence, the way she carried herself—head down, shoulders set, movements reserved but purposeful—sent a ripple of unease through Blake. She couldn't shake the feeling that she knew her from somewhere. That silhouette. That stillness. But the memories refused to rise clearly to the surface.
Her brow furrowed in thought, eyes narrowing slightly.
Before she could dig deeper into the nagging sensation, Weiss's voice abruptly cut through her focus.
"Hey, Blake—what do you think?"
"Huh?" Blake blinked, pulled from her thoughts. "Uh… yeah, sure."
Weiss raised a brow but didn't press the matter.
The group wrapped up their meal shortly after, standing from the table and brushing crumbs from their clothes. They waved goodbye to the deli owner—who gave them a fond farewell and a promise to save them their favorite sandwiches next time—and stepped back out into the city.
The late afternoon had quietly slipped into early evening, the golden glow of sunset casting long shadows across the streets of Vale.
As they walked toward Vale Park, Blake glanced once more over her shoulder at the deli. The hooded woman hadn't moved from her seat. But Blake still felt her gut twist with that strange sense of familiarity.
~Intermission Brought to you by Professional Sandwich maker Delly!~
Soon they arrived at the park, where the cool breeze stirred the leaves and the fading sunlight danced across the small lake nestled in its center.
Ruby stretched her arms up with a relaxed sigh. "Man, it's been a fun day. I'm glad we all came to Vale together. I know I needed this."
Yang nodded, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "After all the homework we've been getting—especially from Combat Tactics—some downtime was very necessary."
Weiss gave a tired sigh of agreement. "Remington doesn't believe in mercy, I swear. The man teaches like he's preparing us for a war."
Ruby chuckled. "Isn't that kind of the point?"
As Team RWBY laughed together, their voices echoing in the warm glow of the setting sun, a sudden explosion ripped through the air, shaking the peace from the park.
BOOM!
The ground trembled slightly, and a plume of dark smoke rose into the air not far from where they stood.
Ruby immediately turned, her eyes locking onto the smoke. "Something's going on over there! Let's go check it out!"
The others didn't hesitate—Yang, Weiss, and Blake all nodded, springing into action alongside their leader.
They arrived near a large warehouse, the front doors blasted open, scorched and still smoldering. Flames licked the structure's outer frame, and a few injured people groaned on the ground nearby.
Ruby instantly shifted into leader mode.
"Weiss, use your glyphs to put out the fire!" she commanded, pointing to the burning doorway.
Weiss gave a quick nod and extended her rapier, summoning a burst of ice glyphs that began freezing and extinguishing the fire.
"Yang, help me move these people to safety!"
Yang was already crouched beside a dazed worker. "On it!"
"Blake," Ruby turned to her, "see if the people who did this are still around. Try to stay hidden."
Blake vanished into the shadows with a soft, "Right."
In minutes, Weiss had stabilized the fire, and Ruby and Yang had gotten the injured clear of danger. Blake soon returned, her face serious.
"There are armed men in the warehouse," she reported. "They've got trucks, and they're loading them with dust. It's a robbery."
Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Is someone in charge?"
"Yes," Blake replied. "That Torchwick guy from the news. He's barking out orders."
Ruby clenched her fists. "By the time the authorities get here, they'll be gone. We have to step in."
Weiss looked hesitant. "We're still only students, Ruby. We could get into trouble for this."
Ruby turned to her, her voice firm. "We're training to become protectors. Just like that woman in the deli said—we are the future guardians of Vale. We can't just stand by and do nothing. Together, we can stop them."
Weiss paused, then sighed. "Very well. But if we get in trouble, I expect you to take full responsibility… as our leader."
Ruby smiled. "Deal."
Yang was already cracking her knuckles. "Let's do this."
Blake gave a quiet nod, ready.
Ruby turned to lay out the plan: "Blake, flank them using your stealth. Yang and Weiss, charge in and hit them hard. I'll go after Torchwick."
"Right!" they all echoed.
With a burst of energy, Weiss and Yang kicked in the back entrance and stormed inside, catching the henchmen completely off guard. Weiss's rapier danced through the air, summoning glyphs and knocking enemies off their feet, while Yang delivered explosive punches, sending bodies flying into crates.
From the side, Blake emerged from the shadows, her dual blades flashing. She struck fast, silently disabling two guards before they could react.
"We got company!" one of the thugs shouted. "Take 'em out!"
Above them, on a metal catwalk, Torchwick leaned on the railing, watching the chaos unfold.
Ruby spotted him. "There you are."
With a burst of rose petals, she activated her semblance and zipped up to the catwalk, confronting him.
Torchwick turned, grinning. "Well, if it ain't Little Red. Haven't you learned to mind your own business? And this time, you brought the whole crew."
Ruby didn't reply—she charged.
But before she could land a hit, a blur of movement cut in front of her.
A girl landed between them with inhuman grace—small and agile, wearing a black corset over a white blouse, a short brown skirt, and tall boots. Her hair was split down the middle: half soft pink, half dark brown, and she held a closed umbrella like a sword.
Her mismatched eyes—one chocolate brown, the other bright pink—were calm and calculating.
The girl struck without a word, delivering a swift kick to Ruby's side and knocking her back.
"Nice save, Neo," Torchwick said with a smirk.
Neo gave a slight bow, never taking her eyes off Ruby.
Ruby recovered quickly and charged again. They clashed across the narrow catwalk, Ruby's speed met by Neo's precise parries with her umbrella. Neo moved like smoke—every attack Ruby threw was either dodged or deflected with masterful footwork and silent grace.
Meanwhile, down below, Torchwick made his move. Slipping away during the chaos, he hopped into the driver's seat of a dust-filled truck.
The engine roared to life, and the truck sped forward—right beneath the catwalk.
Neo disengaged from Ruby with one last dodge and leapt down, landing perfectly on the roof of the truck just as it drove out of the warehouse.
"Weiss! Stop that truck with your glyphs!" Ruby shouted from above.
Weiss spun, created a circle of glyphs beneath her feet, and launched a volley of ice shards toward the truck's tires.
The truck shimmered, then shattered—not into wreckage, but into glimmering glass, disappearing into thin air.
Ruby and Weiss stared, stunned.
"An… illusion?" Weiss breathed.
But they had no time to dwell on it—there were still enemies in the warehouse.
Ruby dropped down and rejoined her teammates. "We'll figure out what that was later. Let's finish this!"
Together, Team RWBY closed in, fighting with sharp teamwork and coordination until the last of Torchwick's goons were down.
As the dust finally settled, the distant wails of police sirens and the deep whirring hum of a bullhead airship filled the air outside the ruined warehouse. Team RWBY stood amidst the aftermath—burned crates, knocked-out henchmen, and the faint smell of smoke still lingering.
The front doors burst open as Vale officers rushed inside, weapons at the ready—only to pause in utter confusion.
All they saw were four teenage girls in school uniforms standing confidently among a pile of unconscious criminals.
One of the officers, clearly baffled, lowered his weapon and asked, "…Did you all do this?"
Yang casually threw a thumb over her shoulder toward the pile of bodies. "You know it!"
The officer blinked. "You… seriously?"
Before he could say more, a deep, hearty laugh echoed from the entrance. All eyes turned as a tall man strode in—armored from head to toe, his figure imposing despite the travel-worn cloak draped over his shoulders. His face was uncovered, revealing a strong jawline, noble features, and eyes that burned with experience and strength.
The laugh alone was enough for Ruby and Yang to immediately recognize him.
Arthur Pendragon.
One of the officers instantly snapped to attention, saluting. "Sir Pendragon! What brings you here?"
Arthur waved a dismissive hand, still smiling. "I was in the area."
"…I see," the officer said, unsure how else to respond.
Arthur walked forward, his armored boots clanking softly against the concrete. He came to a stop in front of the girls of Team RWBY.
Blake, usually composed, stood a little straighter at the sight of the legendary Huntsman.
Weiss was momentarily struck speechless. The Arthur Pendragon? Here?
Arthur glanced at each of them, nodding in approval. "You all did a fine job handling this situation. Courage, quick thinking, and teamwork… You're already showing the values expected of true Huntresses."
Blake respectfully bowed her head. Weiss tried to find her voice, managing only, "Th-thank yo—"
Before she could finish, Ruby practically launched herself at Arthur.
"Daaaaad!"
She jumped up and wrapped her arms around him in a big, enthusiastic hug.
Weiss gasped, frozen in place. Blake's eyes widened. Did she just tackle Arthur Pendragon?!
Weiss turned sharply to Yang, nearly scandalized. "Ruby just tackled the most famous Huntsman alive! In public!"
Yang burst into laughter. "Well, yeah… That's her dad."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Weiss's jaw dropped. "Her what?"
Even Blake, ever the quiet observer, couldn't hide the complete shock on her face.
Arthur chuckled as he gently set Ruby down. "Yup. This little bundle of energy's mine. She gets it from her mother. It's good to finally meet my daughter's team—hello."
He looked warmly at Weiss, Blake, and Yang. "You're all doing good work. Stay on this path, and there's no doubt you'll become some of the greatest Huntresses of your time."
"But for now, it's getting late," he said gently. "You four should head back to Beacon. You've done more than enough for one night."
The girls looked to each other, then back to him.
"There's a bullhead just outside—I took it here. It'll take you straight back to Beacon. I'll stay behind and help the local authorities with the aftermath… make sure everything is accounted for."
Weiss, still a little stunned by everything, nodded. "Thank you… Sir Pendragon."
Arthur gave her a reassuring nod. "Just Arthur is fine."
He turned to Ruby, stepping a bit closer, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You're already maturing, Ruby. It's only been a little over a month since you started at Beacon… and now, you resemble more and more like your mother."
Ruby's eyes shimmered with emotion. She smiled softly, holding back tears.
"I love you, Dad."
Arthur smiled with pride. "I love you too."
With that, the four girls boarded the bullhead, the engines whirring to life. As the aircraft began to rise, Ruby kept her eyes on her father until he was just a figure below, cloaked in twilight, surrounded by police and flickering lights.
The bullhead banked gently toward the sky, carrying them home.
Back to Beacon.
Back to whatever would come next.
A/N: Hello welcome to chapter 9, just wanted to give updates. First for those who have not seen I went back and combined chapter 1 and 2. So if something feels like it's missing, now you know why. Secondly to anyone who is reading as I release these updates will be once every 2 or 3 days. I will try to keep to this schedule but I make no promises. And Lastly I will be splitting a lot of attention between team RWBY and my boy Jaune. So if you like him, prepare yourself for more Jaune. Thank you for reading this was your Author-kun! <3