Sun: Finally, she speaks! Nearly two days and you've given me nothing but small talk and weird looks! (Blake gives Sun a firm look) Yeah, like that.
Kaito: I mean, come on, Blakey why do I deserve the silent treatment? What did I ever do? Besides everything, I mean.
Blake: Sun. Kaito... Are you familiar with the White Fang?
Sun: Of course! I don't think there's a Faunus on the planet who hasn't heard of them. Stupid, holier-than-thou creeps that use force to get whatever they want. Bunch of freaks, if you ask me!
Kaito: You already know I think they're weak. Like, deeply, embarrassingly weak.
Blake: (sips her drink while listening, then speaks up for the big reveal) I was once a member of the White Fang.
Sun: (promptly goes cross-eyed and chokes on his drink, making him put it down and wipe his mouth as he holds up a hand to process this information) Wait a minute you were a member of the White Fang?!
Kaito: (smiles and leans back) Oh, this is gonna be a good story. Go ahead, I'm listening.
Blake: That's right. I was a member for most of my life, actually. You could almost say I was born into it...
The scene shifts to a simple silhouetted flashback of fallen weapons plunged into the ground swords, guns, any number of combinations.
Blake: (off-screen) Back then, things were different. In the ashes of war, the White Fang was meant to be a symbol of peace and unity between Humans and the Faunus.
The audience is shown the dark outlines of two trios animal-eared and tailed Faunus on one side, regular Humans on the other shaking hands and making peace after their struggle. This does not last long, as seen by a white Faunus cowering in fear of gray-and-black aggressors harassing the hybrid. Later, more Faunus are pushing the crowd away from their bullied brethren.
Blake: (off-screen) Of course, despite being promised equality, the Faunus were subjected to discrimination and hate. Humanity still thought of us as lesser beings. And so, the White Fang rose up as a voice of our people. And I was there.
Silhouettes of Faunus protestors are revealed, and emerging from the shadows is a young girl with dark hair and cat ears.
Blake: (off-screen) I was at the front of every rally. I took part in every boycott. I actually thought we were making a difference. But I was just a youthful optimist.
Cutting from the child version of Blake, the blue flag of a white wolf with sad eyes and a circle behind its head is lowered, and raised in its stead is a red monster with three bloody scratches and teeth bared at the world.
Blake: (off-screen) Then, five years ago, our leader stepped down, and a new one took his place. A new leader, with a new way of thinking.
A quick series of images are shown Faunus replacing their picket signs with axes and blades, windows being broken, thieves leaping on trains to steal their cargo.
Blake: (off-screen) Suddenly, our peaceful protests were being replaced with organized attacks. We were setting fire to shops that refused to serve us, hijacking cargo from companies that used Faunus labor. And the worst part was it was working. We were being treated like equals. But not out of respect... out of fear.
The flashback shows one more image of three Faunus individuals standing in a dominating manner with malicious grins until Blake puts down her teacup in front of a stunned Sun.
Blake: So I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their violence, and instead I would dedicate my life to becoming a Huntress. So here I am: a criminal hiding in plain view, all with the help of a little black bow. (she wiggles her cat ears beneath the fashionable disguise to demonstrate)
Sun: (coming to terms with this) So... have you told your friends any of this?
Blake merely looks down in shame and says nothing.
Ruby: (shouting) Blaaaake!
Yang: (also calling out) Blaaaake!
The scene transitions to Ruby, Yang, and Weiss walking through town and calling in vain for their missing teammate.
Ruby: (continuing to scream) Blaaaaaaaake! Where aaaare yoooouuuu!?
Yang: Blake!
Ruby: (turning on Weiss) Weiiiiss, you're not helping!
Weiss: Oh! You know what might help? The police! And why isn't that insufferable Kaito out here helping?
Ruby: (crossing her arms in irritation) Ugh, Weiss... Besides, knowing him, he's probably already with her.
Weiss: It was just an idea! And if he found her, why wouldn't he call us?
Ruby: (walking down the sidewalk) Yeah, that's kind of his thing he does whatever he wants and explains it later. Maybe never.
Yang: (following behind Ruby) Weiss, I think we should hear Blake's side of the story before we jump to any conclusions. And you know Kaito he'll drag his feet telling us just to make her feel better first. He's weird about stuff like that.
Weiss: (following behind Yang) I think that when we hear it, you'll all realize I was right!
Penny: (following behind Weiss) And I think Weiss' hair looks wonderful today!
Ruby: (turning around suddenly with her team in surprise) Aaaah! Penny! Where did you come from!?
Penny: (cheerfully ignoring the question) Hey guys! What are you up to?
Ruby: Uhh...
Yang: We're looking for our friend Blake.
Penny: Ooooh, you mean the Faunus girl!
Ruby, Weiss, and Yang stare at Penny.
Ruby: Wait, how did you know that?
Penny: Uhh, the cat ears? (points to her head)
Yang: (laughing a little) What cat ears? She wears a... booooowww...
The realization leaves them in silence as a tumbleweed blows through in the wind.
Ruby: (whispering) She does like tuna a lot...
Penny: So, where is she?
Ruby: We don't know. She's been missing since Friday.
Penny: (gasping) That's terrible! (approaching an uncomfortable Ruby) Well, don't you worry, Ruby, my friend! I won't rest until we find your teammate!
Ruby: (doing her best to continue smiling) Uh, that's really nice of you, Penny, but we're okay! Really! Right, guys?
She looks over Penny to direct her question at Yang and Weiss, whose blinking outlines are all that's left of their sudden departure from the company of the strange girl. A tumbleweed blows past them again in the quiet.
Penny: It sure is windy today!
Some time before —
Blake and Sun had gone off in one direction. Kaito had gone in another.
The Warehouse
Kaito: Yo
Fang Grunt: Hands in the air!
Roman: It's fine he's a friend. Leave us.
The grunt rushed away.
Roman: What can I help you with, Kaito? As you can see, I'm in a bit of a bind at the moment... though I'll be honest, I'm glad you came. I need help.
Kaito: (hands in his pockets, completely unbothered) Yeah — Cinder Fall. I'm aware. Kind of warned you about the whole Working for the Grimm Queen" thing a month ago, so... you're welcome for that.
Roman: She's forced my hand. I'm working under that psychotic woman whether I like it or not. And she wants to use Neo for one of her schemes. I'll be straight with you I want no part of it.
Kaito: So what do you need from me?
Roman: Can you promise that you'd be able to keep Neo safe? Take her under your protection?
Glass shattered as Neo stepped out of the shadows toward Kaito, deactivating her Semblance. She gave a cheerful little wave, then signed quickly with her hands an apology, for the stabbing the last time they'd met.
Roman: (quietly) ...Please.
Kaito: (looks at Neo, then back at Roman, then sighs dramatically like this is a tremendous burden) Fine, fine. I'll say I wanted her on my team anyway. Which, for the record, isn't even a lie — she did save my life a few years back, so I probably owe her something. Maybe several things.
Roman: (something like relief crossing his face) Well. I suppose I'll see you around then.
Kaito: (already heading for the door, waving a hand over his shoulder) Yeah. And hey l my friends are gonna be at the docks tonight. Go easy on them. Emphasis on easy.
Sun and Blake are seen walking down an alley.
Sun: (hands behind his head) So, what's the plan now?
Blake: (contemplating) I still don't believe the White Fang is behind these robberies. They've never needed that much Dust before.
Sun: (widening his eyes) What if they did? (lowering his arms and pacing in front of Blake as he continues his theory) I mean... the only way to prove that they didn't do it is to go to the place where they would most likely go if they were going to do it, and not find them there! Right?
Blake: The only problem is, I have no idea where that would be.
Sun: Well, while I was on the ship, I heard some guys talking about offloading a huge shipment of Dust coming in from Atlas.
Blake: How huge?
Sun: Huge. Big Schnee Company freighter.
Blake: You're sure?
Yang: (coming out of a shop with Weiss, waving to the person inside) Thanks anyway! (sighs) This is hopeless. (at Weiss when she looks around nonchalantly) You really don't care if we find her, do you?
Weiss: Don't be stupid; of course I do. I'm just afraid of what she'll say when we find her. (walks forward, calling over her shoulder) The innocent never run, Yang!
Yang looks down in thought.
Penny: So, Blake is your friend?
Ruby: (sighing as they make their way down the sidewalk) Yes, Penny.
Penny: But you're mad at her?
Ruby: Yes. Well, I'm not. Weiss is.
Penny: Is she friends with Blake?
Ruby: Well, that's kind of up in the air right now...
Penny: (trying to contemplate this) But why?
Ruby: (sighs again) Well, you see, Blake might not be who we thought she was...
Penny: (gasps) Is she a man?
Ruby: No! No, Penny. She's... (stops and sighs, looking at Penny as she talks) I don't know what she is. She didn't exactly talk to us before she decided to run off.
Penny: I don't have a lot of friends, but if I did, I would want them to talk to me about things.
Ruby: (turns her gaze downward sadly) Me too... (they continue walking)
Amidst the chirping of crickets and darkness of night, Blake lies flat on her stomach on a rooftop overlooking the shipment of Schnee Dust containers.
Kaito: (sprawled out beside her, staring at the sky) Man, this is boring. (yawns loudly)
Sun: (dropping down to Blake's right) Did I miss anything?
Blake: (looking up) Not really. They've offloaded the crates from the boat. Now they're just sitting there.
Sun: Cool. (holds out one of the green apples tucked under his arm) I stole you some food!
Blake: (giving Sun a questioning look) Do you always break the law without giving it a second thought?
Sun: (defensively) Hey, weren't you in a cult or something? (Blake delivers an angry glare) Okay, too soon!
Kaito: (grinning without looking at her) Nah, it's never too soon for a joke like that. Isn't that right, Kitty Cat?
Just as he says this, wind whips around them all, and they look up to see a Bullhead's searchlights flashing around for a landing spot, descending into the middle of the cargo containers and extending a ramp for a black-hooded individual with a metallic fanged mask to walk out.
Blake: Oh no...
Sun: Is that them?
Blake: (staring at the bloody wolf on the back of the man's outfit) Yes... It's them.
White Fang Soldier: (to the other White Fang members coming from the aircraft, motioning with his rifle) All right, grab the tow cables!
Sun: You really didn't think they were behind it, did you?
Blake: (staring sadly at the scene) No. I think deep down I knew. I just didn't want to be right. (she closes her eyes in despair, only to open them suddenly when she hears a new voice)
Roman: Hey! What's the holdup!? (the soldiers look up at Roman gesturing widely and coming down the ramp) We're not exactly the most inconspicuous bunch of thieves at the moment, so why don't you animals try to pick up the pace?
Blake: This isn't right. The White Fang would never work with a Human. Especially not one like that. (she stands up, unsheathes the katana of Gambol Shroud, and steps off the edge of the roof)
Sun: (alarmed) Hey, what are you doing?!
Blake falls to the ground in a crouch, then slips behind one of the containers, peeking around the corner to watch Roman berate a White Fang member holding a coil of rope.
Roman: No, you idiot! This isn't a leash! (as he's looking around, Blake suddenly appears behind him with her blade at his throat) What the — oh, for f-sake
Blake: Nobody move!
Kaito: (lands beside her with his hands in his pockets, casual as ever) Yeah, what she said. Anyone that moves gets the red treatment.
The White Fang soldiers ready their guns and raise their swords.
Roman: Whoa, whoa easy there, little lady.
As the White Fang closes in, Blake reaches up with her free hand and pulls the bow loose, sending the ribbon falling away to reveal her Faunus ears.
Blake: Brothers of the White Fang! Why are you aiding this scum?
The White Fang members lower their weapons slightly, uncertain until Roman laughs.
Roman: Oh, kitty cat didn't you get the memo?
Blake: What are you talking about?
Roman: The White Fang and I are going in on a joint business venture together!
Blake: Tell me what it is, or I'll put an end to your little operation.
Suddenly, the air fills with roaring turbines as more wind whips around the docks.
Roman: (looking up with a grin) I wouldn't exactly call it a little operation...
Two more Bullheads hover into view above the heist. As Blake watches in horror, Roman smiles and fires his cane at her feet — a massive explosion sends her flying.
Penny and Ruby spin around at the sound of the blast, watching smoke rise from the docking bay just a few buildings away.
Ruby: Oh, no...
Blake, dazed but relatively unhurt, rolls and runs clear of Roman's continued fire — flaming missiles destroying cargo behind her as she flips, uses her Semblance to dodge, and retreats behind more containers.
Roman: (approaching slowly) Here, kitty, kitty, kitty... (a banana peel lands on his head; he tosses it aside and looks up, eyes widening)
Kaito: () Boooo. Come on, Roman I thought you'd have a better quip than that.
Sun: Woohoo!
Sun leaps from the container above Roman and drops feet-first onto his face, rolling up and readying himself to fight.
Sun: Leave her alone!
The Bullheads open to let more White Fang members descend, surrounding Sun as Roman gets back up.
Roman: You are not the brightest banana in the bunch, are you, kid?
The White Fang charge but Sun dodges their slashes and beats them back with fists and kicks, rolling clear of a sword swipe before pulling out a collapsible red staff. He twirls it with blazing speed, dropping each opponent in a single flaming blow and sending the last of them flying in a scorching shockwave.
Blake peers around a container to watch Sun flip and slam another soldier into the ground launching the man directly at Roman's head. The crime boss ducks, growls, and aims his cane at Sun just as Blake launches herself into the fight.
Blake: He's mine!
Blake becomes a blur of afterimages, slashing both blades at Roman, who backs away and deflects each strike with his cane at unbelievable speed. She dashes, hops over him, slides underneath — finally landing a hit after flickering through a Semblance clone — but he recovers instantly, deflects several more blows, and catches her with a punch. She hits a clone; he punches air. They clash again then Torchwick jabs her hard in the side.
Roman: Hahaha! (He lands blow after blow until one final crack of his cane across her head puts her down)
Just as Roman deals with one problem, another appears directly behind him. Sun vaults over Blake, kicks Roman square in the chest, and splits his staff into two spinning rings of flame-firing shotgun nunchucks — twin arcs of rapid fire that Roman somehow deflects, blow by blow, bullet by bullet — until a split-second pause lets Blake slash him off his feet.
Roman, flat on his back, spots a heavy container hanging from a crane directly above the two fighters. He gets up, fires at its supports Blake leaps clear, but Sun jumps forward at exactly the wrong moment and ends up right beneath the barrel of Roman's cane.
Roman: (aiming) Lights out, kid
Ruby: (from the rooftop above) Hey!
Roman glances up. Ruby stands at the edge, Crescent Rose extended and ready.
Roman: (losing all interest in Sun, waving cheerfully) Well, hello, Red! Isn't it past your bedtime?
Penny: (stepping up beside Ruby) Ruby, are these people your friends?
Ruby: (spinning around) Penny, get back! (Roman fires — the explosion launches Ruby backward, sending Crescent Rose spinning away) AAAAAH!
Roman delivers a professional-grade villain laugh. Penny watches, and for the first time, her expression hardens.
Ruby: Penny, wait! Stop!
Penny: Don't worry, Ruby. I'm combat ready.
Her backpack splits open mechanically, and from within — one sword extends, then multiplies into several blades hovering at her back like wings. She leaps from the rooftop, sending three swords ahead of her to drop two soldiers before she even lands. From there: blades flung, enemies impaled, a spinning barrier of steel against a charging attack, a high leap with her swords in tow, and finally a rotating wheel of blades that sweeps multiple Faunus off their feet at once.
Sun: (watching in pure amazement) Whoa! (he runs for cover)
Three Bullheads open fire from above — Penny forms a shield, fires two swords into the wall behind her, and lets their strings drag her back. When her blades swirl around her again, she angles them inward, building a massive glowing ball of green light between their points. One punching motion — and several bright lasers crack the pavement and slice all three transports cleanly in half. Ruby watches Bullheads fall in pieces behind her.
Penny locks her sights on the remaining aircraft holding the Dust crate and pulls back on the strings, hauling the Bullhead toward the ground.
Ruby: (watching in awe) Whoa... How is she doing that?
The aircraft buckles under Penny's pull and crashes into a stack of crates — a massive explosion blooms outward. Roman, already aboard his escape transport, watches from the closing door.
Roman: (with a long, tired sigh) These kids just keep getting weirder...
The jet lifts off and carries him away into the dark.
Later. A handful of police cars sit at the docks. Ruby, Blake, Sun, and Penny are perched on crates in silence — until Weiss and Yang arrive.
Ruby: (speaking quickly) Look, Weiss, it's not what you think — she explained everything. See, she doesn't actually have a bow, she has kitty ears and they're actually kind of cute —
Weiss ignores her and squares off with Blake.
Blake: (calmly meeting her gaze) Weiss, I want you to know that I'm no longer associated with the White Fang. Back when I was with them —
Weiss: Stop. (a pause) Do you have any idea how long we've been searching for you? (beat) Twelve hours. That means I've had twelve hours to think about this. And in that twelve hours, I've decided...
Yang, Sun, and Ruby all hold their breath.
Weiss: I don't care.
Blake: (surprised) You don't care?
Weiss: You said you're not one of them anymore, right?
Blake: No — I haven't been since I was younger —
Weiss: (cutting her off) Ah-bap-bap-bap! I don't want to hear it. All I want to know is that the next time something this big comes up... you'll come to your teammates. And not some... (glancing at Sun behind her, catching herself) ...someone else.
Blake: (looking at Ruby and Yang grinning at her, she wipes a tear from her eye and nods) Of course.
Weiss smiles.
Ruby: (waving her arms wildly) Yeah! Team RWBY is back together!
Weiss: (as the group pulls together, she jabs a finger at Sun) I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about you! (Sun laughs nervously)
Ruby: (looking around) Hey, wait — where's Penny?
Kaito: (strolling up with Neo at his side, completely relaxed) She took off. Anyway — everyone, meet my new teammate. Neo.
Neo gave a cheerful little wave.
From the darkened back seat of a limo, Penny watches the group of friends reuniting.
Penny's Driver: (off-screen) You should know better than to go running around in a strange city.
Penny: (lowering her head) I know, sir.
Penny's Driver: (off-screen, as the car drives away) Penny... your time will come.
Meanwhile, Ozpin holds a Scroll displaying a live feed of Ruby at the docks. He closes it and opens a communication with Qrow team name and details left blank, one message waiting:
"QUEEN HAS PAWNS."
Ozpin: Hmmm