Ron’s Journey Through Remnant

Team GRAM sat in Professor Port's class, enduring yet another one of his long-winded stories. The professor's voice droned on, filling the room with tales of his past exploits, but the team had other things on their minds.

Ever the multitasker, Gaster was hunched over his desk, quietly working on something complex. His fingers moved swiftly, tapping away at a small device hidden from view, his mind clearly focused on matters more pressing than the professor's anecdotes.

Ron and Maple, meanwhile, had succumbed to the monotony of the lecture. Maple rested her head on her arms, a soft snore escaping her lips as she dozed off. Ron, perched on the edge of his chair, was also fast asleep, his hood pulled low over his face to block out the light.

Adrian, the only one still somewhat engaged with his surroundings, was staring at the clock on the wall, watching the minutes tick by with a mixture of impatience and boredom. He took a sip of his coffee, savoring the bitter taste, hoping it would keep him awake until the end of the class.

Professor Port, oblivious to the team's lack of interest, continued his story with great enthusiasm, his booming voice echoing through the room. As he recounted yet another tale of valor, it seemed like the class would never end.

[Professor Port]: (gesticulating grandly) And that, my students, is how I single-handedly defeated the great Ursa Major with nothing but my wits and a simple hunting knife!

Ron stirred slightly at the rise in volume, but quickly settled back into his nap. Adrian rolled his eyes, taking another sip of his coffee as he mentally counted down the minutes until they could escape the lecture. Maple shifted in her sleep, murmuring something unintelligible, while Gaster continued to work, seemingly unfazed by the noise around him.

As Team GRAM walked back to their dorm, they immediately noticed something was wrong—the door was broken, and chains lay scattered on the ground. Gaster frowned at the sight, his mind already racing to figure out what had happened.

[Gaster]: (with a concerned tone) Adrian, did the banana escape?

[Adrian]: (nodding) You mean the octopus-banana hybrid you created? The one that tried to eat Maple in the middle of the night? Yeah, it broke the chains and escaped.

A heavy silence fell over the hallway as the team processed this information.

[Ron]: (sighing deeply) It's going to take us forever to find that thing.

Just as the weight of the situation began to sink in, a loud shout echoed down the hallway.

[Jaune]: (panicked) KAY, GET THIS THING AWAY FROM ME!

[Picture]

The team quickly turned to see Jaune at the other end of the hallway, desperately struggling as the octopus-banana hybrid had latched onto him, its tentacles wrapping around him as it tried to pull him in. The sight was both alarming and bizarre.

[Ron]: (with a mix of frustration and disbelief) Of course. It's already found its first victim.

[Maple]: (voice trembling) Why does this always happen to us?

Without wasting another moment, the team sprang into action. Adrian quickly drew his sword, ready to cut the creature off Jaune. Gaster's eyes glowed as he prepared to use his Semblance, and Ron moved swiftly to grab a nearby broom, the first thing he could find to try and pry the creature off their friend.

[Ron]: (gritting his teeth) Hold on, Jaune! We'll get it off you!

As the team rushed to Jaune's aid, the hybrid banana's tentacles tightened their grip. It was going to take all of Team GRAM's combined efforts to subdue this latest of Gaster's experiments gone awry.

The hybrid banana lay defeated, its tentacles now lifeless and oozing yellow ink across the floor. Ron and Maple, covered in the sticky residue, trudged back to their room to take a much-needed shower. The bizarre incident had left them exhausted, but there was no time to rest as more pressing matters awaited.

Meanwhile, Gaster and Adrian, having cleaned themselves up, met up with Team RWBY in the common area to discuss the ongoing investigation into the White Fang and their recent activities.

[Weiss]: (with determination) You and I will head to the Cross Continental Transmit tower and check the Schnee records for any Dust robberies or inconsistencies. Since I'm a Schnee, access shouldn't be a problem.

[Blake]: (serious) The White Fang has regular faction meetings where they hand out orders and recruit new members. If Adrian and I can get in, we might be able to figure out what they're planning.

[Yang]: (confidently) I've got an old friend on the shady side of town who usually knows everything happening in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard...

[Gaster]: (grinning mischievously while petting one of his blasters) And if he plays hard to get, you can hand him over to me. I have ways to make a man talk.

Yang glanced at Gaster, her eyebrows raised, but she didn't argue.

[Ruby]: (excited) Great! We'll meet up tonight near Yang and Adrian to go over what we've found. Let's do this!

???: Yeah!

Everyone turned toward the window, startled, and saw a grinning Sun Wukong hanging upside-down by his tail, peering in through the open window.

[Blake]: (surprised) Sun?!

[Yang]: (laughing) How did you get up there?

[Sun]: (nonchalant) Ah, it's easy; I do it all the time.

[Weiss]: (incredulous) You do what?!

[Sun]: (grinning wider) I climb trees all the time.

Weiss frowned, clearly unimpressed, but Sun didn't seem to notice—or care—as he effortlessly flipped into the dorm room, landing gracefully on his feet.

[Sun]: (eager) So, are we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?

[Blake]: (calmly) We're going to investigate the situation... as a team.

[Ruby]: (apologetic) Sorry, Sun. We don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to.

[Sun]: (dismissive) Psh! That's dumb! We should always get friends involved! Plus, you're okay bringing Matt with you. That's why I brought Neptune!

The girls and Adrian all leaned out the window on top of one another in a "cartoon-style" stack to see the aforementioned teammate of Sun's, Neptune, standing outside the window, looking as cool as can be.

[Adrian]: (bewildered) How the fu—?

[Neptune]: (nonchalant) Sup.

[Ruby]: (confused) How did you even get up here?

[Neptune]: (smirking) I have my ways.

The group noticed that Neptune was precariously balanced on a very thin ledge outside the window.

[Neptune]: (nervously) Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now.

Before anyone could react, Gaster simply summoned one of his blasters. The ethereal skull floated out the window, grabbed Neptune, and unceremoniously tossed him into the room, where he landed on his feet, slightly disoriented.

[Neptune]: (grinning, slightly shaken) Thanks... I think.

The room was now even more crowded with the addition of Sun and Neptune, but the mood had lightened slightly with the unexpected and chaotic entrance.

[Ruby]: (sighing with a smile) Well, I guess the more, the merrier. Let's make sure we're ready for tonight. This is going to be one wild ride.

After some talking and planing and Gaster throwing salt at Weiss everyone went their way across to the plan 

[With Gaster]

Yang stood next to her bike, her foot tapping impatiently as she and Neptune waited for Gaster. Suddenly, the sound of an engine roared through the air, and both turned to see a bike speeding toward them. It was unlike anything they had ever seen—a sleek, white bike with blue flames trailing from the back, a perfect hybrid of machinery and something otherworldly.

Yang's eyes widened, and she nearly started drooling at the sight of the incredible vehicle.

[Yang]: (in awe) ...Where did you get this bike, and how?!

Gaster, casually stepping off the bike, smirked at her reaction.

[Gaster]: (proudly) I made it. Used one of my blasters and some materials I had lying around. But the best part is this.

He extended his hand, pointing in a direction. The bike, seemingly of its own accord, followed his gesture, moving smoothly without anyone riding it. Gaster then clapped his hands, and the bike vanished into thin air. With another clap, it reappeared right where it had been.

Yang looked like she was about to faint, her mind blown by the sheer awesomeness of Gaster's creation.

[Yang]: (whispering, almost breathless) I need one of those...

Neptune, watching the whole exchange, just whistled, equally impressed but more amused by Yang's reaction.

[Yang]: Okay, let us get to the place 

As soon as Yang kicked the door open, the trio was greeted by the sight of dozens of armed guards, all poised to strike.

[Neptune]: (nervously) Yeah, so... could you define "friend" for me?

[Gaster]: (calmly observing) You must be a regular here, Yang.

Before the tension could escalate further, Junior's voice cut through the room.

[Junior]: (waving his arms) Stop, stop! Nobody shoots. Blondie, you're here!... Why?

Yang smirked, unphased by the situation. She sauntered over to Junior, grabbing him by the arm.

[Yang]: (with a mischievous grin) You still owe me a drink.

Without missing a beat, she dragged Junior through the crowd of hired guns, her confidence undeniable.

[Neptune]: (whistling, clearly impressed) Whoa-ho-ho-ho, what a woman...

His admiration was cut short when he noticed the Malachite twins, Melanie and Miltia, standing beside him, both with cool and sharp expressions.

[Neptune]: (trying to be smooth) Sup.

Before he could say anything else, Gaster quickly intervened, stepping between Neptune and the twins. He gave them a polite, charming smile.

[Gaster]: (softly) Apologies for any trouble, ma'ams. I hope you both have a good night.

His words, delivered with such unexpected warmth, caught the twins off guard. Their stoic expressions faltered, and to everyone's surprise, including their own, they blushed and quickly retreated.

The entire bar fell silent, even Junior looked momentarily stunned as he watched the usually unflappable twins hurry away.

[Junior]: (bewildered) What the hell just happened?

Neptune, still processing the turn of events, just stared at Gaster, impressed.

[Neptune]: (with a chuckle) Man, you've got some serious game.

At the club, Junior sat behind the bar, separated from Yang, Neptune, and Gaster by a counter that had seen its share of tension. He put down his glass, the stress evident in his voice.

[Junior]: (exasperated) I don't know!

[Yang]: (leaning forward, frustrated) How can you not know?

[Junior]: (gesturing wildly) I haven't talked to him! I haven't even seen him since the night you first came in here. He paid upfront, I lent him my men, and none of them ever. Came. Back.

Before Yang could respond, Neptune hurried to her side, eager to ask his own question.

[Neptune]: (curious) So where did they go?

There was a brief pause, the air thick with tension.

[Junior]: (incredulous) What kind of stupid question is that? They never came back! (He turns to Yang, raising an eyebrow.) Who is this guy?

[Yang]: (pushing Neptune aside with one hand, keeping her focus on Junior) Don't worry about him, worry about me if I don't find out what I want!

Gaster, who had been observing the exchange with a calculating gaze, stepped forward. He reached into his coat, pulling out a thick stack of money, and placed it deliberately on the bar in front of Junior.

[Gaster]: (calmly) Maybe this can help... loosen your memory.

Junior's eyes flicked to the stack of cash, then back to Gaster. The room fell silent, everyone waiting to see if the offer would change the dynamic of the conversation.

As Gaster placed the second thick stack of money on the bar, Junior's demeanor shifted, his wariness replaced by a sly grin.

[Junior]: (grinning) Blondie, you really need to introduce me to more of your friends if they're like this guy. So, what's your name, kid?

[Gaster]: (calmly) Gaster. And this is also for the damages.

Junior glanced at the money, then back at Gaster, nodding in appreciation.

[Junior]: (relaxed) Well, let's talk.

[Ten minutes later]

Gaster, Yang, and Neptune exited the bar, mounting their bikes. As they prepared to ride off, Gaster glanced back at the door, noticing Junior and the Malachite twins waving goodbye.

Yang caught sight of this and chuckled, a playful smirk crossing her face.

[Yang]: (teasingly) Maybe we should hang out more often, huh? What do you say?

She gave Gaster a wink, clearly enjoying the turn of events. Gaster, ever the pragmatist, simply shook his head.

[Gaster]: (serious) Sorry, but I have research to do.

Yang sighed, both amused and a bit disappointed, before revving her bike's engine.

[Yang]: (smiling) Maybe next time, then.

The three rode off into the night, each with their own thoughts about the strange events that had just unfolded.

[With Adrian]

Inside the warehouse, the dim light cast eerie shadows on the walls as Blake, Adrian, and Sun entered. They were immediately greeted by the White Fang members, who eyed them with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. A few members handed out masks that resembled Grimm creatures.

[Adrian]: (raising an eyebrow) Why the Grimm masks?

[Blake]: (nodding) The White Fang uses these masks as a statement. It's their response to humanity trying to demonize and dehumanize the Faunus, making them seem like monsters.

Adrian took the mask reluctantly, his expression revealing a mix of concern and determination. Sun, meanwhile, examined his mask with a hint of amusement before putting it on.

[Blake]: (firmly) Remember, we need to blend in and gather information without drawing attention. Stick close and stay alert.

The three of them donned their masks, blending in with the rest of the White Fang members. The warehouse was filled with a tense atmosphere as various factions of the White Fang gathered, whispering and making plans for the upcoming meeting.

As the trio of Adrian, Blake, and Sun blended into the sea of White Fang members, the tension in the warehouse thickened. Adrian's gaze wandered around, landing on the imposing Atlesian Paladin 290 units prominently displayed on the stage. His eyes narrowed as he recognized Roman Torchwick, who was delivering an impassioned speech about humanity's inherent flaws and the need for the White Fang's cause.

[Roman Torchwick]: (passionately) ...and this is why we must take action! Humanity has always sought to oppress and subjugate us. These machines, these Paladins, they're not just tools—they're symbols of their arrogance and tyranny!

Adrian's unease grew as Torchwick's rhetoric painted a dark picture of the future. He shifted nervously, feeling the weight of the situation. Sun, sensing the escalating danger, became visibly anxious.

[Sun]: (whispering) We need to get out of here. This is getting way too intense.

Just then, Torchwick's gaze swept across the crowd and landed on the trio. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the three masked intruders among the recruits.

[Roman Torchwick]: (pointing) There! Those three don't belong here!

Adrian's heart raced as the warehouse erupted into chaos. Blake reacted swiftly, pulling out her weapon and shooting the breaker. The lights flickered and then went out, plunging the room into darkness. In the confusion, Blake signaled for Sun and Adrian to follow her.

[Blake]: (urgent) Move, now!

The three of them scrambled toward a window, their breaths heavy with urgency. Blake led the way, deftly cutting through obstacles as they made their escape.

Outside, as they descended from the warehouse, they were met with a horrifying sight. Torchwick had commandeered one of the Atlesian Paladins, and it was now barreling toward them with a terrifying speed.

[Sun]: (panicking) He's coming after us!

Blake and Adrian ran with everything they had, but the Paladin's sheer power and Torchwick's relentless pursuit made their escape nearly impossible. The trio darted through alleyways and side streets, with the massive Paladin looming ever closer.

Blake looked at her Scroll and sent a call,

As the call came through, Weiss, Ruby, and Yang were in the middle of their own preparations, but the urgency in Blake's voice cut through their preoccupations.

[Blake]: (scroll-call, breathless) Everyone! If you can hear me, we need back—

[Sun]: (scroll-call, in the background, panicked) HEEEELLLLP!

[Sun]: (scroll-call) Big robot! And it's big! Really big!

[Sun]: (scroll-call) That Torchwick guy is in it! But not, like, it didn't eat him; he's, like, controlling it or something!

[Chapter end]