Ace's POV
After we landed and ditched the stolen airship in Mantle, we started following Maria as she led us through the streets of Mantle. As we were walking, Winter's broadcast was heard playing once again as she said, "We are here for your safety. Thank you for your cooperation." I groaned loudly and said, "No offense to your sister, Weiss. But if I hear her say that one more time, I swear I'm gonna shoot something!" Ruby put her hand on my shoulder as she stopped me and said, "Ace, please calm down. I don't like it when you're angry like this." I took a deep breath and said, "Sorry. I'm just already a bit on edge from stealing that airship, and that repetitive broadcast is getting on my nerves." Ruby took my hand in hers and interlaced our fingers. I squeezed her hand and gave her a quick smile of appreciation as we then ran to catch up with the others.
We eventually reached a building with a glowing green plus symbol above its front door. The side door opened, and a Faunus with a prosthetic arm exited, waving cheerfully to the man who spoke to her from inside and said, "And no more heavy-lifting, yah hear?" As we entered the building Maria said, "Ah, it's good to see you again, old friend." The older man was sitting behind the desk, shuffling things around in a drawer. Maria cleared her throat, startling him, and he lifted his head to look at her, shutting the drawer. Maria smiled at him as he said, "Ah, yes, yes. Have we met?" As Ren entered, he said, "Well, this is off to a fantastic start." Maria replied, "Cybernetic optical implants. You adjust them. Every ten years or so?" He stared at her for a few moments before throwing his hands cheerfully into the air and saying, "Maria!" The robotic chair he was sitting in began walking out from behind the desk as he said, "Yes, with the cybernetic optical implants! I adjust them every ten years or so." He offered his hand to her and led her to an examination table as he laughed and said, "Oh wow, has it been that long already?"
Maria replied, "Ah, I know. I age like a fine wine. Would've been here sooner if I hadn't run into these jokers. At the time, I thought they might need my guidance while fighting a little old Sphinx." The doctor responded and said, "Oh, did they?" Maria answered, "No, no. They had much more complicated issues." Qrow cleared his throat and said, "And this is?" Maria replied, "So impatient. I didn't think I'd need to introduce one of Atlas' finest minds." Yang commented and said, "Working in a place like this?" The building creaked, and a ceiling tile fell to the floor as Maria answered, "He likes to keep a low profile. Something I've come to realize none of you know anything about." Pietro spoke up again and said, "You can call me Pietro." Maria continued, "Finest heart, too. This pharmacy is just where he volunteers when he's not building the future of Atlas alongside Ironwood, up in the clouds." Pietro added, "Oh, it's stuffy up there. Down here, I get to help the locals and have a little fun. I'm currently working on shoes that make you dance. Wanna try 'em on?" Nora replied excitedly, "YES!"
Stepping in, Yang said, "Before we get to that, we were wondering if you could help us. We came to Atlas hoping to talk to General Ironwood, but um..." Blake continued, "What exactly has been happening here?" Pietro coughed and said, "Well, the Fall of Beacon took a toll on all of us. James was no different. I couldn't tell you exactly what it was he saw there, but it changed him. He's..." Qrow finished, "He's scared." Pietro replied, "Paranoid would be the more appropriate term. You have to understand, it wasn't just the Grimm. Someone completely dismantled Atlas security code, made it their play-thing, and made us look like traitors to some and buffoons to everyone else. Whoever managed to do that is either a genius or one of our own. I fear the answer may be both, and so does the general." Ren spoke up and said, "Maybe Atlas isn't as safe as we thought." Oscar replied, "After we came all this way, we can't just leave, can we?" Weiss stepped forward and asked, "How does the council feel about all of this? Or Winter Schnee? Do you know anything about her?" Pietro replied, "Well, the council's so scared, they'll agree to whatever he wants. Though, some representatives from Mantle... Wait, you're... You're Weiss Schnee!"
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Time For Love: Ruby Rose X Male OC
FanfictionIt's a new year at Beacon Academy and that means new students. Ace Dodger is one of those new students. Despite having lost both of his parents 6 years ago, he kept following his dream to be a Huntsman. With his childhood friend, Ray, he looks forwa...
