Currently, Blake is at a cafe, sipping a cup of tea. With a sigh, she looks up at Sun who is sitting across from her, holding his drink with his tail. He takes a sip when Blake puts her cup down.

Blake: So, you want to know more about me...

Sun: Finally, she speaks! Nearly two days and you've given me nothing but small talk and weird looks!

She just glared at him.

Sun: Yeah, like that

Blake rolls her eyes before closing them and looking at him sadly.

Blake: Sun... 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!

Blake: I was once a member of the White Fang

Sun chokes on his drink as he heard that. He puts down his cup and wipes his mouth as he holds up a hand.

Sun: Wait a minute, you were a member of the White Fang?!

Blake: That's right. I was a member for most of my life, actually. You could almost say I was born into it...

She then explains her past with the White Fang and its origins. The White Fang was created as a symbol of peace and unity between the Humans and Faunus. However, despite being promised equality, the Faunus were still treated as inferior, so the White Fang became the voice of their people.

Ever since childhood, Blake stood with them at every protest, boycott and rally, thinking that they were making a difference. However, five years ago, their leader was replaced by someone with violent and radical ideals.

Their new leader replaced the group's peaceful protests with organized attacks, arson of shops that refused to serve them, and hijackings of shipments for businesses that used Faunus labour. She states that these methods have been working, but the equal treatment the Faunus had gained was through fear, rather than respect.

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 her bow.

Sun: So... Have you told your friends any of this?

Blake merely looks down in shame and says nothing.

(Timeskip)

Ruby: Blaaaake!

Yang: Blaaaake!

Akiri: Blake!

Currently, Akiri is helping Ruby, Yang, and Weiss search for their missing teammate. They are walking around town, calling her name.

Ruby: Blaaaaaaaake! Where aaaare yoooouuuu!?

Yang: Blake!

Ruby: Where in the world could she be? She's been gone all weekend

Akiri: She couldn't have gotten far. Maybe we should try splitting up to cover more ground

Weiss: Maybe you should try looking at a pet store. She might be there

They just looked at her with an annoyed expression.

Ruby: Weiss, you're not helping!

Weiss: Oh! You know what might be able to help? The police!

Ruby crosses her arms in irritation while Akiri just sighed.

Ruby: Ugh, Weiss...

Weiss: It was just an idea!

Ruby: Yeah, a bad one

Yang: Weiss, I think we should hear her side of the story before we jump to any conclusions

Akiri: Yang is right. We've heard yours, it's only fair that we hear about hers

Weiss: I think that when we hear it, you'll all realize I was right!

Akiri: Even if you are, remember that she's still your teammate, and friend

???: And I think Weiss' hair looks wonderful today!

They heard a different voice speak out and turned around to the surprise of seeing Penny.

Ruby: Ah! Penny! Where did you come from!?

Penny: Hey guys! What are you up to?

She cheerfully ignores Ruby's question.

Ruby: Uhh...

Yang: We're looking for our friend Blake

Penny: Ooooh, you mean the Faunus girl!

Ruby, Weiss, and Yang stare at Penny completely surprised.

Ruby: Wait, how did you know that?

Penny: Uhh, the cat ears?

Yang: What cat ears? She wears a... Booooowww...

The realization leaves them in silence as a tumbleweed blows through in the wind.

Akiri: I was wondering when you girls would find out...

Ruby: She does like tuna a lot...

Penny: So, where is she?

Ruby: We don't know. She's been missing since Friday

Penny: That's terrible!

She gasps before walking over to Ruby.

Penny: Well, don't you worry Ruby, my friend and Akiri my boyfriend! I won't rest until we find your teammate!

Ruby: Uh, that's really nice of you, Penny, but we're okay! Really! Right, guys?

Ruby looks over and saw that only she, Penny and Akiri remains as both Weiss and Yang are already gone. A tumbleweed blows past them again in the quiet.

Penny: It sure is windy today!

Akiri: And where are all these tumbleweeds coming from?

Back with Blake and Sun, the two are still conversing at the cafe.

Sun: So. Why don't we catch those dust robbers to prove your comrade's innocence?

She didn't say anything and just kept looking down at the table.

Sun: I've got info that could help

He lifts her head up and looks at him.

Sun: Ah, so you're interested. There's a Schnee Dust Company cargo ship, hauling a huge amount of dust into port tonight. If we do a stakeout, we're sure to run into the robbers

Blake: What's your objective, really?

Sun: Me? I'm just doing my earnest to cheer up a gloomy girl who had a falling out with her friends

Blake: If you think that's enough to earn my trust, then you're a happy go lucky fool

Sun: Ouch! Well, too bad, Cuz I totally am!

He laughs and Blake just glared at him.

Sun: Whatever, though. Have it your way. You can mope around here with nothing to do. Or... You can join me for an all-night stakeout

Blake just sighed as she looked up to the sky.

Blake: Terrible options all around...

(Elsewhere)

Penny: So, Blake is your friend?

Penny asked as she is coming along with Ruby and Akiri, in search of Blake.

Ruby: 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: But why?

She asked, trying her best to contemplate it.

Ruby: Well, you see, Blake might not be who we thought she was...

Penny: Is she a man?

Akiri couldn't help but laugh at Penny's question.

Ruby: No, Penny, she's not

Akiri: Or is she?

He jokingly asked Ruby back with his finger on his chin and she hits his arm.

Akiri: Ow! I'm only kidding...

Ruby: 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: Me too...

She turns her gaze downward slightly.

Akiri: Don't worry, Ruby. We'll find her

He reassured her with a smile and she just nodded.

(Timeskip)

Amidst the darkness of night, Blake lays flat on her stomach on the rooftop, overlooking the shipment of Schnee Dust containers.

Sun: Did I miss anything?

Sun asked as he walks up to her.

Blake: Not really. They've offloaded the crates from the boat. Now they're just sitting there

Sun: Cool. I stole you some food!

He holds up a green apple for her and she gave him a questioning look.

Blake: Do you always break the law without giving a second thought?

Sun: Hey, weren't you in a cult or something?

Blake shoots an angry glare at him.

Sun: Okay, too soon

Just as he says this, the winds blows all around them, and they look up to see a Bullhead's searchlights flashing around for a landing spot, descending in the middle of the cargo containers.

A ramp then extended and a group of black hooded people, wearing white masks came out of the ship.

Blake: Oh no...

Sun: Is that them?

Blake didn't say anything and just stared at the wolf insignia on the back of one of the men's outfits.

Blake: Yes... It's them...

???: All right, grab the tow cables!

One of them ordered the other White Fang members coming from the aircraft, motioning with his rifle.

Sun: You really didn't think they were behind it, did you?

Blake: 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 when she hears a new voice.

???: Hey! What's the holdup!?

The two look over to see that it was the infamous criminal, Roman Torchwick.

Roman: 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 said before standing up and unsheathing her sword.

Sun: Hey, what are you doing?!

Blake falls to the ground in a crouch, then continues on to hide behind one of the containers, peeking around the corner to see Roman.

Roman: No, you idiot! This isn't a leash!

Just as he's looking around, Blake suddenly appears behind him with her blade at his throat.

Roman: What the- Oh, for f-

He rolls his eyes when he's cut off by Blake mid-swear.

Blake: Nobody move!

The White Fang soldiers ready their guns and draws their swords in response.

Roman: Whoa! Take it easy there, little lady

As the White Fang members close in on her, Blake uses her free hand to remove her bow, showing them her Faunus ears.

Blake: Brothers of the White Fang! Why are you aiding this scum?

The White Fang members lower their weapons a little, unsure of what to do.

Roman: Oh, kid, 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 is filled with more turbines blowing the wind wildly around them.

Roman: I wouldn't exactly call it a little operation...

Blake looks up to see two more Bullheads hovering on top of them. As Blake watches in horror, Roman smiles and manages to fire his cane at Blake's feet, resulting in a large explosion.

(Elsewhere)

Back with Akiri, Ruby and Penny, the three of them are still walking through the streets when suddenly, they heard the loud sound of an explosion in the distance.

Akiri: What the...?

Ruby: That can't be good. Come on, Akiri!

She then quickly ran off towards where the explosion was and Penny followed her as well.

Just as Akiri was about to move, he heard his Scroll ringing from his pocket. He looked to see who is calling and he immediately picked it up.

Akiri: Ash?

Ash: We heard the explosion. Are you okay?

Akiri: What? Why did you guys assume that it was me?

???: Oh. So that loud boom wasn't you?

A female voice was heard.

Akiri: No, Zanthe, it's not

Zanthe: Oh. Sorry, force of habit

Akiri just rolled his eyes.

Akiri: Look. You guys get your asses to that explosion and get into position. I'll meet you there

Ash: Copy that

Zanthe: On it, Boss!

With that, he hung up and quickly got moving.

(Elsewhere)

Ruby and Penny arrives at the scene, standing on the rooftop of a building, overlooking the docks to see Roman on the ground.

Ruby: Hey!

Roman looks over to see Ruby, along with Penny.

Roman: Oh, hello Little Red. Isn't it past your bedtime?

???: And isn't it past yours as well? Prison curfew started about an hour ago

A male voice speaks out and it was revealed to be Akiri who had appeared next to Ruby.

Roman: And hello to you too, Red. Long time no see

Akiri: Yeah

Penny: Ruby, Akiri are these people your friends?

Ruby: Penny, get back!

While Ruby's attention is diverted, Roman fires his cane at her. Akiri quickly reacted by tackling her away and the shot narrowly misses.

Akiri: You okay, Rubes?

Ruby started to blush when she saw that he landed on top of her.

Ruby: Y-yeah. I-I'm fine

Akiri just nodded before getting up.

Penny turns her head towards Roman and gives her first glare, walking forward.

Ruby: Penny, wait! Stop!

Akiri: That guy is dangerous. You could get hurt

Penny: Don't worry. I'm combat ready!

Her back mechanically opens up, and out comes a single sword that extends and multiplies into several blades hovering over Penny's back.

She landed on the ground and sends three of her swords to knock two White Fang soldiers down.

She proceeds to fling the swords at one enemy and impale another to a wall.

She creates a barrier of spinning steel to block an attack and leaps over a goon with her swords in tow. She then forms a wheel with her swords and she throws it to knock multiple Faunus off their feet.

Back at the rooftop, Akiri and Ruby are looking at her with both shocked and confused looks.

Akiri: Okay... What?

Three Bullheads come from the skies and open fire towards her, but Penny forms a shield and launches two of her swords into the wall behind her, which pulls her back to safety with their strings.

When her swords swirl around her again, she builds up a large glowing ball of green light. With a punching action, several bright lasers crack the pavement as they fire at the transports and slice each one in half, causing several of the White Fang members inside to fall.

Penny aims her swords at the remaining Bullheads holding the crate of Dust and she uses her sword to pull it back and prevents it from flying away.

Ruby: Whoa... How is she doing all that?

Akiri: No idea...

He replied before getting into the action himself.

Penny then pulls with all her might on the strings, and the aircraft crashes into a stack of crates and explodes.

Roman, seeing that he was losing, quickly pulls out his Scroll and sent a message. Just as he did, he was kicked back by Akiri and crashed on the ground.

Akiri then pointed both of his guns at him.

Akiri: Give it up Roman. You're out of cards to play

Roman: Oh really?

He smirked.

Roman: You see, Red. I've learned my lesson during our last encounter. That's why I've brought in some extra help

As if on cue, five more Bullheads suddenly appeared in the sky and more White Fang members appeared in front of them, getting ready to attack.

Ruby: Uh, oh...

Ruby was getting worried, but Akiri just stood there and brought his finger to his earpiece.

Akiri: Everyone in position?

Ash: (coms) Affirmative. We're awaiting orders

Akiri looked to see Ruby, Blake, Penny and the blond Faunus walk up next to him and they ready their weapons.

Akiri: Stand down, you guys

They looked at him confused as to why he told them to stand down.

Ruby: What?

Blake: Why?

Penny: I am combat ready!

Akiri: I know, Penny. But I don't want you guys getting in our way

Ruby: Our?

Akiri just smirks as he puts his finger on his earpiece again.

Akiri: Ash, take the shot

At his order, a bullet was shot from afar and pierces the engine of one of the Bullheads, causing it to crash into another ship that was right next to it.

Roman: What?!

Ruby: Where did that come from?!

Akiri: Zanthe, hammer time

Zanthe: (coms) Oh, yeah!

Suddenly, they heard someone shout and they saw that it was a girl with blonde hair, wearing a black and yellow dress and she is holding a giant war hammer while sprinting towards one of the Bullheads.

Zanthe: Heeereeesss Zanthe!!!

She shouted before leaping inhumanly high up into the air, approaching the ship and as she got close, brought her hammer down at the Bullhead, destroying it completely while everyone looks in amazement.

Roman: What are you idiots waiting for?! Attack!

Roman ordered his men and they started charging towards Akiri and his friends.

Akiri: Skye, make it rain

Suddenly, the White Fang members heard whistling noises coming from above and they looked up to the horror of seeing a volley of arrows raining down towards them.

To their surprise, none of the arrows hit but instead, landed all around them on the ground. Before anyone could react, the arrow tips glowed blue and they were all instantly covered in thick ice.

Roman growled in frustration before running off as more and more of his men are incapacitated.

Ruby: Whoa... Those guys are awesome! Who are they?

Blake: They're his teammates

Ruby looks at her surprised.

Ruby: They're your team? They're so cool!

Akiri: I know. Ruby, and uhh...

He looks over at the blond haired Faunus, not knowing who he is.

Sun: Sun

Akiri: Sun... Meet Team AZUR

As he said that, Akiri saw Roman boarding a ship and it started to take off.

Ash: (coms) Want me to take him down?

Akiri: No, hold your fire

He speaks through his earpiece.

Ash: (coms) What? Why?

Akiri: I have a feeling, that he's only a pawn...

Ash: (coms) You mean he's working for someone else?

Akiri: Yeah. And he'll lead us straight to them

He said as he watches the Bullhead Roman is on fly away into the distance.

(Timeskip)

Later, a handful of police cars are at the docks. Akiri and the rest of his team are reporting to the police while Ruby, Blake, Sun, and Penny are sitting on boxes in silence. That is, until Weiss and Yang appear on the scene.

Ruby: Look Weiss, it's not what you think, she explained the whole thing. 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: Weiss, I want you to know that I'm no longer associated with the White Fang. Back when I was with the-

Weiss: Stop! Do you have any idea of how long we've been searching for you?

She pauses.

Weiss: 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 looks on, worried.

Weiss: I don't care

Blake: You don't care?

Weiss: You said you're not one of them anymore, right?

Blake: No, I-I haven't been since I was younger-

Weiss: Ah-bahp-bahp-bahp! 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...

She looks at Sun.

Weiss: Someone else

Blake looks at Ruby and Yang before wiping a tear from her eye and nodding.

Blake: Of course

Weiss smiles and nods.

Ruby: Yeah! Team RWBY is back together!

???: Oh? So this is the Team RWBY that Boss has been talking about

They heard a female voice speak and they saw Akiri walking over to them along with three other people.

Yang: So, Akiri. Who are these people?

She asked him while motioning to the unfamiliar individuals.

Ruby: They're his teammates

Weiss: His team?

Akiri: Yup. This is Zephyra Sterngard. Codename, Zanthe

He introduces the short girl with blonde hair, carrying a golden war hammer on her shoulder.

Zephyra: Nice to meet you!

She greeted, energetically.

Akiri: She's our demolitions expert. You want to destroy something, just ask her and she'll obliterate it

He explains.

Akiri: And this is the sniper of our team, Usher Greylight. Codename, Ash

He motions to the Faunus with black hair and a pair of wolf ears on his head, carrying a dark grey rifle. He just gave a small wave while he was chewing on a toothpick.

Akiri: He's not much of a conversationalist, especially with strangers. But when you have to hit a precise target from ten klicks, Usher's your guy

He said before moving on to the girl with long blue hair.

Akiri: And finally, this is Raine Claramay. Codename, Skye

Raine: A pleasure to meet your acquaintance

She greeted in a soft and polite voice as she gave a slight bow.

Akiri: She plays the support role of the team. You could always count on her to watch your back

He finishes.

Akiri: The four of us, makes Team AZUR. Beacon's number one ranked team

(Elsewhere)

Meanwhile, back at Beacon, Ozpin is in his office, watching a live feed of everything that happened at the shipyard.

Suddenly, a beeping sound was heard from his Scroll and he saw that he got a message from someone.

Qrow: The Queen has pawns

The door then suddenly opens up and Glynda Goodwitch walks into the room.

Glynda: Professor Ozpin. Team AZUR has returned from their mission

Ozpin: Yes, I am aware. Call them in. I want a full mission report right away

Glynda nodded before walking back out of the room. Ozpin then got up from his chair and looks out the window.

Ozpin: ...

-------------------

(A/N: Right! Volume 1, is finished! I am extremely grateful for the support you guys have up to this point. As always, I'd love to hear your opinions or suggestions on this book. I hope you have enjoyed reading this book so far. And as always, thanks for reading.)