Episode 3: “A Strange Connection”

(Time pass and Team ROSE where walking down the hallway to meet up with Team RWBY in their dorm. They are having a conversation about the plan they are going to do with the girls)

Edgar: I can’t believe we are going to do this. Our first eve mission.
Genji: This is not a mission, this is more an investigation.
Edgar: I know that. I just feel that this is our first ever mission we will go together along with the girls.
Sebastian: And besides we can take some pointers from them as we go.
Genji: I guess I can agree with that.
Raiden: Not only that I got a message from Ruby that she and the girls have something for us.
Edgar: (surprise) Really?
Sebastian: (he gets exited) Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go! (he runs ahead)
Edgar: Sebastian don’t leave us behind!
Raiden: Here we go again. Come on guys, let’s continue ahead.

(Raiden, Genji, Sebastian & Edgar continues their walk towards Team RWBY dorm so they can plan their investigation. Meanwhile, Blaze was in Cinder, Mercury & Emerald’s dorm and their talking about their success of infiltrating the academy)

Blaze: Well well well congrats everyone. Thanks to our efforts we manage to infiltrate the Academy grounds.
Mercury: Well is all thanks to that butler of your that did all the work for us.
Emerald: You mean Walter? He may be a butler but he is Blaze’s Commanders.
Blaze: Thanks for the complement Emerald. (She smiles back at him)
Cinder: Let’s not get distracted here (she looks at Blaze) So… What’s the plan Blaze?
Blaze: The plan? Well it’s quit obvious. You three do yours and I do mine. But in the end we are after the same thing, right? (Cinder, Mercury & Emerald started to look at each other) I’ll take that as a yes. (He walks towards the door)
Emerald: Where are you going? (She ask him)
Blaze: Well I don’t know about you, but I’m going to do some reconnaissance. We need to know how the academy is layer out and the security it has.
Cinder: Good idea. You go do that.
Blaze: As always, se you guys later. (He opens the door and leaves the room)

(Sometime later, Team ROSE arrives at the girl’s dorm so they can talk about their investigation)

Raiden: (He knocks on the door) *knock* *knock* *knock*
Ruby: (Ruby opens the door. She’s looks surprise that Raiden & his teammates came on time) Oh hey guys!
Yang: (She greets them behind Ruby) You guys finally came.
Raiden: Well you said to meet us in the exact time. Can we come in?
Ruby: Of course. Please step inside. (She steps aside while Team ROSE walks into the room)

(The scene transitions to them talking about the investigation.)

Raiden: Ok then. Let’s talk about the investigation so we can continue with our regular lives.
Genji: But we must be ready. Will never know what we are about to find. (Edgar then changes the subject by talking about Team RWBY Alternate Outfits)
Edgar: Wow girls, nice new threads.
Team RWBY: Thank you.
Edgar: Those new clothes are so cool! I wish I could have one of those. (Raiden the reassures him)
Raiden: Don’t you worry about it Edgar. I can ask my dad to make some for us someday. (Yang the reassures him about the clothes)
Yang: You don’t have to. (Raiden questions Yang about the topic)
Raiden: What do you mean by that?

(The girls look at each other with a smile on their faces & they turn around. The boys got curious about that are they turning around for & in that moment the girl’s turns around with 4 presents in their hands)

Team RWBY: Surprise! (The boys get surprise about this)
Raiden: Oh wow!
Sebastian: No way!
Edgar: By the gods!
Genji: What are those?
Yang: These are some clothes that we bought for you guys.
Weiss: You been helping us through time-to-time so we thought to give you guys something in return—(Blake helps Weiss to finish he sentence)
Blake: And something to wear for today’s investigation.
Ruby: So please, except these gifts from us as a token of our friendship. (The girl’s hands over the gifts to the boys. The boys are content to the gifts they were receive)
Yang: What are you waiting for boys? Go & try them out. (The boys looks at each other with a smile & leaves the room so they can put on their new clothes)

(Later, Blaze continues his survey around the academy to see what he can exploit. He walks through the hallway, cafeteria, library, courtyard & the amphitheater. He then arrives at the Cross Continental Transmit System Tower & he got all he needs to see so he decides to return to inform Cinder. On his way there, he starts to think about his grand plan)

Blaze: The communication’s tower seems to be what Walter described him. Now all I need is to infiltrate the tower so I can—(in that moment he crash into an academy student & the student falls to the ground) Ouch!
Student (Boy): Ouch! (soon after a girl come into the scene)
Student (Girl): Meta! (She helps him up to get him back on his feet) Are you ok?
Meta: I’m fine Gusty. Just a bump that’s all.
Gusty: (she looks at Blaze) He is so sorry he wasn’t looking.
Blaze: (Blaze changes the tone of his voice to hide it from them) Well you should look where you are going next time & I accept your apology.
Gusty: (She looks at her watch & sees gets surprise) Oh no we are so late Meta.
Meta: For reals?! (he looks at Blaze) Sorry for bumping into you but where in a hurry, ok? See ya. (Both Meta & Gusty run past Blaze, but in that moment a flashing light past by Blaze’s head & time starts to move slowly)
Blaze: (In that instant he starts to remember something from his past. Four children were playing in a small village; one of them is him in his young age. The other three were playing with him, laughing & enjoying with each other. The scene fades to white & he starts to remember their names while time returns to normal) Meta, Gusty, Aqua… (Meta & Gusty stops to realize what he said their names)
Meta: Wait what?
Gusty: What did you just said?(Meta ask again to Blaze why he knows their names)
Meta: How is it possible, how do you know are names? Have we met before? (As soon he finishes his sentence Blaze took a deep breath & turns around; crying tears of joy with a smile on his face)

(Back in RWBY’s dorm, Raiden, Genji, Sebastian & Edgar returns with their snazzy new Alternate outfits that the girls bought for them. Each one of them complemented to each of the girls respectfully)

Sebastian: Wow I-am-loving these new threads Yang & you pick a very nice outfit. How did you know?
Yang: Well since I saw it in the clothing store & saw the patterns… (strapping her boots) I thought you might like them. So I bought them just for you.
Sebastian: Thank Yang, you’re the best. (Yang Smile at him)
Edgar: I’m in a loss for words right now. This looks nice on me but you didn’t have to go & by me new clothes.
Weiss: Well I’m not going to just let walk around with does same clothes all the time so—
Edgar: But in any case… Thank you.
Weiss: Uh… well… you’re welcome. (Edgar smiles at her, but she gets blush & looks away)
Genji: It is strange for you to pick this outfit Blake. (he tries to get comfortable with is military stealth jumpsuit) However I like this. It’s going to be one of doe’s days to get in use to this outfit. (he look down to his haft skirt) The purple haft skirt is a nice touch, along with utility belts around the suit itself.
Blake: I’m just glad that you like it & here I thought I was about to return it to the store. (Genji looks back up & looks at her)
Genji: But at least you made a good choice. Thank you for this wonderful gift. (Blake smiles & fixes her hair)
Raiden: (off-screen) I don’t know about you guys (everyone looks at Raiden while the scene slowly reveals his Alternate Outfit) This outfit is the best!
Yang: I’m glad you like it.
Raiden: I really love this! I can’t think of anything that can top this off!
Yang: (off-screen) Well… there is one last gift just for you.
Raiden: What? (Blake, Weiss & Yang steps aside to reveal Ruby holding a present in her hands. She steps forward & she hands it to Raiden) Ruby?
Ruby: You are a good friend Raiden. To me, to us & to everyone. The day we met you saved me from certain death & if wasn’t for you… (she looks at her gift) well…I wouldn’t be around with you all. (she looks back at him) So on behalf of me, from us & from the bottom of my heart… please accept this gift.
Raiden: (he receives Ruby’s gift) Ruby.
Yang: What are you waiting for? Open it.
Raiden: (he goes & sits on Blake’s bed behind him. He starts to unwrap his gift & opens it) *gasp*
Edgar: What is it? (Raiden starts to lift his gift out to reveal some type of blue cloth)
Raiden: Is this… a cape?
Ruby: Not just any ordinary cape. It’s a cape hoody.
Raiden: Wow. It is! (he immediate stands up & puts it on) It is amazing Ruby. This is the best gift I ever received. I love it! I will always wear this from now on with my other outfits. (Ruby slimes with glee until Genji interrupts them)
Genji: (off-screen) *cough* *cough* (everyone looks at Blake & Genji) I know this is a touching moment & all… but let’s not forget the reason why are we here.

(After that the scene transitions to them briefing about the investigation)

Genji: Our investigation for today will involve knowing what does the White Fang are up to. However, do to the introduction of the Black Claw… we need to know about them to. Weiss, can you explain the details?
Weiss: Certainly. (Weiss stands up as the camera quickly shifts left to each member who state their objective) Ruby, Raiden, Edgar & I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other Dust robberies or inconsistencies. Seeing as I'm in the family, it shouldn't be a problem.
Edgar: And since I have some connections with the Thieves of Atlas I can also get some info about it to. Weiss & I already discuss our strategy for that.
Blake: (the camera switches to Blake & Genji) The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members. If I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning.
Genji: Blake & I will attend to that & if we’re lucky… we might have a chance to know about the Black Claw’s whereabouts to.
Yang: I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows everything going on in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard...
Sebastian: Funny, I was about to say the same thing. I know someone in Vale who can help us with our investigation.
Raiden: Someone? You mean Conor Rust?! You know that guy is a crooked person.
Sebastian: I know. I can’t forgive him for taking haft of the money that I made from my family’s crops… But he owns me. (Raiden looks concerned) I can go & get the info we need, however, when he sees me he knows he has a debt to repay.
Raiden: (the camera dashing back to the leaders) Ok. But please be careful Sebastian.
Ruby: Great! We'll meet up tonight near Yang to go over what we found. (pumping her fist) Let's do this!
Sun: (off-screen) Yeah! (Camera shifts right to a smiling Sun Wukong as he hangs upside-down by his tail in their open window. The whole team is taken aback)
Blake: (surprised and alarmed) Sun!
Yang: How did you get up there?
Sun: Ah, it's easy; I do it all the time.
Deelon: (the camera shift behind them so show Deelon at the front door) He love to climb up trees you know.
Genji: (surprised and alarmed) Deelon!
Raiden: Sorry to bring the bitter of bad news but we don't want to get friends involved, especially you guys.
Deelon: What? What are you talking about?
Raiden: What do you mean?
Deelon: I’m not the one who wants to go. (he steps aside to reveal Garnet Onyxa) She wants to help.
Ruby: Princess Garnet?!
Garnet: (She walks into the room) I want to experience & to help you on your missions.
Raiden: I know that is so kind of you to ask but I don’t think it’s a good idea to—(she gets upset about it) Um I mean yeah, you can help use in our investigation.
Sun: You said it! We should always get friends involved! That's why I brought Neptune as well! (gesturing out the window)

(The girls lean out the window on top of one another cartoon-style to see the aforementioned teammate of Sun's standing outside, cool as can be.)

Neptune: 'Sup?
Ruby: How did you even get up here?
Neptune: I have my ways.

(The camera pans out to reveal that he is standing on a very thin ledge circling the building under the windows)

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

(Inside the dorm room, the group are standing in a circle as Ruby lays down the new plan)

Ruby: Alright, I'll go with Weiss, Raiden & Edgar; Sun, you can go with Blake, Genji & Princess Garnet. (As she pushes Neptune past Weiss, he slips her a wink. Weiss looks mildly shocked but then comes to her senses quickly.) And Neptune, you can go with Yang since she doesn't have a partner. Everyone good?
Weiss: Actually, Ruby, why don't you go with Yang? After all, she is your sister.

(Ruby pushed Neptune, who is stiff as a board, up next to yang. When she is done pushing him, he rocks back and forth looking nervous. Yang put her hand on his shoulder to stop him from rocking)

Ruby: But, Weiss, who would go with you, then?
Weiss: Well... I guess Neptune could come with me.
Ruby: (Neptune puts on a suave look and points at Weiss as the team leader cracks up.) Hahaha, nah!

(Weiss is obviously less than amused, yet is powerless to stop Ruby from pulling her by the back out the door)

Weiss: (Weiss sticks her arms out fruitlessly trying to get back to Neptune.) But! But!
Raiden: Well we’re all set then. See you all in the meeting point! (Both Raiden & Edgar leaves the room to catch up with Ruby & Weiss)

(The scene changes to that of a monumental tower that looms over the sparse trees growing around the crossroads below.)

Ruby: (off-screen) Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!
Raiden: (off-screen) I never thought something of this magnitude is built around here!
Weiss: (off-screen) You should see the one in Atlas!
Ruby: (off-screen) That was the first one, right?
Weiss: Correct.

(Weiss and Ruby are seen walking down the path towards the building)

Weiss: Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms to communicate with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War.
Edgar: The towers were very useful at times of need like: Communicating with families, workers or important meetings that the government does to solve every situation in their kingdoms.
Ruby: (acting high and mighty) Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich! (Edgar defends Weiss dignity)
Edgar: You know that’s insulting, right?
Ruby: Oh don’t take it to literally Edgar. Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!

(She grabs her Scroll from a pocket on her clothes, but in her excitement, the device is launched from her hands, bouncing along the pavement until it lands at Penny's feet)

Penny: Oh! (Picks up the Scroll and extends towards the clumsy teen) You dropped this.
Ruby: (shocked) Penny?!
Penny: (similarly surprised) Uuuh...
Ruby: Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks with Eco!
Penny: Oh Eco had to leave because his parents were looking for him. As for me… Um… (she stood silent for a moment) S-Sorry. I think you're confused. (She suddenly hiccups, throwing the Scroll into Ruby's hands.) Uh... I've got to go! (She turns quickly and walks away.)
Weiss: (turning to Ruby) "What was that about?"
Edgar: Yeah… It’s strange that she was speaking that way. It’s good to hear that Eco is ok, but—
Ruby: But I'm going to find out. (Ruby starts walking in Penny's direction as she shouts back to her partner:) You go make your call! I'll meet up with you later!
Raiden: Ruby, wait! Sorry guy, it looks like our part has to wait. We will chat later. Make sure you get the info! (Raiden starts running to Ruby’s direction)
Edgar: Raiden, wait! (But Raiden & Ruby were gone from site)
Weiss: Raiden is counting on us Edgar. Let’s get a move one. (Edgar stops to think & he nods in agreement. Together they precede heading towards the communications tower)
Ruby: (running up to Penny as she descends the steps until she gets in front of the non-eccentric redhead) Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!
Penny: There seems to be a... misunderstanding.
Ruby: What?! (Penny continues to walk away. Ruby slides down the rail next to her.) Penny... Is everything okay? (Penny continues forward without reaction. Ruby grabs her by the arm.) Penny, please stop! (Penny stops and listens.) Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to me! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! I need you to tell me what happened to you that night! Please... As a friend.
Penny: (sighing, then glancing to her sides swiftly, she walks over to Ruby's side and leans in close) It isn't safe to talk here.

(Penny looks around suspiciously, much to Ruby's confusion. Raiden arrives soon after)

Raiden: Finally I caught up with you. (he takes some deep breaths) So… what did I miss?

(Weiss & Edgar walks through the grand, glowing lobby of the tower with pride, avoiding the central terminal and heading straight for the elevator doors, which slide open automatically and close when she's inside. The voice of the CCT AI is projected from a panel near the door)

CCT AI: Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?
Weiss: I'd like to go to the communications room, please.
CCT AI: Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity? (Weiss retrieves her Scroll and places it as directed.) Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee. (she steps aside so Edgar can show his ID)
CCT AI: Welcome. How may I help you?
Edgar: I'd like to go to the communications room as well, please.
CCT AI: Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity? (Edgar retrieves her Scroll and places it as directed.) Perfect! Thank you, Mister Damiano.

(Upon the elevator's ascent, Weiss & Edgar’s expressions shift from pleasant to serious. Upon entering the room, four symbols are seen on a computer - twin axes and wreaths, three flying swords pointing down, a spear and shield inside a fragmented circle, and a precise winged shape. Weiss walks up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appears in the seat.

CCT AI: (beeps are heard before the projection speaks in a polite manner) Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?
Weiss: I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas.
Edgar: I also need to make a call to a friend.
CCT AI: Absolutely. (more beeping) If you could head over to Terminal 3 & 4, I'll patch you two through.
Weiss & Edgar: Thank you!

(They smile and nod before walking over to their corresponding cubicle-like computer, passing a few Beacon students in uniform - one of which is talking to her mother and asking how things are going back in Signal Academy. She sits at her own display, taking a deep, unhappy breath to prepare for the call ahead. The face of a short-haired brunette appears on the monitor with the Schnee snowflake rotating behind her. She does not realize who she is talking to until she looks up)

Schnee Corp Operator: Thank you for calling the Atlas- Oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well.
Weiss: (pleasantly) No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list.
Weiss produces her Scroll, placing it into a slot on the keyboard, creating a series of noises as the Operator looks at the data from her side of the screen.
Operator: I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for?

(While Weiss was busy with hers, Edgar commence his part)

CCT AI: Who do you want to communicate with?
Edgar: I want to communicate with… (he starts to think for a moment that doesn’t compromise his suspicions with the thieves) I want to communicate with Brother William in Mistral.
CCT AI: Absolutely. One moment please (more beeping) Communicating with William Tripolis.
William: This is William Tripolis how can I—What! Brother Edgar is that you?
Edgar: It’s been a while fellow member.
William: Yeah. Wait? IS this a secure connection? You know what happens if—
Edgar: Relax. It is a secured connection.
William: (off-screen) O apó tous theoús (oh by the gods) So… what can I do for you?
Edgar: I need some reports.
William: Of what kind?
Edgar: Have you been hearing rumors about the Black Claw?
William: You heard about it to? (sound surprise)
Edgar: You heard of them?
William: (off-screen) Yeah. We have been hearing about some shipments that where transfer from the Mistral Black Market from somewhere in Vale, however we didn’t have full details of the reason why.
Edgar: Can you tell me more about the shipments? What are they sending?

(Penny stands alone near a two-story building with patio furniture and she is looking around nervously when a hand grabs her shoulder, causing her to jump. She turns to see Ruby & Raiden grinning. She smiles in return. The scene moves to the two strolling down the street)

Penny: I wish I could help you, Ruby, but I don't know anything about those men.
Ruby: Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?
Penny: Oh, no! Nothing like that!
Ruby: Then where did you go?
Penny: I've never been to another kingdom before. My father asked me not to venture out too far, but... You have to understand, my father loves me very much; he just worries a lot.
Raiden: I can see it why.
Penny: Huh?
Raiden: A parent is always worried for their young’s. It’s a neutral thing.
Ruby: Same here. But why not let us know you were okay?
Penny: I... was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Anybody, really.
Ruby: Was your dad that upset?
Penny: No, it wasn't my father...

(Before she can continue, she, Ruby & Raiden hear the sound of megaphones announcing something, turning around the corner to look at the platform in the center of a plaza where the holographic image of James Ironwood is seen next with lieutenant Lance talking about a future project that will protect the kingdom’s of Remnant)

Lance: Today we announce on behalf of Lucas Nineheart & to the Atlas military of a special project that will defend all kingdoms.
Ironwood: The project’s called “Arachnid Enforcer”.

(This caught Raiden’s attention)

Lance: (he presses a button in his coat that shows a preview of the model in the monitor next to him) The Arachnid Enforcer is the future of military division on terrain, mountains & caves.
Ironwood: The purpose for this is to combat any threats that can affect in all the kingdoms. For example; by now everyone knows about the Black Claw, right?
Lance: The Black Claw showed up last week in stealing all the supplies that Atlas is providing. On top of that, The White Fang was their at the time.
Ironwood: (nods in agreement) Their for with the combine forces of our AK-130’s & with the Arachnid Enforcer, your kingdoms will be safe from those terrorist. However, there are still many situations that will undoubtedly require... a human touch.

(The last line draws Ruby's attention)

Penny: (nervously) Ruby..?
Ironwood: So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!
Ironwood's image is replaced with the hologram of a robotic white behemoth, featuring hinged piston legs, large guns for hands, and a rectangular head, standing at least twice as tall as the Knights below it.
Ironwood: (voice only) Now, we couldn't have him here for you today, but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year!
Ruby: (hunched in awe) Whoa...
Penny: (concerned) Ruby? Maybe we should go somewhere else.

(At the side of the stage, two armored soldiers see Penny, pointing her out and calling in backup. Penny backs away and then breaks into a dead run, which snaps Ruby out of her weapon-awe-induced stupor)

Ruby: Penny! Wait! Where are you going?
Raiden: Hey don’t leave me behind again! (he ran off to catch up with penny)

(Ruby turns to look back at the soldiers chasing after her friend, and realizing Penny's situation, swiftly follows her in an attempt to catch up down the winding alley)

Atlas Soldier: (gesturing to his partner) Down here! She went this way!

(Penny, Raiden & Ruby run across the street with the soldiers following them, though a honking car nearly runs one over. He manages to brace his hands against the hood, which somehow stops the vehicle, and his partner runs along after the girls. Ruby is still trying to catch up with Penny, but a high stack of crates on a flimsy support is easily cut down by Crescent Rose, causing a wooden avalanche of boxes to block the path. Seeing Penny right ahead of her, Ruby leaps into the air and lands on the alley wall, ricocheting off to grab Penny around the middle)

Ruby: This way! (she grimaces before the two disappear in a flash of red and rose petals)

(Ruby dashes away as fast as she can while carrying Penny, but the strain is too great, and they crash to the ground a short while later, with Ruby falling all the way into the street. She gets up slowly, and in her dazed state, she doesn't notice the large truck coming up from behind her until the honking is too late of a warning. She stands up just as she's about to be hit, but from out of nowhere, Penny pushes Ruby out of the way and holds her palms out. In the split second where the two make contact, the ground beneath Penny cracks and crumbles into pieces, and the From Dust Till Dawn truck is lifted a little ways into the air by the girl's sheer strength. She puts it down, and the Shopkeep stares in awe at the crumples in his hood, just like the Huntress who got saved)

Ruby: (eyes wide, terrified, uncertain) Penny..?
Penny: (to the shopkeeper) Are you okay?
Shopkeeper: (nodding, obviously scared) Uh-huh...
Raiden: By the gods, are all of you ok?

(Way off in the distance a truck with toxic chemicals was driving until he saw some people ahead. He tries to push the brakes but it wasn’t responding. The truck continues his run without stopping & was heading towards Penny. Raiden looks around & sees the upcoming truck towards Penny)

Raiden: Penny, watch’s out!
Penny: Huh? (She turns around & sees the truck) *gasp*! (The truck was about to run over her but not before Eco showing up out of nowhere & steps in front of Penny. He puts his right arm forward while his left arm holds Penny to secure her. In the split second where the two make contact, Eco manage to hold his ground while push back slowly by the force of the truck. The truck stops & he ask the driver if he was ok)
Eco: Are you ok, mister? (The expression of the driver was speechless with his mouth open. He then checks on Penny) Are you ok, Penny?
Penny: Well… um…
Raiden: (he was speechless on Eco’s arrival) Whoa…
Eco: (he cleans the dust off of him before he checks his hand) *gasp*! (he looks at Ruby & Raiden)
Ruby: Um… Eco?

(With a worried expression in their faces, Penny & Eco runs from everyone while avoiding being caught by the Atlas Soldiers)

Ruby: Penny! Eco! Come back! Come on Raiden!(they starts to go after Penny & Eco as the people look at the destruction Penny caused with her bare hands and the heroics of Eco’s arrival. Soon after, the soldiers find they lost their target)
Penny: (coming to a stop once she gets out of the alleyway, looking around for where to run next) Um... Uh...
Eco: Well… this is wasn’t the best time for me to do that. In front of a crowd that is.
Ruby: (She & Raiden comes up to Penny & Eco, exasperated) Penny! Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?!
Raiden: You two have a lot to explain on how you to manage to stop two truck in their tracks? & why did you run away & leaving us behind?
Penny: (nervous again) I-I can't! Everything's fine! (she starts to hiccup with each lie) I-I don't want to talk about it! (*hiccup*)
Eco: It’s better you two don’t know. Like she said everything is fine—
Raiden: No it is not.
Ruby: Penny, if you can just tell us what's wrong, we can help you!
Penny: (retreating from her friend) No! No, no! You two wouldn’t understand...
Ruby: Let me try! You can trust me! You can trust us!
Eco: Please understand that this is for your own goo—
Raiden: But at least tell us what’s wrong?
Eco: *sigh*
Raiden: (off-screen) Aren’t we friends, are we?
Eco & Penny: Huh? (silence was stood for a moment)
Penny: (she & Eco finally relent, coming up to the face-to-face) You're our friends, right? You promise you're our friends?!

Ruby: (softly) We promise.
Raiden: You can trust us 100%.
Penny: (silent for a second, then, looking down at her hands) Ruby... I'm not a real girl.

(Penny shows Ruby the toll of stopping the truck that would have killed her: Parts of her palm's skin have ripped away, revealing the gray metal underneath. Penny stares sadly at Ruby's face, now completely astounded by her friend's secret as all she can simply say before the screen goes black and the credits roll is...)

Ruby: Oh.
Eco: As for me… well… (silent for a second, then, looking down at his right arm) I’m not human. I’m… I’m a deviant.

(Eco shows Ruby & Raiden torn skin that revealing the gray metal part underneath. Eco stares sadly at their faces face, now completely astounded by his friend’s secret as all he can simply say before the screen goes black and the credits roll is...)

Raiden: Whoa… well that make sense.