(3rd Person POV)
Snow continued to fall from the night sky over Mantle, collecting on roads, sidewalks and rooftops. Pietro and Maria stood outside Pietro's clinic with the door open, allowing civilians to take shelter inside.
Woman: What's going on? Is the heat off in Atlas too?
Man: They wouldn't just turn the heat off...
Pietro and Maria looked at each other.
Man: Would they?
Maria and Pietro looked up at the City of Atlas, the underside of which was still lit up cyan and purple.
Inside the dining room of the Schnee Manor, the Atlas councilmen continued to talk to James Ironwood.
Camilla: General, since the day you were appointed Headmaster, there have been Atlesians who are skeptical of one man holding two Council seats.
Ironwood: Yes, which is exactly why we have checks and balances.
Sleet: We're supposed to, but lately you've been running roughshod all over them, making unilateral decisions without us.
Ironwood: Councilman, I never intended--
Sleet: What people intend and what they do aren't always the same, General.
A butler walked into the room, stopped at Jacques Schnee's side, and whispered to him.
Jacques: Hmm? What? For how long?
The butler whispered again. Jacques' eyes widened.
Jacques: My authorization? Check it again!
The butler hurried out of the room, and Councilman Sleet looked at Jacques.
Sleet: Councilman Schnee?
Jacques tensed. As he spoke, he adjusted his tie and gestured awkwardly.
Jacques: Um... Yes, I, uh... agree with everything, everything that was, uh, just said. No, uh, no further questions.
He quieted down, collecting himself, and Sleet, Camilla and Robyn stared at him for a moment, the latter turning to Ironwood.
Robyn: I'm not quite done yet. You're afraid of something, General. Aren't you?
Ironwood: I think that's pretty obvious, Miss Hill. I'm trying to prevent Atlas from becoming another Beacon, another Haven.
While Robyn spoke, Jacques did not appear to be paying close attention. Instead, he clasped his hands in front of his face, then put his left hand to his face.
Robyn: Yet, you don't trust your own Council to help you? Operating in secret? These are the actions of somebody who's hiding something.
Ironwood: I'm not hiding anything.
Robyn: Let's put it to the test then.
Robyn stood up, and Jacques lowered his hand from his face and watched as she approached Ironwood.
Robyn: You're all aware of my semblance. Let's settle it here and now, General Ironwood.
She stood next to Ironwood and held her hand out to him. He looked at her hand, then at the councilmen.
Robyn: Here and now.
(Your POV)
You walked through the halls, looking around, as people walked past you, making your way through the crowd.
As you opened through the crowd, you looked around, seeing no one that you knew, when you did a double take, looking back.
Neo?
You thought that she had died. That was what Ruby said.
She looked fine enough, but there were a few telling things that reminded you of her. A fidget here, an odd movement and a look there. Most servants would feel more at home, used to working in these situations.
It was good, but perhaps you knew her a little better.
She finally noticed you, and she looked you up and down, before smirking and winking at you. It was definitely her.
She turned away from you, walking away, as she turned back to face you, blowing a kiss as she disappeared into the crowd.
After a moment, you turned around, making your way down the hallway, away from the party-goers, and deeper into the manor.
As you turned the corner you almost ran into Weiss, but you stepped to the side, grabbing her and pulling her back, raising your finger to your lips.
Weiss stayed silent for a moment, and when you looked around the corner, you saw no one. A precaution, but one you were fine to take.
(Y/N): What did you find?
Weiss handed you a scroll, and you looked at it, seeing Jacques with Arthur Watts.
(Y/N): Watts...
Weiss: You know him?
You nodded.
(Y/N): Apparently he died years ago... Things are coming together.
Weiss: Where are you going?
(Y/N): I've got other places to be.
With that you turned away, running back to where you saw Neo, your head running through as many past disguises as you could remember.
(3rd Person POV)
Ironwood looked at Robyn's hand again, but before he could do anything, the double doors on the other end of the room noisily swung open.
Weiss: Wait!
Everyone looked toward the door, and Robyn gained a slightly annoyed expression. Weiss was standing in the doorway, holding the doors open.
Weiss: You've got the wrong man on trial.
She walked into the room and stopped next to Jacques.
Weiss: I know who's been framing Ironwood, who rigged the election. And my father does, too. He's been working with him.
Jacques looked nervous, and Weiss set the scroll that Willow gave her on the table and tapped the screen, causing it to project a hologram screen into the air. The screen depicted a paused video of Jacques and Arthur Watts in Jacques' office.
Camilla: Is that... Arthur Watts?
Sleet stood up.
Sleet: That's impossible! Dr. Watts died in the Paladin Incident years ago.
Jacques: Wha-- W-w-what is this?
Ironwood stood up.
Ironwood: Play it.
Weiss tapped the play button on the scroll, and the floating screen began playing the video. As it played, Jacques became more and more nervous, fidgeting with his hands and then his mustache, as sweat quickly appeared on his brow.
Jacques: That bastard is costing me more money every day with this embargo. I'd lay off every employee in Mantle if I wasn't trying to get their damn votes for this Council seat!
Watts: What if I said you could have your cake and eat it, too?
Jacques: What did you have in mind?
Watts: James Ironwood never recognized my genius. After everything I gave him, he still disgraced me. I simply wish to return the favor.
Sleet watched the video in stunned silence and sat back down. Ironwood began walking across the room toward Jacques.
Jacques: What's in it for me?
Watts: A seat on the council. All I need is your login credentials for the Atlas network.
Winter narrowed her eyes and subtly shook her head disapprovingly.
Watts: You promise to make Ironwood's life a waking nightmare, and I will guarantee you victory at the polls by giving the voters down in Mantle a little... "digital push", if you will.
Robyn watched with widened eyes, then gripped a nearby chair and narrowed her eyes angrily.
Jacques: I always knew you were a good scientist, Arthur... but I never knew you were such a good salesman.
Ironwood came to a stop near Weiss.
Ironwood: Enough.
In the video, Jacques cackled, and Weiss tapped the scroll's screen, pausing the video and making the floating screen disappear.
Jacques: That, that is-- I--
Jacques quickly stood and moved next to his chair, putting his hands up.
Jacques: I can explain that. That... isn't real.
Sleet: Jacques, take your seat.
There was a brief pause before Jacques frantically ran for the double doors behind him. He swung the doors open, only to stumble backward at the sight of an Arma Gigas summon. He sputtered a little, then turned and looked at Weiss.
Jacques: Weiss...
Weiss: Jacques Schnee, you're under arrest.
Weiss withdrew her scroll and displayed her Huntress license to him with a very serious expression. A few moments passed, and she looked over her shoulder at Ironwood.
Weiss: Can I do that?
In Mantle, people had begun shouting, and someone in the crowd screamed "I hate you!" Paying no mind to the commotion, Watts caught a snowflake in his palm and then crushed it.
Someone broke glass nearby, and he turned to look. A man had shattered the front window of a shop called Dust in the Wind. On the other side of the window was a display of very large Dust crystals and a pair of small signs. The sign on the left, sitting above a tray of purple Dust crystals, said "Sale on Gravity Dust". The sign on the right said "Premium Dust XL". The man grabbed two Fire Dust crystals.
The citizens had started a bonfire in the street and were throwing wooden furniture into the fire. The man who looted the Dust shop ran over with his Dust crystals.
Woman: Atlas killed the heat on purpose!
Man: They'll do anything to control us.
The drinking buddies stood back and watched their fellow citizens, and the looter tossed one of the crystals into the fire. There was a small sound as the crystal entered the flames, and the fire briefly bursted outward, growing taller and brighter.
A pair of Atlas soldiers watched from down the road, and one of them activated her communicator.
Soldier: The situation here is getting out of control. Please advise.
Further down that same road, Watts stood around the corner of a building, peeking out at the Atlas soldiers. Behind him, Tyrian dropped down from somewhere above and chuckled.
In the Schnee Manor dining room, Jacques was sitting in a chair on the side of the room, with Winter, Ironwood, the councilmen, Robyn and Clover Ebi standing around him. Team RWBY and Penny were standing together at the end of the room. Clover received contact on his communicator and put his fingers to it, listening.
Ironwood: I knew you'd stoop low to get what you wanted, Jacques. But this?
Clover glanced at Ironwood and then walked out of the room, continuing to listen to his communicator.
Jacques: This is all a great leap, James.
Ironwood: No, it's quite simple really -- now that I know Arthur Watts is alive. Working with a madman like Tyrian Callows, it would be easy for someone like him to coordinate an unthinkably heinous act like the one in that warehouse. Watts designed Mantle's entire security network. He used that access to hack the surveillance system and frame someone else for the job.
Everyone but Jacques looked at Penny, who looked away sadly. Ruby placed her hand on Penny's shoulder. Ironwood looked at Jacques again.
Ironwood: All while stealing an election.
Ironwood moved closer to Jacques, who became nervous.
Ironwood: And once you became a Councilman, your newly granted clearance gave him a...
He slammed his hands onto the chair's arms.
Ironwood: Backdoor into Atlas' secure network. But you probably hadn't even considered that, had you?
Robyn: The people that died that night, their blood is on your hands.
Sleet: Jacques Schnee must be tried, not only for treason, but as an accessory to murder.
Jacques: These are outrageous accusations! I only intended to win the election. I had nothing to do--
Robyn: Only?
Enraged, Robyn grabbed the nearest chair and slammed it into the wall. Penny put her hand to her lips, and Jacques, Ironwood, Winter and the councilmen looked at Robyn. Ironwood straightened up.
Camilla: What else will he be able to do with the access Jacques' given him?
Ironwood: With enough time... whatever he wants.
Jacques, Camilla, Sleet and Ironwood's scrolls all buzzed and pinged, with Jacques' scroll lighting up the pocket of his coat. The sudden noise and sensation caused Jacques to jump in fright.
Ironwood, Camilla and Sleet withdrew their scrolls. Camilla deployed her scroll's screen, which displayed an emergency alert, and Sleet answered a call on his.
Sleet: Wait... wait, what? What do you mean the heat has gone off?
Weiss gasped and put her hand to her lips. Blake looked worried, and Yang looked somewhat angry.
Jacques: You have to believe me, I-I-I didn't know he was planning this.
Winter slammed her hands down on the arm of Jacques' chair, and he flinched away from her.
Winter: You are going to shut your mouth and get the heating grid up and running again.
Jacques: I... I've been informed that we can't get into the system. It's... it's been blocked off.
Ironwood had been staring at the alert on his scroll's screen, which said "! Emergency Alert !" and "Atlas Council Security Notification". He lowered his scroll and turned away, while Robyn walked over to a window and placed her hand on it, looking outside.
Sleet: Without heat down there... people are going to die.
Penny and Ruby looked at each other worriedly. Ironwood had his hand to his jaw, covering his lips. Ruby walked over to him.
Ruby: General Ironwood? How bad is it?
Ironwood typed something into his scroll and then scrolled through things, one being a screen that displayed a shape similar to the Amity Communications Tower.
Ironwood: He's using Jacques' credentials. We can follow that activity on the network. If he's found his way into the Amity system...
Robyn turned her head and looked at Ironwood.
Ironwood: No, the secret is safe. For now. But if he learns about Amity, she learns about Amity.
While he spoke, Ironwood walked past Ruby and Robyn, both of whom watched him.
Weiss: Can you block his access?
He walked past Weiss, Blake and Yang, swiping through pages that kept bringing up an "Access Denied" alert.
Ironwood: It's too late. He's already starting to lock us out.
Blake: Can we trace him somehow? Find out where he's hiding?
Ironwood: He's going to be mobile. We need his access point. We need to get him out in the open.
Robyn: Okay, so let me get this straight.
Ironwood stopped, and he, Blake, Yang, Weiss and Penny looked at Robyn. She held up her hand and then did a finger gun gesture as she spoke.
Robyn: Yep, still here everyone.
Robyn resumed a serious expression and walked toward Ironwood.
Robyn: How do a disgraced scientist and disappeared serial killer find each other, General? Why would they target you? And why are you working so hard to hide the Amity Communications Tower from them?
Ironwood: You know?
In Mantle, an even larger crowd had begun to gather around the bonfire, with more people running toward it. Pietro and Maria exited the clinic and watched worriedly.
AK-200: Citizens, please disperse. For your own safety, please disperse.
Five Atlesian Knight-200s approached some of the civilians and then stood still.
AK-200: For your own safety, please--
A pair of civilians wielding metal pipes suddenly attacked the front to AK-200s and began beating the fallen robots with the pipes. Nearby, Pietro watched, horrified.
The Grimm sirens began going off, and the street lamps turned red. A large herd of Megoliaths were charging toward a break in Mantle's wall. A group of Mantas flew toward the herd.
Pilot: Atlas, Manta Team Delta -- beginning first run.
One of the Mantas fired a barrage of missiles at the Megoliaths, but the Grimm appeared to be unaffected. The Mantas continued firing missiles at the Megoliaths, while a small group of Sabyrs ran ahead and attacked the AK-200s guarding the hole in the wall, quickly knocking the robots down.
A pair of Atlas soldiers were stationed atop the wall, firing at Grimm that approached it, and they watched the Sabyrs run through the streets. The soldiers heard a screeching noise, looked back, and then ducked down and covered their heads as a Teryx flew overhead.
Robyn stood face to face with Ironwood.
Robyn: I used to think you were hiding something to protect yourself. But I can tell there's something much bigger going on here. Now I think it's to protect something else. Us... Atlas, maybe even all of Remnant. And you're afraid of what might happen if you tell the truth.
Ironwood frowned. The double doors on the other end of the room swung open, with Clover and Oscar on the other side.
Clover: General, the Grimm are all over Mantle.
Clover and Oscar hurried across the room to stand near Ironwood.
Clover: The air fleet's doing everything they can, but they can't easily target Grimm in the city without risking casualties.
Ironwood: This... this is what I was afraid would happen.
Ironwood put his hand to his jaw and walked away.
Clover: Sir, we need ground support now.
Robyn: What we need is to start evacuating Mantle. If it's completely overrun, it's not going to be safe anywhere. Use the fleet to get--
Ironwood: If I move the fleet, then Atlas is vulnerable. I... I tried to keep the kingdom safe. And now we're losing everything.
Ironwood placed his right hand on the wall and leaned on that arm, covering his face with his left hand. Oscar approached him, resting his hand on the Relic of Knowledge.
Oscar: General? Earlier, you asked for my advice.
Ironwood: I wanted Ozpin's advice.
Oscar: And his advice probably would've been to keep your secrets. When we first got here, you already knew that wasn't the right course. You had a new plan.
Ironwood: It's time to give up on that plan.
Ironwood straightened up, lowering his hand from his face.
Ironwood: It's all falling apart.
Oscar: The panic you were worried about? It's already happening. The secrets you're keeping? They're about to be in the open anyway. It's time.
Ironwood turned and looked at Oscar.
Oscar: Tell the truth.
Ruby: You're not alone.
Ironwood looked over to see that Ruby had approached him with an encouraging smile.
Ruby: We can do this together.
Ironwood nodded and smiled.
Ironwood: Thank you. Oscar, I think it's time you get back to the Academy.
Oscar: I think you're right.
Oscar rested his hand on the Relic again. While Ironwood spoke, Winter brought out her scroll and started using it, heading over to him.
Ironwood: Miss Hill, Councilman Sleet, Councilwoman Camilla, there are some things you need to know about. Let's figure out how we can help Mantle... together.
Winter held up her scroll, with "Transport Authorized" displayed at the top of the screen.
Winter: I've called a transport.
Yang: What about Watts and Tyrian?
Ironwood: You leave them to me. Right now, you're needed down below.
Ruby stepped toward the others and posed with her hands on her hips, while Winter watched, smiling.
Ruby: Alright everybody, it's time to do our jobs. All of us.
Weiss, Blake and Yang looked at Penny, who smiled.
Clover: What she said. Let's make it happen, Huntsmen.
Clover headed out of the room with Team RWBY, Penny, Oscar and Winter following him. In the hallway, the group passed by the dark-haired waitress who had been serving the council earlier that night. As she watched them go, she narrowed her dark green eyes and smirked.
The last remaining party guests ran out the manor's front door, which Marrow was holding open. Jaune, Nora and Ren headed outside, as well. In the foyer, Ruby ran to catch up with Oscar.
Ruby: Oscar?
Oscar turned to face Ruby, who nearly bumped into him.
Ruby and Oscar: I--
The two awkwardly interrupted and spoke over each other.
Ruby: Oh.
Oscar: Oh, you first.
Ruby: Sorry. I didn't meant to interrupt--
Oscar: You didn't, actually.
Ruby: Um... I just wanted to say uh--
Oscar: I had thought that maybe--
Ruby and Oscar: We should tell Ironwood.
The two laughed awkwardly while Ruby's teammates ran past.
Ruby: Well, uh... I guess we're on the same page, huh?
Oscar: Guess so. He's finally choosing the truth over fear. We should do the same.
Ruby: I'll tell him. I'm the one who chose to keep it from him in the first place.
Marrow: Ruby! Transport's leaving.
Marrow pointed out the door with his thumb, and Ruby waved her hands to him.
Oscar: I think you're needed elsewhere.
Oscar started heading to the dining room.
Ruby: You're sure?
Oscar: Yeah, I've got it.
He gave her a thumbs up and continued on his way, and she headed to the front door. They both stopped and turned to each other, once again accidentally speaking over each other.
Ruby: Good luck in there.
Oscar: Good luck down there.
They laugh awkwardly, and Ruby did a finger gun gesture at him with both hands before running out the door.
Marrow: Ugh, kids.
Marrow walked out the door, as (Y/N) ran by Oscar, waving to him. He ran through the door, but quickly turned around, and scaled the wall behind him, climbing over it as he looked down.
Team RWBY, Team JNR, Qrow and the Ace Operatives flew toward Mantle aboard a Manta that was being piloted by Harriet. Clover looks out the windshield, then turns around to address everyone sitting in the passenger area in the back.
Clover: Alright, everyone. I need to stress to our new Huntsmen and Huntresses, we are prioritizing citizen safety over killing Grimm. Got it?
Teams RWBY and JNR nodded their heads in acknowledgement. Nora looked at Ren, who had his head turned away and his eyes closed. She set her hand on top of his and gripped it, and he curled his fingers to grip her fingertips. They looked at each other and then looked down.
Yang watched them. Blake looked at Yang, who looked back at her, then turned her eyes away and smiled.
High in the air, a Teryx trailed the Manta, uttering a small screech.
Sleet, Camilla and Robyn stood out in the hallway in the Schnee Manor.
Sleet: She can control Grimm?
Camilla: Ironwood wouldn't lie about something like this.
Sleet: Do you really think he can stop her?
Robyn looked at the door.
Inside the dining room, Ironwood was sitting at the table with a stunned expression. Oscar was sitting to his right.
Ironwood: She... can't be killed. Jinn told you this?
Oscar: She showed us when we asked what Oz was hiding.
Ironwood: Why? Why would Oz keep this from us? From the people who trusted him?
Oscar: He was worried you would lose hope.
Ironwood turned away a little, resting his hand over his mouth.
Oscar: We're sorry we kept it from you, too. We didn't know who to trust. I figured you should know before you make any... sacrifices.
They sat in silence for a couple of seconds.
Oscar: Sir? What are you gonna do?
Ironwood lowered his hand from his face, uncertain at first.
Ironwood: I... All we can do for the moment is what we can to save Mantle. That's what's in front of us.
Oscar: He'd be proud of you. You're bringing the hope that Atlas was meant to inspire. A city in the sky is held to a higher standard.
Ironwood: You say that... like you were ther--
Ironwood's scroll, which was sitting on the table, beeped. He tapped the screen.
Ironwood: Our transports are here. We should move.
Oscar nodded, stood up and headed for the door. As soon as his back was turned to Ironwood, his smile turned into a frown.
Ironwood: Oscar.
Ironwood pushed his chair away from the table and turned it sideways so he could look at Oscar.
Ironwood: No more surprises, all right? I'm not sure I could take it.
Oscar, having turned to face Ironwood, smiled a little.
Oscar: You and me both.
In the skies above Mantle, a Teryx landed on the front end of the Ace-Ops' Manta and looked through the windshield. It roared and spread its wings. Marrow looked into the back of the ship.
Marrow: Hang on!
Jaune, Nora, Ren, Blake and Yang had buckled their seatbelts. Jaune was leaning on his sword with his eyes closed in concentration. Elm held onto Qrow and Clover, activating her semblance to keep her footing. Weiss created black-and-purple glyphs under herself, Ruby and Vine to keep the three of them steady.
Harriet began making the Manta perform maneuvers, leaning and spinning in an attempt to knock the Teryx off. Inside, Jaune held back vomit, and Ren looked at Nora, holding onto her right arm.
The Teryx let go with its hind legs and swung itself to stand on top of the Manta. It then made its way down the right side of the ship and swung its right hand at the ship. Blake and Yang heard a noise and leaned away from each other, just in time to avoid the Teryx's claws as they slashed straight through the wall. Yang yelped, looking terrified.
Harriet: I can't shake it!
Another Teryx swooped down, slammed its hind claws through the ship's right wing, and flew away, causing an explosion in the ship's wing. Debris flew off the damaged wing, which began flaming and smoking, and the ship became unsteady.
Marrow: I don't think we're staying airborne.
Qrow: It's time to go.
Clover: You have your team assignments.
Clover headed over to the ship door, flicking his clover medal with his thumb.
Clover: Let's go.
He hit the airship's door, making it slide open. On the other side of the door was the Teryx's head, and it screeched at Clover, who confidently stood with his back to it and a smirk on his face. Half of the damaged ship wing snapped off and slammed into the Teryx, knocking it off the ship. Jaune, Ren, Weiss and Nora jumped out of the ship one by one.
Elm: Harriet, don't stay too long.
Harriet: Yeah, thanks for the tip.
Marrow, Yang and Blake jumped out of the ship. Elm and Clover clasped hands with each other, and then Elm jumped up, grabbed onto the ship, and swung herself out. Glass from the front of the ship shattered and flew backward toward Clover, who shielded his face with his arms.
Harriet was standing on the pilot seat with her weapon deployed, having shattered the windshield. She looked back at Ruby and smirked.
Harriet: Try to keep up, kid.
Ruby laughed and grinned excitedly. Harriet used her semblance to jump out the broken windshield, run along the top of the ship and jump off the tail, while Ruby followed her, flying through the air with her own semblance.
The ship began descending toward Mantle, and Qrow opened the other door. Clover saluted him and fell backward from the ship.
Qrow: Show off.
Qrow leapt from the ship and did a flip before letting himself freefall.
In the foyer of the Schnee Manor, Whitley was sitting at the bottom of the main staircase, staring sadly out the open front door.
Jacques: How dare you! This is highly unnecessary.
Atlas soldiers were escorting Jacques to a prison transport airship, while another soldier spoke with Willow.
Jacques: I will not stand for this. Don't touch me like that.
Willow turned and looked at Whitley, who got up and ran up the stairs. Willow turned back around, looking down sadly. The soldiers continued escorting Jacques, whose wrists were bound in front of him by a bolas.
Jacques: I'll be reporting this rough treatment.
The soldiers pushed him inside, and one of them slammed the door shut.
Jacques: What is your name and badge number?
While this happened, the dark-haired waitress exited the Schnee Manor, and as the ship flew away, she began cheerfully skipping with her hands behind her back.
(Y/N) jumped down from his position, landing softly as he walked after her from a rather long distance away.
In a hallway, the dark-haired waitress entered the passcode 1210 next to a door. The number pad beeped in confirmation, and the door slid open. She glanced down the hall both ways and then entered, walking over to a glass wall with a view of the City of Atlas, where she stood with her hand on her hip. She heard a voice behind her, and a light turned on.
Cinder: Huh. You're back early.
Cinder was leaning against a wall. The waitress rolled her eyes, then turned to face Cinder, who took a few steps forward.
Cinder: Tell me you found what we've been looking for.
The waitress struck a sassy pose, bringing her index finger to her cheek in a feigned thinking gesture. As she did so, pink energy resembling clusters of glass shards moved up her body, dispelling the illusion and revealing her to be Neo. Neo flicked Roman Torchwick's hat atop her head and smirked at Cinder.
Outside (Y/N) listened in, using his helmet, and scanned the number pad, getting the code numbers down to two 1's, a 2, and a 0.
(Y/N): Cinder...
Until next time!