Disclaimer: BioShock is owned by 2K and Irrational Games, and RWBY is owned and property of Rooster Teeth. I own nothing.
A/N: I have changed the relationships between certain BioShock characters to fit with the story.
Andrew Ryan stared out of the window of the council room and into the vast expansive sea beyond. Rapture, the city at the bottom of the sea that he had founded was bustling in a time of prosperity and economic boon. The free market gave business owners freedom to expand and deal as they pleased, and artists were able to paint, craft, and create without the fear of censor or of government regulation.
It was a contrast to the surface above that still had kingdoms and villages, and in his opinion had too much ties to schools and military power. Here in the underwater city of Rapture separation of those powers was a key ideal in The Great Chain. And yet Ryan could not help but see the irony in the current council meeting that was occurring right now: whether or not to resume contact with the surface.
Ryan's oceanic blue eyes scanned the round table where each of the council members sat, as he himself took his own seat. To his right was a man about a decade or two older than himself, Rapture's architect and someone he considered to be a close friend, Bill McDonagh.
Sitting next to Bill was the founder of Rapture's many scientific breakthrough's and founder of Little Wonders Orphanage, Brigid Tenenbaum, or as most referred to her as: Mother Goose. To her right was the new owner of The Rapture Metro Public Transportation and owner of Sinclair Solutions, Augustus Sinclair, a reliable if not sly fellow.
Next to Sinclair sat Dr. J.S. Steinman, a gifted surgeon who thrived in Rapture without any regulation from government, unlike on the surface where his methods were viewed as too bold and daring to be attempted. Then there was his chief of police Sullivan, a former hunter of team STDD (Stud), but turned to the life of an officer after witnessing the death of his team leader.
The next member was one of the two people he butted heads with on several occasions: Dr. Sophia Lamb, a brilliant psychologist who believed she had a part to play in helping the citizens of Rapture cope with their underwater environment and help them move beyond their own being. Of course that ideal of an almost hive-mind clashed with his own of individual rights.
In place of the famed artist Sander Cohen sat one of his disciples, Anna Culpepper. Ryan knew very little about Culpepper only that she studied under Cohen, whom he considered to be his favorite artist in the city for his ability to paint and craft how something was and how it ought to be.
And finally sitting on his direct left was perhaps his biggest rival and the only individual who could get under his skin more than Lamb: Frank Fontaine. Fontaine himself had a bald egg head with a thin black moustache giving him the appearance of a gangster. And that wouldn't be too far from the truth. Ryan knew bits and pieces of the man's past, but what he did know was that Fontaine was able to obtain a great deal of his wealth in the Kingdom of Atlas and he allegedly was operating a smuggling ring with the surface.
Ryan would like nothing more than to throw the man in one of Persephone's cells, but there was no real evidence to convict Fontaine just yet. Besides Ryan's son Jack was best friends with Fontaine's nephew, a boy named Atlas. Jack was always on his scroll talking to the other boy whenever he had the time. Ryan himself never understood it, the two of them were on the same team for hunters and huntresses. Even though Rapture was at the bottom of the sea the creatures of Grimm still posed a threat. But that was besides the point, he had a meeting to lead.
"Good evening everyone," Ryan greeted to assembled group of individuals. "I am glad that you were all able to attend. Or almost everyone." Ryan cast a glance to where Culpepper sat in Cohen's usual seat. "I take it our good artist was busy?"
"Yes Mr. Ryan," Culpepper said with a nod.
"I take it Cohen vas busy creating his newest masterpiece?" Tenenbaum asked in her thick Eastern Mistral accent.
"Indeed," Culpepper confirmed. "He said his muse had shown him a vision and that he had to act quickly to capture the moment on canvas."
"That or he was just making an excuse not to come to our boring little meetings," Sinclair remarked earning a few snickers from around the table. Leave it to Sinclair to try and put people in a good mood.
"So the art-job couldn't make it," Fontaine said in his thick inner Atlas city accent. "Knowin' how he is with his 'disciples' Culpepper here should have no problem votin' for the loon."
"Regardless," Ryan said before Anna could counter Fontaine, "we are all assembled to discuss what is to be done about our connection to the surface. You all know my personal opinion on the matter but I will turn the topic to you good people. Fontaine since you proposed this meeting would you care to start?"
"Way I see's it Rapture is all about growth," Fontaine said in his thick accent. "How'd ya expect a bird to grow if it can't even get outta its shell? And while we're stuck down there who knows what's goin' on up there. I'm not sayin' we act all buddy-buddy to those stiffs but just enough to benefit ourselves."
"You seem to pretty determined Mr. Fontaine," Sullivan observed. "I take it your business would grow quite well with income from the surface."
Yes, Ryan thought. If it was true Fontaine was running a smuggling ring then opening up trade to the surface would make his transactions legal, but no doubt lower the cost of whatever he was selling or importing. What game are you playing at Frank?
"If you're talkin' 'bout business," McDonagh stepped in, "think what will happen down here. Everyone from the surface will want to set up a stake here, and if they can do it, why not the governments?"
"McDonagh raises a fair point," Steinman agreed. "Rapture was founded with the idea of remaining separate from those parasites on the surface. Our haven could turn to into the very thing from that we fled. We should remain to do as we see fit."
"Do you actually believe we're that well hidden Steinman?" Fontaine asked as he reached inside his coat pocket to take out a cigar.
"Care to elaborate on that?" Sullivan asked his gaze fixed on the bald entrepreneur. Fontaine paid the chief of police little mind as he lit his cigar.
"Want to answer that Doc?" Fontaine asked of Tenenbaum who shook her head at Fontaine's behavior.
"Vhat he means is that Rapture is known to some on the surface," Tenenbaum bluntly stated. Ryan could feel the atmosphere turn heavy. Sullivan's jaw was clenched. Bill darted his eyes from Tenenbaum to himself, Sinclair had raised an eyebrow and looked genially shocked. Culpepper was biting the bottom of her lip, while Fontaine continued to smoke his cigar. "Surely the top minds in the fields of art and science do not just disappear vithout raising a few questions?"
Ryan himself laced his fingers together and rested his chin on them. If the circumstances were different then he surely would have lost control of himself, but this was something he already knew. To build Rapture he needed resources, ship, manpower, and those things tended to draw a lot of attention. If not for those factors there was that of the city of Columbia that was constructed around the same time as Rapture, only its location was in the sky.
Much like Rapture, Columbia was unsatisfied with the workings of the surface and broke apart. The city's founder Zachary Comstock, wanted to return to what he considered to be the golden age of humanity, that included elaborate and fancy dresses, a grand sense of nationalism, and a strong sense of racism towards faunus.
The only reason Ryan knew of Columbia was because Rapture had become the home to Comstock's son and granddaughter, Booker DeWitt who had been a former hunter alongside Sullivan, and his daughter Elizabeth DeWitt who was on the same team as Jack and Atlas. Booker and his daughter apparently didn't take too kind to Comstock's ideals and were somehow able to discover the lighthouse that led to the underwater city. Of course Ryan had questioned them extensively once they were discovered in the city, and with Sullivan vouching for DeWitt they were permitted to stay.
Apart from the two DeWitt's the only other person Ryan knew that had knowledge of his city was that of the headmaster of Beacon Academy: Ozpin. Ryan wasn't the most trusting person by nature, but seeing as Ozpin's school didn't fall into direct jurisdiction of any government and largely operated as an independent entity helped a great deal. Ryan knew Ozpin well enough from his life on the surface to know that the headmaster would not go and tell the secret of Rapture except only to those in his most inner circle.
"So what does this mean for us?" Sullivan finally asked. "If our existence really is publicly known then-,"
"I did not say it vas known to the public," Tenenbaum cut the chief off. "I only mentioned that our disappearances would not go unnoticed."
"Well how many know?" Bill asked. "This isn't somethin' to be takin' lightly. Mr. Ryan surely you must-,"
"I am well aware of that fact McDonagh," Ryan told the other man. "As I am also of the only person who knows of Rapture will keep the secret as long as it does not disturb the affairs of the surface."
"You knew Mr. Ryan?" Steinman asked clearly not happy.
"You can all rest assured that the man who knows is an old acquaintance of mine, one of the few whom I actually hold some respect for. But I am curious as to how you knew that bit of information Fontaine," Ryan said turning the attention back to the cigar smoking man.
"You're not the only one o' us with connections in Vale Ryan," Fontaine said. "Information's a powerful thing after all. Only reason I called this meeting was to let you all know I got a message from that acquaintance o' yours informin' me about what was going on up in Vale."
"No doubt about that," Tenenbuam agreed. "But that still raises the question of vhat ve are to do."
"If someone has known and has kept quiet, I saw we leave it be," Bill McDonagh voiced his opinion. "If they know about us and keep to themselves then we should leave it at that. No use in starting problems where none exist."
"Just who is the soul that knows anyhow?" Sinclair inquired.
"Professor Ozpin of Beacon Academy," Ryan supplied. Much to his pleasure he saw many of the more extreme faces like Steinman and Sullivan be put to ease. No doubt they knew of Ozpin's reputation. "But why would he be contacting you Fontaine simply to inform you of the happenings of the surface?"
"Cus apparently a boy who used to work for me 'fore I came to Rapture got arrested by Atlas' military in Vale. Ol' Oz found a way to contact me askin' if I knew anything," Fontaine smoothly answered. "Hell I wouldn't be too surprised if he tried to contact you next Ryan."
"Well what was he asking about?" Sullivan asked wanting to make sure Rapture's safety was not put at risk.
"Just wanted to know my connection to the guy who got nabbed, Torchwick. All I told him was he used to be one o' my boys back in the day, but he left to go do his own thing. Heh," Fontaine chuckled. "He must be doin' a pretty bad job if he went an' got caught, an' by four little girls from what I heard."
"Vas there anything else?" Tenenbaum asked in an attempt to keep Fontaine on track.
"Jus' that he didn't believe Vale was as safe as it used to be," Fontaine casually replied. "Mentioned something about their 'Vytal Tournament' an' how he was thinking of holding it in a separate location."
"So that's what he wants?" Culpepper asked. "A place to host their tournament."
"It might seem harmless enough, but what about after?" Sullivan questioned still skeptical. "Once we open Rapture to the surface who's to try and stop other entities from coming and trying to seize power?"
"We could just open it for the tournament and go back to seclusion after that," Sinclair proposed. "Consider it like a special treat for the kiddies that fight for their lives up there."
"You're talkin' like this is some kind of bloody field trip," McDonagh told Sinclair. "This is about our ideals and staying true to 'em. If we're putting this to a vote then I'm sorry but I have to say no."
"That's a no for me as well," Sullivan and Steinman both agreed.
"I'm going to be the brave one and say aye," Fontaine objected. No doubt looking to get some kind of benefit out of it.
"If Mr. Cohen were here I know he would vote aye as well," Culpepper voted on behalf of the artist. "He will undoubtedly want to show off many of his new works to any visitors."
"You have my vote as well," Sinclair agreed. "I do think many of those surface dwellers will pay a hefty price to take a ride in an underwater train." At least Sinclair was open with his intentions.
"I vill say aye as well," Tenenbaum said. "Vhile I do not hold much care for the surface in my heart I do believe this may prove beneficial."
"Looks like my charm won another beauty on my side," Fontaine joked as Tenenbaum kept her face neutral towards the businessman.
"I believe that leaves you as the deciding vote Dr. Lamb," McDonagh observed.
"Yes," Ryan said. "You have been quiet this entire meeting." Not that Ryan was complaining about that or anything.
Lamb fixed Ryan with her cold blue gaze from behind her glasses as she pushed them back further up on her nose. "Rapture operates like a human body," the psychologist began. "We embody the brain, the workers embody the blood, the Big Daddies the antibodies, and ADAM the DNA. All components are needed to maintain sustainability and function. It is easy to view Rapture as one individual and the surface as another. But are we so different? Much like the surface we require the use of hunters and huntresses if ever a Grimm threat should arise like the one that sank Fontaine's Department Store. "
"Thank you for remindin' me 'bout that loss of income," Fontaine said sparing a glance at the doctor, which she chose to ignore.
"As leaders it is our responsibility to ensure that our sanctuary is protected," Lamb continued on stoically. "No doubt many consider those on the surface to be little more than bacteria, but remember, bacteria can strengthen the body just as much as it can weaken it."
"What a professional way of saying yes," Sinclair quipped.
Ryan regarded the other blue eyed woman sitting across from him coldly. "Motion carried," Ryan announced. "Rapture will open itself to the surface, if only for their tournament and not a minute longer." Ryan would have to contact Ozpin about this. It would have been impossible to do so given Rapture's location beneath the waves, but the lighthouse that served as entrance was also able to broadcast and receive scroll calls. Once he contacted Ozpin, Ryan would make sure all the proper terms of the agreement were in place, because knowing Ozpin there was likely more of a reason to his motives than just wanting another place to hold his tournament.
"Would all students please gather in the auditorium," the voice of Professor Glynda Goodwitch announced from the schools speakers. Ruby Rose who had been enjoying snacking on some cookies to celebrate Torchwick's capture jumped down from her makeshift bunk-bed.
"What do you think that's about?" Yang asked.
"Only one way to find out I suppose," Blake rhetorically answered.
"Team RWBY to the auditorium!" Ruby declared as she bolted for the designated assembly with the other three members of her team following behind as fast as they could which was hard considering Ruby's super speed.
"Come on, let's go find seats," Ruby said once they had arrived in the auditorium.
"Would it kill you to slow down once in a while?" Weiss asked indignantly not at all happy that Ruby had sprinted to the aud.
"Whoa Weiss," Yang said. "Why don't you chill out?" her pun elicited groans from the other three girls.
"You have dad's sense of humor alright," Ruby told her sister.
"Don't act like you don't love it," Yang said.
Finding some open seats the girls sat themselves down, and as they awaited for the reason as to why they were asked to gather Ruby scanned the sea of students for familiar faces. It appeared that students from the other academy's were gathered as well. Spotting team JNPR make their way into the aud she waved them over to a row of empty seats behind where her team sat.
"Hey Ruby," Jaune greeted as he and his team took their own seats. "Kinda crazy asking us all to come here right?"
"Maybe we're throwing a surprise party for somebody!" Nora theorized.
"Who's birthday is it?" Ren asked in his usual monotone.
"Somebody's somewhere," Nora replied.
"That's not untrue," Ren had to admit.
"Ahem," a magnified voice cleared its throat over the microphone. Turning their attention to the stage the hunters and huntresses in training were greeted with the sight of Professor Ozpin standing and waiting to address the assembled student body.
"I'll try to keep this as brief as possible," the headmaster spoke after taking a sip of his coffee. "As you all know Beacon Academy has been chosen to host this year's Vytal Festival." Ozpin paused to take another sip. "However given recent circumstances revolving around the breach in Vale has led to a growing sense of unease. Despite the assistance from the Atlas Military there is no denying what happened. Which is why under due consideration it has been decided to host the festival in another location."
Instantly whispering broke out amongst the assembled students. "What does he mean?" Ruby asked those next to her. "I mean we caught Torchwick and the breach was sealed, so where could it be held instead?"
"Perhaps Mistral," Pyrrha suggested. "It would be nice to visit home."
"I say Atlas," Weiss gave her opinion. "General Ironwood probably suggested holding it in what he believes to be the safest kingdom."
"No doubt you are all wondering where," Ozpin continued after listing to the students collected confusion. "Honestly I wouldn't expect any of you to know of it." That certainly caught all of their attentions. "This year's festival will now be held in the city of Rapture."