RWBY: The Nightmare
W.T. Roberts
2
"General!" the subordinate announced. "There is a recruit here with the report on Hornburg Prison has arrived!" Ironwood stood, wincing at the servos in his cybernetics. The door whooshed open, allowing the nightguard to enter. The general, expecting a steely sort of fellow, was taken aback at the raw fear in the youth's eyes. Ironwood elected to begin bluntly. "What did you see?" The rookie's eyes dilated, and his jaw tightened against his face. Several times, the youth opened to speak, but couldn't utter a single note. "Take your time, soldier." Ironwood assured him. Instantly, the guard wailed, the words tumbling out in a rush. "It was a nightmare… it killed everyone… nothing could stop it!" Ironwood paused before going on, considering the soldier's apparent state. "You've done your duty, young man. You are dismissed."
To Ironwood, the mystery was one of true insolvability. He had specifically built Hornburg as a facility for the enemies of Atlesian state. Suddenly, the realization dawned on Ironwood; the only prisoner capable of escaping Hornburg… was the one that had been Ironwood's most challenging adversary. The general tapped the comm on his desk. "Yes, sir." The secretary reported. "Give me a check on missing prisoners from Hornburg." A round of typing could be heard over the speaker, then silence. "Well, lieutenant." Ironwood prompted. "General…" the secretary stuttered. "The only escapee was Jonas the Nightmare." In a fit, Ironwood slammed his chromatic fist against his desk, crushing the nano-alloy. Then, with a sense for the hunt, James radioed his outer garrison to prepare for a nightly watch.
The children of the Miracle of Haven had finally departed from the magna-train to Atlesian soil. After Qrow showed the two huntsman off, the party set off to meet with General Ironwood. Ruby and her posse passed by the outer bailey, wondering why the extra caution with new arrivals. One of the guards, a young man who had just earned his third bar, halted the group. "State your business," he demanded. "Stand down," a familiar voice commanded sternly. The officer sauntered off, revealing a weathered Ironwood. "Come with me." The general said with a warm smile.
The banquet hall had fallen in disuse since Ironwood had been occupied with the Grimm crises. Now, however, the hall had been restored to its former glory, yet perhaps grander. As Weiss passed through the oaken doors, she raced to her older sister, intent on an embrace. Still, Winter shot her sibling a stern look, indicating the general in the room. "We can dispense with the formalities, Schnee." Ironwood assured her. In response, Winter enveloped her sister in a rather tight hug. Ironwood made sure everyone ha been seated, then glared at Oscar. "No need for that, James. I'm in full control." "You old man, have some explaining to do." Ironwood declared.
Soon, the dining hall was filled with raucous laughter, as the ones separated reunited. To everyone else's surprise, Ironwood had a sensible wit and sense of humor. Then, all fell quiet for a pregnant moment as a soldier busted through the side door, screaming an alert. As the guard slid to a stop, a spike tentacle burst through his chest, slick with his own blood. Then, the lighting sparked, then died. The door then slammed shut, followed by a bloody light surrounding the form of the Nightmare from Hornburg. "Jonas," Ironwood snarled. "Hello, General." The creature said chillingly. Jonas's amber eyes ominously opened, to gaze at Ozpin. "Father." The beast intoned. The raw spite behind that word was plain, so Ironwood drew his pistol and fired at the tentacled apparition. Jonas vanished in a crimson flare, to reappear on the other side of the hall. "You know weapons are of no use to you, old friend." Jonas warned in a silken tone. "What do you want?" Ruby asked shakily. "I am not here to speak to a frightened child." The monster spat venomously. Who says I'm afraid?" Yang popped off. Jonas flicked a tentacle at her, roaring: "You do! You stink of fear!". "What do you want, Jonas?" Ozpin echoed. "I am here to bargain, old man." Ironwood leaped from his seat. "You are in no position…" he began. Jonas shot a spike at the general, which blew him back and pinned him to the wall. The utter inhumanity behind the creature's laughter was haunting to the bone. "Now," Jonas uttered plainly. "I am here to strike a deal, and you had better amuse me." "Name your terms." Ozpin shot back. Jonas glided closer to the table, stretching out an appendage. "I want… her." His arm affixed at Ruby. "WHAT?!" Yang reared up. Jonas matched her gaze, showing her the sheer madness to them. Yang reluctantly backed down… wary. "Your terms." The creature intoned. "You will reveal the location of Salem." Ozpin offered. "I no longer work for my mother." Jonas denied. "How do we know you're not lying?" Jaune inquired. "Well, boy." Jonas went on. "Let's play this out logically, then boy. First, I will kill your dear, precious flower to demonstrate my resolve. Then if yours holds, I will be forced to kill all of you." The monster grinned cruelly.
Ozpin spoke, to break the silence. "My new terms are that you lead us to Salem." Jonas howled with laughter. "You think… that I even care about your little quest?" "Then join us," Ruby offered. Jonas laughed even louder. "Your war against the Grimm, Salem. All of that is folly!"
As this was transpiring, Ironwood, detached his prosthetic arm, and creeped over to the alarm. He slapped it, and the sirens began blaring. In a rage, Jonas seized Ruby, then sprouted skeletal wings, rushing to the reinforced window. With a thrust of a tentacle, the glass shattered. Jonas then bounded through the opening, with Ruby in tow, screaming.
