A Time for Truth
And here we are, leading into the climax of the story as the truth finally reveals itself. Now for a quick but very delayed answer (apologies you had to wait so long) to a guest question about a Black Clover fic. I could write one but not at the moment as a recent vote just finished for my next story, a Demon Slayer story. I may write one in the future. But enough on that, on to the story!
Atlas: Just Outside the Gates of Schnee Manor
'Here at last here at last,' thought one of the Schnee butlers, a girl with long dark hair and green eyes dressed in the typical grey vest and pants along with the trademark white long-sleeved shirt. But her demeanor was not that of a butler, in fact she didn't seem terribly professional at all as she skipped forward every now and then with her hands behind her back. What would've been most unnerving to anyone if they looked at the wrong time was the girl's mischievous smile. At least she was smiling until she caught movement out of the corner of her eye in the shadows of a nearby building.
The girl halted, analyzing the location as her senses went on high alert, until she heard the voice of the one in the shadows. "I see you've done well for yourself, in a manner of speaking," said a wolf-eared Faunus in a dark trench coat as he stepped into the light of the moon, "but I should've figured it was only a matter of time before you robbed the Schnee family, Neo." The girl's expression changed instantly to one of glee as a pink shine passed over her body, revealing her true pink, white and black clothing with white boots and gloves and a low cut top. The girl, now revealed as Neapolitan, tackle hugged Exo, nuzzling her face in his chest. "Yes I've missed you too. Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've gotten to talk to a proper psychotic girl my age?"
The petite girl made a little laughing motion at that as she released her mercenary friend. "So I take it Roman really is no more if that hat is anything to go by?" The girl's smile fell then as she gave a simple nod while adjusting the unmistakable hat of Roman Torchwick that sat upon her head. "Well I can't say I'll cry for the prick, but I do hate that there's one less thing in the world that makes you happy. Come to think of it, what brings you all the way to Atlas, revenge possibly?"
Neo answered him by shifting her appearance to that of the familiar hooded Ruby Rose before shifting back to herself. "Nailed it. But ya know I can't help but notice you've got the slight scent of burning ash on you as well." His answer to that was Neo shifting to a now well-known woman with flaming eyes and a Grimm arm.
"Oh so you brought her here too," said Exo as he stroked his chin a bit, "devious. Ya know it just so happens that Dr. Watty has shut down the heating grid to Mantle as of, a few minutes ago." The mercenary made a show of checking his watch. "I was supposed to infiltrate the robotic command center, but that place is too heavily guarded even for me to get in right now. But with a bit of time and some more negativity, well, you know how it goes. So what are you planning to do once things get hectic?"
His answer was Neo smiling mischievously as she leaned in and whispered a few of the details into his ear. Needless to say, this brought a crooked smile to the mercenary's face as well.
Night Time: Schnee Manor
General Ironwood, holder of two council seats, commander of Atlas's military forces and headmaster of Atlas Academy, was not having a terribly good day. True he hadn't been expecting a warm reception upon entering and seating himself at Jacques Schnee's extraordinarily large dining table, but even he hadn't expected Robyn Hill of all people to be present. The newly named Councilman Schnee had also made it impossible for him to get a positive word in edgewise, asking only pointed questions that he could not currently give the answers too. He actually envied Winter at this moment as she'd stormed out hardly a half hour into the proceedings, unable to put up with her Father's arrogant attitude.
And now here he was, backed into a corner with Robyn Hill holding out her hand demanding the truth of everything. But that's when things had suddenly taken an unexpected turn. Winter, her sister Weiss Schnee, along with Wayne and Aegis Ursario had all come bursting in through the double doors with a surprising declaration. "You're putting the wrong man on trial!" Said Weiss as she stepped forward to the table. "We now know the true perpetrators behind the murders, the rigging of the election and most importantly, we know that my father knows because he's been working with him."
That was Wayne's cue to set the scroll Weiss had apparently received from her mother, Willow Schnee, on the table and pull up a hologram with a very incriminating recording. "Is that, Arthur Watts?" Questioned the dark-skinned council woman, Camilla if Wayne recalled.
"Impossible!" said Councilman Sleet, a man with greying temples and glasses, "Doctor Watts died years ago in the Paladin Incident."
"The same paladins the White Fang managed to get their hands on so easily," Wayne pointed out.
"What even is all of this?" Questioned Jacques Schnee.
"Play it," said Ironwood as he stood up with a stern expression on his face. Weiss complied as she hit the button to resume.
"The only reason I don't lay off every employee in Mantle is because I need their votes for that council seat," said the recording of Jacques as Dr. Watts pulled up a seat of his own.
"And what if I told you that you could have your cake, and eat it too," said Dr. Watts before dropping a large business card in the other chair. That was when things got interesting as Exo the mercenary warped into the room, not only revealing that he'd worked for Jacques a few times but that he was also working for a new employer. But it was the next part that really caught everyone's attention.
"So for the election, what did you have in mind?" Questioned the recording of Jacques.
"As you know James Ironwood never did recognize my genius. He even disgraced me after everything I gave him. Now I wish to return the favor, and Exo here simply wishes to be paid a hefty sum."
"Just like old times in a way," quipped the mercenary as he twirled one of his knives between his fingers.
"But what do I get out of all of this?" Questioned Jacques like the businessman he was.
"Why that council seat you've been wanting," said Watts, "All I really need at this point is your login credentials to the Atlas network and your promise to make Ironwood's life a living nightmare. Exo and my other associate have already laid a good bit of groundwork with the murders of those protesting Ironwood's decisions, and with a little 'digital push' for the voters down in Mantle, your victory is more than assured."
"I always knew you were a clever scientist Arthur," said Jacques, "But even I didn't know how good of a salesman you were."
"That'll be quite enough," said Ironwood in a quiet but dangerous tone, signaling Weiss to shut off the recording.
"I, uh, that is-I can explain that," said Jacques in a clearly panicked voice as he jumped up from his seat before recomposing himself. "That video isn't real."
"Take your seat, Jacques," said councilman Sleet. If he'd been a bit wiser, the Schnee CEO might have. Instead, he chose the worst of all his options: he ran for the door. But Weiss had anticipated this and as he flung open the doors, one of her summoned knights stood barring the exit to the hallway. Jacques stumbled back in clear surprise as he ran into Aegis's outstretched foot and fell over onto the floor.
"Whoops," said Aegis with a shrug, "clumsy me, always running into people."
"Weiss, how can you do this," said her father as he turned his gaze to his daughter. But she wasn't moved as she returned a stern look of her own before pulling out her huntress license.
"Jacques Schnee, I hereby place you under arrest," she said before a thought occurred to her, "I can do that right?"
"Hey I'm not gonna ruin the moment," offered Wayne, "It's at least a step above citizen's arrest if you ask me." Weiss smiled at that before returning to glaring at her father.
"Welp," said Aegis as he pulled out a chair and practically tossed the now likely former councilman into it, "I think it's time we got some answers."
"Agreed," said Ironwood as everyone gathered around him, "Now let's talk about how you managed to stoop so low."
"That's quite a leap don't you think James," said Jacques, still trying to sound innocent.
"It's actually quite simple to piece together now that I know Arthur Watts is alive and working with a madman like Tyrian Callows and a mercenary like Exo," countered Ironwood. "Pulling off a heinous act like the one in that warehouse would be child's play for someone like him. Watts also designed all of Mantle's security network including its surveillance system which he then hacked to frame someone else, all of which he accomplished while stealing an election."
The rest of team RWBY had entered by this point, courtesy of a message sent by Weiss, and were standing by with Penny. Ruby noticed her friend was a bit distressed when the warehouse was mentioned, but calmed her with a comforting hand on her shoulder. Ironwood sent a silent thanks to her before continuing. "And once you became a councilman, Watts was able to use your newly granted access to give himself a back door into Atlas's security network," he slammed his hands on the arms of Jacques chair at that point, looking the man in the eye as he said his next words, "but I imagine you hadn't even considered that possibility."
"Or all of the people that died that night," said Robyn Hill, "their blood is on your hands."
"And you will be tried," said councilman Sleet, "not only for your treasonous actions but also as an accessory to murder!"
"All of these accusations are outrageous," Jacques tried to defend himself, "my only intention was to win the election, I didn't have any hand in-."
"Your only intention!" Robyn yelled as she angrily threw one of the chairs to the floor.
"Whatever your intentions, Jacques," Wayne practically spat the name, "do you realize the implications of letting a mad scientist have access to the world's largest security network!"
"That's a question we should have answered right now," said councilwoman Camilla as she turned to Ironwood, "what can he do with the access he's gotten from Jacques?"
"Given enough time, assuming he hasn't had enough already," replied Ironwood somberly, "Whatever he wants to do." No one knew what to say to that, but a new problem was already presenting itself as all the council member's scrolls suddenly rang. As the councilman answered his, it was obvious the news wasn't good.
"What do you mean the heat suddenly shut off," said Sleet.
"You have to believe I had no idea he was planning any of-," Jacques started to say before he was silenced by Aegis's very strong grip on his shoulder and the presence of his eldest daughter bearing down on him.
"You are going to shut up now," Said Winter, "and get that heating grid up and running again!"
"W-well I've been informed that, we can't get into the system," said Jacques, "it's somehow been, blocked off."
"People will die down there without the grid running," said Councilman Sleet somberly.
"Ironwood," said Ruby stepping forward, "Just how bad is it?"
"Not hopeless," said Ironwood as he opened up his scroll and began flipping through different menus, "if he's still using Jacques's credentials then we can follow that activity on the network and, oh good, he hasn't found his way into the Amity system. So the secret is still safe. But if he finds out, then so will she."
"Is there any way to block his access at this point?" Questioned Weiss.
"It's too late for that," replied Ironwood, "in fact he's locking 'us' out."
"If he's broadcasting from somewhere, could we trace it to his location?" Offered Blake.
"He knows to stay mobile," replied Ironwood, "what we need is to find his access point and to do that, we'll have to get him to come out into the open."
"Why don't we get one thing straight first," said Robyn Hill, grabbing everyone's attention, "Yep, still here everyone, and with a question: how do a disgraced scientist, deranged serial killer and a mercenary known for decapitating people wind up finding each other? Why would they target you of all people and why are you working so hard to hide the Amity Communications Tower from them?"
"Wait, how do you know about that?" Questioned Ironwood with clear confusion in his voice. Wayne was pretty sure he noticed Blake and Yang averting their gazes sheepishly. 'Oh boy,' he thought.
Along the Border Wall of Mantle
"I cannot remember the last time we flew over a riot," said Jen as she and Tobias looked out the side window of the airship they were in.
"I've been trying to get into communication with the guys that run the heating grid," said Tobias as he pulled out his scroll and checked his messages again, "the last one I got said they'd been hacked."
"It's got to be the guy who screwed with the robots at Beacon," said Jen, "that Exo prick and his friend Tyrian are skilled killers but I doubt either of them know their way around hacking a computer."
"Well Mantle will blame Atlas either way," said Tobias as he looked out at one of many burning fires in the middle of the street. The extreme cold was making people desperate, to the point they were breaking furniture and looting dust shops for fire crystals to create any kind of warmth they could. A chime from his scroll informed him of another message then, this time from Wayne. "Holy crap, they know who the guy is. A former Atlesian scientist named Arthur Watts and he, you totally called it by the way, got some help from Jacques Schnee and he's currently using his access to wreak all of this havoc."
"Too bad we won't get the chance to chase after him," said Jen as she pointed out the cockpit window to a large line of snow forming. At first glance it appeared to be a possible oncoming blizzard until one looked closer and noticed the numerous moving black shapes at the front of it. A massive line of Grimm made up of Megalioths, Sabyrs, Beowulfs and other assorted monstrosities was headed straight for the breach in Mantle's walls.
"This, is gonna be another long day," commented Tobias as he and his wife readied their weapons.
About the Same Time: Schnee Manor
"I used to think all these secrets were a way to protect yourself," said Robyn to Ironwood, "but there's something much bigger going on isn't there? You've been keeping all of these secrets to protect us, Atlas and maybe even all of Remnant. And you're afraid something bad will happen if you tell the truth." Ironwood's stunned silence said she'd more or less hit right on the money. But any further conversation was cut short as Clover burst in through the doors with Oscar right on his heels.
"We have an emergency General," said Clover, "the Grimm are all over Mantle and the air fleet can't target the ones in the city without risking civilian casualties." Ironwood sighed upon hearing the news.
"This….this is exactly what I was afraid was going to happen," he said with a hand to his head.
"Sir," said Clover, "at this moment we are in serious need of ground support."
"What we really need to be doing is evacuating Mantle," Said Robyn, "if the city is already overrun then nowhere will be safe. But if you use the air fleet then maybe-."
"If I move the fleet it will leave Atlas vulnerable!" Exclaimed Ironwood before recomposing himself. "I've….I've tried keeping the kingdom safe. But now, we're losing everything." He hit the wall half-heartedly as he rubbed his head with his other hand. It was a depressing sight, seeing a once proud general at a loss for what to do.
"Ironwood," said Oscar as he stepped towards the man, "Do you remember when you asked me for advice?"
"I was wanting Ozpin's advice," corrected Ironwood with a sigh.
"Advice that likely would've been for you to keep your secrets," said Oscar, "but you already knew that wasn't the right course even before we got here. You came up with a plan of your own."
"A plan that is falling apart," said Ironwood as he stood up straighter, "It'd be best to give up on it now."
"Maybe not," said Oscar, "the panic you feared is happening right now and the secrets you've been keeping this whole time. They're about to be out in the open anyway. So maybe it's finally time, to tell the truth." Ironwood seemed to take those words into consideration as Ruby spoke up next.
"And you won't be alone," she said as she stepped forward, "we can all do this, together." And in the most surprising turn of events so far that evening, Ironwood actually smiled.
"Thank you," said the General, "Oscar, it's probably time for you to get back to the academy."
"I think you'd be right on that account," said Oscar as he put a hand on the relic hanging at his hip.
"Miss Hill, Councilman Sleet, Councilwoman Camilla," he said as he turned to the gathered diplomats, "there are a few things you all need to know about. And then let's figure out how we can best help Mantle….together."
"I've already called for transport," said Winter as she finished sending the message on her scroll.
"What should we do about Watts, Tyrian and Exo," Asked Yang.
"I have a plan for dealing with the three of them," said Ironwood as he turned to Wayne and Aegis, "I believe you two are familiar with at least one of them. But for now, you're needed down below."
"Alright everyone," said Ruby with a fist pump, "It's time to do our jobs, together." Penny nodded at the inclusion.
"Like the lady said, let's make it happen huntsmen," said Clover as he signaled for everyone to follow him out of the dining room and into the mansion. Because the group was so large, they had to be split between two airships which wasted no time in taking off towards Mantle.
Night Time: The City of Mantle, Currently Under Attack
"Alright everyone," said Clover over Wayne and Aegis's comms, "I'd like to stress to our new huntsman and huntresses the goals of our mission: we are prioritizing citizen safety over taking out Grimm, understood?" A number of affirmatives sounded over the radio as Wayne took a calming breath.
"This makes the third kingdom we've had to help fight off an attack," Aegis pointed out.
"And the second Grimm invasion we've had to face," added Wayne, "It's been one heck of a round trip so far."
"But the last one worked out," said Aegis, "so with luck this one will-oh shit." His statement was cut off by the sudden appearance of a reptilian grim with pointed wings as it flew into and latched onto the side of the ship, a Teryx.
"I guess that means it's time to get to work!" exclaimed Wayne, his helmet already donned as he and his brother drew their weapons. The Grimm screeched as it dug its claws into the ship and ripped off the door, only to be immediately met with a stone mace to its bony mask. The ship rocked as its burden was dislodged from it, the pilot fighting to maintain control. This made it an easy target for the next flying Grimm to dive bomb at it.
Fortunately, Wayne was able to get a bead on it with his SMGs and fire a few powerful semi-auto shots of ice dust that froze the Grimm's wing and face, causing it to miss the ship as it hurtled to the world below. "Get us near a drop zone and then bug out!" He ordered the pilot up front. The pilot shouted back an affirmative as another one of the Grimm scraped the wing of his ship.
"Alright then!" Said Aegis with a grin, "time to go be huntsman!" He ended his excited statement by jumping out the ship, almost feeling the sigh he knew Wayne must be making. 'Yes indeed,' thought Wayne as he too leapt from the airship, 'let's go save a city.'
And so begins the battle to save Mantle. which means the next few chapters are gonna be moving fast! But in the meantime, I hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter and as always feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as Ironwood puts a few plans in motion for a little counteroffensive. 'Til then.
