Here we are at Chapter 110. Time to have some fun with Velvet and the gang at Jacques' manor. I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 110. Enjoy.


Chapter 110: The Missing Piece

After reviewing the video of her father and the strange man, Weiss and Yang race through the halls while Yang contacts the rest of her team.

"Hey guys, get to the dining hall. We found something, BIG. Ironwood isn't the one that needs to be put on trial here," Yang says and then cuts off the signal.

"Listen, once we reveal the truth, my father will definitely try to make a run for it," Weiss says.

Yang smirks, "Don't worry. I got it."

They get to the dining hall and Weiss composes herself before pushing both doors open.

"Wait! You've got the wrong man on trial. I know who's been framing Ironwood, and who rigged the election, and who made that video of Penny down at the warehouse..." Weiss says as she enters the room to stand next to Jacques. "And my father does too. He's been working with him," Weiss says before placing her scroll on the table and pulling up the video, showing her father and the mysterious man.

She may not know who he is, but the members of the council do.

"Is that... Arthur Watts?" Councilwoman Camilla stares at the video.

Councilman Sleet stands out of his seat, "That's impossible. Arthur Watts died in the paladin incident years ago."

"W-What is this?" Jacques stutters.

Ironwood smirks before standing, "Play it."

Weiss nods and plays the video, "-That bastard is costing me more money everyday. I'd lay off every worker in Mantle if I didn't need their damn votes for this council seat," Jacques complains in the video.

Watts sits down next to him, "What if I said you could have your cake... and eat it too?"

"What do you have in mind?" Jacques asks.

"Ironwood never truly appreciated my genius. Even after I gave him everything, he still disgraced me. I simply wish to return the favor," Watts says.

"What's in it for me?" Jacques asks.

"A seat on the council. All I need is your login credentials to the Atlas network. You promised to make Ironwood's life Hell and I will guarantee you victory in the poles by giving the voters down in Mantle a little... digital push if you will," Watts explains.

"...I always knew you were a good scientist, Arthur. But I never knew you were a good salesman," Jacques says and then starts laughing.

"I think we've seen enough," Ironwood says as he approaches Weiss and Jacques, now staring holes through Jacques.

"Th-that, that is-I-I can explain that..." Jacques stutters as he stands up, sweating bullets. "That... isn't real."

"Jacques. Take. Your. Seat," Councilman Sleet orders him.

Out of options, Jacques decides to make a run for it. However, when he opens the back doors, he finds Yang waiting for him.

Yang smiles and waves at him, "Hi," she says and then punches him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Just then, Velvet and the others enter the dining room from the opposite side, "So... what did we miss?"

A few minutes later after explaining the situation to the others, everyone is in the room, all surrounding Jacques who sits alone on a separate chair. The judge has now become the defendant, and his case is far from being strong.

"I knew something was fishy about that election, Robyn's huge lead, only to lose by a small margin at the last second. Didn't sit right with me," Velvet crosses her arms.

"I always knew you would stoop low to get what you want, Jacques. But this... this is a new low, even for you," Ironwood notes, his subtle anger seething a bit.

Meanwhile, Clover gets a call on his scroll and walks off to the side to take it.

"This is all a great leap James, and while we're at it, I don't recall ever inviting YOU to my party, you damn woman," Jacques points at Velvet.

"Like that's ever stopped me from doing what I want," Velvet rolls her eyes.

"James, you're going to let this criminal do as she pleases?" Jacques asks.

"The only criminal here in this room is you, Jacques. Allow me to explain why. Now that I know that Arthur Watts is alive. Working with a maniacal serial killer like Tyrian Callows. It would be easy for him to orchestrate that tragic attack on that warehouse from before. Arthur Watts designed Mantle's security network. He used that access to hack the surveillance system... and frame someone else for the job," Ironwood explains as he looks sympathetically at Penny, who looks sad as Ruby holds her shoulder in support. "All while stealing an election. And once you became a councilman, your newly granted clearance gave him... a back door into Atlas' secure network. But you probably never considered that, had you? You were too busy focusing on yourself. Just like you always do," Ironwood says as he slams his hands down on the chair, forcing Jacques further back into it.

"The people down there in Mantle all blamed Penny for a crime she didn't commit. And that brought greater division between Mantle and Atlas. And THAT... brought in more Grimm and resulted in more people dying. All the people who died that night. Not just in that warehouse, but all in Mantle after that. Their blood is on yours hands. Now I won't lie, there's still blood on my hands from my past... But, it was nowhere near like how you got those people killed. And unlike you, I atoned for my failings. You only continued to add more bodies to the mountain," Velvet says as she gets in Jacque's face.

"Jacques Schnee must be arrested and put on trial. Not only for treason, but as an accessory to murder," Councilman Sleet says while Councilwoman Camilla nods in agreement.

"These are outrageous accusations. I only intended to win the election. I had no intention of killing people, and I had nothing to do with-," Jacques says.

"ONLY?!" Robyn yells as she throws a chair out of the way, seething, and shocking the others with her outburst.

"If I were you Jacques, I'd stop trying to play the victim here, and man up to my actions right now. Otherwise, you won't make it to trial... Because then you'll have to deal with me," Velvet threatens him, narrowing her eyes.

"Are you all listening to this mad woman? She just threatened my life! The life of a member of the Atlas council!" Jacques cries.

"Jacques, I think it's pretty clear to see that you won't be staying on the council any longer. What's more, Velvet Crowe isn't responsible for giving dangerous criminals access to our security systems, giving them the ability to orchestrate murder after murder and threatening the safety of both Atlas and Mantle!" Ironwood yells in his face.

Councilwoman Camilla looks concerned, "What else will Watts be able to do with the access Jacques has given him?"

"With enough time... Whatever he wants. As much as I hate to admit it, Watts is a genius scientist. It wouldn't take him much time to turn our entire system into his own personal play thing," Ironwood replies.

Just then, a message comes up on Jacques' scroll, followed by more messages on the other council members scrolls.

Councilman Sleet answers his scroll. "What is it?... What? What do you mean the heating grid has been shut off?!"

This change shocks the other members of Team RVWBY.

Velvet looks out the window, "No..." she mutters.

"You have to believe me. I didn't know he was planning this," Jacques pleads.

Velvet suddenly grabs him by his collar and slams him against the wall, "I don't care what you knew or didn't know. Just shut your stupid mouth and get the heat back up and running again!"

Jacques struggles against her grip as he tries to breath, "I... I can't. We've tried to get it back on, but... we can no longer gain access to the system. It's... been blocked off."

Velvet grits her teeth and then drops Jacques onto the floor.

"The weather in Solitas is brutal enough without the Grimm to worry about. If we can't get the heat back up in Mantle... People are going to die," Councilman Sleet says.

Robyn and Velvet walk up to the window, "And to make it worse, they'll blame Atlas and the riots will reform with even greater negativity. Those that won't die from the cold... will be at the mercy of the Grimm," Velvet says.

Ironwood looks over his scroll with a look of worry on his face as Ruby walks up to him, "General Ironwood, how bad is it?"

Ironwood hits a few buttons on his scroll, "Watts is using Jacques' credentials to get into the system. We can follow that activity through the network... But if he's found his way into the Amity system... No, no, the system is safe for now. But, if Watts finds out about Amity, then SHE finds out about Amity," Ironwood walks around the table.

"If he's blocking us out, isn't there a way we can do the same thing to him?" Weiss asks.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that. He's already starting to lock us out. He's nothing if not tenacious," Ironwood replies.

"Can't we trace him somehow? Find out where he's hiding?" Blake asks.

"Watts won't be in one spot for too long. He'll be moving around, both in the system and out of it. We need to find his access point. The only way we're going to do that is to get him out into the open," Ironwood says.

"Okay, so let me get this straight-," Robyn cuts him off, gaining their attention. "Yep, still here, ladies and gents. How do a disgraced scientist and a long-lost serial killer suddenly become best buddies? Why would they target you? And why are you working so hard to keep the communications tower from them?" Robyn asks.

It's her last question that surprises him, "You... You know?"

"I used to think that you were just trying to protect yourself with whatever it is you're hiding, but now I think I was wrong. That there's another reason for it. That you are scared, but not just for yourself, but for everyone. You're just trying to protect us. Not just Atlas or Mantle, but all of Remnant. And you're scared of what might happen if you tell the truth," Robyn says.

Before Ironwood can speak, Clover and Oscar burst into the room, "General, Grimm are swarming Mantle and have entered the city. Our aerial forces are doing what they can with the Grimm that haven't gotten passed the wall, but they can't attack those within the city without risking civilian casualties," Clover says.

If things were bad enough, they certainly are now. Ironwood holds his jaw as his fears grow.

"This... This is exactly what I was afraid would happen," Ironwood worries.

"Sir, we need ground support. Now," Clover says.

"What we need is to start evacuating Mantle. If the city becomes overrun with Grimm, that it won't be safe anywhere. Just use the fleet to-," Robyn begins.

But Ironwood interrupts her, "If I move the fleet now, then Atlas will be vulnerable!" He yells. Ironwood takes a moment to compose himself; as much as he can, given the current situation. "I tried to keep the kingdom safe... and now it's all falling apart," he rests a hand on the wall.

Oscar walks up to him, "General. Once before, you asked me for my advice,"

"I apologize, Oscar, but I was hoping for Ozpin's advice," Ironwood laments.

"And his advice would've probably been to keep your secrets. When we first arrived in Atlas, you already knew that plan wouldn't work anymore. You had a new plan to protect Atlas and Remnant," Oscar says.

"Well, that plan isn't working now. I don't... I don't know what to do now," Ironwood says.

"The panic you were worried about; it's already happening. The secrets you were hiding are about to be out in the open anyway. Nothing can change that now. Just... tell the truth," Oscar encourages him.

"He's right, General. You always think that this is your fight, but you're wrong. It's not your fight; it's ours. After all, is an army comprised of one man, or many?" Velvet says, making Ironwood realize what's right in front of him. "You're not alone here. If we work together, just as you once said, then we CAN do this. That when people are at their strongest... When they work together," Velvet says, making him smile.

Ironwood's worries fade away from their advice, "Thank you. All of you. Oscar, I think it's time you returned to Atlas Academy," he says.

Oscar holds the lamp on his hip, "Yeah, I think you got a point there."

"Miss Hill, Councilman Sleet, Councilwoman Camilla. There are a few things you need to know. Let's figure out a way to save Mantle and Atlas. Together," Ironwood says.

Winter steps up with her scroll, "I've called a transport for us."

"What about Watts and Tyrian? They're still out there," Yang asks.

"You leave them to me. Right now, I need you all down below. Your mission will be to safeguard the people in Mantle and keep them safe until they can be safely evacuated," Ironwood says.

"Alright everyone, let's get out there and do what huntsmen and huntresses do best. All of us," Ruby says, making Penny smile as she's included in the group.

"Hold on, there's just one more thing to take care of," Velvet says and walks up to Jacques... only to kick him hard right in the family jewels. Jacques falls to the ground in sheer pain and agony. "There, now we can go," Velvet says.

Clover smirks, "Couldn't have said it better myself. Let's get out there and save some lives, huntsmen," Clover says and the gang leave the dining room to head outside to the transport.

As they're leaving, Velvet and Ruby stop Oscar, "Hey Oscar, listen..."

"What is it?" Oscar asks.

"We should tell Ironwood the truth as well. I'd tell him myself, but... we gotta get down to Mantle," Ruby says.

Oscar smiles, "Don't worry, Ruby. I got it. You got more important things to do right now. Good luck," Oscar says and begins to walk away.

"Hey Oscar," Velvet stops him and he turns around. "Also... tell Ironwood... about myself. About who I really am," she says,

Oscar raises an eyebrow, "You sure?"

Velvet nods, "Yeah. I'm sure,"

Oscar nods, which she returns, and then she and Ruby leave to join up with the others. They board an airship and head down to Mantle along with the Ace Ops. As they get closer, Clover begins the mission briefing.

"Alright everyone, our mission here is to protect the citizens of Mantle. Remember: your priority is keeping them safe, not killing Grimm. Only when the Grimm present an immediate danger to them, will you destroy them. Got it?" Clover explains, to which the group nod.

Ren looks away with a look of worry, but Nora holds his hand, to which he returns, though the conflict there still remains. Back up top, Oscar had just finished explaining the truth about Salem, and is finishing up the truth about Velvet.

"...Velvet... is from another world. And she's a demon," Ironwood says.

"Yes. She used to be human, but was betrayed by her brother-in-law, Artorius, who killed her younger brother and then turned her into a demon and locked her in a cell to consume other demons. If he had succeeded in his plans, there would've been no demons, yes. But, then there would be no people either. The humans of their world would eventually lose the desire to live, to go on, and would fade away. A world without hate, but also without love. A world without sadness, but also without joy. It would've been an empty, barren wasteland. She stopped him, but died in the process. However, Ruby's mother, Summer Rose, brought her to our world to protect it, and Ruby." Oscar explains.

"Summer Rose. I thought she died," Ironwood notes.

"She did, but somehow she still exists. I still don't quite understand it myself, but what I do understand is that Velvet wants to protect Remnant just like she protected her old world. Velvet may be a demon, but her heart, her soul, is still human. Just like the rest of us. Summer believes in her, as does Ruby, and me. I think that's something worth remembering. A person should be judged not by their status, their origins, or where they come from. But by their actions. Isn't that the example Atlas was supposed to set for everyone?" Oscar asks.

Ironwood is surprised by his words, like he was there when Atlas was first founded. However, he gets a message on his scroll before he can answer.

"Our transports are here. I'd like to have more time to take all this in, but we have work to do. Let's go," Ironwood says, and Oscar nods.

Back with the others, they get closer to Mantle, only for a Grimm dragon to land on top of the airship and come into view of the cockpit, roaring at the windshield.

"We have an uninvited guest!" Elm yells.

Harriet tries to shake the Grimm off, but only succeeds in getting it onto the side of the ship; its claws slicing through the hull and almost hitting Blake and Yang. Just then, a second Grimm dragon flies in and damages the right wing.

"I can't keep this thing airborne!" Harriet yells.

"We gotta go, now!" Velvet says.

"You have your assignments. Let's move out, huntsmen!" Clover says and nods to Velvet, who activates her demon claw.

Clover opens up the side door to reveal the Grimm dragon, and Velvet blasts it off the airship with a fire arte. With the way clear, the gang all exit the ship one-by-one before it crashes into Mantle. They land in the ship safely and move out to complete their mission. Meanwhile, back up in Atlas at an unknown location, Emerald and Innominat watch through a window overlooking Atlas Academy.

"It's almost time," Innominat says.

"It's about time... I want Velvet Crowe," Emerald growls. Just then, a door opens up behind them and a young woman in a butler outfit walks in. A moment later, that person's form changes, revealing themselves to be Neopolitan. "Took you long enough. Did you find what we were looking for?" Emerald asks.

Neo makes a gesture like she's thinking for a moment, and then smirks as she flicks her hat.


And that's the chapter. The battle for Mantle begins as Ironwood learns the truth about Salem and Velvet from the others. Meanwhile, Emerald, Innominat, and Neo arrive to join the party. What dangers await our heroes in this battle? Until then, please Read and Review.