Here we are at Chapter 52. Let's see how the gang handle their meeting with Ironwood, and hope that Megatron doesn't kill him and make it their last meeting. I do not own RWBY or Transformers. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 52. Enjoy.
Chapter 52: Planning or Pain?
The airship the gang flies is on a path straight to Atlas. Meanwhile, the Ace Ops are in a pair of escort ships flying on their flanks. While the Ace Ops are not in the same airship as them, and they're finally getting to meet Ironwood, the tension only continues to build as they get closer to their goal.
"So, anyone else feeling weird about all of this?" Yang asks.
"You're not the only one firecracker. Let's just be glad that we get to see the General and figure out what to do next, without all of the handcuffs," Qrow notes.
Jaune sighs, "I was actually a little worried about Megatron and the others getting into it with those... who were they again?"
"Those are Ironwood's Ace Ops. Basically, they're the best and most skilled huntsmen in Atlas. Hand-picked by the General himself to create the best fighting team to protect Atlas. They report directly to him," Weiss explains.
Megatron grunts, "The best'. I wouldn't be too sure about that. First, they ambushed us from behind with those hooks of theirs, and that didn't even work on some of us. If that's the best Ironwood has, then I can see why Ironwood would be worried about Salem attacking Atlas. I am not impressed,"
"Cool it, Megatron. I don't like it either, but we need to find some common ground with Ironwood here. Just try not to kill him when we see him, okay?" Yang asks.
Megatron clenches his fist, "That's up to the General,"
The airship continues its ascent and soon enough, it comes over the kingdom of Atlas, the city in the skies. Ruby is in awe at seeing it up close, as are a few others that have never seen it before.
Dreadwing glances out the window, "I've seen better. This is nothing compared to Cybertron... before the war," he mutters.
"This is so awesome!" Ruby gasps.
Weiss shakes her head, "Don't let that fool you. It looks pretty from a distance, but you'll find it's much dirtier when you're looking at it up close,"
Dreadwing instinctively takes Weiss' hand in his own to make her feel better, and luckily it does even if only a little bit. Megatron looks out the window and focuses his sights on the tallest building in the city. Atlas Academy. Looking at it, it almost reminds him of the tower Shockwave had constructed for the space bridge back on Cybertron during the final days of the war. Soon enough, their airship lands on a large landing platform at the front of the academy. The group disembark, seeing a long array of steps before them, along with a few Atlas soldiers to greet them. The soldiers escort them into the building, though a few of them are nervous. One: because of the size difference between them and Predaking. And two: because of the menacing glare and aura that Megatron gives them whenever they get too close to either him or Yang (it's worse when it's Yang). Luckily, no one dies as they make their way up the elevator to one of the higher floors. They walk down a hallway and come to an open area. And in that open area is none other than Ironwood, Penny, and Winter Schnee waiting for them.
"Thank you, you may be excused," Ironwood orders the soldiers away, which they do.
Though she already knew, Winter is still shocked to see Weiss standing before her. Even more so with Dreadwing standing by her side. Of course, they don't have a moment for a loving family reunion when Megatron is the first to step forth,
"So, you must be the infamous General Ironwood. General of the Atlas military. Headmaster of Atlas Academy. I must admit... I expected so much more," Megatron immediately takes a shot at him.
"I recognize most of the group here. You, however, among a few others, I do not. You would be?" Ironwood remains calm.
"I am Megatron. I went to Mistral with Yang Xiao Long to help her reunite with her sister. We ended up meeting with several ol comrades along the way," he gestures to the rest of the group.
"I am Predaking," Predaking says, offering a slight, simple nod.
Ironwood and Winter notice his size and his obvious Faunus traits, but are still amazed by the sheer aura of his presence. Their shock continues when they turn their attention to Soundwave and Laserbeak, seeing his visor and the armor on the bird.
"And this would be?" Winter inquires.
Ruby speaks for them "Oh, this is Soundwave and his partner, Laserbeak. Don't mind him. He doesn't speak,"
"Why not?" Winter raises an eyebrow.
"He doesn't say," Blake shrugs her shoulders, confusing them more.
Ironwood turns his attention back to Dreadwing, "Dreadwing, I'm glad to see you're still alive,"
Dreadwing gets defensive, "I bet you are, since you were so keen on exploiting me for my people's technology, and then made me a wanted fugitive when I wouldn't become your puppet. How was the goodbye present I left for you?"
"Those mines imploded and caused serious damage to one of our facilities. You're lucky no one was seriously injured in that stunt you pulled," Winter argues.
"I was already betrayed once by Megatron here when he shot me in the back. I was not about to be betrayed by you as well," Dreadwing retorts.
This piece of information is surprising for Ironwood and Winter. Dreadwing had already told them before about the one he once served, but they never knew exactly who it was. Until now.
"But... if he's the one... then why are you two-," Ironwood begins.
"Believe me, it wasn't be choice, but..." Dreadwing sighs and looks back at Weiss. "Megatron was travelling with Yang Xiao Long, who is one of Lady Weiss' dearest friends. She was already torn away from her team once before. I couldn't allow that to happen a second time. I saw the joy in her eyes when see and Yang were reunited. If it will keep that smile upon Milady's face, then travelling with Megatron is just a small price to pay,"
The two eventually nod, but Winter realizes something, "Wait a minute... 'Lady Weiss'?" she eyes her sister questionably, who merely shrinks back from the gaze with a slight blush.
Ironwood gets back on topic, "I did put out the order for you as a wanted fugitive in the past. But, over time, I began to think that maybe I could've done things better. I wanted you here so I could talk to you... and apologize, Dreadwing. I shouldn't have kept secrets from you like I did before. It was my mistake,"
Dreadwing is a little surprised by Ironwood's words, but he can't bring himself to trust Ironwood. Not yet. Not completely, anyway.
"Any more questions you want to ask?" Predaking asks.
"A few, but perhaps it would be better to discuss things in my office. Come," Ironwood, Penny, and Winter walk ahead and lead the group into his office. "Despite what you might think, I am glad to see all of you again,"
"Sorry, but our little welcome party didn't exactly give off that impression," Yang notes.
"I am sincerely sorry for how you were treated by my people. Please, allow me to explain. When we got intel about a rogue Atlas airship entering our airspace and docking down in Mantle against orders, it made us... concerned. We assumed it was stolen," Ironwood sits behind his desk while Penny and Winter stand next to him.
"Stolen? What, why that's just-," Ruby plays it off.
"Yes, we stole it, but only because the personnel you had stationed down in Argus would not listen to reason and forced us to take it," Megatron cuts her off.
Winter is shocked, "You... stole an Atlas airship?!" she looks directly at Weiss. "What in the world were you thinking?! You could've been shot down! How utterly irrespons-" Winter berates her sister until Weiss suddenly gives her a hug, stopping her rant.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. But, we did... what we had to do," Weiss holds her tighter.
"I..." Winter sighs, and hugs her back. "I suppose I can understand," she releases her sister, and then turns to Qrow. "But, I cannot believe you allowed this, Qrow,"
"You try stopping these kids when they've set their minds on something. Speaking of which... we have some things to talk about. Things that are... confidential," Qrow says.
Penny pops up," Oh, is it about the Relic?"
"Or the Winter Maiden?" Winter adds, shocking the group.
"You... told them," Qrow stares at Ironwood.
Ironwood hums before reaching into his desk and pulling out the Relic of Knowledge.
"Did you really think you were the only one who worked out a plan after Beacon? With Ozpin gone, I needed my own team of people that I could trust. So yes, I told them. The Ace Ops as well. Which is why I'm so glad you're here... with the Relic of Knowledge. Until now, I believed it was impossible to truly turn the tide against Salem. Oz has pushed her back, has kept victory out of her clutches, but she will keep returning, stronger and stronger... unless we destroy her," Ironwood says, placing the lamp on the desk.
"Okay, well what about the Relic?" Ruby asks.
"You mean the Staff of Creation? It's safe inside the vault beneath the school," Ironwood replies.
"And the condition on the Winter Maiden?" Dreadwing asks.
"She's secured. And in stable condition," Winter says.
"Stable?" Yang asks.
"She's uh... not exactly a spring chicken. She's the oldest Maiden that's ever lived, actually," Qrow tells her.
Everyone remains silent before Ironwood sighs again, "I know how this all might look. Recalling my forces, closing the borders, the Dust embargo. I probably don't seem the most trustworthy right now," Ironwood says.
"I'd be lying if I said that you certainly look like the most trystworthy to me," Megatron says sarcastically, earning a glare from Winter.
"Then if you understand the situation, then why continue it?" Blake asks.
"The people of Mantle are hurting," Nora points out.
"I know that it looks bad. I needed to ensure that Salem couldn't sneak into Atlas. And I needed my forces here, protecting my people," Ironwood explains.
"But it's not protecting them. It's making everyone hate you," Yang points out.
"We were down there in Mantle, and we saw the state it's in. You can feel the negativity in the air. The people down there are scared, and they have little to nothing protecting them. And all of their fingers are pointed at you," Megatron notes.
Ironwood sighs, "It's the price I'm willing to pay," he says and then hits a button on his desk, darkening the windows behind him to conceal the room. "Just you all have been entrusted with the knowledge of Salem's existence. I need you all to trust me. I have a plan," he says, and then the center of the floor lifts up, causing the group to step aside while Ironwood walks over to the newly formed table. "Ozpin believed that the best way to fight Salem was to do so in secret. Whether that was the right choice or not, isn't for me to say. But we find ourselves in the position of needing... a new approach," he explains.
"What new approach?" Megatron asks.
Ironwood brings out a small remote and hits a switch, bringing up a hologram of Amnity Arena.
"That's... Amnity Arena," Jaune says.
"Where the Vytal Festival is held?' Oscar asks.
"Indeed. When Beacon fell, and everyone lost contact with one another, I knew that our current system was outdated. Amnity was built to bring the nations together. And it will serve that purpose once again," Ironwood explains, hits a switch, and then the image of a tower appears on top of the coliseum.
"But isn't that like the-," Predaking begins.
"Isn't it great. We're not just going to replace Beacon tower. Building a new tower on top of Amnity Arena will reestablish global communications," Penny interrupts him.
"By launching the tower high into the atmosphere, our scientists believe we can create a sort of... satellite. Out of reach of the Grimm and capable of maintaining global communications even if we were to lose another tower," Winter adds.
"That... is great," Ruby says.
"Yes, I remember reading about that back in Patch. The CCT system was designed with four towers, but if even one tower is destroyed, then the whole system collapses. A pitiful design if you ask me. My communication networks, especially when Soundwave has control of them, were always operating at peak capacity. Even if a piece of it went down, the rest of the system would still function," Megatron stares at the hologram.
"One thing I do not understand. If your plan is to build this new tower, then why must you have your entire army here, set up the way that it is?" Dreadwing asks.
"I will for the next step in my plan... where I tell the world about Salem," Ironwood's revelation surprises the group.
"I see. You recalled your forces because once you reveal the truth about Salem, there will be panic from everyone," Megatron figures out the rest.
"Yes. Panic is inevitable. And panic will bring the Grimm. But, I believe that we are ready. Once Atlas comes to grips with the fight ahead, I will use Amity tower to spread the message to all of Remnant," Ironwood adds.
Weiss doesn't like that part, "But, if you do that, then everything will fall apart. Grimm will be everywhere, and new conflicts will happen. It'll be chaos,"
"It will, but Atlas is ready and willing to assist," Winter says.
"And how exactly are you planning on doing that?" Megatron starts to walk around the table. "You have all of your forces here in one place. That will keep Atlas, and maybe Mantle safe, but that leaves the rest of the world on their own. And, forgive me if I don't have a lot of faith in you, which I don't, but I don't see you sending out forces to aid the other kingdoms. When that chaos begins, you know who they will point the finger at," Megatron gets in Ironwood's face.
Ironwood only sighs, "I know. I'm just trying to do the best I can, and save as many lives as possible. But... we've tried to hide the truth from the world, and recent events have proven that that won't cut it anymore. Hiding the truth will only get us all killed," Ironwood turns off the hologram, and the room returns to normal.
"Ozpin's whole life, all of his lives... keeping this secret from the rest of the world. And now we're about to tell everyone," Qrow notes.
Ironwood nods, "I know. But, since the Fall of Beacon, things have changed. I wish Ozpin was here to guide us, but with him gone, I can only rely on my best judgment," he returns to his desk, but then notices everyone going silent at the mentioning of Ozpin. "What is it?"
Oscar steps up, "Actually, Ozpin isn't... gone, so to speak,"
"Oscar here... is Ozpin's newest reincarnation," Qrow gestures to the farm boy.
Ironwood is pleasantly surprised as he smiles, "Oz?" he asks and walks over, kneeling before Oscar. "I'm so glad you're here! I didn't think you-," he says.
"NOT quite. He's kind of, um, gone, right now," Oscar stops him.
And Ironwood loses his smile, "...That's not normal. How did he-," he begins to ask.
"We're not really sure," Ruby stops him. "We were in a train crash and Oscar got hurt. His injuries healed up, but since then, we haven't heard anything from Ozpin. Oscar's tried tp reconnect with him, but no luck. We've been on our own ever since," Ruby hides the truth.
Ironwood sighs again, 'That's the worst news yet," he says and stands. "Did you learn anything about the Relics before he left?" he asks.
"We don't really know anything about the other Relics. Ozpin said that the lamp can answer three questions, but that the questions were already used up," Predaking says, following Ruby's lead.
"I see," Ironwood replies and walks to the windows behind his desk. "Ozpin told us that too, once upon a time... At least we have you Oscar. Rest assured that you are safe here in Atlas. Maybe together, we can figure out a way to bring Ozpin back," he says as he turns to Oscar.
"Thank you, sir, uh General... Ironwood?" Oscar replies awkwardly.
Ironwood smiles a bit and then takes the lamp and brings it to Ruby, offering it to her.
"You're... giving it back to me?" Ruby asks.
"After what happened with the Ace Ops, I don't want you to think that I'm keeping anything from you, especially something as important as this. For the time being, I think it's safest with the people who brought it here," Ironwood says.
Ruby takes the Relic and places it on her belt, "Um, thank you," she replies.
Ironwood smiles, "We must work together if we are to fight back against Salem and win. However, before we get to that, there is one more thing I need to confirm," he says, and then looks to Megatron.
"And that would be?" Megatron narrows his eyes.
"Dreadwing told me about the conflict at your old home, and how you were the one that started it. I need to know what are your intentions here,"
Everyone looks between the two, "...It is true. I was the one that started the conflict that destroyed my home. However, I was defeated by the one that restored my home. I saw the error of my ways, and left in self-imposed exile. I will never see my home whole again, and that is the one thing I have always wanted," Megatron explains.
"And yet, now you intend to help us. As what, means to make amends?" Winter asks.
Before he can answer, Yang steps in front of Megatron, "Megatron knows what he's done, and he's punished himself for it. After the Fall of Beacon, it was Megatron who helped me get back on my feet in Patch. Who helped me realize what I needed to be doing instead of sitting around, feeling sorry for myself. He's here to help, and you can believe that,"
"You... trust him, Miss Xiao Long?" Ironwood asks.
Yang glances back at Megatron for a moment, "With my life. Whether you trust me or not is a different story. I know you didn't trust me or believe me before,"
Ironwood sighs with a look of guilt, "What happened at the Vytal Festival... was my fault. I was head of security, but nothing was safe for anybody. I didn't believe you about what you said about Mercury, and I should've, especially after finding out that Mercury and Emerald work for Cinder, and Cinder works for Salem. That's why I commissioned that arm for you. I wanted to make amends for my mistake. And I wanted to say that I'm sorry,"
Yang takes a deep breath, "That doesn't matter anymore. What does matter is stopping Salem,"
Ironwood nods, "You're right. Thank you, Yang,"
"Okay, then what do you want us to do?" Ruby asks.
"Thank you. Getting the Amity tower ready won't be easy. But first, I think it's time we get those weapons of yours up to Atlas standards," Ironwood says as he walks back to his desk while showing an image of Blake's damaged blade, making her feel embarrassed.
"Remember, this is Atlas. While assisting the military, we will provide you with the best equipment our scientists can devise," Winter says, much to the excitement of the group.
After leaving Ironwood's office, and meeting up with the Ace Ops for a moment, the team are escorted to the dorms by Penny. Of course, with the four of them (and Laserbeak), the former decepticons get their own room.
Megatron looks around, "So, this is an academy dorm room. Yang told me a few tales of her time at Beacon. I wonder how this must feel for all of them,"
"I'm sure Lady Weiss would prefer Beacon over Atlas. That place always felt more like a home to her," Dreadwing adds as he sits on one bed.
Predaking crosses his arms, "Dreadwing, do you think this Ironwood can be trusted with this new plan of his?"
"I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that we can't reveal the whole truth about what we learned in Anima to him. Not just yet anyway. We also can't reveal our true origins to him, or else he may just try to arrest us and even experiment on us," Dreadwing replies.
"...Mission... Protect Remnant..." Soundwave's visor goes off
"Soundwave is right, "Megatron walks up to the room window. "Our goal has not changed. To protect the members of Team RWBY, and help them save this world. If that means working with Ironwood to achieve that goal, then so be it. However, we must be careful. Who knows what shall happen within the coming days," he notes as he stares out into the night sky.
And that's the chapter. So, the group meet Ironwood, and Megatron doesn't kill him... Yet. But now that they're where they need to be, will the rest of the journey go as planned? Only time will tell. Until then, please Read and Review.