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Chapter 46: Infernally Invited
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Weiss Schnee woke up to an empty dorm room. The rest of Team RWBY seemed to have run off, presumably to watch the rest of the Grifball tournament in person. A note was left on her nightstand that simply read, 'Weiss, please come to the lounge.'. It was from Winter, of all people and it was a rather nice little note, as well. The handwriting looked a bit off, however, and it was obvious that Winter's hands were shaking. Weiss just stretched, put on her usual outfit and made her way towards the Atlas Lounge, which was right next to the Atlas Huntsmen's Pub and separated by a somewhat fancier door.
Upon entry to the Lounge, Weiss noticed Winter seated in the corner of the room attempting to drink some strong tea. She had a plate of crumpets in the middle of her table with a few caramel creams lining it. Winter's teacup was shaking as the Atlas Operative attempted to take a sip. Winter seemed uneasy for some reason. Weiss went and sat down across from her.
"Winter? What's wrong?", Weiss asked.
"Nothing! I just wanted to tell my little sister all about my err... Procedure.", Winter noted oddly.
"Oh! She's precious! A little huntress all in her own. You shouldn't be ashamed that she abandoned the Schnee name. Let's be honest with ourselves, Jacques really didn't do much for the family...", Fria mused from within Winter's thoughts.
"I know. I know that now. I also know that you can hear me mentally, so I don't look like a loon every time we chat.", Winter mused internally.
"What happened? ...Winter?", Weiss asked. Winter was having an internal monologue.
"Oh! I have become the Winter Maiden. And before you ask, I'm aware of the 'Winter the Winter Maiden' conundrum.", Winter noted.
"Oh. Pyrrha mentioned something like that. Are you getting along with Fria?", Weiss noted.
"Sorta? Fria never stops talking. And she likes General Ironwood. And tea and crumpets.", Winter noted.
"Just tell her all my secrets, why don't you! Hey, I've seen your memories too, Winter. You've grown up expecting to impress, but you need to focus on your family right now.", Fria noted from inside Winter's head.
Weiss took a sip from the extra teacup, the tea was incredibly strong and a sudden burst of caffeine struck her in the head like a blow from Yang's Ember Celica. She casually dipped a crumpet into the tea and focused on Winter.
"Have you unlocked any new powers?", Weiss asked, attempting to change the subject. Winter was looking at her strangely.
"Umm... Not really. It's just so hard to concentrate...", Winter sighed.
"We should try to work together, you know. There's something in the air. Your little sister is so sweet and innocent. You love her don't you? I can feel it.", Fria noted.
"Weiss, I just want you to know, that I will always be your Big Sis. You can trust me. No matter what happens, I will always be the one to stand up for you.", Winter stated.
"I... I know. Winter, you've changed. You're not acting like the Elite Operative anymore... You're Winter, my sister... ", Weiss noted.
"I am. I'm both. But I need to work with you, not push you away. I've done that with everyone. Everyone's just seemed like an employee, not a friend. Not a sister. I've been 'doing my duty' without a question as to why... This... What has happened to me has opened my eyes. I feel like I'm losing myself...", Winter sighed.
"Work with me, Winter. You just said it. I am you and you are me.", Fria stated.
"You're not, Winter. Even if you do get lost. I'll remind you of who you were and who you are.", Weiss reassured.
"Thank you, Weiss...", Winter sighed.
Winter felt a heat creep from her mind and into her body. The warmth spread until it reached her fingertips and extremities. Fria had stopped rambling for once as Winter felt a surge of power and reassurance. She felt stronger than she'd ever felt before. She felt the snow hang in the cold Atlesian air. She felt the wind blowing hard against the Academy. She felt the world turning around her as time seemed to slow down. Was this what it meant to be a Maiden?
"Oh... So this is what it's really like...", Winter mused internally.
"Yeppers! I just needed you to accept me, for real. You're so young and inexperienced compared to one like me, years older and wiser. Now, let's go kick some ass!", Fria concluded.
"Winter?", Weiss asked.
"I feel... cold...", Winter noted. A flame spread from her brow as Maiden powers flourished. Winter froze her teacup solid in an attempt to wield power beyond her wildest dreams. She pulled back for a moment before letting go again, this time freezing the entire lounge in a solid block of ice. Weiss was the only thing not frozen.
"Winter!?", Weiss asked again.
"It's alright, Weiss. I think I've just unlocked my powers. You should go and find your friends. Something is in the air. I can feel it.", Winter mused.
"Okay... Stay safe, sis.", Weiss concluded before leaving the frozen lounge. Winter had just found her inner peace.
Weiss just left the Lounge. It had started to snow indoors. Winter was having fun for once, with her new powers. Weiss secretly hoped that the newfound powers wouldn't lead a sudden slip of sanity. She had seen what Pyrrha Nikos had become, going from rather selfless to borderline crazed when under the influence of her Maiden.
"This is fun. I like this...", Winter mused internally as she animated some little snow golems with her Maiden powers. "And I look forwards to your insight, Fria."
"As always..."
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Across the hallway, in the Huntsmen's Pub, the Ace Ops were drowning their sorrows in their ale. Atlas was fighting a losing battle. This would be a loss in a war they had never anticipated, and a war with Vacuo of all places. The people would sing songs about how badly Atlas had fallen. Atlas was losing in Grifball.
Atlas had scored two points during the seven or so rounds that had been played so far. Vacuo had five points, showing that vagabonds knew how to fight. With only two rounds left, Atlas had already lost and Vacuo was just showboating it now.
"Is this the Fall of Atlas!? Team BRNZ scores yet another point! Their backup player, also from Vacuo, Sun Wukong, has scored from across the map with a never-before-seen technique!", Professor Port announced.
"And never-before-seen hand gesture! I wonder what that means!", Oobleck interjected.
Clover groaned audibly from his barstool and took another shot. He felt fuzzy.
"We should've competed. Ace Ops versus whoever dared to enter the ring with us!", Harriet complained.
"With our luck, it would've been Team MRJJ. We haven't even seen what they're capable of, yet I've heard rumors of their success.", Vine added.
"And Atlas gets the shit beaten out of it yet again!", Clover yelled in inebriation. Clover had decided to forego ale and go straight for the firewater.
"Dude, calm down!", Elm chided.
"No. No! You calm down! We're outclassed by almost everyone! Jaune Arc has a Maiden that fights with him. Team MRJJ has a streak of victories that goes back to their Academy graduation. Team RWBY fights with insane tactics that actually work, despite the fact that they all think this is all just an extended field-trip before they go back to Beacon and graduate officially. Arden Greyblood is here and is also involved intimately with Salem. Ironwood doesn't know what he's up against and continues to hold ridiculous festivals! The Council loves him and he's won the election by a landslide! He even shook hands with Robyn Hill as she also won a seat on the Council as well! We haven't even had a single important Ace-Ops worthy mission in days! We've just been arresting drunkards!", Clover ranted.
"Hey, you ever wonder why we're here?", Marrow asked.
That question, particularly one that the Ace Ops avoided, now led Clover and Harriet to argue until the sunset about why they were placed on this planet. It would be a conversation to be put into the history books as one Ace Operative argued metaphorically as the other one argued about being 'literally' here in Atlas.
It could've been worse, however. The Ace Ops weren't currently stuck in a box canyon in Vacuo for no apparent reason and Atlas hadn't actually fallen at all. The Grifball tournament would be the talk of the people for ages, which was a good thing in all honesty.
X
"Boom! Seven points, you dirty whore! You owe me five-thousand lien!", Minstrel Jonas exclaimed. A sullen bar patron begrudgingly handed over the money.
The night was loud and full of drunken rambling as Hephaestus' Pub watched the ending ceremony of the first Grifball match. The next match would begin in a few hours, this time with Team SSSN against Team NDGO in a rematch fight from the previous 40th Vytal Festival. Team MRJJ ordered yet another round of pub food and began to place their bets on Vacuo again. Rhames had fought alongside Sun briefly and didn't expect much from the monkey-man and his team.
Across the pub, Robyn Hill just sat in deep thought. She had won a seat on the esteemed Atlas Council. General Ironwood had been there, once again winning his two seats much to everyone's praise. Ironwood, who had been presumed to engage martial law and separate Mantle and Atlas for safety reasons, had actually opened the borders, allowed specific companies to apply for trade licenses to the other kingdoms and started the first of many Atlas-Only sporting events. Up until a certain Huntsmen group had suddenly appeared, Robyn had feared that Ironwood was going to stage a coup and take Atlas by force. Team RWBY had definitely done something to change the ironman's mind, but she wasn't exactly sure of it. Her own Semblance had also told her the exact same thing, Ironwood was being genuine. He really did think that she was the Voice of Mantle and he respected that. It was such a twist that Robyn could barely process it. What was happening?
The other Huntsmen in the Pub all began to reorder their drinks and food, tonight was yet another night of fun revelry in the Greatest Kingdom of Atlas. Nobody could tell that the cold winds that blew over the kingdom had stopped. The winds had been replaced with uncertainty and a feeling of unease. The working-class didn't notice it, but General Ironwood high above in his office could tell that something was afoot.
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In a dimly lit warehouse in Mantle, far away from the amber-colored heating vents, a large Faunus was dragging another man through the building. The equally as large man struggled helplessly as he was forcibly brought to a table and chained to a chair.
"Found him. He was in a bar. Are we ready yet?", the Faunus growled.
"Nearly...", the thing in front of the Faunus hissed.
"Oh great. You again. Cinder Fall, or what's left of her, at least...", the chained man snorted.
"Yes. I have become death, destroyer of worlds. Now, Hazel, you are going to help me... and only me... always...", Cinder Thing noted.
"When do we strike? My traitorous brother was seen not long ago, no doubt he aids those that oppose us!", Fjord Taurus announced.
"Your minions are either dead or captured. Watts is gone too. Are you planning an assault on the Academy alone?", Hazel grunted.
"Not alone. I with the help of Fjord and you will bring glory to the newest Queen of the Grimm; me. I will replace Salem on her throne of bone! I have already proved that not even death can stop me! Come on now, Hazel. You know what to do...", Cinder rambled.
"You know, rumor has it, that the Mad King has finally taken interest in Salem. Seems like you're not the top dog anymore, not since you failed the first four times...", Hazel mocked.
"Silence! Hazel, you will get us an airship. Then we're going to wipe those infuriating Beacon Students off the face of the planet! And then... We're going to overthrow Salem! It's going to be so good... We're going to scorch this stupid Kingdom in fire... There's going to be screaming! Huntsmen are going to die left and right... I can't wait!", Cinder Thing cackled.
"She does have a plan right?", Hazel asked Fjord.
"She does. Watts uncovered a secret weapon before he was captured. It's on the flying H. We get that, then Atlas falls, literally. We win the war... Any war, really.", Fjord noted. Cinder Thing was still cackling like an idiot.
"Fine. I'll get the airship.", Hazel whined.
"Don't fail us. Cinder has a way of... taking care of the ones who do...", Fjord noted as Hazel walked out of the warehouse and towards the airship docks. He'd steal a Bullhead. Then he'd... Wait, why was he doing this again? Oh right, because he'd lost control of his life. Either way, he'd either be avenging his sister or reuniting with her very soon. He just sighed and continued onward.
Farther back in the warehouse, Cinder Thing had unveiled her new 'army'. As if becoming a hideous half-human and not exactly Grimm creature wasn't enough, Cinder Thing had figured out how to 'convert' citizens into more Cinder Things. The half-dozen or so bizarrely humanoid and spider-like creatures all bore some resemblance to Cinder herself, just with the lower half of a large arachnid. Tiny mandibles clicked and thousands of tiny legs scrambled around the warehouse in anticipation of their first meal.
"You really are something else...", Fjord sighed.
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Farther away from the obvious, a strange woman in red and black sat across from another. The other person just sat across from them in similar clothing. The small street-side cafe bustled with foot traffic from the working-class who had just gotten off their shifts.
"Are you aware?", The man asked.
"Yes. I have been. It's better for us, really. He never really saw me for... what he desired.", the woman responded.
"And you are going to let this go?", the man asked.
"I am. It's safer for me. He would never harm my children, including you. If Arden wants the white witch, he can have her. I suggest you head back to your Faunus Friends, Adam.", Raven Branwen noted.
"That's what I was planning. The Huntsmen that hired me are done with their task. I am needed where it's most important. I have not forgotten about my mission. My Redemption. There seems little I can do now, especially if Rhames is here.", Adam mused.
"Then leave. I will open a portal to... Ilia? The girl with the weird ponytail?", Raven added.
Raven cut open a portal next to their table. Adam hesitated for a moment.
"Thank you. I hope Yang is going to be okay without me...", Adam sighed as he stepped through the portal.
"She will be. A mother cares for her children.", Raven sighed.
X
Back in Argus, Ilia Amitola had stepped into the shower after a long day of working with the citizens of Argus. Pandora Nikos had decided to build gardens around the city in an effort to beautify the place. It was a long day of dirty digging and flower planting. She really wasn't expecting Adam Taurus to suddenly appear in the shower stall with her.
"Eeek!"
"Auugh!"
And once again, Adam was thrown bodily down the stairs landing in a heap in front of the rest of the Ivory Fang. A Faunus named Mata looked up from his newspaper before resuming the latest article on Grifball.
X
Far above in Atlas, in a very happy and not purple bedroom, Arden Greyblood and Mistress Sally sat and contemplated their future together. Salem had once again been freed from her metaphorical tower and was once again free to do as she pleased, only this time there wasn't anyone in the universe who could stop her and there wasn't anyone who cared to try.
"Arden, why do you do the things that you do the way you do them?", Salem asked.
"I have won. That is all that you should know. I have erased my brother from history, as I had set out to do. Now the world is mine and I am free. As free as I want to be.", Arden mused.
"How do I do that?", Salem mused, now tired from their hours-long skirmish in the sheets.
"Think, my Queen. You wanted the Relics, but bringing the Relics together summons the Gods. Ozma stated that. Why? Why would you want to do that? Leave the Relics where they lie and do not help Ozma. You want the Maidens, but as you have told me, it is because they were your first children, you believe that acquiring their powers will bring them back, but they already are. Your children live on in the form of the Maidens, I already know of three. You want to crush Ozma's opposition, yet nobody trusts him anymore, he has defeated himself. You have already won, my dear. And now you are free. As free as you are ever going to be.", Arden mused.
"You... You're right. I have won. The world is mine. But what do I do with it?", Salem mused.
"Enjoy it for what it is. Nobody knows who you are. Go anywhere and everywhere. Explore. Be strange. And don't forget to have fun. In due time, my dear, Ozma will disappear, as will everyone else who doubted you. Give it time and we will be revered.", Arden cooed.
"Yes. I think that's the best plan. I'm so tired of it all, Arden. So much effort to get what I wanted, but I never thought to think that I already had it. I'm glad I met you. So very glad I met you...", Salem mused.
"Indeed. We were born of the Gods' destruction. In due time we will be Gods, born from the Gods' destruction. And when we are Gods, we will have defeated the Gods themselves.", Arden reassured.
Salem just cuddled Arden. This was the day that she'd waited for. This was the day she opened up the door to the world. Legends of the Witch in the Woods and the Mad King would scatter across the lands only to be forgotten or written into fairy-tales. Victory was bliss.
Salem sat up for a moment.
"The Maidens are my children?", Salem asked.
"Yes. Your children have grown up without a doting mother. They are lost without her touch. They have had their own children, but they are still your children. A mother loves her children, no matter who they have become. As a doting father guides his children as well.", Arden noted.
"I... I never thought of it like that... I had them with Ozma, though...", Salem sighed.
"It does not matter. A bastard child is still your child. And a doting mother cares not of their neglectful father, only her brood. And a stepfather is still a father that is always willing to step into their hearts and fill a void.", Arden noted.
"Hmm...It looks like I've got some work to do then...", Salem grumbled.
"Yes. Reuniting with offspring is always difficult. But it will always warm the heart.", Arden reassured.
"WinterFest is approaching. I must send gifts to my... my... grandchildren.", Salem argued.
"Yes you do. Why not a nice Winterfest party? Invite them all! Prove to them you're a good person. I will also attend! What better way to suddenly become inconspicuous?", Arden announced.
"Okay... Tomorrow, I'll send out the invites...", Salem sighed. She had so many invites to send as well, maybe also apology cards. She did have minions, but never really saw them as actual people even though they were. But she didn't need minions since she'd already won, right? So she guessed they were just friends then. She had a lot of friends to send cards to for Winterfest. She'd also invite Ozma, just to spit in his face. It would be fun! Nobody ever took the wacky grandparent seriously!
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Far above the bustling and uproarious chatter of Mantle following Atlas' horrific defeat at their own sport, General Ironwood and Ozcar Pin just sat in stunned silence. The general populace was actually rioting in the streets and overturning various Atlas military vehicles, but it wasn't out of hatred for Ironwood or his most recent Council victory. It was actually because Atlas had lost the first match of its own Official Sport and unfortunately, the booze was doing the talking at the moment. Ironwood just sighed and watched as a battalion of Atlesian Knights were dismantled by a drunken mob.
"It could be worse, you know...", Ozpin sighed.
"I am well aware. I have trusted my own intuition and the words of your students. Despite my original concerns, everything has worked out. Although Jacques Schnee has been assassinated, Willow Schnee has taken over his empire and turned it around for the better. Pietro Polendina has restored CCT communications by installing a new transmitter on top of the Academy. The Amity Arena is being used for its intended purpose. The people are happy and united. I won the Council Elections again to a roar of acceptance and popularity.", Ironwood rambled.
"It does make you wonder what might've happened otherwise..."
"Atlas falls, Mantle stages an uprising, the Grimm attack... And Salem destroys us all... I prefer our current situation rather than what could've been.", Ironwood sighed.
"About Salem... She is still a threat..."
"True. However, she has not shown her strength or even attempted to send Grimm in as an attack. She's perfectly occupied with Greyblood. If she really wanted to, it would only take but a thought to destroy us. And she hasn't..."
"We mustn't let our guard down. It could still be a ruse."
"Indeed."
As Ironwood and Ozzy's conversation drew to a close, Ironwood's computer chimed as a message arrived into his inbox. Surprised, the iron man walked over and opened up the message.
"General James Ironwood. I cordially invite you to a special Winterfest Party in the Hall of Heroism in the Hyperion-owned city of Opportunity. Please dress formally and bring your friends and acquaintances. Sincerely, Sally Fields.", the message read.
Ironwood just stood in mild confusion. Who the hell was Sally Fields? He vaguely remembered Glynda telling him of the most bizarre exchange student who had been in Vale earlier and had walked into a lamppost. Then he realized who Sally Fields was. And He panicked.
"Uh..."
"James?"
"Salem has cordially invited us to a party."
"Really?"
"We must attend. We cannot be perceived as ignorant. It would cause a panic."
At that moment, Ozcar Pine's scroll chimed with a message.
"Dearest Ozma. I cordially invite you to a Winterfest Party in the Hall of Heriosm at the city of Opportunity. I feel that we have much to discuss in person. With love, Salem XOXO.", the message read.
"Well, fuck...", Ozzypin cursed.
X
Downstairs back in the dorms, similar messages from a 'Sally Fields' were sent to Team JNPR and Team RWBY. The strange invitation was perceived with apprehension. Only Jaune was aware of the reservation at the Hall of Heroism and exactly who had reserved the space.
"If anyone had a guess to who 'Sally Fields' is, it's Salem.", Jaune noted.
"She has invited us, Jaune. Isn't it a bit strange?", Ren asked.
"Well, yeah! But we should still go anyways. It might be fun."
"It's all fun and games until Salem disembowels us and feeds us to her Grimm!", Yang panicked.
"Yang is exaggerating a bit, but it would be a great time to kill us all.", Blake noted.
"Well, we've been cordially invited. We should RSVP and attend. If we don't, knowing how the Noblemen react, she might take it as an insult. And if she takes it as an insult, then we're really dead.", Weiss chided.
"Um. I agree?", Ruby muttered.
"It'll be fun! Nobody saw this coming, right Ren? This is our chance to talk to her!", Nora exclaimed.
"I'm not sure about that. Salem is the Queen of the Grimm. We should still be careful.", Pyrrha noted.
"Enough talk! We'll attend. Dress up real nice and put on a good show for our hosts! I mean, how bad could it be?", Jaune said as he attempted to negate the intense feelings of regret.
"We could die.", Blake added.
"Horribly and staring at our own lungs and they're ripped out of us by Grimm...", Yang added.
"Even if we're on our best behavior, all of her opposition will be in one place at the same time...", Ren noted.
"Horrible horrible things might happen to us...", Ruby added.
"Yeah, maybe! But Salem doesn't even know us! We'll just be a bunch of colorful Huntsmen and Huntresses!", Jaune chided.
"Salem won't hurt us. She won't hurt me or Yang.", Rhames stated. "We're technically family."
"No! Don't even say that!", Yang shouted.
"Why? It's true. I'm her stepson and you're my half-sister. If what we saw from Jinn was true, Salem cares about family and will never hurt her children. Even if we aren't blood, we are still her children.", Rhames mused.
Yang threw her hands up in the air and walked off. Rhames was technically right.
"Fine. We'll attend the party, Jaune.", Ren noted.
"But we're going to have to be super careful.", Ruby added.
"We're entering the proverbial 'Belly of the Beast'.", Weiss noted.
With that, Team RWBY departed and headed off towards Atlas City in some kind of attempt to find formal wear for the aforementioned 'WinterFest' Party. For reasons unknown, Ruby was half expecting some kind of massive Grimm creature to rise up from the depths below Atlas, but nothing happened. Team JNPR headed towards their dorms, they had already packed their formal wear from the Beacon Ball. It would have to suffice for now and they really didn't want to be anywhere near Helios or Opportunity at the moment just in case Salem was already there and had some kind of Grimm surprise-reveal for them. Jaune was surprsingly nonchalant about the whole thing.
"You're awfully quiet, Jaune.", Ren prodded.
"I got a huge reservation for the ballroom. All cash, all at once. I didn't bother to ask questions, Ren.", Jaune nodded.
"Well, for our sake. I hope this goes well. I can't imagine General Ironwood is going to take this particularly well. Ozpin either...", Ren sighed.
X
Higher up, back in Ironwood's office, Winter stood at attention. Ironwood had something important to tell her and the Ace Operatives. General Ironwood was dressed in his finest attire alongside Ozcar Pin, who was dressed similarly.
"Winter, there is a situation. One that needs the utmost discretion. I assume you are up to the task.", Ironwood noted.
"Yessir."
"Good. Then I am right to assume that you have all received messages from a 'Sally Fields' and an invitation to a WinterFest Party in Opportunity."
"Yessir."
"If you haven't figured it out, 'Sally Fields' is actually Salem. She has invited us to what I can only believe to be an ambush. Ozpin and I are going to attend; it is a formality. I am asking you to also attend as well, however be on guard. This is likely not a declaration of peace.", Ironwood announced.
"I had my suspicions, sir."
"Ace Operatives, you will accompany Winter Schnee. She is your commander for the time being. I am almost certain that Salem has invited the two teams from Beacon as well as a few other individuals that are mutually invested in Ozpin's original plans.", Ironwood noted.
"Yessir. We will do our duty!", Clover announced. The rest of the Ace Ops stared at him.
"Good. Prepare for the worst. You are dismissed.", Ironwood concluded.
If all went well and it wasn't some kind of plot, Ironwood would be perceived as a hero. If all went poorly, then Ironwood wouldn't be around to blame and neither would the kingdom of Atlas. The usually stoic General was panicking inside and tried his hardest not to show it. He sighed and sat down, opening a drawer in his desk and pulling out a special bottle of Atlesian Brandy.
"Have a drink, Oz."
"You are aware I am a teenage boy, correct?"
"Yes."
Ozcar Pin took the tumbler glass from Ironwood and poured his own drink. Oscar's alcohol tolerance was probably nonexistent, but both of them needed a drink before the proverbial 'excrement hit the rotors'.
X
Far away from Atlas, just above the northern seas, Arden gazed out of a strangely tinted 'window' at the glittering lights in the distance. Salem had an idea, which was a terrible one, but necessary.
"Does this creature have a name, my dear?", Arden asked.
"Monstro.", Salem noted.
"Hm. You certainly know how to make an entrance... Best to keep appearances, the Man in the Tower is expecting this. He will not think your invitation is one of peace. Show your teeth and smile.", Arden rambled.
"I am still hesitant. I invited Ozma as you suggested. You know our history...", Salem mused.
"It is time to bury the hatchet, as they say. Preferably not in his skull. If we are to disappear, we show our strength and let our adversaries know what they oppose. They will not dare to raise a hand if they value their own lives. And afterwards, we abscond to parts unknown..."
Salem sighed and allowed 'Monstro' to arise somewhat higher in the skies. Monstro, a massive Grimm and a whale-like creature hid in the dark skies awaiting its eventual descent upon Atlas. Salem had changed back to her usual outfit, a black dress that seemingly absorbed light. She'd done her hair back up into her traditional headgear and allowed her normal appearance to take hold again, almost expecting Arden to recoil in horror. But he didn't. The Mad King was even more entranced with her than usual. And it was welcomed warmly.
X
On the streets of Mantle, Rhames Greyblood met up with his own team again. Team MRJJ was joined by Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black somewhat begrudgingly. The two hapless minions leaned against a nearby building as Rhames approached them.
"Welp! I guess you guys got the messages too?", Rhames noted.
"Yep. Party at Helios! I hope they have the good stuff.", Mercury noted.
"It's a trap. Probably.", Minstrel sighed.
"It's my dad and Salem. Just be cool, they won't kill us.", Rhames added.
"But they'll kill us!", Emerald exclaimed.
"Maybe... Maybe not. Just explain what happened and be submissive.", Rhames glossed.
"Em, I think we're going to be the pinatas. The painyatas.", Mercury added.
Emerald just sighed and succumbed to the fact that their Unfortunate Adventure was ending in the exact way that she'd been dreading; beaten to death and/or eaten by Grimm.
"Merc, just shut up. We also got some orders from our queen and she's asked us to bring Watts and Hazel. Hazel is MIA and Watts is dead.", Emerald sighed.
"Watts isn't dead. He's in jail. Forever.", Rhames noted.
"Wait really? Can we get him out?", Mercury exclaimed.
"Probably. Ironwood is feeling exceptionally forgiving right now, best keep appearances, right?", Rhames noted.
"Great. We'll just go and break Watts out of jail and then we'll go to a party at Helios and get killed. Sounds like a good time.", Emerald mocked.
"Well... You sorta have to... So..."
"Shit..."
X
Unbeknownst to Team MRJJ, Em and Merc; Hazel was already on his way to free Watts from his imprisonment. Hazel had also received a message, this one not as encoded as the others and had headed off away from Cinder Thing. He'd told the Cinder Thing that he'd found another 'recruit', at which the Thing had cackled like a lunatic and encouraged him to find and bring said 'recruit' back to her immediately. Thankfully for Hazel, Cinder Thing wasn't very smart. Hazel had just gotten to the Atlas Prison before he was stopped by the local guards.
"Halt! State your business!", the guard shouted.
"I'm here to pay for the release of... Henri Dillmund.", Hazel replied. Since Watts' 'death', the man in question had been given a fake name; a really stupid one at that.
"Really? You have the seven-hundred thousand Lien for that?", The guard questioned.
Hazel didn't respond verbally and instead just dropped the huge sack of money on the counter.
"Cool! Henri Dillmund is free to go!", the guard announced. "Have fun with your friend, guy. He never stops complaining about pennies for some reason."
A few moments later, 'Henri Dillmund' was brought from his cell and deposited in front of Hazel. Watts had grown out his facial hair into an unruly beard. He also rambled incoherently about pennies and nodules. It seemed like his rather short prison sentence had taken a toll on his sanity.
"Penny! Penny! Penny! It's me! Knock, knock, knock! Penny!", Watts rambled.
"It's fine. You're free now. Sale- Sally Fields has requested our presence.", Hazel noted.
"Whugh? Who!?"
"You know who. We'd best get going...", Hazel noted as he dragged 'Henri Dillmund' from the prison. This was a bit easier than he'd imagined.
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Several Hours Later...
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Several hours later, Team RWBYJNPR, MRJJ, Em and Merc and finally Qrow had arrived at the Hall of Heroism at the base of Helios. The Hall had been redone in garish decoration depicting Jaune and Pyrrha in various heroic poses and diorama, most of which depicted events that were either embellished heavily or hadn't actually happened. Or they had happened in a different timeline due to Jaune's Semblance. Ironwood and Ozcar stood farther into the Hall close to the massive statue of Jaune and Pyrrha. There was no sight of Arden or Salem at the moment. Several dozen Clappers rolled about with drink trays and snacks. Qrow took notice of Clover next to the buffet table and headed off and away to make small-talk.
"Well. Here we are!", Jaune announced.
"The guests of honor don't apear to be present.", Ren noted.
"Ehh... They'll be here...", Juane reassured.
"Or they're planting the bombs and are about to detonate us all!", Yang exclaimed.
"Calm down.", Jaune sighed.
"No, Yang is correct. It is a bit odd that Salem and Arden are not already present. This is their party, after all.", Ren added.
And as if willed by the gods themselves, a rumbling startled everyone in the Hall of Heroism. Ironwood was the first one to react by pulling out his weapons and shielding Ozcar.
"Get down!", Ironwood bellowed.
Ironwood's eyes widened as a Grimm shape appeared outside of the Hall of Heroism. It was massive. A gigantic golden 'head' reared up and came level to the Hall itself, now floating into view. A row of massive teeth within an equally massive maw grinned at them.
"And now that we have your attention. It's time to discuss the future of Remnant. I am so glad you all came, willingly, to the beginning of the end...", Salem noted loudly like the voice of a new goddess.
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Chapter End
Hiatus cuz they ate us.