I hope you guys are keeping safe out there, a lot of things are going on. I know there are a lot of things happening, but you can all pull through and endure it, I believe in you guys. Anyways, I am taking my time with this story now because of Volume 8 and see what other information I can take from it and interpret it into my story. Anyways, let us begin.

Chapter 100

"In breaking news, the police officials have arrested Tyrian Callows, a long-time escaped murderer who have evaded the authorities for years. The suspect was found in Robyn Hill's party rally where he tried to attack the supporters when a group of Huntsmen stopped him. And while he ran away, he was then apprehended by one of them and he is taken in by Atlas personal. As of now, Tyrian Callows is suspected of the series of murders that have occurred in Mantle and, through proper investigation, is responsible for all of them and will be convicted of three counts of murder as well as attempted possible murders. However, the biggest story of this is not the capture of the wanted criminal, but the person responsible for his capture: Arthur Knight, son of Lancelot Knight, who many believed to have died in the plane crash more than 25 years ago. When asked why his father wasn't present, Arthur stated that his father passed away 4 years ago. While we mourn for the passing of Lancelot Knight, we are thankful that his son is now following in his footsteps to keep both Mantle and Atlas safe."

"This…is…amazing news!" Ironwood cheered, which surprised everyone in the room.

It was the day after Election Day as the situation down in Mantle was as better than ever. Inside the office was the General himself, Winter, Qrow, Ruby, Jaune, Blackheart and Clover. While they were in the office, Ironwood said "With the capture of Tyrian, and Arthur's involvement down in Mantle, we have their support."

"I agree," Clover said, "And with the evidence gather, we can officially prove that Tyrian was indeed responsible for the murders down in Mantle, which in turn had people doubt that the General had anything to do with them."

"This is great," Ruby said as she turned to Blackheart, "By the way, sorry if I told everyone that it was all Arthur's plan."

Blackheart chuckled as he patted her head and said "Tyrian has been captured and humiliated, that is all I care for at the moment."

As Ruby smiled, Winter said "Don't celebrate too soon. We still have the matter of the heating grid and Salem coming."

"Relax, Ice Queen," Qrow said as Winter glared at him, "This is an easy win for us right now. If we keep it up, we can take down the Grimm Queen in no time."

"That is true," Jaune said, "But now what?"

Ironwood replied "Now we wait to arrest Watts. If events go accordingly…"

Winter finished as she said "Then my father will send an invitation for the General to challenge his seat on the council."

Ironwood nodded as he wondered and asked "By the way, where is Arthur anyways?"

"Down in Mantle," Blackheart said, "As much as he enjoys putting Tyrian away, he hates the spotlight."

Down in Mantle…

"There he is!" Maribelle cheered, "The man of the hour!"

Arthur groaned in embarrassment as the bakery was full of customers, mostly the ones who were in the party rally, as they cheered his name. In celebration, Maribelle had made a large cake for everyone to enjoy free of charge. Next to him, Weiss chuckled as she softly patted his back. Near then, Merlin and Merrick chuckled as Merlin said "That was a brave you did, my boy. It was no easy task to defeat a foe like Tyrian."

"Thanks…grandfather," Arthur said while Weiss let out a small squeal, "But with my name now on the news, there's no doubt that Jacques will hear about it."

"Well…too late for that," Weiss said before she muttered, "Not that it will matter."

"Even if he finds out," Merrick said, "We already have all documents ready in case he challenges your share."

"Hoho!" Maribelle cheered, "I can't wait to see the look on that weasel's face!"

Meanwhile, up in the second floor, Whitley was spending his time with Vixie as the two were sharing a kiss. Since the bakery was full of people, the two lovers went upstairs to spend their time together in private, mostly Whitley since he didn't want to be found out.

When the two broke their kiss, Vixie signed "I am happy that you managed to come. How did you manage to get here?"

Whitley signed back "My father may be cunning, but he isn't smart. As far as he is concern, he thinks that I am home studying."

"But…what if he finds out you are gone?" Vixie signed.

Whitley chuckled as he signed "I will tell him that Nana Mim kidnapped me."

Vixie chuckled before she gave him a sad look and signed "How is he? I bet he is happy that he won."

Whitley groaned as he signed "He was for a few moments before he found out about Arthur. I tell you, his office and my room are so far apart, and yet, I still hear him shout his lungs out."

"That bad?" Vixie signed.

Whitley nodded and replied "Oh yeah. Now that Grandpa Merlin has a real successor, father will worry that grandpa might use this to take back the company. But…you know my father."

Vixie sadly nodded as she rubbed her throat. Whitley saw this as he gently held her hand, and this time, he said "Don't worry, Vix. When my father is taken down and is removed from the company, we can truly be together and I will fund the operation to have you speak again. I promise you."

When Whitely said that, Vixie smiled as a few tears ran down her face and, when she was about to kiss him, Whitley's Scroll went off. Wondering who it is, Whitley took it out to see who is calling him and his eyes widened and said "Crap! It's father!"

As Vixie's eyes widened, Whitley answered the call as he said "Father?"

"Whitley!" Jacques voiced shouted in a demanding tone, "Where are you?! Why aren't you at home?!"

Now knowing what to say, Whitley said in a pretend-irritated tone "It was that old hag! She kidnapped me and bought me down to Mantle! She took away my Scroll to prevent me from calling you! I managed to sneak away to look for it! I am so thankful that you called, father!"

Hoping his father would buy it, to Whitley's relief, Jacques' voice shouted "That blasted woman! How she managed to sneak in is beyond me! I guess I have to hire a new security team! Very well, I will be down there to get you, son. Don't tell them that I am coming."

"Thank you, father! I will see you soon!" Whitley cried as he hung up, "Yeah, he is dead."

As Vixie silently laughed, Whitley looked at her and said "Sorry love, but I guess our time was short this time. You better head home before father arrives."

Vixie sighed sadly before she signed "Just be safe, alright?"

"I will," Whitley said as he hugged her.

When she hugged him back, the two headed out the apartment and down to the bakery. When they saw everyone still celebrating, Vixie quickly left the bakery. However, Maribelle saw this as she looked at Whitley and said in a teasing way "Awww, did the lovebirds had a fight?"

"Worse," Whitley said in a serious tone, "Father called me and asked where I was. I told him I am here and is on his way to pick me up."

The moment he said that, Maribelle went silent before shouting "Alright everyone! The bakery is closing for a while! This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill!"

Everyone was slightly confused as everyone started to leave one by one. Confused, Weiss walked up to Maribelle and asked "What is going on?"

Maribelle replied in a harsh tone "Your good-for-nothing father is on his way here."

"What?!" everyone shouted.

"Yes," Whitley said, "He found out that I wasn't at home, so he called me. I told him that Nana Mim kidnapped me, so he is on his way to take me back."

"Damn," Merlin said, "Guess there is no avoiding this. Was there anything else he told you?"

Whitley nodded and said "Yes, he told me not to tell you all that he is coming."

"Good boy," Maribelle said as he patted his head and gave him a chocolate cupcake, "Go back upstairs. We'll deal with him."

"Thanks Nana," Whitley said as he rushed back upstairs.

Everyone looked at each and nodded as they waited for Jacques Schnee to show up. More than an hour later, they all saw a fancy car arrive in front of the bakery. Knowing who it belongs to, they all waited until the doors slammed opened and revealed to be Jacques Schnee.

"Where is my son?!" Jacques asked in a demanding way, "One thing to steal away my daughters, but now you try to take away my son?!"

"He is our grandchild, you buffoon!" Maribelle shouted, "We have every right to spend time with him!"

"And they didn't steal me and Winter away, FATHER," Weiss said.

When Jacques heard Weiss' voice, he looked over and that is when he saw Arthur sitting next to her. Jacques narrowed his eyes at him and said "And you."

"Good to see each other face-to-face," Arthur said as he gave him a dangerous glare, "I was wondering when we get to see one another."

"You act as if though you know the position you are in," Jacques said, "Then let me remind you something, you are nothing more than a pawn for Merlin to take back what he lost."

"A pawn?" Merlin said in a provoked tone, "I would never use a family member for my own personal gain. Something you should learn from time to time."

As Jacques gritted his teeth, Merrik then said "And let us not forget the ironclad contract that Merlin and Nicholas had formed before the SDC became what it is. It states that both families can select successors within their own families. And since Arthur is Lancelot's son, he has partial ownership to the SDC. Now, you can argue all you want, but the facts remain that Arthur is, at this moment, the Knight's successor of the SDC."

"That is outrageous!" Jacques shouted, "I will not allow that to happen!"

As the adults all glared at him, that is when Weiss had an idea as she smirked and said "Oh, maybe there is another way for Arthur to claim ownership of the SDC."

When everyone looked at her, that is when Weiss wrapped her arms around Arthur's arm and proclaimed "Since father married into the family and owned the SDC, perhaps Arthur should do as well. After all, I am the heiress."

The moment she said that, Arthur blushed up a storm while Maribelle, Merlin and Merrik all held in their laughter. Jacques on the other had was in complete shock as he shouted "Absolutely not! I forbid it!"

"But father!" Weiss whined as she pretended to be innocent, "I love him! We have been together since Beacon! He is the only one for me!"

"I knew it was a mistake for you to go there!" Jacques shouted, "You will not marry this…ruffian!"

"That is my grandson, you fake!" Maribelle shouted, "That's right! You are like that clip-on tie, nothing but a fake!"

"I have had enough of this!" Jacques shouted, "Whitley! Come on down so we may leave!"

On cue, Whitley rushed down as he saw his father and said in a relief tone "Oh thank goodness, father! I was worried you might not show up!"

"Come along, son," Jacques said, "You don't belong in a place like this."

With that, Whitley hurried next to his father's side as the two finally left the bakery. When they saw the car drive off, that is when everyone in the room started to laugh out loud. Everyone slowly calmed down as Maribelle said "That sure threw him off! Priceless!"

"It was," Weiss said as she relaxed a bit, "The look on my father's face was worth it."

Maribelle then said "Whelp! Time to make the wedding cake!"

Both Weiss and Arthur looked at her in shock as Weiss shouted "Nana! It was a joke! It was just something I said to upset father!"

"Y-Yeah!" Arthur cried.

"But you two love each other, right?" Maribelle asked.

"Well, yes we do," Arthur said, "But…"

"Then I will get everything ready when the time is right!" Maribelle cheered as she started to work on designs for a cake, leaving both Arthur and Weiss a blushing mess.

On their way back to Atlas, inside the car, Whitley and Jacques both sat in silence. While Whitley wanted to break the silence, he knew better not to say anything while his father was upset. As the young Schnee looked out the window, Jacques then said "Those fools. All these years, they are still trying to take away everything I have worked hard on. They lost their rights to the SDC and now this? This an utter mess."

"I agree, father," Whitley forcibly agreed, "The old hag and fool always try to steal me away, but I don't allow them. I will not end up like Winter or Weiss."

"And that is why you are my favorite, Whitley," Jacques said.

While Whitley mentally laughed, his thoughts were interrupted when Jacques said "Your sister, Weiss, can no longer be the heiress. She is…far too gone to inherit the company."

"Wait…what?" Whitley thought before he asked, "Why is that, father?"

Jacques replied "She still hasn't gotten over her trauma when she was kidnapped and cannot think properly. She isn't fit to carry on the Schnee name, that is why I will be naming you the heir."

When Jacques said that, Whitley's eyes widen in shock. From what Whitley heard back in the bakery, Weiss told father that she was going to allow Arthur to marry into the family so that the young Knight could run the SDC if his father was out of the picture. And Jacques couldn't do anything about that since she is the heiress. But now that his father no longer has any control of his next successor, that responsibility falls to Whitley!

"Father…" Whitley said, "I…I don't know what to say…"

"Think nothing of it, boy," Jacques said, "However, I want you to keep this to yourself for now. I must prepare for dinner preparations for tomorrow."

"A dinner party?" Whitley asked, "Why so soon after your victory, father?"

Jacques then grinned and said "Because Whitley, it will be the day where Ironwood gets what he deserves."

Ironwood and Oscar were standing in front the Atlas Vault while the door was opened. Near Oscar, Ironwood asked "Well? Are you remembering anything?"

While looking around, Oscar replied "It…kind of feels familiar."

"I wouldn't be surprised," Ironwood said, "I figure bringing you down here would jog some memories. After all, it was your…I mean Ozpin's idea to lift Atlas off the ground."

"And while it was public that Gravity Dust was being used, you were really using the Staff," Oscar said, "I am surprised that it's not in the Vault like the other Relics."

Ironwood sadly sighed and said "When we lost the Winter Maiden, there was no way for us to seal the Staff back into the Vault. But aside from that, I was thankful that we didn't seal it with the Staff in it. Otherwise, we would have a problem trying to keep Atlas in the air."

Inside Oscar's mind, Ozpin said "It was a true tragic that the Winter Maiden was lost. Imagine our surprise when we saw Elsa."

When Ozpin said that, Oscar did remember something as he looked at Ironwood and asked "Elsa was from Sanctuary. She blamed Atlas for the town's destruction. What exactly happened?"

As Ironwood stared off, he finally replied "It was around 2 years after the last Winter Maiden passing when I heard of reports of snow falling in Vale…during the summer season. I knew for certain that it was the work of the Winter Maiden. So…I traveled to Vale with an airship to retrieve the Maiden. The council of Vale didn't like this, but all that mattered was bringing the Winter Maiden to Atlas. Ozpin found out and tried to help, but by the time we arrive, the town was swarmed with Grimm. I…there was a development for a bomb that could wipe out the Grimm without harming innocent lives…of course…in my haste…I authorized the use of it…but the results were…unexpected."

"It was never finished, was it?" Oscar asked in shock when he heard the story.

Ironwood stood silent and replied "No…I was told that they were cleared to be used…but someone falsified the reports. The bombs were never finished testing and the results…well…you know the story. On that day…I…we thought we lost the Winter Maiden once again."

"But now Salem has her," Oscar said, "And…you all covered this all up."

"We had no choice," Ironwood said as he gripped his fists, "It still pains me to this day that I allowed myself to act that way. And now…I am paying for it."

"I know you were doing it for your best intention," Oscar said, "But…there could have been another way."

"Perhaps…" Ironwood said, "But…I cannot change the past…"

As Oscar sighed sadly, they heard footsteps coming towards them. When they both looked up, the saw Blackheart walking down the floating steps as he said "Alright, I got the Sword, so now all we have to do is wait."

Ironwood nodded as he turned towards the elevator and said "We must stop Salem. No matter the cost."

Both Blackheart and Oscar followed him as Blackheart said "While that is goal, we have to remember that we cannot take things too far. Salem wants us to feel fear and divide us, we cannot allow ourselves to fall so easily. Especially not when we are this close."

"He is right," Oscar said, "While there is no tension with Mantle at the moment, and we are getting the supplies for Amity Tower, there should be no reason for us to fight among ourselves."

Ironwood understood and said as he looked at them "Do you trust me?"

"Well," Blackheart said, "You trusted us so far after we told you everything."

"What were you expecting?" Ironwood asked.

Blackheart plainly replied "You going crazy with paranoia and using the Staff to abandon Remnant."

As Oscar stared at him in shock, Ironwood merely chuckled and said "Yeah, that would sound like me. But…I will not become like my other self. This time, we will stop Salem."

With that, the three of them got on the elevator as they headed up. After a short elevator ride, they arrived to the floor, but when the doors opened, they saw Penny and Winter standing there, When they saw the look on Winter's face, Ironwood immediately understood.

Moments later…

Inside the office, Teams AVGR, JCME, RWBY and JNPR, Qrow, Summer, Taiyang, Oscar, Aruna, Holly, the Ace Ops, Winter, Penny and Ironwood all stood present as Winter finished reading the letter of invitation from Jacques Schnee.

"Looks like tomorrow is the day," Qrow said, "First the party, then the heating grid, and finally the witch herself."

Summer nodded and said "We are ready."

"I agree," Winter said, "With your aid, we have trained enough soldiers to repel the Grimm when they try to invade."

They all nodded as Taiyang said "So what is the game plan then?"

Weiss then said "Since I know the manor better than anyone, sorry sister, I will be in charge of looking around for evidence of my father meeting with Watts. My best bet would be his study room."

"And we will be there to support you!" Ruby cheered as she wrapped her arms around Blake and Yang.

Arthur nodded and said as he took out the flash drive "What Jacques will not expect will me and Merlin showing up and exposing him for the criminal he is. He challenges Ironwood for his seat on the council? Well, I will do the same."

"And we will be present in case things go south?" Clover asked.

"Not this time," Winter said.

Ironwood nodded as he said "The rest of you will be on standby. When the trouble starts, you will all make your way down to Mantle and start evacuating."

"But sir," Harriet said, "What will you handle the dinner meeting?"

Ironwood then looked at the others and asked "In the other future, I told the truth, didn't I?"

The group nodded as Ruby said "That is right."

When he heard that, he took a deep breath and said "Then…I will tell the truth."

"General!" Winter cried in shock, "A-Are you certain?!"

"I am," Ironwood declared, "If I eventually tell the truth, I might as well tell the council members attending Jacques' party. And since Robyn will…oh no…"

"What?" Qrow asked, "What is it James?"

Ironwood replied "Since we have mended our relationship with Mantle, there isn't a reason for Jacques her invited to his party."

"Trust me," Weiss said, "Father will still invite Robyn regardless."

"He will," Winter said, "Will I accompany you, General?"

Ironwood nodded and said "Of course. Now…is there any other concerns we need to know?"

When everyone shook their heads, Ironwood said "Good…then you can all rest and be prepared. Tomorrow…we will get preparations underway. This is it…our battle against Salem is upon us…and it is our duty to win…no matter what."

It would seem that everyone is getting ready for the party! What will happen? Find out next time! Until then, please stay safe and review!