The sun was rising as the couple arose from their blissful slumber.
Blake was the first to awaken, feeling herself snuggled up to her lover under the covers. It was like a flame she had long sought to reignite and she finally found the lighter. She smiled as moved up closer and kissed his cheek.
And then the realization said in that after today, she had to say goodbye to him once more. The first time Ironwood had taken him away she was too broken to say anything. The memory of that day was still as clear as it ever had been. Seeing him being hauled away on that airship, she heard him call out her name, she couldn't respond then. Could she now if he would be taken away once more.
She heard Alec yawn softly as his beautiful blue eyes opened up and looked at her. Her cat ears perked up as the first thing she did was give him a soft kiss.
"Good morning you" she said softly.
"And to you" he replied, uncharacteristically happy. He looked to his side seeing his cat Milena still sleeping peacefully like nothing in the world would wake her. He was reminded of what would happen today. He could run but he wasn't going too, not again, there was no running anymore. But what about her?
Milena had been by his side through this all, wherever he ran off too, whatever he had to face she had been there. But he shouldn't let her follow him into this, she deserved not to get stuck with him again as before.
Turning to Blake he asked "Blake, sorry I have to ask this but…could you honor one this one thing I want to request from you."
Blake smiled and nodded "of course my love" she said.
Alec nodded his head towards Milena "take care of her please. Keep her safe while I'm gone. I won't drag her into this anymore so please, keep her safe, keep her healthy. That's all I ask."
Blake figured such a request would have come, knowing how much Milena meant to Alec, she was his whole reason for being on Remnant in the first place.
"Of course I will, she'll be safe here" Blake said, reaffirming her promise with a deep and passionate kiss, which Alec returned with vigor.
Inside Blake's feelings where all in turmoil over the events that lead to this. She didn't want him to go, but he had made the choice himself. To redeem himself for his previous actions and make good on his promise to protect them from his former superiors. There was no choice that could be better.
But that didn't mean it didn't break her up inside.
The tears formed once more as she looked into her lover's eyes. "I don't want you to go!" she wept, burying her head into his chest. Alec responded by rubbing the back of her head. "I have no choice Blake. Ironwood will never stop hunting me and I won't risk the Conduit hurting you or your friends and family. The risks are too great, this is the only choice."
And as promised as the afternoon drew closer he stepped outside the Belladonna manor, Milena in his hand, Blake by his side and the rest of the crew consisting of Ruby, Weiss, Sun, and Blake's parents stood behind him.
Ghira would join them as Ironwood's spaceship landed on the island to ensure the natives of the island that there was no need for concern. With Menagerie being so isolated and home to only Faunus that wanted to live in peace, it was Ghira's job to make sure that safety wasn't compromised.
Alec glanced over Milena and kissed her forehead, looking into her big venom green eyes and silently tried to hold in his tears at the thought of not seeing her again. Then he turned to Kali who would remain behind.
He walked over to her with extended arms and placed the confused kitten into her arms "please make sure she's safe, that's all I ask."
Kali held onto Milena tightly "I promise she will be safe until your return. It's the least we can do for you" she said kindly.
Alec nodded, leaned over and gave Milena one last kiss on her forehead, a tear escaped his eye as he did. "I will miss you my dear, my friend…" and then he had no choice but to turn around and start his descent down the stairs.
Behind him a confused and clearly distraught Milena was meowing loudly, clearly begging her owner to return. Alec just continued walking, the tears where now streaming as Blake held him close, he was unable to look back, knowing he would want nothing more than to run back up the stairs to be with his friend again.
Blake held Alec's hand as the group reached the beach. The meowing from Milena was no longer heard but they could all still see the stinging pain in Alec's eyes and the tears dripping down. As soon as they stopped Blake embraced her lover and held him tightly.
Winds began rushing down the sand on the beach as Ironwood's signature ship appeared from the clouds, descending downwards to the beach. The people on the beach looked in surprise and shock, slightly panicking, thinking they were being attacked.
"Everyone calm down it's alright," Ghira bellowed "they are here with my permission, they are only here to pick someone up."
That seemed to keep the beachgoers calm and civilized as the ship slowly sunk down onto the sandy shores until it came to a standstill. While Blake and Alec where still in a tight embrace they both looked up as the hour of reckoning seemed to have arrived.
The door to the ship opened up, and to everyone's surprise Ironwood wasn't the one that stepped out.
"AAAAHHH" a hyperactive Nora screamed as she jumped out of the ship and immediately tackled the nearby Ruby and Weiss to the ground in a hug "SO GLAD YOU GUYS ARE OK!" she screamed.
Ruby giggled and returned the hug while Weiss groaned in annoyance.
Next up was Lie Ren who walked just as Nora stood up with the girls she just pulled into an unsuspecting tight hug, looking at her partner with a smile on her face. Next up out of the ship was Jaune Arc, his entire hand wrapped in bandage.
Upon seeing him it was Ruby's time to scream as she ran in petal form towards her man and embraced him tightly before kissing him without hesitation, leaving the young warrior dumbfounded for a good moment. But a gesture he nonetheless returned.
Weiss looked at the kissing of Jaune and Ruby with an eyebrow raised "I thought she was joking" she just said.
And finally there was the man of the hour himself General James Ironwood. As soon as his feat his the sand everyone turned to him, his eyes where focused solely on Alec. Stoic and unfazed as usual the general stepped forward to the still embracing couple. The two let go of one another and Alec stepped forward, his hands outstretched.
"General?" he said politely.
Ironwood stopped a few feet from the man, observing him thoroughly, as well as the woman behind him, looking with focused eyes on the situation.
"I'm surprised. You kept your word" Ironwood told him.
"As I said I would" Alec responded.
Ironwood noticed one vital detail missing "your cat is not with you."
The thought of Milena almost made Alec run back towards the manor to get her, in his mind he could still hear her desperate and sad meowing for him to return.
"Milena is staying with the Belladonna's. I won't drag her along with me into imprisonment again, that's my only condition."
"You're not in a position to make conditions," Ironwood reminded him "but fine. Just come with us, if what you say is true you have a lot to explain Nirvana."
Alec nodded and turned to Blake, softly extending his hand to her. The cat Faunus grabbed it and squeezed tightly, their eyes locking with each other, just staring into each other.
"I'll wait for you…I promise" Blake said softly.
Alec leaned into her and maybe for the last time he kissed her gently, her remaining hand touched the side of his face as she returned the kiss. Dreaming, fantasizing and longing even in sadness as the realization set in she had to say goodbye to him now.
The kiss seemed to escape time for them, as they got lost into their feelings. And then…
An ear piercing sound echoed over the entire area.
The sound broke up the kiss and caused both lovers to cover the ears, even Ironwood was stunned silenced by the sound as he got on one knee and covered his ears. All the remaining people on the beach screamed in agony as the screeching sound echoed over the entire beach and all its inhabitants.
As the sound dampened and became softer, everyone looked up at the sky. A giant shadow loomed over the sky as a giant mechanized airship appeared above the beachfront. From the looks it was very technologically advanced compared to even Ironwood's spaceship. It's body covered almost the entire beach on which the people where standing, all of them looking up in fear.
Alec held Blake tightly before looking up, his face becoming pale and fearful. "Oh no…" he muttered.
"What's going on here!" Jaune yelled as he saw the giant ship hovering over them. "It's the Conduit!" he heard Alec yell fearful "they found us everybody get away!"
Time seemed to slow down as the sudden revelation settled into everyone. All of Nirvana's claims and stories where true all along. The ship made a gearing sound as what seemed like small projectiles where dropped out from it.
Capsules then filled the beach around them and as they opened up a fully mechanized soldier came out, advanced weaponry in their hand. Their armor metallic grey and their face covered by a mask that seemed to be styled after old gladiator helmets, covering the wearer's eyes and face. A mark placed on top of the helmet, the same mark that Leana had tattooed on the side of her head.
As many of the capsules opened and revealed more soldiers, one of them spoke up "Inhabitants of this island, by order of the Conduit, surrender now!."
The entire group almost couldn't move, this was unlike the Grimm attacks they had been dealing with. This felt different, these soldiers where surrounding them.
"Soldiers! Get out and reinforce our position" Ironwood yelled to the microphone in his hand as the door to his ship opened and multiple Atlas soldiers ran out of it, armed and ready to fight. The Conduit soldiers observed the Atlas soldiers, but didn't immediately go on the offensive.
Alec looked at Blake in confusion and fear.
"Blake, get out of here and to safety. They are here!" he yelled. Suddenly a blue light enveloped him where he stood.
"Alec?" Blake said nervously as the blue light enveloped her lover. Looking up she saw it coming from the ship.
A brawl broke out on the beach between the soldiers on both sides. Ironwood, Nora, Weiss and Lie Ren ran towards them to assist with Jaune remained back, unable to help with his injured hand. Ruby held him tightly as they stepped back.
"What's going on!" Jaune exclaimed in worry.
Ruby looked around at the sight around her, soldiers clashing, scared Faunus all around them running and fleeing, screaming in fear. The giant airship looming ominously above them. And then when she turned around she saw a frozen Blake.
A blue light surrounding Alector Nirvana and slowly pulling him off the ground.
Ruby didn't hesitate as she transformed into her petal form and scurried towards the spot, standing in the light and grabbing her former enemy's hand to pull him back. An action that surprised both him, her and Jaune.
"What are you doing!" Alec yelled out in surprise.
"Trying to save you, what else!" Ruby responded. But the light pulled her in as well, her feet losing contact with the ground as well.
"Ruby!" Jaune yelled as he sprinted towards her and jumped into grab her hand as well in an attempt to prevent her from being pulled away. But similarly his feet left the ground as well and the light pulled him along with the other two.
Blake took one step forward "BLAKE NO!" she heard and looked up at Alec "save yourself first! Go and help them, don't get stuck with us!" he said.
Blake looked back and forth as the beachfront was engulfed in a vicious fight with the Conduit soldiers until one final glance at her lover and friends before she turned around, grabbed Gambol Shroud and ran to help fight the good fight.
Alec, Ruby and Jaune where pulled up by the blue beam of light. "I'm sorry you got involved with all of this" he told them as they were pulled upwards towards the ship.
Metal clang around them as they dropped onto the ground.
"Ouch" Jaune muttered as he rubbed his hand and stood up. He saw Ruby immediately crawl towards him and hold him, checking up on him. A few feet from them a disorganized Alec looked up and around them, making Jaune and Ruby check their surroundings as well.
The hall was completely round and metallic, with technology on all sides and the walls filled with metal pipes and electric conductors. In front of them stood two mechanized soldiers, each holding a staff of which electric voltage glimmered on the top of it.
Ruby grabbed Jaune's hand and looked in great concern at the situation around them. In unfamiliar territory and not knowing what their friends below where facing.
But Alector Nirvana knew all too well.
He was home, at least to an extent. The base of the Conduit, they're giant ship, the Omnikronus.
"We're on the Conduit's ship," Alec said looking at Ruby and Jaune "this is bad."
"Is that you dear Alector, it's been so long since I heard about you" a soft voice said out of nowhere.
Alec's eyes opened wide as he turned to see a giant round mechanical doorway open. Ruby and Jaune followed his eyes and what they saw before them was a sight that made them somewhat uncomfortable.
Out of the doorway, a floating mechanical chair flew through. On it sat a massively obese woman, with short stocky legs planted firmly at the edge of the chair. Her hair was shoulder length and dark red, her fingers filled with expensive golden rings with a variety of gemstones. Her face looked almost sickly sweet, especially as she gave a big smile at the three people standing in front of her. Her floating chair stopped in front of them.
"Alector Nirvana, it has been so long darling," she said sweetly, pressing her hands together as a gesture "and I see you brought some friends."
She turned towards Jaune and Ruby and looked at them with intrigue, particularly at Jaune. Seeing this Ruby went to stand in front of her beloved warrior.
The women then turned back to Alector Nirvana, who was frozen in shock upon seeing her move through the doorway.
And then he bend through one knee.
"Supreme Chancellor Belrus" he said, his head down.
Ruby's eyes shot open as she recalled everything Nirvana told her the previous day. This woman…she was the leader of the Conduit.
"When dear Vadim came back to me and told me why you had disappeared I was moved…gone all this way just to find your cat. Such a sweet boy you are Alector," she said as she began to softly stroke Nirvana's hair "but why didn't you just tell me. We had to figure out your technology all by ourselves."
Her voice was soft and sweet, like a caring mother. But even Ruby felt something off about it.
"I….I…." Alec muttered, his voice shaking and almost terrified.
Supreme Chancellor Belrus smiled "oh it's alright darling, after all you lead us to this world. All of Vadim's and Leana's reports, so many people here being used and put down. This world is perfect, to spread our love and help those in need."
"SPREAD LOVE! YOU ATTACKED US DOWN THERE!" Ruby yelled suddenly.
The Supreme Chancellor turned her chair towards the silver eyed girl, looking at her with intrigue. But her face still seeming smiling and genuine.
"What, that cannot be right. Surely you must be mistaking, I only send my soldiers out there to make sure I could extend an offer of peace. My only goal is to spread love to your world my dear girl."
Ruby felt almost sick to her stomach as the woman spoke. A nauseous feeling coursed through her as she saw the Supreme Chancellor of the Conduit approached her.
The woman's floating chair stopped right in front of them, Ruby still standing vehemently before Jaune as the Supreme Chancellor was looking them up and down. She snapped her fingers as one of the guards behind her walked up and grabbed Ruby's arm, pulling her away from Jaune.
"What are you doing let go of me!" Ruby screamed as she felt the guard tightly locking her arms behind her bag.
"Ruby!" Jaune yelled as he wanted to run towards her but was stopped by the Supreme Chancellor's chair as it stopped him in his tracks and Jaune remained frozen in place as the large woman placed her hand under his chin and caressed softly.
"Hmmm," she mumbled as she looked at him "such a beautiful boy you are."
"Leave him alone!" a voice yelled.
Rotating her chair around, the Supreme Chancellor looked to see that the voice came from none other than Alector Nirvana, who had stood up.
The Supreme Chancellor was still smiling but behind her eyes, Ruby almost swore she could see fire, as if behind that sweet smile, a seething anger was lurking.
"Well, well dear Alector," she said as she floated his way "It seems your time on this world has made you forget your…manners."
Ruby and Jaune could feel shivers going down their spine as those words set in. Looking at the sight, Jaune was more surprised to see Alector Nirvana of all people standing up for him, but his mind was racing and his heart was beating faster. He was terrified…
Terrified of this women.
"But no worries," Belrus continued as she smiled at Nirvana "I am sure a bit of rehabilitation will make everything alright for you."
Alec's eyes grew almost pale and the fear seemed to creep up on him. With another snap of her fingers, the remaining guard walked over to Alec and grabbed him by his hand, proceeding to pull him away.
"Nirvana!" Ruby yelled, only to yell out in pain as the guard twisted her arm again. Jaune hearing her yell immediately ran towards, only to be stopped as Belrus' floating chair stopped right in front of him. With the Supreme Chancellor now facing and looking down Ruby.
"You need to learn some manners dear girl, but do not fret, I will take good care of you."
Ruby looked up, she sensed an aura around this women. A women who despite physically seeming not much of a threat as she apparently could barely move without that chair, nonetheless terrified her with her mere presence alone. At that moment it all became clear to her…everything Nirvana had told, the terrified expression on his face whenever his past with the Conduit was brought back up.
It all came back to her.
A thud sound was heard and all the occupants in the room looked to see that the guard had been knocked to the ground, his staff rolling a few feet away from him. And Alector Nirvana breathing heavily, within his hands, a small device.
"Vadim stole this form me and I stole it back!" Alec said as he held up his old portal device.
Supreme Chancellor Belrus' smile faded, replaced with a neutral expression but Jaune could see her grit her teeth in annoyance.
Nirvana's eyes went everywhere between Ruby, Jaune and his former boss. But there was only a split second decision to make a choice, it wouldn't be long before he was incapacitated. And in that moment, there was no other alternative. Rehabilitation as the Supreme Chancellor had mentioned, would mean the end of him.
"I'll be back for you both I promise" he said to Ruby and Jaune as he pushed the button and a spiraling vortex appeared behind him and with one last glance he allowed himself to fall backwards into it.
Blake Belladonna being the last thing on his mind.
The vortex disappeared then along with him.
"Find him! Find out where he went and send someone after him!" the Supreme Chancellor yelled irritated as the guard on the ground immediately stood up, saluted and ran out of the room in a haste.
Sighing and regaining her composure, the women turned herself and her chair towards the couple left behind, looking Jaune up and down again before turning to the remaining guard.
"Take the boy to a room, I want to speak to him later, in private" the woman said almost longingly as the guard saluted and let go of Ruby, walking over to Jaune and grabbing him by his arm and immediately began moving him away and out of the room, a terrified expression remaining on the young warrior's face as he was carried away.
"Jaune!" Ruby yelled out as she outstretched her hand, only to feel her face and chin roughly grabbed by the massive woman hovering almost over her.
"You are quite a rebel dear girl. Do not worry I wouldn't dream of harming such a beautiful boy," she said once again with a bright smile "but as for you, you need to be taught some manners because your mother clearly didn't teach you any herself. But no worries, I will teach you well, you'll be in safe hands with me."
Those words, being reminded of her mother, made Ruby stare daggers at the women. Who just kept smiling, a smile that almost became a grin.
"Welcome to the Conduit my darling. Your new home."
A/N: And there it is a major cliffhanger to end the story and what a ride it has been. I do hope you enjoyed the story a lot, I know it wasn't exactly as the first story but I nonetheless enjoyed wring the story quite a bit. As for what comes next.
The third and final installment in this series will be a crossover between RWBY and another series, but before that I will write a short story that will be set in between this story and the sequel, but it will also function as a self-contained story as well. With that I will complete this story and I hope to see you back for the next stories in this series, with maybe a few one-shots in between.
Thank you all for reading this story and hope to see you all again very soon.