Cinder finally awoke to find herself surrounded by a tube of glowing blue energy. Startled, she placed her hands on the walls, only to be zapped by surge of electricity that came from the chamber.

"Oh, good" said a woman's voice, "You're awake."

Cinder looked to see Khione standing in front of her, the other Maiden sisters flanking her.

Cinder immediately grew angry. "Let me out!"

"No can do" Spring replied, "You're too dangerous."

Cinder raised her hand to channel her Maiden powers, but to her shock, nothing worked.

"What?" she gasped.

"You really think I would have let you keep that power?" Autumn asked, "I took it back when we captured you."

Cinder felt a surge of defeat; she had lost her power and was now locked up.

"Salem will come for me" she said, "Just you wait."

Spring chuckled. "Doubtful. She's about to have a very bad day."

Just then, the door opened as Dr. Hayden walked in.

"Ironwood requests you four to lead the military out to face Salem's forces" he said, "I can keep an eye on Cinder."

Khione nodded in agreement. "Do what you need to. Let's move out, sisters!"

Once they left, Hayden turned to Cinder. "I'm aware that this wasn't how you always were. But now you've chosen the wrong side. Trust me when I say justice will be dealt soon enough."

Cinder found herself growing nervous as to what that might mean...

...

Robyn emerged from the portal inside the Monstro. She could sense Damian was nearby and was rather grateful VEGA had the good sense to put her somewhere out of immediate danger. Drawing, a hidden plasma pistol from her belt, she began making her way down the hallway she was in. As she walked, she became disgusted at the interior of the creature; Salem really had fully succumbed to the darkness. Suddenly, her heightened sense told her she wasn't alone, and she immediately whipped around in a kicking motion. A pained grunt came out as Robyn's foot connected with Emerald's side, breaking the illusion she was creating.

Robyn pinned Emerald to the wall and held the pistol to her jaw. "What do you want?"

Emerald looked at Robyn with pleading eyes. "Please, I'm not trying to hurt you. I just didn't think you'd listen if I approached you openly."

"Well, I'm listening now."

"I've seen some things in this place that I never expected. I only thought Salem was going to conquer the world, not destroy it. She lied to me, and now I feel like I've lost those I actually cared about. Mercury, Cinder..."

Robyn pushed the barrel of her gun into Emerald's skin. "Get to the point"

"I want to help you" Emerald pleaded, "I know where he's being kept, and I can get you in without being seen. Please, just take me with you."

Robyn could see the pain in Emerald's eyes and relented after a few moments, releasing her from her hold. "Fine, but don't even think about turning on me."

Nodding, Emerald led Robyn towards the throne room.

In this same room, Novus remained strapped in place by the Grimm arms, with Hazel watching him as Salem went to her personal chamber to try and locate Cinder. Tyrian had already left for Vaccuo with Mercury.

"Why do you follow her?" Novus asked Hazel, "You know what she plans to do."

Hazel glared at Novus, but saw no harm in answering, "She can't be stopped. I've torn her limb from limb. Multiple times. The longest she was out was a few hours. I've realized it was pointless, so I may as well join the stronger side. Plus, she promised me vengeance for my sister."

Novus shook his head. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. However, he was curious about one thing.

"What happened to your sister?" he asked. Hazel explained how his sister, Gretchen, had tried to become a Huntress at Beacon, but was killed by Grimm.

"Ozpin could have saved her" Hazel concluded, "but he didn't. That's why I want revenge."

Novus realized he was able to relate. "I know how you feel."

Hazel scoffed. "I doubt that."

Novus continued. "The girl I loved, Penny, was killed at Beacon. All I felt was grief and rage at the Grimm and the demons. I tore hundreds apart with my bare hands."

Hazel looked surprised; maybe Novus did know what he was feeling. "You seem fine now."

"Because I learned that all the anger, all the hate, it wouldn't bring her back. Ask yourself, is this what your sister would have wanted?"

Hazel realized Novus was right, but then sighed. "Even so, Salem can't be defeated."

"Don't be so sure" Novus said, "She hides a scar on her side. A wound that never healed."

Hazel's eyes widened in surprise. "A scar? Impossible!"

Novus shook his head. "The scar came from a blow from my father. The Doom Slayer's magic is more powerful than Salem will tell you, and she won't tell you much...because she's scared of him."

Hazel sensed Novus was telling the truth, not realizing Robyn and Emerald snuck up behind Novus, with Robyn bringing out a dagger and hacking away at the Grimm arms. Within a few moments, he was freed, and he stood up in surprise, flexing his arms. "How...?"

Just then, Emerald brought down the illusion, and Robyn pulled Novus in for a hug.

"My baby boy..." she said with a smile, "Are you okay?"

Novus was confused, but relieved to see his mom. "I'm fine, but...how did you...?"

"Julius told us that the Hound took you, so I had VEGA teleport me here."

"And her?" Novus asked, looking at Emerald.

"A defector" Robyn replied, "she helped me get here."

Novus nodded to a very nervous Emerald before turning to Hazel. " You should come with us."

Hazel thought for a few moments before shaking his head. "I can't. She'll hunt us all down. Knock me out so it looks like there was a fight."

Novus wanted to protest, but Robyn simply raised her pistol. "Good luck."

She then fired an electric shock, hitting Hazel between the eyes and knocking him out. Robyn then summoned another portal as Hazel crumpled to the ground. Emerald was the first to run through, Robyn following close behind. Just as Novus was about to head through, he turned to see the Hound walk into the room and see him. He then promptly gave the Hound the middle finger before running through the portal, which quickly closed behind him.

The group emerged into Ironwood's office, and the general nodded in acknowledgement as they entered. "Good, you made it."

"How goes our progress?" Robyn asked.

Novus became confused. "Wait, wasn't he...?"

"We handled it" Robyn replied, "He's still with us."

Ironwood nodded in agreement. "Our full military force is ready to head out. Hayden has already informed the Huntsmen in Mantle and the Maiden sister have rallied the Champions and are waiting for your orders."

Just then, Ruby spoke over the coms on Ironwood's desk. "What about the people down here and in Atlas?"

Julius's voice added. "If the Night Sentinels get here, then neither Atlas or Mantle will be safe from the crossfire."

"I agree" Ironwood said. "If they stay here, there will be too many casualties."

Weiss spoke up. "What if we were able to open a portal and get them somewhere else? Can VEGA handle that?"

Dr. Richardson's voice came over the coms. "We're already using VEGA to run the facility down here as well as keep an eye on Salem and have him on standby for a trap Hayden has set. Even if he could handle teleporting that many people, the portals can only stay open for so long."

"What about the Relic?" Ruby asked, "could that help?"

"The Staff of Creation" Oscar said, though the change in his tone showed that Ozpin had resurfaced, "It's possible, but risky. The spirit of this Relic is...a character. He will need an exact blueprint of what you need him to build, like a real engineer."

"I can do it" Novus said, "He'll probably be more cooperative if I talk to him. I can take a few other with me if need be too."

Ironwood nodded in agreement. "We'll do that, then. Novus, take whoever you need. Everyone else needs to get to the walls of Atlas to get ready for Salem's arrival."

"On it" Julius said.

The Ace Ops also affirmed they were heading topside along with the White Fang and Happy Huntresses. Robyn wished Novus good luck before leaving with Emerald to rally the Champions. Novus himself selected Team RWBY and Penny to accompany him to the Vault underneath Atlas.

As they all left, Ironwood spoke to Oscar/Ozpin over the coms. "Oz, if this doesn't work...if I was too late to change..."

"Don't think like that, James" Ozpin replied, "I know we've all made mistakes; I more so than everyone else, but we can't let our failures decide what happens now. Look around, all of us are finally coming together, just like some of us wanted. We're stronger together."

Ironwood felt slightly comforted by these words, but the rapidly approaching threat of Salem still hung in his mind. "I just hope it's enough."

Little did they know that back in Sentinel Prime, the army was finally ready. In fact, different armies everywhere were preparing, and an epic battle was about to shake Atlas, and all of Remnant, to its core.

Almost there! For those of you who have made it this far, your patience is godlike and I thank you for sticking by with me and this story this whole time. Don't worry, the Slayer's entrance is right around the corner now. P.S I might add some special Fairy Tales chapters what with the Tales from Remnant series being out now, but not yet.