Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of The Dragon and her rook. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum, and Rooster Teeth do.
(Atlesian Airship Blizzard.)
3 Mantas coasted to a stop at the landing pads, 2 holding RWBY JNR, Oscar, Qrow, Skyler, Maria, and Winter. The third held a group of Atlesian soldiers.
They were met with nothing short of a full escort when they reached the school. soldiers, AK-200s… were ready to execute the first thing to climb out of the ships.
It made Skyler more worried, his uncle kept the school defended, but the dozens of guns he saw pointed at him and the others? It made him feel like he was at a prison camp… not Alsius Academy.
"Keep in line and follow them," Skyler said before descending the ramp, he kept the frown adorning his face that let Yang and the others know something was… off.
Yang walked up to Skyler, having passed off the relic to Ruby, who was guarded by the others. She shivered slightly as her golden Aura flaked off slightly, lost to the cold.
It nipped at her like knights challenging a dragon, he turned to look at her lilac orbs as she steeled her gaze to match his.
"Does Atlas always have these many soldiers? I thought there was a riot in Mantle." Her tone was direct, accusing, angry.
It was colder than the winds blowing through Solitas normally as he folded his arms behind him. his gait locked with hers.
"This is Atlas HQ… I don't know what's going on with the riots. Do you think I was told people were fighting in the streets? The council would have told people." Skyler whispered back as she grabbed his shoulder.
He could feel the cold metal of her fingers. She flexed her right arm to turn him slightly as the duo walked at the head of the Atlesian escort.
"You think your uncle isn't telling you something about the military, then?" Yang asked, lowering her tone slightly.
She didn't like the military not helping with Mantle, but she couldn't blame Skyler for it… not yet. he had left to go see her, to go and help fix the rest of Remnant.
The attack on Vale scared Atlas as much as it scared the other kingdoms. She considered how bad the battle between Atlesian troops and Merlot's forces was, they couldn't deploy globally, and she doubted they would.
"I'll ask him, Yang. I heard on the radio; he's taking Vale a little harder than I expected. None of us expected a direct assault on Vale during the festival." Skyler looked downward, at their hands.
Yang took a deep breath; she hadn't had another panic attack yet. she slowly closed her fingers around her fiancée's hand.
Even with the cold snow and usual metallic feel of his fingers? Yang always felt the warmth from him. Skyler didn't lie, not to her, he trusted her.
They entered Ironwood's office; Yang felt as if it was like they were on another planet.
The symbol eternal of the Atlas brush and gear sat in the middle of the room, showing them just how much they stood within the heart of the kingdom.
The walls, blue, metallic, stood to show a commanding view of the kingdom below. It looked fit for a king or ruler more than a general or headmaster. Yang saw stars fitted on the floor, raising an eyebrow only for a moment before taking in the rest of the room.
"I hope your flight was… well?" The chair at the head of a mighty oak desk turned to face the group.
General Ironwood, stared at the group, hands tented together as Skyler's eyes widened in shock.
Before he left? His uncle had just started growing hair, usually, he'd shave before it ever grew out… it now was a full beard, his hair was also not combed anymore, it was swept to the right, Skyler saw small spots. Grey hair? snow?
The blue collared shirt and red tie were far from what he recalled of the general, along with his new snow-white jacket and gloves.
"Yes, sir." Winter snapped off a salute which Skyler slowly replicated.
Yang hesitantly looked at them before raising her hand to her temple. she had joined the military; she would at least try to act like a soldier within the ranks.
"At ease… things are far too tense for salutes anyway," Skyler shared a look with Winter.
His uncle's tone was off, uneasy, even a little distant. They had been gone less than a month if Skyler was correct. What happened to his uncle to make him turn from a clean-shaven commander to this recluse hiding in his castle?
"Uncle Ironwood? We need to talk." Skyler stated, he moved aside to let Ruby show the relic clasped in her hands.
"Where did you get that?" Ironwood stood and stared them down. Slater tensed at this, shocked at the tone of his uncle.
Author notes
Phew, another chapter is done! I'm sorry for it being short, I plan on the next few chapters being longer. I also want to point out Yang isn't wearing a new outfit; she's keeping her season 4 clothes here. The next chapter will be in a week or so and will show RWBY, JNR, and the others talking to General Ironwood and filling him in. until then, Lighting Wolf out!
Ps: Tock will be made today hopefully.