Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of The Dragon and her rook. Enjoy the 1500-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum, and Rooster Teeth do.
(Atlas, Schnee Manor, Cordially Invited.)
Skyler could hear a pin drop as Ironwood and Jacques sized each up. They were like Beowolves battling over a fresh kill. He decided to speak up and open the dinner.
"So, since we're gathered here?" Skyler questioned with a raised eyebrow. "I'd like to ask what the council intends to do about Dr. Merlot and his forces…. The Atlesian military has been focusing on defensive efforts in Mantle." Skyler said and looked at Winter and the Ace-Ops.
They stayed quiet. Skyler almost wanted to point out they hadn't considered letting him in on their moves… But he'd be damned if he gave Jacque's ammo against Ironwood.
"I thought the doctor was killed in the collapse of Mt. Glenn." Sleet stated which caused Ironwood to respond.
"My forces are prepared for Merlot's invasion… Something Mr. Schnee hasn't been focused on since the election." Ironwood said and tented his fingers.
Skyler rolled his eyes and sighed. He looked at Yang who was busy looking at him. Her lilac eyes were worried, they still held the same fire… But she was conflicted when it came down to it.
"I'm no soldier, Mr. Ironwood," Jacques said with the same frost of the Solitas tundra. "And we aren't here to discuss my career… But yours." Jacques stated which caused him to hum.
Ironwood glowered at the man as Skyler sighed. He pulled out his scroll and begin to ponder what to do next.
"It seems even your subordinates wish to focus on the future of Atlas, James," Jacques stated which caused him to smile. "Colonel, may I inquire as to what you're looking at?" Jacques questioned which caused Skyler to scowl.
"My job… And what matters." Skyler said as he looked at Jacques. "Just like I believe MOST of us should be focusing on," Skyler stated and leaned down once more.
Skyler's hands shook as he held the screen in his hands. There were countless emotions in his head.
The anger of sitting back while people continued to suffer under Merlot's forces. The betrayal and sadness of not knowing who his uncle currently was. The disappearance of things falling apart before he could make them any better when it came down to it.
"It seems you should keep our subordinates in check. General." Jacques said in the most passive-aggressive tone possible.
Something in Skyler snapped. He had ENOUGH of this barking contest between a brick wall and a mountain. Skyler smashed his hands down on the desk.
"No, it seems like you should stop pretending you give a damn about anyone else." Skyler hissed and folded his arms. "You didn't bring my uncle to hear to discuss his deeds. You brought us here so you could parade around your power while trying to make my uncle seem untrustworthy." Skyler said as Jacques turned to him.
"Oh, and you know what's best for Mantle and Atlas, colonel?" Jacques questioned; his brow raised as Skyler hummed.
"I've been on the frontlines, so yeah," Skyler said, meeting the man's glare with one of his own. "You have NEVER once fought on a battlefield, have you? You're so eager to talk down to my uncle… Must be easy sitting in an office making all the big choices while the soldiers handle the majority of work, dying so you don't have to." Skyler said to which Camilla and Sleet shared looks.
"Oh, and you think it's so easy, boy?" Jacques questioned with anger building in his words. "How often have you had to make the hard…" Jacques started to say before Winter cut him off.
"Don't talk about hard choices when you haven't made a DAMN one," Winter said, pointing a finger at her father. "You shut down the factories then blamed it on the embargo. You don't care about anything outside Solitas besides your bank account. It's why I left; General Ironwood is trying to save lives. When the hell did you care about anyone else?" Winter said to which Sleet spoke up.
"Ms. Schnee and Mr. Azur?" Sleet questioned, bringing the duo to look at the man. "All we are worried about is Mantle and Atlas at the moment. I'm sure you BOTH care about your homeland as the rest of Remnant?" Sleet asked to which Skyler nodded at the moment.
"Yes, but right now all we're doing is talking rather than doing ANYTHING, sir," Skyler said while he shook his head and turned to look at Winter. "And I'm kind of tired of talking. All this talking? We're busy making war plans without any actual work on fighting the war that's already here. I'd rather be on the frontlines, not cooped up in my office listening to people do work I could be helping with." Skyler said and rubbed at his eyes.
"And you think talking isn't important?" Camilla questioned to which Skyler hummed.
"There's a difference between planning and putting a plan into action, ma'am," Skyler said while leaning his head into his palms. "We have enemies inside Mantle and Atlas, I'd like to hear what we're going to do about them…. I'm sorry, I need some air right now." Skyler said before he sighed and hummed before standing up.
He sighed and left the room as Yang turned and left with him.
"I'm sorry," Yang said and turned to leave with Skyler who pushed open the door behind him once more.
She watched as Skyler walked past several staff while running his cybernetic hand through his hair. The colonel frowned; he had lost his cool…. Whatever attempts to try and curtail the situation into something feasible was gone.
Still? Skyler felt ready to explode. Everyone wanted to talk, but nobody wanted to DO anything. There were thousands of knives pointed at each other, but it was clear to him that nobody realized the issues at hand.
"What is happening to Solitas?" Skyler asked and looked out the window. "There's so much work to be done… But everyone just wants to consolidate their power and leave the others to freeze." Skyler muttered with annoyance.
"I don't think I've ever seen you blow up like that…" Yang put in as Skyler hummed and looked at her. "This place is going to end up like Vale sooner or later…" Yang said and leaned next to Skyler.
"There's so much hate going on, but NOBODY seems to want to do anything about it," Skyler said while shaking his head back and forth in annoyance. "I don't even recognize this place anymore. It wasn't perfect, even if people wanted to try and pretend it was… But it was home, and now? That home looks like it's going to die more every single day…" Skyler said and sighed.
Yang said nothing, trying to figure out what to say. She didn't know Mantle, but it was clear none of its leadership could pick what they wanted. Ironwood wanted security but was busy protecting Atlas. It was crystal clear that Jacques didn't care about anything but himself and his power…. And Sleet and Camila she didn't understand enough to know where their allegiances honestly stood.
"I'm going to go find Oscar…" Skyler said and turned to leave. "He has to have answers about this… If he doesn't? I feel like I'm going to lose it…" Skyler said with a frown that matched his anger.
Yang watched her fiancée turn and leave. She decided to go with him. Skyler needed some support… And it was clear they both had something to get off their chest… Even if they might cause more issues.
Yang frowned, when did life become such a web of cracks that she and the others kept falling through? Every single time Yang believed she had found a niche in life. It spiraled out of control, smashing into everything that she had just fixed.
"Are you coming back to Atlas?" Skyler asked, predicting what Yang seemed to want to do. "Because I have a feeling when I'm done? This is NOT going to end the way the council wants it to at the moment." Skyler said, more curious than ever what was going to happen.
There were forces at play that not even he seemed to want to dance with… Not yet, not now… And yet? Skyler doubted he'd EVER fully get over this issue… Not easily, nor the way that he wanted to.
There was darkness coming over Remnant… Very strong darkness.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! I want to point out that this season is going to be the end of the story. The next chapter is in 2-10 months and will show Yang and Skyler talking along with Skyler making a plan to stand against Merlot. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Yang will be 1500 words Saturday. Ruby 1200 Monday, Penny 900 Friday, Emerald 1200 Wednesday. Neo 1500 Wednesday, Elm and Raven 1200 Saturday, Pyrrha 1500 Friday, Cinder 1200 Friday, and maybe Winter soon.