Hey guys, got another chapter for you all. I will only say this once, I haven't watched volume 7 of RWBY yet beyond the first two episodes and shall not be watching them until I finish up with Atlas in this story. I would appreciate everyone keeping my inbox spoiler free please, thank you in advance. With that out of the way, I hope you like what I have so far. I am working on the next chapter every moment I can so hopefully it will be out soon.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
"Speech"
Thoughts
Chapter Twenty-Two: Revelations
General Ironwood watched their reactions, a mix of anger, betrayal, and sadness amongst those who listened to his explanation. Qrow grabbed Ironwood by his collar and slammed him into the nearby wall.
"You knew!? You knew and you never said anything!? People died dammit!" he shouted in his face.
"Qrow!" Winter shouted.
"It's alright, Winter" Ironwood raised his hand for her to stand down "He has every right to be angry"
"You kept so much from us, James! Things that could've saved lives! Slade told you to tell Ozpin, he told you to involve him, and you did nothing!"
"I know... I was hoping Leonardo would find the one that infiltrated Haven and made these false backgrounds for Cinder and her accomplices. I didn't know Leonardo was the one responsible, if I had arrested them immediately, the infiltrator would've gone underground, or in this case Leonardo would've feigned innocence. I failed, the attack happened anyway and people died... innocents... students... people... they used Penny as a scapegoat for their plans. I failed and that's why I am trying to make up for it here, I won't make the same mistake twice. Between Slade and I, he seemed to be the one who knew what was right better than I"
Qrow looked toward Slade "Oz was right, you were the one who warned me about Beacon" Slade didn't reply.
"Why didn't you tell Qrow who was actually behind it!?" Jaune yelled angrily.
"Because Neo would've never had my pardon" Ironwood answered as Qrow released him "Slade knew if Neo wasn't pardoned because he talked to someone about this, she would be forced to work for Cinder for the rest of her life. Slade wanted to give her a chance to choose for herself, to allow her to follow her own path"
Slade sighed, he stood up and left the room "Slade?" Ruby called from behind him, he never turned to look back to them as he left.
"You knew about Emerald's Semblance" Weiss realized "You knew... and you never said anything to Yang or Qrow. You let Yang beat herself up for breaking Mercury's leg when you knew about them the whole time!?" Weiss shouted her anger boiling, Yang heard every word but seemed to have lost focus on the conversation, her eyes wide with shock.
"Weiss!" Winter lectured.
"No, Winter! No excuses are gonna make that okay!"
"I am sure the General had his reasons-"
"Reasons!? Pyrrha died! People died! Vale is overrun with Grimm right now because of him!" Jaune yelled.
"I can't believe you would do such a terrible thing" Ren said surprised.
"H-how could you!? They were our friends!" Nora yelled.
"How're you any different from Ozpin!?" Blake asked infuriated.
"I'm not" Ironwood answered "I always berated him for his inaction, but that was exactly what I did when I had a chance to stop this" he chuckled ruefully "There's no excuse for my actions, and there's nothing I can do that would take away the pain that was caused that night, but I can damn well try and make sure it never happens again"
"Slade was there that night, when Beacon fell... he saved Blake and I" Yang mused aloud, everyone's gaze turned in her direction as she finally looked up at Ironwood.
"Yes. That was when Slade first faced off against Tyrian, that was the night Roman Torchwick died... that was the night I knew I made the right choice in choosing him to help me here in Atlas"
"Qrow... why didn't you tell us about when you met Slade in Atlas?" Oscar asked.
"Yeah, I thought you were supposed to tell us everything!" Nora shouted angrily.
"Would any of you have believed me if I told you about that? If I told you the guy who helped you and saved your lives was the same person who massacred people in a restaurant in broad daylight" Qrow asked.
Nora was about to reply but stopped, knowing he was right "I guess not" she sighed.
"He didn't kill innocent people though, only criminals" Maria pointed out "That doesn't make him that much different than a Huntsman, but doing it in the middle of the day with innocents all around... that's not ideal"
"Slade was playing Oz and I the whole time we were in Atlas, he made himself seem like the bad guy so he didn't have to reveal his connection to Ironwood"
"But he told us he was working for Ironwood in Atlas, he told us about that job" Ruby pointed out.
"He didn't tell you about his involvement in the Fall of Beacon, or the specifics about his task there. Only that he took a job from me" Ironwood pointed out.
"The time frames he mentioned each time he brought up the job or jobs he took from you were always different" Ren mused.
"I always just thought he took multiple jobs from Ironwood. I never would've guessed it was just the same job" Oscar admitted.
"I still can't believe Slade was being so heroic" Winter admitted "He doesn't seem the type"
"Ha!" Qrow laughed "He's always been the heroic type, he's just guarded about himself. Ever since I knew him, he'd do anything to keep the people he cared about, or innocents from being hurt. I suppose Slade thought he was doing that for Oz and I when he left... I thought..."
"You thought he was angry at Ozpin" Jaune finished for him "It makes sense when you think about it, he made you think he was mad at you both, but never actually tried to hurt either of you, not really anyway. Slade must've known if he told you both the true reason, you'd both relentlessly pursue him and try to convince him to come back"
"Yet I ended up doing it anyway" Qrow chuckled with a shake of his head "Jokes on me I guess, one of my closest friends I thought had gone bad is just a really good spy"
"His skill in infiltration is certainly surprising. You don't learn that in Beacon" Maria agreed.
"Makes you wonder if he's actually telling us everything, or if he's leaving some stuff out. Maybe we don't know everything about him" Winter pondered.
"He saved my life more than once, and has done the same for most people here. I trust him, whether he's told us everything or not. Slade's proven he can be trusted" Yang said with a determined look on her face, Ironwood and Qrow both smiled.
"So... what're we supposed to do now?" Ruby asked looking at the Relic sitting on the table.
"We need to secure the Relic" Ironwood answered "Aside from that, I'd say we need to investigate Tyrian's presence here. I don't know how he got here, but we need to find out and discover what he's planning. I know the Grimm are likely to be coming to attack Atlas and Mantle after what happened in Vale and Mistral. I wondered if Vacuo would come next, but it would seem not" Ironwood explained.
"We need to figure out more than that, someone brought Tyrian here, he wouldn't be able to just teleport around and hope he makes it to Atlas. Slade's right, he'd probably have to know or have been to the place he was teleporting to. We also need to judge the Grimm numbers in Atlas so we can properly judge our defenses" Qrow added.
"Cinder and Neo are here too, and they're after Ruby" Blake pointed out.
"Yeah, we need to make sure neither of them ever get the chance"
"I wish Ozpin were here to tell us what to do next" Ruby sighed.
"We don't need him" Yang glowered "He'd just keep more secrets from us, just like he did before. Just like Ironwood did"
"That's not the case anymore" Ironwood sighed "We're going to keep Atlas safe, together. No more secrets, no more lies. You've all been forthcoming with me when you didn't have to be. I figured I owed you the same, and we can start fresh now, and I wouldn't count Ozpin out just yet. I believed Ozpin was a fool and thought if I were the one in charge, I could do better. Stop disaster before it came... but it turns out I was wrong. We need Ozpin if we're ever going to truly stop Salem"
"Slade and Neo are in the clear then?" Maria asked curiously.
"As far as I am concerned, yes. I will ensure his record is adjusted properly in our system-oh" Ironwood reached into his pocket and pulled out a few booklets "You're going to need these" he tossed them onto the table in front of him "These will allow you access to anywhere in Atlas and Mantle a Huntsman could access without too much hassle from my men. I've got checkpoints all over the place, keep these on you and show them to the guards when they request it, and you'll never have to worry about getting arrested, though you might get some annoyed glances based on your company" he gestured to Blake "Most of the people in Atlas have a low opinion of Faunus"
"People like the White Fang haven't helped that" Qrow sighed.
"I understand" Blake nodded "Thank you"
"Take these as well" Ironwood placed a bunch of scrolls on the table "These are our most advanced model, should come in handy. More so than the ones you currently have anyway"
"I better make sure Slade gets his. Someone should check up on him anyway" Yang picked up the booklets with her picture and his in them and pocketed them, as well as two of the new scrolls "Call if you need me"
"Yeah" Qrow nodded "Jaune, let's get to making a plan of action. We're gonna need everyone on the same page" he could be heard ordering as Yang went up the stairs.
"Right. Winter and I shall start preparing your new quarters... there's something else we need to show you too. We should get to it first thing tomorrow" Ironwood explained.
"What exactly is it?" Ruby asked curiously.
Ironwood smiled warmly "I think this is something you'll want to see for yourself" Yang rushed back downstairs with a look of concern "What's wrong?"
"He's gone" Yang answered.
"What do you mean gone?" Winter asked.
"Slade's disappeared, I can't find him. I checked all the rooms upstairs" she answered.
"Not to worry" Ironwood picked up his scroll "This should only take a second" he dialed a number "I'm fine I... I need... I need... I need..." he stopped as the person on the other line kept talking "I need... Silence! I need you to look through security for the last few minutes for Slade Stroud... yes the criminal... no I don't want security to be alerted, I just need to know where he is. Thank you... I appreciate it" he hung up.
"What was that?" Qrow asked confused.
"Slade's on a rooftop just up the road" Ironwood answered "Probably didn't need even need to call"
"Could've just looked outside" Nora shrugged.
"James, what was that?" Qrow asked "You asked someone to look through security cameras throughout the city and they found Slade within seconds? That's impossible, you'd need to have a super computer for a brain or-"
"Perhaps it'll make more sense, once you've met" Ironwood smiled.
"I'm gonna find, Slade" Yang said rushing to the door.
"Don't hurt him!" Ruby called after her.
"No Promises!" Yang called over her shoulder.
Slade sat on the edge of the rooftop, overlooking the city of Atlas from his place, not that much could be seen from his low place, but it was enough. Slade could hear the door leading up to the roof open up behind him.
"There you are" Yang sighed in relief "I thought you might have left without saying anything" she approached him, he never turned to look back a her.
"I wouldn't do that, not for more than a few hours anyway" Slade replied with a small shrug.
"I didn't mean... I know you wouldn't-" Yang tried.
"Relax, Yang. I know you didn't think I left for good" he chuckled "You're cute when you're flustered" Yang blushed lightly before punching him in the arm "Saw that coming" he laughed.
"Good" she sat down next to him "Ironwood wanted us to have these" she handed him the new scroll and identification.
"Thanks" he accepted them "I imagine this'll make things much easier for all of us, well... most of us" Yang sighed "Blake may be able to go anywhere now, but she'll always be seen as an animal by some people here. That's not going to change overnight"
"Yeah... idiots" Yang shook her head sitting down next to him, Slade laughed lightly.
"Damn right"
Yang and Slade sat in silence, Yang stole glances but never said anything "Is there something you want to say?" Slade asked without turning to look at her.
"No, what would make you say that?" she cocked her head to the left.
"You've been glancing at me for the last few minutes" he answered looking to her with a smirk "If you don't have anything to say then you're watching me, still think I am gonna take off?"
"It's not that it's... it's nothing" she looked away.
"If you say so" he shrugged.
They both remained silent, looking out at the city lights, enjoying the cool breeze "Actually..." Yang turned her whole body to look at him "Ironwood said you were there at Beacon, that you fought Tyrian and Adam... why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you help us? You had no reason to fight with us, to stop the Grimm, to go after Cinder to... to save my life"
"Blake saved your life, Yang. I didn't do anything special"
"You went after Cinder, you were planning on stopping her before she could do any damage. You tried to stop the Wyvern and stopped to fight Adam when he was going to kill us, you cannot tell me you didn't do anything"
"Blake had everything in hand" Slade shrugged finally turning toward her "I left Ozpin a year ago, Yang. I never said that I wasn't going to try and help my way"
"You're just like a Huntsman you know" Yang smiled.
"I doubt that" Slade chuckled "I only do what I believe is right, I don't let innocent people die when I have the opportunity to stop it"
"Yeah... That's what makes you just like one" she leaned back onto her hands "You could get your license you know, could've at any time"
"I have the only license I need" he flashed his ID at her.
"Your Bounty Hunter's License?" Yang was surprised "I didn't know they even had those"
"They don't" Slade laughed "Ironwood made it just for me when he hired me. Wanted to make sure I could have easy access to Atlas and Mantle"
"I guess he expected you to keep working for him before The Fall of Beacon"
"I suspect as much" Slade laid onto his back, his arms crossed behind his head "I probably would've continued working with him too, had he actually followed my advice"
"Yeah... he's not much different than Ozpin in the end" Yang sighed laying back as well.
"You may find that many good people in power are like Ozpin... it all comes down to them thinking they know what's best. After all, they wouldn't be where they are if they didn't right... I suspect Salem thinks she's doing what is best too. Or at least, she did at one point"
"Maybe you're right..." They both remained silent for a time, watching the stars above them.
"I wish Ozpin were here right now" he sighed.
"What!?" Yang asked shocked, sitting up to look down at him "Why would you want him back? He's done nothing but lie to us from the beginning!"
"He didn't tell us everything, sure. But how are any of us any different?" Slade asked sitting up as well.
"What do you mean? How're we anything like him?"
"All of us have things we're ashamed of, Yang. Things we don't tell people because we don't think they're prepared to hear it. White lies we tell people because it's easier or better than the truth. There's always the chance you've got a secret like my own being kept to protect someone you care about."
"I don't care how harsh it is, I want to know the truth. Not some comforting lie"
"I agree" Slade sighed lightly "That doesn't mean everyone can handle that. Ozpin knew that. Ozpin didn't trust everyone with the truth, not the full truth anyway. Maybe that's not such a bad thing, considering what the Gods themselves have already done"
"Ozpin isn't a god though, he's just a man"
"A man cursed with the task of saving the world, Yang. Can you imagine something like that? Such a heavy burden weighing on you?"
"Salem needs to be stopped, there's not many people who'd disagree with that statement if they knew the whole truth"
"And yet people still choose to fight with Salem. Think about it from his point of view..." Slade stood, pacing around the rooftop "Ozpin fell in love with Salem, he died, and then was brought back to life by the God of Light to save the world, to make sure Humanity is united instead of fighting each other for when they return. Because if they're not, then Humanity as we know it will be destroyed... again... Can you imagine what it must be like to discover the thing you need to fight against to keep humanity united is the person you love most in the world, a person that no matter how resolute you become you cannot kill?" Slade asked.
"That doesn't excuse his actions" Yang crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Maybe not" he relented "But what would you do if you were Ozpin and Salem was Ruby?" Slade asked knowingly, Yang's eyes expanded in shock.
"I... That's not... I don't..." she sputtered, not knowing what to say she chose to look away somewhat ashamed.
"Be glad you don't ever have to find out" Slade extended his hand to her "We should head back, I am sure Ruby or Ironwood has come up with a plan by now" Yang accepted, standing upright.
"Yeah..." Slade turned to leave "Slade"
"Hmm?" he stopped looking back over his shoulder at her.
"Thank you. For saving Blake and I"
"I already told you, Blake had everything under control" Slade chuckled with a shake of his head "I only wish I could've done more" he continued toward the door downstairs.
"What do you mean?" Yang asked rushing to catch up with him, keeping pace behind him as they walked.
"If I had warned Ozpin myself and told him everything from the beginning Beacon would've never fallen. No innocents would've been killed, Pyrrha would still be alive, and you'd still have both your arms"
"You shouldn't blame yourself for that, Slade. I know you were only trying to protect Neo"
"Yeah, I was. And now she's working with Cinder anyway, I might as well have just stopped the attack and kept everyone safe. Roman would still be alive if I had, convincing Neo to work with me would've been a lot easier that way" the exited out the building front door and made their way toward the rest of the team, taking a sip from his flask.
"Don't focus on the past, Slade. Focus on the future, things you can change. Make sure their deaths and sacrifices were worth it" Yang told him as they approached the entrance.
"I will" he answered opening the door. Slade and Yang entered the building to find everyone still where they left them more or less.
"Slade!" Qrow called "Standing to greet him"
"Hey, Qrow" Slade replied lightly "Look, I'm sorry for not-" Qrow grabbed Slade into a hug "-Uh... It's good to see you too?"
"You don't have to apologize for anything, Slade. After everything Ironwood just told me, I know you're still that same dumb kid I knew back at Beacon" he laughed.
"Hey!" Slade pulled himself out of Qrow's embrace "You can't go saying things like that, I've got a reputation to uphold"
"Yeah well you also saved Yang's life" Qrow smiled warmly "It's good to have you back, really have you back I mean"
"It's good to be had" Slade smiled back "Now! Back to work, we've still got things to do! What's first on the agenda?" Slade asked stepping over the couch, plopping himself down right next to Jaune.
"We've got a whole list of things to do-" Ironwood started.
"I wasn't asking you" Slade looked over to Ruby "What've we got" Ruby looked between him and Ironwood.
"You're asking me?" She asked confused.
"Of course, you're the one who's seen us this far already, Ruby. The rest of us merely helped you along when you needed it" Slade smiled at her "Ironwood has already shown himself unworthy of my trust" he glared "You're going to have to earn that back"
"I... understand" Ironwood sighed, reluctantly agreeing "I suppose that leaves the decision to you, Ms. Rose"
"Well..." Ruby pondered, rubbing her chin thoughtfully "We need to find out what Tyrian is doing here, we already know he's working with someone in the city but we don't know who. Then there's Cinder and Neo who've both come to kill me, and the Winter Maiden. There's Ironwood's friends he would like us to meet, and then there's the situation in Mantle and Atlas as a whole we need to assess"
"We also need to secure the Relic, find out what that symbol you saw in your vision means, and most importantly relocate" Oscar listed off.
"That's right. We won't be safe here anymore, and that Relic will only draw in the Grimm as long as it's in the open"
"Then we lock it away!" Nora shouted standing with her fist punching the air.
"Yes, Nora. No one disagrees with that" Yang laughed.
"We've got enough people, I suggest we allocate tasks among the group to be most efficient" Jaune explained.
"Agreed, but perhaps we should all go and meet these friends first. We can depart from there to accomplish our tasks" Qrow added.
Ironwood watched the group with interest, smiling lightly at them "They work well together" Winter whispered from beside him.
"Agreed. Perhaps Slade is right, for now we should leave everything to them" her expression turned to one of concern "What about that symbol? Do you have any idea what it is? If it's something we want to be kept quiet then-"
"I've never seen it before, it feels familiar... I could swear I've seen it before... but I can't place why. Regardless we should keep our eyes open for anything more on it, something tells me Salem is interested in it for a reason"
"Understood"
"Well then" Maria intruded "Who's going to be doing what?" she asked.
"Any suggestions, Slade?" Qrow asked.
"You're asking me?" Slade asked surprised.
"You're used to leading teams from your time at Beacon, you've got more experience doing so than Ruby and Jaune, not to mention you're a brilliant strategist and tactician"
"I don't know if I would go that far-" Slade tried to dismiss the compliment.
"You were the only one smart enough to take down the Dragon and without causing the city more damage than absolutely necessary. You've surly done more missions as a Bounty Hunter that took planning before executing" Qrow explained "If you have any thoughts, share them"
Slade pondered for a moment "Well for starters, Ruby is going to attract Tyrian and Neo to her no matter what she does. We should keep her with a big team. Both Tyrian and Neo are very skilled fighters, we don't want to be caught unprepared. Aside from that, we should keep a low profile while assessing the situation in the cities, people are less likely to talk to people with authority, meaning Weiss isn't the best suited for that task" Slade explained.
"He's right. It's pretty unlikely for them to say anything to me for fear of me repeating it to my father or sister" Weiss agreed.
"I also think Blake would be best for that task" Slade added.
"You think they'll be more willing to talk to a Faunus?" Blake asked surprised.
"Many people think you're nothing more than animals, they're many places where Faunus are nothing more than servants. They don't take the time to measure their words around Faunus for that reason, you may be able to get info out of them we wouldn't be able to by just listening" Slade explained "Most of the best information I got here in Atlas came from Faunus"
"That... weirdly makes sense" Blake nodded "I'm game"
"Alright then" Ruby placed her hands onto the table "Blake needs to go to Mantle and see if she can turn up anything, figure out what's going on with the general populace, see if they know anything that can help us and most importantly, get a read on public opinion. Any volunteers to go with her?"
"I'll go" Yang offered.
"No, too many people know your face" Slade interjected.
"Huh?" Yang cocked her eyebrow confused.
"Your face was all over the news when you broke Mercury's leg. There's not a lot of chance you'll go unnoticed, especially by any men around here" Slade winked playfully "Regardless you're not one to keep to yourself, you punch your way out of situations instead of talking. We don't want to draw attention while we're there and you're one of our best fighters, you'd be better suited to keeping Ruby safe. Blake and I can handle the job without giving ourselves away" Slade explained.
"That makes sense" Jaune agreed "The rest of us could be recognized too, we were all in the Vytal Festival. Slade wasn't"
"Not recently anyway, however he was stirring up trouble while he took down McLaren" Winter pointed out "It's unlikely that people have forgotten that so soon"
"People are likely too focused on more recent news. The Fall of Beacon, the attack on Haven, the embargo, and of course the attack on Argus" Slade listed off on his hand "Compared to all of that, a stranger coming in and dismantling a criminal organization isn't as immediate. You're right of course, though. I should keep my head down where possible"
"I was at the Vytal Festival too though" Blake pointed out.
"One Faunus to them looks like any other Faunus" Ironwood chimed in "They won't put you two together so long as you don't make a scene"
"Aside from that, we're going to need as many people as possible keeping Ruby safe in case she's attacked again. I don't think Tyrian is going to try and capture you just yet, if he was planning on that he would've done it earlier, and Neo just wants you dead. I know she's confused for right now, she doesn't know whether to believe you or not about what happened to Roman, but Cinder is sure to change her mind one way or another" Slade continued with a deep sigh "I know Qrow at the least should be able to manage with her just fine if she attacks, anyone else is just insurance. All I ask is you don't kill her if she does attack"
"How're you going to get info in your state?" Winter asked "You're too injured"
"I'm better than I was after what Neo did, I should be just fine"
"That's what I'm for isn't it?" Blake asked with a reassuring smile.
"I'm not sure I am comfortable with two former criminals going off alone into the city" Winter argued.
"How do you-"
"Ozpin's files on his students were extensive, I looked through the files the General had on you the moment I discovered you were on a team with Weiss"
"That's one argument I don't want to have again" Weiss sighed.
"You're not the only one" Ironwood chuckled.
"You've got a real problem with Faunus, don't you" Yang growled.
"I wouldn't if they could keep themselves from being criminals" Winter snapped back.
"Maybe they wouldn't be if they were given a chance!" Yang stood, shouting.
"Right..." Slade stepped between the two of them "Back to the matter at hand" pushing them both away from each other
"Ren, Nora and I should stick with Ruby and Qrow, we've worked together for a bit now and should be fine if anything happens" Jaune explained "The thing I need to know is; what're we doing?"
"Investigating figures of authority" Ironwood answered "Someone is working with Callows here in the city, they couldn't do anything impactful remotely. They'd have to be close by"
"We look into them and they're likely to go to ground" Qrow pointed out.
"Doubtful. I already started my own investigation the moment I got back from Beacon. I didn't find anything, if anyone was going to go to ground for a simple investigation, they'd have already done it. However one of my Huntsman investigating disappeared only a week after the investigation was over, and he was the one in charge of the investigation. If you start investigating, I can claim ignorance as I never ordered a second investigation. They'll just think a couple of Huntsman in training decided to investigate one of their own going missing" Ironwood explained.
"Meaning that someone in a position of power is able to cover Tyrian's tracks or sabotage Atlas from the inside for when Salem's army gets here" Ruby concluded.
"Exactly" Winter agreed.
"Then you're going to have to be careful. People here in Atlas like their privacy" Weiss warned.
"We'll be fine" Ruby assured her "So, we have Qrow, Nora, Ren, Jaune and I investigating Tyrian's accomplice. Blake and Slade investigating Mantle for any sign of unusual activity, anything that could possibly weaken Atlas as a whole when the Grimm arrive. Let's see, what else?" she rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"I will stick with Winter, no one is going to question me hanging around my sister" Weiss explained.
"That just leaves, Yang, Maria and I. What should we do?" Oscar asked curiously.
"We're going to be relocating so Tyrian doesn't come for us here, he likely knows your situation with Ozpin but not the full story" Qrow explained "I think it's best if you keep your head down for now and keep the Relic safe until we secure it"
"Qrow is right" Ironwood agreed "We can secure the Relic first thing tomorrow after meeting my associates. There's something I would like to try..." Ironwood stopped himself "Well... I shouldn't worry about that now. You should all get some rest, I will increase security in this district for the night. First thing in the morning I expect to see you all at the Academy" he turned to Winter "Stay with them, make sure they arrive unhindered"
"Yes, General" she saluted.
"Then I will take my leave. I will see you all in the morning" he turned to leave with a small wave to the group.
"Where are we relocating to exactly?" Slade asked "Atlas Academy seems like a strange place to go to meet your associates"
"The Academy is where you'll be relocated" Ironwood answered "There are several dorms there unoccupied, not to mention nowhere else in the city has better security than my Academy, my associates will be there because I have asked them to be, just as I have asked you all" he explained, Slade scoffed "Does that not satisfy you?" he asked cocking his eyebrow.
"It will have to do, for now" Slade answered "Blake, you and I should prepare for tomorrow. No sense going in blind" he stood motioning for her to follow behind him as he made his way toward the stairs.
"Good thinking" Blake agreed standing to follow him.
Cinder stood in a rundown building on the edge of the city of Mantle, she tapped her foot impatiently "Where is she? She was supposed to be here by now" Emerald stood several floors above her, overlooking the room curiously. Cinder's head perked up at the sound of rustling behind her, turning she found Neo staring back at her.
"Neo, finally" she stepped closer "Is it done? Is Ruby Rose-" she stopped when Neo shook her head "Why not?" she growled "Don't tell me that girl got the better of you"
Neo signed "It wasn't just Ruby"
"I don't speak sign language" Cinder reminded her.
Neo rolled her eyes, pulling a pad and pen from her coat pocket "Ruby wasn't alone"
"I figured that match, Neo. Who was with her?"
"Two of her team, the blonde, the Faunus, and Slade"
"Ah... now I see. Slade is the reason you failed..." Cinder paced slightly "Was it because he was tougher than you remember or because you couldn't bring yourself to fight him?"
"I fought just fine, he was injured. I didn't want to fight him but I did"
"Then why isn't she dead?"
"Slade told me what happened that night, what really happened"
"What do you mean?"
Neo tore off the page she was on and began writing again "The Grimm killed Roman, not Ruby"
"Impossible, I control the Grimm" Cinder replied.
"How far does that extend exactly?" Neo asked, an annoyed expression on her face.
"Far enough that nothing would've happened to him if I did not desire it" Cinder answered "If you think me a liar then just say it. I didn't get Roman killed, it was Ruby"
Emerald could tell Cinder was lying, she remained hidden, not wishing to anger Salem.
"If I find out you're lying to me, there won't be a pit deep enough for you to hide from me" Neo warned.
"I am not lying, not that I fear your ire regardless"
"I won't be alone, Slade will help me if I ask him. He's not very fond of you as it is"
"My newfound power is far greater than Slade's" she scoffed "I don't have any intention of making you an enemy, Neo. I assure you, Ruby was the one who killed Roman. She plays the innocence card far too well, even you fell for it"
"I will not let Ruby get away from me again"
"No, you won't" Cinder agreed "Don't attack her immediately, Neo. Slade's smart, he'll have devised the best way to keep her as safe as possible now that he knows you're after her. You need to watch them, learn their abilities. Understand their weaknesses and no one will be able to stop you from getting to Ruby" Cinder explained.
"I know" Neo wrote, ripping the sheet off and disappearing in a white flash of light.
Cinder grinned "Foolish girl"
Salem sat in her chair facing the window, watching the Grimm having taken to the sky circling, she smiled lightly. The door behind her opened "Report" she turned to face the one entering. It was a man wearing a black hooded cloak staring back at her, his face shrouded in darkness.
"Emerald hasn't interacted with Cinder as of yet, she's done as ordered and merely observed. Watts and Tyrian are ready for the next phase"
"What has she observed then?" Salem asked curiously.
"Cinder seems to be using Neo to kill Ruby Rose without being at fault. It seems she wishes to keep on your good side as much as possible"
"Yet she believes she can fool me with something so simple" Salem laughed "I suspected as much, she's become arrogant. More arrogant anyway" she shook her head "Tell Arthur he can begin at his discretion, but I want reports back from both of them with any new developments"
"Understood" the figure bowed lightly but made no move to leave.
"Was there something else?"
"I was wondering if you recovered my weapon" he asked.
"Ah, of course" Salem smiled, standing from her place "Go and see Hazel, he'll show you were it is"
"Thank you, Lady" he bowed and turned to leave.
"Make sure no one sees you, I don't want to be discovered before I am ready"
"I understand" he called back just before leaving.
Salem stood in place looking out the window down at the Grimm wandering around the dark pools, she smiled "Perhaps I have made you wait long enough, time for another visit" a dark corridor opened around her, engulfing her completely. When the corridor disappeared she was somewhere else entirely.
The surrounding area looked similar to the Land of Darkness but different in many ways. The ground was the same, with massive purple crystals sprouting from the ground. The sky was black as night, yet without even a signal light source in the sky it was bright enough to see perfectly. There was no moon or sun, no stars, just emptiness. There was a large body of water in front of Salem, it was the same liquid the Grimm spawned from but it went on for ever. There were several unnatural arches encircling the area closing off the area from the sea to form a smaller pool, like a spring. In front of the pool was a figure, clearly female on her knees facing the sea her arms outstretch on each side of her, held in place by chains forged from the surrounding crystals. The woman wore the same black hooded cloak as the man Salem had spoken to mere moments ago.
Salem stepped around in front of her and placed her finger onto her forehead, there was a red glint of light that emanated from her fingertip "Dear, it's been long enough hasn't it? You can talk to me you know, I promised I would let you go as long as you tell me what I want to know"
The woman spit in her face "I'll never tell you anything!" she shouted angrily "Leave me here as long as you like, a hundred years, a thousand... it doesn't matter. I will never break"
"You've been saying that for the last hundred years, you know" Salem chuckled wiping the spit from her cheek "Well, hundred years for you anyway"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before, Salem" the woman spat "Go ahead, ask your questions. I'll answer them the same way I always do"
"Oh, dear. But so much has changed since last we spoke" Salem grinned "My Grimm have full control of Beacon and the city of Vale"
"Ha! Lot of good that'll do you, we both know I am the only one who knows how to open that vault. Your Fall Maiden is never going to open it"
"Ozpin knows too, and I killed him you know" she smiled "He'll be back again of course, but maybe he'll be more open to talking next time"
"Fat chance. You and I both know that man will never break, and neither will I!"
"We shall see" Salem sighed "I know, about her you know"
The woman's eyes expanded in shock "You can't" she answered.
"I do" she smiled menacingly "You'll tell me what I want to know, or she will die"
"I won't say anything, you'll never know. That Relic is the only thing stopping you from winning"
"Oh I have other ways" Salem laughed darkly "I have someone in particular whom I've had my eyes on for sometime now... he will help me whether he wants to or not, he has no choice" she vanished as a dark corridor appeared around her, taking her back to Evernight Castle, leaving the woman conscious and helpless.
Winter led the group through Atlas Academy until they arrived back in a familiar hallway "This is where all the lodgings are located that are currently free. This is where you'll be staying, feel free to situate yourselves however you like" she told them as they continued on to Ironwood's office.
"Do we just want to do teams?" Ruby asked curiously.
"RWBY in one and JNPR in another?" Jaune mused aloud "That should work fine, Oscar can stay with us too since we're one down"
"That just leaves, Maria, Slade and I" Qrow looked toward the woman in question.
"Oh no, ya don't. I'm getting my own room" Maria announced with a scoff.
"Fine by me, Qrow and I can share just fine" Slade sighed lightly "Not that I will likely be making much use of it"
"What do you mean?" Yang asked surprised.
"After Tyrian and Neo both coming for a visit yesterday, I think it would be a good idea to keep someone on watch at night. This may be the most secure place in the city, but so was Beacon while Atlas's military was occupying Vale. Cinder and her friends got by just fine anyway"
"Slade's not wrong" Ren agreed "It couldn't hurt to have an extra pair of eyes on us while we're resting just in case"
"So we'll trade off watch duty then?" Weiss offered.
"I think you'll find that won't be necessary" Winter smiled back at the group as she opened the door to Ironwood's office. The group stepped in to find three people standing in the room. Ironwood, a man no one but Winter recognized, and-
"Ruby!" the third shouted soaring across the room, she stopped midair just before tackling her to the ground. Looking to her left she found Slade had stopped her using his Semblance.
"It can't be" the group stared in shock of the girl in front of them.
"Penny?" Ruby asked, Slade released Penny from his Semblance having figured out she wasn't a threat.
"It's so good to see all of you!" Penny shouted grabbing Ruby into a bear hug.
"I thought you died" Blake pointed out.
"Yeah we saw you get sliced in half!" Nora shouted in disbelief.
"Well... she is mostly metal you know" the unknown man smiled lightly at the group.
"Who're you?" Slade asked curiously.
The man's smile widened "Why I am so glad you asked, I am-Penny dear release Ms. Rose. You're not controlling your strength again"
"Oops!" she dropped Ruby on the ground painfully "Sorry, Ruby" she turned toward the man "I'll try harder Father" she bowed her head lightly.
"Father!?" Nora, Jaune, Oscar, Yang, and Ruby shouted in shock.
"Knew it" Qrow smirked.
"Yes, I did create Penny" the man answered "My name is Doctor Polendina" he stepped toward the group "It is such an honor to meet you all, Penny has told me so much about you and your team Ruby. I am glad my daughter was able to find such nice friends while in Vale, despite what happened" he looked down sadly.
"It's nice to finally meet you as well, Sir" Ruby smiled up at him.
"As much as I have heard about RWBY and JNPR, and no one could mistake the infamous Qrow Branwen. I don't believe I know the rest of you"
"My reputation precedes me" Qrow smirked.
"Indeed" the Doctor smiled warmly toward Winter "Mind introducing us?"
"This is Oscar Pine, the next incarnation of Ozpin" she gestured to the boy.
"Oh?" his eyebrow raised in questioning toward the General, he received a nod "That is interesting. This is the one... hmmm" he thought aloud.
"Pietro!" Maria called breaking him from his thoughts.
"Apologies, I didn't... Maria?" he asked surprised "I wasn't expecting one of my patients to be here" he laughed.
"It was originally the reason I was coming to Atlas" she smirked "Didn't realize I'd become a tag along for a group of kids though"
"Don't you worry, I will get your eyes situated" he smiled "It's good to see you"
"It's good to be seen" she laughed back.
"You know him, Maria?" Weiss asked.
"Well of course I know him, he's the best Doctor in Atlas, and the only Doctor who can fix my eyes when they start acting up" she explained.
"So you're not just a scientist, you're also a medical doctor" Slade pointed out.
"I am indeed, young man" he smiled "I specialize in prosthetics due to my advanced knowledge with robotics and animatronics, but I do know a thing or two about the human body as well. I've even been known to try my hand on a Faunus or two when they actually allow me to help them" his smile turn to a slight frown "No one in this city suffers like the Faunus do..." his smile brightened immediately "I don't believe-" he stopped upon seeing Yang's arm.
"What?" Yang asked covering it as much as she could, her insecurity resurfacing.
"You... painted it?" he asked surprised, he started laughing heartily "I suppose I should've expected some personalization, it is your arm after all"
"You mean... you made this?" Yang asked showing her arm to the Doctor.
"Of course, it certainly wasn't anyone else" he laughed "Watts may have invented the Atlas mechs you see walking the streets, but those are rudimentary robotics at best. Your arm is far more advanced than anything in them by at least ten years"
Yang looked down at it with a slight smile "You did do a great job with this thing"
"I did my absolute best" he smiled appreciatively "It's not often I get to make something for a hero after all"
"Hero?" Yang asked surprised.
"You fought at the Fall of Beacon, in my book no matter the outcome, you're a hero" he turned toward Slade "Now, I don't believe I caught your name, young man"
"Slade Stroud" Ironwood said without moving from his place at his desk.
Doctor Polendina's eyes widened in shock "Stroud?"
"You know me?" Slade asked.
"Not exactly, I know of you" he answered regaining his composure "I knew your parents, I was the one who helped care for your after you were born, you had some major complications after all"
"This is news to me" Ironwood stood up walking in front of his desk "It was my understanding that he was born in Vale"
"I was" Slade answered "That's what my mother always told me"
Polendina rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment "Did you have siblings?"
"Two of them" Slade answered.
"Ah, that must be it then. I suppose you had an older brother"
"I did"
"Must've been him I helped along then, I have gotten so old a couple of years and twenty feel a lot like the same to me" he laughed "I have heard your name a time or two in passing though recently, you're a Huntsman too I take it"
"Bounty Hunter" Slade answered.
"He's the one you hired to bring in Councilwoman McLaren then?" Penny asked.
"That's the one, though I didn't know it was her at the time I hired him" Ironwood smirked.
"Well we've had introductions and we know where we're staying. If you don't mind I am going to be heading down to Mantle, I'll meet you at the landing pad, Blake" Slade left the room quickly.
"Not much for social spaces I see" Polendina chuckled.
"He reminds me of you when you were younger" Ironwood smirked looking at Qrow.
"Now why'd you have to go and say something like that" Qrow groaned "I was never that edgy" Ironwood raised an eyebrow "Okay... I was never as edgy as Raven"
"That I will give you" Ironwood laughed.
"We should get going too then" Ruby turned toward her friends "Let's get our stuff situated in our rooms and then get to work, we've got plenty of ground to cover-"
"Is Mr. Pine accompanying you?" Polendina asked curiously.
"Actually we were still figuring out what he and I should be doing" Yang answered "I figured we'd just tag along with Ruby and help where necessary.
"I believe I have something for you Ms. Xiao Long, and I am going to need Mr. Pine to do it"
"And my eyes?" Maria asked.
"I can take care of those before we get started with Mr. Pine"
"Get started?" Oscar asked "That sounds like you're going to be operating on me"
"In a manner of speaking, I will be"
"Huh!?" Ruby, Yang and Oscar yelled.
That's all for now guys, thanks for taking the time to read this far. I appreciate all the kind reviews and messages I have been getting about this story.