Chp. 43: Stepping to Relations

Airfield

June 6, 2020

It was morning, the next day and everyone was preparing to board onto the Monty Oum. Professor Ozpin, Professor Theodore, Professor Pauline Bellerose, Professor Xanthe Rumpole, Professor Glynda Goodwitch, and Taiyang were all preparing to board onto their airships until Ruby and Jacob walked towards them.

"You're not coming with us?" Ruby asked.

"I'm afraid not Ms. Rose. We all have to go back to the Huntsmen academies and do our jobs," Ozpin answered.

"Besides we have to deal with the press and they will be asking a lot of questions when we get back," Glynda said.

"Especially when the Councils get involved," Bellerose added.

"Pffft. Politics. Am I right?" Jacob asked.

"You got that right. They are such a pain. I just want to take 'em to the ring and settle it," Theodare said, pounding his fists together.

"You know we can't do that Theodore," Rumpole said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"I hope this doesn't get too out of hand," Ruby said.

"I'm sure things will turn out to be fine in the end Ms. Rose. General Ironwood and Ms. Hill and their supporters are already on their way to Atlas. We just need to have patients," Ozpin said.

"So what of the voice actors?" Bellerose asked.

"Heading back to Earth and doing what they do best. Entertain," Jacob answered.

"Attention all Monty Oum personnel, launch will commence in ten minutes," a man on PA announced.

"You two better get going. Wouldn't want to miss your flight now would you?" Glynda asked.

"Right. We'll see you when this is over," Jacob said.

"Good luck," Ozpin said.

"Bye, sir," Ruby said.

"Be careful, Ruby!" Tai said.

"Will do, dad!" Ruby said

Ruby and Jacob turned around and walked up to the American airship and boarded inside where their friends were waiting.


City of Atlas

June 8, 2020

Two days later, the Monty Oum has now reached the city of Atlas with many Atlesian airships above it, and stations itself in front of the floating island. Inside the airship, the students look out the windows and down on Atlas.

"We finally made it to Atlas," Yang said.

"Hopefully General Ironwood won't try anything drastic with all those airships," Weiss said.

"This is the most incredible thing I've ever seen," Kendra said.

"Definitely a sight to behold," Allen said.

"Look. Over there," Arslan said, pointing out the window.

Approaching toward the right side of Atlas were two flying aircraft carriers, much like the Monty Oum. One of the airships had the Japanese flag and the other was the flag of the United Kingdom. The British flag is a white-fimbriated symmetric red cross on a blue field with a white-fimbriated counterchanged saltire of red and white.

"There's two more approaching," Velvet said, pointing in the opposite direction.

Approaching toward the left side of the floating city were two more flying aircraft carriers. One had the French flag and the other the Canadian flag. The Canada flag is a red flag, twice as long as it is wide. In its center is a white square the width of the flag, with a single red maple leaf in the center.

"Looks like our allies have arrived too," Robert said.

Weiss pulls out her Scroll and opens up a video of a live news broadcast on the Atlas Broadcast Network. In the video all five battle airships were seen floating near Atlas.

"The unknown militaries has just arrived today in Atlas. The Council is very eager to meet with the militias' leaders, but none more so than Jacques Schnee, who had this to say," the reporter said.

The image switched to Jacques standing behind a podium in front of the Schnee manor. Robert, Ruby, Yang, Blake and Oscar gather around Weiss and watch her scroll.

"I am quite excited that we will soon meet the high ups of these militias that have been running around and protecting everyone on Remnant. I believe this day will be eventful," he said.

"I know bullshit when I see it. And that is pure bullshit," Robert said.

Ruby quickly covered Oscar's ears.

"Robert, Oscar is with us!" she said.

"Umm... It's fine, Ruby. You don't have to cover my ears," Oscar said.

Keaton, Alex, Cassandra, and Steel all walk up to the students as they all turn to face them.

"Everyone, General Ironwood has given you all some tasks to ensure the safety of the citizens of Atlas and Mantle, and the protection of the Council and Earth's world leaders," Keaton said.

"You are all to listen to your superiors and do what they say during your tasks," Cassandra said.

"FNKI, CRDL, BRNZ, Connor, Franklin, Tanner, Ren, Valkyrie, Rose, Hugo, Branwen, and Pine will go into Atlas and join up with the Ace Operatives to provide security for Earth's leaders," Alex said.

"NDGO, ABRN, SSSN, CFVY, McFoley, Knight, Dawson, Belladonna, Xiao Long, Arc, Nikos, Neopolitan, and Amitola will go down into Mantle meet up with the Happy Huntresses to provide protection from any oncoming Grimm," Steel said.

"Gordon. Schnee. You two are with me. I'll need an escort to meet up with General Ironwood and the Council," Keaton said. "You all have your assignments. Follow us to your rides down."

Keaton, Steel, Alex, and Cassandra began to walk down the hall as the students followed them behind.


Atlas Academy

Fifteen minutes later, a Blackhawk helicopter descends and lands onto a landing pad in front of Atlas Academy. Keaton, Jacob, and Weiss stepped out of the helicopter where Winter and Penny approached them.

"Captain Gordon, General Ironwood's waiting for you inside," Winter said.

"Please follow us," Penny said.

Winter, Penny, Keaton, Jacob, and Weiss head up to the school. A few minutes later, the five eventually made it to the doorway to Ironwood's office. They walk inside to see General Ironwood sitting behind his desk.

"Captain Gordon. Glad you've arrived," Ironwood said. " And Weiss. Jacob. Glad to see you two are here as well."

"Glad to be here," Jacob said.

"You actually arrived early. The Council will arrive in a few minutes," Winter said.

Ironwood's communicator beeps, and he puts his fingers to it, listening.

"What? Already? Here? No, it's fine. Let him in," Ironwood said into his communicator.

"Anything wrong?" Keaton asked.

"Unfortunately, the Council aren't the only ones joining us," the general answered with a sigh.

The doors open revealing Jacques and Whitley, along with a woman with them. The woman is a fair-skinned woman with slate-blue eyes. She wears her hair in a low ponytail over her left shoulder. Her attire consists of a white cravat secured by a silver brooch set with a red stone, as well as a light purple jacket with light sleeves, a wide belt around her waist, a matching pencil skirt with black tights and slippers. This is Weiss, Winter, and Whitley's alcoholic mother and Jacques' wife, Willow Schnee.

"James, I came to your academy because I heard that you have someone from one of the unknown militias here in your office," Jacques said as he walked up to Ironwood's desk.

Keaton steps up to the CEO of the SDC with his arms folded behind his back.

"You are not wrong, Mr. Schnee," Keaton said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr..." Jacques said, hesitating at the end.

"Captain Keaton Gordon, United States Marines," Keaton introduced himself.

"The name of one of the militaries I presume?" Jacques asked.

"The name of one of the branches of one of the militaries," Keaton answered.

Jacques hummed in response. Keaton turns his attention towards Willow and Whitley and walks over towards them.

"And I see you brought your family with you," he said. "Willow and Whitley I presume?"

"Yes, it is a pleasure," Whitley said.

"They wish to meet with some of you people, so I decided to bring them here," Jacques said.

"More like brought them here to boost his own image and ego," Jacob whispered to Weiss who snickered.

Jacques heard Weiss snicker and turned over to her direction and widened his eyes upon seeing her. Whitley gave a smug smile, while Willow gave out no visible reaction.

"You..." Jacques said as he walked over to Weiss, glancing at Ironwood as he did so. "You roped my missing daughter into these schemes of yours, too?"

Weiss gave an annoyed look as Jacob rolled his eyes and Winter glared at her father.

"She was already a part of this way before she chose to leave your home, Mr. Schnee," Keaton said.

"Besides, I chose to work alongside the United States military on my own accord," Weiss spoke out, stepping forward to Jacques.

"And soon they will steal you away from us, just as General Ironwood stole your sister away," Jacques said.

"They have done nothing to 'steal me away.' I chose to do what I please, just as Winter chose to side with General Ironwood. And all of that just to get away from you," Weiss said.

"How dare you speak to me that way!?" Jacques angrily yelled. "I have half a mind to-"

"Half a mind to what, Jacques?" Ironwood asked with a stern expression.

"Go ahead. Say what's on your mind," Jacob said.

Jacques narrows his eyes, then adjusts his cuff link, sighing angrily.

"You know... your mother was devastated when you left. Didn't leave her room for days. You know how… she gets... when she's upset," Jacques said while acting sad, taking a moment to peek at Weiss' reaction.

Her eyes glimmer with sadness, and she looks down, frowning. Jacob steps forward to Jacques with a glare.

"Unapologetically bringing up your wife's condition to get back at your own daughter, huh? That's a real dick move, even for you," Jacob said.

Jacques focused his attention on Jacob with narrowed eyes, realizing who he is.

"By the way, how's your poor old back doing?" Jacob asked with a smirk.

"It's doing fine, thank you for asking," Jacques answered. "Just be sure to keep your little friends in line."

"From what I heard from Ricky, you tried to get physical with Weiss, then at him, giving him the right to retaliate in self defence," Jacob said. "So I would highly recommend you to watch what you do, old man."

Winter and Ironwood smiled in amusement as Keaton smirked.

"By the way, shouldn't you be getting back to talking with the general and my brother?" Jacob asked.

Jacques raised an eyebrow upon Jacob stating Keaton is his brother. He turns back to Keaton who waved in response.

"I suppose I should," Jacques replied, then turned to Ironwood. "Could you have someone escort my wife and son out of her? I want them to be ready when the meeting takes place at our manor."

"Winter, if you may? Ironwood asked.

"Of course, sir," Winter responded with a salute.

"You're free to go with them if you want, Weiss," Jacob whispered to her. "Keaton seems to allow it."

Weiss turned to face Keaton, who motioned his head to the exit with a smile. Weiss nodded her head then she and Winter approached their brother and mother and began to escort out.

"Penny, go check up on the place our guests are staying," Ironwood said.

"You can count on me!" Penny said with a salute.

As Penny walks out of the office, Jacques walks up to Ironwood's desk.

"Now... let's talk about what plans need to be made for the meeting," he said.

Out in the hallway, the rest of the Schnee family walked down the hall with Whitley walking further behind them.

"So... how are things with your careers?" Willow asked.

"It's fine," Winter answered.

"Fine... so far, mom," Weiss said.

There was a brief silence as they all continued walking.

"I heard about what happened right before you left, darling... You left," Willow said. "You haven't come back to stay, have you?"

"No," Weiss answered.

"Good," Willow said as a single tear then rolled down her cheek.

"And one day will come back for Whitley," Weiss said.

"And you too, mom," Winter added.

More tears rolled down Willow's cheeks.


Mantle, Atlas

Meanwhile down in Mantle, Yang, Blake, Rebecca, Sun, and Ilia, all walked down through the streets. A pair of trucks drive by with miners, covered in black material, sitting in the beds. Ilia tightened her fists which Blake then noticed.

"Are you okay?" Blake asked.

"Being back here... just brings back bad memories," Ilia replied.

"Yeah, I could imagine," Yang said.

"Who knows? Things could change," Rebecca said.

"How so?" Sun asked.

"With a few of Earth's leaders here they definitely won't allow Faunus discrimination to occur and would try to convince the kingdoms' councils to have new laws that would ban Faunus segregation," Rebecca explained.

"Really?" Sun asked.

"One of their plans at least," Rebecca answered.

"Not to mention if Robyn wins a seat on the council, she will not only use this position of power to not only help Mantle, but also support the relations between Remnant and Earth," Yang said.

"I hope you're right," Ilia said.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Sun said.

"She should be on her way to Atlas to meet up with the Council," Blake said.

They soon walked up to find Pyrrha who was looking around the corner of the street with a forced smile on her face.

"Hey, Pyrrha," Yang said.

"Hello," Pyrrha said, who still kept a forced smile.

"What's with the look on your face?" Sun asked.

"N-nothing," Pyrrha answered.

They all looked around the corner to see what Pyrrha was looking at. They see Jaune standing on a crosswalk, holding up a small stop sign, while five small children cross the street.

"Single file line, you know the drill," Jaune instructed the children.

A group of five young women stand on the sidewalk nearby, watching Jaune and giggling excitedly. Four of them strike poses, grinning at him. One of the four winks, while another holds out her hand, gesturing for him. The fifth looks away shyly. A blonde woman in a red coat approached Jaune with a large casserole.

"Oh, casserole. That's too kind," Jaune said, awkwardly.

The blonde woman repeatedly attempts to hand the casserole to the reluctant Jaune before forcibly shoving it into his arms, blushing and striking a pose. Meanwhile, a small blonde child in a red coat looks back at her and then sticks their tongue out in disgust and continues walking. Pyrrha's face turned red and still kept her pained smile.

"Oh, boy," Rebecca said.

"Just calm down, P-money. Deep breaths," Yang said.

Once they were across the street, the children noticed Pyrrha and ran over to see her. Jaune turns her head and notices the group as well.

"Oh, hey, guys," Jaune said with a wave.

Pyrrha walks over to Jaune and grabs his head in both hands and gives him a long and intense kiss on the lips as he gently pulls her in and returns the kiss. Yang, Blake, Ilia, Rebecca, and Sun quickly knelt down to the children and covered their eyes.

"Dang. Pyrrha looks like she's trying to stick her tongue down Jaune's throat," Yang whispered.

"A lot of Arkos fans would kill to see this," Rebecca said with a smile.

Jaune and Pyrrha pull away, ending the kiss. Jaune turned to see Yang, Blake, Rebecca, Ilia, and Sun smiling at him as they uncovered the children's eyes. Pyrrha turned her head to the mothers and gave a smug smile as they fumed in jealousy.


City of Atlas

Glass Unicorn

Meanwhile at a place known as the Glass Unicorn, a large crowd surrounded the building which was an enormous, luxurious five story hotel. Several Atlesian soldiers and AK-200s stood guard around the hotel. On the steps of the hotel, Britny, Ruby, Oscar, Ricky, and Qrow stood guard, looking down at the Atlesian citizens.

"So we just wait for Earth's world leaders to arrive?" Ruby asked.

"That's the idea, pipsqueak," Qrow answered.

"They should arrive any time now," Britney said.

"Guy, isn't this hotel the same place where Cinder was abused and used as slave labor?" Oscar asked.

"Sadly, yes," Ricky answered.

"Shouldn't this place be investigated then?" Oscar asked.

"The owner and her daughters who had adopted Cinder were murdered years ago, to which I say good riddance," Ricky answered.

"But Sergeant Rogers and your friends are inside, checking the place out in case the hotel's customs haven't changed," Qrow said.

"Look. Here they come," Ruby said, pointing down the street.

Five black hover cars drove up and parked in front of the hotel. Several news cameras and reporters pointed their cameras at the hover cars. Stepping out of the first car was President Donald Trump.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump," a man over the PA announced

Stepping out of the second car was a man with messy blonde hair who wore a dark blue suit and light blue tie.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson."

A man steps out of the third hover car. The man has brown hair and a graying beard. He wears a blue suit and a red tie.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau."

Out from the fourth car came a man with balding black hair. He wore a pair of glasses, and wore a black suit and tie.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the prime minister of France, Jean Castex."

Stepping out of the last hover car was a man with black, graying combed hair. He wears a blue suit and yellow tie.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the prime minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga."

The five leaders began to make their way up to the steps and into the hotel as they waved to the crowd around them.

"The top dogs are here," Ricky said.

Britney and Qrow opened the doors as Trump, Johnson, Trudeau, Castex, and Suga walked inside. Ruby, Oscar, Ricky, Britney, and Qrow all walked inside and closed the doors behind them. The hotel's lobby has various glass sculptures of creatures of Grimm, including Ursai, Sea Feilongs, Sabyrs, and Beowolves. It also featured a large clock above the lobby desk.

"Let's just hope this ends well," Qrow said.


Somewhere in the city of Atlas

Meanwhile within Atlas, a black hover car drives through the city heading straight for Atlas Academy. Inside the back of the car were two passengers. The first person is a pale man with black, slicked back, graying hair. He had light blue eyes and wore glasses. He wore a suit with a gray-blue vest and a dark blue tie. This is the first member of the Atlas Council, Councilman Sleet.

The second passenger is a woman with a dark complexion, styling her gray hair with a curly style. She wears purple eyeshadow and a black shirt with a wine-red coat over the top. She wears a golden necklace around her neck and matching earrings. She wears black pants and a black belt with a golden circular buckle. This is the second member of the Atlas Council, Councilwoman Camilla.

"James better have a good reason to have kept his and the other academies' headmasters with this new militias from us," Sleet said.

"Perhaps the militias' leaders will explain why they want to be kept a secret from the public," Camilla said.

"And they could explain why our fellow Councilman was just found dead this morning," Sleet said.

"The news hasn't gone out yet, and we don't want to stir up more panic. The people of the world are already frightened enough as it is," Camilla said.

Suddenly the car came to a complete stop. Sleet and Camilla peered over the driver's seat to see a shadowy figure standing in front of the car. Six more people approached the hover car and all were wearing red armbands with a swastika on them. The two Councilmen grew terrified as they noticed they were all carrying rifles. The figure in front of the car walked over to the passenger side of the car and opened the door and revealed himself to be Victor who was now wearing a pair of black boots, black cargo pants, and a bullet proof vest.

"Look what we got here," he said.

Victor looked up and noticed another black hover car approaching. Three of the Neo Nazies ran in front of the approaching vehicle as it then came to a stop. The driver of the car stepped out, but was quickly shot by one of the Nazies. The other two gunners ran to each ran to both sides of the hover car. they opened the doors and pulled out a frightened Willow and Whitley Schnee.

"Looks like I've hit the jackpot," Victor said.


Mantle, Atlas

Outer Wall

Meanwhile back down in Mantle, Two Atlas soldiers and two American soldiers stood guard, keeping a lookout for any Grimm activity. One of the Atlesian soldiers then noticed something in the distance.

"Hey. What's that over there?" he asked, pointing.

They all looked and narrowed their eyes trying to make out what they were looking at. One of the American soldiers pulled out a pair of binoculars and looked through them. He zooms in and sees two dozen T-14 Armata tanks and eight Mil Mi-24 helicopters.

"What is it?" the second Atlesian soldier asked.

"Russians," the American soldier answered.