Here's the chapter. Next chapter will be the last one of 2018, with a week break. As usual, consult the dates at the bottom.

Really feel like I need that week off, as some of my stories are... I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but I want to take a week to look at them and make sure they're still on the right track. Either way, I'm hoping the break will let me come back refreshed and more eager, which ought to lead to some higher quality.

Troll still in reviews, bla bla, ignore him.

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 96

Ruby, Pyrrha decided, was either the worst or the best manipulator she had ever seen.

She might be the worst because here they were, in front of the Council of Vale, and Ruby was chatting animatedly, waving her hands and acting every bit her age. The Council were obviously unimpressed, with some looking down their noses at her entirely. She might have been the best because she was somehow getting what she wanted despite – and, Pyrrha was beginning to suspect, because – of it.

"Forgive me if I must say, but you're awfully young to be an ambassador, Miss Rose." The woman who had spoken smiled. "May I call you Ruby?"

"Sure!"

"Wonderful." Her face dripped with false sincerity. She was not an ugly woman, but rather had the beauty of a middle-aged woman who valued her looks and was trying too hard to cling into them as she aged. The make-up alone was a little too thick, and her facial expressions never quite moved far enough for fear of cracking it. "I'm sure you understand our concern, Ruby. You're so young, as is this Crown Prince. We don't want there to be any confusion, or for things to be decided too quickly. Can you really speak for him?"

The other members of the Council listened, a few whispering to one another. Pyrrha caught the gist even if she didn't get the exact words. The Council was humouring them, practically treating them like children instead of the ambassadors they were.

It was infuriating.

Ruby had to have seen it. Being younger and often underestimated, her partner was hyper-sensitive to the issue in Beacon, so she didn't believe for a second that Ruby hadn't caught on. That was what surprised her; that Ruby wasn't complaining.

Was she planning something?

"Jaune and I are best friends," Ruby cheered. "He trusts me, and whatever I say."

"Is that so…?"

"Yep!"

"That must be quite the responsibility at your age. How do you manage?"

Ruby giggled. "I drink a lot of milk."

Pyrrha's eyes narrowed. Okay, no way was Ruby acting like that. At least not normally. If it wasn't for her happy smile and cheerful demeanour, Pyrrha would have almost called that response… sarcastic.

Again, she's either the best or worst at this I've ever seen…

The problem was that Pyrrha didn't know which it was.

"Jaune wants to make peace between the Grimmlands and Vale because of Yang and I, because we live here and don't want to see our home destroyed."

Actually, I'm pretty sure Jaune always wanted this, Pyrrha thought. It had nothing to do with Ruby and Yang at all, though now that Ruby had said that, the Council was looking at her with more than a little awe.

Awe, and a side helping of consideration.

Two of the Councillors began to whisper to one another. The message was passed on, the second nodding quickly and typing something down on their scroll, which they showed to a third. Pyrrha kept her seat, despite wanting desperately to know what was being said.

Ruby, meanwhile, continued to act like an oblivious fifteen-year-old and smiled at the woman so obviously manipulating her.

"That's amazing, Ruby. Your father must be proud of you."

"I hope so."

"I'm sure he is." Another insincere smile. "When you say you `have his trust`, however. Do you mean that you can… ah… influence him in certain directions?"

Ruby paused to touch her lips. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Does he listen to your advice?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Often?"

"Pft. All the time. If I have an idea, Jaune always listens. Me and Yang, we're kind of his ideas people. I mean, I had this idea to take all the dust that grows in the Grimmlands and mine it, because dust is expensive, and everyone needs it."

That had been Weiss' idea, though not exactly a genius one. They'd all seen the value of solid dust growing out the ground.

The Councillors, however, were suitably impressed, and intrigued. "So, if we had an idea on how Vale and the Grimmlands could have – ah – profitable interactions, you would be the one to talk to?"

Ruby nodded. "Sure."

"Interesting." The woman looked like a predator now, though thankfully not of the sexual variety. She was looking at Ruby as if she were the source of all knowledge, or at least wealth and power. "Maybe we could discuss how Vale fits into that in a little while. The Crown Prince, he studied for a while in Beacon, didn't he?"

"It's how we met," Ruby confirmed.

"Would you say he enjoyed his time in Vale?"

"Definitely! We went out all the time, shopping, walking around – he loved the stores here, and the people. I'd say Vale was his favourite place outside the Grimmlands."

The naked praise did what it had to, not only calming the Council members but also earning pleased smiles and back pats from them – as if it were they alone who had presented this fantastic image of the city to the prince.

"That's good to hear. Perhaps the Prince would like some souvenirs from your time in Vale," the woman suggested, looking to her fellows. They quickly nodded. "It's not unusual for diplomats to be shown around the city. How about we go shopping and talk about a couple of ideas we had, and concerns, in a more casual setting?"

Ruby's eyes lit up. "That sounds great. I bet Jaune would just love some comics – and some weapon mods. He loves weapon mods," she added in a staged whisper.

You're the one who likes weapon mods, Pyrrha thought suspiciously.

"I'm sure a few could be arranged."

Ruby smiled happily.

Pyrrha wondered if she realised what they were trying, just how much the Council was manipulating her. Fancy gifts, tours, shopping trips, all bribes to try and win Ruby over, to make it so that anything they suggested would be more likely to reach Jaune's ears.

Ruby slowly turned to Pyrrha, grinned even wider, and winked once.

Or, on the other hand… The Council thought they were manipulating her, but Ruby was letting them bribe her into doing what she already wanted. If that was true, who was manipulating whom? And where had Ruby learned to be so devious?

Oh wait, she's a younger sister. Maybe it comes naturally.

And, as an added benefit, if the Council were underestimating Ruby this badly, they wouldn't bother trying to be subtle about it, meaning Ruby could see every little trick coming. Pyrrha could only watch as the Council rubbed their hands together, congratulating one another at pulling one over the naïve little girl the Grimmlands had decided to send forward.

All the while, Ruby's innocent smile grew.

"You're scary when you try, Ruby."

"I've got no idea what you're talking about, Pyrrha."

/-/

Jaune stared death in the face. Death looked remarkably blond, tanned and angry. It also came with a dog instead of a scythe.

"So," Death said. "Marriage, huh? My daughter, huh?"

"Look, it's not what you think."

"You're damn right it's not," Taiyang said, closing the door none-too-gently behind him. The corgi at his feet growled threateningly. "Because I'm thinking that my daughter's boyfriend turned out to be a Grimm, dragged her off to who knows where and knocked her up, then married her without me being invited. But that would be ridiculous, right?"

"Y-You're acting like the last part is the worst."

Taiyang's hand slammed down on the table. "Start talking, kid."

"Technically, I'm the Crown Prince of the Grimm and-" Taiyang's glare intensified, "W-We're not actually married!"

The personification of fatherly rage paused. "What?"

"We're not actually married."

"Explain."

"We're dating still, nothing has been agreed yet – and she's not pregnant. Technically."

"Technically?" Taiyang sounded sceptical, but the aura of rage diminished somewhat. He drew out a chair but didn't sit down. He leaned his arms on the backrest. "I think you better tell me what you mean by `technical`, and don't miss anything out. My baby girl is trapped in the middle of some of the most complicated shit this side of the moon. I am not in the mood for games."

That much was obvious. Jaune tensed, but quickly ran through the story for Taiyang's benefit, missing nothing out, including Yin. Through it, the man stood silent. The corgi less so. It had started to nip at his feet and was right now hanging from his cloak, tugging it back and forth to try and rip it.

"So, my daughter has a Grimm parasite?"

"I-It really is as good as a child. It has both our DNA and was born from us, in a sense." When Taiyang's eyes narrowed, Jaune quickly said, "I did it to help protect her! She'd lost her arm and I just knew she'd come looking for us despite that. Would you have had me leave her to do so with just one arm?"

"No," Taiyang admitted with a sigh. "But I'd have had you tell me first."

"That I was part-Grimm!?"

"Okay, I can see why you wouldn't want to do that. I don't like this, kid. Not gonna lie. The arm I could get used to. So long as it's a part of her and not harming her. But everything else, I get that you said you were engaged to make Atlas let her go, but that hasn't worked."

"I know." Jaune sighed. "I really thought they would, too. I mean, they can't actually fight us…"

"It's not about what can and can't be done. It's about perception. You're dealing with politicians. If they're seen to give in to you, they lose respect and votes. Atlas has made its name on resisting the Grimm, on being the `last line of defence for humanity`." He snorted. "As if the rest of us don't even exist. For the most part, they're just arrogant. Believing their own hype."

"What does that have to do with us?"

"It matters because they genuinely believe they can fight you off."

"That's ridiculous."

"It is. But I didn't say the military thinks it can win, nor the Generals. They know the truth. It's the average person who doesn't. When negativity can summon more Grimm, it's in the Government's interest to make sure people don't dwell on it. So, they feed the lie that Atlas is invincible, that it's unbeatable. They hold parades, air shows, and make a point of how their military is the biggest and the strongest in Remnant."

"The average person buys it," he continued, "Because what do they know? Most of them haven't even seen Grimm face-to-face, let alone seen what they can do. All they know is what people tell them and Saturday cartoons show them. As far as they're concerned, you're here because you're desperate. Not the other way around."

Jaune's mouth fell open. He wasn't sure for a moment whether Taiyang was joking or not, but as the seconds ticked on, he began to realise the man was being serious.

"The arrogance of humans," Remy chuckled. "It never surprises."

There really was no other way to put it. Stupidity, maybe, but then that sounded worse. He could understand the people who never left the city not knowing what it was like for the villages that would be swallowed up by the Grimm each month, but they should have at least known their history.

"History is made and told by people. Who do you think Atlas' historians paint as the glorious defenders?"

"B-But the politicians have to know better. They have the benefit of the military's reports – and surely they know Atlas can't stand."

"You'd hope so. Problem is, if they cave, the people will be pissed."

Jaune leaned forward. "If they don't cave, they'll be annihilated!"

"Better to die a lion than live a sheep."

"Who says that!?" Jaune cried.

"People who have never faced death and seen what it's like," Taiyang said. "Trust me, I think they're idiots, but that's life for you. The politicians only stay in power so long as they do what the people think is right. They can push their own agenda on the side, but right now they're stuck between a rock and a hard place. They know they should give in to you, but if they do so freely, the people will rebel. They'll be voted out or thrown out. Whichever comes first." He shrugged one shoulder. "Hell, I bet most of them back there want to give you Yang. It's just that they can't. Their hands are tied."

"Tied by what, greed?"

"Mostly."

"And the destruction of Atlas is worth them holding their positions?"

"For some of them, they'd rather see the world end than them be kicked out. They probably think they could escape, maybe flee to Vale and hide there. They're rich and powerful, after all. Most of them have their own entourage of guards."

"They wouldn't escape if I didn't want them to," he said, thinking of Kevin.

"Probably not. But the truth is, you're not going to go ahead with the attack, are you?"

Jaune stiffened. The man opposite him looked so knowing, so confident, that it was hard to speak for a moment. "I'm not sure what you mean. I'm here, aren't I? The Grimm are waiting outside. If I wasn't going to go ahead with it, why would they be there?"

"A bluff."

"You willing to take that risk?"

"Yes."

Zwei growled angrily as the two stared silently at one another.

"I may not know you all that well, but I know Yang and Ruby," Taiyang said. "I raised them, alone for a long time, so I know what they're like. Yang wouldn't fall for someone who would do something so cruel, and Ruby sure as hell wouldn't stand by and let it happen, let alone take part. You make it look convincing, but I know they wouldn't let you start a war."

Jaune tried to maintain eye contact but was forced to look away. Taiyang had him.

"Not that it's a bad thing by any means. I think Summer would approve of you, for all that she'd kick your ass for not introducing yourself properly to us first." He laughed at some distant memory. "All things considered, I suppose I can't say Yang chose poorly. Any guy willing to take on the world and change it for my girl is one who has his priorities straight."

He was surprised to find the words meant more to him than he'd thought they would. "I… Thank you. About Yang, though. If you say the Council of Atlas can't give up, then what am I supposed to do?"

"The way I see it, you've got two choices. You can either compromise, accept some defeat and let them think they've won something back from you in exchange for Yang."

"I don't like that idea." Remy said.

"Or you can push – show the people that they're not invincible, that they should take what little you're willing to give them. That you're serious with your threats. More serious than you are now."

"I like this idea."

Jaune didn't like either.

The compromise was bad because he knew what they'd want – someone to blame and punish. It might be Salem, but it might be him, Yang or even all three of them. If Atlas wanted to come out as the `winners`, then that meant there had to be a loser.

On the other hand, attacking brought its own risks, not least of all was Yang, but also the fact that the other Kingdoms would see it as an aggressive move. Ruby was in Vale and they already had their deal with Menagerie, all of which might be put in peril if he made a move like that.

Still, if Taiyang was right, doing nothing was just as bad an option. It would only take time for people to realise he wasn't making good on his threat, to start to realise it was just a threat. From there, they'd demand more, or deny him entirely. On the global side of things, being seen as afraid to act was probably going to be just as bad as being violent.

Jaune groaned and palmed his face. "I hate politics."

"You're not the only one, kid. There's that saying about how a mob is only as smart as its dumbest member. Politics is that except scaled up. Individuals deciding policy that affects hundreds of thousands, based on the opinions of people with no expertise or experience in said matters."

"You sound like you don't like the system."

"Do I? If so, it's only because it looks bad now." Taiyang laughed. "Don't get me wrong, democracy like this is the best way to do things. But that doesn't make it perfect. Nothing is." He winked. "Even Summer had faults that drove me up the wall at times, even if I loved her. I'm sure you'll find some for Yang in time."

"I think I already know them. Her temper for one…"

"Ah. She gets that from me."

Jaune was surprised. "Not Raven…?"

"Raven was quick to anger but tended to seethe. The whole flying out of control thing, yeah, that's mine." He laughed, embarrassed to admit it. "Anyway, I should go." Taiyang stood slowly and whistled. Zwei, who had already managed to scale up near Jaune's neck, paused before he could go for the jugular.

The dog whined.

"He passes the test, Zwei. Leave him be."

Zwei gave a forlorn look to Jaune's throat, as if to ask whether he could maybe just take a little bit – as a souvenir.

"No, Zwei. Down."

The dog murmured in obvious distress but did so, jumping off Jaune's shoulder and landing easily on the floor. It scuffed its feet three times, as if to wipe the dirt off his paws, and then trotted over to his master.

"Good luck with Yang," Taiyang said. "And with the Council. Think on what I said, yeah? It's all well and good to play niceties, but nice people get run over. It's a cruel fact of life. Those willing to get their hands a little dirty. They tend to do better."

His wisdom imparted, Taiyang left the room with a last little wave.

His head popped back in.

"Oh, and when the wedding legitimately happens, make sure I'm invited. Or you die."

The door slammed shut.

Well, I survived that, he thought, rubbing his head. Of all things today, Yang's dad had actually been the easiest. Or at least the most reasonable. If only the Council was like him. Ironwood was right to try and keep me away from here. They're idiots.

Maybe not idiots as in stupid, but idiots in that they were classing their careers as more important than their people. Sure, the public might not thank them for making a deal, but if it was for the best, then that was that, right?

"Isn't that reasoning what you mother used? It was for the best that you never attended Beacon…"

"That's… not the same. Is it?"

Remy didn't respond. He didn't have to.

It wasn't quite the same, but it was close enough that he could understand it. The people were like him when he was younger, only tangentially informed, naïve and optimistic. They wanted what was best, but not knowing all the details, that image of `best` was skewed from reality.

For all that he'd done well in Beacon, his mom hadn't been wrong. Going to where Ozpin was and living under him had been a huge risk. One mistake and he might have died. It had worked out, but that didn't mean she'd been wrong to tell him it was a bad idea.

He'd rebelled against it, though. As the public might if the Council of Atlas made that same decision.

"Shit… they really don't have a choice, do they?"

Damn it. He hadn't wanted to feel sympathy for them.

"Might I make a suggestion?"

"Go for it. Right now, I'm desperate."

"You were trained by some of the most devious minds to become the ultimate ruler of the Grimm. You might have decided that you want peace, but that doesn't make those lessons worthless. Watts taught you to plan. Cinder taught you to deceive. Hazel taught you to be patient, and Tyrian… Tyrian taught you things we agreed to never speak of."

"Never," Jaune agreed, shivering.

"Anyway, my point is that for all their faults, those four were able to topple some of the biggest enemies they faced. Cinder alone could have taken down Beacon but for your interference."

"She could have…"

"And you, Jaune, were essentially tutored by her."

"I was."

Jaune's eyes narrowed.

"I guess it's time I showed a little of that."

/-/

Yang was surprised when the soldiers came and told her to follow them. Surprised and a little pissed – though she didn't think she could be blamed for the latter. She hadn't seen proper sunlight in over a week, nor felt the fresh air, and the brief bit of both she got as she was bundled into the back of an unmarked vehicle hardly felt like enough. They slapped a pair of cuffs on her, though even then they didn't put their weapons away.

As their car pulled out onto the road, others came both in front and behind, forming a small convoy.

"So, you going to tell me where we're headed?" she said to the nearest guard.

He didn't respond.

"Tch. Silent treatment, huh? Guess that goes to show how good Atlas' hospitality is."

She hadn't expected any better, but the silent treatment chafed. They still hadn't really told her why she was being kept prisoner. Well, other than being in cahoots with the Grimm. It was something worthy of being imprisoned, but they hadn't come out and said that, and from what she'd heard, they weren't about to.

So, what right did they have to keep her imprisoned?

"I could snap these things, mom." Yin said. She felt her right arm twitch and stiffen under his control.

Yang smiled as a rush of pride and affection came over her. "It's fine, sweetie. You don't have to. Best not to scare them."

"Ugh. Okay. I don't like being trapped here, though…"

"Neither do I. Stay strong. It won't be for long."

She'd be getting out one way or another. If it wasn't because Atlas was letting her go, it'd be because she was getting the hell out of that room. Only question was how many people were trying to get in her way. Would have been handy if she had a Semblance like Raven's.

The journey by car took a good twenty-five minutes, all of it spent in awkward silence as three men watched her at all times and she sat with her eyes closed, unwilling to look back. It was when muffled conversation and shouting outside grew louder that she realised she was reaching her destination, whatever it might be.

A hysterical part of her wondered if it was her execution. The people shouting certainly seemed angry enough for that.

When the door opened, Yang was hauled out by her arm – her human arm – and had a white Atlas coat thrown over her. Not on her but over her head and shoulders, hiding her face from view. There were people all around her, flashes and snaps of what were probably cameras, and questions thrown her way at such speed that they all merged into one garbled mess.

A hand pushed in the middle of her back, telling her to move.

"Where?" she hissed, defiant.

"Forward." Another push. "Keep moving. Don't try anything."

"What am I going to try? Ow!" Yang stumbled a little as her foot caught the back of her heel when the man pushed her. She caught herself with her cuffed hands on the floor. "Oi, watch it. I can't see anything with this coat over my head. Don't be so pushy."

The guards, losing their patience, moved to take one of her arms each, not dragging her per se, but leading her by the elbows so that she couldn't mess up. They stepped through what had to be a large door of some kind, because she heard it close behind her and heard the voices diminish. They continued on for another minute or two while Yang tried to get a grip from where they were based on the marble floor and occasional door she glimpsed.

Is this a courthouse of some kind? Am I on trial?

If so, Dad would freak, since she hadn't been provided a lawyer or anything of the sort. She didn't even know what she was going to be charged with. Treason, maybe. Could you charge someone for treason if they weren't from the country? She had no idea.

They stepped through another door – and this one led into a room that was quiet not because no one was present, but a hushed kind of silence. Something that wasn't silent at all, but was rather filled with awkward shuffling, quiet coughs and the nervous creaking of chairs.

The coat was drawn back from her face.

The first thing Yang thought was, that's a lot of people, as she looked out over the various important-looking people sat in a circle around her position. The second thing she noticed, because really, he was practically twenty feet away, was Jaune.

He'd changed.

Not physically, at least not much in the week or two they'd been apart, but the look of him – his outfit especially – was different. Gone was the baggy hoodie over blue jeans. Gone were the trainers, the fingerless gloves and the goofy piece of armour. In its place, tailored clothes of pure black that moulded to his body, straight-legged trousers and a buttoned-up top that looked like it was straight out of some military fantasy.

His boots were the same colour of black, shiny and reaching up to mid-shin. They were embossed with something, as was his belt, from which his sword hung in full display. Over one shoulder, pushed back to let him have a free sword arm, was a long and flowing cloak a rich maroon in colour.

Jaune's eyes met hers, dark blue and piercing. The frown was also new, though not – she thought – reserved for her, but rather the people who had taken her.

"Dad!" Yin cried happily.

"Shit, I'd call him daddy."

"Huh? I don't understand."

"I-I'll explain when you're older," Yang thought, stammering slightly. But still, damn. If he thought he was going back to the ripped jeans and hoodies, he was sorely mistaken. "And I think I underestimated his mom's fashion sense. Wow."

"Introducing, Yang Xiao-Long-Salem-Arc," a pompous individual called.

Yang tilted her head to the side. That… was new.

"The Crown Princess of the Grimmlands."

Say what now?

"And the bride of Jaune Salem Arc, Crown Prince of the Grimmlands."

"What!?" Yang cried.

Her words were quickly overwhelmed by Jaune's booming voice. "Why is my fiancée shackled?"

Yang froze. She'd never heard Jaune shout, not properly. His voice carried with a hidden anger she wasn't entirely sure was faked, and it certainly silenced the people in the room, herself included. It was so sudden that she didn't even think to question just what he'd called her.

"Fiancée…?"

"You're getting married. Yes!"

"How do you know what a fiancée or marriage is, but not some other things!?"

And oh Gods, she was blushing. No, no, no. Not good.

In the silence Jaune left behind, he strode forward, covering the distance between them in a few short seconds. One of his hands reached out – and she noticed he wore black gloves as well – to settle on the manacles between her hands. He gripped them tight and yanked brutally, shattering the links in one go. Yang didn't think anyone else would have seen the tentacles that crept from his sleeve to help him do it.

His other hand touched her face, resting on her cheek, cutting her face off from the cameras as he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers.

"Play along," he whispered against her lips.

"You – hm – explaining to do," she got back.

"Promise. Soon. Play along."

Yang nodded, disguising it as some pathetic moment of weakness where she pressed her forehead against his for comfort. He had a plan. Good. She wasn't going back to that fucking white room without light, air and a private bathroom to call her own. Not in a million years.

"You cannot do that!" someone shouted suddenly, standing. He was a tall and narrow man with a horse-like face and a suit that looked as dull and grey as he did. "She is a prisoner of Atlas and-"

"A prisoner of what charges?" Jaune demanded loudly, stepping back again. He kept one of his hands on hers and glared at one of the soldiers who dared approach.

The soldier stepped back.

"I was led to understand that your Kingdom charges people it intends to keep prisoner. What crime, exactly, is my fiancée guilty of?"

"Working with the Grimm," someone called.

Yang opened her mouth to tell the bastard where he could shove it, but Jaune beat her to it.

"Impossible!" The single word earned some murmurs of confusion. "After all, you've already said that you did not recognise or know we were in the Grimmlands or sentient, so arresting her on the basis of said charges is at best stupidity, and at worst a lie. Try again."

No one tried to for the longest moment. The muttering increased within the hall as people bandied ideas back and forth, and some just looked plain uncomfortable.

Eventually, a larger man answered, "We're not here to discuss the legalities of her case. This session has been called to handle matters of state between Atlas and the Grimmlands. We are here to humour your attempts at negotiation, nothing more."

"Humour?"

Yang wasn't sure how, but the air around Jaune seemed to darken – or maybe it was just that his cloak was billowing out. Tentacles, she realised, He's using them to make his cloak move. It certainly had an effect on the soldiers, who backed away, looking equal parts nervous and surprised.

Jaune's voice took on a gravellier quality. "I think you overestimate yourselves, Council members." His eyes darkened, sclera turning black as his iris turned red. The change came on suddenly, skin washing out and hair fading to white.

Gasps and cries of shock came from the crowd, and from those manning the cameras. To many, it was the first time seeing the transformation, and proof of Jaune's inhuman nature.

To Yang, it was like the changing of a shirt. He looked different, but only in superficial ways. Honestly, she was surprised it had taken them so long to realise Jaune was Hentacle. They were so very similar.

"W-What is the meaning of this!" the first Councillor screamed. "Guards, guards! Detain him!"

Another councillor suddenly screamed.

A Beowolf.

There was a Beowolf behind one of the Councillors, its hulking form having somehow worked its way into his alcove. It was not by the standard of what Yang had faced, but it was big enough for someone with no combat training to speak of.

More cries echoed out as others discovered that they, too, were equally unsafe. Not all of them, but at least fifteen or so. The Grimm had somehow made their way into the building, snuck past the security and cornered several of the council members.

Yang glanced down to Jaune's hand. The small red marks on his wrist, already healing, spoke of how.

General Ironwood stood slowly. "Crown Prince Jaune Arc," he said, voice deep and calm, especially by the standards of the other council members. "When I invited you here, you assured me there would be no harm to any members of the Council of Atlas."

"They're unharmed."

Yang thought the council members in question might disagree, except for the fact they were on the verge of pissing themselves.

"You'll have to forgive me," Jaune said. "I've lived in the Grimmlands most of my life, and then in Vale for a while. I don't know much about the customs of Atlas, but I figure that if it's fine for you to hold my loved ones hostage, it must be the same in reverse."

Ironwood glowered at the frightened looking Councillors. "Making some assumptions there…" He sighed. "Regardless, I'm going to have to ask you to release them. I think you've made your point clear."

"Have I?" Jaune raised a hand. "I don't think I have."

The Councillors screamed as his hand fell, but the Grimm did not kill their hostages. Instead, they pushed past and leapt from the alcoves, landing on all fours in the centre of the council chamber. Several people gasped and made way, though the Grimm avoided running into anyone and instead formed a circle around Jaune and Yang.

As one, they knelt low, imitating the kind of fealty a knight might pose to their monarch. The cameras continued to flash as pictures and video were taken. Meanwhile, Weiss detached herself from the wall and hurried over to make sure she was in amongst the Grimm.

"I believe there has been a misconception in this meeting," Jaune shouted. "That you have been humouring me as I strived to earn your charity in releasing my fiancée."

Several of the council members still standing shifted uncomfortably.

Ironwood held his ground.

"In truth, it is the other way around. At any moment I could have killed you all – every single person in Atlas. The Grimm do not just stand ready, they can be brought in and summoned in your very domain. Nowhere is safe! And yet despite this," he said, slashing a hand to the side, letting his cape billow, assisted by his tentacles, "I came here to you peacefully. Spoke to you. Dealt with you. Allowed you to play your petty games."

"In Menagerie, my ambassadors met in peace and worked out a deal within a day. Even now, in Vale, my ambassadors come with offers of friendship and co-operation. I can be good to those who are good in kind, but my patience has limits."

His eyes narrowed.

"That limit has been reached." His hands fell. "Until now, I have humoured you. No longer. Yang Xiao-Long leaves with me. The only thing for you to decide, is whether we leave peacefully, or over the bodies of those who get in our way."

Yang stilled. He couldn't be serious.

Hell, she wanted out – was willing to fight for it – but he wasn't actually going to make Grimm attack people, was he?

"Mom?" Yin asked plaintively.

His voice reminded her of where she was, who she was, and who Jaune was. "It's nothing, sweetheart," she said, relaxing. He'd said to play along; she would play.

"I hope you've got a clever way out of this shitshow," Yang whispered.

"Same," Jaune replied, waiting for the shoe to drop – and for the reaction of Atlas. "Honestly, I just hope the others are having an easier time of things."

/-/

Sun Wukong barged into the room with Ren and Nora on either side of him.

"Ambassadors from the Grimmlands?" the lazy-looking faunus reclining on his chair asked. He fanned himself with one hand, the other holding a glass of cold water.

"We are. I'm Sun Wukong and this is Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie."

"Great." Another Councillor, a middle-aged human woman, brought herself back into a sitting position with the kind of extreme effort only an exhausted or extremely hung-over person could. "So, we agreed to meet with you. Anything to say?"

"The Grimmlands wants a ceasefire and end to all hostilities. Agree and the fighting stops, don't and it continues. I'd probably agree if I were you."

Ren gaped at Sun, surprised he'd just come out and say it like that.

"Nice to hear what you'd do," someone said, somehow managing to not sound sarcastic. "That include the Grimm attacking regular folk."

"Yep."

The man nodded. "Cool. All in favour?"

"Yeah."

"Sure."

"Might as well give it a go."

"Meh."

"Zzz…"

"Eh, there you have it," the lead faunus said, counting the hands – or those that could be bothered to raise them. "We'll have it written up by tomorrow or something. Maybe hold a party in the square."

"Alcohol?" a Councillor asked hopefully.

"Well, yeah. Obviously." He looked to Sun, Ren and Nora. "Wait, you three are still here? Go get drunk or something. We've got work to do."

"Sure." Sun grinned and turned to the other two. "Right. Job done. Let's go."

To his credit, Ren managed to wait until they were outside the chamber before he threw his arms in the air. "That's it!? That was the way in which laws and matters of state are handled in Vacuo!?"

"Eh. We're pretty chill."

"Chill is staying in control. Chill is not giving in to your temper. That wasn't chill, Sun. That was comatose."

"Dude," Sun said, crossing his arms. "Have you ever tried living in a desert? Burning hot in the day, freezing cold at night. Ain't no one got time to faff around, make speeches and look important. Now come on, I bet Blake I could get a deal faster than she could. I want to see the look on her face when I tell her it took three and a half minutes."

Ren sighed and looked to Nora. "You think Jaune is having as easy a time?"

"Eh. I'm sure he is."

/-/

In Ansel, Cinder Fall leapt to her feet and pointed at the screen.

"That's my little brother! I taught him that! I-" She froze, looked around, and realised that everyone in the room – from Tyrian to Nicholas, Ozma and even Jaune's other sisters – were watching her with amused grins. "N-Never mind," she said, sitting. Her face flushed with colour.

"There, there," Nicholas said. "I thought it was cute."

"Shut up, please…"

Jaune turns up the heat, but what is his plan, and will it work out? Find out next time.

Also no, lol, I'm not – as some people have suggested – anti-democracy or anti-politician. Nor am I making political statements. I can't write anything bad about Sun without hating Sun, and now I can't point out some corruption among politicians without hating democracy. Sheesh. You'd think people would just accept it's a fanfic. xD

Next Chapter: 20th December

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