Disclaimer: Yeah. These are mostly to entertain my editor. So I don't own the series, yadda yadda yadda...
Road to the End, Volume 3
By: athrunzala
04: The Past Returns
"I don't care. I'm trying his number again. He HAS to pick up one of these times."
Caos was getting more and more frustrated. Every time she dialed her former partner's number, he either ignored it, sending her straight to voicemail, or just never answered, which automatically redirected her to his voicemail. So she was fully expecting him not to answer.
'"Hello?"'
"Dante!"
'"Yeah. It's me. Who else do you think would be answering my phone?"'
"Look," the former leader said, in a matter of fact tone, "We need you down here. We are loosing Huntsmen and Huntresses fast."
In Atlas, Dante was sitting in one of the many lounges of the Schnee estate, one arm over the back of the chesterfield he was lounging on.
"Would love to, partner," he said, emphasizing the word in an attempt to get his former partner to wake up and stop being military minded, "but I have to keep an eye on Qrow's 'little project'."
As he uttered the phrase, he made air quotes with his free hand. He then rapidly pulled the communication device away from his ear as the volume on the other end raised.
'"That demented, drunk fool! He knows we need every damn warm body we can get down here, and he puts you on guard duty almost half way around the globe!"'
"Calm down. We should be down once the winter storms pass up here. Give us a couple more months."
'"How many is a couple?"'
"Two to three."
Back in Vale, the blonde woman rolled her eyes. She wasn't liking the amount of time that they would have to wait, what with the temperatures falling there as well. Winter would bring a new set of challenges to the already besieged kingdom, and she wasn't sure if the people could handle any more issues at this time.
"Fine," she said with an exasperated sigh. "Three months. Maximum. See you when it thaws, partner."
She hung up, her final word having been laced with as much snide, prideful vitriol as she could muster. She hated playing the emotion thing with people, but hated it more when it was people close to her.
On the other side of the tent, Lapis sat, looking through old photos on her phone.
"You think we'll ever be like we were?"
"Huh," the blonde human inquired. "What do you mean?"
"Like we were when we graduated. We seemed to be friends then. Now," the Faunus looked up, "not so much."
Across the camp, Qrow, Ironwood, and Winter were planning things.
"Once Team RWBY get here..."
"If they get here, Schnee."
"Watch it, General. My niece may be young, but she is a damn fine leader. She can do this."
"I wasn't talking to you, Qrow. Not to mention I was pointing out that they may not make it in time for us to start the assault."
"They'll make it, general. If I know my sister, she has them all planning for an arrival as soon as the hardest storms are over."
"That's two to three months from now, Schnee!"
"I am very well aware of the time frame, sir, seeing as how Atlas is my home as well."
"All of you stop your ridiculous fighting!"
The bickering trio turned to the entrance of the tent to see a furious Glynda Goodwich, her head bandaged, and her arm in a sling, standing in the doorway, menacingly.
"James, they'll be here when it is safest to travel. Trust me on that one. Qrow, Ms. Rose is, indeed, a fine leader, but I also have my doubts about her readiness to fight as well. Ms. Schnee, I'll be needing your help coordinating rear line defenses. I will not be sending both you and your sister in there. One of your must survive."
"Glynda," Ironwood spoke up, his tone softer; caring even. "You shouldn't be up yet."
"There is no way I can rest when I can hear you three arguing like children from across the camp!"
"As much as it pains me to say this," Qrow said, swallowing his pride for a bit, "Jimmy's right. You should get back into bed and rest."
"I'll rest easier if you three weren't fighting. James, I need to know: Are you going out to the front in the assault?"
"I was planning on it, yes."
"Please don't. Send someone else in your place. Atlas can't afford to lose you."
"Glynda, you know I would if I could."
"Command from the rear, then, James! Don't make Ozpin's sacrifice..."
"I'll do it, General."
All eyes were now on the other person in the entryway to the command center.
"And you would be?"
"Caos Dynasty, sir. I was a Lieutenant."
"Former Atlas Military?"
"Yes sir. Right out of the Academy."
Ironwood hung his head. He knew it was his decision to make, and here was a volunteer. A willing and able person, ready to take his place in the front lines. He still didn't like the idea of sending another to die in his place.
"You do realize that your odds of survival are decreased if you do this, correct?"
"Yes sir, I do. I feel it would be best if I was the one that did it, however."
"Unfortunately," Winter chimed in, "this is a military operation. Civilians cannot lead."
"Schnee, in this case, I'll allow it. As of this moment, her commission is re-instated. And she...," the general hesitated a moment before finishing. "And she will take my place with the front line assault troops.