The panic in Weiss' eyes was immediately noticeable to Sun, who took a step forward as the heiress turned to face the evacuation shuttles. He knew exactly what was coming, and apparently, so did Marrow.

"I'm coming with you," the faunus declared as he moved to follow Weiss toward the nearest landing pad. "We'll get them out and find a way back up here… somehow…"

"Wait, don't just…" Sun called, moving to follow the pair as a second figure began to run beside him. "Weiss, we don't know i-"

"I don't care!" Weiss snapped as she picked up the pace, unaware of the figure running her way from behind. "Marrow and I a-"

"You aren't going anywhere," Ilia declared as she slid to a stop in front of the pair, breathing hard. "Stay up here in Atlas. I'll handle getting your family out."

"What…?" Weiss asked, the color still absent from her face as she looked over the faunus girl. "Ilia, you can't go down there alone, especially injured…"

"I can, and I will," Ilia insisted. "I've got a Semblance and a natural ability that'll let me sneak around unnoticed… and Emerald is down there, too. I understand her situation, and if anyone should help her slow redemption along, it should be me. Not only that, but… Weiss, you've become a close friend over these past few months. A friend I probably don't deserve, and a friend who has a second family up here in Atlas with Marrow. I'm not going to just let you throw all of that away to try to find Winter and Whitley on a suicide mission. Let me do this for you… and for myself. This is something I feel like I need to do."

Weiss listened carefully to Ilia's plea as the rest of the group slowly assembled behind her. The former heiress' expression softened as Ilia spoke, and by the end of her monologue, Weiss could tell that there was no stopping her. Without hesitation, Weiss took a few steps forward and pulled Ilia into a tight squeeze that the faunus happily returned.

"…I'm the one that doesn't deserve you," Weiss corrected. "You don't have to do this…"

"But I want to," Ilia replied. "I want to, I feel like doing this will finally make me feel like I've earned the acceptance all of you have given me, and… I'll be honest, I want to see the expression on that smug fuck Jacques' face when his life is saved by a faunus terrorist. Even if we can't get back up to Atlas right away, I'll get them out. I'll get them to safety… somehow."

"Thank you…" Marrow said quietly as he gave Ilia a gentle pat on the shoulder. The faunus responded by letting go of Weiss and wrapping her arms around Marrow instead, and he accepted the gesture. "I owe you for this. More than I can say."

"Yeah you do," Ilia agreed. "We'll settle that debt later."

"Ilia…" Sun began as the two faunus let go of each other. "You're… sure you want to do this? Go down there alone? I know you're capable, but…"

"The only person I'd take with me is an old partner in crime," Ilia declared as she cast a glance toward Cinnamon. "Someone who could use a heroic act to add to their record…"

Cinnamon stiffened as she folded her arms across her chest and closed her eyes. She knew that Daisuke was giving her a look, and she could picture the man's expression perfectly in her mind even beneath his mask. With a grimace, Cinnamon spoke in a tone somewhat harsher than she intended.

"…no. Daisuke and I… we've earned our safety, at this point. We barely managed to get out of Mantle once, and I'm… I'm tired, Ilia. Tired, in over my head, scared, and I'm going to be selfish. If Ironwood will take us up, then I'm going up, and I'll support your further efforts from behind the scenes. I'm done fighting on the front lines just to survive, and I'm sure as hell not risking my neck for Jacques Schnee and his family. I'm not apologizing for it, either."

Ilia let out a noise of disappointment, but nodded in understanding as she cast her eyes back up at Sun.

"Alone it is. I'll be fine. Trust me, bro. I can do this. I have to do this."

"Then I won't stop you, sis," Sun reassured as he pulled Ilia into a far gentler hug than the previous two she had received. "I'll… miss you. I'll be worried about you the entire time, and you'd better keep us updated the second Amity's communications are back online."

"I will, Mom," Ilia said mockingly as she rested her head against Sun's chest. "I'll be worried about you, too, you know. I'm assuming you're spearheading the mission to Vacuo?"

"We are," Blake confirmed as she stepped in to hug both Sun and Blake. "You're a good person, Ilia, and an even better friend. We'll keep you updated, too."

"If Ilia is doing this," Weiss began as the trio separated from each other. "Then… Marrow and I should stay here, in Atlas. It's my home, and honestly… I want to be involved in figuring out the future of the city and that of the citizens of Mantle, as well as my own selfish desire of wanting to be with Marrow and his family."

"It does make sense for us to stay here," Marrow agreed. "I also have at least a little sway with Ironwood, so… I guess that's what we're doing."

"I'm coming to Vacuo," Yang declared as she moved to join Sun and Blake. "Jaune? Corsac?"

The two men looked at each other for all of a second before exchanging a pair of nods and walking to Yang's side.

"We're in," Jaune declared. "Where you go, I go… and I trust Sun to lead us."

"As do I," Corsac agreed. "Additionally… as serious and desperate as this all is, I can think of worse fates than traveling the world with the pair of you."

"And I'm coming, too," Harriet said as she joined the group.

"What?" Elm asked immediately. "You're the Winter Maiden!"

"And that's exactly why I'm going," Harriet snapped. "I'm now a key. What sense is there in keeping me right near the lock, if Salem somehow does manage to reach Atlas? If I'm half a world away, she can't access the Staff of Creation. That kneecaps her significantly... that, and I'm tired of your and Ironwood's bullshit. I'm leaving, and you couldn't stop me if you tried."

"I…" Elm began, suddenly deflating as her shoulders slumped. "Harriet… Marrow… all of you, I didn't want things to be like this. I don't want us parting on bad terms, as enemies… I just don't want to see this all spiral out of control into something unfixable because rash decisions were made without consideration. I'm resistant to all of this because I'm terrified for all of us, not because I dislike any of you, or…"

"Hey," Jaune called, earning Elm's attention. "You're finally speaking up and letting your opinion on things be known, because your opinion matters. That's why we need you here, and why we will part on good terms. Let Ironwood know that you're worried, and keep him in check for us. Alright?"

"…alright," Elm resigned. "Then… who else is headed to Vacuo, if this is unavoidable?"

"I am."

"Ruby…" Yang said hesitantly as her sister joined the group.

"I don't want to hear it, Yang," Ruby replied harshly. "I'm going, and I want to be involved."

"And I want you safe," Yang countered.

"Mom could be in Vacuo!"

"Summer could be anywhere!"

"Hey, hey!" Qrow interjected angrily as he got between the sisters, first turning to Yang. "If Ruby wants to go… then we have no reason to stop her. I don't want to see either of you get hurt, but we need to start taking risks. Things are going to get uncomfortable, and we're just going to have to accept that. You and I can protect Ruby together."

"But you haven't seen how…" Yang started, only to relent as she noticed Ruby's glare. "…fine. Fine. I do want you along, but I just…"

"I get it," Ruby declared. "I get it, but I don't care. I'm in."

Raven was next to speak up, holding the stump of her arm as she addressed her brother.

"Qrow… I think you should go elsewhere, actually. Think about it. If I remain here, Yang goes to Vacuo, and you fly to Beacon… we then have a network of instant travel across every major battleground. Taiyang staying here would allow me to jump back to Atlas and shuffle us all around at a moment's notice, and my Semblance saved several of you during the evacuation of Mantle. Besides, it's… best if I stay off the front lines until I get used to this whole situation with my arm…"

"That's actually brilliant," Taiyang praised as he wrapped an arm around Raven's shoulder and pulled her in to lean on him. "The three of us will stay behind until it's safe for Qrow to fly to Sanus, then."

Qrow let out a sigh and ran a hand through his shaggy hair.

"…you good with that, Yang?"

"I have to be," Yang said with a shrug. "It's clearly the best move from a tactical standpoint, so… I'll take care of Ruby."

"And I'll take care of you," Ruby returned. "Just trust me. I can hold my own, alright?"

"Indeed she can," Oscar added. "I'll be going with all of you. I should speak to Professor Gumo about the threat against Vacuo… and I'm sure you all have questions that I can answer once we make landfall."

"You goddamned better," Yang seethed.

Neptune was the next to approach the group, though his expression was conflicted.

"I noticed no one is really clamoring for me to tag along…"

Sun, too, wore an uncomfortable frown as his friend walked up to him. The faunus looked down to the pavement momentarily before meeting Neptune's eyes.

"…I… think you should stay," Sun said slowly. "You've got a level head and a big heart, man. I think you could do a lot of good here, and as much as I do want you with us… something's telling me your place is in Atlas."

"This is gonna sound weird, but I'm getting the same feeling," Neptune admitted. "I just didn't want to say it."

"We'll miss you," Blake added as she watched the boys shake hands and then quickly pull into a one-armed hug. "But you'll have a big job here."

"I'll miss you too, shithead," Ilia said before throwing a hard punch into Neptune's arm. "Don't fuck this up."

"Yeah, we'll see," Neptune said with a grin.

Jaune spent the time in which people were making declarations analyzing the crowd and coming to his own conclusions. The fledgling hunter agreed with the proceedings to that point, until he realized something that he had a feeling would go otherwise unnoticed. Suddenly, he had an idea.

"…Neopolitan."

The blood and ash covered diminutive woman raised a brow as Jaune called her name and all eyes fell upon her.

"Come with us?"

Neopolitan tilted her head, seeming unsure at the prospect as Jaune elaborated.

"I think I have a way to make our escape safe. If we leave now… I can boost your Semblance, we can take two or three small ships, and you can project copies that could act as distractions for any grimm that might pursue us. It may be our only shot at making it out of Atlesian airspace alive."

Coco nodded along with the idea and flashed Jaune a tired smile.

"…that's actually brilliant. Good on you, Arc. Needless to say, Cardin and I will be staying in Atlas, and that seems to cover just about everyone. Neo, are you in?"

Neopolitan cast the woman a conflicted look before letting out a quiet sigh and walking over to join the party headed for Vacuo.

"…there is one oversight," Hope declared. "Optimally, three small aircraft should be taken, and each requires a pilot. Who among you is capable of flying a plane?"

Corsac and Harriet raised their hands. Upon being met with silence from the rest of the group, Pax stepped forward.

"In that case, I will accompany one craft in this body, while my other vessel remains here in Atlas. Let us depart. This way."

"Good luck!" Weiss called with a wave to the group. "Call us the moment you arrive, if Amity is up and running!"

The group began to move at a jog in unison in Pax's wake. Corsac and Harriet stuck close to the android's side, starting up a discussion about how and where to fly. Sun blew out a long, slow breath as he shook his hands out nervously.

"So this is really it, huh?" the faunus asked rhetorically. "You think we're making the right move?"

"I do," Blake reassured. "I trust you… it looks like everyone here trusts you, Sun. I don't know everything that happened while you were up here in Atlas, but… I'm proud of you. More and more every day."

Sun couldn't help but smile, his tail swaying ever so slightly behind him as he walked. He raised his voice a bit as he turned to walk backward and address the crowd.

"Alright, who's on what ship? Blake is with me, for sure."

"I'll be your pilot," Harriet called.

"Give me Jaune and Corsac… and I guess that means Neo, too," Yang replied.

"Then I guess I'm with Ozpin," Ruby muttered. "Can you at least give me Oscar, instead? I don't want to be pissed off the entire flight."

Oscar gave the girl an annoyed look before closing his eyes and opening them. Upon doing so, his tone of voice became a bit lighter and less formal.

"Done."

"I will fly for the two of you," Pax concluded as the group reached one of the hangars on the side of Atlas Academy. "We have arrived. Take three of the smaller craft over here."

Yang eyed up the small planes, each quite aerodynamic and sleek despite having a small cargo hold with sliding doors on either side. As each of the groups chose their craft and climbed in, the blonde paused to clap her natural hand upon Neopolitan's back while the girl climbed up into the craft. The honorary huntress stumbled into the cargo bay and gave Yang a quizzical look as she climbed in and closed the sliding door behind them.

"Hey. Thanks for coming with us," Yang offered. "You really didn't have to… but given how you kicked my ass back in Vale, I get the feeling you'll be useful in the future."

Neopolitan offered a silent nod and turned her attention to the cockpit, where Corsac was settling in and flipping switches.

"This is… quite advanced, but I believe I can handle it," the faunus asserted. "I'll have us in the air in no time."

"Do you need the bay doors open?" Jaune asked as he turned toward Neopolitan. "I guess it'd make it easier to project illusions if you can see where the other planes are, right?"

Neopolitan nodded and watched as Yang and Jaune threw one door open each, opening up the sides of the plane. Jaune grabbed one of the overhead handles and beckoned Neopolitan toward himself before clamping a hand down upon her shoulder while she grabbed the other handle.

"Deep breaths, and just do as much as you can…"

"There's Ruby's plane…" Yang said to herself as she took up her place near the other door, holding on as the aircraft's thrusters began to engage. "Gods, I hope this wasn't all a big mistake…"

"They will be alright," Corsac reassured. "Trust in her. Trust in all of us, Yang. We have only made it this far by believing in each other."

"And ourselves," Jaune added.

"Yeah…" came Yang's muted reply. "I'm gonna be firing on any grimm that get near us from this door. Jaune, yell if you need support on your side."

"Gotcha. We ready to go?"

"Hold on tight," Corsac answered as he thrusted a lever forward. "We will lead the charge."

With no other warning, the plane shot out of the hangar at high speed and began to climb into the sky. The two others soon followed, with Ruby's plane on the right while Sun's flew slightly lower and to the left. Neopolitan kept her eyes on Sun's aircraft and she focused for a moment, a pink glow surrounding her body as she strained with effort. Within a few seconds, an entire fleet of identical ships blinked into existence and began to spread out into a wide illusory pattern. As the procession crested the edge of the floating island carrying Atlas, the scope of the situation below became incredibly and soberingly clear.

Not too far below, Amity Coliseum was slowly rising into the sky. Swarms of airborne grimm were circling the arena as gunfire from mounted cannons and turrets along its perimeter worked in tandem with the Atlesian air force to thin the herd. Dust-enchanted high-caliber bullets and energy bolts were flying alongside the airships as explosions of ash filled the sky on all sides. Much farther below, the city of Mantle was pocked with fires and accompanying trails of rising smoke amid bright flashes and crumbling buildings.

"Fucking hell…" Yang cursed, her long, shaggy hair whipping around her shoulders as their plane and its Semblance-constructed brothers began a rapid descent alongside Amity. "We're really in it now!"

"Focus!" Jaune called. "And hold on tight!"

Yang clenched her teeth for the duration of the dive, her eyes scanning the sky for potential targets. As their plane leveled out, she aimed a gauntlet for a nearby flying grimm and let loose a round, tearing through the grimm and bringing it down in a trail of flittering ash.

"What's the plan, Corsac?" Jaune called, feeling his aura slowly being sapped by Neopolitan's efforts. "How low are we getting?"

"Staying relatively high," the faunus answered. "Harriet and Pax know the plan. We discussed it in brief on the way here."

"As long as you know what you're doing," Yang said as she fired into another nearby grimm. "I trust you, man. We don't have all that far to…"

Suddenly, one of Neopolitan's illusory ships somewhere below them exploded into glittering shards as a black bolt flew straight through it at speeds almost too quick to track. The projectile passed beneath Yang's ship before beginning a rapid ascent through another of the illusions, causing it to break apart as the black streak moved out of sight. Yang leaned out the open sliding door and looked upward to try to find the source only to see it zip overhead as more shards rained down atop her aircraft.

"Shit! Something's on to us! Neo, push as hard as you can!"

Neopolitan narrowed her eyes and sucked in a harsh breath as more replica ships appeared in the sky alongside them. Upon seeing the illusion brought to life, the black streak arrested its momentum and began to hover in place upon membranous wings just outside of Jaune's door, though facing away from him. Jaune realized what he was looking at almost immediately, and he craned his neck over his shoulder to yell into the cockpit as loud as he could.

"Salem! Corsac, we need t-"

Before Jaune could finish his thought, the queen of the grimm annihilated another of Neopolitan's ships with a flurry of magical power before turning around and flying directly over Corsac's cockpit. The faunus deftly turned the craft into a quick spin and dive, and Neopolitan dragged her illusions along with it before shuffling their arrangement in an attempt to distract Salem. Yang held on tight as the plane did a full rotation, at which point she saw that the aircraft closest to her own carrying Pax within its cockpit. The android made a quick swerve to avoid a bolt of glittering magical power, only for Salem to dive directly for her, wreathed in a field of magical fire.

Yang watched in disbelief as the witch collided with the plane, piercing directly into the cargo hold from above. In a flash, all that was left where the aircraft carrying Ruby Rose, Oscar Pine, and Pax had been was a massive explosion and shards of charred, twisted metal spiraling rapidly down toward the city of Mantle below.

Author's Note:

An early update for the week of 3/20. See you all next week.

-RD