I don't own RWBY nor Marvel.
Aftermath: Ironwood
Everything had gone to shit.
And he wasn't referring to the day half the population suddenly turned into dust.
No. He was talking about the present. About the actions that the council, or at least the remaining council, thought were correct while clearly violating the peace terms stablished at the end of the Great War.
Those bloody, stupid, arrogant, bullheaded, sons of bit "…ir! Sir! SIR" he was brought out of his rant by Clover, one of the two surviving members Ace Operatives.
"What is Specialist?" he tried not to show his earlier distaste for the vile men that sit in the Council.
"We've found another lead, sir" Ironwood needn't have to be told to what he was referring to.
Traitors.
Hardcore fanatics who believed in Atlesian superiority and believed the lies of the old fools.
"Take me to them" the Ace operative saluted and left the room with the General in tow.
"Here are the files of the soldiers…" he paused briefly thinking carefully his next words "…this time they were being led by Captain Lupus."
Lupus? Yes, he remembers the middle-aged captain, a dog-faunus, he had never openly defied him, neither verbally for that matter, but Ironwood firmly remembers said Captain sometimes growling at the end of some meetings.
What reasons would Lupus have to support the Council in their ideas of expansion. He opened the folder in his hand, and started to skim through the file…normal education…family lived in the outskirts of Vacuo…Age 11 parents died attached to that is a report of the event 'Vacuan Huntsman tried his best to save as many civilians from the burning building'
Piecing the information together Ironwood had a clear view of why the Captain accepted the Council's deal. Atlas had never gotten along with the arid Kingdom, if another war broke out, it was possible the same sides would be chosen.
They finally reached their destination at the holding cells. He nodded for the soldier in charge of the magnetic doors to open it.
He stepped inside and found the faunus sitting on the bed.
The door closed behind him as he approached the Captain.
"You worked hard for your position Captain, anyone who holds your rank has seen or participated in operations against bandits, and yet you would want this same fate on the other Kingdoms? Why?"
The captain just scoffed at him "You've probably read my file; you should know why General"
Ironwood scowled at the blatant disrespect, but decided to ignore it for now "Yes I did, and yet that doesn't explain why you would agree for the invasion and occupation of Vale"
"Vale's law allows too much independence to its huntsmen, too much freedom" the captain growled at the word "just as Vacuo, only Atlas and Mistral demand that their Huntsmen answer directly to their Academies and Council"
"And you believe it was that Huntsman freedom that killed your parents?" it sounded too stupid of a reason.
"No, it was that Huntsman freedom to choose to ignore my family for their heritage that killed them" Ironwood could hear the small snarl the Captain made "If Vacuo had had a law such as Atlas regarding their huntsmen, perhaps that huntsman wouldn't have let my parents die, fearing the repercussions of the council, instead of the slap of the wrist he received."
"That still doesn't excuse that if we did what the Council demanded of us, we would be invading and killing innocents, for what, to stablish our belief of order?!" the general couldn't believe this type of people had been enlisting in his army.
"A small price to pay for salvation" Ironwood didn't have time to react in time when he felt dust infused dagger cut through his Aura and stab his shoulder.
He bit back a scream of pain and instead reacted quickly by kicking the now full-fledged traitor, off him, said traitor quickly tried to get above him again, but this time he was faster, with his robotic arm, he grabbed his custom pistol and shot his assailants knees twice each.
The doors quickly opened and Clover rushed inside, he kneed Lupus on his temple knocking him unconscious, however he turned back and saw the doors quickly start to close, but luckily the doors jammed and Ironwood rapidly got out of the holding cell and aimed his pistol at the attendant in charge of the doors.
Said attendant tried to raise his firearm but was shot off by Ironwood. The general approached slowly and warily of any sudden move the soldier did, once he was close enough, he smacked the soldier in the temple with the butt of his weapon, sending him to the ground unconscious.
Clover stepped out of the cell and as soon as he did the door unjammed and closed.
Ironwood picked the unconscious soldier at his feet and threw it at the Operative "Throw him inside one of the holding cells where the followers of Lupus are, and have Specialist Ederne start interrogating them"
The leader of the Ace-Ops saluted Ironwood and made his way to the door before stopping and turning "Sir, if I may ask?"
"You may"
"What's going to happen?"
Ironwood paused at the question 'Indeed, what will happen now' traitors had started to appear left and right, claiming that the time was right to establish Atlas dominance across Remnant, but that would only bring chaos to Remnant and when chaos reigned so did negative emotions.
And it would be the perfect time for her to attack, although many clues pointed that she too had died in that fateful day, the General wouldn't take it for granted until proved otherwise. Afterall Ozpin did say she was immortal.
"I'm going to bring order Clover" he finally responded "I'll bring order back to Atlas, even if I have to cross some lines to achieve it" and he exited the room, leaving the Ace Operative analyzing his words.
He walked back to his office, he needed to make plans, the Council were starting to get hold of more of his troops by the day. If they didn't cause another Great War, they would surely cause a Civil War.
The next few days were slow and torturous, and with each day he started to slowly recognize those who agreed with the council and those who wanted to conserve the peace. It was small things that gave it away.
The occasional glare, the slow saluting as if doing it slowly on purpose, but the most significant which was also the most obvious was the armband each troop that did some of the platoons and a few divisions started to wear.
He was no stranger to this kind of military insubordination to get something, afterall he had been part of one when he was younger when he tried to help his faunus brothers in arms get a better treatment inside the army, but the time and the purposes had been different.
No matter, he was already planning in how to stop this, he was not going to let the old councilmen get ahead of him.
They would never try to get ahead of him anymore if everything went right.
"General, you called for me?" he heard Colonel Shine ask behind him.
Long ago he and Shine had belonged to the same platoon, they had been to several missions together and was one of the last alive from said platoon that survived the event from weeks ago. He was the person he trusted the most besides Ozpin.
"Morgan, please where in private, there's no need for pleasantries" a small promise they had made to each other when they were both privates, they would never call each other by the rank they held "Good to see you're still kicking"
"It's been long hasn't it, once you got the rank of General you had less time than ever to come say hi to the guys and I" he jabbed with a small smile and stretching his hand for a handshake.
"You'll have to forgive me in that regard, I was a naïve soldier who had just gotten the highest rank in the military I wasn't aware of the amount of reports I would have to read in a daily basis" he replied with his own smirk shaking his old friends hand.
Now that he had the time, he could see the changes Shine had gotten with time. The once cleaned shaved man, now had a reddish beard with some white streaks running along it. His hair was cut short like a new private instead of the old semi-long wild hair he used to have. And most noticeable was the mechanical hand he too sported.
"So what is it? The private you sent only said that and I quote "The General has called for your immediate presence", so I'm here"
Ironwood kept quiet for a while "You've been up to date, with recent events inside of our military?"
Morgan looked confused by the question but answered nonetheless "The sudden spike in traitors crying out war, yeah I've heard, I can't say I agree, not with the events that happened just weeks before…do you think is their way of coping? Or that they blame the other kingdoms for the event?"
"Whatever their reason, it is still unacceptable, and they aren't the only ones,, you know I'm one of the few high ranking officers involved I politics" he received a nod "The council has been the ones spreading ideas and hypothetical plans for the invasion of the other kingdoms" the colonel's eyes widened at the new information.
"B-But don't they know that they would only be destroying Remnant if they did so?!" He asked exasperatedly "We are lucky the Grimm have been infighting, because if not we would've already been dead."
"Believe me I know, which is why I called you" his friend stood firm hearing his voice get serious "I have need for the 101st legion I hear they are the ones who have actively tried to stop their other brethren in arms from following these ideas" Shine nodded slowly afterall they were some of the few front liners that seek to exterminate Grimm in order to expand and establish new settlements. They knew the destruction Grimm were capable of.
"What do you need?"
Three days later, Council chambers.
"Beacon has granted Third and Four year students Huntsman licenses, the longer we wait the stronger they become and not only them, with Lionheart's death and his replacement taking his place, suddenly Veteran and Graduated Hunters from Haven Academy and Mistral overall, have become more effective and active, and while it might sound good seeing as Mistral and Atlas were once allies, the Headmaster expresses great distaste towards us." One of the councilmen explained to the others why they had to find a way to get rid of Ironwood and start the invasion of the other Kingdoms.
Seeing as Ironwood hadn't yet arrived it was the perfect time, for the councilmen and women to discuss this.
"Ironwood the fool can't see past his friendship with the other Headmasters and headmistress to see that they are preparing for something big, we cannot allow it, the best course of action is obviously a preemptive strike" a fifty year old looking councilwoman agreed with her fellow member.
"But what can we do, he holds two seats in the Council, and with only some of us remaining we can't oppose him right now, it will take at least another four months until the next members are elected" the youngest of the council with forty years said "And until then we can't expel Ironwood from the Council, until all seats are filled."
A wave of mutters erupted between the last remaining members "Silence" a gruff voice said and all the members turned to the owner of said voice.
"My father participated in the Great War, he talked proudly of Mantle's might and how it had been the cursed sword the King of Vale had the only reason why we lost that war, it's been decades almost a century since the war, and the King of Vale has been dead for many years, and his sword never seen again, now every kingdom is weaker than ever and Atlas is stronger than Mantle ever was, it's our time to take the reigns into our own hands. Atlas' hands" a chorus of approval reverberated across the chamber at the words of the eldest Council member.
Before anyone else could comment doors of the room were busted open and in walked Ironwood accompanied by a dozen of soldiers who quickly scattered through the room and aimed their weapons to the Council Members.
"Ironwood! What is the meaning of this?!" the Councilwoman stood in outrage, completely ignoring the guns pointed at her and her fellow members.
"You are all under arrest for the violation of the Treaty of Vytal and are also accused for the conspiracy to ignite a Second Great War and treason against Atlas and its citizens for the endangerment such actions would bring should they ever occur" Ironwood calmly stated as he made his way to his seat in the Council.
"Y-you have no proof of this, you can't just barge in and arrest us based on false claims" the youngest member exclaimed although he was nervous by the weapons pointed at him.
"Oh, but I have, the last few minutes in these chambers are very interesting and have the proof necessarily that you deny" he took some pleasure in seeing their faces pale.
"I-It's illegal to spy and record any and all meetings that happen inside the council" one of the members that had stayed quite until now tried to turn it on Ironwood.
"One has to make small evils for the better good, in this case we're talking about the Peace between the kingdoms" Ironwood retorted without missing a beat, he turned to the soldiers he brought with him "Take them away"
He stayed seated as each of the Council Members was taken with their hands behind their back. He closed his eyes and let out a breath he had been holding.
"That went better than expected" he opened his eyes to see Shine enter the room.
"This is only the beginning, the soldiers that were either convinced or bribed by the council will have to be detained, and if any escalate things or resort to violence, we'll have no choice but to arrest them."
"…"
"…"
"What if they commit treason like Lupus?" the general was hoping this question never came up "He might not be the only one that might do something that would be considered treason, in fact the files that have appeared from SDC workers you had the Intelligence Division investigate shows that some had deals with the council, but was unsure of what…until now." Silence settled between them "James, we both know what the punishment is."
"Execution" he responded grimly.
Patch
Sound of clashing could be heard in the forests of Patch as two high speed humans clashed their Scythes against each other.
The youngest tried to shoot her High caliber sniper to add more punch to her Scythe, but the eldest moved first and quickly, let go of his making his opponent lose balance, he grabbed his opponent's weapon and twirled the owner forcing her to let go.
"And I win again" Qrow said with a cocky smirk.
"Not fair Uncle Qrow! You let go of your weapon, you said we should never let go of our weapon" Ruby Rose called out from her spot on the ground.
Qrow offered her the handle of Crescent Rose and lifted her up.
"Nooo, I said you shouldn't let go of your weapon since you've yet to start your CQC classes with me, remember first we need you to…"
"…be able to beat anyone before they have any chance of disarming me" she completed playfully having heard it many times the last few weeks.
"Let's go back to the house, I've found a new recipe that I'd like to try" hearing that Ruby cringed.
"Can't we order some pizza? Or cookies? Or anything but your food?" Ruby tried to convince her uncle but failed miserably.
"What? I'm not that bad of a cook" he only received a flat stare.
"Uncle Qrow, no offense but I always thought books exaggerated when someone was so bad at cooking that they set fire to a cereal…until I saw you do just that"
"Hey it wasn't my fault Red dust came out of the box! It was my semblance!" he tried to defend himself.
"If you hadn't told me what your semblance did, I would've never believed you" Ruby conceded and Qrow was satisfied.
They soon arrived at the house in the woods, it hurts them both whenever they see it and there's no Taiyang or Yang to welcome them back, but it is also the place where they have good memories of them.
"Go watch your cartoons or the news or whatever has your interest at this age"
"I don't watch cartoons anymore!" she was met with a stare, which made her blush "N-Not that many anyway"
Qrow had taken out the ingredients the web page told him would be needed and was about to put them in the counter when he heard Ruby scream.
"UNCLE QROW COME! NOW!"
He arrived at the living room in record time.
"-tors and threaten to disturb and break the peace between the kingdoms, as of right now many of those that were under their pocket or agreed to help the former council will be prosecuted and such the need arise, and we hope not, executed. A former captain has already attempted to end my life, but his actions only fed my resolve to bring back order to the Kingdom I've grown to love, and I would give my life for. That's why in order to ensure the order and continuing stability the government will be reorganized into a Military Junta, until these traitors have been found, and it is assured that Atlas is ready for another council." And with that Ironwood stepped of his platform and left, ignoring the questions the reporters were throwing at him.
Both Ruby and Qrow could only look at the news in shock.
And it was Qrow who reacted first.
"Jimmy what the fuck?!"
I had planned for this to come out the 25th of may, but a professor (who had been quiet for a month) suddenly decided that was the perfect day for a final exam, and so we did. A "Surprise motherfucker" moment… at least to me.
Anyway during the last scene I was watching something that gave me an Idea for an Omake…btw my first omake ever.
[Omake]
He was used to giving press conferences, to giving speeches in front of his troops so this shouldn't be any different. But it was different, he was stressed, he was still angry at the council, and sure as hell he was still angry at what his military had become.
Alas he shouldn't allow such thoughts to get in his way. He took a flask out and took a sip.
"In and out, easy, just don't get too political James" Morgan said at his right.
"Right" he was ready.
He stepped into the platform. He scanned the crowd of reporters and citizens
"Ladies, Gentlemen and all Atlas citizens, today a plot was uncovered, by Colonel Shine and I, that reveal that the Council, the ones we trusted to guide us to a bright future…betrayed us" he heard many gasps erupt from the crowd.
"They believed in war and would not be satisfied until all of Remnant was once again under the effects of another Great War… a Second Great War." He let his words sink into the crowd.
"We hoped that their ideas would not be reciprocated by others…but we hoped for much. A few days ago, one of my captains tried to incite a revolt inside the military and tried to assassinate me" again another wave of gasps, some were genuine, others could probably be to keep appearances "That's why the traitors will be hunted down and executed" he thought he had overstepped, but actually heard… applause? He felt more confident.
"The attempt of my life, will leave me scarred and luckily not deformed, but I assure you my resolve has never been stronger. In order to ensure the security and continuing stability, the Kingdom of Atlas will be reorganized into the FIRST ATLESIAN EMPIRE" more applause this time from many more.
"For a safer and secure society" all of the attendants stood and gave another wave applause and noting he had finished talking stronger than the ones before. Ironwood couldn't help but be proud of himself.
'This is how order begins, with thunderous applause'
The idea of Emperor Ironwood doesn't bother me too much, in fact I find it kind of funny.
-The knight in dark flames