"And here we are. Look at you, all so compliant and relaxed as your leaders once again lie to your faces. Look at how they take advantage of your inate submission to their command. They locked him away, and you thought they'd keep it that way. Did you really believe they wouldn't use such a dangerous power? As you can see they only wanted to control him, and now he's out again."

Pyrrha didn't know how to react as the vice echoed throughout the arena.

"Ozpin, the beloved headmaster of your precious Beacon took him, a deadly terrorist of the White Fang who holds dominion over the very creatures of darkness that hunt us down, and welcomed him as a member of his school. Did you really think he did so without reason? No, he wished only to add to his power, and he'd put the lives of all at risk to do so."

"Pyrrha... Pyrrha!" Jaune's voice rung through, but she found herself paying little attention. She stared at him, and from within the swell of destruction he stared back. His face was adorned with a dastardly smirk, one that spoke of surety and amusement.

"Are you really so blind as to not notice just how little value they put in your lives? Are you willing to sit there and die quietly while they erase everything you've ever known? Of course you are, because in the end that's all you are: weak little cattle for them to herd. In the end they only have one wish for you."

"To die."

The stadium itself seemed to rock as if knocked out of the air. Pyrrha stabbed her sword into the arena floor, gripping it until the shaking resided. As she glanced back up she saw the shields surrounding the arena break, and a massive Grimm burst through.

Of course that meant little as the other beasts burst into smoke and looked to flow into Vermillion. With his smirk ever present he hopped up, landing on the back of the massive Nevermore, and from it's feathered wing he gave a bow. The creature took off into the air with a burst of wind from each wing flap pushing them all back, keeping any from getting close.

That didn't matter though as the screams broke through.

Pyrrha stood once more as she focused on the panicked crowd flooding around their seats in the stands. She could see them rush in both anger and fear as they fled for their lives. Yet the champion remained put and looked back to the sky. The way he moved, his overly confident demeanor, everything about him; it felt...

"Wrong..."

The word escaped her, quiet and fleeting, as if her very thoughts took physical form and whisked away. It surprised even her, who had spent years learning how to hold back her true feelings. But it felt different this time as unlike any previous thoughts she bore a blade of confidence in what she perceived.

"Pyrrha come on snap out of it!" The shout knocked her back to reality, and she turned to Jaune as he tugged her along. "We've got to go!"

"Listen Jaune. That person-"

"Wasn't V? Yeah we know."

"You knew?" She asked as shock crossed her features.

"Sun was the first to figure it out." Jaune told as Pyrrha looked to the man running at their side, followed by his team much like their own.

"Come on, Weiss and I fought him head on. And trust me when I say he's not exactly acrobatic, and not nearly as flexible." Sun told as they neared the edge.

"We've got a bigger problem." Ren told as they passed through an opening into the combatants corridor. "All cameras were centered on the fight, meaning everyone who was watching the tournament broadcast saw him attack with a pack of Grimm."

"But V's innocent! That was a fake!" Nora called as they approached the final exit, able to see the light of the outside just ahead.

"They don't know it was a fake." Ren replied as they burst out into the walkway. All of them seemed to freeze for a moment as they looked afar. Amity itself being a flying colosseum allowed them to usually enjoy the beauty of the world from above.

There was nothing beautiful about what they saw.

In the distance smoke rose from Vale, and the city lights seemed to be drowned in amber mist. Howls and cries rippled through the skies as alarms and gunfire tore at the world. Their eyes slowly slid to Beacon and they saw the school was in no better shape.

"Gods..." Neptune let out as he looked to stumble, only to be caught by Sun as he and the rest of their team stared in disbelief.

"I... don't think telling people V is innocent will work after this." Jaune said as he let his shoulders slump.

No, no it would not, and Pyrrha didn't know how to handle everything. Someone was the source of it, someone actually wanted all the death and destruction that now drenched Vale. V spoke of someone back at the dance, and now she was completely sure what he said was true. She may not have been there to witness it in person, but team RWBY filled them in afterwards about the mystery invader, as well as his thoughts on Beacon.

Pity... is this the reason. Do you pity us because we face these disasters? Or do you pity the guilt we feel not being able to do anything in times of need?

"We need to move. There are still people here, and I'm sure they're all at the docks waiting for evacuation." Pyrrha looked over to Jaune as he drew his blade.

"Meaning that any Grimm around here will likely head there first." Sun spoke with a nod.

"Until we figure out who's responsible for this it's the only thing we can do for now." Ren added as Nora raised her hammer and rested it above her shoulder.

"Then let's break some legs!"

.

.

Ruby expected many things when they got out to the main corridors, but a swell of both Grimm and machines wasn't it. The chaos itself was only amplified by the cries of terror produced from the panicked citizens who ran about. Worst of all from what she could see the Atlesian knights themselves were in battle with the soldiers.

"Things got out of hand quickly."

"Not the time Xiao Long." Weiss commented as she rushed ahead, blade extended. It drove itself through a nearby Grimm, saving the life of a single soldier who'd been knocked down.

"Thank you." Was all he spoke as he stood, firearm primed as he rushed back to the fray. Weiss looked back to them before nodding, a signal that they'd figure out what happened later.

Ruby brought out her scythe as Yang and Blake rushed for separate sides of the fight. The silent plan was to split apart and defend as many as possible, cutting down as many foes as they could. With all the carnage going on Ruby knew she needed to be mindful of the people considering they could dash in front of her at any point.

She swept across the floor, focused on more vertical strikes as to avoid the crowds. While this worked well for the Grimm who were too focused on all the fear and terror around them she found herself having more trouble with the knights. They were built with plenty of armored plating and proved to be more maneuverable than she'd expected, making them more difficult to deliver consistent damage to.

Yet Ruby couldn't quite focus as she found herself confused. She wondered why they were attacking in the first place. They'd been brought by Atlas to defend the festival, not assault it. Those worries were cut short though as she watched from the corner of her eye as Yang crushed what looked to be the last one. Her sister had always been the more direct of the two, opting to get up and personal as opposed to the range she herself favored.

With the androids quelled Ruby was able to better cut down the remaining Grimm without worry of the gunfire eating away at her aura.

As she slashed at an Ursa she leapt away from it's coming claws, only to witness them wrapped up and pulled back. Following the ribbon she saw Blake zip around, seeming to wrap up the creature before a pillar of ice impaled it from below. The Grimm began to fade and the pillar shattered as Weiss rushed over.

"Nice play." The call stole Ruby's attention and she looked over to saw Neon finishing up a couple Beowolves alongside Flynt who quickly sent a nod their way.

A quick glance also confirmed that most of the combatants were either cleaning up the last few Grimm or tending to the injured citizens and soldiers. With a burning curiosity she made her way over to one such soldier who'd been having his arm patched up.

"What happened here?" She questioned as the woman looked to her.

"Don't know? As soon as the Grimm guy made his show we'd been attacked by several groups of White Fang."

"White Fang... where are they?" Ruby tried as she'd not seen any in the skirmish.

"Gone. They never even left their ships; just opened up the back and the next thing you know we're swarmed with Grimm." The soldier flinched slightly as the man tending her arm muttered a slight apology. Ruby felt the pit in her stomach deepen at the mention of V, yet she posed another question regardless.

"How did he escape anyway? News sites and reports said he was locked away under Atlas authority?"

"That's the weird part. Soon as it was over I radioed in to question why they didn't alert the rest of us about his escape, but they insisted he was in his cell." Ruby's eyes widened as the woman continued. "The theory we're working with is that he could have found a way out and returned afterward before the routine check, but we're trying to figure out how he managed that to begin with. The General however has ordered us to focus on the Grimm and White Fang, so nobody's had the chance to figure it out."

"Damnit." Yang swore from behind, and Ruby had no trouble realizing that the rest must have overheard. Her sister walked over as Ruby stood again. "C'mon, let's get to Beacon."

"Why the rush Yang, this news is huge!"

"I know Blake, but that doesn't mean I like it."

"I understand, we'll need to figure out how he managed to do it in the first place, and why. He must have gotten out somehow and snuck back in; how he manage to do it though..." Blake shook her head as she sheathed her blade. "But still, it's something at least."

"Friend Ruby! Over here!"

The group turned, and Ruby flinched as she was lifted of the ground in a crushing grip.

"Oh how wonderful that you are well!"

"Penny...air..." Ruby squeaked as Penny dropped her.

"Apologies, I am just ecstatic you are unharmed from the recent attack."

"No problem." Ruby took in a deep breath as she looked to the girl. "Why are you here anyway?

"My match was scheduled to begin soon. However I believe it may be postponed due to the attack." Penny explained as Ruby finished regaining her lost breath.

"Yeah..." A thought filled her mind. "Hey Penny, you're here from Atlas academy right? Just like Flint and Neon?"

"I am here representing Atlas yes."

"Then do you know how V might have escaped to the tournament?" Ruby asked as Penny tilted her head.

"I'm afraid I do not follow."

"Ruby's asking if you know how Vermillion got onto the tournament grounds." Weiss clarified as Penny tilted to the other side."

"I do not understand. Vermillion wasn't on the tournament grounds." Penny answered innocently as Weiss grew a blank look.

"You saw him summon the Grimm though didn't you? Videos are already being spread and it was broadcast live." Weiss told as Penny looked lost, only to perk up seconds later.

"Oh! You mean the woman who flew away on the Grimm!"

"Excuse me?" Weiss questioned with a look of agitation. "I'm talking about during the match between JNPR and SSSN. Where did you see that anyway?"

"I am talking about the match as well. Thermal readings indicated she was the only one present aside from the two teams, a strange contrast from the visual scan which showed Vermillion. However I have yet to identify the cause of the visual anomaly"

Weiss seemed at a loss from the Girl's rambling, but Ruby took only a moment to piece the information together.

"Wait, are you saying V wasn't there?" Ruby tried with a small bit of hope etching free.

"Yes, information provided to me stated that Vermillion was still in captivity." Penny confirmed as Yang broke through.

"Then how the dust did he appear at the arena!? Everyone saw him show up and summon Grimm." Penny tilted her head and Yang let out a small whine. "Please don't tell me-"

"What Grimm?"

"Here we go again." Yang sighed as Blake spoke up ahead of her.

"Penny, what exactly happened at the arena? Specifically during the pause."

"The pause? Oh! Well, everyone got all weird and the voice spoke from the speakers. Then there was a spike in aura usage, and visual readings showed Vermillion and several Grimm. I wished to scan them for information purposes, only the scan displayed incorrect information. I cycled through scan types and found that all but Visual showed a single woman. Before I could fully document and report the information the shields broke and she escaped on the Grimm that broke through. I then decided to help protect the civilians before making my report." Penny explained as Yang's shoulders slumped.

"That's... less than helpful. More importantly why do you have so many scanners with you? You a scout on your team or something?" Yang asked as Penny wore a smile and gave a sturdy salute.

"I am combat ready!"

"Figures." Yang let out, only to notice Blake wearing an odd look. "Something the matter?"

"We've seen something like this before. Remember back with Roman; just when we were about to capture him?" Blake presented as Yang squinted a bit. There was a short moment of silence before her eyes widened and a look of fury crossed her lips.

"Son of a bitch!" Yang looked to the others. "Neo! It's freaking Neo!" They all took on serious and worried faces as Penny looked to them with more confusion.

"Who is this 'Neo'?"

"She worked with Roman, and helped the bastard escape." Yang growled as Ruby stepped in.

"From what we know she can use illusions; it's her semblance."

"So you're suggesting what we saw back in the arena was a fake?" The voice startled them as they turned to see both Flynt and Neon, as well as the other students who'd finished off the Grimm.

"Uh... how long were you listening?" Ruby tried sheepishly as the man chuckled.

"You girls aren't exactly quiet you know. And I thought I was loud." He spoke as Neon stretched and let out a breath.

"So what we all saw back there was a big fat lie?" She asked as Ruby rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

"I know it's not the most believable-"

"It's cool."

"Huh?" Ruby was caught off guard by the statement. "W-what?"

"Guy brings a whole pack of Grimm and doesn't even use it. Let's be real here: who even does that?" Flynt said as Neon piped up from beside.

"Plus the weird voice was actively trying to stir up trouble. At that point I think everything's called into question."

"You actually believe us?" Yang asked as Blake slapped at her arm, prompting a small whine.

"Atlas prides itself on innovation and problem solving; we're no exception. Plus the new knights and paladins brought along are going nuts, so we're fairly sure things aren't what they seem." Flynt explained as Ruby looked to them with a steadfast determination.

"Then will you help us to put an end to this?" She questioned, only to have her eyes widen as both them and the students behind drew their weapons.

"Do you even have to ask?"

Ruby felt a small smile tug at her lips. With a renewed drive she set her sights on the docks, and with it Beacon.

"Then let's show 'em what we're made of."

.

.

"Hey kid, if you were trapped under a burning bullhead with nothing but a strand of rope and a tub of butter do you think it would be possible to lube yourself up enough to slip out?"

"What kind of question is that!?" I shouted as a series of laughs bellowed through the walls. "Where did that even come from!?"

For the most part being locked in my cell wasn't all that bad; it gave me plenty of time to think. Although having Roman taunting and raving wasn't the most pleasant experience he was more exciting than the steril walls that encased me. Yet I couldn't stop my thoughts from raving.

Winter had escorted me back, completely silent the whole time, and yet she looked to be heavily on guard; more so than usual. She'd then gotten a small beep from something in her ear, pressed her fingers up to it, and took on a worried look for a second before returning to normal and dropping me off at the cell. The woman was one of the most direct and no-nonsense I'd met since my arrival, so the fact that she even let such emotion slip had me worried. However I never got the chance to dwell too much as Roman once again let his voice be heard - despite my irritation.

"Well I was thinking that maybe if things went wrong it'd be nice to keep something slippery on hand. Just in case." I could almost hear the wink he probably gave, along with the cocky smile he loved to display.

"Why butter?" I asked, wondering just why he chose that specific thing.

"It's everywhere and plentiful. Plus it's cheaper than any lube that's for sure." He told with another chuckle. However I began to form another question, and unlike the others it was a more direct one.

"Why are you in such a good mood. Shouldn't you be trying to break out? You're a thief aren't you?" I posed as several thumps muffled from just beyond my cell door.

"That's the thing kid, I don't have to." There was a light beeping and a shift of metal, followed by several footsteps before a certain smug grin peered through the window of my door. "It's already been done for me."

I wanted to stand, to rush him down, and yet I sat there glaring at the face just behind the tiny window.

"Come on, we need to move." I felt my thoughts race as my eyes widened.

That voice!

"Yeah yeah, I get it. Can't keep candle-light waiting now can we?"

I heard him laugh for a bit as they left, followed by a snarl. I'd not heard the voice for long, but even in it's short stay I recognized the distinct tone of hidden apathy. Yet for her to be here, it would mean she was working alongside Roman.

And in turn Adam.

I stood and rushed over to the door, bringing down a beating of desperation against the steadfast metal. Not a dent was made as my fury unleashed itself against the structure, and even the shackles that engulfed my hands showed no signs of wear.

No!

I let my armor consume me, breaking across my skin as I broke down on the taunting wall harder and harder.

No no NO!

Even the tiny bindings I wore seemed to laugh at my futile attempts at freedom. I dropped to my knees, armor fading as I let it all sink in. I was trapped until the general realized something was wrong; stuck until Emerald of all people made a mistake that got her and Roman caught. But at that point it would be too late.

If she was working with Roman then she was working with Adam.

If she was working with Adam people would die.

People would die, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I fell to my knees as the realization set in. I couldn't even keep my word to the headmaster and protect his students, and worst of all it was my own fault for ending up in the situation in the first place. I should have seen it coming; I should have suspected that Adam would want to be rid of me; I should have seen through the façade.

Yet I didn't, and there I lay as those responsible had their way with Vale.

I'd no idea how long I remained there, yet after some time I was awoken from my despair. A strange shifting perked my ears, and a small click echoed from my wrists. The shackles that once bound me dropped to the ground, and sliding metal echoed throughout. I raised my head, staring in cautiously at the open hallway before me. With shaking legs I stood, careful with my approach as I slowly pushed a hand through the opening.

No illusions, no hallucinations, the open door was indeed open, and I was free. A swell of drive burned within. The general must have known what was going on, and with him the headmaster as well. There was a chance to end it, to prevent the tragedy that awaited both Vale and Beacon. There was a chance to stop Adam before his plans could reach fruition.

Without thinking I ran, desperate for any chance to put a stop to it all, with the hope I still had time.

Author's note

...

Finally, we've got a full chapter for once. The week hasn't been absolutely horrible for me this time so I'll assume that's why.

Anyway we're getting into the thick of things now, with the major pieces set into position. Ruby leads a charge to Beacon, and V breaks free from imprisonment, all the while the White Fang take charge in the background.

How will things end up, you'll have to wait and see.

That's it for this one so feel free to tell me what you think.

Until next time.