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-CHAPTER START-

Realm R38Y

Atlas Academy

"Remarkable…" the academy's Semblance specialist adjusted his glasses, looking over the results of the recent tests & observations, as Ruby fidgeted awkwardly. "Miss Rose, your Semblance is one of the more interesting ones I've seen in all my years on this job. I've met a handful of students whose Semblances involve shapeshifting or even partially transitioning the molecular phase of their body – solid to liquid, or whatnot – but yours is truly astounding. Dematerializing, traveling as a high-speed mass of particles, loosely bound & guided by your Aura, your soul… It's a remarkable Semblance, and I believe you will be able to do even more amazing things with it once you have additional experience. The only drawback is… well, it's such a rare and unique Semblance that I'm not really sure we have anyone here qualified to help you improve it…"

Ruby nodded. "It's fine. I'm sure that the DDF have someone who can help, and that I can figure a lot out on my own…"

-Break-

RWBY and JNPPR spent the next several days training and participating in local missions. They worked alongside the Ace Ops on more than one occasion, and even got to reunite with Neon Katt and Flynt Coal, the members of Team FNKI that Weiss & Yang had fought in the Vytal Tournament.

Now, a group of our heroes were riding along inside transport trucks, driving across the unpopulated tundra, toward the commandeered mine.

"Not that I'm bored," Ruby remarked after a yawn, "but why can't we just use an airship to take these supplies to Amity?"

"The components for Amity Tower's construction are far too heavy" Penny replied. "All that weight would require precious Dust we should be saving for the launch itself. And the Grimm that will come after."

Ruby fought to stay awake. "It just makes for long… very long… supply runs."

"At least the tundra is scenic!"

"Totally…"

Qrow peeked his head in from the back of the truck. "Everything going alright up there?"

"Just fine, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby gave him a thumbs-up, and he headed back to where he and Clover had been playing cards using a supply crate as a table. Clover had just won. Again.

"Your niece sure is one of a kind, huh?" Clover remarked while shuffling the cards.

"They all are" Qrow replied. "Been through a lot together."

"It's a good thing they had someone to look up to and get them through it. Not everyone is so lucky."

"I don't know about that. …Thanks, by the way. For looking out for 'em. You and your team."

"What good is saving the world without another generation waiting in the wings? Hopefully they'll leave Remnant better than we left it for them."

"Heh. Once upon a time, I'd have drank to that."

"…You shouldn't deflect a compliment, you know. Those kids wouldn't be where they are without you. You've had more of an effect on them than you realize."

"…That reminds me, actually. Did Atlas ever inspect the farmstead like Jimmy said he would?"

Clover sighed. "Yeah. Scans confirmed most of the Apathies had survived the fire and hunkered down in the tunnels – got trapped down there by wreckage from the burned-down farm blocking the exits, but were working on clawing their way through. We had to use two digger bombs to kill them all, reduced the whole area to a crater."

Suddenly, the truck began to slow to a halt. Clover went on guard, hopping out, followed by Ruby, Penny, & Qrow. The "road" ahead was blocked by a crude metal barricade manned by two women, weapons slung across their backs.

"Robyn!" Clover had a not-wholly-genuine smile on his face. "Well, if it isn't Mantle's hometown hero. Is there a reason you're blocking an official military transport?"

"Clover," Robyn Hill crossed her arms, "I'm so glad you're here. Maybe you can help me understand why this truck that's supposed to be taking construction materials to fix Mantle's outer wall, is on its way to the middle of nowhere? Are you lost?"

Clover laughed. "It's pretty easy to get turned around out here in the tundra; everything looks the same. Thanks for checking up on us, though. We'll be on our way now."

Robyn sighed. "I was hoping you'd play it straight with me. What's Ironwood doing with Amity at the old SDC mine?"

"Oh. That. Just giving her an annual checkup."

"The next Vytal Festival isn't anytime soon. Only automated drones and a few select Atlas scientists are allowed out here. And Amity's getting invaluable resources we need in Mantle to protect against Grimm. Seems like more than just a check-up."

"…You've been scoping it out."

"I'm simply fulfilling the role I've been given."

Clover raised an eyebrow. "Given?"

Robyn stepped forward, pulling out her tablet-Scroll and holding it forward, projecting an official-looking seal/badge of a stylized eagle perched atop a planet.

"Due to our skills & experience and our devotion to protecting the civilians of Mantle, Commander Carnegie and Captain Fuller have deputized me and my squad. Unlike Atlas' spoiled and self-centered elite, the UNSC forces here on Remnant are actually doing things to help and protect the citizens of Mantle, especially down in the crater. Once the Commander caught on that we were trying to do the same thing, and confirmed that we were on the up-&-up, he offered to deputize us, grant us access to their resources and intelligence. He and Captain Fuller were even talking about bringing me in the loop on some kinda classified project here in Soli…tas…" Her eyes slowly widened. "Wait, is this 'classified project' related to whatever you people are doing with Amity?"

Clover sighed. "Yes, it is. Now, I'm going to call the General and the Commander, ask them about this, and if they vouch for you, I suppose we can fill you in. Give me a couple minutes…"

He walked around the truck, calling up his Omnitool. As he made the call, Robyn cautiously approached the others.

"Don't think I've seen you two around before" she remarked. "You sure don't look Atlesian."

"We're from Vale" Ruby replied. "As for how we're connected with all this… It's a long story, but we'll fill you in once you're cleared!"

Just then, Clover came back from behind the truck, looking apologetic.

"General Ironwood and Commander Carnegie have indeed vouched for you, Ms. Hill. You & your team are clear to be filled in."

Nodding, Robyn gave a hand signal, and her two other teammates decloaked and approached. "So, what are you people doing?" she asked.

"You likely know how the UNSC are facing compatibility difficulties in getting the CCT network functioning again, right?"

Robyn sighed. "Yeah, some of 'em have been griping about it. They say at their current pace it'll take months."

Qrow cut in. "We're gonna fit Amity Colosseum, which already has a built-in connection to the CCT network, with a broadcast tower and then launch it high into the stratosphere. Its altitude will allow it to link with the remaining towers and bring the network back online, while also keeping it so high up that no Grimm can reach it."

A look of astonishment came to Robyn's face and those of her comrades. "You're bringing the network back online… But, why all the secrecy? Getting the CCT network restored helps everyone; why work so hard to keep it secret when no Remnantian in their right mind would oppose it?"

Ruby sighed sadly. "Long story short, the Grimm have a central commanding intelligence – a Queen, named Salem. All Grimm obey her, but she can't magically see everything they do or anything like that, she has to relay commands to them via specialized, jellyfish-looking communication Grimm instead of some mystical worldwide telepathy or the like, and the younger, more impulsive Grimm – i.e., most Grimm in the world – aren't really patient enough or smart enough to pull off any kind of large-scale or long-term tactics no matter what she says or does. But she also has non-Grimm agents working for her, one of whom was almost certainly the one who hacked the Atlesian battle droids during the fall of Beacon, and thus has intimate knowledge of Atlas' computer systems. If this person were to find out what we're up to, they'd definitely try to sabotage it."

Clover continued. "We've confirmed that her agents include Hazel Reinhart, who blames the Hunter system for the death of his sister, and Tyrian Callows, a scorpion-Faunus serial killer who worships Salem as his 'goddess'. Cinder Fall, MIA and presumed dead at Haven, also followed her, just for the sake of power. Adam Taurus may be working with her as well, now. …We don't know who her inside-man in Atlas is."

"And she has allies – villains from other Realms the DDF has presence in" Qrow added. "They've formed a proper alliance, though who knows how long that'll last before differing goals split them apart…"

Team Robyn's faces were a mixture of stunned disbelief and dawning horror as they put the pieces together.

"Come on into the truck where it's warmer," Qrow continued, "and I'll give you the ugly details…"

-Break-

Atlas Academy Training Room

A clash between Schnee revenant-summons, Weiss' Arma Gigas and Winter's Alpha Beowulf, ended with a mutual kill, both glowing-white entities fading away into snowflake-like particles.

Winter observed the aftermath. "Your technique still has those maddeningly sloppy touches. But you've learned how to make them work for you. You've made them your own."

Weiss smiled. "Wow. That was very close to a compliment."

"I didn't intend it that way."

"We all make mistakes, I guess…"

Winter actually laughed. "You've grown up a bit, haven't you? You're not the little girl clinging to the family name anymore."

"Since Beacon, I haven't really had a choice. Father's view of the world no longer matches with mine."

"Whatever the case, I'm glad to see you've moved on. Distancing myself from the Schnee name is the most beneficial thing I've done. We can move forward without him, together." She placed a hand on her petite sister's shoulder. "I know General Ironwood would have a place for you."

Weiss looked thoughtful. "I would be grateful to him if he did, but I'm not sure I could accept."

Winter looked confused. "Really?"

Weiss sat down on one of the modular blocks of the training room. "It's just… Our kingdom isn't supposed to be like this. Fearful, and withdrawn. We should be opening our borders to help the world, not closing them down."

"We will, though. Once we've weathered the storm, we will. I know the General hasn't done everything perfectly, but he's doing what he thinks is right, and Capt. Fuller & Comm. Carnegie are providing an outside perspective and making sure to speak up if they think he's starting to stray from actually doing the right thing."

"But he's a General, and they're not at an equivalent rank. How can you be sure he'll listen to them if he really goes off the deep end?"

"That's why they've insisted he & they make scheduled check-ins with someone we know General Ironwood will defer to, due to experience and rank: Fleet-Admiral Hood. Once the Fleet-Admiral was informed of the General's occasional… let's call it 'tunnel vision', especially regarding what his Semblance can do to his psyche if he leaves it active for too long, he wholeheartedly agreed to this system."

"…Can you be certain Ironwood isn't keeping secrets from anyone who should know them? From you?"

"…Come with me. There's something I want to show you."

-Break-

Deep inside Atlas' premier hospital, through hallways guarded by cameras, biometric-scan doors, and guards both organic & synthetic, Weiss was led to an observation room overlooking a patient room with a one-way window. Inside, laying in the angled-up bed, is a frail old woman, who looks up as Winter enters the room.

"Good afternoon" the young woman said. "Feeling better today."

"Just a bit" the old woman replied.

"Would you care for some tea?"

The old woman smiled. "I do like hot tea on a cold tea. Reminds me of home."

Winter prepared some tea, bringing it over.

"Is it cold outside?" the old woman asked.

"Yes, ma'am."

-X-

"That's the Winter Maiden" Winter explained to Weiss in the observation room. "She could pass any day now. Until that happens, I'm the only person Fria is allowed to see."

A look of stunned realization came across Weiss' face. "Ironwood's chosen you to be the next… W-When she dies. How long have you known?"

"Since Beacon fell."

"Doesn't it bother you? He practically groomed your entire military career."

"It did at first, when the General first proposed it to me. But the more I thought about it, the more I saw it as a privilege, a chance to do some real good for Atlas. For Remnant."

"But your destiny was chosen for you, without your input."

"Perhaps, but I'm choosing it now. I've made it my own. And I take great pride in it. That has nothing to do with Father, or the General… That belongs to me."

"…I guess we've both had to do a little bit of that. Carving out our own way."

"I suppose we have."

Suddenly, Winter's scroll chimed. She pulled it out, seeing a message from General Ironwood: "Check the news". Accompanying it was a link to a live news broadcast, which she promptly opened.

"Speaking of the family name…" she sighed.

"What is he doing?" Weiss scowled, seeing Jacques hosting some kind of press conference in front of the Schnee Manor.

"If I'm elected Councilman, I've made it no secret I will be opposing General Ironwood and his senseless near-embargo restrictions that are crippling all of Atlas. It is my belief that these measures are not only reckless, but criminal. With almost no shipments allowed to enter or leave the kingdom, I know many are suffering. And my family has been weathering the same storm as many of you. …Effective immediately, I am forced to shut down all nonessential SDC operations. If elected to office, I will make the changes necessary to fix what Ironwood has broken. I hope you ask yourself before the vote: Can you trust anyone else to stop Ironwood? Will Robyn Hill be able to get your jobs back?"

News anchors try to crowd forward, microphones thrusted forward as they all tried to talk over each other. As Jacques waved them off and strolled away, unrest and anger down in Mantle began to abruptly skyrocket. The two sisters shared looks of shock and concern.

"I think…" Winter started. "I think Father may have just provided the spark that's going to set this kingdom on fire."

-Break-

"Although rioting in Mantle is finally under control," a news reporter said over footage of fires, destroyed cars, and people in handcuffs, "how does it feel to know that the majority of those involved were your supporters?"

Robyn Hill, revealed to be the interviewee, crossed her arms with a frown. "I don't condone rioting, especially when our city is still struggling to cope with recent challenges despite the UNSC's generous aid, but Jacques Schnee's latest stunt is holding the city hostage for his own political gain. So, I understand their anger, but ask that they show it not in the streets, but at the polls today."

-X-

Ironwood and Clover entered the academy training room, finding RWBY, JNPPR, and Oscar hard at work training, with Ruby doing double-duty practicing in order to expand her Semblance (now already able to split her molecular-rose-petal-cloud self into multiple segments to 'flow' around obstacles) and working on her Keyblade sword-work.

"Clover wasn't kidding" the General remarked. "You're really giving this your all."

"Well," Ren replied, "we have to with the way things are going."

Ironwood pulled out his holo-scroll, displaying live election results. At the moment, Robyn was leading the pack by a mile, with 70% votes to Jacques' 30%.

"At least the candidate who's nominally on our side is in the lead…" he sighed. "I have to admit, I was a little nervous about bringing Ms. Hill in on the loop, but it seems to have paid off; she's toned down the anti-Atlas rhetoric a little, especially the stuff targeted towards me, and is acting as the UNSC's semi-official liaison in their efforts to support Mantle. …How'd she take learning the ugly details about Salem & her allies?"

"About as well as could be expected" Yang replied. "A little better than we did, at least."

"Not exactly a high bar to clear…" Weiss murmured.

"I take it you two are here for new mission assignments?" Ren asked.

"You could say that" Clover replied. "The General and I want you all to take the rest of the day to recuperate."

"You're giving us a night off?" Blake asked.

"Ordering it" Ironwood replied. "After tonight's election, we'll be waking to a very different Atlas tomorrow. I need you rested and ready for whatever that may bring. …Besides, take it from me: burning yourself out overtraining is not a fun time, and it can sneak up on you without notice. Worst case scenario…" He rapped his knuckles on the right side of his chest, producing a metallic sound. "Your overstressed body can fail you out in the field at the worst possible time…"

-Break-

At sunset, Team RWBY were in the academy dorm room they'd been lent for the duration of their stay in Atlas, either lounging in bed or getting ready for their planned outings.

"We still have hours ahead of us," the newscaster said, "but as votes come in, it looks more and more certain that Robyn Hill will fit the open council seat."

Weiss sighed as she closed the news app. "There's no way my father could've thought layoffs would do anything but hurt him. So why announce this the day before the election?"

"Just seems like a power play that backfired to me" Yang replied. "Won't matter in a few hours, though."

She got up, heading over to Blake, who was finishing up her light makeup.

"Where are you guys going?" Ruby asked.

"Team FNKI invited us out dancing" Blake replied. "Yang I thought it would be good to get our minds off the election."

Ruby quirked an eyebrow at her sister. "I thought you said Team FNKI was annoying."

Yang grinned. "That's the best part about dance clubs." She pointed to her ear and mouthed 'I can't hear you!'

The door slid open, revealing Ren & Nora.

"Ruby, come on!" Nora waved.

"I still can't believe you're going to that thing…" Weiss grumbled. "A victory party?"

Ruby walked toward the newcomers, shrugging. "Invite's still open if you want in. Penny's gonna be working security."

There was laughter behind them as Yang tried to teach Blake how to dance.

"Hey" Jaune poked his head in. "Oscar, Pyrrha, Pirika, & I are all heading to the movies if anybody wa-"

"Yep!" Weiss walked over.

-Break-

At the party, dozens of Robyn's supporters were gathered in a joyful crowd. Penny, Rattrap, and Marrow were acting as security; Rattrap had volunteered for the job, citing an incident in his past on Cybertron when there was an assassination attempt at a political rally he'd been attending ("That kinda thing tends to stick in your memory"). The mood was mostly good, though Ren & Nora were having some kind of argument that made Ruby want to keep her distance, and according to the live projection of the ongoing election results, Jacques was starting to gain a higher percentage of votes …

Now, as the poll closing time drew near, Robyn took the stage.

"Thank you so much, everyone, for choosing me. You said you believe in me. But I'm the one who believes in all of you. You've proven to me that as individuals, we are strong. But together, we're unstoppable."

As she waved to the cheering crowd, stepping off the stage, she turned to look at the live results, and frowned; it now showed that she had 53% of the votes, while Jacque had 47%. When had that happened? Meanwhile, the argument between Ren & Nora seemed to be coming to a head in an unexpected way.

Nora sighed. "Ren, what's going on? Why won't you just talk to me?"

The tall youth fidgeted awkwardly. "You know I've… never… been really good with talking."

"…Then screw talking!"

With that, she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into a kiss. After a moment of shock, he returned the kiss, the two kids hugging each other close. A few spectators of the crowd who'd been close enough to notice their argument grinned and quietly cheered.

The countdown to the polls closing appeared, and the whole crowd began counting down with it. Ruby chanced a look around… and spotted something thin and mechanical, gliding along the ground. Concerned, she followed, working her way through the crowd, and soon caught sight of a figure in a hooded cloak. The figure turned toward her… and Ruby felt her blood run cold as she saw the leering, wicked grin of Tyrian Callows, brandishing a new mechanical spike-stinger tip on his tail.

Right when the countdown was about to end, the power suddenly went out, plunging the building's interior into darkness. The crowd was confused and unnerved, murmurs and the occasional shout being heard.

"Aw slag, here we go again…" Rattrap mumbled, hand on his holstered pistol.

Suddenly, there was a scream that quickly faded as Tyrian made his first kill. The demented assassin proceeded to dash through the crowd, sweeping people's legs out from under them then slashing & stabbing with his wrist-blades and tail stinger. People started screaming and trying to scramble for safety in the pitch darkness, while Tyrian kept cutting people down as he made his way toward the stage.

Rattrap switched his optics to infrared mode, quickly catching sight of Tyrian and heading for the stage to intercept. On the stage, Robyn's Huntresses had grouped up around her, weapons ready. Landing on the stage, Tyrian rushed for Fiona Thyme, who – being the lone Faunus of the group – was able to see him as he rushed in, but he was still too fast for her to react. With his fingertips and eyes glowing purple, he swiped his hand across her midsection, and her protective Aura 'barrier' in that spot was torn away like wet paper – Tyrian's Semblance at work. He then went to slash at her unprotected midsection… and his blade was parried by a metallic-red round shield – one of Rattrap's shoulder-mounted 'hubcaps', detached and wielded as a small shield.

"It's Tyrian!" Rattrap shouted, drawing his pistol. He fired, but Tyrian twisted around and lunged, with the veteran Maximal blocking the assassin's blades as Tyrian tried to overpower him.

Tyrian snarled. "How?!"

"Infrared optics, ya scorpy skidplate!"

He then pulled out and ignited a Sangheili plasma sword – another recent addition to his arsenal. The bright bluish-white glow partially illuminated the stage, enough to expose Tyrian to view, blood still dripping from his wrist-blades and tail-tip. Tyrian attacked, making lightning-fast strikes with his blades and tail, but Rattrap was able to dodge, block, and parry the scorpion's attacks and even make a few of his own; he was clearly not quite on Tyrian's level, but was at least able to hold his own on defense (and considering that Tyrian was the most skilled & dangerous close-combat specialist in the evil alliance's entire lineup including the leaders, that really said something). Tyrian lashed out with an Aura-charged kick to Rattrap's midsection, but the Maximal only stumbled back a step and didn't lose his guard, and a faint shimmer was briefly visible across his torso; it seemed he'd had his Aura unlocked, which would partially explain how he was moving fast enough to not get overwhelmed and cut to pieces.

Aided by the light of Rattrap's energy sword, and realizing who Tyrian was from RWBY's explanation of Salem's underlings, Robyn joined the fray, swinging her bladed crossbow to force him to abort a thrust at Rattrap's neck (at her position & angle, she couldn't risk firing a bolt at him without the risk of a missed shot going into the crowd). Penny moved in seconds later, dual-wielding two of her green & black blades, followed by Ruby with her 'Divine Rose' Keyblade in hand (because she couldn't effectively fight with her war-scythe in such a small space with allies so close). The wounded and frightened crowd watched the spectacle lit up by the plasma sword's blue glow, as four heroes, including their beloved Robyn Hill, engaged a murderous scorpion Faunus… who was holding his own against them, even slightly pushing them back.

Then, one of the windows near the ceiling shattered as a huge mass of what looked like golden light crashed through like a comet. Xion landed on the stage with a thud, Keyblade at the ready, and fired a pinpoint beam of Light magic that hit Tyrian square in the chest, knocking him off his feet and making his Aura barrier flare. Leaping to his feet, Tyrian saw all five heroes advancing on him. Realizing that, with the arrival of a powerhouse like Xion, his chance of getting out had decreased markedly, plus reasoning that Watts' outage was likely almost over, Tyrian withdrew a smoke bomb and threw it at his feet. As the cloud of dense grey smoke erupted, Robyn and Rattrap fired into it, and Ruby used an Aero spell to blow the smoke away, but it cleared to reveal an empty stage. A second later, crashing glass was heard again as Tyrian made his escape. Seconds later, the power came back on, restoring the lights and the live news broadcast.

"And the winner of the Atlas council seat is… Jacques Schnee! In a major dark-horse victory, the head of the SDC takes the seat!"

-Break-

Watts and Tyrian regrouped in their latest hidey-hole, the former looking disgruntled as he reluctantly activated the Seer Grimm they'd been lent. After a few seconds, the orb projected Megatron's face.

"Lord Megatron," Watts said in an apologetic tone, "I regret to inform you that the plot to implicate Ironwood's ensouled machine for the massacre is a no-go."

"Oh?" Megatron quirked an 'eyebrow. "Whatever happened, Doctor?"

"As you are likely aware, the Maximal 'Rattrap' has been traveling with the children since not long after the debacle at Haven Academy. He was at the assembly tonight, volunteering as additional security. When Tyrian & I initiated the plan, his infrared optics allowed him to spot and engage Tyrian, and he's apparently gotten his hands on a Sangheili plasma sword, which produced more than enough light to expose Tyrian to the crowd's view. Robyn Hill, Polendina's pet project, and little Rose joined in fighting Tyrian once they could see him, and then that Key-bearer Xion showed up. Tyrian chose to retreat before additional reinforcements could arrive."

Megatron sighed, pondering for a moment. "…Did you manage to subvert the council election?"

"Yes, I did."

"And have tonight's events triggered enough fear and unrest amongst the people to start drawing in Grimm?"

Watts pulled up his Scroll, checking the latest news, seeing reports of Manticore flocks and Sabyr packs assaulting Mantle's border walls with significantly more intensity than previous. "It appears they did, sir."

Megatron made a satisfied smile. "Then you have, for the most part, succeeded. Two out of three objectives fulfilled is still a victory. We can continue with our plan's overall strategic outline, and as we proceed, we can make adjustments to the finer details as circumstances require. Well done, Doctor, Tyrian; continue your roles in the plot, and keep up the good work. Megatron out."

-CHAPTER END-

For this chapter, I was going to try and get things moving with the next episode's events (or what parts of them can fit considering how much I've changed things here), but you folks have waited long enough, so that will start in the next chapter.