RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 44: A New Growth
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
The flight to Atlas had been relatively quiet and easy. With the troubles in the continent of Mistal over, they now had to go to Atlas. Ruby glanced at her friends who were taking minor naps whereas her uncle and Maria were at the cockpit. Her ears can still hear the faint sound of a screech which originated from the back of the airship. She raised herself slightly, witnessing Lily fixing the arm that was her first creation. She remembered the machine had its bulky arm crushed when it pushed Jaune out of the way.
She pushed herself up and approached the saint. Her silver orbs saw the sharp digits twitch and flex through the repairs. "… Lily?"
"…" the said woman was more focused on the limb than her.
"I… I get it. I nearly messed up."
"Messed up being an understatement of the year, Rose." Lily huffled, tapping the wirings of the detached limb that act as nerves for the arma gigas-like machine.
"I know…" Ruby rubbed her arm, "But… I still want to trust and believe in you too… What can I do… to make you trust me as well?"
A weary silence hung in the air as the saint stopped the tapping. "I told you - you have to earn my forgiveness. As to the latter? You have to prove it." She pointed. "Especially with your use of silver eyes. Just as Maria did. Just as Arthur and others like them. Learn from that little mistake you made. Yes you succeeded but you nearly put your life into jeopardy because you chose to use the Relic to stall to use your eyes. In battle you can't repeat it. You chose to destroy a mech's arm but in turn, nearly destroying the one thing that could save dozens of lives."
"But that was part of your plan!"
"A plan you agreed to without thinking of the results and consequences."
"And how was that my fault?! If it was your plan, you should've considered that as well!" She paused and her eyes widened when she spotted the brief guilt in the emerald orbs. "You knew…"
"As did mother as she had similar thoughts."
"Then… why didn't you tell me? Am I really that less important to you that you wouldn't tell me about it?"
"I told you - you need to open your eyes to how dark the world is. You can't remain naive forever."
"I'm trying!" Ruby stomped, tears in her eyes once more, "I am trying so hard… but I'm not like you. Or Yang. Or anyone here. I can't just easily shrug this off and manage it… I know the world is unfair and difficult… But isn't that what friends for? To help you along the path? Do you… just hate me because I'm 'a kid'?"
Lily resumed the last few repairs in which the arm hovered and vanished, returning to reconnect to her great creation. "It's up to you on what you assume."
"How am I assuming? You've done nothing but insult me, treat me like I'm worthless and just won't show me some gratitude before!"
"I never called you or insulted you before." Ruby tensed to the glance. "That there is an assumption."
"I-I…" she really did make assumptions. Ruby chewed her lips and fell back onto her seat.
"Ask yourself this Ruby: When will you understand who you are in this world? And how much will you risk to selflessly save others? Think about it… for we are almost at Atlas"
'Who… I am…?' Ruby questioned in her mind, confused by what she was meaning before she closed her eyes to sleep, already mentally tired from this.
Lily looked at her hand and took a shuddering breath. "Evil is looming near…"
"Everyone, you might wanna wake up." Qrow called.
"Wha…?" Cody yawned. "Are we there yet?"
"We are… but you kids need to see this…" the Huntsman gesture to the glass of the ship. Everyone gathered by the cockpit, presented with a view of what is Atlas.
"Back at Atlas huh…" Cody had some memories here. Not fun. But what made things more concerning was all of the airships, carriercrafts, and frigates that were here. Practically everything Atlas related and made were now within the said country. "They… look like they are ready for-"
"War." Lily observed. "To see this many… they are devoted to ensure no hostile breaches Atlas or Mantle."
The Manta slowed its speed, allowing Maria to lower the altitude of the ship. The group saw While the city was lit by its lights, there were various screens displaying the familiar general who looked to have grown a beard over the past two years. He was giving an announcement to the people in the streets below.
"That's...General Ironwood?" The general has changed over the years. The man looked tired, exhausted from the look in his eyes.
"He looks...tired," Ruby noticed in pity.
"Paranoid is more like it…" Cody chimed in, "Makes sense given how he captured me like I was a wild animal…"
"Cody."
"Just saying."
"His description of Ironwood isn't wrong." Lily snorted. "But yes, he has changed since the Fall of Beacon."
"James… what have you been doing?" Qrow murmured.
"We should land before they decide to shoot us out of the sky." Weiss suggested.
Not giving any protest to the suggestion, Maria turned the controls, allowing the ship to change course. Finding a spot to land. Of course with it, they hurriedly exited the Manta just before Atlas troops converged on it. Basking in the surroundings of the city that is Mantle, they saw people did not seem to enjoy the presence of Atlesian drones or the AKs walking about.
"And here I thought where I first lived was a dump…" Cody frowned as he felt such sympathy for those in Mantle as this wasn't a city, this was a dumping ground from those up high.
"You have to remember that the Kingdom lost the Great War." Maria reminded them. "Back then, Mantle needed a sign to know that there is still a bright future ahead of them, and that sign is Atlas. I'm sure you know what I mean, don't you?"
They stopped for a moment as a truck drove past us. They could see Faunus miners in the truck bed before the vehicle was gone from their sights.
Nora crossed her arms and said, "Unless you're the one having to look up at it."
"This whole city… it is awful." Blake agreed.
"Yeah? You don't like it here?!" They noticed from behind them were two people, one being drunk as his companion due to his slurred voice and the flask in hand. "There's plenty of space in the tundra!"
Seeing the drunkards, Blake sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"Atlas is the greatest kingdom in the world, alright?!"
Ruby was getting frustrated by the drunk's behavior. "Hey-!" Blake stopped Ruby and said, "We can't cause a scene."
The drunk man's equally drunk buddy spoke up on his behalf, "The embargo... The embargo's got us in a rough patch. But it'll blow over, you'll see."
"We try and help the other Kingdoms, and this is what happens? I say let 'em rot!" The first drunk added.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to insult you." Blake apologized.
The man spits to the side to rid some of the alcohol he drank. "Stupid Faunus like you wouldn't understand."
The man was suddenly lifted and found himself in the garbage can. They looked at Weiss who jabbed her thumb to Lily who merely stared. Her eyes were glimmering as she had her hands in the pockets of her blazer coat. She tilted her head. "I believe we should get going before more insults are thrown and those AKs approach closer."
"Uh right."
XXX
After a short walk while following Maria, everyone arrived at the place she wanted them to be. Said place was a clinic that tue blonde Rider recognized. A Faunus waved goodbye to the person inside and happily walked away.
"And no more heavy-lifting, yah hear?" A male voice Cody knew said from the inside of the clinic.
"Wait… isn't this Mr. Polendina's clinic?" Cody realized. "You know him?!"
"I should be asking you that same thing!" Maria looked to the boy, surprised.
"He… and Penny helped me out after ending up in Atlas." He massaged his knuckles. "Practically family if anything…. Mind if I go in first, Ms. Calavera?"
Ruby paused. "Cody, wait. You said 'Mr. Polendina'. D-Does that mean he's…?"
"Yeah. Penny's dad." The blonde confirmed.
"But… does he…?" Ruby rubbed her arm, worried he might blame them for Penny's death.
"I don't know… that's why I want to go in first."
Maria stared before closing her eyes. "Very well." She stepped aside and gestured to him to enter. Cody swallowed slightly. It had been nearly two years since he saw the scientist. He just hoped he was okay. Stepping inside, Cody saw the place hasn't changed much… including a tile suddenly falling beside him. That was a normal sight to see.
"I'll be right with you." Pierro was in the middle of stacking papers.
"Um… hey Mr. Polendina." Cody waved.
"Yes, yes, I'll get to you in just a-" Pietro soon froze as he turned to see the young man, giving him a simple wave. The professor said nothing as he quickly got his chair to move to Cody as fast as possible before hugging him. "I… I thought you were dead… I heard that Evol…" He choked up from the news he heard.
"Me too…." He gestured behind him. "But it was sis who saved me."
Lily entered next but Pietro adjusted his glasses. "Miss Vernage?"
"It's… either now." The saint corrected but solemnly. "Mother is me and I am her…. Just address me whatever you are comfortable with, Pietro."
"I… see… Ahem! So what brings you all to Mantle?"
"We were hoping to see the general but from what we can see, it isn't all well." The Saint inquired.
"You are not wrong…" the scientist sighed heavily but coughed. Cody supported the man for a moment before his breathing was controlled. "The Fall of Beacon took a toll on all of us. James was no different. I couldn't tell you exactly what it was he saw there, but it changed him. He's…" he trailed off.
"He's scared." Qrow assumed.
"Paranoid would be the more appropriate term. You have to understand, it wasn't just the Grimm. Someone completely dismantled Atlas security code, made it their play-thing, and made us look like traitors to some and buffoons to everyone else. Whoever managed to do that is either a genius or one of our own. I fear the answer may be both, and so does the general." Pietro responded.
"Maybe Atlas isn't as safe as we thought." Ren grimaced.
Oscar bit his lip. "After we came all this way, we can't just leave, can we?"
"How does the council feel about all of this?" Weiss inquired.
Pietro sighed, "Well, the council's so scared, they'll agree to whatever he wants. Though, some representatives from Mantle…"
"He's basically turning this place into more of a prison than he realizes…" Cody frowned, "Figures he'd start doing it to everyone around him…"
"I'm afraid so. Adding to the reality Faust sleeper agents still linger around both cities, I admit it puts James in a very tight spot."
"That's an understatement…" Yang frowned as well only for Pietro noticed her arm.
"You… painted it! Not only that, altered it so much!"
"Um… that would be Lily's doing to that…"
"Mr. Polendina, there's something I want to ask." Cody interrupted. "It's about… Penny. Don't you know?"
But before he could answer, alarms are set off. The group was confused before they saw on the screen 'Grimm Attack' making everyone worried for the people.
"Trouble!" Jaune realized.
"We'll discuss this later then." Cody patted the professor's shoulder gently before everyone rushed out to deal with the Grimm. The streets were empty, not a single soul seen. All but the silence. Each one brandished their respective weapons until Blake was reminded of the state of her weapon so she shifted it into its gun mode.
The sound of gunfire reached their ears and saw on the other side of the street a drone being tossed like a ragdoll. The remaining machines attempted to shoot at whatever got its comrade but were put down. The Grimm.
Unlike the common Beowolves in Vale, the ones they saw were feline-based with sharp yet long canines as fangs. These were the Sabyrs.
"Get ready everyone," Ruby tightened her grip on the scythe.
"Easy peasy for a fire user like me." Cody said, holding up his Magma Knuckle, not worried about it too much as he wouldn't use his armor for this quick bout.
Yang was the first to launch herself ahead as did Ren, making Nora lower her hammer, her lips pursed in a pout. "Hey!" She looked at Jaune who saw the gleam in her eyes. She dashed right at him, making the swordsman yelp and raise the shield. Twisting her form, her feet landed on the shield and used her trusted Magnhild to launch forward, ramming into a Grimm much like Ren and Yang did.
After Yang uppercutted a Grimm, Ren landed on another one's back, stabbing his guns' blades into it, and it leaps into the air to knock him off, only for Nora to slam it to the ground with her hammer. Jaune beheaded the next attacking Grimm. When a second one leaps at him, he blocked with his shield and stabbed it just above its collarbone.
Qrow sliced two sabertooth in half, leaned back to dodge a third upon its attempt to tackle him. He transformed his Harbinger into scythe mode and used it to hook the Grimm as it made another attempt to tackle him. As he finished spinning his scythe, he planted its blade into the ground and punched another in the head, then uppercut it into the air. He kicked Harbinger upward, catching it. With the weapon in his grip, he straightened the blade and impaled the Grimm, slicing another one that leapt at him from behind the deceased tiger.
While Qrow shot at more inbound sabertooth, another one turned its attention to Oscar. It charged him, and the farm boy leapt into the air and stabbed at its skull with Ozpin's cane.
Seeing the Sabertooth gone, Oscar was relieved that he defeated it but heard a growl from behind. He had to act but was saved by Blake as she shot it.
Cody dashed towards the oncoming Sabyrs, dodging a swipe before slamming his weapon into the head, shattering the Grimm's head like it was glass before spin kicking another Sabyr in half. He then gripped one's jaw as it attempted to bite down on him but he smirked as he ripped the head off of it, letting it turn into ash from his strength.
"They don't make Grimm like they used to." Cody joked.
Lily closed her eyes with her arms crossed as several Grimm ran towards her. She opened her eyes that glimmered as a rocky spike impaled one. The second and third leapt but she raised her hands as large metal claws shrouded her arms. The claws that were larger than her own limbs in which she crushed them with ease. The girl's technoblades appeared and flew, killing several more of them. They stood no chance against the Saint. Three tried to kill her from behind but met three chainsaw blades that ripped them in half, the tails that sprouted from Lily's back before becoming data.
"Too simple." She hummed. Her emerald orbs noticed a straggler. "Ah, a straggler." She raised her hand to kill it but a green beam shot it.
"Nice shot sis!"
"That… wasn't me. All the energy of my weaponry and creations are pale yellow. Not green."
Another beam of green energy pierced another Sabertooth as the teens all began to notice each one was being eliminated. Something or someone was swiftly killing the soulless beasts.
Just then, everyone looked up at the sky as a figure hovered in the air with the shattered moon shining behind them. The figure descended before gracefully touching down.
They were shocked to see who it was the moment the figure landed. "Penny…?" Cody recognized but surprised to see the girl. Her hair was now longer and darker.
"I was about to tell you about my daughter before the alarm," Pietro replied, his mobile chair crawling towards us. "We managed to salvage her core from the Amity Arena. As long as her core's intact, I can rebuild her. Darling, why don't you say hello to your friends?" Pietro insisted on his daughter.
Penny looked at them before her mood brightened in excitement. The red hooded girl holstered her weapon in disbelief upon seeing Penny.
"Sal-"
"Huh?"
"U-" Penny looked prepared to run towards them.
"TATIONS!" The android ran towards their direction in glee before using the boosters that were her boots.
Ruby screamed and waved her hands frantically to stop her. Alas, she and then Cody were swiftly tackled by the android. Ruby though was still stunned but for the rider he was in shock that Penny came back. Tears ran down his face as he hugged her back.
Penny tilted her head. She saw the tears in their eyes. "Are you two okay?"
"I… I thought you were dead…." Cody wept softly.
Penny's eyes softened before returning the embrace. "I'm here now!"
"H-Heh… true enough…" Ruby smiled, wiping her tears away as the three of them got back to their feet. Penny gasped when she saw Lily and zipped to her, rapidly shaking her hands. "To you as well Ms. Vernage!"
"I'm… both, Penny." Lily sighed, managing to pry her hand free from the rapid handshake. "But it is good to see you."
The alarms suddenly rang off which caught the android's attention. Hearing it she had to break away from the gathering. "Oh, there's so much we need to catch up on. I simply can't wait!" Penny said exuberantly before the klaxons went off. "But it appears we'll have to wait! I can't wait to tell you guys how I have been and I am just very excited about the whole experience!"
She sounded very excited as she flew off to the location the alarms blared.
"To recreate an android with its functions and memory bank still operational… color me impressed Pietro." Lily commented. "It's almost like Cyclops' functions…"
"Well to be honest, upon hearing about your and your robots? I was inspired to… 'upgrade' Penny so such a problem wouldn't happen again." Pietro smiled.
"I smell a challenge."
The man laughed heartily. "And thankfully, I have many answers to the possible questions. But let's get out of this weather first." Pietro insisted..
Maria followed Pietro. "I have absolutely no idea who that child was. Is she important somehow?"
"That was unexpected." Jaune noted.
"Never a dull moment." Ren nodded in agreement.
Qrow chuckled. "But I wouldn't say unwelcome. Hope it doesn't get any worse than this." He joked albeit lightly.
"Don't jinx it!" The teens barked at him.
Though as everyone was about to go back with Pietro, Cody felt… uneasy. This feeling… he remembered it once before.
"You feel it too?" Lily whispered.
"Y-Yeah… sis?"
"Small clusters of tech moving at 12 mph. Aiming for each of us." She stated.
"Ace Ops…" Cody growled with annoyance.
Several bolases wrap around Oscar, and Team JNR, the spheres at the ends of the ropes locking into place with Gravity Dust. Blake turned to look back at the commotion, just in time for all of Team RWBY to be caught. As Ruby landed, the Relic of Knowledge came unhooked from her belt and clattered to the ground. Qrow draws his sword and looks for their unseen enemy, before being captured himself.
Lily's Semblance reacted, stopping any tech from touching her before catching the next. Cody quickly evaded before he was back to back with his sworn sister.
The figures made themselves known and sure enough Cody and Lily saw the familiar faces.
"You guys?!" Cody gritted.
"Hmph, well didn't expect to see your face again, kid." Harriet crossed her arms.
"Hold your tongue, speedster." Lily frowned, sending a disapproving look. "You are apprehending friendlies."
"We were simply informed of a stolen Atlas Airship, and after some tracking came to the place the thieves was at. We're simply doing our job, Miss Saint." Clover said as he walked over to the two.
"Was this really necessary then?" Qrow squirmed.
Lily rolled her eyes and flicked her wrist. The bolases deactivated, freeing the two teams alongside Qrow and Oscar.
"That explains why they couldn't ensnare you." Harriet crossed her arms.
"Atlas is a literal cesspool of technology. If my own two feet stood on the city's grounds, well, my mind would register every detail of technology to control and manipulate."
That… Now that was unnerving and intimidating. Marrow muttered something about technomancy being a scary yet powerful semblance.
"Well, then I guess now is good as any that the General informed us that if the thieves were who he says they were? To bring them to his office ASAP." Clover informed. "So please, if you would indulge us on that, please head to the nearest airship to head to the academy."
"Lead the way then. Of course you do owe Cody for the hassle you gave him at Vale." Lily sent a sly grin.
Clover turned to see the young rider, glaring at the group before the leader walked over only to bow his head to him, "As the leader of the Ace Ops, I humbly apologize for what we were ordered. We simply had a job to do, but I don't want this to ruin any chance of you working with us, freely of course." Clover said, doing his best to apologize from that day.
"… I want the general ro apologize afterwards." He leaned to his sister. "And thanks for the reminder, sis. I needed that."
"I aim to please." The two bump fists, eliciting a minor chuckle from each other.
XXX
Being in Atlas brought uncomfortable memories for not just Weiss but Cody as well. The sight of the city is amazing at first but beneath it has its secrets. Their flight was quiet as Harriet had her arms crossed, staring at the moonlight-haired girl's back. Saint or not, the girl was former Faust.
"So… uh…" Marrow rubbed his neck. "Did you guys hear anything about that snake guy?"
"Evol?" Cody repeated. "Oh, we finally kicked his ass."
"Ahem."
"More like Lily here created a solution." Blake corrected.
"So you kids finally have a way to stop Evol? Heh, that's the best news I've heard all day." Clover smiled, knowing that one fear from the General's is finally stopped.
"For now." Lily's eyes peered at her Saint Fullbottle. "He and I have one more score to settle… and to ensure my theory of my experiment is proven."
Cody blinked when he heard her mutter the last part to herself. He and Blake were the only souls to hear her say it. A theory to an experiment? What theory was she talking about? He will have to ask her later.
"Well, if there's anything I can do to help, just say so." Clover said, earning a shocked and confused look from his team. "Ah, here we are. Atlas Academy."
"Woooow," Ruby was speechless.
The ship landed and the ramp lowered, allowing the teens and operatives to step out. Lily took a step forward but paused her foot before it could touch the platform. She stared slightly with nervousness before stepping onto it. Immediately her Semblance reacted and her mind was assaulted with countless details of the machinery and technology.
"You okay?" Blake asked, catching Lily as she almost fell.
"I…" Lily held her mouth. "Need a bag."
Clover heard as he grabbed one from the airship medical box and tossed it to her.
They winced upon hearing Lily puke.
"Did air sickness get to you?" Marrow quipped.
Lily sent a glare at the Faunus. "When I said Atlas is a literal cesspool of technology that if my own two feet stood on the city's grounds, my mind would register every detail of technology to control and manipulate. I meant it. This is the downside of my Semblance… whenever I step foot into new places with technology. Too much detailed registration of it into my brain can cause me to feel nauseous for… URH!" She placed her head into the bag again. "Guh… a few hours based on the level of technology… hurgh…. it happened at Faust…"
Cody winced. "That explains why you puked when we were in the cell." She made a mess that the Guardians had to drag him out and force Lily to clean up after herself.
"Well, then let me lead you to a dorm room so you can relax and rest." Clover offered, as he knew she wouldn't be of help at this state.
"No… I have much to say to Ironwood… hurgh!"
"Don't push yourself, Lily…" Blake pleaded to her. "You always can talk another day."
"She's right. Besides, after everything upon getting here and more, I'm sure many of you want to rest up as fast as possible. I can inform the General to do this another day." Clover offered to the others.
"Fine… HURH!"
"Yeah rooms sound good right now." Qrow quickly nodded. And he thought his Semblance waa bad enough. Poor Vernage looked green as a tree from her nausea. How much technology was registering into her brain no thanks to her Semblance?
Clover nodded as he showed them all to their rooms to rest up for the day, knowing tomorrow it'll be much easier for everyone to talk.
Unbeknownst to them, an Atlesian soldier noticed them walking past him. He stared when his concealed eyes under his helmet spotted Lily and Cody. Looking left and right, he stood close to an airship to remain out of sight and procured a device.
"Inform Lord Evol that the Saint and his spawn is here in Atlas." The soldier whispered into the device.
XXX
Within the room, Cody was feeling restless. His memories of being taken and locked up still fill him with disgust and upsetted him. He needed to get some fresh air otherwise he'll most likely not have the best sleep.
As he got out of bed to half a walk, he noticed Yang was up as well since the groups were split up into three separate rooms.
"Hey, can't sleep either?" Yang smiled softly at him.
"Yeah… this place just has… many bad memories…" The rider frowned softly, hugging himself a bit. "I don't like being in Atlas."
"Well, how about we walk a bit and talk? That may relax you a bit." Yang smiled, as she hugged his arm to comfort her boyfriend.
"Yeah… I think that'll do me some good…" He smiled in response, already feeling a bit better before the two started to walk around the halls together. "How's the new arm feeling? I know you were upset those bots of Lily's tore it apart."
The blonde's metal digits curled and uncurled. "A little since they did go haywire from her identity crisis." She confessed. "But hey she fixed and improved it."
"Let's hope this time around, it'll be nigh impossible for it to be taken off or ripped apart." Cody chuckled softly.
"Cody, what did we all agree on when it comes to jinxing it?"
"Don't do it… especially near Qrow." He grumbled.
"Precisely." She nodded before poking his nose.
"Is.. the rest of your friends doing okay? I know I'm not as close to them as you are but…" He questioned the fellow blonde, showing his worry for them, once again showing how much he has changed since they first met.
"They're okay but…"
"… Ruby?" He guessed. The blonde brawler nodded.
"Geez… as much as I care and love sis… I think she's forcing Ruby to grow up too quickly… I'm worried this is gonna do more harm than good…" Cody confessed.
"I…"
"Yang?"
"Cody, look at us. We are adults and Ruby is just a step away."
"I mean, I can't since there's no mirrors or reflections." He joked.
"Cody this is serious." She hissed.
"Sorry… just wanting to try and cheer you up…" The rider apologized.
"Being adults means we have to grow up. We were given the big picture after Beacon fell. After what Evol did to mess with us." She stated. "Ruby needs to understand that. She is 17 already and sooner or later she can't always be a kid."
"I know. But I also believe while you can grow up, you can still keep what you were before. Everyone does change different… but also forcing such changes may not end up with the correct results… Look at Lily and me. If we were saved by you all, let alone finally snapping out of Evol's grasps? We might've become the same enemy that Ironwood tried to prove."
"And how can you be sure of that?" Cody paused, seeing Yang cross her arms with a critical gaze. "Can you predict it?"
"No."
"Can you tell if that is the case?"
Cody deflated. "No…"
"Cody, what I am worried about as her big sister is if she doesn't see it clearly, she won't go past for who she is. Change is nature. Look at how we changed. Look at how generations allowed us to change and survive. We have to decide if we wanna remain stuck or be able to move forward."
"I guess so…." Cody sighed, "I guess… I also just don't want Ruby to end up like I use to be… Bitter and angry at everything and the world…"
The former Beacon student nudged his shoulder. "And look how it went in the end. You aren't so broody anymore."
Cody smiled softly, "Hehe, true. But I got an amazing lady who helped save me from that." He smiled, holding her hand firmly in his before the two shared a kiss, "I'm still truly grateful that you kept reaching out to me Yang…"
"You're welcome."
"Ahem." The two paused to notice Lily who gave a blank stare, a cup in her hand and less nauseous.
"Oh, hey Lily! Um er.. Feeling better? Because you don't look so green with envy now!" Yang said, attempting some kind of pun joke to not draw more attention to them.
"Even mother would agree your puns are so horrible." Lily deadpanned.
"You just don't know good tastes in jokes!" Yang huffed.
The Saint chugged the drink before she sighed. The hint of ginger and the taste gave some relief to her stomach and brain. "For the record I was on my way to you all because Clover has requested for us. The general wants to talk to us tomorrow morning due to our unexpected arrival. All of us."
"I know, I know… I'll be there…" Cody groaned off, "You act like I'll just punch him and then walk out." He saw the same flat look from the Saint. "C-Come on, you know I wouldn't!" The stare still didn't change. "A-At least… not just yet I won't…" He confessed.
"If you punch him, problems will go and not from him. But me."
"You know he deserves one good hit! Come on!"
"Cody Aldrich." Lily's eyes flared slightly. "I know you hold hate but for the name of humanity, don't. Is that understood?"
"Mou.. fine…" Cody pouted, arms crossed as he agreed to it.
"Good." She drank the rest of her beverage in one swift sip. "I'll get the others, early tomorrow morning. So go to bed now…."
"Yes, mom." Cody playfully teased. A metal claw manifested and comically gripped his head as Lily walked away. "Owowowowowowowow!"
XXX
Sleep wasn't a good thing they had experienced. From fighting in Mantle they completely forgot what time it was. They barely had any sleep. An hour wasn't even close to being considered sleep! Cody yawned tiredly as he was in the elevator with the others. Clover was with them alongside Elm to escort them to the general.
"I warned ya we won't get much sleep." Lily warned.
"Still could've given us more time…" Cody grumbled.
The elevator came to a stop and opened, allowing Clover and Elm escorted the group until they entered the office that is Ironwood's. Behind the desk was the general himself alongside Winter and Penny. The man stood up and approached, gesturing them.
"It is so good to see you all," The general said.
"Our reception didn't really convey that." Yang drawled, remembering how we all nearly got arrested by the operatives. It made her uncomfortably rub her wrists at the recent memory.
Ironwood sighed tiredly. "I sincerely regret how my team approached you with misunderstanding." Qrow rolled his eyes. "When a rogue airship entered our airspace, it raised some red flags. We assumed the ship was stolen."
"Not like you haven't overreacted before…" Cody muttered bitterly.
"I'm sure you all have questions regarding everything."
"In more ways than one." Weiss crossed her arms.
"Ms. Rose, may you set the Relic on the desk?"
"Um, right." The young woman reached to her belt and presented the Relic and set it onto the desk.
"Did you really think you were the only one who got to work on a new plan after Beacon? With Ozpin gone, I needed my own team of people I could trust. So yes, I told them. The Ace-Ops too. Which is why I'm so glad you're here… with this." gesturing to the Relic, he continued, "Until now, I believed it was impossible to truly turn the tide against Salem. Oz has pushed her back, has kept victory out of her claws, but she will keep returning stronger and stronger… unless we destroy her."
'Easier said than done…' Cody huffed in his thoughts.
Ruby looked deep in thought. Her brows knit in concern and raised her head slightly, "But… what about the Atlas Relic?"
Ironwood cocked an eyebrow, "You mean the Staff of Creation?"
Penny was next to answer to Ruby, "It's safe inside the Vault!"
"…. How can you know that?" Qrow asked.
"I told them everything, Qrow." Ironwood revealed.
Qrow looked at the general in disbelief. "You told them?!"
"It is for the best after what happened."
The Huntsman scratched his neck in irritation. He wanted to yell at James for exposing it but relented his words. He grunted out, "And the Winter Maiden?"
"She is secure and in stable condition."
"Stable condition? What does that–" Yang asked
"She's, uh, not exactly a spring chicken." Qrow answered to Yang.
"I know how this all looks. Recalling my military? The embargo? I probably don't seem the most trustworthy right now."
Blake was the first to speak up about it. "Then why continue it?" She questioned. "It's not exactly helpful for them."
"The people of Mantle are hurting!" Nora agreed with Blake's rebuttal.
"I needed to ensure Salem couldn't infiltrate Atlas. And I wanted my military here, protecting my people." replied the older Atlesian.
Yang however spoke in disapproval, voicing the others' concerns. "But it's not protecting them! It's making everyone hate you."
Ironwood closed his eyes. "It's a price I'm willing to pay." The general then reached over to a glowing panel of buttons on his desk and tapped a button that resembled a table emitting light from its surface. "Just as you all have been entrusted with the knowledge of Salem's existence, I need you all to trust me. I have a plan."
Shutters suddenly came down outside the windows, darkening the room. A circle in the center of the floor bearing Atlas' emblem began to rise up, prompting Ruby and Oscar to step off of it. Ironwood made his way over to it, the circle continued to rise and transformed into a table.
"Ozpin believed the best way to fight Salem was to do so in secret. Whether that was the right choice or not isn't for me to say. But we find ourselves in a position of needing, well, a new approach."
Qrow sighed heavily, rubbing his neck slightly. He then asked, "And what do you suggest?"
As if the general was waiting for that question, he brought out a remote to press a button. Upon the key being pressed, a hologram was projected from the table. The hologram displayed a familiar structure everyone knew.
"Isn't that… the Amity Coliseum?" Jaune recognized.
Oscar perked up slightly. "Isn't that where the Vytal Festival is held?" He remembered watching it during his time at home before the disastrous round that led to the Fall of Beacon.
"Indeed." The general confirmed. "When Beacon fell and everyone on Remnant lost contact with one another, I knew our current system was outdated. Amity was built to bring the nations together. And it will serve that purpose once again."
With the second press of a button, Ironwood allowed the projection of Amity to change. The only difference of the change is having an antenna.
Penny clasped her hands together, giving us her joyful yet excited look. "Isn't it great? We're not going to just replace Beacon Tower. Building a new tower on top of Amity Colosseum will re-establish global communications!" She announced.
"By launching the tower high into the atmosphere, our scientists believe we can create a sort of… satellite out of reach of the Grimm and capable of maintaining global communications even if we were to lose another tower."
"To launch something like this… Mother said Remnant's sole fuel source being Dust, the probability for it to even function outside of its orbit is still questionable to this day because the lack of Dust particles in the upper layer of the atmosphere."
"Which is why I called you all here for this. We need every help we can get to make sure this project not only launches safely and securely, but that our enemies don't realize what we're planning." Ironwoods pleaded.
"You don't need the entire military for this." Weiss frowned.
"I will for the next part: where I finally tell the people about Salem." The revelation surprised us. He was going to tell the whole world about Salem? If that were the case it would… of course.
"…The revelation would cause panic. That was why you withdrew your troops, isn't it?"
"Yes, panic is inevitable, and panic brings Grimm. But I believe we are ready. Once Atlas has come to grips with the fight ahead, I'll use Amity Tower to spread the message to all of Remnant." replied Ironwood.
Weiss however disagreed with the idea, "But everything will fall apart. Grimm will be everywhere!" Weiss wasn't wrong. Given the Grimm are attracted by negative emotions, they would immediately stampede their way straight to not just Atlas but also Mantle.
Winter sighed bitterly, "You're not wrong, Weiss. But Atlas is willing and prepared to assist."
"Trying to hide the truth from the world will eventually kill us all. I was bitterly reminded of it after the Greeed awakened." Ironwood pressed a button on his remote again, allowing the hologram to disappear. The table transformed and receded into the flood, granting the shutters to pull away from the windows.
"Oz spent his whole life, many lives, keeping this secret." Qrow grunted.
Ironwood eased slightly and turned around, "I know. But since Beacon fell, since the incidents with Faust and Evol, things have changed. Without him here to guide us, all I can do is use my best judgment."
Behind him, Oscar audibly shifted uncomfortably. As if the Atlesian had a sixth sense, Ironwood stopped and looked back "What is it?" He asked.
Oscar swallowed, "Actually, Oz isn't completely gone."
"Uh, Oscar here is… is the next Ozpin." Qrow revealed to the headmaster.
"He… He's back? He's back!" Ironwood said with glee and relief as he rushed to Oscar, patting his shoulder.
"Calm down. He maybe back but that doesn't mean seeking his advice is good." Qrow reminded bitterly.
"You may have given up any trust or hope in Ozpin, but I have not." Ironwoods proclaimed.
"Yeah… sure." Qrow's trust had been put into Vernage after the crap Ozpin hid from him. Vernage may be gone but Lily is Vernage in turn. The girl was blunt and straight in her work, shooting brutal honesty and no lies so far.
Ironwood picked up the Relic of Knowledge and walked over to Ruby, offering it to her.
The former Beacon student was taken aback upon the general proffer the Relic to her. "You're giving it back to me?"
"After what happened with the Ace-Ops, I don't want you to think I'm keeping anything from you, especially something as important as this. For the time being, I think it's safest with the people who brought it here." He handed her the Relic.
"Um, thank you." The young Huntress-in-training thanked.
She shrunk the Relic and hooked it onto her belt, exchanging a look with Oscar.
"We must work together if we're going to fight Salem and win. Now, if you're all on board."
Ruby thought it over for a few seconds, then looked up at Ironwood. "What do you need us to do?" She asked the general.
Ironwood's lips curled upward at her response - one he wanted to hear. "Good, because getting the Amity Tower ready to launch won't be easy." Walking back to his desk again, he added, "But first, I think we need to get those weapons of yours up to our standards."
A different hologram screen appeared before them, showing footage of the fight against the Grimm in Mantle. "Remember, this is Atlas. While assisting the military, we will provide you with the best equipment our scientists can devise." Winter reminded them.
Lily snorted. Her technology and Evol's still outclassed Atlas.
"Alongside every ounce of assistance, tech, improvements, and resources that we can manage to give out." Ironwoods added, "I'm sure Dr Polendina would be the first to offer his services."
Lily's brows knit slightly before she decided to say her piece. "I apologize but I currently feel comfortable with the technology I create. I cannot risk the possibility of their upgrades being compromised."
Ironwood paused and noticed Lily who stared. The hair color and eyes made his brows raise. "Vernage…?"
"It's… both…" Lily murmured softly.
"James, there is something you should hear. It's about the snake." Ironwood frowned at the mention. "Recently the bastard… achieved full power. The power of the black hole. Son of a bitch ate a mountain."
His eyes widen with utter fear, Ironwood's hands began to tremble for a bit as he looked ready to snap in shock.
"But…" Qrow gestured to Lily. "We thought we lost but Vernage here… actually invented a Bottle that countered the snake. Unlike Evol, she devised the… what was it?"
"Spacetime and singularity."
Soon the fear and shock dwindled as Ironwoods slowly turned to Lily, seeing if what they said was true to which she nodded. The general sighed heavily with relief as his heart calmed down as he patted his chest.
"T-That's at least… some relief to hear…" Ironwoods panted.
"Which is why I am not partaking in any 'upgrades'… my expertise in Xeno and my form of what I call Eden-Tech cannot be shared…" her emerald eyes closed for a second.
"Then… please use our tech to at least help your friends and their gear…" Ironwoods pleaded with a bow.
Lily pursed her lips slightly before a brief shade appeared over her shoulder, allowing her to see the head of the Cyclops poking its head out from a datarift. A talon pointed at her, its V-shaped optic glimmering.
"I know but the technology is supposed to be used to prosper and survive, not for war as mother wished." She hissed quietly. Its optic turned upside down. "Fine. Fine… this is the second time you talk back to me, Cyclops. By humanity, you are becoming more human."
It rolled its V-shaped eye before its head and claw retreated into the data that was from the Semblance.
Lily looked at Ironwood. "I can allow you to provide them an upgrade to their weapons… but I want to oversee every bit to ensure no one becomes too curious about my additions I made to their weapons. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Ironwood looked surprised, but smiled as he nodded, "Then we have a deal."
"In regards to my assistance in this project that is still under question given our previous disagreements alongside the percentage of probability." Lily revealed.
"Right…" he winced when he saw the brief look in Cody's eyes.
"For now, I shall occupy myself in an experiment for my theory."
She turned around and walked to the elevator.
"Experiment…?" Cody whispered. Again, she mentioned it. The theory as she said before. He chewed his lip. "Um, guys, give me a moment."
"Everything okay?" Yang asked, worried.
"Yeah." He jogged after Lily. Just as the elevator closed, he squeezed in to stand next to her. It was awkward silence at first. "Sooo… uh, anything you want to say, sis?"
Lily stared before her eyes glimmered. She planted her hand on the buttons of the elevator, sending a pulse and the machinery and lights went out.
"Out with it, Cody."
"What is this theory? You keep muttering that to yourself every time you look at the Fullbottle you made." He pointed at her side. "What theory? What experiment?"
"It… is best you don't-"
"I need to know. What theory Lily?"
The Saint gritted her teeth before she elicited an exasperated sigh. "I have been making inquiries in regards to the usage of the spacetime and singularity." She explained. "You recall what I told you and the others in regards to the black hole and white hole?"
"Yeah and the apple being replaced but it is still the same apple that doesn't remember what happened to it." Cody paused. His eyes widened to dinner plates. "Y-You… are theorizing it can actually happen?!"
"Hence why my experiments… If I miscalculate one nanosecond of it? It could just kill us all instead." Lily grimaced. "We are talking about breaking the fabric of reality."
"Then why won't you let me help?"
"By breaking reality, the energy of both sides have to explode inside it, rewriting the dimension the world is in based on the parameters chosen for it." Her eyes drift to the Fullbottle. "Both dark matter and its opposite… have to be released within the gap that could theoretically form upon the heavy collision of both sides."
"That would mean…" His face slowly lost color at the implications. "No, no, Lily. Th-That would mean you would have to thrust yourself and Evol inside it! You have to be joking!"
"I am not lying Cody. You know I can't lie."
"Why must you keep doing this?! Why must you believe you need to sacrifice yourself and die before everything can be settled and content?! What about me? What about Blake? Don't you care!?" Cody snapped, frustrated that once again she was choosing to be a martyr.
"Cody, we had devised everything to stop Evol. My bottle may allow me to be his equal but he is at the point he can consume everything and leaving me as a sole survivor because of this bottle!" Lily argued. "Of course I care about you! About Blake! Every night as I made the theory, I am reminded of what I would leave behind if I do! This is the only way to stop Evol and rewrite everything he touched! Don't you want him gone from our lives?! After what he did to mother, to yours, to us! To everyone he forced into experimentation and ruined so many lives for his sick games!?"
"Of course I do! But not the cost of your life! Plus what about those two others he mentioned? How do you know that they're not only as strong as Evol is but stronger? To die with Evol is just as bad as letting him destroy Remnant!"
"Then what else do you want Cody?!" She pushed him against the elevator wall. "What is the right solution to remove the snake who had ruined it all?!"
"I don't know… but doing this by yourself was never the answer…"
"You just said you don't know. What is the real answer Cody?! Is this any better than nearly dying by him until I saved you guys?!"
"Whatever it is? You won't figure it out if you keep being a loner…" Cody turned away before walking off, leaving Lily.
"… Mocking me being a loner is the same as mocking my mother Cody."
"At least she trusted and worked alongside us." Cody spat back.
"… What would you have done then?" Cody stopped, his mind stopping gears at those words. "When there is no other option. What are you willing to risk? More children like us being experimented on? More carnage and war by Evol? Would you risk your existence just to save millions…?"
Cody lowered his head. His eyes swelled. To do what she planned. He could imagine himself taking Evol with him into a rift just so the world would be free of Evol. So that everyone can have a normal life rather than the life of pain like he did. In a world that wpuld be free from Evol. That was the one thing… the one thing he dreamt of every day after his freedom.
"Sis… have other theories you made… worked?"
"… None except the one I stated…"
A few drops of tears fell. "What is the probability of you surviving that experiment?"
"… 50%."
"Then please.. Don't keep this from Blake.. She deserves to know just as much as I did… please."
"I understand… and Cody?"
"Yeah?"
"Never forget." She brushed a strand behind her ear. "Your dream and others… will come true."
"I hope so…" Cody said sadly before leaving Lily to her experiment.
Lily exhaled a shuddering breath and tears left her eyes. "An experiment that will be my last…"
She has much to say to Blake. And to make her last prayer before that time arrives.