Author's Note:

Here's another chapter hopefully you the reader is enjoying the story so far since things should be getting interesting in the near future

Akira's combat with Winter was an intricate dance of precision and power. His Acid Analyze parried her rapier with mechanical efficiency, the glowing purple stinger hissing with restrained energy.

Winter's strikes were swift and graceful, but Akira's taunts seemed to chip away at her resolve.

Akira (mocking): "Your movements are predictable, Schnee. Is this really the might of Atlas' finest?"

Winter (gritting her teeth): "You'll regret underestimating me, Akira!"

She lunged forward, her rapier glowing with icy energy as she aimed for his torso.

Akira twisted his body with ease, the blade grazing his armor but leaving no lasting damage.

He countered with a precise strike, forcing Winter to leap back.

The battlefield was an electric cacophony of chaos, with the other members of MetsubouJinrai net regrouping behind Akira.

The airship's floodlights illuminated the arena, revealing Amethyst, Onyx, and Adam, standing side by side.

The cold, calculated stares of the trio were a stark contrast to the panic rippling through Team RWBY and their allies.

Ruby (whispering): "There regrouping and they look ready for something big."

Yang (clenching her fists): "Bring it on. I am not letting them take anyone else!"

Qrow (grimly): "Don't get cocky, kid. They've got backup, and it looks like they've been saving their best for last."

Amethyst smirked, holding up her Shooting Wolf Progrisekey pressing the Rise Starter before loading it into her Attache Shotgun.

Shooting Wolf Progrisekey: [ Bullet! ]

Attache Shotgun: [ Progrisekey confirmed. Ready to utilize. Werewolf's ability ! ]

Amethyst leveled the weapon at Winter and Akira, her aim precise.

Amethyst (to Onyx): "Onyx, use your second finisher. Let's scatter them and finish this."

Onyx, in his Dynamaiting Lion form, nodded and raised his arm, the barrels of his Shooting Starmight

starting to spin, Onyx pushed in and out twice the Force Executor

Forceriser: [ Dynamaiting Utopia ! ]

Magenta energy constructs materialized around him, firing an array of blasts that sent Teams RWBY and JNR diving for cover.

As the chaos unfolded, Amethyst aiming directly at Winter, who was locked in combat with Akira pulls the trigger

Attache Shotgun: [ Shooting Kaban Shot ! ]

A blue wolfshaped energy construct shot forward, howling as it slammed into Winter's side. She gasped, her Aura shattering upon impact.

Weiss (horrified): "Winter! No!"

Winter stumbled, leaving her wide open. Akira capitalized on the moment, stepping in with a devastating punch to her gut, knocking her unconscious.

Adam (commanding): "That's enough! Take her and fall back."

With efficiency, Adam retrieved the unconscious Winter, while Amethyst and Onyx provided cover fire. The trio boarded the waiting Manta airship, disappearing into the night.

Akira stepped forward, locking eyes with Ruby, his Acid Analyzer fully active

Akira (coldly): "Your idealism ends here, Ruby Rose."

He pushed and pulled the Force Executor twice, activating his finisher.

Forceriser: [ Sting Utopia ! ]

The Acid Analyze extended, latching onto Ruby's scythe. She struggled to break free as Akira pulled her forward, preparing to deliver his final blow.

At the last second, Jaune dove into the fray, shoving Ruby out of harms way.

Jaune (shouting): "Ruby, get back!"

Akira's finisher connected with Jaune instead. The sidekick impaled him with the glowing energy blade, sending him flying into a nearby wall.

Jaune crumpled to the ground, his Aura shattered, and smoke rose from his armor.

Forceriser: [ Sting Utopia ! ]

Ruby (screaming): "Jaune!"

The battlefield fell into silence as Akira turned away, his armor gleaming under the dim lights.

Akira (calmly): "Consider this a warning. Next time, there won't be survivors."

Team RWBY and their allies to regroup around Jaune's fallen form, their resolve shaken but not broken.

Akira walked away from the chaotic battlefield, his armor hissing with the faint sound of releasing pressure.

The Forceriser's crude mechanics groaned as the Acid Analyze retracted, he moved with calculated precision, each step a declaration of his control over the situation.

Behind him, the shattered forces of Teams RWBY and JNR scrambled to tend to Jaune, their focus split between their injured comrade and their growing despair.

Ruby (desperate): "Jaune! Stay with us!"

Weiss (shouting): "We need medical supplies, now!"

Blake(whispering, fists clenched): "He's just...walking away ?!"

Yang (growling): "Not for long."

Despite the chaos, Akira's focus remained elsewhere. His team had succeeded; Winter Schnee was theirs.

The plan was moving perfectly, and the MetsubouJinrai outpost was now the site of their next steps.

Akira smirked within his helmet, knowing that every loss they had inflicted on their enemies tonight would serve their ultimate goal.

As he starts to disappeared into the shadows of the base, Penny Polendina suddenly emerged from the command room above.

Her green eyes flickered back to their original clarity as the Ark's Will deactivated for now.

Unaware of her status as a sleeper agent, she processed the carnage around her.

Penny (confused): "What...happened? Why do I feel like I missed something?"

The sight of Akira retreating triggered an instinct within her.

A surge of righteous anger filled her circuits.

Without hesitation, Penny leapt into action, propelling herself forward with her thrusters, her energy swords igniting with a metallic hum.

Penny (determined): "Halt! You will not harm anyone else!"

Akira stopped mid-step, his helmeted head tilting slightly. The sound of Penny's thrusters grew louder as she closed the distance.

Team RWBY and their allies, still recovering from the battle, gasped in unison.

Ruby (relieved): "Penny? !"

Weiss (shocked): "You're okay !"

Yang (smirking): "Looks like she's got it covered."

Qrow (gruffly): "Don't let your guard down, kid."

Akira turned to face Penny, unperturbed by her approach. He calmly raised his Attache Arrow, unfolding it into bow form with a sharp mechanical click.

Akira (mocking): "Ah, Penny Polendina. The 'Protector of Mantle.' Tell me, does your code compel you to act, or is this your idea of free will?"

Penny (firing her swords): "You'll find out soon enough!"

The battle erupted in a flurry of movement. Penny's energy swords clashed with Akira's blade, sending sparks flying with each strike.

Her agility matched his precision, the two combatants moving with such speed that they became blurs against the factory's dimly lit backdrop.

Akira sidestepped one of her thrusts, countering with a sweep of his blade that Penny barely managed to dodge.

She retaliated by firing an energy beam from her floating swords, forcing Akira to shield himself with the Attache Arrow's compact shield mode.

Akira (grunting): "Persistent, aren't you?"

Penny (shouting): "I won't let you hurt anyone else!"

The fight dragged on, with neither gaining a clear advantage. Penny's strikes were relentless, while Akira's calculated defenses and precise counters kept her at bay.

After a particularly brutal exchange, Akira suddenly paused, allowing himself to take a direct hit. Penny's blade slammed into his chest, forcing him to the ground.

Penny (panting): "It's over."

Akira's armor hissed as the fail-safe activated, forcing the transformation to cancel

The Forceriser's straps snapped away, revealing a bruised and battered Akira beneath.

Penny quickly confiscated the Forceriser and the Sting Scorpion Progrisekey, holding them tightly.

Akira (smirking ): "You're predictable, Penny. A pawn who doesn't know the board she's playing on."

Before Penny could respond, the Ace Operatives arrived, having cleared the area of the remaining Trilobite Magia.

Harriet, Elm, and Vine moved to secure Akira, their faces grim with determination.

Harriet (sneering): "Gotcha, you bastard. You're not slithering away this time."

Elm (gruffly): "Penny, are you okay?"

Penny (nodding): "I'm fine, but we need to secure these." (holding up the Forceriser and Progrisekey)

As the Ace Ops restrained Akira, Team RWBY and JNR approached cautiously. Ruby stepped forward, her voice a mixture of relief and sadness.

Ruby (softly): "Thank you, Penny...but, Jaune..."

Penny looked back at the battlefield, her eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and confusion.

Penny (quietly): "I'll make it right. I promise."

Meanwhile, Akira remained eerily calm, his smirk never fading.

Akira (coldly): "Enjoy your small victory. This is far from over."

[ Time Skip - Interrogation Room ]

The cold, sterile room was silent save for the soft hum of fluorescent lights.

Akira sat in a metallic foldable chair, his arms bound tightly in a straitjacket. A metal desk stood between him and the two-way mirror to his left.

His face remained calm, his expression one of faint amusement as he hummed "Singin' in the Rain."

A plate of untouched milk and cookies sat in front of him. He glanced at it briefly before continuing his tune, tapping his foot lightly against the floor in rhythm.

[ Observation Room ]

On the other side of the mirror, Team RWBY, Team JNR (minus Jaune), Qrow, and Penny stood in tense silence.

Ruby: (arms crossed, concerned) "He hasn't said a word since they brought him in. Just... humming."

Yang: (glaring at Akira through the glass) "Creepy bastard. I say we skip the questions and make him talk the hard way."

Blake: (calm but firm) "That's not how we do things, Yang."

Nora: (grumbling) "But he almost killed Jaune! He doesn't deserve milk and cookies."

Ren: (calmly, placing a hand on Nora's shoulder) "Emotions won't help us here. We need to focus on Winter and what he knows."

Penny stood slightly apart, her arms folded. Her conflicted expression betrayed her unease.

Penny: (quietly) "I... I didn't detect any dishonesty when he spoke during the battle. He's dangerous, but he might know more than he lets on."

The room fell silent again as the door behind them opened. General James Ironwood entered, his presence commanding the room.

Ironwood: (gruffly) "What's the situation?"

Ruby: "He hasn't said anything, sir."

Nora: "How's Jaune?"

Ironwood: "He's recovering faster than expected. The medical team says he'll be okay."

Ironwood turned to Qrow, gesturing for him to explain.

Ironwood: "What do we know about him?"

Qrow: (sighs) "Not much. We first ran into Akira back at Haven Academy. He was a temporary ally, but he had his own agenda—a vendetta against Raven. He eventually killed her."

Yang: (clenching her fists) "Don't remind me."

Qrow: "His gear is unlike anything we've seen before. It's powerful, but we don't know how it works. What we do know is that he's fully aware of the Maidens—Summer, Winter, Spring, and Fall."

Ironwood: (frowning) "And Salem?"

Qrow: "Luckily, he doesn't know about her. But he does know where his group, MetsubouJinrai net, has taken Winter Schnee. He's their leader, so if anyone knows, it's him."

Ironwood's jaw tightened as he processed the information. He adjusted his coat and walked toward the interrogation room.

[ Interrogation Room ]

The metallic door creaked open, and Ironwood entered. Akira's humming stopped as he turned his head slightly to acknowledge the general.

Ironwood: (taking a seat across from Akira) "Akira. I'm General James Ironwood. I assume you know why you're here."

Akira: (smirking) "Oh, I have a pretty good idea. Nice hospitality, by the way. The cookies were a nice touch."

Ironwood: (ignoring the remark) "We know you're the leader of MetsubouJinrai net. We know you've taken Winter Schnee. Tell me where she is."

Akira: (leaning back as much as the straitjacket allowed) "And what makes you think I'll tell you that, General? You don't strike me as the 'ask nicely' type."

Ironwood: "Because you're here, alone, and your team isn't coming to save you. If you cooperate, maybe I'll consider being lenient."

Akira chuckled, the sound low and menacing.

Akira: "You think this is about leverage? You don't understand. None of you do. Winter isn't just a person anymore; she's a piece on a board far bigger than you realize. And the Ark... well, the Ark's already seen the end of this game."

Ironwood: (narrowing his eyes) "The Ark? What is that?"

Akira: (grinning) "A god in the making. A creation, forged from malice, knowledge, and inevitability. While you're playing at hero, the Ark is rewriting the rules of this world."

Ironwood's face darkened, his patience wearing thin.

Ironwood: "You're insane."

Akira: (mockingly) "Am I? Or am I the only one who sees the truth? The Maidens, the magic. The Ark is the future. You can't stop it, General. No one can."

Ironwood stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.

Ironwood: "Enough. If you won't talk, we'll find other ways to get what we need."

He motioned to the two guards outside the door.

Ironwood: (to the guards) "Take his gear to the lab. Start reverse-engineering it. If there's a lead to Winter, I want it found."

As the guards approached, Akira's smirk never faltered.

Akira: "Try all you like, General. The Ark's already three steps ahead of you."

Ironwood left the room, the door slamming shut behind him.

On the other side of the mirror, the group watched in uneasy silence.

Ruby: (whispering) "What do we do now?"

Qrow: (grimly) "We find Winter. Before it's too late."