Author's Note:

Bishop here making the note and chapter:

Alright being little while after the last chapter so this the near end of Volume 7 with Volume 8 being its mess

and well Volume 9 it's special thing since Apzeta the main writer has and idea for it I wanna say it's a full rewrite of it but I don't know so I apologize

An a small update on Apzeta, currently his preparing for a Golf tournament and asked me to continue the story

Also Ark-Scorpion and Ark One coming up

For Just a reader now writer: As for the "Ever After" I don't know I think Apzeta might pull a "Riewa First Generation"

since we did brainstorm on the idea of Ruby being forced to use the "Forceriser" and "Fighting Jackal" as a Ironic thing since it's the same gear that killed Raven and that they witnessed for the first time

For tryscythe59: Apzeta will bring in Zi-O into all of this my prediction for it being his rewrite of Volume 9 and Ark might be one the things that will do massive changes as well Tsukasa getting more action

With everything fully explained to the best of my ability let's continue with the story

[ MetsubouJinrai Hideout - Minutes Before the Broadcast ]

The members of MetsubouJinrai net stand in silent preparation. Akira adjusts the Zetsumetsu Driver on his waist, the faint hum of its energy resonating in the quiet room.

Amethyst secures her Assault Nevermore Progrisekey into place, its upgraded form exuding a dark, destructive power.

Onyx and Adam finalize their weapon checks, the array of Attache weapons laid out like instruments of war.

Amethyst: (smirking) "You sure you want to do this live? You'll be painting a big target on our backs."

Akira: (focused, typing on a console) "That's the point. Let them come. They'll see that we're the ones Mantle needs, not them."

Onyx: (loading the Thouser Jacker) "And when they do, they'll regret underestimating us."

Adam: (crossing his arms) "Mantle's ready to break. All it needs is the right push."

The holographic countdown on the central console reaches its final seconds.

Amethyst: (grinning) "Showtime."

The broadcast begins.

[ Mantle - Streets in Chaos ]

Citizens scramble as a swarm of Grimm descends on the outer sectors. The combined efforts of the Ace Operatives, Team RWBY, and Team JNR barely hold the line.

Ruby cuts through a Beowolf with Crescent Rose before turning to Harriet.

Ruby: "We're getting overwhelmed! Where's backup?"

Harriet: (frustrated) "Ironwood's pulling forces to cover the evacuation. It's just us here!"

Before anyone can respond, the holographic screens across Mantle flicker, cutting away from Ironwood's earlier address.

The screen now shows Akira standing tall, the MetsubouJinrai logo behind him.

Akira: (calm yet commanding) "People of Mantle, you've been abandoned. Your so-called saviors have left you in the cold, while they cower in their floating city above. But we have not."

The camera pans to show a massive army of Trilobite Magia marching in unison, their forms gleaming under the dim lights of Mantle.

Akira: "We are MetsubouJinrai net, and we will not stand by while you suffer. The time for this Holy War is now."

As his words echo, the Trilobite Magia engage the Grimm with ruthless efficiency.

Their precision and sheer numbers overwhelm the creatures, pushing them back more effectively than the huntsmen teams.

Weiss: (watching in disbelief) "They're actually… helping?"

Yang: (angry) "Helping? That's Akira! The same guy who—"

Blake: (cutting in) "We know what he's done. But we can't deny what's happening right now."

On the broadcast, Akira steps closer to the camera, his eyes cold and resolute.

Akira: "To those who fight for the status quo—Ironwood, Ace Operatives, and etc.—you've failed this city.

Your choices have led to this moment. And now, you'll face the consequences."

Clover: (clenching his fists) "He's mocking us. We need to take him down now."

Harriet: "Agreed. This time, we don't hold back."

Elm: (gripping her weapon) "But what about the civilians? If we pull back to deal with him…"

Marrow: (hesitant) "They'll be defenseless."

Clover looks toward the chaos, then at the video of Akira. His jaw tightens.

Clover: "We can't ignore this. Mantle's survival depends on stopping him."

Ruby: "We can't just let him do this! People might start believing him!"

Jaune: (grimly) "And if they do, it's over. Mantle might turn against us."

Yang: (gripping her gauntlets) "Good. Let him show his face. I've been waiting for this."

Ren places a hand on Yang's shoulder, his voice calm but firm.

Ren: "We need to be smart about this. He's not the same person we faced before."

The Trilobite Magia push deeper into the Grimm hordes, their efficiency a stark contrast to the struggling huntsmen.

Civilians watch in awe and confusion, their fear slowly giving way to hope.

Civilian 1: "They're… saving us?"

Civilian 2: "The Will of the Ark ? What's that supposed to mean ?

Civilian 3: "I don't care who they are! They're doing more than Ironwood ever did!"

Akira's voice booms from the screens once more.

Akira: "To those who are ready to stand with us, to follow the Will of the Ark, we offer you a choice: rise with us, or be left behind in the ashes of the old."

The broadcast ends abruptly with the logo taking over the screens before disappearing, leaving Mantle in a tense silence broken only by the sounds of battle.

[ Back with MetsubouJinrai ]

Amethyst: (leaning back with a smirk) "Well, that should stir the pot."

Onyx: (grinning) "The huntsmen are going to come after us for sure now."

Adam: (coldly) "Let them. We're ready."

Akira watches the chaos unfold on a display, his expression unreadable.

Akira: (quietly) "This is only the beginning."

The Ark's voice cuts through the tension.

Ark: "Conclusion: Mantle's collapse is imminent. Proceed with phase two."

Akira stands, gripping the Ark-Scorpion Progrisekey.

Akira: "This going accordingly about 100% no 1000% perfectly."

[ Rooftop - Tsukasa ]

Perched on the edge of a dimly lit rooftop, Tsukasa Kadoya adjusts the focus on his camera, snapping a few pictures of the unfolding chaos below.

His magenta coat flutters in the cold wind as he leans back, inspecting the photos.

Tsukasa: (to himself) "This world's Rider. What are you really planning?"

He flips through the blurry images, his gaze lingering on one where Akira stands defiantly before the MetsubouJinrai logo. His expression hardens.

Tsukasa: "This feels too deliberate… too calculated. Whatever this is leading to, it's not going to end well. Tragedy or ruin—it's a toss-up."

He lowers the camera and looks out over the city. His usual nonchalance fades as a more somber expression takes over.

Tsukasa: (quietly) "If it comes to it, I'll destroy this world… but not yet. There's still hope, even if it's faint. I can't help but feel… this isn't entirely his doing."

He grips the edge of the roof, the weight of his role as the "Destroyer of Worlds" hanging heavy in the air.

Tsukasa: "Maybe it's time to step out of the shadows…

[Elsewhere - Cinder and Neo]

Cinder Fall stands rigid, her eyes glued to a small holographic screen replaying the broadcast. Her lips curl into a snarl as Akira's voice echoes in the room.

Cinder: (gritting her teeth) "Him… That's the one who dared to interfere at Haven."

Her hand clenches into a fist, the glass in her palm beginning to crack under the pressure.

Beside her, Neopolitan sits cross-legged on a table, idly spinning her umbrella.

Her mismatched eyes flick between the screen and Cinder. Though mute, her expression speaks volumes—curiosity, suspicion, and unease.

Neo tilts her head, pointing at the screen with her umbrella, a questioning look in her eyes.

Cinder: (snapping) "I don't know who or what MetsubouJinrai is, but it doesn't matter. He'll pay for what he did to me."

Neo taps her chin, her gaze narrowing as she watches the Trilobite Magia in the footage. A cold shiver runs down her spine.

Something about them—and Akira—feels... wrong. She hops off the table and taps a finger against her wrist in a questioning manner.

Cinder catches the gesture and smirks.

Cinder: "If you're asking if we'll get involved… not yet. Let's see what chaos they can cause first. Then, we'll strike when it benefits us."

Neo gives her a skeptical look but nods, twirling her umbrella before closing it with a snap.

[ Small Time Skip Ironwood's Office ]

Ironwood stares at the broken chess piece in his hand, his mind racing as the room descends into tense silence.

Team RWBY stands firm, defiance in their eyes. The Ace-Ops, however, shift uneasily, their loyalty torn.

Weiss: (stepping forward) "General Ironwood, please. You're making a mistake."

Ironwood: (coldly) "A mistake? No, Weiss. A mistake would be waiting any longer."

Yang: (angrily) "You're abandoning Mantle! You're proving that Monster of Akira right!"

Ironwood glares at Yang, his voice rising.

Ironwood: "You think I care what that lunatic and terrorist says? My responsibility is to Atlas, to humanity as a whole. If Mantle has to burn for the greater good, so be it."

The room erupts in protest. Ruby tries to reason with him, but her words fall on deaf ears.

Suddenly, a loud thud interrupts the argument. Everyone turns to see the Seer Grimm's corpse on the floor, still leaking black smoke from Salem's earlier apparition. The reminder of her looming threat hangs heavy in the air.

Ironwood: (firmly) "Enough. I've made my decision. If you won't follow orders, then you're no better than the traitors who've already turned against us."

He gestures to the Ace-Ops.

Ironwood: "Detain them."

The Ace-Ops hesitate, looking at each other. Harriet steps forward first, her expression cold.

Harriet: "Sorry, kids. Orders are orders."

Ruby: (gritting her teeth) "Then you leave us no choice."

The room explodes into chaos as Team RWBY clashes with the Ace-Ops. Weapons ready to ignite

[ Mantle - The Streets ]

With broadcast's end it leaves Mantle in a tense silence. Civilians murmur among themselves, their faith in Ironwood shattered.

The sight of the Trilobite Magia defeating the Grimm stirs conflicted emotions—relief, fear, and doubt.

Civilian 1: "They're actually doing more than Ironwood ever did."

Civilian 2: "But… can we trust them?"

Civilian 3: "Do we really have a choice?"

In the distance, Akira watches from the shadows, his expression unreadable. Amethyst, Onyx, and Adam stand beside him.

Amethyst: (grinning) "Looks like it's working. They're starting to doubt."

Akira: (quietly) "It's not enough. Not yet."

He clenches his fist, the Ark-Scorpion Progrisekey glowing faintly at his side.

Akira: "This Salem that Ironwood mentioned on their way. We need to be ready for war."