Everyone was worried that the end of each episode would end with Tyrian killing someone. Neither of them understands the point of all the killing. They guessed one of the bright sides is that they, well technically the Ace-Ops, have gotten rid of the geist and they all successfully finished the mission! They're going to assume that this next episode is going to take place directly after the mission. They also hoped that maybe after the mission, the Ace-Ops would see that they were capable of handling themselves in the field.
Weiss noticed the title of the episode and had a dreading feeling that her father was going to make his appearance. After the success of the mission she really didn't want him to be around to ruin everything like she knew he would. Winter seemed to sharing the same thoughts, though, she didn't want to jump to any conclusions just yet. The group was still on edge from Tyrian, wondering what he and Watts' purposes were in Atlas. The group all took a second for a deep breath to mentally or emotionally prepare for what was to come and allowed Raider to play the next episode.
(Volume 7 Intro)
Four Atlas cargo trucks made their headway to the mine site, and following close behind was the Amity Colosseum itself.
"Are any of the military concerned about the Colosseum being transported to the middle of nowhere?" Yang asked. She was seriously curious about how they managed to hide the arena from the entire kingdom. People must have seen it from afar when it was first brought back to the kingdom, right? She hoped at some point that question would be answered.
"This might also bring up another question: does the entire kingdom know that Penny isn't human? After what happened at the Vytal Festival they would have had to have assumed she was dead. Then for the people to have her as the protector of Mantle? It's gotta be known that she isn't a real human," Sun added.
From below, two members of the Happy Huntresses watch with binoculars as the Colosseum flies above them.
The students were certain this was going to lead to a later confrontation with the rest of them. It might lead to their official meeting with the Happy Huntresses.
The four vehicles parked and Qrow and the Ace-Ops stepped out of the mine's entrance. Marrow looked over at Clover and changed his expression something hilariously serious to match.
All of them liked Marrow, there was something about him more than the others that they appreciated. They didn't know what, and to be completely honest, they were a little scared of the implications, but they liked him nonetheless.
Ren, Weiss, Blake, and Yang stared at the group while Jaune, Ruby, and Nora looked on with utter amazement at the Ace-Ops's performance.
It was scary for them to realize that back then they would have reacted the exact same way when things were done, but after everything they've witnessed and seen, those moments couldn't help but be overshadowed by all previous events. It was terrifying to know that these experiences their counterparts have faced have changed them all positively and negatively.
"You guys were incredible!" Jaune exclaimed, popping up next to Clover. "The way you took down that geist without needing to plan your tactics out, you just, knew exactly what to do!"
Pyrrha giggled to herself. Jaune was just so animated and passionate, it was so adorable.
"Well, Ace-Ops are handpicked to perfectly complement one another," Clover explains, "So we can focus on our assets and leave our liabilities behind."
Something was nagging at them that told all of them that there were some liabilities that they weren't seeing, but they couldn't entirely pinpoint what they were. "No liabilities, huh? Well, I love to be the judge of that!" Nora declares.
Marrow states that some of them are all assets, no liabilities. Elm tsks from the side, grabbing Marrow's attention. "Wha-? Yeah? Think I got some liabilities, Elm?"
"Your brains for one," Elm responds. Marrow deflated when the rest of his teammates chuckled.
The students couldn't help but feel bad for Marrow. He seemed like the one the rest of them always made slight jokes about. They knew it was all in good fun but still.
Vine reminds Marrow that he did ask.
That was true though, he did ask.
Nora stands behind Elm, staring up at her with a too-big smile.
Some of her friends couldn't deny that the wide grin was a little disturbing. It was more of the eyes than anything.
Elm looked behind her and Nora leaned closer. "Hi, do you need a new best friend? Our pair name can be: Thunder Thighs!" Nora screams as behind them everything turns a turquoise color with the name appearing big with pink lightning crashing down.
"Maybe a different, more appropriate name would suffice?" Ren suggested. Nora looked over, she was listening. "Why not something like "The Goddesses of Thunder" or "Super Smash Sisters"?" Nora nodded. She would consider those two names when she meets Elm officially.
Nora surprised Ren with a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Ren," Nora said in a sing-song voice.
Harriet looked at Nora with a small weirded-out expression. "Yeah, perfect complementary teamwork," Ruby said, jogging up to Harriet. "I want to have my friends' backs just like that." Harriet is confused about what Ruby means by "friends".
The students were just as confused. Didn't the Ace-Ops consider themselves to be friends? They work so well closely and well with one another, don't they see each other as more than just coworkers or teammates?
Elm chuckles, telling Ruby this isn't the schoolyard as Ren comes behind and carries off with Nora.
Nora's and a few other's eyes widened with how Ren picked Nora up to effortlessly. She was holding Magnhild in her hands, both combined must have been really heavy. Nora planned to ask Ren about that later.
"But, I mean, when you go through so much with someone, it kinda changes things, doesn't it?" Yang asks.
"We get along well enough, sure, I count on them to keep me and they do the same. But that's a job, we don't confuse the two," Harriet states. Team RWBY appears saddened after hearing this.
All the students knew that wasn't going to be the case for them. They've all been through hell and back together and a job or not wasn't going to change the bond they all share. This is one of the things they all right with each other, they see themselves as more than a person that keeps the other alive. They all see each other as family.
"I think I found one of their liabilities," said Oscar. While they might have one another's backs, they won't truly have one another's backs.
"Speaking of the job," Clover says as General Ironwood is on the scroll with someone. One of his soldiers salutes him and walks off. "Duty ever beckons, you all hang back a second." Ruby looks down in thought for a moment before turning to her team.
"What do you guys wanna do once we get back to Atlas? A sight-seeing? Oh, what should we visit first?!"
"We just travel across a whole continent, on foot, before flying to Atlas, I'm sure sight-seeing is the last thing on their minds," Weiss says. Ruby kicks at nothing, mumbling something about "the boring parts".
Blake suggests their beds while yawning.
"Yes, I'm sure that's what the rest of them want to do," Pyrrha chuckles.
Ruby calls it a great time to go exploring as they haven't done it in a long time. "Ruby, we just explored a whole continent, on foot, before flying to this one," Weiss says. Ruby sulks as it was only the boring parts.
"We almost died," Yang deadpans.
"Multiple times," Blake says.
"I think all the life-threatening situations are the farthest thing from boring," Jaune adds.
Qrow calls a heads-up, pointing his thumb at Ironwood who requests the team leaders, including Qrow. "I need you on the ground, but be subtle," Ironwood tells Clover, "If too many people see huntsmen milling around, they'll get nervous." Clover salutes and walks off for the General to talk to Ruby, Jaune, and Qrow.
Both Jaune and Ruby were nervous about what General Ironwood was going to ask of them.
"And Clover," the man paused, "Don't take Marrow." Behind them, Marrow was demonstrating shooting a gun to another worker and Clover nodded.
None of them said anything, but a few eyebrows were slightly raised. It's only happened twice, but Marrow was the one that the others seemed to pick on the most.
Qrow asks if there are new problems in Mantle. General Ironwood sighs, "More the same, unfortunately." Ironwood takes out his scroll and an image of Forest appears.
Their hearts sank as just last episode they were forced to witness his death by the hands, or tails, of Tyrian. They hoped this episode wouldn't end with someone else being killed, they don't know how much more death they'd be able to handle in one volume.
"Someone in Mantle is taking out public leaders who speaking out against Atlas, specifically people who speak out against me. It didn't look like a pattern at first, but this is the third murder of its kind in the last week."
So those are the kind of people Tyrian has been killing. Those who voiced their vendettas against General Ironwood. They were all getting the sense that these murders were going to come to a head and be blamed on someone else.
"This looks horrible for the General. It makes him look like he's eliminating those who would speak against him," Weiss says.
Jaune walks forward, pointing at the screen. "Wait a minute, that's the guy that rode with us after we were arrested." Ruby holds a hand to her mouth, horrified. Qrow doesn't find it to be a good look that the General's opposition is dropping dead.
"Not really worried about my public image but it is causing unrest. I think someone is trying to frame me, and by extension, Atlas. And it's working."
"Well, if it wasn't for the embargo making everybody so mad, people probably wouldn't be so quick to blame you for everything else," Jaune says. Ironwood's face hardens and he stares at Jaune.
"Jaune!" All of his friends scream, including himself. That was quite literally the worst response anyone could have said in a moment like that.
"While that might be true, I would advise you to refrain from voicing those comments out loud, especially, and specifically, to the General's face," Winter says coldly. Voicing those thoughts wouldn't do anything to help, not in the way that it was said at least. Jaune makes little a note to keep that to himself!
Jaune coughs into his fist before addressing him as 'sir'. Ironwood pinches the bridge of his nose, sighing. "No, no, you're right. Things in Mantle have been…hard to manage lately. I'm not blind to its issues, in fact, that's what I want to talk to you about."
They were all ears about a discussion on how they could fix Mantle to make it better for the people, because what they've seen shows that they are being nothing but neglected.
"With the launch of this mobile's communications tower and tensions down in Mantle, I think there's a lot of good your teams can do here." General Ironwood gets a message on his earpiece and talks to the person on the other end. "What? Already? Here? No, it's fine, let him land. I'll deal with him myself."
"Who is this 'him' he's referring to?" Yang asks suspiciously.
"I think I might have an idea, but I sincerely hope I'm wrong," Winter says bitterly.
Qrow asks if it was more Mantle problems as an airship made its way down. General Ironwood said it was an Atlas problem. The SDC emblem rests on the side of the ship and door as it lands on the pad.
Winter internally groaned as frowns resided on all of their faces. None of them believed they had the strength to deal with this kind of man and if he decided to do anything to Weiss, they would personally see to it. Ruby gripped Weiss's hand, she wasn't going to let this man lay a single finger on her if she had anything to say about it.
The doors open and Jacque is already on a tirade. "So let me get this straight, James, in addition to this nonsensical embargo of yours crippling my business, you've also decided you have the authority to commandeer private property?"
Jacque Schnee has only been on a screen for but a few moments and they already wish he'd just shut up and leave. It doesn't surprise them that he wouldn't care about the Ace-Ops and them coming onto the property only to kill a Grimm that could hurt hundreds of more people.
Jacque goes on to state when the Council hears about what the General is doing–Ironwood cuts him off. "Actually, I've already informed them as this is now the site of a classified military operation it didn't even require a vote."
Winter didn't bother to hide her chuckle at her own father's anger, in fact, it only pleased her more.
Jacque is in disbelief that no vote was required. "You might want to brush up on Council Law before you lose this upcoming election, Jacque. Now, I've allowed you to land here once as a courtesy, the next time it won't be a friendly reception."
"Lately, you seem to forget who your friends really are," Jacque states, "I'm going to get that Council seat, James, and maybe then you'll–" Jacque pauses when he sees Weiss, but she only stares at him with defiance.
Weiss places to face whatever her father plans to throw at her, and even better, she knows she won't have to do it alone. She has her friends and girlfriend standing right beside and they're not going to leave her for a second. The feel of Ruby's hand in hers reminds her further.
"You…you roped my missing daughter into these schemes of yours too?"
"This is more of a volunteering thing rather than a 'scheme', father."
Jacque whips around to face Ironwood demanding to know how long she's been back in Atlas and if Winter knows, but Weiss cuts him off. "It was my decision to come here! Just like it was my decision to leave, or have you forgotten all about that?"
"If you think I'm one to forget anything girl, then you've misjudged the man your father is."
"Nope, I've had you pegged for the man you are years ago," Weiss grits out, her teeth clenched. Nothing will ever erase her memory for everything he's done to her, to the innocent people he's made suffer, and to her family.
"Believe me, I know exactly the kind of man you are," Weiss says, crossing her arms.
"How dare you speak to me that way! I have half a mind to–" Jacque exclaims, but Ironwood interrupts him, challenging him to continue.
Winter glares at the screen, doing the exact same, because if he does anything to her sister then so help her!
Jacque fiddles with the ring on his right hand before wiping his sleeve as Ironwood stares at him intensely. "You know, your mother was devastated when you left." Weiss quietly gasped, her composure faltering slightly.
"Don't you dare bring mother into this! Especially to use her as emotional manipulation!" Winter shouted. Weiss flinched at the mention of mother.
"Didn't leave her room for days. You know how…she gets… when she's upset." Weiss gazes down at the ground as Jacque tries not to let his smirk show.
Weiss's grip on Ruby's hand tightens, her breath hitching. Ruby squeezes in support as the rest of their friends glare at the man on screen. Winter is disgusted with her father that he would use mother as a pawn just to make Weiss feel guilty and submit to his authority.
Blake and Yang glare at Weiss's father while Ruby looks on in worry.
This was the first time their counterparts were seeing Weiss's father in person, and they bet he was just as they all imagined him to be.
Jacque's smirk widens before he turns back to the general. "I knew one day you would overextend your reach. I didn't come here to beg for an abandoned mine, I came here to thank you."
Thank him for what?
"For personally handing me the noose to hang you." Weiss looks up as Blake takes hold of her hand, all of her friends standing with her, by her side.
"We promised Team RWBY wasn't going to leave you for a second," Ruby said.
"And we intend to keep that promise," Blake added. Yang nodded with her sister and girlfriend. Weiss smiled gratefully at her friends, so happy that she had the honor of calling them her family. Winter watches the interaction, so glad her sister has found a group of people she could be so close to.
"You'll regret this," Jacque mutters, turning around and looking at Weiss's friends. "So these are the little 'friends' you threw everything away for."
I threw away the strings you held over me, and I found so much more than I could ever hope for. Weiss wouldn't trade what she has with her friends for anything else in the world.
"Not friends, family," Weiss declares.
"Aww, Ruby, you got so happy after she said that," Nora cooed. Team RBY has never felt more warmth for their friend Weiss. They felt so proud and cherished that Weiss considered them her family. They were also all immensely proud of Weiss for sticking up to her father, Winter especially.
Jacque grunts, taking his leave. As the ship ascends, Ruby places a hand on Weiss's back and she releases a deep breath. Not long after, a cargo truck stops in the middle of the pad, and opening the door is Winter. "Oh, now you show up, Winter. You just missed father."
"'Missed' would never be a word I would associate my feelings about him," Winter stated. She could never 'miss' a man like him.
Winter walks up to her sister and is in the middle of saying she wouldn't miss him when Penny lands directly in the middle, startling Team RWBY and blasting them off the pad with a green 'Congratulations' looming above her as she shouts 'surprise'.
"First off, oh my Gods Penny! Secondly, was her being there the surprise or something else? Thirdly, what is the congratulations for?" Yang questions. The others were just as lost. It appeared they were a little behind while Penny was just a tad ahead. Whatever she was ahead on.
"So, are we celebrating a job well done on the mission, is that what this is?" Jaune asks.
Penny looks around a little clueless and asks if they've started yet while Team RWBY is on the ground. Winter sighs as they haven't and Team JNR chuckles. Ruby is curious about what the 'starting' was for.
They were all just as curious, what was it they were going to be told?
General Ironwood begins to give a speech to the students in the middle of Amity Colosseum. "It goes without saying that this arena holds a significance to all of us. It's only fitting that we should be able to reconvene here now when the world needs to be brought together more than ever. The road you traveled from our first meeting hasn't been easy." While Ironwood speaks, Penny bounces excitedly in her place.
This was clearly good news if Penny wasn't even able to stand still while General Ironwood was giving his speech to them. With that being the case, what has gotten Penny so energized and what was General Ironwood leading up to? It has to be something big and monumentous.
Winter puts a hand on her shoulder, but that doesn't stop her.
All of them collectively thought Penny was utterly adorable during this moment. They were all more than happy to see was back and doing okay.
"You've fought for your school and friends at Beacon, you fought for the world and the innocent at Haven Academy and beyond. You've faced down terrors people can't even fathom."
"Is the General doing what I think he's doing?" Ruby asks with disbelief. Was this his initiation for them to become licensed huntsmen and huntresses?
"That's not the behavior of students, that's the behavior of huntsmen and huntresses." General Ironwood looks over at Penny and the girl steps forward, stopping in front of Ren and tapping something on her scroll. His scroll vibrates to show he's gone from a student huntsman to a licensed huntsman.
"Wait, we're really becoming huntsmen and huntresses?" Ren says in disbelief. They haven't finished any of their school training, were they really ready? Ruby shared the same sentiment, terrified that this would only lead to something bad that none of them were properly trained for. If something like that occurs, would they have really deserved to have their licenses?
"If I'm being entirely honest, so much has happened already that I kinda forgot about that entirely," Yang said, scratching the back of her head.
Ren is confused about what this is. "You are being granted your huntsmen licenses, today."
"Isn't this three years too early? They're all still first-years, right?" Blake says, not sure how to feel about this. Wondering if they were ready.
"I know this is coming ahead of schedule, but Brothers know you deserve it," General Ironwood declares. "I only regret I couldn't do something more ceremonious for the occasion." Ruby doesn't exactly know what to say except speak for everyone that they are honored. "Please, with the threat of Salem still out there, and tensions rising in our kingdom, I certainly could use more trustworthy fighters by my side."
They just had to hit them all with that line, didn't they? Ruby sinks lower into her seat, a feeling of guilt and regret rising. Every time it was going to mentioned was only going to make that pit grow bigger and bigger. How much has she screwed up by not telling General Ironwood the truth?
All of them couldn't help but share a look. "I should be so lucky to have all of you." General Ironwood notices their silence, "It's okay, it's a big moment."
That is not why they are all being quiet, it was his mention of trusting them.
"And what better way than to celebrate here? When this tower is ready and communications are back up and running, we'll tell the world about Salem and face down whatever comes at us after that together."
The students shared nervous looks, not being able to get it out of their heads that they were doing the exact same thing that Ozpin was doing to them. They're keeping vital information that General Ironwood deserves to know. Ruby, with her free hand, tightly gripped her leg. This is all going to come crashing down on the city of Mantle and Atlas, and all because I decided that we should keep secrets from Ironwood! I'm gonna become part of the reason why everything turns to ruins!
Team RWBY looks down at their scrolls and Ironwood takes in a breath. "That's about all the pomp I have in me. If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to running this operation. Um, well then, enjoy the cake." General Ironwood takes his leave with Winter alongside him. Penny exclaims that his speech outros are improving.
"That was an improvement? It was very…" Sun trailed off.
"Awkward?" Blake finished for him. He nodded as that was the word he was looking for.
"After everything we've been through, I almost forgot this is what I wanted in the first place," Yang says, looking down at her scroll.
"I'm sure everyone has forgotten about it after everything that's happened," Oscar said. He notices that he isn't there, or maybe he is but is just on the sidelines. He never planned to go to a huntsmen academy, yet that was what this was showing him. He never expected that he'd learn to fight or make all these friends, he'd always thought he would stay on the farm and help his aunt. All of that changed when he was brought here, and if he's quite honest…he doesn't want things to back to the way they were. He wants to join the fight and help his friends.
Blake didn't think it would have been possible after Beacon fell. Weiss sees it as, almost trivial. Qrow chuckles, "Geez guys, lighten up a little. Enjoy yourselves for a change, you've earned it."
"Damn right, we've earned it! After everything we've gone through, the least we deserve is a little break!" Nora shouts. They've endured what huntsmen and huntresses full of years of training and experience go through.
"We're only first years, well, maybe not at that point anymore," Ruby says.
"Finally! Someone said it!" Nora shouts exasperatedly. "Let's kill some cake, huh? Because I can eat two slices before Ren even eats one! Who says I can't? Who says it, huh?!"
"Nora, no one said anything," Ren states, looking over at his girlfriend who seemed just as determined to prove someone wrong.
"Nora, nobody is arguing with you about this," Ren says as Nora puffs out her cheeks. At one of the entrances, Penny cuts a large cake with her swords. Ren and Weiss have one slice while Nora has a plate with a stack of six slices, now five as she eats one whole.
Winter's eyes widened as everyone else looked completely unphased. "Might want to change that number to six," Jaune said.
"Does your friend normally consume that much?" Winter asks, a little concerned. All of Nora's friends nod as if it were obvious.
Yang puts out her robotic hand for Penny to shake, but when Penny goes to do so it detaches from the elbow. Penny gasps in surprise while Yang and Nora laugh.
No one was going to point out that Nora was now onto three pieces of cake left, meaning she'd eaten two more.
As Blake is about to eat her own, Yang rushes over, putting a hand on her shoulder, and proceeds to take multiple pictures.
A blush spread across Blake's cheeks while Yang could feel the knowing stares from all her friends, especially from her sister sitting right next to her. "Now if you two aren't the most obvious people I've ever seen," Nora jokes.
"Big day for you, huh kiddo?" Qrow asks, sitting down next to Ruby who says it's definitely a lot to take in. "Which part? The finally gettin' to Atlas part? Gettin' your license part? Or the not quite disclosing everything to Ironwood part? Or, all of the above?"
"Definitely all of the above," Ruby muttered.
Ruby chuckles, "All of the above. I'm trying to do what I think is best, but…I can't really tell if what's best is what's right or if I'm no different from Oz."
Yang's brows furrowed. She was going to have a talk with her sister about her putting so much pressure on her shoulders. She's not going to be alone, she has a team, she doesn't have to carry everything all by herself. Yang is determined to have a chat with her before all the pressure makes her exhausted little sister crack. She shouldn't have to be carrying so much weight.
"Ruby, Oz only trusted himself with the whole truth, you're trusting others, but you're making sure they prove themselves first. I think that's a pretty big difference."
Ruby pulls out her scroll, "I hope so. This says I'm a huntress now, but I don't feel like I know much more than I did at Beacon." Qrow chuckles and tells her that feeling never goes away.
Ruby frowns as hearing this should make her feel better, but it isn't, it's not making her feel better.
"You're mom, Summer, would be proud of you."
Ruby faintly smiles at the sentiment but doesn't feel that reassurance.
Ruby asks about her mom's last mission, and if that was another Oz secret. Qrow hums, "There were a lot of those back in our day, but this one was a Summer secret. When she didn't come back, Ozpin seemed just as in the dark as myself and your father. Still, who knows what he may have hidden from us over the years."
So, Summer's last mission, the details would remain a secret. There's no one they'd turn to that would be aware of what happened.
"What do you think she would have done? If she learned the truth about Salem? That she can't be destroyed?"
"Pressed on, I think. She was always the best of us." Qrow took Ruby and pulled her closer. "Bit of a brat, though, but hey I like brats."
Ruby smiles but wishes she could elbow her uncle right about now. Hopefully, her counterpart will do it for her.
Ruby laughs, elbowing Qrow in the stomach and getting him to chuckle as well.
"Thank you!" Ruby says to her counterpart.
Yang calls Ruby down to check something out and she's down there in a flash. Ruby gasps, "Oh my gosh is that a mission board? It's an app now?!"
Winter hums to herself. Making the mission board an app is much more efficient than just a regular board.
Ruby runs up to the screen in excitement. "Can we ride a megaliath? Stop an underground crime ring? Do I get to go," Ruby pauses to put up her hood, speaking with an accent, "Undercover?"
Ruby gasped, that meant she and her friends would all get cool code names? I could be Whispering Petals! Oh, and Yang could be Golden Bullet! So many to choose from and come up with!
Ruby shakes Penny up and down as the girl answers that maybe she could. "Hey, you guys smell that?" Marrow asks as he makes his presence known with Elm and Vine behind him. He takes a couple of moments to sniff the air."It smells like…fresh meat."
Ren tilts his head in confusion. There was nothing but cake in their vicinity, where would the smell of meat be coming from?
Vine states he doesn't smell meat at all and Ren concurs. Marrow sighs, telling them to forget.
"It was metaphorical, Ren. We had just become new huntsmen and huntresses, so we're new to everything," Nora explains. Oh, Ren gets it now, though he found it to be an odd saying.
"Let me get this straight, you've only been official for an hour now and you're already looking for huntsmen work?" Elm asks.
"I'm sure there are some jobs that are on the same level as what they've been doing for the past several months now," Oscar comments.
"To be fair, we've been official for a whole…fifty-seven minutes," Weiss says as she looks at her scroll.
"So it's almost been an hour!" Ruby shouts. 57 minutes was close enough.
"I'd like to remind you all that the real mission here is ensuring the successful launch of the communications tower," Vine states.
"But that doesn't mean there isn't anything we can do in the meantime," Yang suggests.
"True, but we can also keep training and improving by helping where we can," Ren counters. Elm sighs before exclaiming her love for the enthusiasm of youths.
"Well, it's hard to argue with that." Marrow relents, going to show them how the board works. "Okay, let me show you how it works." He scrolls through the list and taps on a mission. "Oh, here's an important one, who wants to volunteer?" All hands quickly go up.
"Something tells me we should have waited to let him finish before we raised our hands," Jaune says. This seems more like it's going to backfire on him than anyone else.
"We need someone to escort children to pre-primary school down in Mantle. There's not actually any danger, but the parents fret, and that attracts Grimm." Everyone lowers their hands, except Jaune.
Yep, definitely backfired on him, but on the positive, he'll be able to keep track of the kids and make sure they get to school safely.
Jaune slowly lowers his hand and Marrow attempts to pronounce his name. Jaune calls it close enough and readily accepts the mission.
Is my name really that hard to say? Jaune wonders curiously.
Elm shoves Marrow out of the way and smacks her hand on a different mission. "Next, a massive sabyr is loose in the Mantle sewers! We need two brave warriors to flush it out!" All hands go up and Jaune wants to know why he didn't get a choice for that. All his friends laugh at his misfortune as he deflates.
Jaune crosses his arms, mumbling to himself about 'unfairness'. Pyrrha rubs his back comfortingly, "It's alright Jaune, there's always more missions. That isn't the only one." Jaune sighed, guessing Pyrrha was right, but the agitation still sat.
In Jacque's office.
Everyone in the room loudly groaned. "Boo! Get off the screen! No one wants to see you!" Sun shouted, about to throw a pillow at the screen when Raider gently grabbed his arm, stopping him. She shook her head and he nervously chuckled.
Jacque swirled his glass before taking a sip. His office door opened to Whitley informing him he had a visitor. Jacque slammed his glass down and told his son he didn't want to be disturbed and demanded to know why he let him in. "I didn't…he let himself in." Watts opens the door the rest of the way and steps inside.
Everyone froze as Watts made his appearance. What the hell was he doing at the Schnee Manor? "He better stay the hell away from our brother!" Weiss screamed. They might be in a rough patch, but neither Weiss nor Winter want to see their little brother get hurt, especially by a man like Watts.
"What business does he even after at the manor?" Winter demands.
"A spitting image of you, this lad, Jacque, creepily so I might add. He's definitely inherited your…affect." Jacque mutters his name, surprised to see him.
"Hold the scroll, they know each other?! How?" Weiss shouts. What on the Gods's green earth has her father gotten into to know a man like Watts? Everyone was dumbfounded that the two had history.
Jacque demands for Whitley to shut the door, and he doesn't do it the first time, Jacque yells louder. Once alone, Jacque brings up that he's supposed to be dead.
Watts faked his own death?
"That is what I wanted people to think, you're right, however, I heard things about you too, Jacque. Namely, that you have an Ironwood problem."
Jacque scoffs, "That bastard is costing me more money every day with this embargo. I'd lay off every employee in Mantle if I wasn't trying to get their damn votes for this Council seat."
Watts has himself a seat. "What if I said you can have your cake, and eat it too?"
The episode ends and the majority of the room is left with their mouths hanging open in horror. "I pray to the Gods in hoping what I say won't come true, but…with what the ending of that conversation and what it's implying, Jacque is going to get the Council seat…" Yang mutters. No one speaks, but Winter horribly agrees with Yang's assumption.
"But…Raider told us that father is going to die…does it perhaps have something to do with the Happy Huntresses and his victory, or someone else? Maybe a mission gone wrong or someone taking action as a final stand for everything father has done?" Weiss says.
"I will tell you those are not the details of his death, but I will tell you this: Karma's a REAL bitch," Raider replies.
"One last thing, please tell us that Whitely won't become corrupted or become an enemy," Winter says, a slight hint of desperation in her voice. Raider shakes her head and Weiss and Winter release a sigh of relief.