Author's Note:

Rejoice ! another chapter has been completed

As always PMs are open and etc and hopefully next chapter is to your enjoyment

An Huge Apology my apartments power went down- Bishop

Till next chapter, Apzeta, Bishop, and Knight

Near Atlas Academy, an Aurora Curtain shimmered open before snapping shut, depositing four figures onto the war-torn ground.

Akira, Amethyst, Adam, and Onyx emerged from the light, their arrival marked only by the crackling of residual energy.

Yet, something was different. Adam's stance was unnaturally rigid, his usually impassioned eyes now illuminated by a digital glow.

Ark, through Adam, surveyed the battlefield with an eerie calm.

Ark/Adam: "We have ten minutes before Ironwood and Ruby's allies arrive. The pieces are in place."

Akira exhaled sharply, his gaze flickering toward the distant Academy. He then turned, stepping back toward the still-fading Aurora Curtain.

Akira: "Then it's time I set my own plan into motion. Try not to disappoint me, Ark."

With that, he disappeared into the portal, leaving the others to their task.

Amethyst, unfazed by his departure, set down a heavy briefcase and clicked it open. Rows of Progrisekeys gleamed under the dim light, their power thrumming with barely contained energy.

Amethyst: "Everything is prepared."

Ark/Adam methodically took each key and inserted them into the Progrisekey Holders mounted on the Ark-Driver:

1. Ark-Scorpion

2. Rising Hopper

3. Fighting Jackal

4. Amazing Hercules

5. Beowulf

6. Panda

7. Dodo

8. Japanese Wolf

9. Whale

10. Berotha

11. Onycho

12. Polar Bear

13. Wolf

14. Punching Kong

The power surge was instantaneous. Dark tendrils of data spiraled around Ark/Adam, his form flickering between the physical and the digital. A malicious grin crept onto his face.

Ark/Adam: "All variables accounted for. The Ark-One Progrisekey is nearly complete."

Not far away, Ironwood and his remaining forces braced themselves. The Academy's courtyard was eerily silent as he surveyed his team.

Ironwood: "Be ready for anything. We don't know what state Penny is in."

Harriet cracked her knuckles, her impatience barely contained.

Harriet: "If any of those brats have the nerve to come with her, we put them down immediately. The General gave his terms. No more games."

Vine closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. Elm shifted uncomfortably.

Harriet: "Is there a problem?"

Vine: "Just… retracing the steps that led us here."

Before Harriet could snap back, Ironwood's Scroll buzzed. His expression hardened as he checked the alert.

Harriet: "What is it, sir?"

Ironwood: "Qrow and Robyn. They're in the Academy hangar."

Vine: "Trying to stop the payload?"

Ironwood: "Or just looking for a way out."

Harriet smirked, activating her Fast Knuckles.

Harriet: "Not going to happen. I've been waiting to take my shot at those two. Let's go, Ace Ops."

Elm hesitated, then turned to Ironwood.

Elm: "But… someone needs to stay here with you."

A new voice interrupted.

Winter Schnee: "I'll stay."

Winter entered, her icy demeanor unwavering as she approached Ironwood's side.

Winter: "We lose the payload, we lose our leverage."

Ironwood considered her words, then nodded.

Ironwood: "She's right. Contain it. Now."

As the Ace Ops departed, Winter turned to face Ironwood directly.

Winter: "Sir, this course of action—"

Ironwood cut her off with a look.

Ironwood: "I hope you're not going to try to talk me out of it."

Winter held his gaze, her posture stiff but unwavering.

Winter: "No, sir. I don't think that's possible."

Then, from the distance, a whirling noise cut through the air. Ironwood and Winter turned as Penny appeared, landing gracefully before them.

Ironwood immediately raised his cannon, charging it with a pale green glow.

Ironwood: "I didn't think you'd actually come alone."

He handed Winter a set of Gravity Bolas, keeping his cannon trained on Penny.

Ironwood: "I expected at least some resistance from your friends."

Penny: "I don't want anyone else to die."

Winter stepped forward, securing Penny's wrists with the bolas.

Penny: "I must open the Vault."

Winter drew her saber, keeping it at the ready. Ironwood's eyes softened slightly as he lowered his weapon and placed a hand on Penny's shoulder.

Ironwood: "You've done the right thing."

Penny's expression shifted. Her voice deepened ever so slightly.

Penny: "I have."

The illusion shattered in an instant. Emerald Sustrai stood in Penny's place, her smirk widening.

From behind, Oscar, Jaune, Ren, and Nora emerged, weapons drawn and ready for battle. A Manta was parked behind them.

Emerald: "Feels weird."

Ironwood's eyes widened in shock, but he had no time to react before Emerald's boot slammed into his chin, sending him stumbling back. His cannon slipped from his grasp.

Emerald landed in a crouch, snatched up the weapon, and vanished from sight.

[ Atlas Vault Entrance ]

The sound of rushing wind echoed as Ruby used her Semblance, a crimson blur carrying her team and Penny through the hole and up the shaft.

They landed gracefully in front of the grand Vault entrance. As they approached, the steps leading to the Vault moved into place, reacting to their presence.

Ruby: (Determined) "As soon as Penny opens the door, we go through, grab the Staff, and stop her termination."

Team RWBY and Penny stepped forward—but then stopped in their tracks. Standing in their way, silhouetted by the Vault's entrance, was Akira.

The moment stretched. Silence thickened the air. Each of them had their own reaction.

Yang: (Furious, fists clenching) "You've got some nerve showing up here."

Weiss: (Cold, gripping Myrtenaster) "After what you did to Winter…"

Blake: (Glaring, ears twitching) "You turned Adam into… that. And now you're in our way again?"

Penny: (Tensing, her fingers twitching) "He… He still has control over me..." Her voice quivered, the Zetsumeriser and Onycho Zetsumerisekey on her body waiting for activation.

Akira remained calm, his gaze sweeping over them. Then, his eyes settled on Ruby.

Akira: (Measured ) "So you finally made it here can't say I'm surprised but it's all 1000% going according to my scenario."

Ruby hesitated. Unlike the others, her emotions were a storm of uncertainty.

Akira was an enemy, responsible for so much pain… and yet, there were moments—tiny glimpses—that made her wonder if there was more to him.

Ruby: (Cautious) "Are you here to stop us?"

Akira: (Exhales) "That depends. Are you willing to listen?"

Yang: (Scoffs) "Oh, you have got to be kidding me."

Weiss: (Sharply) "We don't have time for your games."

Blake: (Eyes narrowing) "We know what you are, Akira."

Akira took a slow step forward. Yang instinctively positioned herself in front of Ruby, Blake beside her.

Weiss tightened her grip on Myrtenaster, ready to act at a moment's notice. Penny stood frozen, conflicted and afraid.

Akira: "You're here to get the Relic, but you haven't thought about what happens next. Do you really think it will solve everything? Do you think Atlas will be saved just because you have the Staff?"

Ruby: (Firmly) "We don't have another choice. Ironwood will destroy Mantle. Penny—she—" Her voice wavers as she looks at Penny. "We're running out of time."

Akira: (Sighs) "And that's exactly why I'm here. You don't see the bigger picture, Ruby. You never have. But if you step through that door, you won't just be dealing with just Ironwood."

Yang: (Snaps) "Oh, right, and we should trust you? The guy who killed my mother? Who shattered the damn moon again? Who's been playing terrorist with his little group of murder-happy friends?"

Weiss: "You kidnapped my sister!"

Blake: "You rebuilt Adam after we finally stopped him."

Penny: (Barely audible) "Are you the reason I'm like this…"

Akira closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them, his expression unreadable.

Akira: "I won't deny what I've done. But you're forgetting something important." He glances at Ruby again. "You know I could've killed you all back in Mantle. And yet, I didn't."

Ruby felt a chill. She had thought about that, but she never voiced it. Why hadn't he?

Ruby: (Quietly) "Why?"

Yang: (Scoffs) "Does it matter? He's just screwing with you. That's what he does. He—"

Akira: "Because this isn't just about me. Or you. Or Atlas." His voice lowers. "Salem is still Immortal. And if you don't play this exactly right, everything you're fighting for? It's over."

His words carried weight, and for the first time, even Weiss hesitated. The reality of Salem's looming threat, beyond all of their personal grudges, was undeniable.

Blake: (Softly) "You expect us to believe you're looking out for us now?"

Akira: "No. I expect you to be smart enough to know when you need all the pieces in play. Even the ones you don't like."

Ruby exhaled shakily. Her gut twisted. She wanted to believe in hope, in doing the right thing, but was she being naive?

Penny: (Whispers) "Ruby…"

Ruby clenched her fists. They were running out of time.

Ruby: (Final decision) "Step aside, Akira."

Akira stared at her for a long moment.

Akira: In that case

Akira reached into his coat, pulling out a device—the Thousand Jacker. The jagged weapon gleamed under the Vault's dim light as he activated the Mirror World's Winter Maiden Progrisekey.

Winter Maiden Progrisekey: [ Winter's Ability! ]

Thousand Jacker: [ Progrisekey confirmed. Ready to break. ]

Penny flinched as the Vault's entrance shuddered. The doors, which should only have responded to her as the Maiden, began to part.

A howling gust of energy surged outward, the Vault now open.

Yang's eyes widened. "What the hell—? How did—?"

Akira stepped forward, unfazed, his eyes locked onto Penny.

Akira: "I'll be taking back what's mine."

Before anyone could react, he lunged.

Yang, Weiss, and Blake struck instantly.

Weiss thrust Myrtenaster forward, ice crystals forming midair, aiming to freeze Akira in place.

Blake vanished in a blur, her clone shifting around him, and Yang swung Ember Celica with a fiery burst.

But Akira dodged—his movements smooth, effortless. He twisted past Yang's punch, ducked under Weiss's ice strike, and swung the Thousand Jacker, striking Blake's midsection.

Thousand Jacker: [ Jackrise! ]

Blake gasped, staggering back as a strange energy crackled around her.

The moment her foot touched the ground, a perfect clone of herself appeared beside Akira.

Weiss' ice shattered against the copy instead of him. "What—?!"

Akira smirked. "Your Semblance is quite something, Blake. I wonder what I can accomplish with it."

Blake's heart pounded. Her Semblance he had stolen it. And worse, he knew how to use it.

"Get away from Penny!" Yang roared, propelling herself forward with a fiery blast.

Akira didn't even look. His clone—Blake's clone—moved instead, blocking Yang's punch perfectly before vanishing into smoke.

Yang stumbled back, eyes burning red. "You bastard!"

Akira exhaled, placing a hand on the Zetsumeriser still attached to Penny. The girl whimpered, body trembling as his fingers brushed the device.

Penny: (Terrified) "P-Please… don't…"

Ruby's breath hitched. She had to move—but her body wouldn't listen. Her mind raced with conflicting emotions. Could she really fight him? Could she really stop him?

Akira, without looking back, spoke as if addressing them all.

"You can do whatever you please. But a warning to the wise—"

He glanced over his shoulder, eyes sharp and unwavering.

Akira: "If you take the wrong step here… the world will be destroyed."

His words hit like a hammer, cutting through the tension.

Weiss clenched her fists, furious. "You sound just like that Decade guy."

Akira smirked faintly. "Funny. He told me the same thing."

Without another word, he turned and strode out of the Vault, leaving them stunned in his wake.

Ruby's fists trembled. She needed to believe in something. But right now… she didn't know what to do in that moment and momentarily forgetting her plan