Ruby Rose gazes out the window of the police airship as it flies over Mantle, then turns and looks at her friends. Nora Valkyrie chews at the bolas restraining her wrists, while everyone else sits silently, the only sounds being Nora's growling and the muffled chattering of the guards piloting the ship.
"Where do you think they're taking us?" Ruby asked as she looked at us.
"I'm gonna go with jail." Qrow said as he glared at me.
"We're going to see Ironwood." I said, ignoring the glares that came my way.
"Welcome to Atlas." Weiss said, annoyed.
"What's rhat building? The one with the four points?" Ruby asked, with me looking out at the building, wirh me recognizing it.
"That... was my home." I said as I looked at the building she was talking about. Set apart from the rest of the Atlas and Mantal, the Temple was located in its own low-rise district. Dotted by statues and small parks, the temple was bisected by the Processional Way, a long road which terminated at a ceremonial staircase that led into the Temple's entrance hall. Crowned by four statues, two Warrior Masters and two Sage Masters, the main entrance was decorated with twelve massive pylons adorned with depictions of the Temple's founding Four Masters.
"It's massive." Yang said as she looked on in awe.
"Must of been there for a long time." Ren said as he looked as well.
"And a fortune to build." Jaune said as we sat back down.
"It still surprises us that Mantal and Atlas weren't around during that time. The Feichko Temple was the first step, the starting point to Mantal, and then Atlas. Some say its the oldest building in the world." Weiss said as she looked at me.
"Well, I wouldn't be suprised if it was, though its rhanks to the Schnee family that Mantal and Atlas has gotten where it is today." I said, where Weiss held her head up high, a proud smirk on her face as we landed.
The airship had finally landed up to the City of Atlas, and Ruby looks out at the city in awe, while Nora is once again starts chewing her restraints.
"Whoa, it's gorgeous up here!" Ruby said as Jaune and Nora get up from their their seats and look out the window with her.
"Don't let that fool you." Weiss said, with me agreeing with her as looks were very deceiving.
"It's… Atlas Academy." Qrow said as he was shocked that we weren't at the police station.
Two guards open the ship's rear double doors to let us exit, where I follow them without a second word. Ruby gazes up at the towering academy while more guards line up along the path leading to the building.
"I guess we will be seeing the General. For better or worse." Ruby said, with me getting a bad feeling as she said that.
"I'll let you do the talking." I said as I looked over my shoulder at her as we entered the school. "Right now, I have a majorly bad feeling about Ironwood." I whispered as we walked up to the elevators.
"So, what do we do?" Ren asked as he looked at Ruby as we walked into the elevator.
"I don't know yet. But we should be careful with what we say." Ruby said as she gave me a nod as one of the guards looks over his shoulder at them.
"We'll follow your lead, Ruby." Blake whispered with a nod. Ruby smiles but then starts to look worried again.
Seeing this, I nudged her with my shoulder. "Keep your head up, if all goes wrong, I'll get us out. After all, I got us into this mess." I said as the elevator beeps as it arrives at its destination, and the guards escorted us out into a hallway and down a flight of stairs. We then arrived in a room just as Ironwood walks through, speaking to someone else.
"I swear if I have to sit through one more council meeting like that-"
He stops as he turns toward a small flight of stairs on his way to his office, accompanied by someone who looks like Weiss and some Red Hair girl. The latter noticed us and stops with a gasp.
"Yay, you're here!" She said loudly while waving. Her celebratory greeting catches Ironwood and the woman's attention, causing them to stop and look. Weiss steps out from behind Ruby and approaches them.
"Winter." Weiss said, where I looked down at her and then back at this Winter.
Winter gasped lightly in surprise, and then Nora leans into Weiss holding up her bound wrists, grinning and waving her fingers. "Anyone wanna give us a hand with these?" Nora asked with a grin.
Winter takes a moment to collect herself, returning to her stern demeanor. "You have ten seconds to take those off before I start hurting you." Winter threatened, narrowing her eyes at the guards.
"No need." I said as the guards looked at eachother. With a wave of my hand all of the cuffs fell off and hit the floor, with everyone looking at me.
"You could do that the entire time!?" Nora yelled as she got in my face.
"Yes." I said as I rolled my wrists before crossing my arms.
"Dakota?" Ironwood asked, with me nodding. "I don't understand... You died?" He asked as he walked up to me.
"It's hard to explain... but it's me alright." I said as he looked at my hip, seeing the relic. "I believe that it would be best to continue this conversation in private." I said, with him nodding.
"Yes... Please, come in." Ironwood said as we followed Ironwood and the others into his office. "It is so good to see all of you." Ironwood said as he walked over to his desk.
"Our reception didn't really convey that." Yang said as she massaged her wrist.
"I sincerely regret how you were treated by my team." He said as he looked at each of us, rhen his eyes landed on me. "I take it from your report... that you were the one who, and I quote, "Tossed us around like we were toys?" Is that correct?" Ironwood asked, with everyone looking at me.
"Yeah, sounds about right." I said as I closed my eyes with a sigh. "I didn't want to hurt them, and they didn't want to listen, so I did what I had to do to get them to listen to me." I said as I opened my eyes to look him in the eyes.
Qrow rolls his eyes with a small huff, where Ironwood walks behind his desk to sit down, the other two take positions standing at either side of the desk. "When a rogue airship entered our airspace, it raised some… red flags. We assumed the ship was stolen." Ironwood said, with me looking at Ruby.
"Stolen?" Ruby said as she laughs awkwardly, before taking an apologetic tone. "Okay, yeah, it was stolen." Ruby said while rubbing the back of her head.
Ironwood's eyes widen in surprise. He then smiles, and his shoulders move a tiny bit with a silent chuckle. Winter, meanwhile, finds no humor in the situation.
"You stole an Atlas airship?" Winter scolded Weiss, who watches with a frown as Winter approaches her. "What were you thinking!? You might've been shot down! How unbelievably irresponsib-"
Weiss surprises and interrupts Winter by hugging her. "I'm sorry I worried you. But we did what we had to do." Weiss said as she closed her eyes, making me wonder hod strong her bond was with her sister.
Winter sighs and hugs back, calming down. "I suppose I understand." Winter said as she then turns her head to glare at Qrow. "But I cannot believe that you allowed this to happen, Qrow." She said, with me looking at said man.
"You try stopping these kids when they have their mind set on something. Especially with this one leading us." Qrow said, reaching out and running his hand jn my hair as he pushed my head down. "Speaking of which… We have some important information for you that's… confidential." Qrow said, with me looking back at Ironwood.
Winter returns to her position beside Ironwood's desk.
"Oh, is it about the Relics?" The red head asked as she stepped forward.
"Or perhaps the Winter Maiden?" Winter asked as she now stood beside Ironwood.
"You told them?" Qrow asked in shock.
"Sorry, whos the red girl?" I asked as I looked at Ruby.
"That's Penny." Ruhy said, with me nodding as I got her name.
Ironwood looks at the Relic of Knowledge, with me holding it up for them to see. "Did you really think you were the only one who got to work on a new plan after Beacon?" Ironwood asked as I handed it over to Ruby. "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." He said as he was gesturing to the Relic. "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." He said as he looks at each of us.
"But… what about the Atlas Relic?" Ruby asked, a bit concerned.
"You mean the Staff of Creation?" Ironwood clarified out of concern.
"It's safe inside the Vault!" Penny said as she placed her hands on her hips.
"And the Winter Maiden?" Qrow asked, but the way he asked was more of "Is she still alive" and not "How is she", which drew some concern from me.
"She is secure and in stable condition." Winter answered as she placed her hands behind her back.
"Stable condition? What does that-"
"She's, uh, not exactly a spring chicken." Qrow said as she interrupted Yang as she was about to question Winter on what shebhad just said.
"I know how this all looks. Recalling my military? The embargo? I probably don't seem the most trustworthy right now." Ironwood said, with me having an idea on what he was about to do.
"You can't possibly be thinking of telling everyone." I said, where everyone looked at me.
"You're... sharper than I remember." Ironwood said, shocking everyone else.
Stepping forward, I looked him in the eyes as I placed my hands on the desk. "What you're about to tell us, better be good, because if it isnt, I'm walking out those doors and you wont see this relic again." I said as we had a staring match, with Ironwood holding his hand up to stop Winter and Penny as they were about to act.
"I needed to ensure Salem couldn't infiltrate Atlas." Ironwood said as he backed off, with me doing the same as Blake and Yang pulled me back. "And I wanted my military here, protecting my people." He said as he looked from me to the others.
"But it's not protecting them! It's making everyone hate you." Yang nearly shouted in anger.
"It's a price I'm willing to pay." Ironwood said with a steel resolve. He then reaches over to a glowing panel of buttons on his desk and taps a button that resembles 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." He said, with me looking at Ruby as we weren't really trusted with it, we learned about it against Ozpins will.
Shutters come down outside the windows, darkening the room. A circle in the center of the floor bearing Atlas' emblem begins to rise up, prompting Ruby and Oscar to step off of it.
"Ozpin believed the best way to fight Salem was to do so in secret." Ironwood said as he made his way over to it, the circle continued to rise and transforms into a table. "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." He said, where I crossed my arms.
"And what do you suggest?" Qrow asked as he looked to Ironwood.
Ironwood brings out a tiny remote and presses a button, activating a hologram display of a colosseum, which hovers above the table. "That's… Amity Colosseum." Jaune said, with me looking at him and back at the colosseum.
"Where the Vytal Festival is held?" I asked as I walked around to the side.
"Indeed. 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." Ironwood said as he looked at me as I looked from him and then back at the colosseum.
He presses the button again, and the hologram Amity Colosseum gains an antenna atop it. We looked at eachother, as it wasn't looking too good. "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!" Penny said in excitement.
"By launching the tower high into the atmosphere, our scientists believe we can create a sort of-
"Global satellite." I interupted as I plced a hand on my chin. "Out of reach of the Grimm, and capable of maintaining global communications even if we were to lose another tower." I said, frowning as it wasnt just Grimm we were facing, but others who would want this kind of power.
"That is great." Ruby said with a small smile.
"James... let me guess, the next part is you telling. The people of Salem." Qrow said as he looked at me as I figured it out already.
"Yes." Ironwood said, where he let out a sigh. "Panic is inevitable, and panic brings Grimm." He said as he looked from Qrow to the others. "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."
"But everything will fall apart. Grimm will be everywhere!" Weiss said, not liking the plan.
"You're right, but Atlas is willing and prepared to assist." Winter said, with me looking at her.
"Trying to hide the truth from the world will eventually kill us all." Ironwood said as he walked over to Winter and stood beside her as he presses a button on his remote, and the hologram disappears, the table transforms and recedes into the floor and the shutters pull away from the windows.
"Oz spent his whole life, many lives, keeping this secret." Qrow said, with me looking at Qrow.
"I know. But since Beacon, things have changed." Ironwood said, with me thinking on telling him or not as Ironwood begins heading back to his desk. "Without him here to guide us, all I can do is use my best judgment." He said, where Oscar shifts uncomfortably. As if sensing something, Ironwood stops and looks back, where I would of preferred to keep that information a secret. "What is it?"
"Actually, Oz isn't completely gone." Oscar said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Uh, Oscar here is… is the next Ozpin." Qrow said, with me walking over to Ruby.
"We keep me a secret." I whispered as I turned to face them, with her nodding her head ever so slightly.
"Oz?" Ironwood said at the same time, smiling. He quickly and eagerly approaches Oscar, who looks nervous. "I'm so glad you're here. I didn't think you-"
Oscar puts his hands up and interrupts Ironwood, as the latter crouches to Oscar's level. "Not quite. He's kind of, um, gone... at the moment." Oscar informed, where Ironwood's smile fades, and he lowers his head.
"That's not normal." Ironwood said as he looks back up. "How did he-"
"We don't know." Ruby interrupted as she didn't want him to know the truth, that Ozpin was in the middle of a mental break down and didn't know what to do. "We were in a train crash, and ever since, well… suddenly, Oz wasn't there anymore." Ruby lied, lowering her head in shame as she did so.
"That's the worst news yet." Ironwood said, rising to his feet. "Did you learn anything from him about the Relics before…?"
"He told us the lamp can answer three questions. But all the questions were used up already." Ruby said as she looked from me to him, where Blake and Yang looked at each other.
"Right, right." Ironwood said as he walks back behind his desk and stares out the window. "Ozpin told us that too, once upon a time." He said, with me getting ready to reach for my lightsaber as he turned to face us. "At least we have you, Oscar." He said, where I relaxed. "You're safe here in Atlas. Maybe together we can figure out how to bring Ozpin back." He said, with Oscar grinning.
"Thank you, sir." Oscar said while he stands at attention. "I mean, uh, general. Uh, Ironwood?" He corrected while smiling awkwardly.
"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 the relic." Ironwood said as he looked at me. "For the time being, I think it's safest with the people who brought it here." He said, with Ruby handing it back to me.
"Um, thank you." Ruby said as I hooked the relic onto my belt, exchanging a look with Oscar.
"We must work together if we're to fight Salem and win. Now, if you're all on board." Ironwood said, with me lookinf at Ruby.
Ruby thinks it over for a few seconds, then looks at Ironwood. "Tell us how we can help." She said, with me looking back at Ironwood.
"Good, because getting the Amity Tower ready to launch won't be easy." Ironwood said, walking back to his desk. "But first, I think we need to get those weapons of yours up to our standards." He said as a hologram screen appears, showing footage of Blake drawing her broken katana before their fight against the Sabyrs in Mantle.
Looking at Blake, she reacts with embarrassment. "You tried." I said while reaching up and rubbing her head, smirking at her as she continued to shrink in embarrassment.
"Remember, this is Atlas." Winter said as we looked at her. "While assisting the military, we will provide you with the best equipment our scientists can devise." She said, impressing the others.
"Really?" Ren said with a smile.
"Yeah!" Yang cheered as she pumped her fist into the air.
"I'm good." I said, with them looking at me. "I need to get back to the temple... I need to see them." I said, with Ironwood nodding his head. It wasn't the whole truth, but it had some of it.
"Your parents... I understand." Ironwood said as he closed his eyes. "I'll have an airship waiting for you... do you want an escort?" He asked, where I shook my head. "I see, then we will see you later than." He said as we turned around to leave.
Upon exiting Ironwood's office, we looked down the stairs at the Ace-Ops.
"So, that was the second time I got banned. Then there was the third time when-"
"Alright, cut the chatter." Their leader said, where I looked at the wall as there was a hologram displaying Atlas Academy News. The first bulletin explains that the administration restroom is closed due to flooding from a "decimated toilet", followed by instructions to use the upper barracks restroom instead while the administration restroom is being repaired.
The second bulletin is about an upcoming "monthly all-hands meeting", during which they will honor Penny as employee of the month and show the results for a competition that was held. The bulletin also says that Ironwood holds open office hours once a month and to reach out to Stephanie Santiago to schedule a 15-minute slot with him.
The third bulletin reads as follows:
"ELECTION WATCH PARTY"
"Come join to watch the results of Robyn Hill versus Jacques Schnee Free food and drink in the Main Atrium of the Academy"
This bit got my attention as we walked down the stairs, with the Ace-Ops approach us.
"I'd like to sincerely apologize for the miscommunication down in Mantle. We didn't intend to-"
Suddenly, the tank of the group pushes her way past the leader and controller and begins frantically shaking Ruby's hand, accidentally flailing her about in the air.
"I feel so bad, honestly! If we had known who you were, we'd be laughing over a hot meal right now and-"
"Okay, that's enough!" I said as I separated them as Ruby fell to the dloor, dizzy. "I believe introductions are in order." I said as I looked at them. "Im Dakota, this is Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Jaune, Nora, Ren, Qrow and Oscar." I introduced as I pointed at each of us.
"I understand." The leader said with a smile. "I'm Clover, and the team is Elm, Marrow, Vine and Harriet." Clover said, holding his hand out to me, which I took.
"I've heard great things, I expect to see it in action some day." I said as I looked at the others. "Well, I'm off, I've got a airship to get to." I said as I walked off, with me stopping Blake before she spoke up. "Sorry, I've got to go alone." I said as I turned around and walked out of the large room, leaving them alone.
Later
The landscape of Mantel was ever-busy, a cacophony of life amidst the towering Atlas. I approached the now-silent halls of the Temple. It had been years since it fell, leaving behind shadows of its former self. The Temple stood like a ghost of its former glory, its once-pure white walls now tarnished and crumbling. Great banners that had once proudly proclaimed my family's name lay tattered on the ground, remnants of hope lost to time.
As I stood at the gates of the Temple, the weight of my stolen past compelled me to return, to pay homage to my fallen family. As I stepped inside, the air thickened with the weight of memories. The grand halls echoed with the whispers of long-lost, the vibrant laughter of children, and the stern but kind teachings of the parents. Each corner reminded me of friends who had been lost.
I wandered through the Archives, the rows of knowledge feeling like a garden overrun. Dust layered the texts, warning her of forgotten history. I traced my fingers across the spines, feeling more than the physicality of the books; it was as if they were alive, breathing the pain of their demise. Somewhere in this vast storage of wisdom lay the teachings of those who had fought valiantly against the Grimm, and fell to Rika.
"Rika." I whispered to the empty room, my voice hanging like a shroud. "Rika... where are you now?" I asked as I half expected her to already be here and waiting. The silence answered me, a void that echoed in my very soul.
Continuing deeper into the Temple, I reached the Grand Council Chamber. The circular room was stark without its Council members, their empty seats a haunting testament to betrayal. Kneeling on the cold floor, tears streamed down my weathered cheeks as I faced my parents seats.
With a breath steeped in remembrance, I began to meditate, allowing the emotions to ebb and flow. The shadows of grief intermingled with bursts of light—moments filled with laughter and learning, courage and hope. The Temple itself felt alive with their essence, a sanctuary for their spirits.
After what seemed like an eternity, I stood and took a final look around the room. The echoes of my family lingered, warming my heart despite the pain. I had come for closure, to honor their sacrifices. As I walked over to my fathers chair, I pressed the button on the side and a staircase opened up from the middle of the room, with me walking down it.
I felt drawn deeper into the depths of the Temple, an irresistible pull guiding me toward shadows long untouched. The echo of my footsteps reverberated through the empty halls, each step weaving a deeper connection to a time when hope flourished within these walls.
The descent felt surreal, as if I was stepping back through time. The further I went, the thicker the atmosphere became, pulsating with anticipation. Finally, I emerged into a vast chamber. Crates lined the walls, containing relics of battles fought and secrets long buried. But what captivated me was the shimmering archway that stood prominently at the center of the room: The Doors.
I approached the ornate doors, their surface carved with intricate designs. Reflected light danced across the engravings, casting unsettling shapes on the stone walls. My heart quickened as I placed my hand on the cool metal, feeling a surge of connection surge through me. The Force resonated here, it was strong, like a heartbeat.
"I never thought I would see what lies inside this place." I murmured. With a deep breath, I summoned my strength. "I request passage." I stated with conviction, wishing deeply to honor those who had come before me and failed. The air shimmered around me, and I felt the weight of those presence; it was as if the doors were responding to my plea. Slowly, they began to part, creaking under the weight of time.
As the doors swung open, a soft glow poured out, revealing rows upon rows of lightsabers suspended in ethereal light. Each weapon was unique, some with ornate hilts, others stark and practical, each resonating with the history of the Jedi who had wielded them. A dance of colors flickered in the shadows of the room, inviting me deeper.
Simply getting in was the first test, finding the true lightsaber was the second one. I stepped forward, captivated by the sight. I reached out, brushing my fingers over the hilt of a brightly colored lightsaber, its body pulsing with forgotten energy. As I held it, memories flooded my mind, whispers of a Jedi long gone, their resolute spirit resonating through me.
"Your lightsaber is a part of you." The Master of the blade said, as if it was a voice of the past. "Choose wisely, for it reflects your essence." He said, with me shaking my head.
The truth of those words echoed in the back of my mind. I could feel the energy of lost Masters pour into me as I breathed in the weight of their legacy. I thought of all those who had been lost, their determination, their sacrifice, their hopes for a brighter future. I began to walk along the rows, searching for a connection, a sense of familiarity guiding my path.
At the end of the display, a hilt quietly called to me. It was unadorned but felt powerful in my grasp. The metal was cool and smooth, the weight balanced perfectly in my palm. As I ignited it, a reverse color of my blade shot forth, illuminating the chamber with a warm glow, remnants of a hope that had not yet been extinguished.
The familiar hum vibrated through me, awakening memories of my training. I closed my eyes, allowing the Force to wash over me, filling me with purpose and clarity. Turning the saver off, I placed it on my other hip, where the rows of lightsabers were pulled into the ground. Walking out of the room, I looked back at the doors as they closed, with me placing a hand on it one last time before leaving.
As odd as it sounds, I feel even more whole that I used to.