(3rd Person POV)

Aloysius walked up the steps of the mountain, holding a giant tree over his shoulder, muttering to himself as he made his way up the steps.

He looked down at his feet, worrying about the situation, but continued on, looking up at where his home was.

He paused... And looked closer at the home, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes, thinking.

Suddenly he sprinted away, bursting forward with short jumps of teleportation, closing the distance to his home, closer and closer.

As he made his way to the top, he paused, looking at the destruction. 

The house had been burned down, the crops destroyed, nothing left standing as he slowly walked forward.

He then heard a whimper to the side, and ran over, kneeling down as Hana tried to crawl along, bleeding from multiple places, the wounds too deep to recover from.

He picked her up in his arms, whispering soothing words as she whimpered in pain. He cradled her head, trying to make the end as peaceful and painless as possible.

She let out a soft yip, and he smiled.

Aloysius: Good girl...

He looked away, letting a single tear escape as he thought back to when he found her, when he gave her to Renata.

He then looked back, her eyes glazed over, and he stood up with her in his hands. 

A hoard of Grimm flew in, all heading towards the burning house, going to finish the job.

Suddenly, a pillar of rock, similar to the size of Beacon Tower slammed into the creatures, instantly killing them, and slamming into the ground, sending a giant shockwave towards Aloysius and Hana.

He sighed, before looking down at Hana.

Aloysius: We'll save her. If I lose her... The Demonic would surely take over.

With that, a lightning bolt hit him, and he was gone, as the shockwave rushed through, destroying his home.

From below, the Stranger looked up at the disappearing man, sighing. He grabbed onto the teal amulet, concentrating as he vanished.

A lone girl with black hair tied back into short pigtails was on her knees in the middle of a dim spotlight, slowly scrubbing a wooden floor. 

In the present day, Cinder scraped the claws of her Grimm hand against an airship seat to the same slow rhythm of the girl scrubbing the floor. 

Neopolitan was sitting in the seat, piloting the airship. Thunder rumbled, and red lightning illuminated the dark clouds ahead, revealing Monstra. Focused on the whale, Cinder moved to her right to stand between the pilot's and co-pilot's seats.

Cinder: There.

Neo looked at Cinder and then at the whale with a frown. The airship flew past Manticores and Teryxes, soon arriving at a landing bay within the whale's flesh. She landed the ship on the platform furthest to the left.

Some time later, Neo and Cinder walked up a set of bone stairs, leading to a large chamber. In the middle of this chamber, Salem was sitting on a throne made of bone.

Neo stopped and stared with her mouth slightly open, before walking forward to stand beside Cinder. She watched as Cinder knelt and placed her right hand to her chest.

Cinder: My queen.

Salem stood from her throne and turned to face Cinder.

Salem: Cinder.

Salem slowly descended the steps of the platform on which her throne rested.

Salem: When I chose you as my vessel for the Maidens, I put my trust in you. So, I trust that you wouldn't possibly return to me empty-handed.

Cinder held out the Relic of Knowledge.

Cinder: The Relic of Knowledge. I took it right from under Ironwood's nose.

Upon hearing this, Neo blinked her eyes rapidly in disbelief and looked at Cinder with an indignant expression. She then crossed her arms and glared. Tyrian Callows' voice then drew her attention.

Tyrian: Outsmarting the general speaks less to your intellect and... more to his.

Tyrian stepped out from the shadows behind Cinder while Salem took the Lamp. He began walking across the room.

Tyrian: After all, you were outsmarted by those children first.

Cinder: And according to radio chatter, that same general and his forces outsmarted you. A shame Watts never made it back.

Tyrian: I'm afraid the doctor was a necessary sacrifice.

He pointed his tail at Neo.

Tyrian: I do hope this little one doesn't become another.

Neo glared at Tyrian and lowered her arms with her fists clenched. Cinder turned to look at Salem, who adopted a look of suspicious curiosity as she spoke.

Salem: Who is she?

Cinder: Neopolitan has some very useful abilities and has proven to be a valuable asset.

Neo looked somewhat upset by Cinder's use of the word "asset".

Salem: Hmm, you certainly do enjoy collecting assets.

Neo lowered her gaze, clearly displeased. The squelching noise of the nearby membrane door caught her attention, and she turned to see Emerald, Mercury and Hazel entering the room. Upon laying eyes on Cinder, Emerald smiled.

Emerald: Cinder.

Emerald began running across the chamber toward Cinder.

Emerald: You're here! I knew you'd co--

Cinder: Quiet.

Emerald stopped with a hurt expression on her face, glancing at Tyrian who clicked his tongue in disappointment.

Tyrian: So devoted to someone so incompetent. While the good doctor and I were advancing the will of our goddess, dismembering the very body of this kingdom... you were merely atoning for past failures.

Cinder glared intensely at him.

Cinder: Polendina's creation interfered with the transfer of the Winter Maiden power... but now I know she has it. And once I return to Atlas, it won't take long to finish what I started. That power will be mine.

Cinder's expression turned from anger and confidence to surprise as Salem lifted her hand to shush her.

Salem: I've given no such command.

Salem approached her throne, and Cinder shook her head in confusion.

Cinder: Ma'am, now is the time to--

Cinder cut off as Salem rested her hand on the throne. The glowing red holes on the back of the throne lit up more brightly. Salem's hand produced a red shockwave, and in response, a red design on the floor began sending out repeated shockwaves, which moved across the fleshy walls. 

As Salem spoke, a bright glow could be seen pulsating through red lines that led out from the throne across the floor in several directions. She walked away from the throne with her back to everyone else, and a dark fog cleared from the wall at the front of the room, revealing a view of the City of Atlas.

Salem: This game is not yours to win, Cinder, it's mine. Just because you're more valuable to me than a pawn, does not make you a player. Everything is already in motion. All you need concern yourself with is your ability to act when I tell you to.

Cinder: Of course.

Cinder lowered her head.

Cinder: Without you, I am nothing.

Salem's frown turned to a smile, and she lifted her hand to wave them off. As dark clouds drifted in between the whale and Atlas, Salem turned and walked back toward her throne with the Relic of Knowledge in her hands.

Then, a growl was heard on the other side of the room. 

Salem turned to the growl to see the Hound, stalking forward with (Y/N) hanging loosely in its jaws.

Salem: It seems that we have a guest.

The Hound dropped the man on the ground who groaned, before slowly opening his eyes and looking around.

Salem walked down the steps to come closer to him, nodding as the Hound hoisted him up, holding him eye level with Salem.

Salem: It seems people forget about you very easily. All except one... I heard your talk with Ruby Rose. Was it pleasant?

(Y/N) nodded his head, looking down at his hands, not meeting her gaze.

(Y/N): I had to fulfill my promise to her at th....

Suddenly he slashed backwards at the Hound, who dropped him, and he quickly shot Salem in the head, before firing a gravity bullet at her, throwing himself away.

He tried to stand up, but screamed in pain as his feet rolled around, unnaturally, with him unable to move his lower body, the wounds on his back opening up once again, blood dripping, and the Hound was immediately on him, slamming his head into the ground, his body going limp.

Salem regenerated her head, and walked to the boy, looking at him on the ground.

Salem: He'll be easier to keep under control at least. 

She then turned to the Hound, gesturing to him.

Salem: Take him away.

Footsteps could be heard as her Grimm began leaving, a body being dragged along. 

Oscar and numerous Faunus were gathered in the slums in the crater beneath Atlas, using blankets and Schnee Dust Company crates as seats. 

An older man with furry clawed hands stepped out of a small home made from corrugated metal and thrusted a bowl of something at Oscar, who looked confused. The man gave an encouraging nod, and Oscar took a sip from the bowl.

Oscar: Thank you.

Oscar handed the bowl back, and the man gave a nod and a grunt in response before walking away.

Ozpin: Heads up.

A small Atlas airship flew overhead, and the Faunus fled the area. Oscar picked up The Long Memory and stood up, watching the ship with suspicion. The side door slid open to reveal Ruby, who waved.

Ruby: Need a lift?

Oscar relaxed, and was soon after inside the ship with Ruby, Weiss and Maria as it flew over Mantle.

Oscar: I was stupid to think the general would listen. Every choice I've made was the wrong one, and now...

The ship flew over a street where people were using fires to keep warm while a Grimm siren blared.

Ruby: We all did what we thought was best. I'm just glad you're alright.

Ruby placed her hand on his shoulder and offered a comforting smile. Below, Joanna peeked out at the ship from around a corner, and then stepped out into the open and waved her arms at it. Maria, who was piloting the ship, looked down at her.

Maria: Yeah, yeah, I see you.

Maria lowered the ship to land, and she, Ruby, Weiss and Oscar soon hurried down a sidewalk to Joanna, who ushered them into an alleyway.

Joanna: Inside! Hurry!

A camera drone came hovering along, and just as it turned to look at Joanna, she shot it down and then ran into the alley.

Inside a restaurant kitchen, May leaned over a map on the counter, speaking over a communication device. While she talked, Ruby, Weiss, Oscar, Maria and Joanna walked inside and headed across the kitchen.

May: I know, Sector 3 is going to need the most help. I'm sending backup your way right now. Fiona, do you copy? We need transport from Sector 3 to the crater.

Fiona: Copy!

In the dining area, Jaune, Yang, Blake, Ren and Nora were sitting at tables while Penny and Pietro watched the news. The news network was displaying a "Fugitives" notice for Team RWBY, Team JNR, Oscar, Maria, Penny, Pietro and (Y/N).

News: Once heroes, are now fugitives on the run. Many in Mantle are left to wonder what the future will--

As Ruby's group entered the room, Nora turned and stood from her chair, smiling. She approached Oscar, who recoiled in fear, turned his head to the side, closed his eyes and put his hands up to stop the tackle that he assumed was coming. 

Instead, Nora calmly walked over and hugged him, much to his surprise. He relaxed and hugged back, and Weiss and Ruby smiled at the scene.

Blake: When we heard you went off after Ironwood on your own, we...

Nora let go and walked away.

Weiss: How did you end up down in the slums?

Oscar: It's a... 

Oscar sighed.

Oscar: Long story. I get the feeling there's been a few of those tonight.

Everyone looked at Penny, who looked down at her hands.

Ozpin: You're not going to tell them?

Oscar: You and I aren't done talking yet.

Oscar's eyes widened slightly as he realized some people were missing from the group.

Oscar: Where's Qrow and (Y/N)?

Ren, Blake and Yang lowered their gazes, and Jaune looked toward Blake and Yang before looking down, as well.

Ruby: We don't know where Qrow is. The last we heard he was with Robyn. And (Y/N)... I'm not quite sure. He talked to me, but then all I heard was Grimm, and...

Joanna entered from the kitchen.

Joanna: Alright, your friend is back now.

She walked further into the room to stand in front of them.

Joanna: You ready to work?

She was met with silence. Joanna turned to look through a box of supplies and continued talking.

Joanna: The largest Grimm horde ever seen is hovering over the tundra, and out there is a city full of people with no heat and, from what you told us, no more military protection. And while we're happy to give you guys a place to lie low for a while... It's time to get those people some help.

Ren: How? Ironwood is stopping all evacuations to Atlas. And we can't get them out of the city with Salem's forces surrounding us.

Joanna: The crater. Beneath Atlas. It's not safe, but it's warm, and with everyone in one place, we can do a better job protecting them. May can send you where you're needed most. We've got to get everyone down into that crater before nightfall. In the slums, we might have a chance.

She turned and headed back toward the kitchen.

Weiss: We're never going to sleep again, I just know it.

Joanna stopped with her hand on the door and turned to look at Weiss.

Joanna: Either you're helping... or you're baggage.

She then exited into the kitchen. Yang got up and moved to stand in front of everyone.

Yang: We need to get out there and do what we can for Mantle.

While Yang spoke, a view of the near future showed Yang running through an alley in Mantle. As present day Ruby began speaking, future Yang spotted a pair of Sabyrs around the corner and hid against the wall.

Ruby: We need to do what we can for everyone. What about Amity? And telling the world about Salem? We can't do this alone. We need help.

Future Yang moved to sneak away from the Sabyrs but was distracted when she stepped on a watch on the sidewalk. It was then that she noticed an abandoned suitcase and a photo of three friends.

Blake: Ruby's right. The Happy Huntresses are handling the evacuation better than we could. And there's a bigger picture.

The view switched back to present day Yang.

Yang: But Amity isn't even finished. It was still under construction.

Ruby turned to Pietro.

Ruby: Doctor? What would you need to launch Amity now?

Pietro: Uh... We've made decent progress on construction and fuel collection, all potentially manageable, but uh... hmm... Amity was designed so it couldn't launch itself without first being granted clearance from General Ironwood's terminal.

Yang turned to Ruby with her arms crossed and lowered her arms as she spoke. Ruby, meanwhile, was thinking.

Yang: Ruby, there is no way Ironwood will cooperate with us.

Ruby: But he doesn't have to. We just need the green light from his terminal, right?

Yang: You want to go back to the academy?

The view changed to Ruby on a Mantle rooftop in the near future, as she hurried with her hood on her head and hid from a drone camera behind an air conditioning unit.

Pietro: Actually... there is more than one terminal. The one in his office and uh... one in the main Atlesian Military Compound... at the base of the city.

Future Ruby lowered her hood and peeked over the air conditioning unit to look up at the underside of Atlas. She then started contemplating, and the view changed back to present day Pietro.

Pietro: You'd have to get into the compound somehow, then, uh, get inside the operations room, and then... hoo boy... I might need to think about this some more.

Oscar looked at Ruby.

Oscar: And just to clarify, this is the easy option?

Yang: What you're saying is it can't be done. It's pointless. And even if you got the message out, there's no guarantee help would come.

Ruby became annoyed while Yang spoke.

Ruby: It's not pointless! Atlas is only Salem's current target. She's not hiding anymore and once she's done here she'll move on to the rest of Remnant. We need to warn them!

Yang stood in silence for a moment.

Yang: Ruby... when we came here, we said we'd follow your lead... but... things haven't exactly worked out.

Ruby recoiled somewhat with a mix of emotions on her face. Yang's statement elicited various reactions from Weiss, Nora, Oscar and Penny, as well.

Yang: I just--

Ren stepped forward, interrupting Yang.

Ren: There are people here who need us right now.

The view changed back to Yang in the near future, as future Ren approached her. They nodded to each other.

Ren: That's something we can actually do.

Nora: But this isn't about just Atlas. Ruby's right. It's about all of Remnant.

Future Yang looked away from Ren, who looked somewhat saddened. The view changed to future Ruby, still looking over the air conditioning unit, as future Nora placed her hand on her shoulder. Future Ruby turned to look at her.

Nora: They need to know in Vacuo, in Mistral, in Vale, what's coming.

The view shifted back to present day Nora.

Nora: So they can prepare.

Jaune stepped between Ren and Nora, putting his hands up to each of them.

Jaune: Okay. Okay... Then let's go for both.

He gestured to Nora and then Ren.

Jaune: Get Amity up and running and evacuate Mantle.

Ruby: But that's how Salem got this far - by dividing us. We have to stick together.

Oscar: No. What Salem wants is to turn us against each other. Just like this. Jaune has a point. We can work separately and still be united.

Penny: Or... let me take the Relic to Salem... and maybe she will call off her attack on the Kingdom.

Oscar: I don't think we can trust Salem to actually do that. And the moment she uses the Staff to create anything else, Atlas falls onto Mantle.

Yang: Nobody's turning you over to anybody.

She gave a stern look toward Ruby and Nora.

Yang: I think that's the one thing we could all agree on.

Ruby: Okay. Then I guess we're going to Atlas.

She then started speaking to Pietro.

Ruby: Can you help us get to that terminal?

Pietro: I... suppose someone needs to help you bypass security.

Penny: I'll go.

Pietro looked at Penny, who had her back turned.

Pietro: Penny, we can't risk--

Penny turned to look at him, activating the Maiden flares in her eyes with a determined expression.

Penny: I'll go.

Yang: Do what you've got to do. I'm going out there to see what I could do.

Yang began walking toward the kitchen, and Blake watched her with a sad expression.

Pietro: Yang.

Yang stopped and looked at Pietro, who tossed her a key. As she looked at the key, the view changed again to future Yang, who looked at Pietro's pharmacy.

Pietro: Go by the pharmacy. I was developing some new tools for you all before... this happened. You're going to need them.

Future Yang turned and looked at Ren, who turned to share a nod with Jaune and Oscar.

Ren: Nora?

Nora: I'm going with Ruby.

Future Ren looked somewhat sad.

Ren: But what about Mantle?

Nora: Oh, I'm saving Mantle! Because I actually believe we can do this.

On the rooftop with future Ruby, future Nora had a somewhat sad expression, but then mustered up a look of determination. She walked over to Ruby, Blake and Weiss. This view of the future became the new present. Blake put her hand on Ruby's shoulder.

Blake: Hey, we're still united.

Ruby: I hope so.

Maria: I can get Pietro out to Amity to prepare, but that doesn't answer how we're getting all of you up to Atlas.

Weiss: I might actually have an idea f--

A beeping tone started playing from someone's scroll. The girls looked confused, and Blake, Ruby and Nora checked their scrolls. The four of them then turned to look at Penny, who was holding her ringing scroll, unsure of what to do. The scroll's screen said:

Incoming Call

General Ironwood

Penny nervously tapped the Talk icon, accepting the call.

Ironwood: Hello, Penny. I'm worried for your safety. Tell me where you are and I'll have you picked up right away. Atlas needs you, Penny. Salem is here.

Ruby walked over to Penny, who allowed her to take the scroll.

Ruby: She's not going anywhere until you change your mind about Mantle. There's still a chance for Remnant to be--

Ironwood: Mantle... You're still worried about Mantle? Remnant is doomed, Ruby. Unless we leave, Salem will destroy Atlas and with it, any hope Humanity has left. We need to think about the future. If she makes it through our defenses, everything that follows will be on your hands.

With Ironwood's final statement, Penny tensed, became worried, and then leaned into a hug from Ruby. Ruby's brave face faltered, and she looked somewhat worried, as Penny whispered to her.

Penny: The plan will work. People will come to help, and we will save (Y/N)...

In an Atlas medical facility, Marrow, Vine, Elm and Harriet were staring at Clover's corpse on a table in front of them. 

Marrow was saddened, Vine was stoic, and Elm and Harriet were angry. Ironwood watched them through the window of Winter's patient room across the hall, while Atlas technicians checked on Winter.

Ironwood had retrieved his black gun and had his injured left arm replaced with a prosthesis. He looked at his new left hand, flexing his fingers, and then looked over to the door as an Atlas crewmate entered the room and saluted him. He briefly saluted back, and they both placed their hands behind their backs.

Crewmate: Sir, the prisoners have arrived. They're being processed in Stockade B.

He nodded with an affirming grunt, and the crewmate left.

Winter: Qrow and Robyn?

Winter winced as one of the technicians made her bend her wrist back.

Ironwood: Could you give us the room, please?

The technicians promptly exited the room, and Winter gave him a reassuring smile.

Winter: I'll be fine.

She struggled to curl her fingers into a fist, grimacing, leaving Ironwood unconvinced. His expression softened slightly, and he relaxed his stance.

Ironwood: Thank you, Winter. I don't know what I would do without you.

He turned away.

Ironwood: I've never-- no one has seen a Grimm force this large before. The city's Hard-Light shields will hold, but not forever.

Winter: What will you do... sir?

Atlas Technician: Wait, you can't be in here!

In the hallway, the technicians who had been tending Winter moved forward with their hands up to stop Councilmen Camilla and Sleet from approaching.

Sleet: This is absurd! Let us through!

Ironwood watched through the window, and Harriet stepped out of the room across the hall and watched with her hand on her hip.

Camilla: I told you, we need to speak to the general!

Ironwood: I'm going to do everything I can to defend this kingdom.

Camilla and Sleet pushed their way past the technicians.

Camilla: What in God's name do you think you're doing, James?

Ironwood: No matter the cost.

With his hands clasped behind his back again, Ironwood calmly walked through the door and into the hall.

Sleet: And what's this about martial law? Have you lost your damn mind? Are you that scared of what--

As he made it into the middle of the hall, Ironwood drew his white gun and shifted his stance, aiming and immediately firing a single shot at Sleet, who couldn't be seen from Winter's view of the window. As Ironwood took aim, Camilla's eyes widened, and she turned to look at Sleet, bringing her arms up close to her chest and screaming in terror as the gun fired. 

Elm, Vine and Marrow had been watching the councilmen while Ironwood walked into the hall, and when the gun fired, Vine maintained his stoic expression, while Elm and Marrow's eyes widened in shock. 

All three look at Ironwood, who lowered his gun. Camilla was staring wide-eyed at where Sleet stood, and Sleet had gone completely silent. She hyperventilated and looked at Ironwood.

Ironwood turned and walked in the opposite direction down the hall, holstering his gun, while Winter and Harriet watched. 

Harriet looked at Winter, then lowered her gaze. Winter sat there, processing what had happened with her mouth slightly agape. She closed her mouth and frowned.

Back inside Monstra, a fleshy membrane door tore open. Salem stood on the other side holding the Relic of Knowledge.

Salem: I have questions for you.

She held the Relic out to a Grimm, the Hound. It sniffed the Relic and opened its gaping maw slightly.

Salem: But first I need the one who can show me how. Bring him to me...

The Hound growled menacingly.

Until next time!