Chapter Text
After fleeing the Rwby team managed to sneak into Atlas with the relic.
“ manta 510 welcome home" The loudspeaker sounded on the ship, however, the crew weren't paying much attention they were too busy looking around as hundreds of Atlas ships were deployed into the sky. Nothing but nervousness and confusion filled the air of the ship as everyone wondered what was happening. “Please continue your approach to Atlas docking bay a security team will meet with you there," said dispatch.
" I don't understand what's happening here," said Ruby with an anxious look across her face. There shouldn't be this many ships in the sky Atlas is supposed to be a peaceful business city. With all her confusion she couldn't help but wonder how Weiss was feeling, being home after running away must be giving her Girlfriend tons of mixed feelings.
" I don't know kid but it can’t be good," Qrow said keeping a vigilant eye in case he had to leap into action.
" we're here we got the lamp to Atlas so I guess we land and get some answers" Jaune spoke up trying to sound as calm as possible. he didn't want to frighten Oscar.
" I'm not so sure," Weiss said gaining a look from everyone onboard " I've never seen our forces deployed so aggressively before, If we land in a stolen ship there's no way the security crew will let us anywhere near Ironwood they might even take me back to my father” Weiss stated to anyone else she'd sounded calm and collected as she usually does but to Ruby she heard the fear in her girlfriend's voice. If they landed and Weiss was taken to her father Ruby didn't know what she would do. She would never let that happen however no matter what she was gonna keep Weiss away from that monster.
" sooo" Blake started but was immediately cut off.
" winter!" Weiss yelled excited to speak to her sister again. Ruby smiled she knew just how much Weiss missed her sister she was glad even under these predicaments she'd get to see her. " put some distance between us and the fleet" she commanded walking away to call her sister.
" don't gotta tell me twice' Maria said moving the ship away from the fleet.
Mantle seems quiet only a few people roamed the streets it almost looked a bit depressing from an outside view. The ship hovered over the streets allowing the team looked around confusion and sadness written on all their faces. Then again they were exhausted looking around they could see a broadcast from Ironwood alerting the people of Atlas that even with the trouble outside the kingdom is still strong and protected.
" General Ironwood he looks" Yang started trailing off, sad is what she wanted to say Ironwood looked run down and tired bags under his eyes stumble on his chin it was clear he hasn't gotten a proper night's sleep in a while.
" Tired," Ruby said sadness in her voice Yang nodded in agreement. She remembered how she felt losing Ozpin she couldn’t imagine what Ironwood was feeling considering Ozpin was his long time friend.
" James what have you been doing," Qrow said to no one but himself disappointment evident in his voice. He knew his friend well whatever he's been doing he's been running himself dry.
"This can't be right none of this is," Weiss said skeptically as she looked at the streets. Children throwing rocks at the patrol drowns, Officers, patrolling the streets. The place she once knew is now a police capital. Winter was not picking up the phone it seems she has called multiple times no response. All the excitement she’s experienced earlier was gone it was now replaced with sadness. Ruby picked up on this and moved to be beside her.
" hey are you okay," She asked trying to keep her voice calm and hushed as to not let anybody else hear.
" she's not picking up, the city shouldn't look like this Ruby I don't know what going on but this isn't right none of it is," she said letting the nervousness escape her voice so Ruby reached over and held her hand.
“ whatever's going on we will be fine I got you we'll figure this out," She said rubbing her thumb over her girlfriend's hand bring it to her lips for a kiss she felt Weiss relax under her touch.
“I hope so I've never seen mantle like this " she stated looking out the window leaning into her girlfriend's embrace.
" Mantle 510 we've noticed a detour in your route you are to make your way to the dock immediately" Once again everyone ignored the speaker.
" we're kinda running out of time here kids" Maria stated matter of factly.
" We need to ditch this ship," Yang said right now they are easily trackable and that could never be good news.
“agreed," said Qrow knowing full well if they get caught they will be arrested.
" I'm telling you winter can get us a conversation with general ironwood," Weiss said however as soon as she spoke Winter came on the projected screen.
" Uh, Weiss," Blake said gaining Weiss's attention.
" Failure to cooperate with Atlas personal is a punishable offense..." Winter stated it was clear she was on the side of the general the site of her sister shocked Weiss.
" winter," she said sadness evident in her voice. How could her sister be involved in this, is this why she wasn't answering her calls.
" no offense Weiss I'm not so sure that's a good idea anymore" Qrow stated the obvious causing something to snap in Weiss.
" There's something very wrong if we can just talk to her then we can," Weiss said aggressively trying to give her sister the benefit of the doubt.
" look, I don't even think we should be talking to Ironwood until we know what's going on in mantle" Qrow argued back he was not about to let some teenager get him caught. He knew what happens in these situations and he'll be damn if he gets sent to prison because Weiss wants to reason with her soldier sister.
" but... " Weiss started.
" Babe calm down I think Qrows right we need to figure out what's going on before making any decisions," Ruby said she's still the leader so Weiss had no choice but to listen. So Weiss huffed and walked to the back of the ship. Ruby sighed that's a situation for another time she mentally stated she needed to figure out what's going on.
" I think I know someone who can help," Maria said cutting into the tension on the ship.
" MANTA 510 MAKE YOUR WAY.." The speaker rang out but Maria turns them off.
" geez lady take a hint" she stated moving the ship to where she needed to go. Parking the ship in an alley the crew began their trip following behind Maria. Before Ruby could get to Weiss to apologize she walked ahead indicating she didn’t want to be spoken to.
" cheer up kid she's just on edge just give her some space" Yang said seeing the sad look on her sister's face.
" cmon now hurry, it shouldn't be much of a walk" Maria exclaimed while the crew looked around at the streets making sure to stay alert in case something were to happen.
"Is this many soldiers normal?" Jaune asked striking up a conversation with Weiss in hopes of distracting her from her thoughts
" No at least I don't think so," She said not really in the mood for talking. Being in a mantle made her nervous. While they were walking a patrol drown took a picture of Yang in which she instinctive kicked it causing a truck to run it over. She turned to everyone nervously.
" maybe we should pick up the pace," she said rubbing the back of her neck. Blake rolled her eyes but trailed behind while everyone moved forward.
" Why'd you murder the poor drown" She teased causing Yang to blush.
" I didn't want that picture getting back to Ironwood if it did we'd have one hell of a welcome committee looking for us" Yang joked laughing causing Blake to roll her eyes again but holding her girlfriend's hand.
”geez I gotta keep you out of trouble now don't I, " Blake asked jokingly lacing their finger together.
" please you love trouble just as much as I do," Yang said kissing her on the lips causing the cat fanus to blush she simply hummed in reply.
“This whole city just seems awful," Blake said looking around in disappointment.
" Yeah, you don't like it here there's plenty of space in the tundra," A drunken man said causing Yang to place blake behind her. It was clear the man was drunk he reeked of Alcohol and Yang would be damned if he tried to pick a fight with Blake.
" Sorry I didn't mean to" Blake started to apologize in hopes of not escalating the situation.
" Atlas is the greatest kingdom in the world alright," The man said he was angry his tone sounded defensive.
" HEY" Yang exclaimed ready to defend her girlfriend from this drunken bastard.
" We can't cause a scene "Blake stated placing a hand on her hot-headed girlfriend's shoulder to calm her down.
“The embargo has got us in a rough patch is all but it'll blow over you'll see" Another drunk man stated sadness and frustration evident in his voice.
" We try to help the other kingdoms and this is what happens I say let them rot" The man exclaimed throwing some of his drink on the floor.
" I apologized I didn't mean to insult you," Blake said she tried to sound as sincere as possible as to not rile up the drunken bastard. He spat on the floor in response.
" Stupid Fanus like you wouldn't understand," he said getting ready to take a swing of his drink. Yang got ready to deck the bastard her eyes flashing red but before she could he flew backward into the trash. They all turned to look at the culprit.
" It was worth it," Weiss simply said with a smirk on her face. She was happy to defend her fanus friend. They all started to run a smile gracing Blake's face as she pulled her girlfriend with her just in case she decided that wasn't enough.
" hey wait that was " His friend started but tripped over his own two drunken feet.
They arrived at their destination looking around to make sure they weren't followed. " and no more heavy lifting you hear" a voice yelled at a goat fanus left the building smiling and waving at the man inside.
“Ah it's good to see you again old friend," Maria said smiling entering the building.
" Ah yes yes have we met, "An African American man in glasses said smiling at Maria, He seemed friendly to someone he claimed to not know. The gang walked in looking around he was living in an old beat-up shack.
" Well this is off to a fantastic start," Ren said sarcastically earning an elbow from Nora.
" cybernetic optical implants, you adjust them every ten years are so" Maria simply said hoping to jog the man's memory.
He looked at her suspiciously for a few seconds before." MARIA yeah for the cybernetic optical implants I adjust them every ten years or so " He repeated what she said making sure it was known he knew who she was. He moved from his desk it was clear he was in a cybernetically enhanced wheelchair. He grabbed Maria's hand and guided her " oh wow has it been that long already," He asked guiding her to a medical room.
" I know I age like fine wine, would have been here sooner if I hadn't run into these jokers, at the time I thought they might need my guidance while fighting a lil old Spinx," Maria said making her way to the doctor's table with the help of the man.
”well did they," He asked pressing a button.
" no-no they had much more complicated issues," She said smiling catching up with an old friend but was interrupted by Qrow coughing.
“and this is, " Qrow asked the question on everyone's mind.
“ugh so impatient I didn't think I'd need to introduce Atlas's finest minds" Maria stated gesturing to the man beside her as if it was obvious.
" working in a place like this " Yang chimes in now it was Blake's turn to elbow her but a ceiling tile fell from the sky.
“he likes to keep a low profile something I've realized none of you know anything about" Maria stated defending her friend.
" you can call me Pedro," the man introduced himself.
"Finest heart too this pharmacy is just where he volunteers when he's not building the future of Atlas along sides ironwood in the clouds that is" Maria complimented.
”Oh it's stuffy up there, down here I get to help the locals and have a little fun I'm currently working on shoes that make you dance you wanna try them on," Pedro explained while offering everyone a chance to try his invention.
"YES" Nora yelled excitedly shocking Ren with her sudden outburst.
" Before we get to that we were wondering if you could help us, we came to Atlas in hopes of talking to general Ironwood but " Yang interjected giving Nora a pointed look. Nora frowned then pouted Ren couldn't help but smile at how cute she was.
" What exactly has been happening here," Blake asked picking up where yang left off before he could answer Pedro started coughing.
”well the fall of beacon took a toll on all of us, James no different I couldn't tell you exactly what he saw there but it changed him he's" Pedro started to explained frustration written in his tone.
" he's scared" Qrow picked up knowing his friend too well.
"Paranoid could be the more appropriate word you have to understand it wasn't just the Grimm, someone completely dismantled Atlas security code made it their plaything made us look like traitors to some and boofuns to everyone else, whoever managed to do that is either a genius or one of our own I fear the answer may be both and so does the general"Pedro explained everyone was shocked by this revelation.
Weiss didn't know what to think her first thought was her father maybe he did this. The other was just shocked " Maybe Atlas wasn't as safe we thought" Ren said taking the little remaining hope the group had left. Ruby hung her head in sadness she thought Atlas would be a safe place for the relic. Weiss couldn't help but glance at her girlfriend knowing she was probably be doubting her leadership abilities.
" After we came all this way we can't just leave can we," Oscar asked he too was sad. He thought after everything losing oz he could find some guidance here in Atlas but his hope was lost.
" How does the council feel about all this or Winter Schnee you know anything about her" Weiss chimed in hoping to take control of this situation. One thing she knew was politics the council wouldn't allow this would they much less her sister.
" well, the council's so scared they'll agree to whatever he wants although some representatives are oh wait you're Weiss Schnee" Pedro started to explained but quickly recognized the ex heiress. Everyone became alert Ruby step in front of Weiss as a precaution.
"What were you trying to say about mantle" Yang stepped in raising her metal arm in the hope to change the conversation.
" you painted it," Pedro said in disbelief announcing that he built her arm.
" what" Yang questioned shocked he even knew that detail.
“Is everything okay?" Ruby asked hoping this situation hasn't made a turn for the worse.
“You're team rwby," the man said looking at the four girls in front of him confusing everyone even more.
" you know us " Ruby yelled almost excited to be recognized.
”Oh my girl I do I most certainly do and I feel like such a dunce for not recognizing sooner my daughters told me so much about you," Pedro said Weiss immediately started paying close attention to his daughter? she questioned in her head.
" your daughter," Ruby asked confused before Pedro could answer there was a siren.
People were screaming and running away from something the sirens began to get louder. " ah trouble" Jaune said as everyone ran out ready to fight what was causing the sirens.
" Wait" Pedro yelled out but no one listened. They made their way to the streets starting to arm their weapons. Yang armed her metal arm, Ren his guns, Weiss her sword, and Blake her Gambol which was broken. She looked at the broken tip of her weapon before sighing that'll have to do.
" I guess the city's defenses aren't doing much," Oscar said ready for a fight.
" somehow that doesn't surprise me," Nora said unamused hammer in hand. Soldiers began to get thrown across the street those that were thrown were seen shooting at something.
" well, we didn't come this far to fail now" Ruby exclaimed getting ready Creasent rose she was nervous but knew she couldn't show it. Whatever was coming she needed her team prepared and ready they couldn't focus on the negative. Sabertooth Grimm, we’re rushing towards them they didn't have time to focus on the negative they had to fight. Yang started the fight by running towards the Grimm guns ready Ren followed right after.
“ Hey" Nora yelled she was ready to fight they couldn't start without her why did they think they could start without her. She looked at Jaune then smirked knowing what was about to happen Jaune ready his shield nervously. Using her hammer she lifted herself onto the shield and shot herself in the air towards the Grimm hammer first as they began to fight. Cutting through the Grimm with ease both Qrow and Jaune fought off the Grimms approaching them.
Qrow took care of most of them but Jaune held his own. Oscar ready his sword nervously being the newbie he wasn't sure how this would go. The Grimm ran towards him but he launched at it hitting it on the head causing it to vanish. As he stood watching the Grimm disappear in amazement one snuck behind him before it could attack Ruby shot it. Moving in with speed and agility Ruby began to take down as much sabertooth Grimm as she could. Weiss took down the one on her side smiling at how much fun her girlfriend seem to be having. She raised the Grimm in the air while Ren went through cutting them to death.
While yang was punching and shooting the Grimms on her side one snuck behind her before it could do anything Blake shot it. Yang turned around smirking at her partner who simply blew her a kiss before turning around to a Grimm which tried to attack her from behind before it could tho a green laser cut it in half. Blake stood in shock as well as the rest they all stopped to look in the air for the source of the blast. More lasers came shooting the remaining Grimm as all the Grimm were killed the sirens stopped.
The figure in the air swirled around jumping up before gracefully landing. " Penny" Ruby softly said in shock. Seeing her Android best friend alive was shocking the last time she saw her she was in two halves.
“darling why don't you say hello to your friends," Pedro said from behind the teens. Penny turned her face instantly brightened at the sight of Ruby.
" Sal" Penny started getting into attack position confusing Ruby. " U," she said getting ready to attack " Tation" Penny yelled running full speed towards Ruby for a hug lunging the teen backward.
While watching the scene in amusement everyone put away their weapons. Weiss on the other hand begun to chuckle seeing her girlfriend being thrown backward by her best friend was quite entertaining. " It is such a pleasure to see you all again" Penny greeted getting off the floor.
" penny I thought you" Ruby started saying still in shock.
" died I guess she did but we were able to recover her core from amity arena once it had made its way back to Atlas it took me some time" Pedro started to explain.
”But I'm as good as new better even and now I'm the official protector of the city," Penny finished excitedly saluting ruby who simply smiled she couldn't believe she got to see her friend again.
" That's my girl were not gonna let a little ripping to shreds stop us are we" Pedro stated chuckling before coughing.
" No sir" penny answered.
" This is" Weiss started looking at the scene in front of her.
"Strangely wholesome" Blake finished smiling at the two in front of her.
" It sounds like Penny to me," Yang said amused and happy to see her friend again.
" We have so much to catch up about I can not wait," Penny said shaking ruby in excitement before she could continue another siren sounded.
”It seems we will have to wait let's talk later can't wait to hear about all your adventures....." Penny said as fast as possible before flying away still speaking.
" I can't tell if I understand what's going on or have a million questions," Nora said once penny left.
“and thankfully I have about a thousand answers but first let's get out of this weather first,” Pedro said rushing the kids inside.
“I have absolutely no idea who that child was is she important somehow," Maria asked following Pedro inside.
" That was unexpected," Jaune said smiling at the scene that just unfolded.
“Never a dull moment" Ren added.
“Well I wouldn't say unwelcomed I was honestly expecting things to go a lot rougher," Qrow said relief things weren't worse.
They all started moving to go inside when they all fell and were quickly tied up. Qrow was the only one not tied up and got ready to fight but before he could he also fell. Five officers approached them on the ground.
" Good work team, ooh hey handsome " he greeted Qrow with a smirk horseshoe in hand looking at the ground.
" Hey, what's going on," Oscar asked fear evident in his voice.
" Hey, pal I'm a license huntsman I just helped save everyone," Qrow said to the man in front of him twirling a horseshoe. The man reached down collecting Qrow's weapon while his officers did the same for the rest also taking the relic.
”let's get them loaded into the next transport," The man said ignoring Qrow and looking down at Ruby.
" please we were just trying to help" Ruby pleaded with the officer.
”What is the meaning of this" Pedro asked coughing, " what are the ace ops even doing down here in mantle," Pedro asked.
”ace ops" Ruby questioned.
”doctor good to see you, well we got a report of an unauthorized ship making an unauthorized landing followed by any unauthorized use of weapons by nonlicensed huntsman" The Officer explained Maria nodded walking away not wanting to be arrested as well.
" if we can just talk this out" Pedro pleaded with the officer.
" they'll be able to talk this out once they get up to Atlas," The officers said playing with the relic."let's move out" he yelled before making an exit relic in hand leaving Pedro on the streets and shoving the gang into a transport.
" now this is much closer to what I was expecting," Qrow said as he was locked into the transport van. Everyone looked sad not fully understanding what was gonna happen. Blake rested her head on yang's shoulder who simply stared off at the wall. Weiss closed her eyes but later opened them when Ruby placed her legs on her snuggling up to her side. Ruby seemed to take a nap how she could sleep at a time like this was beyond Weiss but then again they've been through a lot. Nora kept trying to break free while Ren sat quietly. Oscar and Jaune seemed to have the same scared expression both not wanting to go to jail. While Qrow tried to come up with the solution to get them out of this mess.
One way or another though they will be visiting Atlas.