"Salem's fortress is located in the center of the storm's eye. This leaves us with a five-mile radius in all directions densely populated with Grimm." Ironwood briefs the members standing around the table. "Unfortunately, we can't drop right at the edge of the eye. There's too much of a chance that Salem will see us coming. Instead, we'll be approaching on foot from a mile outside."

"Umm, General Ironwood, sir?" Jaune asks. "Isn't the outside of the eye a frozen wasteland?"

"Correct. We will be trekking through harsh conditions. If we're lucky the blizzard won't freeze our airships engines before reaching the one-mile mark."

"After careful consideration," Ozpin takes over, "the General and I have decided the best approach is to divide our forces into several smaller groups. This way we ensure we don't get stonewalled by Salem's forces, and that if one group falls, the others are there to continue the fight."

"We'll be dividing into five teams." Ironwood explains. "Alpha Squad, Beta Squad, Gamma Squad, and Delta Squad will be our primary attack force. The mission will be carried out in five phases; landing, primary attack, enclose, snare, and exit. Alpha and Beta Squads will approach from the north while Gamma and Delta Squads come in from the south. The two pairs will work together to clear out the Grimm at their target site before working around in opposite directions, eventually meeting with one of the other two squads. Each of these four teams will be given around 1750 White Fang troops to assist in clearing out the Grimm presence."

"But what about the fifth team?" Yang asks. "What are they doing?"

"As I said, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta are our primary attack force. Our fifth team, Omega Squad, will be a small infiltration unit. While the first four squads work around the edge, Omega Squad will be approach from the northeast. Hopefully by this time Salem and her forces will be too preoccupied with the main forces to notice, however, we can't count on it."

"After circling around the edge, once the two teams unite at the east and west, they'll begin to press towards Salem's castle, providing another distraction from Omega Squad, who by this time, should be making their way through the castle." Ozpin explains. "Once our main forces have breached the fortress, Omega squad will have defeated Salem, and we'll fight our way back out as a single unit."

"The teams are as follows." Ironwood announces. "Dr. Oobleck, Coco Adel, Fox Alastair, Velvet Scarlatina, Yatsuhashi Daichi. You're Alpha Squad, led by Professor Goodwitch. Winter Schnee, Weiss Schnee, Penny Polendina, Sienna Khan. The five of you and I will comprise Beta. Sun Wukong, Scarlet David, Sage Ayana, Neptune Varsilias, you four are with Qrow. You're Gamma Squad. Delta will be led by Taiyang Xiao Long. You've got Professor Port, Nora Valkyrie, Blake Belladonna, and Jaune Arc."

"Which leaves the rest of you with me." Ozpin says, looking at Ruby, Pyrrha, Ren, and yourself. "It's up to us to stop Salem while your friends provide a distraction."

"I want on Delta." You say.

"Excuse me?" The General asks, surprised at your boldness.

"I said put me on Delta." You repeat firmly.

"Mr. Taurus, these teams have been strategically chosen to provide our greatest chance at success. Ren is to help mask you from Salem, and your enhanced senses will help avoid detection. We can't afford to lose that advantage."

"Fine." You say. "Then put Blake on Omega."

"Mr. Taurus." Ironwood begins.

"Listen. Either I go with Blake or not at all."

"(F/N)." Blake says, slightly embarrassed, partially flattered. "It's okay, you don't have to..."

"I promised your father I would keep you safe. I can't do that if you're not by my side." You say to her, then to the General. "Blake stays with me."

"Ozpin?"

"If Mr. Xiao Long feels that Delta will be able to cope with a man down."

"It's fine." Tai says. "We'll be alright. Besides, we got nearly two thousand White Fang guys watchin' our back, right?"

"Very well." Ironwood sighs. "Blake has been moved to Omega Squad. Now, because we're approaching from the south, and squads Alpha and Beta have to come from the north, we'll be leaving two hours before the rest of the team to give us ample time for the bullheads to circle around the eye. We would normally have the other two squads wait, but we can't risk the engines freezing over. Because Omega Squad doesn't move in until the four main forces have begun their enclosure, they'll be leaving with Gamma and Delta. Are there any questions?"

Everyone is silent.

"Before we dismiss," Ozpin says, "I just want to thank each and every one of you for your sacrifice. None of you have to be here, this war isn't a result of your actions. Yet here you all stand. Win or lose, you should all be commended for your bravery."

A few people nod but most are quiet.

"Very well," Ironwood finishes, "Alpha and Beta, prepare to leave. We depart at 0900."

While the White Fang members load into several large airships, Weiss currently stands with her friends. She alone is the only member of Team RWBY to be part of the first two departing squads.

"Hey, Weiss. Be careful yeah?" Yang says, giving her a quick hug.

"Make sure to look after yourself." Blake agrees, also hugging her friend.

Ruby straight up collapse in Weiss' arms, crying uncontrollably. "Don't worry Ruby, I'll see you in a few hours, okay?" Weiss says, tears forming in her own eyes.

"Okay." Ruby cries.

Finally, Weiss walks up to you. She extends her hand awkwardly. "Look, I shouldn't have said everything I did last year. It hardly seems important now, but I want you to know that I'm sorry."

Nodding your head, you grip Weiss hand in a firm handshake. "You're not what I expected from the Schnees." You say. "Maybe when all this is over, we can work together to make this world a better place, for both of our kind."

"Yeah," Weiss smiles, "I'd like that."

"Weiss!" Winter calls from one of the airships. "Stop lollygagging and get on. We're already thirty-seven seconds behind schedule!"

"I have to go." Weiss says, hugging her Team one last time.

"Hey Schnee." You call, causing her to turn her head. "See you on the other side."

Waving back at you, she enters the bullhead and the doors close. You and Team RWBY watch as the airships head towards the sky.

Time Skip:

Several hours later and the rest of the teams are being loaded up onto the remaining airships. The White Fang forces are all ready for departure, you're just waiting on Ruby and her family to say their goodbyes. After a few minutes, Ruby joins you, Pyrrha, Ren, and Blake on the airship. Ozpin walks on just as the doors close.

"Gather round children." He says. "When we get to Salem's base, I need you all to stay close by. Mr. Ren will ensure that the Grimm don't detect any negative emotions while we make our way towards the castle, but he needs you in close proximity. I'll be hiding us from any prying eyes, but that's no guarantee that Salem won't sense our presence. So, whatever happens, stay close, stay on guard, and watch each other's backs."

The five of you nod and take your seats as the bullhead takes off and makes its way for Atlas.

Squads Alpha and Beta:

Meanwhile, halfway across Remnant, the first two squads have landed. Donning their snow gear, the two teams and around 2500 White Fang soldiers step off the airships.

"Alright people listen up!" Ironwood shouts over the high winds, voice carrying over across the earpieces each person wears. "We've got a long walk ahead of us. Make sure not to get separated from the group. If you get lost out here, you might as well shoot yourself in the head. Schnee!"

Winter steps forwards and begins addressing the group. "Once we reach the eye of the storm there will be little time to rest. Drop your snow gear and suit up for a fight as quickly as possible. It won't take long for our enemy to become aware of our presence. Grab everything you need now, because once those airships take off, they won't be returning until the mission's over."

"Alright!" Ironwood shouts. "Let's move out!"

The battalion starts their hike through the knee-deep snow.

Omega Squad:

"We're approaching the storm." The White Fang pilot says. "We're gonna be going through some pretty rough winds here. I'd suggest strapping yourselves in."

Doing as the pilot says, Blake helps you into your seat, securing the fastens around your body before taking her spot next to you. As the bullhead starts shaking from turbulence, you feel Blake grip your hand tightly. Reaching over, you pat the top of her hand and squeeze it. Sitting in the shaking airship, you feel the bullhead change course at is separates from the rest of the group. Suddenly, the ship starts shaking more violently.

"Is everything alright?" Ozpin asks from his seat.

"Yeah, just a bit of ice being chewed up by the turbines. We're about two clicks from the drop point."

Another few minutes pass in tense silence.

"Alright, get ready to land." The pilot. The ship starts to stutter again. You suddenly hear one of the turbines stop. "Shit!" The pilot yells. "Engine one's frozen over."

Ruby whimpers and Blake holds your hand tighter.

"Engine three's starting to ice over. Brace yourselves, this isn't gonna be pretty." The pilot warns.

The other two engines working over time to support the now falling airship quickly become strained. One starts smoking and quickly catches on fire, the other joining it not long after. An explosion sends the ship spiraling as the fire reaches the fuel line, tearing a hole in the side of the ship.

"We have to jump!" You shout.

"Are you crazy?" Ruby asks.

"No, Mr. Taurus is right. If we're still on board when this bullhead hits the ground, we're all dead."

"I'm opening the bay doors!" The pilot shouts over the high winds now entering the compartment. "I'll stay on board and try to guide this thing while you all jump. Once you're all out I'll follow."

The other's nod, but you can hear his heartbeat. This man already knows he's the only chance you have of surviving, so he's going down with the ship.

"I can shield three of you from the impact." Ozpin says. "But two of you are on your own."

"Ruby, Pyrrha, Ren, you three go with Ozpin."

"What?" Pyrrha asks. "What about you and Blake?"

"No time to argue, you two are the priority here. You're the only ones who can defeat Salem. And Ren is of more use to the mission than I."

"But..."

"He's right." Ozpin shouts, already out of his seat and standing at the door. "Hurry up you three, we haven't much time."

You feel a crackle of energy as Ozpin creates a bubble around himself and the other three, carrying them safely to the ground. Getting out of your seat, you grab Blake who's frozen in fear.

"Blake." You say, shaking her shoulders. "Blake! We gotta go!"

Blinking rapidly, Blake snaps out of it and fiddles with the fastens on her seat.

"It's stuck." She panics.

"What?"

"The straps won't budge." She repeats, her breathing becoming more sporadic.

You grab for the straps and tug on them, butthey're caught on something. You can hear the ground fast approaching. There'snot enough time to cut her free. Seconds from crashing, you throw your body ontop of her, arms wrapped her head. You activate your semblance and brace forimpact. The ship meets the ground, and everything goes black.