A lone girl with black hair tied back into short pigtails is on her knees in the middle of a dim spotlight, slowly scrubbing a wooden floor. In the present day, Cinder scrapes the claws of her Grimm hand against an airship seat to the same slow rhythm of the girl scrubbing the floor. Neo is sitting in the seat, piloting the airship. Thunder rumbles and red lightning illuminates the dark clouds ahead, revealing Monstra. Focused on the whale, Cinder moves to her right to stand between the pilot’s and co-pilot’s seats, "There."

Neo looks at Cinder and then at the whale with a frown. The airship flies past Manticores and Teryxes, soon arriving at a landing bay within the whale’s flesh. She lands the ship on the platform furthest to the left.

Sometime later, Neo and Cinder walk up a set of bone stairs, leading to a large chamber. In the middle of this chamber, Salem is sitting on a throne made of bone. Neo stops and stares with her mouth slightly open before walking forward to stand beside Cinder. She watches as Cinder kneels and places her right hand to her chest, "My queen."

Salem stands from her throne and turns to face Cinder, "Cinder."

Salem slowly descends the steps of the platform on which her throne rests, "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 holds out the Relic of Knowledge, "The Relic of Knowledge. I took it right from under Ironwood’s nose."

Upon hearing this, Neo blinks her eyes rapidly in disbelief and looks at Cinder with an indignant expression. She then crosses her arms and glares. Tyrian's voice then draws her attention, "Outsmarting the general speaks less to your intellect and… more to his."

Tyrian steps out from the shadows behind Cinder while Salem takes the Lamp. He begins walking across the room, "After all, you were outsmarted by those children first."

"And according to radio chatter, that same general and his forces outsmarted you. A shame Watts never made it back."
"I’m afraid the doctor was a necessary sacrifice. Tyrian takes notice of Neo pointing his tail at her, "I do hope this little one doesn’t become another."

Neo glares at Tyrian and lowers her arms with her fists clenched. Cinder turns to look at Salem, who adopts a look of suspicious curiosity as she speaks, "Who is she?"

"Neopolitan has some very useful abilities and has proven to be a valuable asset." Neo looks somewhat upset by Cinder’s use of the word “asset.”

"Hm, you certainly do enjoy collecting assets." Neo lowers her gaze, clearly displeased. The squelching noise of the nearby membrane door catches her attention, and she turns to see Emerald, Mercury, Suneel, and Hazel entering the room. Upon laying eyes on Cinder, Emerald smiles.

"Cinder." Emerald begins running across the chamber toward Cinder, "You’re here! I knew you’d co-"

"Quiet." Emerald stops with a hurt expression on her face, glancing at Tyrian, who clicks his tongue in disappointment, "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. Suneel hasn't done much either." Cinder glares intensely at him. Suneel chuckles, "I devote my power to Salem; however I loyalty still belongs to someone else." Tyrian takes offense, "You dare call our Goddess by her name?!"

"You know very well who's my Goddess. Salem and I came to a neutral agreement. After all, Salem doesn't dislike dear (Y/n); if she comes with us, there wouldn't be a need for any of us. Besides, at least I didn't get beaten by one of Ironwood's toys."

"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 turns from anger and confidence to surprise as Salem lifts her hand to silence her, "I’ve given no such command."

Salem approaches her throne, and Cinder shakes her head in confusion, "Ma’am, now is the time to-"

Cinder cuts off as Salem rests her hand on the throne. The glowing red holes on the back of the throne light up more brightly. Salem’s hand produces a red shockwave, and in response, a red design on the floor begins sending out repeated shockwaves, which move across the fleshy walls. As Salem speaks, a bright glow can be seen pulsating through red lines that lead out from the throne across the floor in several directions. She walks away from the throne with her back to everyone else, and a dark fog clears from the wall at the front of the room, revealing a view of the City of Atlas.

"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."

"Of course." Cinder lowers her head, "Without you, I am nothing."

Salem’s frown turns to a smile, and she lifts her hand and waves them off. Footsteps can be heard as her subordinates begin leaving. As dark clouds drift in between the whale and Atlas, Salem turns and walks back toward her throne with the Relic of Knowledge in her hands, "Suneel, what is the progress of capturing Saint?"

"Ironwood has her; the moment she's on the move, we can track her down." Salem sits on her throne, "Her control of the Grimm is getting stronger. They seem to be avoiding her location as if she warning them not to pass her territory. Back then, I thought Saint didn't understand; however, she was just like me sadly under Ozpin's control."

"Our Goddess has such greatness to even think about having the Saint join us."
"That's because two Goddess are better than one if they are on the same side. Especially if one has one of the Gods wrapped around her fingertips." Suneel spoke, leaving the room.

Within the entrance of the Winter Maiden, you stare at the ground. Ironwood places a hand on your back, "Let's go."
"Why didn't you listen? Why did you shoot him?"
"It was for your sake." You glance at Ironwood, "Ironwood, you do know I'm more of a threat than she is?" You stand up; the color of your eyes were indigo: however, there was no trace of any gold. You had given in to the God of Darkness, "Everything that we tried to protect is falling. The world will divide more than ever. And you..." Ironwood removes your hair from your face, you slap his hand away, "The heart I thought you had was gone. You're nothing more than a machine." Ironwood takes hold of your arm, "And you are nothing more than a weapon." You take a glance at your arms, seeing that the darkness was consuming you. "Do your part, and I'll do mine."
You open your palm, a ball of magic was forming, you wanted to take his life, to ruin him; however, a voice echoed through your head, "He has Qrow imprisoned. Find your lover."
You then calmed down; the voices was right; you had no idea where Qrow, Team RWBY, or Team JNR could be; you needed Ironwood to bring them to you. "Find him." You need to play your cards right, you needed to take control, and Ironwood was going to listen to your orders.
"If I'm the weapon, then you need me, right? May the Gods forbid me ever trusting you again." Ironwood extends his hand to you, which you take, "That's why I want you here."
"You don't want me. You need me. But this does not make us equal." You let go of Ironwood's hand, walking past him. You will not forgive him for what he's done to your kids, to Oscar.

Oscar and numerous Faunus are 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 steps out of a small homemade from corrugated metal and thrusts a bowl of something at Oscar, who looks confused. The man gives an encouraging nod, and Oscar takes a sip from the bowl, "Thank you."

Oscar hands the bowl back, and the man gives a nod and a grunt in response before walking away, "Heads up."

A small Atlas airship flies overhead and the Faunus flee the area. Oscar picks up The Long Memory and stands up, watching the ship with suspicion. The side door slides open to reveal Ruby, who waves, "Need a lift?"

Oscar relaxes and is soon after inside the ship with Ruby, Weiss, and Maria as it flies over Mantle, "I was stupid to think the general would listen. Every choice I’ve made was the wrong one, and now… (Y/n), she's stuck up there."

The ship flies over a street where people are using fires to keep warm while a Grimm siren boards, "We all did what we thought was best. I’m just glad you’re alright."

Ruby places her hand on his shoulder and offers a comforting smile. Below, Joanna Greenleaf peeks out at the ship from around a corner, and then steps out into the open and waves her arms. Maria, who is piloting the ship, looks down at her, "Yeah, yeah, I see you."

Maria lowers the ship to land, and she, Ruby, Weiss, and Oscar soon hurry down a sidewalk to Joanna, who ushers them into an alleyway, "Inside! Hurry!"

A camera drone comes hovering along, and just as it turns to look at Joanna, she shoots it down and then runs into the alley. Inside a restaurant kitchen, May leaned over a map on the counter, speaking over a communication device. While she talks, Ruby, Weiss, Oscar, Maria, and Joanna walk inside and head across the kitchen, "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."

"Copy!" In the dining area, Jaune, Yang, Blake, Ren, and Nora are sitting at tables while Penny and Pietro watch the news. The news network is displaying a “Fugitives” notice for Team RWBY, Team JNR, Oscar, Maria, Penny, and Pietro.

As Ruby’s group enters the room, Nora turns and stands from her chair, smiling. She approaches Oscar, who recoils in fear, turning his head to the side, closing his eyes, and putting his hands up to stop the tackle that he assumes is coming. Instead, Nora calmly walks over and hugs him, much to his surprise. He relaxes and hugs back, and Weiss and Ruby smile at the scene.

"When we heard you went off after Ironwood on your own, we…"

Nora lets go and walks away.

"How did you end up down in the slums?"
"It’s a… long story. I get the feeling there’s been a few of those tonight." Everyone looks at Penny, who looks down at her hands.

"You’re not going to tell them?"
"You and I aren’t done talking yet. And if they hear what's happening to (Y/n), they'll charge right in there." Oscar’s eyes widen slightly as he realizes someone is missing from the group, "Where’s Qrow?"

Ren, Blake, and Yang lower their gazes, and Jaune looks toward Blake and Yang before looking down, as well, "We don’t know. The last we heard, he was with Robyn, but… And (Y/n) is already detained by Ironwood."

Joanna enters from the kitchen, "Alright, your friend is back now." She walks further into the room to stand in front of them, "You ready to work?"

She is met with silence. Joanna turns to look through a box of supplies and continues talking, "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."
"How? Ironwood is stopping all evacuations to Atlas. And we can’t get them out of the city with Salem’s forces surrounding us."
"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 turns and heads back toward the kitchen, "We’re never going to sleep again; I just know it." Joanna stops with her hand on the door and turns to look at Weiss, "Either you’re helping… or you’re baggage."

She then exits into the kitchen. Yang gets up and moves to stand in front of everyone, "We need to get out there and do what we can for Mantle."

While Yang speaks, a view of the near future shows Yang running through an alley in Mantle. As present day Ruby begins speaking, future Yang spots a pair of Sabyrs around the corner and hides against the wall, "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."

"Ruby’s right. The Happy Huntresses are handling the evacuation better than we could. And there’s a bigger picture."
"But Amity isn’t even finished. It was still under construction."

Ruby turns to Pietro, "Doctor? What would you need to launch Amity now?"
"Uh... We’ve made decent progress on construction and fuel collection, all potentially manageable, but uh… hm… Amity was designed so it couldn’t launch itself without first being granted clearance from General Ironwood’s terminal."

Yang turns to Ruby with her arms crossed and lowers her arms as she speaks. Ruby, meanwhile, is thinking, "Ruby, there is no way Ironwood will cooperate with us."

"But he doesn’t have to. We just need the green light from his terminal, right?"
"You want to go back to the academy?"

"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."

"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 looks at Ruby, "And just to clarify, this is the easy option?"
"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 becomes annoyed while Yang speaks, "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 stands in silence for a moment, "Ruby… when we came here, we said we’d follow your lead… but... things haven’t exactly worked out."

Ruby recoils somewhat with a mix of emotions on her face. Yang’s statement elicits various reactions from Weiss, Nora, Oscar, and Penny, as well, "I just-"

Ren steps forward, interrupting Yang, "There are people here who need us right now."
"That’s something we can actually do."

"But this isn’t about just Atlas. Ruby’s right. It’s about all of Remnant."
"They need to know in Vacuo, in Mistral, in Vale, what’s coming. So they can prepare."

Jaune steps between Ren and Nora, putting his hands up to each of them, "Okay. Okay… Then let’s go for both. Get Amity up and running and evacuate Mantle." Jaune gestures to Nora and then Ren.

"But that’s how Salem got this far - by dividing us. We have to stick together."

"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."

"Or… let me take the Relic to Salem… and maybe she will call off her attack on the Kingdom." Penny stands alone, facing away from everyone.
"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. "

"Nobody’s turning you over to anybody. I think that’s the one thing we could all agree on."

Ruby sighs, "Okay. Then I guess we’re going to Atlas. Can you help us get to that terminal?"

"I… suppose someone needs to help you bypass security."
"I’ll go." Pietro looks at Penny, who has her back turned, "Penny, we can’t risk-" Penny turns to look at him, activating the Maiden flares in her eyes with a determined expression, "I’ll go."

Yang sighs, "Do what you’ve got to do. I’m going out there to see what I could do."

Yang begins walking toward the kitchen, and Blake watches her with a sad expression.

"Yang." Yang stops and looks at Pietro, who tosses her a key. As she looks at the key, the view changes again to future Yang, who looks at Pietro’s pharmacy.

"Go by the pharmacy. I was developing some new tools for you all before… this happened. You’re going to need them."

"Nora?"
"I’m going with Ruby."
"But what about Mantle?"
"Oh, I’m saving Mantle! Because I actually believe we can do this."

On the rooftop with Ruby, Nora has a somewhat sad expression, but then musters up a look of determination. She walks over to Ruby, Blake, and Weiss. Blake puts her hand on Ruby’s shoulder, "Hey, we’re still united."
"I hope so."

Maria spoke over her ear-piece, "I can get Pietro out to Amity to prepare, but that doesn’t answer how we’re getting all of you up to Atlas."

"I might actually have an idea f-" A beeping tone starts playing from someone’s Scroll. The girls look confused, and Blake, Ruby, and Nora check their Scrolls. The four of them then turn to look at Penny, who is holding her ringing Scroll, unsure of what to do. The scroll’s screen says:

Incoming Call
General Ironwood

Penny nervously taps the Talk icon, accepting the call; Ironwood spoke calmly, "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 walks over to Penny, who allows her to take the Scroll, "She’s not going anywhere until you change your mind about Mantle. There’s still a chance for Remnant to be-"

"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 tenses become worried and then leans into a hug from Ruby. Ruby’s brave face falters, and she looks somewhat concerned.

In an Atlas medical facility, you rush through the halls after hearing what happened in the plane crash and with the Winter Maiden. You see Winter's room first; once you enter, she gives you a sad look, "Are they at least gone?" You say in a low whisper. She nods, you let out a sigh of relief. Ironwood enters the room where you and Winter were; the emotion on your face disappears as you look behind him. Through the window, you could see Clover. The rest of the Ace Ops team standing within the room as well.

Before you exit the room, Ironwood attempts to stop you; however, you push him away. You enter the room; marrow, Vine, Elm, and Harriet are staring at Clover’s corpse on a table in front of them. Marrow is saddened, Vine is stoic, and Elm and Harriet are angry. They hear you enter the room; their eyes follow you as you pull a chair next to Clover. "Who did this?"

"Qrow Branwen-"
"I'm not playing your games; who did this?"
"The weapon that was used belongs to Qrow Branwen."
"So by assuming, the fingers point at Qrow."

"You can bring him back. Let my power flow through you, and those who you love will never leave your side." You were tempted; however, you couldn't do that to Clover. You place your hand on top of Clover's a single tear falls from your eyes, "Show me what happened to you." You whisper, the markings on your arms grew and spread on Clover's arm, the Ace Ops step back slightly, Harriet shout, "What are you doing?!"

The moment she touched you, Ajin pinned her against the wall, "I'm tired of people touching me."
The Ace Ops ready their weapons, however seeing your state you were far more threatening than imagined. Ajin looks more broken than they remembered; black liquid was falling off of his arms.

You let go of Clover, and the markings disappear from his arm; you were filled with rage. You now knew who killed Clover and framed Qrow, and now you were going to make sure to end the very life of Tyrian Callows. Ajin lets go of Harriet, who falls slightly and catches her breath. They knew you had a close connection with Clover or quite the opposite; they knew that you held a special place for Clover and that your lover was locked away. You were now a threat who stood in their territory, upholding your title.

Ironwood watches you through the window of Winter’s room across the hall, while Atlas technicians check on Winter.

Ironwood has retrieved his black gun and has had his injured left arm replaced with a prosthesis. He looks at his new left hand, flexing his fingers, and then looks over to the door as an Atlas crewmate enters the room and salutes him. He briefly salutes back, and they both place their hands behind their backs, "Sir, the prisoners have arrived. They’re being processed in Stockade B."

He nods with an affirming grunt, "Keep this information secret from (Y/n)." The crewmate nods and leaves, "Qrow and Robyn?"

Winter winces as one of the technicians makes her bend her wrist back, "Could you give us the room, please?"

The technicians promptly exit the room, and Winter gives him a reassuring smile, "I’ll be fine." She struggles to curl her fingers into a fist, grimacing, leaving Ironwood unconvinced. His expression softens slightly, and he relaxes his stance.

"Thank you, Winter. I don’t know what I would do without you. I’ve never- no one has seen a Grimm force this large before. The city’s Hard-Light shields will hold, but not forever. And I know (Y/n) will kill me at the very end."

"What will you do… sir?"

"Wait, you can’t be in here!" In the hallway, the technicians who had been tending Winter move forward with their hands up to stop Councilmen Camilla and Sleet from approaching, "This is absurd! Let us through!"

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

"I told you, we need to speak to the general!"

"Even if (Y/n) disapproves, but at this point, she'll be worse than me. I’m going to do everything I can to defend this kingdom."

Camilla and Sleet push their way past the technicians, "What in God’s name do you think you’re doing, James?!"

"No matter the cost." With his hands clasped behind his back again, Ironwood calmly walks through the door and into the hall.
"And what’s this about martial law? Have you lost your damn mind?! Are you that scared of what-" As he makes it into the middle of the hall, Ironwood draws his white gun and shifts his stance, aiming and immediately firing a single shot at Sleet, who cannot be seen from Winter’s view of the window. As Ironwood takes aim, Camilla’s eyes widen, and she turns to look at Sleet, bringing her arms up close to her chest and screaming in terror as the gun fires. You stand up, walking into the hallway with Harriet following. 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 lowers his gun. You cross your arms, letting out a sigh, Camilla is staring wide-eyed at where Sleet stood, and Sleet has gone entirely silent. She hyperventilates and looks at Ironwood.

"Let's go (Y/n)." Ironwood turns and walks in the opposite direction down the hall, holstering his gun, while Winter and Harriet watch. You walk behind Ironwood, not even glancing at the body. Harriet looks at Winter, then lowers her gaze. Winter sits there, processing what has happened with her mouth slightly agape. She closes her mouth and frowns.

Back inside Monstra, a fleshy membrane door tears open. Salem stands on the other side holding the Relic of Knowledge, "I have questions for you." She holds the Relic out to a Grimm, whose only features shown are its large jaw. It sniffs the Relic and opens its gaping maw slightly.

"But first, I need the one who can show me how. Bring him to me..." The Grimm growls menacingly.

End of Volume 8 Chapter 1
Start of a new volume!
I hope to intact with you guys during this volume! There will be a little lore behind Reader/Saint's character. I have a small idea for when Reader and Qrow reunite and hopefully be wholesome.

Until Next time
Michaelis~

unedited