Rage & Hope: A RWBY Story

Chapter Eighty Nine - With Friends Like These

In Ironwood's office, Razer and Aya along with Saint Walker and the rest of Ruby's group found themselves locked in with Ironwood and the Ace-Ops.

Weiss: Please, think about what you're doing.

Harriet: You heard the general. Until this is sorted out, you're under arrest.

Yang: Really?

Vine: Please. Don't make this difficult.

Blake: Don't make us have to get out of here by force.

It was at this point that an all out fight was about to break out.

Marrow: Whoa, whoa, whoa. We're not actually going to slug this out, are we?

Harriet: We're not doing anything. They decide what happens next.

As the Ace-Ops moved to take them into custody, Aya and Saint Walker attempt to talk Ironwood down.

Saint Walker: General, you need to stop this! We are playing right into Salem's hands!

Aya: The only way we're going to stop Salem is....

Ironwood: You all have left me with no choice. Aya, I would advise you to remember where your loyalties lie. 

Aya: I know where my loyalties lie, General. They lie with my family. This is wrong and you know it! We know you're better than this. But you know what's out there! You know what's coming for us! Fighting amongst each other is exactly what she wants! The only way we can stop her is together!

Ironwood: If you really think that, then you'll turn yourselves in and let me do what needs to be done for the greater good. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to use force.

With that, it became clear that Ironwood had no intention of backing down. 

Razer: I must apologize in advance. 

Harriet: For what, alien? 

Razer: For what I'm about to do. 

Harriet: Don't be stupid.  We're the best Huntsmen in Atlas.

Ruby: You were. Then you trained us.

Ruby uses her Semblance to rush past the Ace-Ops, smashing straight through the door, and Harriet angrily chases after her with her own Semblance. The remaining members of RWBY and Ace-Ops charge forward and attack. Left with no other option, Aya fires on Ironwood and the others, forcing them back. During the the firefight, Razer unleashes a blast of red energy on the ceiling, causing the ceiling to collapse. Everyone exit the office just as the entrance was caved in by Saint Walker. 

Saint Walker: That should buy us some time. 

Ruby: We have to get to the Relic and the Winter Maiden!

Razer: Then let's not waste any time!

With that, Razer and Aya along with Saint Walker and Team RWBY began moving through the halls of the Atlas Academy. Soon enough, the alarm begins blaring throughout the Academy.

Yang: That's not good....

Saint Walker: We are in the lion's den. We are pilgrims in a hostile land. 

Razer: We'll have to split up to try and divide Ironwood's forces. Aya and I will try to get the Winter Maiden!

Weiss: I'll join you!

Ruby: Just be careful, guys. There's no telling what Ironwood's going to do if he catches us.

Saint Walker: Be well, my friends.

With that, Razer and Aya along with Weiss splits up from the main group to find the Winter Maiden. Meanwhile, Winter and Penny were preparing for the process of transferring the Winter Maiden's powers to Winter.

Winter: I hope it will be painless for her.

Penny: You said your personal feelings do not matter.

Winter: They won't change my actions. What I'm committed to. The power of the Winter Maiden and the Relic must be kept from our enemies. Even if it means she dies. But yes Penny, we must still acknowledge our personal feelings, wrestle with them. It ensures us that we're on the right path. It's what makes us human.

Penny: I think... I think I understand.

Suddenly, explosions were heard. Before they could react, Winter and Penny were attacked by Cinder Fall.

Cinder: Hmm. Both of Ironwood's puppets. Lucky me.

Winter: Cinder.

Penny: You were responsible for Beacon. For what happened to me.

Cinder: It was unfortunately temporary. Now step aside or there won't be anything left to salvage this time.

As Cinder says this, she forms a fireball from her hand and aims it at Penny.

Cinder: What do you think of that?

Penny: I think...it gives me personal feelings.

Penny then readies Floating Array and attacks Cinder alongside Winter. Meanwhile, Razer and Aya along with Weiss moved through the Atlas Academy in search for the Winter Maiden. As they did so, Weiss expressed a possible concern.

Weiss: Do...do you think we'll have to fight Winter?

Razer: I don't know. If she intends to blindly follow Ironwood's madness, then we'll be left with no other choice.

Aya: I know Penny won't go along with this. 

Razer: Are you certain? 

Aya: Of course, Razer. She is my sister. She....she would never fight her friends....or her family. 

Razer: I hope you're right, Aya. For your sake, I hope you're right. 

With that, Razer and Aya along with Weiss moved through the Atlas Academy in search of the Winter Maiden, not knowing what was waiting for them. Meanwhile at the entrance of the Atlas Academy, a squadron of Atlesian Soldiers were deployed at the entrance along with dozens of Atlesian Knights. They soon are given orders to arrest Ruby's group on sight. As they stood guard, the entrance was suddenly blasted open. One of the Atlesian troopers contacts Atlas Command.

Atlesian Soldier: Command, something just blasted the entrance open! I'm picking up multiple unidentified bogeys heading our way! Please advise!

Suddenly, the comms were jammed as red light began to illuminate through the smoke. It wasn't long before Atrocitus stepped out of the smoke. 

Atrocitus: I am Atrocitus, lord and master of the Red Lantern Corps. I am wrath, I am hate, I am righteous vengeance! 

As Atrocitus introduced himself, a horde of Red Lanterns soon joined Atrocitus's side. Among them was none other than Adam Taurus. 

Atlesian Soldier: Don't move! Stay where you are and show me your hands!

Without warning, Atrocitus and the Red Lanterns attacked. In that moment, the Red Lantern Corps had arrived in Remnant and they were ready to unleash their fury upon all who stood in their path.