RWBY: Until the Bitter End

Vol. 8 Ch. 10: For What It's Worth

~Third Person~

Ironwood stood at the window in his office as every noise seemed to be blocked out, becoming a faint echo. His hands tightened behind his back as be watched numerous Mantas fly ahead towards the battlefield that was the cultural fields of Atlas. As he did though, two Atlesian Officers stood by the door, the female Atlesian Officers spoke to him.

"Sir, we have confirmation that Doctor Watts has escaped military headquarters with the assistance of Cinder Fall...We do have Jacques in custody-"

"I don't give a DAMN about Jacques Schnee...What about the other two?"

At this? Both exchanged looks and grimaced before the female spoke out again.

"Sir, Branwen and Hill have... evaded capture..."

In the holding area, Atlesian Soldiers were looking around at the destruction and fire that once was the holding area. A soldier lifted up a piece of rubble to reveal a Qrow that suddenly cawed and darted at him.

"But we are monitoring every exit, so they must still be inside the compound!"

Just as the others raised their rifles towards her, Qrow sprung up behind one and choked him out. Jumping over with a roar as he knocked the other out with a deck across the face.

"DAMMIT!!!"

Ironwood slammed his fist onto his desk as he panted heavily, soon stabilizing his breathing. Standing up with a scowl, he raised a hams to the two.

"Search everywhere for them! Do not return to this office until you have Qrow Branwen in custody."

"Of course, sir!"

The two Officers quickly saluted Ironwood before turning and bolting out the room. Ironwood turned and faxed back out the window with his hands trembling in fury until giving a single breath out. Raising a finger to his earpiece, the comms system would chime out.

"What's the status on our-?"

Ironwood gave s gasp as a sudden bright yellow light and explosion engulfed the whole battlefield. Down below, Winter was leading the Ace Ops out the airship to charge forth as the same explosion knocked them back. In the Joint Comms Room, O'Connor was barking out orders until the screens were just filled with a bright light lit up the entire room. Weiss entered her room with a tray of coffee and biscuits until the explosion blinded the whole window, making her drop the tray with s gasp. In Atlas Proper, a group of Lancers were flying through the air until the blast seemingly vaporized them as the light engulfed all of Atlas.

Weiss recovered from her initial shock before quickly pulling out her scroll and trying to ring up (Y/N). But the line was cut by a sudden tone buzz before she gained a look of pure sorrow and dropped to her knees.

On the battlefield, the Monstra was now dissolving in a large plume of ash whilst everything was eerily quiet. Yet in the fog, the figure of Neo could be seen skipping away with a twirl of her parasol as she held the Lamp of Knowledge in her other hand. Nearby, Winter would sit up from her daze and go wide eyed as ash fell upon the field.

"I-...I-Is everyone alright!?"

Vine would stand up behind her with a stretch of his arm.

"No injuries here..."

Harriet and Elm walked out from behind him, with the latter hitting at the side of her head. Before-

"WHAT!?"

"They...They were still inside!!!"

Looking over to Marrow as he ran over with wide eyes, he would climb off the ridge and look out at the field. Watching as the Monstra was now becoming skeletal remains with flesh still stuck to a few. Winter would walk over with a solemn gaze as Marrow frowned deeply. Yet a chime from Winter's comms made her put a finger to it.