Fault

***Fault*** is the twelfth episode of *The RWBYA Adventures*.

## Plot

*[Jaune, Yang, Alan, and Ren drove their hover bikes across the tundra just outside Mantle, following the Hound up into a rocky chasm.]*

Jaune: It’s going to lose us in these mountains! We can’t keep up!

*[Ren’s bike started shaking, and he looked at the frost-covered display to find its engine was losing integrity.]*

Ren: I don’t know how much longer these bikes can stand the cold.

Yang: Alan! Get to the skies!

*[Alan looked up fearfully at the Hound. Getting a glance of the unconscious Oscar in its mouth, Alan forced his fear to determination.]*

Alan: On it!

*[Balancing himself on the rear of the bike, Alan launched himself backwards into the air, doing a backflip before changing into Big Chill and flying after the Hound. Closing in, Big Chill let out a blast of ice breath, freezing the creature's left wing. The Hound fell a few feet, but bashed itself against the rocky wall of the chasm to shatter the ice. Catching Big Chill by surprise was a third arm that the Hound shot from its back, hitting Big Chill square in the face before retracting back into the creature. Big Chill went back from the hit, quite disoriented, then began flying after the Hound again. Back on the ground, Jaune deployed his shield on his arm and hit the brakes on his bike, moving back to drive parallel with Ren.]*

Jaune: Ren, we're going to get you up there.

*[Jaune lifted his shield up, and Ren lept from his hoverbike to land on Jaune’s shield. Jaune charged the Gravity Dust in his shield and blasted Ren towards The Hound. As he flew through the air, Ren launched one of StormFlower’s blade cables and wrapped it around The Hound’s hind leg.]*

Yang: Nice!

*[Yang highfived Jaune, causing Jaune to briefly lose balance on his bike. The Hound began flying more erratically, slamming Ren against cliffs.]*

Yang *(voice)*: Okay, not as nice.

Big Chill *(voice)*: He's slowing the thing down, at least!

Jaune *(voice)*: Hold on, Ren!

Ren: I don’t have much of a choice!

*[Ren shot his other blade cable, wrapping it around a boulder to further slow the Hound. However, the Hound suddenly pulled up, causing the cable to come loose from the boulder, with the blade zipping past Yang and Jaune, and it had almost hit Big Chill. The Hound slammed Ren onto the ground and against pillars, continuing on its way through the chasm. Yang spotted an incline to her left and drove up it onto a cliff parallel to the Hound, where she began shooting it in the head. The Hound lowered Oscar from its mouth into its hands and few faster, leaving Yang confused. The Hound then let out a loud roar, and the earth began trembling before a horde of Centinels emerged from the ground, cliffs and archways.]*

Yang: Did it just call for backup?

*[From the skies, Big Chill noticed that the roar also had attracted Teryxes into the fray. A Teryx swooped at Yang, who leaned away and drove over an arch. Down below, Jaune slashed Centinels in half as he passed them while a flock of Teryxes flew behind him. Ren continued to hold onto StormFlower’s cable, which had been detached from the gun. He watched what was happening on the ground, then looked up at the Hound, seeing Oscar pale and unconscious in its arms. Ren holstered his second gun and began pulling himself along the cable toward the Hound. A Centinel spat acid onto the engine of Jaune’s hoverbike, Yang zipping by an archway overhead as it happened.]*

Yang: Jaune!

*[A pair of Centinels twisted around each other, heading straight for Jaune from behind. He sheathed his sword and leaped from his bike, then used his shield’s Gravity blast to bounce off a Centinel’s head onto a stone arch. He tucked, rolled and teetered on the opposite edge before Yang drove by and grabbed him, swinging him onto the back of her bike. Big Chill flew quickly overhead, phasing through Teryxes that attempted to attack him, freezing them in the process. Increasing his speed, Big Chill swooped around the Hound, attempting to take it by surprise by going in front of it. The Hound tossed Oscar up, grabbing him with his mouth again, then elongated its arm to slam Big Chill away. The Hound's hand bashed the Simplicitrix directly, and the hit disoriented Big Chill as the Hound passed by. The Simplicitrix sparked with red electricity and changed Alan back, causing him to fall.]*

Jaune: Alan!

*[Yang's bike increased speed and Alan just barely caught the back of the bike before he would've otherwise fallen. Dangling off the back, Alan glanced up, seeing Jaune put his hand out to help Alan back up onto the bike, and Alan took it, climbing up and sitting behind Jaune. Yang drove off the arch and onto a cliff, where a group of Centinels burrowed up from the ground ahead of her. She accelerated and expertly dodged them, only for a Teryx to land up ahead. Jaune pulled out a shield device, activating and tossing it. The device bumped into a boulder before deploying its Hard-Light shield, and Yang rammed the shield with her bike, causing it to lean against the boulder and form a ramp. The bike was sent flying over the Teryx’s head before it could stop them. There were two Centinels behind the Teryx, and Yang fired Ember Celica just before landing, sending the bike into a spin and hitting one of the Centinels with the engine. Before she could regain control, the bike slammed into a rock. The engine began smoking, and a tank on the side of the bike began leaking a glowing purple material. Yang continued driving, dodging and speeding passed Grimm on her way out of the chasm. The three sighed in relief, but when they looked in front of them, their eyes widened with the realization that they were driving straight toward a sheer cliff. Yang turned the bike, and it toppled over, sending her, Jaune, Alan, and the bike tumbling along the ground. The bike slammed into a boulder, while Yang, Alan, and Jaune continued rolling toward the cliff. In an attempt to prevent their fall, Jaune stabbed his sword into the ground while holding onto Yang’s hand, and Alan onto Yang's other, only for the three to fall over the edge, screaming. Ren suddenly appeared in the air above them, firing StormFlower’s cables. One cable wrapped around Jaune’s sword, and the other around Jaune’s leg. A Teryx flew toward Ren, but he activated his Semblance, hiding himself, Yang, Alan, and Jaune. The Teryx passed by harmlessly. An army of Centinels and Teryxes arrived at the top of the cliff, only to turn and leave when they failed to sense anyone. Once it was safe, Ren deactivated his Semblance and looks into the distance to see the Hound flying toward Monstra.]*

*[Weiss knocked heavily on the front doors of the Schnee manor, and soon after, the double doors were opened by Whitley, who looked upon Weiss and her friends in surprise. Ruby and Alan stood with her, Blake was holding the still unconscious Nora, and May was keeping watch behind them.]*

Whitley: Oh, you’ve picked a fine time to--

*[Weiss interrupted by pointing Myrtenaster at him, and he looked at the blade in fright.]*

Weiss: Not. Another. Word. We’re coming in.

*[Whitley stepped aside and groaned as Ruby’s group walked into the manor.]*

Whitley: Things are already bad enough after what you did to father, now you want us to harbor fugitives too? Our family has a reputation.

*[Whitley crossed his arms in annoyance. Blake, having set Nora down on the floor, looked at him.]*

Blake: That’s what you’re worried about? Your reputation?

Alan: Isn't the reputation built on branding, slave labor, and shady business deals?

Whitley: I’m just saying that we’ve already lost all the house staff, and mother locked herself in her room.

Weiss: Maybe you haven’t figured out what’s going on, Whitley, but we’re busy trying to save Atlas.

Ruby: *[stepping between the two]* Look, our friend is hurt. We just need a place to lay low while she rests, and then we’ll be out of your way.

Whitley: *[reluctant sigh]* Fine. What do you expect me to do, then?

Weiss: *[pointing to the staircase]* Go to your room.

*[There was a brief pause, and Whitley sighed before following her command.]*

Weiss: This way.

*[Weiss walked away, and Alan lifted Nora and followed her. While they and May exited the room, Blake walked over to Ruby, who was staring outside through the front doors.]*

Blake: Ruby?

Ruby: I hope everyone’s doing alright.

Blake: If you’re worried about Yang, you could always try calling her.

Ruby: That’s the thing. *[shows Blake her scroll, which was attempting to call Yang]* I did.

*[In the mountainous tundra, Yang gathered up nuts and bolts, while Ren did nothing, and Jaune waved his Scroll in the air in search of a signal. Alan studied the Simplicitrix, trying and failing to transform.]*

Jaune: I repeat, if anybody can hear me...

*[Jaune looked over at the crashed hoverbike, which had a trail of the leaked purple material in the snow leading to the damaged tank. He sighed.]*

Jaune: We need transport back to Mantle.

*[Some time later, the four were trekking through the tundra, with Ren leading and Jaune pushing the hoverbike. The sun was beginning to set, and it was snowing. Yang was using her Scroll to keep an eye on their Aura levels. Jaune’s was at 41% but then lowers to 39%. Yang’s and Ren’s meters turned from yellow to red as Yang’s drops from 34% to 32% and Ren’s goes from 33% to 31%. Alan's was at 35%, dropping to 33% just a few seconds later.]'*

Yang: We need to get out of this weather before the cold drops our Auras completely.

Alan: I'd help with that, but I haven't been able to transform since our fight with that... thing. Seems we're on our own without aliens for now.

Yang: Don't worry about it, too much. *[looks to Ren]* How much farther to the outpost?

*[With an angry expression, Ren remained silent.]*

Yang: Ren, how much-

Ren: I don’t know.

*[Yang looked back at Jaune, who shrugged. She caught up with Ren, and Alan appeared quite uncomfortable.]*

Yang: I thought you said you saw it when you were up in the air.

Ren: I did, before I had to cut myself loose to help you guys.

*[Yang uncomfortably brought her hand to the back of her head, then lowered it as she spoke.]*

Yang: Yeah, you’ve brought that up a couple times now. Something you need to say?

Ren: Not really. Wouldn't want to waste any more time.

*[Ren walked ahead, while Yang stopped with a small gasp. Annoyed, she caught up with him again, stopping in front of him.]*

Yang: Hey! What is your deal?

Ren: Don’t worry about it.

Yang: Well, I’m sorry things aren’t going smoothly enough for you.

*[Jaune stops, and Alan clenched his fist.]*

Jaune: Guys-

Ren: They’re not going smoothly at all.

Yang: I hate to break it to you, but that’s part of being a Huntsman.

Ren: Are you kidding?! We don’t know the first thing about being Huntsmen! We clearly weren’t ready!

Jaune: Guys, stop it.

Alan: ...Seriously. Stop-

Yang: Were we not ready when we saved Haven? When we took down a Leviathan? We got the Lamp to Atlas!

Ren: And then we lost it! And after that, when we had to make real decisions, we got every single one wrong!

Yang: I’m not going to pretend like we did everything perfectly, but if we’d done nothing, things would be even worse than they are now!

Ren: How could they possibly be worse? We are stuck out here while Salem has the Lamp and Oscar! We’ve got no plan, no army!

Yang: We’ve got the Maiden!

*[Ren walked away from Yang, in the direction of the City of Atlas, gesturing to it as he spoke.]*

Ren: And by keeping her from opening the Vault for Ironwood, we’re just trapping the *whole* city for Salem! *[lowering his arms]* People are going to die. Because of us.

Yang: So what, we should just give Ironwood what he wants? Abandon Mantle? You think Atlas is still gonna be able to float to safety now that she’s here?

Ren: *[turning and walking back to Yang]* I don’t know. But these aren’t the kinds of decisions we should be making because we have no idea what we’re doing!

Jaune: Okay, both of you. Cut it out.

Ren: *[walking towards Yang, getting in her face]* I’m just saying what nobody else wants to. We’re in way over our heads, Ruby is barely more than a kid, I’m just an orphan from the middle of nowhere-

Jaune: Ren, I-

Ren: *[angrily turning back to Jaune]* And *you* cheated your way into Beacon!

*[Yang’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. They stood in silence for a few moments, until Ren relaxed his shoulders and gained a regretful expression. He looked away from Jaune, frowning. Alan awkwardly cleared his throat, and held one hand to his head, as if having a headache. Jaune stared wide-eyed, then lowers his gaze with a frown.]*

Jaune: You don’t think we should be Huntsmen? ...Fine, but I’m getting out of the cold.

*[Jaune resumed pushing the hoverbike, walking passed Ren and Yang.]*

Jaune: *[mumbling]* We’ve still got a job to do.

Yang: *[to Ren]* Seriously, is your goal just to push everyone away?

*[Yang walked away to follow Jaune, while Ren clenched his fists. Alan brushed passed Ren, making sure to intentionally bump shoulders with him to explicitly, though silently, convey his own anger.]*

Oscar? Don’t panic. We’re going to be okay.

*[Ozpin's voice echoed throughout the darkness as Oscar woke up, his vision blurry. He looked down at his feet, which dangled above the ground.]*

Oscar: Uh, what?

*[Oscar looked up to see fleshy walls, bone spikes, a bone staircase and a membrane door. Standing in the shadows of the doorway was Salem with a cloud of smoke hovering above her hand.]*

Salem: My long-lost Ozma, found at last.

*[The smoke formed the shape of her daughters, all running in a circle and giggling. As Salem turned her head to look at Oscar, the smoke dissipated. Oscar’s eyes widened, and he looked around and began struggling. The Hound was holding him in the air by the back of his coat’s collar. Salem walked over to him.]*

Salem: So small, this new host of yours. It’s a wonder my Hound didn’t break you. It’s been how many years since we saw each other like this, face to face? And nothing to say?

*[Oscar adopted Ozpin’s speaking mannerisms as he responds to her.]*

Oscar: I’m sorry the reunion isn’t living up to your expectations.

*[Salem suddenly grabbed Oscar’s face, her own face wrinkling slightly with a furious glare. The sudden movement was enough to make Oscar drop the act in fear.]*

Salem: You can pretend, boy, but you’re not fully him. Not yet, at least. *[relaxes, letting go of Oscar]* Well, perhaps you and I can have a better working relationship. Oscar, was it? *[begins walking around the Hound]* The Beacon Relic. My forces have been unable to locate the Relic beneath the school. If I know my Ozma, he has used some means of deception to hide its location differently than the others. *[stops next to Oscar, scratching the Hound's shoulder]* I need to know where it is.

Oscar: I... That’s not something I know about.

*[Salem stopped and walks away.]*

Salem: Of course. He would keep that one guarded as long as possible.

*[Oscar sighed, and Salem stopped at the other end of the room.]*

Salem: How about something easier, then? The password for the Lamp.

*[Oscar paused for a moment, his eyes darted down then back up.]*

Oscar: ...The Lamp is all out of questions.

*[Salem turned to face Oscar and smiled, before summoning a black orb of magic in front of her. The orb sent out a rainbow of magic beams, all converging on Oscar’s chest, causing him to scream out and writhe in agony. With an intense glare on her face, Salem kept the torture going for several seconds, then lowered her hands with a frown, letting the magic fade. She walked over to Oscar, who was still squirming and gasping, with remnants of the magic floating from the scorch mark on his chest.]*

Salem: The lies come out of you so easily.

*[Oscar turned away, cowering, as Salem gently put her hand to his cheek and gave a sweet smile.]*

Salem: Like-minded souls indeed.

*[She turned and walked away, heading back to the door.]*

Salem: One of you is going to tell me what you know. I don’t much care if it is you or Ozma. Either way, I’ll finally have the Relic.

Oscar: I won’t tell you anything.

*[Salem turned to face him once again, a curious smirk on her face.]*

Salem: Hm.

*[The membrane door to the room pulled open with a fleshy sound, revealing an angered Hazel Rainart.]*

Oscar: Hazel? *[puts his hands out weakly as Hazel approaches]* Wait, wait-

*[Hazel slapped his hands away and punched him, causing the Hound to drop him on the floor.]*

Hazel: *That* was for Haven Academy.

*[Hazel kicks Oscar toward the wall. His anger increasing, Hazel violently cracked his own neck.]*

Hazel: Everything that follows... will be for my sister.

*[Hazel then made his way towards Oscar again.]*

*[Night had begun, and there was heavy snowfall over the Mantle tundra. Inside an abandoned outpost, Jaune hit a furnace until it lit up. Ren was staring out of a window with his arms crossed. In the outpost was a bunk bed. On the top bed, Alan had since drifted off. The scene momentarily panned to the Simplicitrix, which seemed to have a slight crack in its core. The scene then focused on Jaune and Ren.]*

Jaune: *[sighs]* You’re right, Ren. I… I did cheat my way into Beacon. *[stands and walks over to Ren near the window]* And I’m glad that I had people around me to help me see that I was bigger than that mistake. You’ve got people around you, too. You don’t have to force yourself to be strong. The more you hide from what you’re feeling, the more alone you’re going to feel. Trust me.

*[Ren glanced at Jaune, then uncrossed his arms and walked out of the small building, shoving the door open. Yang was standing by the door, having just returned, and she sadly watched Ren leave. She held up a purple canister.]*

Yang: If anyone cares, I found a part to fix the bike. So, *[halfheartedly]* yay. *[normal tone]* Good news.

*[She walked over to a workbench, taking a quick glance up to the sleeping Alan, and Jaune turned back to the window to watch Ren sit down beneath a lamp post outside.]*

Yang: For what it’s worth, I’m sorry he said that to you. I know you’ve had to work hard to get here, Jaune.

Jaune: We’re all under a lot of stress right now. I used to push people away too.

*[Yang turned to the workbench and began using a wrench to put the canister inside a piece of the hoverbike. After a bit, she paused, the purple reminding her of someone.]*

Yang: Do you… think she thinks less of me… for not helping out with Amity?

Jaune: Ruby is your sister, she’s always going to love you even if you disagree with each other.

Yang: Yeah. Ruby…

*[Yang resumed fixing the bike part, clearly not having been talking about Ruby, Jaune sighed and lied down in the lower bunk bed.]*

Jaune: I need to get some sleep, but I can’t stop thinking about Oscar.

*[Yang put the wrench down and walked over to the window.]*

Yang: Go on. I’ll make sure Ren doesn’t brood himself to death out in the cold.

Jaune: Thanks. I just have a bad feeling. Things always seem to get worse before they get better.

*[Down the hill from the outpost and a fair distance away, the ground had begun cracking and noises could be heard beneath it. Suddenly, the cracks lengthened and then expanded.]*

*[In Atlas Academy, General Ironwood, Vine, Marrow, Elm, and Harriet gathered around the table in Ironwood’s office. A hologram screen was showing a map of Solitas, on which the locations of the Kingdom of Atlas, Amity Tower, and Monstra were marked. A new screen appeared, displaying the words “Sensory Alert”, while an alarm played. Yet another screen appeared, showing footage of Amity Tower beginning its take-off. An explosion of Dust from the abandoned SDC mine cleared out by the heroes last Volume was helping to lift the Tower.]*

Ironwood: It’s time.

*[All of the screens in the Atlas military base suddenly displayed a broadcast color pattern with the text “Atlas Emergency Broadcast System” displayed across the top, emitting a long tone. Bill dropped his mug in surprise. A large screen on a building in Mantle flickered on, displaying the same image for a moment before switching to a pre-recorded video of Ruby, with Blake’s voice coming from off-camera. The two drunken Mantle men looked at the screen and then at each other.]*

Blake *(voice)*: Okay, go ahead.

Ruby: Um, uh. Hi. My name is Ruby Rose. I’m a Huntress. And if we’ve done everything right, then I’m talking to all of Remnant right now. Dr. Polendina can explain more later, but right now you all need to know that the Kingdom of Atlas is under attack.

*[The video was broadcast to TVs and Scrolls all over Remnant. People in Mistral Central Station began watching it, as did Saphron and Terra Cotta-Arc. Adrian grinned and waves his hands at the image of Ruby.]*

Ruby: Things are dire, and we need help. But please, try not to panic. This isn’t some new enemy or invading Kingdom. This is a force we’ve faced before, for centuries… Salem.

*[Whitley was watching sadly from Jacques' office, resting his arms on the desk with his chin in his arms. He tensed and lowered his gaze when Ruby states that they need help. In the Mantle crater, refugees and Fiona’s uncle were gathered together, watching. In Vacuo, Team SSSN and Team CFVY were watching on their Scrolls, and they looked at each other.]*

Neptune: Dude.

Ruby: The White Fang, Atlesian drones, even the Grimm themselves have all been controlled and manipulated by her, in order to tear down the Huntsman Academies.

*[In Menagerie, Ilia Amitola was sitting on a roof, watching on her Scroll, when Ghira Belladonna called her. Joanna watched among citizens in Mantle, standing behind Drunk Mann and Drinking Buddy. At Amity, the broadcast continued. Penny turned and pressed her back to one of the Tower's stabilizers, which had been heavily damaged. She produced jet beams from her hands and feet alike to push the tower up.]*

Ruby: I know the idea of the Maidens and Relics seems… well… crazy, but I promise Professor Goodwitch of Beacon and Headmaster Theodore of Shade can verify all of this.

*[In Vale, Shopkeep was standing in From Dust Till Dawn, and he looked over at Glynda Goodwitch, who happened to be in his shop, looking stunned at the broadcast.]*

Ruby: They might even be able to help organize a way to fight back. But sadly, General Ironwood can no longer be trusted.

*[Ironwood and the Ace Operatives were watching from Pietro’s Atlas laboratory, and Harriet quickly muted the TV when Ruby says the truth about Ironwood, cause Harriet's too much of a bitch to want to hear the truth. Marrow was smiling until the TV was muted. Ironwood walked over to the desk where Watts had dismantled part of Penny’s sword and was working away at the inside.]*

Ironwood: It seems Polendina’s proxy trick worked.

Watts: And that’s good news for us.

*[Watts used tweezers to remove a chip that has Penny’s emblem on it.]*

Watts: Penny’s blades operate on the same principle as Amity in the launch terminal. In order for her to control them all, they need to communicate with one another.

*[The scene changed to inside Monstra. Specifically, a bony throne room within the creature's snout. Tyrian Callows was sitting beside the throne, watching the broadcast on his Scroll with a scowl. Salem placed her hand on his head with an eerie smile, and he smiled and looked at her.]*

Ruby: We didn’t have time to prepare for Salem. But now you do! Just because she can’t be destroyed, doesn’t mean she can’t be beaten. If she really was unstoppable, she wouldn’t have acted with such caution until now.

*[Ruby, Blake, and Weiss sat against the bed in Weiss’ bedroom, watching the broadcast on Blake’s Scroll while Nora laid unconscious in the bed, covered in bandages. Ouroborosaurus held onto Nora's arm, attempting to heal her.]*

Ruby: She knows we’re a threat. So even if we... even if Atlas falls, you can’t give up.

*[Watts used tweezers to pick up a chip with his emblem on it and showed it to Ironwood, who nods. He then placed the chip into Penny’s sword, and the lighting inside the sword changed from green to red. The scene quickly changed back to Amity. Penny gasped as her eyes flickered red for a moment. She then cried out and gripped her head. Her jets stopped working, and she fell for a few seconds, before activating her jets again and flying back up to push on the stabilizer again.]*

Pietro *(voice)*: Penny! What’s going on out there?

Penny: I… *[grunts]* I do not know!

*[Taiyang was watching the broadcast from his living room in Patch.]*

Ruby: *[smiling hopefully]* I hope Amity Tower will help bring us all together. Because in the end, that’s how we’ll win-

*[The broadcast was suddenly cut off, and the screen reverted to the Atlas Emergency Broadcast System screen. Tai reached out for a moment.]*

Tai: No! No, come back!

*[Tai lowered his head into his hands, and Zwei whimpered, laid down, and rested his head on Tai’s leg. From outside the window of the home, a raven silently watched the scene unfold. The scene yet again changed back to Penny at Amity.]*

Pietro *(voice)*: Penny, you’ve done enough, sweetheart. Get back inside! We can ride out on Amity together.

*[Penny struggled, her eyes flickering between red and their normal green color.]*

Penny: No! I- I have to go! The Vault! No! *[panicked]* Dad!

*[Penny looked up at the tower, and her eyes became dull and lifeless. Her body went limp, and she began falling.]*

Pietro *(voice)*: Penny! What is happening!?

*[As she fell through the atmosphere, Penny became engulfed in flames.]*

Pietro *(voice)*: Please, baby, say something!

*[After a moment, the light returned to Penny’s eyes, and she then closed them. The scene showed Pietro at Amity's controls within the Tower, desperately waiting on a response from her.]*

Penny *(voice)*: ...I love you.

*[The radio communications between Penny and Pietro filled with static.]*

Pietro: **PENNY!**

*[Pietro coughed and lowered his head into his hands, crying. Maria rested her hand on his back, trying to comfort him.]*

*[The scene changed over to Pietro's office once again, just after the broadcast went down.]*

Harriet: Global comms just went back down.

Ironwood: *[after having attempted to all Penny]* And Penny isn’t responding. *[turning to Watts]* What did you do?

*[Watts played with Penny’s sword as he spoke, before turning to Ironwood.]*

Watts: Exactly what you asked. It’s possible Penny’s systems are merely rebooting. As for the tower, well, perhaps Pietro isn’t the genius you thought-

*[Ironwood angrily threw his Scroll at Watts, who swatted it away. The Scroll, now broken, landed on the desk.]*

Ironwood: *[sighs]* We’re not waiting. *[turns to an unseen character]* You’re going to find her.

*[The unseen character was Winter, who had approached. She had been given an exoskeletal-like armor which helped her move about despite her injuries.]*

Ironwood: Winter.

*[Winter stared at Penny’s sword solemnly, giving Ironwood a delayed response. Watts slyly smirked back at her. She then glanced to Ironwood.]*

Winter: Sir?

Ironwood: Until Penny either responds or is standing in front of that Vault, we can not assume her status. Take the Ace Ops. I want constant updates.

*[Winter, Marrow, Elm and Vine saluted him and then began leaving the room. Watts picked up his tool kit and then began rolling his chair along the desk, turning off the monitors. Ironwood headed for the exit while addressing Harriet.]*

Ironwood: Get him back to his cell.

Harriet: With pleasure.

*[Watted picks up Ironwood’s broken Scroll and held it behind his back as he stood up and faced Harriet.]*

*[In the tundra outpost, Yang, Ren, and Jaune were looking at their Scrolls. Alan had since woken up around the time of the broadcast.]*

Yang: That was the broadcast. Why'd we lose signal?

*[They heard a loud noise in the distance, and were soon after running through the snow in pursuit of rumbling sounds.]*

Jaune: There’s another one. I think it’s just up ahead.

*[They suddenly stopped and stared at something with wide eyes. Alan grimaced, stepping back with a scowl.]*

Ren: What… *is* this?

*[The ground had broken open, and black liquid was flowing inside the crack. The ground rumbles, and Yang took a step forward. A piece of dirt with a small bush on it broke off beneath her foot, and Jaune reached out in case she falls. The dirt and bush fell into the liquid and instantly dissolved. Soon after, a Sabyr head floated to the surface. Yang's eyes widen with realization.]*

Yang: It’s Grimm. A river of Grimm…

*[All four of them looked where the liquid is heading, while Monstra hovered in the distance in the opposite direction. They saw that the river was snaking its way across the tundra toward Mantle.]*

Yang: ...heading straight for the Kingdom.

*[An airship was flying through the air somewhere above the tundra. Inside, Elm and Vine discussed Penny, while Winter Schnee listened from one of the pilot’s seats.]*

Elm: Did the hack just not work? How do we even know we can trust Watts?

Vine: We have confirmed visual of her leaving Amity. She appeared to be malfunctioning.

Elm: This is why I don’t trust technology! Now we’re wasting our time searching for broken junk!

Winter: *[takes that personally, but turns to face them]* Enough! You’re Atlas elite, act like it.

*[Marrow, who was piloting the ship, put his finger to the communicator in his ear. He then addressed Winter.]*

Marrow: Um, ma’am, we’re picking up an open comms broadcast.

Winter: Play it.

*[Marrow pressed a button. There was static as the console played a communication from Jaune.]*

Jaune *(voice)*: It’s headed straight for Mantle! I repeat, a large mass of Grimm is headed straight for Mantle! Please, anyone!

*[Winter and Marrow looked concerned, while Elm, Vine, and Harriet walk forward with interest. Soon after, the airship landed in the tundra in front of Jaune, Yang, Ren, and Alan, who were riding the now repaired HVB Rhino hoverbike. Winter and Harriet hopped out of the airship, while Jaune and Ren get off the bike.]*

Yang: *[sarcastically]* Great, you guys.

Jaune: Did you hear our message? It’s right there. We need to hurry.

*[Jaune gestured to the river of Grimm Liquid to his right. Harriet looked at Winter, then at Jaune.]*

Harriet: Where’s Penny?

Jaune: Are you serious right now!? There are people in danger.

Harriet: There are people in danger because *you* kids are acting selfish and-

Alan: ***SHUT THE FUCK UP!***

*[Alan performed a flip off the bike and attempted to land a hit on Harriet, who had swiftly dodged thanks to her Semblance. He stood and glared at her, his eyes filled with pure spite.]*

Harriet: WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?!

Alan: ***YOU*** ARE MY PROBLEM! WE HAVE BIGGER THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT THAN-

*[Alan stopped shouting as the ground suddenly began shaking with a series of earthquakes, which frightened people in Mantle and in the Mantle crater. The fear drew attention from Grimm. The Grimm river formed a geyser that shoots up high enough to hit the City of Atlas. The geyser continued until it forced its way through the city’s Hard-Light shield. Centinels spawn from the liquid. The Ace Operatives, Winter, Jaune, Yang, Alan, and Ren looked on wide-eyed, while Weiss, the other Alan clone, Ruby, Blake, May, and Ironwood watched in horror through a broadcast, each in a different location. The scene faded to show Alan taking a similar stance and facial expression to Ironwood, though he was floating inside the consciousness of Alien X, watching the scene from the transformation's perspective. Bellicus and Serena traded glances. The Centinels began burrowing into the earth, while a military airship tried to shoot them. The Grimm then made their way through the ground and dislodge two of the shield’s pylons, causing them to fall to the ground beneath Atlas. With the two pylons gone, the entire shield was disabled. The scene panned inside Monstra, showing the throne room. Salem sat at the throne, surrounded by the Hound, Neopolitan, Emerald, Mercury, Cinder, Tyrian, and Hazel, the last of which held Oscar next to him. Salem smiled and her eyes glowed.]*

Salem: It’s time.

*[Monstra flew over to the City of Atlas and crash landed on one of its farms. The whale opened its mouth, and Grimm Liquid came flooding out. A variety of Grimm spawn, including Manticores, Teryxes, Megoliaths, Boarbatusks, Apathy, Ursai, Beowolves and winged Beringels.]*

## Major Events

* Team RYNJ fails to save Oscar from the Hound, which takes him to Monstra.
* The Hound damages the Simplicitrix of the Alan clone that's a part of Team RYNJ.
* Amity's broadcast goes out, warning the world of Salem.
* Watts successfully hacks into Penny's system under the orders of Ironwood.
* Salem's forces successfully destroy the Hard-Light shields around Atlas. She then lands Monstra on the floating rock, giving her Grimm the opening to attack.

## Credit Scene 1

*[Oscar was suspended by his hands, tied up to a Grimm hook dangling from the ceiling. His blood dripped onto the floor.]*

Hazel: That stunt you pulled. She’d have killed you if you didn’t just pop up somewhere else. Still, you can make things easier on yourself if you start telling the truth.

*[He walked up to Oscar, who had a black eye, was bruised in several places, and had clothes peppered with dried blood, dirt, and scorch marks. Ozpin spoke through the boy.]*

Ozpin: You’ve never wondered why she recruited you? You, specifically, to help her find the Relics.

Hazel: We share a vision. She’s gonna create a new world order, no Kingdoms... *[steps only a few inches from Ozpin]* ...and no Huntsmen Academies.

Ozpin: *[chuckles]* "New world order." ...No. When Salem gets all four Relics, there will be no world left at all. Don’t you get it? She’s been alive longer than you can comprehend. All she craves now is release. Death.

*[Hazel punched Ozpin, sending him swaying by his wrists.]*

Hazel: Stop lying! Salem can’t be killed.

*[Ozpin blinked repeatedly, trying to focus on Hazel's words.]*

Hazel: When she came for me, I killed her over and over again. The longest she was gone was only a few hours, before she put herself back together. When I couldn’t lift my arms anymore, she showed me that, through her, I could have the vengeance I needed.

Ozpin: Oh, Hazel, don’t you see? That is why she came for you. Because she could make you believe that this is what you needed.

Hazel: This is what you ***deserve***!

Ozpin: Yes! But *Oscar*? The people of Atlas, Remnant? You haven’t done what you’ve done for justice. You’ve done it for yourself. Because she pushed you to think it would help you. ...Well, has it?

## Characters

* Alan Nomaly
* Ruby Rose
* Weiss Schnee
* Blake Belladonna
* Yang Xiao Long
* Jaune Arc
* Nora Valkyrie
* Lie Ren
* Penny Polendina
* Oscar Pine
* Whitley Schnee
* Pietro Polendina
* Maria Calavera *(cameo)*
* Bellicus *(cameo)*
* Serena *(cameo)*

### Villains

* General Ironwood
* Arthur Watts
* Salem
* Tyrian Callows *(cameo)*
* Hazel Rainart
* Mercury Black *(cameo)*
* Cinder Fall *(cameo)*
* Emerald Sustrai *(cameo)*
* Neopolitan *(cameo)*

### Ironwood's Group

* Winter Schnee
* Harriet Bree
* Marrow Amin
* Vine Zeki
* Elm Ederne

### Grimm

* Monstra
* The Hound
* Centinel
* Teryx
* Manticore
* Megoliath
* Boarbatusks
* Apathy
* Ursai
* Beowolf
* Winged Beringels

### Broadcast Cameos

* Bill "Maybe Scarlatina"
* Saphron Cotta-Arc
* Terra Cotta-Arc
* Adrian Cotta-Arc
* Ilia Amitola *(debut)*
* Ghira Belladonna *(contact photo)*
* Joanna Greenleaf
* Uncle Thyme
* Sun Wukong
* Scarlet David
* Sage Ayana
* Neptune Vasilias
* Coco Adel
* Fox Alistair
* Velvet Scarlatina
* Yatsuhashi Daichi
* Shopkeep *(debut)*
* Glynda Goodwitch
* Taiyang Xiao Long
* Zwei
* Raven Branwen

## Aliens Used

* Big Chill
* Ouroborosaurus *(cameo)*
* Alien X *(cameo, continued from previous appearance)*

## Trivia

* This episode adds on additional content from the episodes *Amity* and *Midnight*.
* Alan was originally going to take over trying to fix the bike with the use of some intelligence aliens, but this was scrapped in favor of the storyline with the Hound breaking the device.
* The original version of *Amity* only shows Neptune and Sun in Vacuo during the broadcast. Quite frankly, fuck that, all of SSSN should've been there, and more importantly, CFVY should have been there, too, so they're here.
	+ Raven Branwen was also absent from the original episode.

## Credit Scene 2

"So long as this world turns, you shall walk its face".

*[Ozpin's voice sounded in the darkness. Said dark faded to show Oscar in the torture room of Monstra. With Ozpin in control, he attempted to talk sense into Hazel.]*

Ozpin: That was the curse cast upon her. But if Salem can divide humanity beyond repair, and bring all four Relics together, she believes that maybe her curse will be broken. The Gods will rule against us and destroy Remnant, once and for all.

Hazel: Nice story. But if Gretchen’s death taught me one thing, it was never to trust you.

*[Hazel, unconvinced and filled with rage, advances towards them.]*

Oscar *(voice)*: Please, let me.

Ozpin *(voice)*: But, Oscar-

Oscar *(voice)*: You want him to trust us? Then trust *me*.

*[The boy closed his eyes, and Ozpin yielded control to Oscar.]*

Oscar: Her name is Jinn. *[the comment caused Hazel to stop in his tracks]* You want her to come out of the Lamp? Just say her name. She can still answer one more question.

*[Hazel's eyes widened in anger, and he grabbed and lifted Oscar by the collar.]*

Hazel: After all that, you’re just going to ***give*** Salem the password?

Oscar: No, I’m giving *you* the password, and hoping you’ll find the truth for yourself.

*[Hazel slowly released Oscar's collar, his scowl turning to an expression of surprise, pondering what had just happened.]*