Refuge

***Refuge*** is the tenth episode of *The RWBYA Adventures*.

## Plot

*[A news report played, showing a picture of James Ironwood with the symbol of Atlas behind him. The news network Atlas Eye had the subtitle “DEVELOPING STORY: GENERAL IRONWOOD HALTS MANTLE EVACUATIONS” displayed on the bottom of the screen.]*

Reporter: With still no word from General Ironwood, Mantle citizens are frightened and perplexed by the sudden withdrawal of military personnel, especially given the massive Grimm horde outside the kingdom. *[images of various flying Grimm as well as the Monstra are shown on screen]* I’ve… never seen anything quite like this.

*[In the background, civilians could be seen evacuating in the streets. Joanna Greenleaf was seen looking over it before turning around to notice the news team.]*

Reporter: It truly feels like the end of days, but the Atlas Eye is committed to updating the public, until our dying-

*[Suddenly, Joanna grabbed the microphone from the reporter.]'*

Reporter: Wha--? Hey, wait!

*[Joanna stabbed her weapon in the ground and glared at the reporter, startling him. She then looked to the camera.]*

Joanna: Citizens of Mantle, General Ironwood has abandoned you, but we have not! If you can hear this, gather any food and supplies you need to stay warm, then head to the Mantle Crater.

*[While she speaks, a montage of Mantle citizens were shown leaving their homes and making their way down the streets to safety. A pair of Atlesian Knight-130s were shown investigating Pietro’s pharmacy, but they were gunned down by Yang, accompanied by Jaune, Ren, Oscar, and Alan. The group passed by a holographic screen in the pharmacy that showed the newscast Joanna is on.]*

Joanna: The Grimm are starting to make their way back into the city, but we can hold the line if we all come together. If we don’t, well… you’ve all seen what’s waiting for us out in the storm. It’s time to show your teeth, Mantle.

*[She walked away from the camera and shoved the microphone back into the reporter’s hands.]*

*[Yang opened a door to a darkened room. Jaune found the light switch to turn it on. Yang gasped and smiled in glee upon seeing what is in the room, with a similar smile shared by Jaune, with Ren and Oscar peeking over too. Alan curiously looks as well.]*

Yang: Alright, the others are definitely missing out.

*[Out in the streets, Yang, Jaune, and Ren piloted a triplet of hoverbikes, with Oscar riding backseat with Yang. Rather than joining them on the bikes, Alan swung Spider-Man style through the city as Bungee Sponge. Yang then noticed a ramp and gasped happily.]*

Oscar: *[panicking]* Yang! Yang, no! No!

*[He was too late. Yang jumped off the ramp and used Ember Celica to fire a round off the wall and do a flip in midair on the hoverbike. As Yang smiled at the thrill, some of her hair gets caught in Oscar's mouth, which he tried to spit out. They landed safely back on the ground. Jaune and Ren exchanged a look, Ren's being stoic and Jaune's being excited, with Jaune bumping over a piece of debris causing him to almost stumble. As the three continued their ride through the Mantle streets, followed by Bungee Sponge's swinging, they were unwarily being watched by a Grimm-like figure perched on a bridge overhead.]*

*[Ren was seen shooting a security camera with StormFlower, disabling it. Oscar helped evacuate people, knocking on the doors of people's homes. They gathered a large group of civilians. Jaune was seen doing a fist bump handshake with a child, before looking to his parent.]*

Jaune: Only take what you need.

*[Yang was seen standing before the large group of civilians.]*

Mother: The crater? Are you sure it’s safe out there?

Yang: *[slightly empty smile]* Absolutely, ma’am.

*[Suddenly, she heard people screaming behind her. They were seen running away from a pair of Sabyrs. They charged forward. Jaune ran up and takes out a unique device that charged up.]*

Jaune: Heads up!

*[Jaune threw the device a distance away, with it activating a large Hard-Light shield upon impact that prevented the Sabyrs from going any further. As they tried to claw at it, Ren comes in from above and stabbed them with his blades, causing them to dissipate. The shield deactivated and Ren kicked the device back to Jaune's shield, which used Gravity Dust to make the device stick to it.]*

Jaune: *[smirks]* Way better than a hoverbike.

*[Jaune looked at Ren, only to gasp upon seeing a Sabyr try to get the drop on him. "Try" being the operative word, as Bungee Sponge swooped down, using his hook-like claws to slice through the Grimm, killing it, then he transformed back.]*

Oscar: Have the Grimm already pushed this far in?

Yang: No, I think those were more from last night. Still… Ren! If Jaune hits you with his Aura Amp, think you can mask everyone?

Ren: We can give it a shot, but it is a lengthy trip through Mantle.

*[Jaune didn't reply immediately, as he got distracted by a crying child.]*

Jaune: No, no, that’s a great idea! We'll have a Grimm free journey all the way to the Crater!

Disgruntled Grandmother: Do we really gotta shack up with those animals down in the slums? I’d feel a lot safer being up in Atlas.

Yang: *[taking that comment personally given her connection to Blake]* Yeah, I’m sure you would. But the people up top have decided you’re not worth the trouble. The Faunus, on the other hand, have been willing to lend all the help they can. *Regardless* of whether or not you deserve it.

*[The disgruntled grandmother looks at the ground, slightly ashamed. The Mother then leaned in awkwardly.]*

Mother: So, I’ll just… I'll just go get our things then.

*[Yang, Jaune, Ren, Alan, and Oscar guided the people throughout the streets of Mantle, using Ren's Semblance to mask their emotions. Yang took up the front, and Oscar the back. Jaune piloted the bike in the center, with Ren on the back of it. Ren's hand rested on Jaune's shoulder so that the Aura Amp could power up Tranquility. Alan alternated between flanking the left and right of the group.]*

Disgruntled Grandmother: I don’t want to go to the slums.

Mother: Mother!

Disgruntled Grandmother: General Ironwood said we were going to Atlas.

Mother: You’re setting a bad example!

Disgruntled Grandmother: Those kids should…

*[The grandmother's voice trailed off as the scene focused on Oscar.]*

Oscar: It should not be this hard getting people to just cooperate.

Ozpin: *(voice)* And yet, it’s something I’m becoming increasingly concerned about.

Oscar: You know I really don’t need your additional commentary right now.

Ozpin: *(voice)* You all have every right to be upset, especially you Oscar. I’m sorry I left you.

Oscar: I’m not upset that you left. I’m upset you came back. *[grips the handle of the hoverbike tighter]* I started to feel like me. Not the same me I was before all of this but, the me I always wanted to be. I felt, like I was actually part of the team.

*[As the two continued to converse, the Grimm from earlier observed the group from atop a faraway tower.]*

Ozpin: *(voice)* I understand. But even though it may not have felt like I was with you, I was never truly gone. *[Oscar pulls out the cane]* You’re gaining control of my remaining magic, recollecting my longest held memories. Which means our two souls are still on the inevitable path to becoming one.

Oscar: But. I don’t want that.

Ozpin: *(voice)* Neither do I.

*[Ahead of Oscar, Ren's Aura became sporadically visible around the people. Jaune looked at Ren.]*

Jaune: Hey, you good?

Ren: It’s just a lot to focus on.

Jaune: You can do it Ren. We’re almost to the Crater-

Ren: I don’t need a pep talk. I need to focus.

Jaune: *[looks away, a bit upset]* Right.

*[Noticing this, Alan took a step closer to the two.]*

Alan: Ren, if you need a break, I've got an alien that can-

Ren: No. Just... Just let me focus.

*[Alan stopped walking as the rest of the group continued. He looked down, disheartened.]*

Alan: ...So much for Team ORYNJ, I guess...

*[Alan sighed and continued.]*

Ozpin: *(voice)* We need to find a way to work together, not just the two of us. All of us.

*[Elsewhere in Mantle, Penny was seen standing on a rooftop, taking a long look at the civilians making their way to the Crater. Behind her, May was seen removing the chain to a fence with a label that said Authorised Personnel Only. Weiss, Ruby, Blake, Alan, and Nora watched May as she opened the gate.]*

May: Alright, come on.

*[Penny turned around as Weiss and Ruby walked in, following them. Alan, Nora, Blake, and May soon followed.]*

Nora: Thanks again for coming.

May: Don’t mention it. Once Robyn learned about Amity Tower, she wouldn’t shut up about it. Wherever she is, I’m sure she would want us doing what we can to get it up in the air and get the world talking again.

*[May closed the gate once everyone was on the other side.]*

May: Besides, Fiona’s got your friends helping out in my stead.

Nora: ...Yeah.

*[Nora looked away, thinking about the others. Alan took note of this.]*

Alan: *[muttering quietly to May]* I... Probably wouldn't have mentioned them.

May: *[taking a quick glance back at Nora]* ...Yeah.

*[The group headed towards what looked like a factory.]*

Ruby: Are you sure this is safe?

*[Inside, numerous robots were seen manning devices next to large, slightly transparent tubes. A package went up one of the tubes with an audible whoosh. The robots did not react as the group walks in.]*

Weiss: Snow Shoe Shipping is an SDC subsidiary, meaning all the drones here report to the company, not the general. The pneumatic tubes allow for Dust refined in the crater to be sent straight up to Atlas. We just need to find the one for the military base.

Alan: Wait, wait. Hold on. We're... We're mailing ourselves to Atlas?

Weiss: Do you have a better idea?

Alan: I can think of a a few.

Weiss: A better idea that keeps a low profile?

Alan: ...I can *not* think of a few.

*[Weiss scoffed playfully.]*

Blake: *[smirking at Weiss]* Are there any buildings in Atlas that your family doesn’t own?

*[Nora giggled at the comment.]*

Weiss: *[caught off guard by the comment]* That... *[looks back at her with annoyed, half-closed eyes]* isn’t relevant at the moment.

*[Blake giggles as well before the group dispersed. Penny stops to stare at a panel that says Terminal Destination: Atlas Academy.]*

Ruby: Hey.

Penny: *[turns to Ruby]* I do not like it when friends fight.

Ruby: I know. Yang and I may not agree on how best to save Mantle but-

Penny: No. I mean Winter. The general. They were our friends. But then the Ace Ops attacked you. And the general, he said people were going to die, because of *me*.

Ruby: That was a lie. And he was only saying it to hurt you.

Penny: I was the protector of Mantle, but now, I am much more than that, and I wish I was not.

Ruby: But, you’re still you, Penny. By becoming the Winter Maiden you did protect Mantle.

*[Ruby gave Penny a soft smile.]*

Penny: Thank you Ruby.

*[Ruby gently hugged Penny, but then got distracted as Alan cleared his throat.]*

Alan: Ruby. Could um... C-Could we talk?

*[Ruby gave Penny a comforting look before stepping over to Alan, who lowered his voice.]*

Alan: We both know it wasn't *exactly* a lie, right?

Ruby: ...What do you mean?

Alan: Depending on what we do... Our actions... People might die.

Ruby: *[sighs and pauses]* I know.... I know.

Nora: I found it!

*[The two were interrupted as Nora said this. Everyone then made their way to her and Weiss.]*

Blake: I suppose there’s no turning back now.

May: Between our secret weapon, *[motions to Penny]* and my Semblance, *[temporarily becomes invisible]* you all couldn’t be in better hands.

Nora: *[turning to Weiss]* So how do we use this thing?

Weiss: It should be simple. *[walks over to the tube and sits where cargo would otherwise be]* If you lie back in the tube and press launch-

*[Nora excitedly pressed a button on the nearby console, sending Weiss up the tube, causing her to scream in surprise. As the othered look on with bewildered expressions, Nora expressed joy at the sight.]*

Alan: ...I-I think you just killed my girlfriend.

*[The others, sans the still excited Nora, glance over at him awkwardly.]*

*[Back at the Crater, a group of civilians were brought down to the Crater via freight elevator, as Joanna made her way inside a tent. Inside, Fiona was seen writing notes on a map while talking to someone through her earpiece.]*

Fiona: No Crimson, I need you and your team over in Sector 11. Mantle police are helping us clear the hospital, but they’re going to need backup.

*[Once the conversation is done, Fiona sat down with a sigh, while Joanna threw some Fire Dust at a small furnace.]*

Joanna: You’re doing great, Fi. Robyn would be proud.

Fiona: *[speaks whilst using Deep Pockets to store the map inside her hand]* I feel like you should be doing this, after flexing on the news like that.

Joanna: *[chuckling]* How else was I supposed to get the word out? Besides, *[glances out of the tent]* it seems to be working...

*[The two made their way out of the tent to inspect the latest group of civilians.]*

Fiona: Where’s this group coming in from?

Yang: That would be Sector 7.

*[The Huntresses turn to see ORYNJ returning.]*

Fiona: You cleared 7 already? That’s great! *[jumps happily]* To be honest, I wasn’t sure how you’d be doing without all of your teammates.

*[Ren turned around and walked away from the group while Jaune watched him go. Alan sighed, feeling his second-hand frustration from the others being mentioned.]*

Yang: *[a bit upset]* Well, as you can see we’re doing just fine.

Oscar: Where are you putting everyone?

*[Fiona looked at Joanna, who gave her a nod.]*

Fiona: We’re working to get most of them settled in houses or other shelters. A large portion of the community is also trying to get old mine shafts into a livable condition.

Joanna: We’ve got a lot of people to keep warm. Looting the SDC refineries is our best source of Dust. Fortunately no one’s getting arrested during the apocalypse. *[glances up at Atlas]* Just knowing those Grimm are circling out there doesn’t feel great. What are they waiting for?

*[Fiona's uncle, the old man with the badger hands, walked up to the group in a panic.]*

Fiona’s Uncle: Fi! We got another fight breaking out.

Fiona: Crap. Thanks uncle! We’ll handle it...

Joanna: *[puts a hand on Fiona's shoulder]* I’ll handle it. You’ve got enough to worry about.

*[Joanna walked away while cracking her knuckles, then a voice heard from Fiona's earpiece.]*

Crimson *(voice)*: Fiona? Crimson, again. We spotted a decent sized group of Grimm moving in from the east. Can’t take them with all these civvies.

*[Fionna pulled the map out with her Semblance to inspect it.]*

Fiona: Oh, for crying out loud.

*[Jaune, Yang, Alan, and Oscar look at each other.]*

Yang: Did he say east?

*[Fiona looked up, seeing the group look confidently at her. Yang cocked her Ember Celica gauntlet, and Alan smirked.]*

Alan: I thought he said weast.

*[Confused, everyone glanced at Alan. His smug smirk then fell and he groaned in frustration.]*

Alan: That joke would've been an absolute banger in my universe...

*[Yang was seen riding her hover bike in the city while being chased by a Teryx. Ren and Oscar were following them on a side street while sharing another hover bike, with Ren as the driver.]*

Oscar: Ready?

*[Oscar pulled out a device that looked like a stick grenade. Yang took a couple of shots at the Teryx to slow it down.]*

Yang: Now!

*[Yang passed a rock bridge that the Teryx then collided with. Just before the collision, however, the Grimm-like figure from earlier dashed across it. Ren turned right and cut in between Yang and the Teryx, allowing Oscar to throw the grenade in the Grimm's path. It exploded in a flash of Wind Dust, launching the Teryx into the stone bridge, breaking one of it's wings and knocking it to the ground. The Teryx tried to stretch its other wing, but a blue crystal shot through it, breaking it as well. The crystal came from Diamondhead, who jumped from the rooftop he was on, and landed on Yang's bike just before she turned around, transforming back to his human self as he sat behind her. She moved the bike to the the side with a smirk, allowing Jaune to charge at the Teryx while standing on his hover bike, with the barrier Dust on his shield active. He successfully decapitated the Grimm, after which he had some trouble maintaining his balance on the bike, only to land on it properly while giving a nervous chuckle.]*

Yang: *[putting her hand to her earpiece]* Okay, Fiona. That’s one more problem taken care of.

Fiona *(voice)*: Good, cause we’re getting reports of more Grimm coming in from the west. The Huntsmen there could really use some backup.

Yang: *[sighs]* Okay. We’re on our way.

Oscar: It’s all the negativity. Salem’s forces aren’t moving in, but it’s enough to start attracting the stragglers.

Ren: Guys, we’re not finished.

*[The group follows Ren's gaze, noticing three Sabyrs running towards them.]*

Yang: All right. We need to hurry this up and take-

*[Yang stopped talking when she noticed the Sabyrs skidding to a halt, looking up and to the right. The three Grimm then turned around, running away in fear.]*

Ren: What just happened?

Jaune: They ran. I’ve never seen Grimm act that way before.

Alan: I've seen Grimm run, but not... Not in fear.

Oscar: But what were they running fro-

*[Oscar was suddenly tackled from above by the Grimm that had been following the group, knocking both him and Ren off the bike. Oscar tried to stand up only to be bitten by the arm and get flung to the ground once more.]*

Ren: Oscar!

*[The Grimm pounced on Oscar with all its weight, causing his Aura to shimmer. Oscar tried to kick one of its legs away, only for the Grimm to bite it and knock him to the ground a third time. With a final swipe with its paw, Oscar's Aura broke, and he went unconscious. The Grimm howled, before its body began to twitch and spasm, the physiology of the creature was like a gelatinous mass in a canine form. Its body pulsed and morphed, as Jaune looked on in horror. The Grimm stood up, revealing that it had assumed a bipedal form in order to lift and hold the unconscious Oscar with one hand. Yang finally woke up from her stupor and charges the beast, preparing to punch it.]*

Yang: Oscar!

*[A look of panic crossed her face before she grabbed the handle in order to try to turn away from the Grimm. The Grimm caught her with its other hand and flung her at a nearby wall, cracking it. Alan then moved forward, taking the control of the bike and drift it, making an incredibly sharp U-turn as he tried to come at the creature himself. This proved futile, however, as the creature put its arm out to block him. The momentum of the bike sent it flying forward, while Alan tumbled over the Grimm's arm, skidding across the street. Ren took a couple of shots at the Grimm's back, causing it to turn around and be stabbed by the grappling hooks of Ren's guns. Ren reeled the hooks in, intending to kick the Grimm. The Grimm's right hand pulsed before it grew longer, allowing it to whip Ren off of his bike and into another wall. Jaune prepared to charge in as well, before the Grimm lifted Oscar in between itself and Jaune.]*

Yang: *[putting her hand out]* Wait! It’s using Oscar as a shield.

Jaune: But Grimm aren’t that smart...

*[Ren picked up his guns and aimed at the Grimm. The Grimm's ears twitched, and it turned to Ren, once again using Oscar as a shield.]*

Ren: Give him back!

*[The Grimm's neck cracked and pulsed, as if its inner physiology was changing like its body did to become bipedal. It was in this instance that this Grimm did another thing no other Grimm had done before... Though, much more sinister than the other actions thus far...]*

***No...***

*[The Grimm's speech was long and drawn out, and the fact it happened at all was enough to cause Alan to sit up from his pain-filled position on the ground. He, Ren, Jaune and Yang looked on in shock as the Grimm started to walk away from the group.]*

Alan: *[eyes widening in terror]* Wh-Wh-What the fuck?

Jaune: Did it just...?

*[The Grimm paused, its back pulsing and morphing again. Several cracks could be heard as it twitched and howled, sounding as if it was in pain. With a final roar, black ooze erupted from its back in an explosion of vein-like globs. One of the globs dripped onto Oscar's face. The globs still attached to its back had refined themselves into red, veiny, insect-like wings. The Grimm then picked up Oscar in its mouth, careful not to hurt him more than it already had. It then jumped to a building and climbed up the wall, and used the rooftop to aid in taking to the skies.]*

Fiona *(voice)*: Kids, what’s your status? West side’s taking damage!

Ren: What do we do?

Fiona *(voice)*: Kids! What’s your status?

*[The group scrambled to the bikes, Jaune and Ren taking their individual ones, while Alan and Yang share one again with Yang taking the controls.]*

Yang: We’ve got an emergency, we’re not going to make it!

Fiona *(voice)*: What? What kind of emergency?

Yang: *[sounding almost as if she didn't believe it herself]* ...You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.

*[As the group chased after the Grimm, the scene panned up to show it flying away into the distance.]*

## Major Events

* Team RWBNN ("Reuben") makes their way to Atlas with May Marigold. Except Weiss, RIP in Peace Weiss Schnee, you were ejected for being Sus, you will be missed, we will never see her again, Ice Wall does not exist anymore, we're moving onto Blacklist, amen.
* Team ORYNJ ("Orange") encounters the Hound for the first time, which then proceeds to kidnap Oscar.

## Characters

* Alan Nomaly
* Ruby Rose
* Weiss Schnee
* Blake Belladonna
* Yang Xiao Long
* Jaune Arc
* Nora Valkyrie
* Lie Ren
* Penny Polendina
* Oscar Pine
* Professor Ozpin *(voice)*

### Happy Huntresses

* Joanna Greenleaf
* May Marigold
* Fiona Thyme

### Grimm

* Teryx
* Sabyr
* The Hound *(debut)*

### Other

* Reporter
* Uncle Thyme
* Crimson *(voice)*

## Aliens Used

* Bungee Sponge
* Diamondhead *(cameo)*

## Allusions

* Alan references the *SpongeBob SquarePants* joke of Patrick Star saying "East? I thought you said weast."

## Trivia

* This is the third episode of the series to be released on May 7, 2021.
* Upgrade was supposed to appear, and merge with either Yang's arm or one of the bikes. This was removed so as to not continue to rely on the gimmicks already used in *RWBYA*.

## Credit Scene

Robyn *(voice)*: *[sighs]* This is your fault. You realize that, don't you?

*[The darkness disappeared, and Robyn was seen pacing about in a cell, surrounded by Hard-Light Dust walls.]*

Robyn: All I wanted was to bring people together, to give them a chance at a better life. But you…

*[She angrily glared to the individual in the next cell over.]*

Jacques: *Me*? I am a victim! *[this comment prompts a scoff from Robyn]* I’ll admit I was duped. Used! And although my hands may not be clean, at least *I* am not a murderer!

*[Jacques looks over to the cell housing Qrow, who looked up upon hearing that. He had been looking at Clover's bloodied pin. Robyn gave him a sympathetic look.]*

Robyn: He didn’t kill anybody… *[raising her voice]* And I’m not gonna stand here and be lectured by some snake with a mustache and clip-on tie who helped *that* man tear us all apart!

*[Qrow and Jacques looked over to another adjacent cell, where said man was revealed as Arthur Watts, shown contently lying down on his bench in his cell with his hands propped behind his head.]*

Watts: *[raising his hand]* Yes, well… I suppose we’re all stuck in it together now.

Jacques: Speak for yourself, I know the right people. I’m sure Whitley has reached out to my legal team and will have me out of here before you can say-

Robyn: SHUT UP!

*[Robyn punched the Hard-Light Dust wall, startling Jacques, and successfully shutting him up. Suddenly, a buzzer sound was heard, getting the prisoners’ attention. Qrow hid Clover’s pin as a squad of Atlesian military soldiers entered the room, and then disabled the hard-light Dust for Watts’ cell before entering.]*

Watts: You do realize you already caught me?

*[One of the soldiers used his gun to bash Watts' head, knocking him out and startling Jacques. The prisoners watched on as the soldiers dragged Watts away and out of the room. Jacques then nervously sat back down on his bench.]*

Robyn: *[sighs]* I hate not being able to do anything… *[sits back down on her bench]*

Qrow: We *can* do something… *[lifts his head up with a dark look in his eyes]* We can *kill* the man who put us here...