Divide

***Divide*** is the ninth episode of *The RWBYA Adventures*. It is the Volume 2 premiere.

## Plot

*[The Crater. The hole in the center of Mantle. This was the site where Atlas rested prior to the Staff of Creation being used to lift it into the air. An industrial district, the Crater had several Dust mines owned by the SDC. The shelters in the Crater seemed to mostly be home to Faunus. On a log near a small fire sat Oscar Pine. Out from a shack walked an older, short man, whose Faunus trait was his badger hands. He stood in front of Oscar, and handed him a bowl of presumably soup. Oscar was surprised at first, but then sipped it before handing the bowl back to the man.]*

Oscar: Thank you.

*[The man grunted while nodding. Oscar glanced over at some of the others in the crater, who whimpered as they heard something fast approaching. Oscar cautiously reached for the long memory, but stopped when he saw Wildmutt round a corner. Wildmutt sniffed around a bit, then looked directly at Oscar before becoming human.]*

Alan: Oscar! *[runs over to him with a smile]* Glad to see I'm not the only one who made it out of Atlas.

Oscar: *[half-heartedly reciprocates the smile]* Yeah, me too.

*[Alan looked over Oscar, and his smile turned to an inquisitive and worried frown.]*

Alan: Where... Where's the Relic?

Oscar: *[sighs and laments]* Gone. Salem's forces have it.

Alan: Damnit. Well. She can't use it without the passcode, right?

Oscar: Yeah. We have that much, at least.

Ozpin *(voice)*: Heads up.

*[Oscar looked to the skies, seeing an airship approach. He cautiously grabbed the Long Memory, and Alan became Puncherbot. The airship stopped and the door opened, revealing Ruby, who waved at the two with a smile.]*

Ruby: Need a lift?

*[Oscar and Puncherbot relaxed themselves. On the airship, Alan rested his head in Weiss' lap, as she ran her hand through his hair, gently rubbing his head. She looked at him with a soft smile, then turned to remorse as she looked up at Oscar while he spoke. Ruby and Oscar stood near the cockpit, and Maria piloted.]*

Oscar: I was stupid to think the general would listen. Every choice I’ve made was the wrong one, and now…

*[The ship flew over a street where people were using fires to keep warm while a Grimm siren blared throughout the city.]*

Ruby: We all did what we thought was best. I’m just glad you’re alright.

*[Ruby comfortingly placed a hand on Oscar's shoulder, prompting him to blush slightly. Below, Joanna peeked out at the ship from around a corner, and then stepped out into the open and waved her arms at it.]*

Maria: Yeah, yeah, I see you.

*[Maria lowered the ship to land, and she, Ruby, Weiss, Alan and Oscar soon hurried down a sidewalk to Joanna, who ushered them into an alleyway.]*

Joanna: Inside! Hurry!

*[A camera drone came hovering along, and just as it turned to look at Joanna, she shot it down, and then ran into the alley, giving an inquisitive look at Alan.]*

*[The group makes their way through the kitchen area of the Happy Huntress hideout, passing by May, who was speaking over her comms.]*

May: 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.

Fiona *(voice)*: Copy!

*[In the dining area, Jaune, Yang, Blake, Ren, and Nora were sitting at tables while Penny and Pietro watched the news. The news network displayed a “Fugitives” notice for Team RWBY, Team JNPR, Alan, Oscar, Maria, Penny and Pietro.]*

News: -once heroes, are now fugitives on the run. Many in Mantle are left to wonder what the future will-

*[As Ruby’s group entered the room, Nora turned and stood from her chair, smiling. She approached Oscar, who recoiled in fear, turning his head to the side, closing his eyes and putting his hands up to stop the tackle that he assumed was coming. Instead, Nora calmly walked over and hugged him, much to his surprise. He relaxed and hugged back, and Weiss and Ruby smiled at the scene. Weiss' smile dropped when she noticed Alan retreating to the far corner of the room, alone.]*

Blake: *[voice shaking]* When we heard you went off after Ironwood on your own, we…

Weiss: How did you end up down in the slums?

Oscar: *[upon the hug with Nora ending]* It’s a… *[sighs]* long story. I get the feeling there’s been a few of those tonight.

*[Everyone looked at Penny, who looked down at her hands.]*

Ozpin *(voice)*: You’re not going to tell them?

Oscar *(voice)*: You and I aren’t done talking yet.

*[Oscar’s eyes widened slightly as he realized someone is missing from the group.]*

Oscar: Where’s Qrow?

Ren, Blake and Yang lowered their gazes, and Jaune looked toward Blake and Yang before looking down, as well. Alan's eyes glanced around the room, also taking notice of Qrow's absence.]

Ruby: We don’t know. The last we heard he was with Robyn, but…

*[Joanna entered from the kitchen, interrupting the conversation.]*

Joanna: Alright, your friend is back now. *[looks over at Alan]* Or, I guess I should say your *friends* are back now. What happened to going up to Atlas to end this, Nomaly?

*[Everyone, with the exception of Penny, looked over at Alan, curiously. Alan glared down at the Simplicitrix.]*

Alan: ...The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Salem's here, now. I can't focus on Ironwood when there's a bigger picture.

Joanna: In that case... *[looks over the entire group]* You ready to work?

*[She was met with silence. Sighing, Joanna turned to look through a box of supplies and continued talking.]*

Joanna: The largest Grimm horde ever seen is hovering over the tundra, and out there is a city full of people with no heat and now, 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.

Ren: How? Ironwood is stopping all evacuations to Atlas. And we can’t get them out of the city with Salem’s forces surrounding us.

Joanna: 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.

Alan: That sounds like a horrible idea. The Crater's exactly where Atlas will fall if the Staff is moved.

Joanna: If Atlas falls, then everyone dies, anyway. We may as well do what we can before... *If* that happens.

*[She turned and headed back toward the kitchen.]*

Weiss: We’re never going to sleep again, I just know it.

*[Joanna stopped with her hand on the door and turned to look at Weiss.]*

Joanna: Either you’re helping… or you’re baggage.

*[She then exited into the kitchen. Yang got up and moved to stand in front of everyone.]*

Yang: We need to get out there and do what we can for Mantle.

Ruby: 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.

Blake: Ruby’s right. The Happy Huntresses are handling the evacuation better than we could. And there’s a bigger picture.

Yang: But Amity isn’t even finished. It was still under construction.

Alan: But... The broadcast with Ironwood and Robyn-

Yang: Was a lie. Notice how Ironwood's hand wasn't shown when he said that? Robyn's Semblance would've given it away.

Alan: ...What?

Blake: Ironwood was just trying to lure out Arthur Watts when he said it.

Alan: Shit.

*[Noticing the group becoming more negative, Ruby turned to Pietro.]*

Ruby: Doctor? What would you need to launch Amity now?

Pietro: 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: Ruby, there is *no* way Ironwood will cooperate with us.

Ruby: But he doesn’t have to. We just need the green light from his terminal, right?

Yang: You want to go back to the academy?

Pietro: 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: *[looking at Ruby, concerned]* Just to clarify, this is the *easy* option?

Yang: 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: *[angered]* 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 stood in silence for a moment.]*

Yang: Ruby… when we came here, we said we’d follow your lead… but... things haven’t exactly worked out.

*[Ruby recoiled somewhat with a mix of emotions on her face. Yang’s statement elicited various reactions from Weiss, Alan, Nora, Oscar and Penny, as well.]*

Yang: I just-

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

Nora: 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 stepped between Ren and Nora, putting his hands up to each of them.]*

Jaune: Okay. Okay… Then let’s go for both. *[gesturing to Nora and then Ren]* Get Amity up and running, *and* evacuate Mantle.

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

Oscar: 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.

Penny: Or…

*[The group simultaneously turned to Penny.]*

Penny: Let me take the Relic to Salem… and maybe she will call off her attack on the Kingdom.

Oscar: 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.

Yang: Nobody’s turning you over to anybody. (giving a stern look toward Ruby and Nora) I think that’s the one thing we could all agree on.

Alan: ...Wait. Penny?

*[Alan took a few steps towards her.]*

Alan: What do you mean let you take... *[his eyes widen as he realizes the situation]* You... *You're* the Winter Maiden... *[sighs with relief as he steps away]* That takes some stress off me, at least.

Weiss: What do you mean?

Alan: *[glances at her]* ...It's like Oscar said. There have been a few long stories tonight.

Ruby: *[sighs]* Okay. Then I guess we’re going to Atlas. (to Pietro) Can you help us get to that terminal?

Pietro: I… suppose someone needs to help you bypass security.

Penny: I’ll go.

*[Pietro looked at Penny, who had her back turned.]*

Pietro: Penny, we can’t risk-

*[Penny turned to look at him, activating the turquoise-colored Maiden flares in her eyes with a determined expression.]*

Penny: I’ll go.

Yang: *[sighs]* Do what you’ve got to do. I’m going out there to see what I could do.

*[Yang began walking toward the kitchen, and Blake watched her with a sad expression.]*

Pietro: Yang.

*[Yang stopped and looks at Pietro, who tossed her a key.]*

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

Ren: Nora?

Nora: I’m going with Ruby.

Ren: But what about Mantle?

Nora: Oh, I’m *saving* Mantle! Because I actually *believe* we can do this.

Weiss: *[turns her attention to Alan]* What about you?

*[Alan ponders silently.]*

Alan: Well. I see the merit in both options. The people here *do* need saving, but the rest of the world *also* needs to know about Salem. *[sighs with his hand to his face, then pulls it away with a confident look]* So.

*[The scene cut to the Mantle street just outside Pietro's pharmacy. Jaune, Ren, Yang, and Oscar stood there, and looked back to see Alan joining them.]*

Alan *(voice)*: It's like Jaune said.

*[The scene then faded, changing to one of the Mantle rooftops. There, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Nora stood.]*

Alan *(voice)*: We go for both.

*[The group briefly turned as another Alan stepped in.]*

Alan: Sorry about the wait. Cloning and staying cloned is a bit tricky sometimes.

*[Blake turned her attention to a slightly saddened Ruby, and placed her hand on her shoulder.]*

Blake: Hey, we’re *still* united.

Ruby: I hope so.

Maria: *[contacting the group through their comms]* I can get Pietro out to Amity to prepare, but that doesn’t answer how we’re getting all of *you* up to Atlas.

Weiss: I might actually have an idea fo-

*[A beeping tone started playing from someone’s Scroll. The group look confused, and Blake, Ruby and Nora checked their Scrolls. The three of them, as well as Weiss and Alan, then turned to look at Penny, who was holding her ringing Scroll, unsure of what to do. The call was from General Ironwood. Penny nervously taps the Talk icon, accepting the call.]*

Ironwood *(voice)*: *(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 walked over to Penny, who allowed her to take the Scroll.]*

Ruby: *(sternly)* She’s not going anywhere until you change your mind about Mantle. There’s still a chance for Remnant to be-

Ironwood *(voice)*: 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 tensed, became worried, and then leaned into a hug from Ruby. Ruby’s brave face faltered, and she looked somewhat worried. Alan lamented, looking away from the scene.]*

*[In an Atlas medical facility, Marrow, Vine, Elm, and Harriet stare at Clover's corpse on a table in front of them. Marrow was saddened, Vine was stoic, and Elm and Harriet were angry. Ironwood watched them through the window of Winter Schnee’s patient room across the hall, while Atlas technicians checked on Winter. Ironwood had his injured left arm replaced with a prosthesis. He looked at his new left hand, flexing his fingers, and then looked over to the door as an Atlas crewmate entered the room and saluted him. He briefly saluted back, and they both placed their hands behind their backs.]*

Crewmate: Sir, the prisoners have arrived. They’re being processed in Stockade B.

*[Ironwood nodded with an affirming grunt, and the crewmate left.]*

Winter: Qrow and Robyn?

*[Winter winced as one of the technicians made her bend her wrist back.]*

Ironwood: Could you give us the room, please?

*[The technicians promptly exited the room, and Winter gave him a reassuring smile.]*

Winter: I’ll be fine.

*[She struggled to curl her fingers into a fist, grimacing as the bones in her fingers can faintly be heard cracking, leaving Ironwood unconvinced. His expression softened slightly, and he relaxed his stance.]*

Ironwood: Thank you, Winter. I don’t know what I would do without you. *[turning away]* I’ve never- *no one* has seen a Grimm force this large before. The city’s Hard-Light shields will hold, but not forever.

Winter: What will you do? ...Sir?

Atlas Technician: Wait, you can’t be in here!

*[In the hallway, the technicians who had been tending Winter moved forward with their hands up to stop Councilmen Camilla and Sleet from approaching.]*

Sleet: This is absurd! Let us through!

*[Ironwood watched through the window, and Harriet stepped out of the room across the hall and watched with her hand on her hip.]*

Camilla: I told you, we need to speak to the general!

Ironwood: I’m going to do everything I can to defend this kingdom.

*[Camilla and Sleet pushed their way past the technicians.]*

Camilla: What in God’s name do you think you’re doing, James?!

Ironwood: No matter the cost.

*[With his hands clasped behind his back again, Ironwood calmly walked through the door and into the hall.]*

Sleet: 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 drew his gun and shifted his stance, aiming and... The entire hallway filled with silence. The only sound heard was Camilla's scream of terror that followed the sound of a gunfire as Ironwood shot Sleet dead. 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 looked at Ironwood, who lowers his gun. Camilla stared wide-eyed at where Sleet stood. She hyperventilated and looked at Ironwood. Ironwood turned and walked in the opposite direction down the hall, holstering his gun, while Winter and Harriet watched. Harriet looks at Winter, then lowers her gaze. Winter sat there, processing what had happened with her mouth slightly agape. She closed her mouth and frowned.]*

*[Ironwood adjusted his tie as he walked passed the damaged doors to his office. Glancing upward, his face dropped, and he instantly reached for his gun, aiming it as he glared at the floating, still Alien X.Ironwood slowly and cautiously made his way through the office to the desk, keeping his gun pointed at the transformation.]*

I wouldn't do that.

*[Ironwood spun around, immediately firing his weapon. The ammo shot and went right through a semi-transparent Alan, who looked annoyed.]*

Alan: ...I saw that coming.

*[Ironwood sighed, lowering his weapon upon realizing it didn't work against Alan. His cautious demeanor, however, was kept up.]*

Ironwood: What is this?

Alan: A projection of my human self. *[nonchalantly walks over to the window, looking over the kingdom]* This transformation is a bit like a living Relic. It's certainly as powerful as one. Alien X can do almost anything, within the overall confines of the universe they exist in at any given moment. It's simply a matter of getting the transformation to cooperate.

Ironwood: And what do you intend to do with it?

Alan: *[glances over at Ironwood]* I originally came here with the intention of stopping your moronic plan. During my time here, I did some self-educating about how this world works. Even if you *did* get Atlas higher, you have no way of knowing Salem wouldn't be able to reach you. And if she did, then Dust wouldn't be able to save you, and Semblances would end once Aura is used up. But... The timeline has changed. With Salem here now, my goal is stopping her. Hopefully, I won't have to do both. So don't *make* me have to do both.

*[Ironwood and Alan stared each other down silently.]*

Ironwood: I... Will do *whatever* it takes. To save this kingdom. And to stop Salem.

Alan: *[chuckles lightly then walks towards his transformation]* I'm sure you will, James. I'm sure you will. You and Jacques both are willing to do whatever it takes to win. *[glances up at Alien X]* And now I will be, too. Oh. For the record. *[turns back around to Ironwood]* Given I have to delegate with Alien X to do anything, I have a clone working in my stead elsewhere. I'd recommend not doing anything to... Antagonize him.

Ironwood: ...Is that a threat?

Alan: ...It's a warning.

*[The projection of Alan dematerialized, leaving Ironwood to glare up at Alien X.]*

## Major Events

* Oscar Pine reveals that the Relic of Knowledge was lost to Salem's forces.
* Yang Xiao Long reveals that General Ironwood had lied about Amity's completion, with Blake Belladonna elaborating that it was to lure out Arthur Watts.
* Penny Polendina is revealed to have obtained the power of the Winter Maiden, not Winter Schnee.
* The heroes split up, one group going to launch Amity, and the other to evacuate Mantle to the Crater. Alan quite literally splits up, using clones to help with both goals. This is after having cloned himself with Alien X to help in a more conventional sense while his original self delegates with Bellicus and Serena.
* If you didn't believe General Ironwood went off the deep end before, he sure as hell has now.

## Characters

* Alan Nomaly
* Ruby Rose
* Weiss Schnee
* Blake Belladonna
* Yang Xiao Long
* Jaune Arc
* Nora Valkyrie
* Lie Ren
* Penny Polendina
* Maria Calavera
* Pietro Polendina
* Oscar Pine
* Professor Ozpin *(voice)*
* Uncle Thyme *(debut, cameo)*

### Happy Huntresses

* Joanna Greenleaf
* May Marigold
* Fiona Thyme *(voice)*

### Ironwood's Group

* Winter Schnee
* Harriet Bree
* Marrow Amin
* Elm Ederne
* Vine Zeki
* Clover Ebi *(corpse)*

### Council

* Councilwoman Camilla
* Councilman Sleet *(death)*

## Aliens Used

* Wildmutt *(cameo)*
* Puncherbot *(cameo)*
* Echo-Echo *(offscreen)*
* Alien X *(continued usage from previous appearance)*

## Allusions

* Alan's line of "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" is a nod to the synopsis of the upcoming episode, *Creation*.
	+ The shorthand of the phrase, "The best laid plans...", was used as the synopsis for the episode *Worthy*. However, the events of that episode will be put into *Creation*, hence the use of it in that episode's synopsis, and the lack of *Worthy* in the episode lineup.
* Alan using a duplication alien to split between the two groups, and work in multiple places at once, is a nod to the *Ben 10: Ultimate Alien* episode, *Duped*.

## Trivia

* This episode was released on the same date as the previous episode.
* Disregarding credit scenes, this is the first episode of *The RWBYA Adventures* to properly include a full scene without Alan present. The scene in question (the one where Ironwood kills Sleet) was originally going to be a credit scene, but due to its length and significance, as well as wanting the episode proper to be longer, it was added to the normal slate of the episode, rather than being tacked on the end.
* The canon version of the episode switches between the present and future, showing who goes with what group. For the sake of simplicity in the written format, as well as to avoid spoiling Alan's duplicates too early, this was changed for this version of the episode.

## Credit Scene

*[A black and red membrane opened up with an unnervingly fleshy sound, like one poking incredibly wet slime. Salem stood there, holding the Relic of Creation. She lifted it and looked at it.]*

Salem: I have questions for you.

*[She then held out the Lamp in front of her, and the snout of some unknown Grimm. The Grimm sniffed at the Lamp for a few moments before Salem pulled it away.]*

Salem: But first, I need the one who can show me how. *[turns her attention to the Grimm]* Bring him to me.

*[The scene turned black as the Grimm's growling response echoed.]*