Sparks

Team RWBY dorm room...

The sun rises while Team RWBY snores in their beds.

"Salutations!" Penny said, happily.

"Rise and shine!" Jared said, excitedly.

Team RWBY are startled awake by Penny shouting her greeting as Jared is standing next to her in the middle of their dorm room.

"Good morning, Team RWBY!" Penny said, in a sing-song voice.

"Ugh, Penny, Jared. What time is it even?" Yang asked.

"Time to be Huntresses, of course!" Penny said, striking a pose, holding up two fingers by her head and winking.

"Yup, and it's time for you four to save the day with me!" Jared said, smirking. "Come on, we have people to save. And Grimm to kill!"

Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang groan, while Ruby Rose excitedly gets to her feet.

"Yahoo!" Ruby said, smiling.

Briefing room...

Jaune Arc walks in with a coffee mug and heads over to where Team RWBY, Jared Shay, the Ace Operatives and his teammates are sitting. He takes a seat and cheerfully prepares to sip his steaming hot coffee, only to notice Marrow Amin staring and wagging his tail. Jaune frowns and hands the mug to Marrow.

"Sure, take it." Jaune said, sighing.

Marrow drinks the coffee, while Jaune hangs his head.

"Eyes up, Huntsmen. Time to get used to the new normal in Atlas." Clover said.

Solitas...

Sometime later, Ruby, Qrow Branwen, and Jared Shay are riding in a truck that is being driven by an Atlesian Knight-200.

"Ugh." Ruby said, crossing her arms. "Why is he asleep?"

Qrow has fallen asleep, so Ruby looks annoyed and elbows him awake.

"Focus, Qrow." Jared said, sitting on Qrow's other side. "We need to do as we're told."

Atlas Academy...

"Your top priority is Amity Tower. That means protecting supply runs from Grimm and bandits. And protecting the site itself." Clover said.

Solitas...

Ruby, Weiss, and Jared drop down from the sky toward a Manticore outside the Schnee Dust Company Mine #2.

"I'm loving this." Jared said, holding Ebb and Flow in dual swords form.

Weiss severs its tail, and Ruby and Jared cut it in half.

"The three of us can get this done in no time." Weiss said, looking at Jared.

Weiss then levitates a group of Beowolves into the air to allow Ruby and Jared to more easily kill them, then turns her attention to a group of Sabyrs.

"Yeah." Ruby said, happily. "What were the ship names for me and Weiss again?"

Weiss forms a replica of her Arma Gigas' sword out of ice and uses a glyph to swing it, instantly slaying the Sabyrs.

"Ice Flower or White Rose." Jared said, smiling.

With the Grimm in the area killed, Ruby gives a thumbs up to three Mantas as they fly overhead.

Atlas Academy...

"Diverting all construction resources to Amity Tower means there are going to be gaps in Mantle's defenses against Grimm. They'll need help on the perimeter." Clover said.

Mantle...

Nora Valkyrie follows Lie Ren along the top of Mantle's outer wall, playing with his braid. Ren hears growling below and stops to look, causing Nora to bump into him. The two of them look down at the Sabyrs approaching the wall and draw their weapons.

Abandoned Dust mine…

Yang, Blake, Marrow, and Jared fight Beowolves. After they kill a few of the Grimm, Marrow turns to Blake, Yang, and Jared.

"Hey, have you three ever thought about branching out a little? You always pair up, but I don't know if your styles really…" Marrow said.

Yang's eyes turn red upon spotting another Beowolf that comes running toward her. She uses the recoil from her weapons to launch herself at it and punches it in the head.

Jared shot out bullets from Ebb and Flow in dual pistol form towards Yang, to let her take some damage for it. For the blonde's Semblance to take effect.

"This is a piece of cake." Jared said, holding Ebb and Flow in dual pistols form.

Yang then rapidly attaches several explosives to its abdomen and slides between its legs to get behind it. Blake tosses her sickle to Yang, who stabs it into the Beowolf's chest and fires Ember Celica to launch the Beowolf into the air. Blake tugs on her ribbon to throw the Beowolf toward two more Beowolves closer to the mine entrance, at which point Yang's explosives go off, killing all three. Marrow watches the whole event and turns back to Blake, Yang, and Jared who give him disapproving looks.

"Really, really good stuff! Yeah, keep it up." Marrow said.

"Don't try and separate Bumblebee. Got it?" Jared asked, crossing his arms. "Black Sun worked for a while. But Sun came and went."

Mantle…

Jaune stands on a crosswalk somewhere in Mantle, holding up a small stop sign, while five small children cross the street, "Single file line, you know the drill."

Atlas Academy…

"But there��s still plenty to do in Mantle itself." Clover said.

Mantle…

A group of five young women stand on the sidewalk nearby, watching Jaune and giggling excitedly. Four of them strike poses, grinning at him. One of the four winks, while another holds out her hand, gesturing for him. The fifth looks away shyly. Meanwhile, a blonde woman in a red coat has approached Jaune with a large casserole.

"Oh, another casserole. That's too kind." Jaune said, awkwardly.

The blonde woman repeatedly attempts to hand the casserole to the reluctant Jaune before forcibly shoving it into his arms, blushing and striking a pose. Meanwhile, a small blonde child in a red coat looks back at her and then sticks their tongue out in disgust and continues walking.

Atlas Academy...

"I think you'll find everyone appreciates having a Huntsman around." Clover said.

Mantle...

Across the street, Nora watches Jaune.

"It's totally the haircut." Nora said.

Sometime in the later hours, a Sabyr runs into an alleyway in Mantle.

"Get back here!" Yang said, angrily.

It stops and turns around to face Yang, Ruby, and Jared who are chasing it.

"Finally, we caught up to it." Ruby said, happily.

The three exchange a look with a smile and then charge into the alley.

"Ready, girls? Strawberry Sunrise!" Jared said, excitedly.

Atlas Academy...

"You're of course free to enjoy your time off as you see fit. Whatever helps you take the edge off." Clover said.

Huge training room…

Weiss summons her Arma Gigas while Winter Schnee watches her. Weiss looks back at her sister with a smile and then looks upset when Winter looks away disapprovingly.

"You might not hear Oz anymore, Oscar, but that doesn't mean we can't try to jog him loose." Ironwood said.

Ironwood and Oscar enter the training room.

"What did you have in mind?" Oscar asked.

Ironwood turns to Oscar in a battle-ready pose, and Oscar draws his cane and gets into a battle pose. The two then charge each other.

Atlas Academy...

"The Huntsmen around you can be an invaluable resource. If you're willing to pay attention." Clover said.

The training room…

Jaune slides back after blocking a hit with his shield. He then scales a stack of blocks and begins jumping from stack to stack. Vine Zeki uses an Aura arm to punch one of the stacks just as Jaune lands on it, causing the latter to fall with a scream. Vine catches him with the arm and places him on top of another stack of blocks.

"Have you ever thought about extending your Aura?" Vine asked.

Atlas Academy...

"But make no mistake, school's over. You get to choose what type of Huntsman or Huntress you are." Clover said.

Training room...

Ren leaps from a wall of blocks behind Elm Ederne and fires his weapon's blades, wrapping the cables around her right arm. He yanks on the cables, causing her to stumble a little, but she stomps on the floor, using her Semblance to root herself in place. She jerks on the cables, turns and puts her left arm out, causing Ren to slam into it and tumble across the floor. He pushes himself to his feet and looks at her with a determined expression.

"Again." Ren said.

Harriet Bree runs in circles with her Semblance, while Ruby dashes alongside her with her own Semblance, with Weiss using her glyphs to help Ruby. For a while, Harriet is ahead of Ruby, but Ruby catches up and then passes her. Marrow, Elm and Vine watch from nearby.

Team RWBY dorm room...

Another morning comes, and Penny greets Team RWBY in their dorm room at sunrise. Weiss tiredly walks across the room while brushing her teeth with an electric toothbrush. Blake begins heading out of the room but then looks back to see Yang standing in one spot in a sleepy daze, so she grabs Yang's arm and pulls her out of the room. While this goes on, Ruby excitedly drops down from her bunk and talks to Penny.

"Penny, Penny! So yesterday, Weiss, Jared, and I were like…" Ruby said, grunting. "...and they were like…"

Ruby screams.

"It was a really fun adventure. I don't plan on going back to the Doctor for a while." Jared said, leaning against the wall. "Like, what else is there to do? All I do with him is run away from monsters!"

Briefing room…

Jaune walks over to Marrow with two coffee mugs and hands him one. He then sits next to Marrow, and the two clink their mugs together.

Atlas Academy…

"So, what's it gonna be?" Clover asked.

Briefing Room...

Team RWBY and Jared sit together, with Weiss, Blake and Yang growing more and more tired while Ruby and Jared continue to be excited.

"I wonder what's next for us." Jared said, placing his hand on top of Ruby's.

"Same." Ruby said, looking over at Jared.

Eventually, only Ruby and Jared are left awake, sitting still with a smile on their faces. Weiss is leaned against Ruby's left shoulder, while Yang is leaned against her right shoulder, and Blake lays across Yang's lap, with Yang's hand on her arm.

Training room…

Flynt Coal blasts down a block wall with his Semblance, while Jaune blocks the blast with his shield and Hard-Light Dust. Neon Katt skates by, with Nora chasing her.

"Never miss a beat, never miss a beat. Excuse me!" Neon said, happily.

Neon turns and pulls her bottom eyelid down, sticking her tongue out and blowing a raspberry at Nora. She then turns and weaves around block pillars, laughing, while Nora smashes through the pillars with Magnhild. The blocks disintegrate when they are damaged.

"Come on, lightning bolt, aren't you supposed to be fast?" Neon asked, skating away into a room-like area.

Ren has taken cover behind a block pillar, occasionally leaning out to fire at Ivori, who blocks the bullets with his whip.

"Wow, your boyfriend's actually holding his own!" Neon said, coming back to where Ren is from the room-like area and leaps over him.

As he raises his guns to fire at Ivori, she hits the guns with her nunchaku, using Ice Dust to encase the guns and Ren's hands in ice.

"Where's all that energy when he's around you?" Neon asked, pointing at Nora while she talks, then skates away.

Just as Ivori raises his whip to attack Ren, Nora fires a grenade, which hits him in the torso, knocking him down. Nora then hops onto Manghild and uses it to fly after Neon, growling angrily. The two speed past Oscar and Kobalt and turn the corner.

"Wee!" Neon said.

Oscar attempts to attack Kobalt with his cane. However, Kobalt catches the cane, takes it from him and tosses it away. He then grabs Oscar's head and lifts him up. Oscar kicks him in the chest and flips away. Ironwood, who is watching the spar from an observation room, nods.

Flynt is slammed into a wall by an unknown assailant, and someone flings Kobalt from behind a wall on the other side of the room. Neon skates into the room-like area, laughing. When she comes to a stop, she sees Jaune standing in one of the doorways. She turns and sees Ren standing in another doorway and then Oscar standing in another. She turns to the fourth and final doorway, which has no one standing in her way. She gets ready to skate through, but suddenly she hears someone yelling and turns to look, surprised.

"Huh?" Neon asked.

Nora leaps over a wall and slams her hammer down on Neon's face. Shortly after, Neon talks to JNR and Oscar with a black eye, which soon heals.

"Wow! That was amazing! You guys have really improved since the Vytal Tournament. And that cute farm boy had a few surprises for us, too." Neon said, winking at Oscar with a cat-like smile, and Oscar blushes with a shy chuckle.

"Well, you really had us on our toes. Thought you had us there for a second, whew!" Jaune said.

"Oh c'mon, it was way more than a second!"

Flynt blows saliva out of his trumpet, "You guys busy? Wanna grab some lunch?"

"Do we? I could eat a sandwich the size of Kobalt!" Nora said, grinning as a giant imaginary six layer BLT sandwich drops onto Kobalt, who removes the toothpick, causing the sandwich to disappear, leaving a lettuce leaf on his head.

Kobalt takes a small step away from Nora.

Jaune, Nora and Ren's Scrolls buzz. They withdraw their Scrolls to see the words 'Incoming Mission' on their screens.

"Ah, man. We'd love to, but um…" Jaune said.

"Duty calls. Maybe some other time?" Ren asked.

Nora frowns at the message.

"No worries! The next time you're free, just let us know." Flynt said, throwing up a peace sign.

Jaune awkwardly copied him, earning an amused laugh from Flynt.

"Yeah, next time." Jaune said.

Team FNKI walk away.

"Hey Ivori, if you're gonna go get froyo, can I have a bite?" Neon asked.

"Aw, come on!" Flynt said, annoyed.

Ren hops down from the blocks he was sitting on, and Nora rises up from behind him with a sheepish grin.

"There's still time for sandwiches, right?" Nora asked.

Ren sighs, and Jaune smiles.

Truck…

It drives along a long, straight road in the middle of the tundra.

"Not that I'm bored, but why can't we just use an airship to take these supplies to Amity?" Ruby asked.

"Or use some ice boats." Jared said, sitting next to Ruby. "Maybe some mountain bikes or pickup trucks."

Ruby, Jared and Penny Polendina are sitting in the front seat, while an AK-200 drives. Ruby and Jared stare ahead sleepily.

"The components for Amity Tower's construction are far too heavy. All that weight would require precious Dust we should be saving for the launch itself. And the Grimm that will come after." Penny said.

Ruby and Jared begin to come closer to nodding off to sleep.

"It just makes for long...very long...supply runs." Ruby said.

"I...I...I could do...with some...speed...and power…" Jared said, laying his head next to Ruby's.

"At least the tundra is scenic." Penny said, smiling and looking out the window.

In the distance, a pair of penguins watch the truck, squawking.

"Totally." Ruby said, unimpressed.

"It's just p…" Jared said, unimpressed.

Ruby and Jared begin falling asleep, soon with the silver-eyed girl leaning over to Penny's shoulder and the fanboy leaning on the silver-eyes girl's shoulder.

"Ruby! Jared!" Penny said, as Ruby and Jared are startled awake. "I just wanted to say how excited I am to be working with both of you in a professional capacity. As friends!"

Penny grins excitedly.

"Me too, Penny." Ruby said, laughing.

"Friends are nice." Jared said, placing his hand on top of Ruby's.

"Relationships are so interesting and varied!" Penny said, happily.

"Speaking of friends...have you been able to make any new ones? Since, you know…?" Ruby asked.

"You turning into quarters?" Jared asked. "And being rebuilt and all that."

"Now that I'm the official protector of Mantle, I don't really have a team anymore. General Ironwood says I don't have time for friends." Penny said.

"No friends? I'm sorry."

"Oh, uh, how do you feel about that?" Ruby asked.

"I feel like I wish I could do both the things I need to do and the things I want to do. Is that normal?" Penny asked.

"That's about as normal as it gets, Penny." Ruby said.

"The thing I need to do is help you guys stop Salem." Jared said, looking at Penny. "And the thing I want to do is see all of time and space with the Doctor."

"And you've been able to do both, Jared. Maybe you could too, Penny."

Qrow speaks up from the back of the truck, "Everything going alright up there?"

"Just fine, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby said, giving a thumbs up.

In the back, Qrow is playing a card game with Clover Ebi, who sets several cards down on the supply crate they are using as a table.

"I win again. Maybe we should call it quits?" Clover asked.

"Shut up and deal." Qrow said, annoyed.

Clover laughs, then gathers up the cards and shuffles them, "Your niece sure is one of a kind, huh?"

"They all are. Been through a lot together." Qrow said.

"It's a good thing they had someone to look up to and get them through it. Not everyone is so lucky." Clover said, while he began dealing the cards.

"I don't know about all that. Thanks, by the way. For looking out for 'em. You and your team."

"What good is saving the world without another generation waiting in the wings? Hopefully they'll leave Remnant better than we left it for them."

"Once upon a time, I'd have drank to that."

"You shouldn't do that, you know."

"Don't worry, I-I gave that up." Qrow said.

"I meant deflect a compliment. Those kids wouldn't be where they are without you. You've had more of an effect on them than you realize." Clover said.

Qrow smiles and rubs the side of his head.

"Uh, Uncle Qrow." Ruby said.

"It's Robin Hood, I mean Robyn Hill." Jared said, grabbing Ruby's hand. "Sorry, still tired."

Qrow and Clover get up and head to the front of the truck.

"What's going on? Grimm?" Qrow asked.

"No. Worse. You three with me. Penny, stay put and keep an eye on our six. We may need an element of surprise." Clover said.

"Affirmative. I will plan for six possible outcomes." Penny said.

The four look at Penny, who smiles confidently.

Solitas...

Robyn Hill and Fiona Thyme are standing in the middle of the road in front of a sheet metal barricade built in front of a small canyon

"Alright ladies, time to show them our teeth." Robyn said.

The truck comes to a stop, and Clover, Ruby, Qrow, and Jared exit.

"Robyn! Well, if it isn't Mantle's home town hero. Is there a reason you're blocking an official military transport?" Clover asked.

"Clover, I'm so glad you're here. Maybe you can help me understand why this truck that's supposed to be taking construction materials to fix Mantle's outer wall, is on its way to the middle of nowhere? Are you lost?" Robyn asked.

"It's pretty easy to get turned around out here in the tundra, everything looks the same. Thanks for checking up on us though. We'll be on our way now." Clover said, laughing.

Clover starts to walk away.

"I was hoping you'd play it straight with me. What's Ironwood doing with Amity at the old SDC mine?" Robyn asked, sighing.

Clover stops and turns back to Robyn, "Oh, that. Just giving her an annual checkup."

"The next Vytal Festival isn't anytime soon. Only automated drones and a few select Atlas scientists are allowed out here. And Amity's getting invaluable resources we need in Mantle to protect against Grimm. Seems like more than just a check-up." Robyn said.

"You've been scoping it out." Clover said.

"We can't fix the wall without the supplies on these trucks. I think Mantle deserves to know what they're being used for. It doesn't have to be difficult. Just tell me." Robyn said, walking forward and extends her hand with a smile.

"Your Semblance is a lie detector after all." Jared said, looking at Robyn's hand. "I'm able to figure that out. Watched Avatar. Toph Beifong used seismic sense."

"I'm going to have to pass on that." Clover said.

Robyn frowns, then smiles again as she turns her attention to Ruby, Qrow, and Jared, "How 'bout you, pipsqueak? Five o' clock shadow? One of you want to tell me why Mantle's being put at risk for Ironwood's pet project?"

"We're trying to help Mantle. We need…" Ruby said, trying to come up with an explanation.

"That's enough Robyn. As a potential Councilwoman, you should probably focus on the election instead of harassing Huntsmen. Now, it's time to let us pass." Clover said, angrily.

"I think you've misjudged the situation. One way or another, these supplies are going to get where they're supposed to go...Mantle." Robyn said.

"Then I suggest you do that through the proper legal channels as a Councilwoman. If you get elected."

Robyn smiles, "Now where's the fun in that?"

Clover tenses his hand, and Ruby, Qrow, and Jared put their hands on their weapons. Suddenly, Penny flies out from the back of the truck and lands on top of it, her swords levitating around her.

"Robyn Hill. I would like to politely ask that you call off the Huntresses approaching the rear of the truck." Penny said.

Clover, Qrow, Ruby, and Jared look back at what appears to be absolutely nothing behind the truck.

"Oh, you sly dog." Jared said, looking at Robyn. "Should have seen that coming. Now call them off. We don't want a bloodbath."

"Alright. Joanna, May!" Robyn said, laughing.

Two people fade into view behind the truck.

"The Protector of Mantle, huh?" Robyn asked, looking up at Penny.

"Let us through, please." Penny said.

Everyone remains tense for a moment, ready for a fight. Robyn sighs, and Fiona opens the gate on the barricade. Penny comes down from the truck, and she, Ruby, Qrow, Jared, and Clover start walking to enter the truck.

Clover stops and looks back, "Robyn. Good luck at the election."

Truck...

They enter the truck and drive through the canyon.

"That was a close one." Qrow said.

"You're telling me." Clover said.

Solitas...

Robyn's Happy Huntresses gather around her as she watches the truck drive away.

"What now?" Fiona asked.

"I want to know why Amity Colosseum is suddenly so important. Whatever it takes." Robyn said.

The training room…

Weiss and Winter have their Arma Gigas and Beowolf summons battle each other. The two summons wrestle to overpower each other, and the Gigas kicks the Beowolf away. The Beowolf leaps out of the way as the Gigas tries to slam its sword down upon it. The Beowolf then leaps onto the Gigas and grabs hold. Weiss and Winter concentrate on the battle. Finally, the Beowolf charges toward the Arma Gigas and slashes with its claws, beheading it. However, at the last second, the Arma Gigas had impaled the Beowolf with its sword, causing the fight to result in a tie.

"Your technique still has those maddening sloppy touches. But you've learned how to make them work for you. You've made them your own." Winter said.

"Wow, that was very close to a compliment." Weiss said, smiling.

"I didn't intend it that way."

"We all make mistakes, I guess."

"You've grown up a bit, haven't you? You're not the little girl clinging to the family name anymore." Winter said, laughing.

"Since Beacon, I haven't really had a choice. Father's view of the world no longer matches with mine." Weiss said.

"Whatever the case, I am glad to see you've moved on. Distancing myself from the Schnee name is the most beneficial thing I've ever done. We can move forward without him, together." Winter said, placing her hand on Weiss' shoulder. "I know General Ironwood would have a place for you."

"I would be grateful to him if he did, but I'm not sure I could accept." Weiss said.

"Really?"

Weiss walks away and sits on a block, "It's just…our kingdom isn't supposed to be like this. It's what Jared was fearing for the United States of America. His home. With it becoming like this. Fearful, and withdrawn. We should be opening our borders to help the world, not closing them down."

"We will, though. Once we've weathered the storm, we will. I know the General hasn't done everything perfectly, but he's doing what he thinks is right." Winter said.

"Everybody thinks what they're doing is right, but usually, they're just looking out for themselves and their secrets." Weiss said.

"Ironwood isn't keeping secrets. Not from me."

"Can you be sure?"

"Come with me. There's something I want to show you." Winter said.

Atlas Academy...

Winter and Weiss walk down a highly monitored hallway in a hospital. They pass through a door with a guards posted on each side, then down a staircase and through another long hallway with many cameras; four AK-200s are guarding a door on the far end of the hall.

Observation room…

Winter leads Weiss into an observation area overlooking a patient's room with a one-way window. There is a small kitchen and a machine with a pair of pods inside. One wall near the bed has a few different hanging on it, and there is an easel with a painting on it next to the bed.

Winter enters a moment later, "Good afternoon, feeling better today?"

"Good morning." Fria said.

"Would you care for some tea?" Winter asked.

"I do like hot tea on a cold day. Reminds me of home."

Winter prepares a tray with tea in the kitchen and carries it over to the bed.

"Is it cold outside?" Fria asked.

"Yes, dear." Winter said.

Winter sits in a chair next to the bed, and the two of them drink tea together.

"That's the Winter Maiden." Weiss said.

Observation room...

Winter has gone to the observation room and is standing next to Weiss.

"She could pass any day now. Until that happens, I'm the only person Fria's allowed to see." Winter said.

Weiss gets a look of realization, "Ironwood's chosen you to be the next…w...when she dies. How long have you known?"

"Since Beacon fell." Winter said.

"Doesn't it bother you? He practically groomed your entire military career." Weiss said.

"It did at first, when the General first proposed it to me. But the more I thought about it, the more I saw it as a privilege, a chance to do some real good for Atlas. For Remnant."

"But your destiny was chosen for you, without your input."

"Perhaps, but I'm choosing it now. I've made it my own. And I take great pride in it. That has nothing to do with Father, or the General…that belongs to me."

"I guess we've both had to do a little bit of that. Carving out our own way." Weiss said.

"I suppose we have." Winter said, and her Scroll beeps.

Winter opens it to see a message from Ironwood. The top of her Scroll's screen says 'This message comes from a contact who has marked all communications with you as CLASSIFIED'. The message she just received from Ironwood was sent at 18:05 and says 'Check the news'. The message is followed by a link to a video of a live news broadcast on the Atlas Broadcast Network, which Winter opens.

"Speaking of the family name." Winter said.

In the video, Jacques steps up to a podium in front of the Schnee manor. Weiss walks over to watch with Winter.

"What is he doing?" Weiss asked.

As Jacques speaks, a news ticker at the bottom of the screen scrolls by. It says:

'Missing Journalist Found Slain In Her Midtown Apartment'

'Perimeter Wall Damaged Last Month - Resources and Funding Are Stalled'

'Surface Level Grimm Attacks Increasing - Mantle Protection Agency Advises Staying Indoors'

'Weather Special - How to Keep You and Your Family Safe From Hypothermia and Frostbite'

"If I'm elected Councilman, I've made it no secret I will be opposing General Ironwood and his senseless embargo that is crippling all of Atlas. It is my belief that these measures are not only reckless, but criminal." Jacques said, on screen.

People in a Mantle bar watch the broadcast on a hologram TV screen, and miners in a Dust mine watch it on a Scroll.

"With no shipments allowed to enter or leave the kingdom, I know many are suffering. And my family has been weathering the same storm as many of you." Jacques said, on screen.

Drinking Buddy walks along a sidewalk to a building with a Closed sign. He attempts to open the door, but it is locked.

"Effective immediately, I am forced to shut down all nonessential SDC operations." Jacques said, on screen.

The building has a Schnee Dust Company sign above it. The Closed sign taped to the window says:

'CLOSED

Until further notice, all operations will be suspended.

SDC'

Drinking Buddy turns and looks at a hologram screen across the street, which is broadcasting Jacques' announcement. He walks over and watches with a small crowd that has gathered.

"If elected to office, I will make the changes necessary to fix what Ironwood has broken. I hope you ask yourself before the vote, can you trust anyone else to stop Ironwood? Will Robyn Hill be able to get your jobs back?" Jacques asked, on screen.

News anchors eagerly hold their microphones up to Jacques, talking over each other and asking questions. He puts his hand up and turns away, and the broadcast ends. The citizens in Mantle begin shouting angrily.

Weiss and Winter's eyes widen.

"I think…I think Father may have just provided the spark that's going to set this kingdom on fire." Winter said.

"And that's what Jared was afraid of. When he left his world." Weiss said, looking back at Winter. "To come to the Doctor's. And ours. He wanted to leave a world where a businessman became a leader and ruler."

Drinking Buddy turns and walks away from the TV. He picks up a trash can and throws it at the screen, shattering the glass. The crowd begins shouting even louder. Atlas soldiers become nervous and run away, while citizens tip over a car.