A Night Off

Mantle...

The morning after Jacques Schnee closed the Schnee Dust Company's nonessential facilities, the Mantle rioters are sitting on sidewalks and in police airships with their wrists bound by bolases. A soldier escorts Drinking Buddy along a sidewalk while Atlesian Knight-200s patrol the area. Drunk Mann stands in line with other Mantle citizens outside a polling station. The outside walls have campaign posters for both Jacques and Robyn Hill, and Jacques' posters have been spray painted over.

"Although rioting in Mantle is finally under control, how does it feel to know that the majority of those involved were your supporters?" A newscaster asked, on screen.

In a building somewhere, a reporter from the Mantle Daily is interviewing Robyn.

"I don't condone rioting, especially when our city is being denied aid for the hardships we've already had to go through, but Jacques Schnee's latest stunt is holding the city hostage for his own political gain.�� Robyn said.

Drunk Mann approaches a voting booth and begins his vote. His hand hovers over the screen as he hesitates.

"So I understand their anger, but ask that they show it not in the streets but at the polls today." Robyn said.

Atlas Academy training room…

Blake Belladonna uses her Semblance and jumps from pillar to pillar while Yang Xiao Long follows and attempts to catch her.

Below Blake and Yang, Winter Schnee sends her Beowolf Summon to attack Weiss Schnee, who creates black glyphs above, below, and to the left and right of it. Weiss then uses the glyphs to throw the Beowolf Summon around, slamming it against the glyphs. She creates a white glyph in front of her and uses it to send the Summon back toward Winter, who creates her own white glyph to stop it. However, Winter suddenly winces in pain and drops to one knee. She then discovers that a small version of Weiss' Arma Gigas Summon snuck up to her and cut her ankle with its sword. The Arma Gigas strikes a pose with its sword on its shoulder, and Winter glares at Weiss, who gives a smug smirk in return and giggles.

Behind Weiss, Jaune Arc is using his shield to deflect a rubber ball, while Nora Valkyrie keeps hitting it toward him with her hammer. Nora activates Magnhild's upgrade, charging herself up with electricity. She swings Magnhild around and sends the ball rocketing toward Jaune, who blocks it and slides backwards several feet before dropping to one knee. The emblem on his shield glows cyan while he blocks, and the ball eventually turns to ash.

Jared is using his suit and kept swapping weapons at will that suited future situations, going from Juliet's Rose to Ember Gungnir to Ebb and Flow, and basically any other fusions he has in his backlog. He goes invisible and visible in the process too, and he managed to get better at stealth. Figuring out when to attack or not to attack.

Nearby, Oscar Pine is using his Scroll to keep track of Jaune's Aura, which has been reduced to approximately 65%. Jaune sits up and takes a deep breath, his Aura glowing for a moment, and Oscar watches Jaune's Aura increase to approximately 95%.

"Nice, your recovery is getting faster." Oscar said.

Nora walks over to Jaune, who gives a cheerful thumbs up. Nora then gives him a heavy pat on the back, still using her Semblance, which knocks him onto the ground, reducing his Aura to approximately 64%. Ruby Rose zooms past with her Semblance, heading straight toward Lie Ren who is meditating in front of a pillar. She splits into three red blurs, which all go around Ren and the pillar, before merging into one blur and becoming Ruby again.

"Have you always been able to do that?" Oscar asked.

Ruby peeks out at him from behind the pillar and then walks over to him.

"I don't know. I don't normally think it through that much." Ruby said, panting.

"You guys are evolving and I still don't have my Semblance." Oscar said.

"Well, I bet we'll all be jealous when you do."

"And Jared you came up with weapon fusions for all of your friends. Wow. Talk about impressive."

"I care about each and every one of you." Jared said, smiling. "It was bound to happen that I would fuse Crescent Rose and

Myrtenaster. Or the Gambol Shroud and Ember Celica. I kept delaying coming up with more fusions."

Ren continues meditating, deep in a state where he has blocked out everyone around him. There is a ringing sound, followed by the sound of the training room door opening, and Ren opens his eyes and looks toward the door.

"Clover wasn't kidding. You're really giving this your all." Ironwood said.

Oscar and Ren stand up.

"Well, we have to with the way things are going." Ruby said.

"Yeah, hence why I had to give up on my adventures with the Doctor." Jared said, looking at Ironwood. "This is far more important than that."

Ironwood takes out his Scroll, which projects a screen depicting the live election results. Currently, Jacques has 30% of the vote, while Robyn has 70%, "They're not going well, are they?"

"Better Robyn than Jacques Schnee." Yang said, resting her arm on Oscar's shoulder, taking him by surprise.

"Yup, it is better. I would take Hillary...I mean, Robyn any day." Jared said, grabbing Ruby's hand.

"Oh, I suppose so. Either way, this election doesn't bode well for our stability." Ironwood said.

"It could be a chance to work with Robyn and get Mantle on your side." Ruby said.

"The likelihood of that working…" Ironwood said, putting his Scroll away.

"She's right, you have to do something about Mantle. If you could get Robyn to trust you…" Nora said.

"I bet if you opened up to her she'd understand that you're being framed." Jaune said.

"Perhaps…" Ironwood said, and he sighs. "...but it will only work if she's open too."

Nora starts to say something, but Ren steps forward and interrupts her, earning a look from both her and Jaune.

"I take it you're here for new mission assignments?" Ren asked.

"You could say that. The General and I want you to take the rest of the day to recuperate." Clover said.

"You're giving us a night off?" Blake asked.

"Ordering it. After tonight's election, we'll be waking up to a very different Atlas tomorrow. I need you rested and ready for whatever that may bring." Ironwood said.

Ruby starts thinking to herself, looking uncertain, "Jared, do you know what might happen?"

"If this becomes the world I left. Then yes, I do." Jared said, squeezing Ruby's hand. "Future me told me what could happen. And it might happen here."

Atlas Academy...

At sunset that day, Team RWBY is in their dorm room with Jared. Blake is sitting at one of the small desks with a mirror in front of her, while Ruby and Yang are lying on beds, and Weiss is leaning against the ladder between the bunk beds. Weiss has a live report from the Daily Mantle playing on her Scroll. Jared is leaning against the wall, in distress. While Blake puts on mascara, Yang looks over at her.

"We still have hours ahead of us, but as votes come in, it looks more and more certain that Robyn Hill will fill the open council seat." The newscaster said.

Weiss closes her Scroll and walks across the room, "There's no way my father could've thought layoffs would do anything but hurt him. So why announce this the day before the election?"

"Just seems like a power play that backfired to me. Won't matter in a few hours though." Yang said, standing up, stretches and walks over to Blake.

"This is what happened in my world, you guys. When Donald Trump was the President of the United States." Jared said, letting out a sigh. "He was dealing with a global pandemic."

"People died in your world?" Weiss asked. "How much?"

"I assumed close to a million. Case count wise, I assume it has gotten to over 25 million. Knowing how my world was."

"Where are you guys going?" Ruby asked, looking between Blake and Yang.

Blake adjusts her hair, and Yang rests her hand on Blake's back, leans down and adjusts her own hair while looking in the mirror.

"Team FNKI invited us out dancing. Yang and I thought it would be good to get our minds off the election." Blake said.

"I thought you said Team FNKI was annoying." Ruby said.

Yang straightens up.

"That's the best part about dance clubs." Yang said, whispering, pointing to her ears. "I can't hear you."

Blake giggles. Nora and Ren slide the door open from outside.

"Ruby, Jared, come on!" Nora said, annoyed.

"I still can't believe you're going to that thing." Weiss said.

"Just because Ironwood dislikes Robyn doesn't mean we all have to. From where I'm standing both of them seem to be trying their best to help Atlas. As to who's doing a better job…" Nora said.

"But a victory party?" Weiss asked, sighing.

Ruby and Jared walk past Weiss, shrugging, and stop next to Nora.

"Oh, you don't even know half of it, Ice Queen." Jared said, laughing a little.

"Invite's still open if you want in. Penny's gonna be working security." Ruby said.

"Penny can protect us. As long as she isn't used as a statement like last time." Jared said, smiling.

Jared, Ruby, Ren, and Nora, left the room. On the other end of the room, Yang starts laughing. Weiss turns to see Blake trying and failing to dance.

"Oh my gosh, no. You gotta do it like this." Yang said.

Blake stops and watches as Yang begins dancing.

"That's what I'm doing!" Blake said, angrily.

Blake holds her hands out in exasperation, her cat ears folding over, and Yang laughs again.

Jaune and Oscar lean into the doorway, while Weiss watches Blake and Yang with an unamused expression.

"Hey, Oscar and I are hitting the movies if anyone wants…" Jaune said.

"Yup!" Weiss said, annoyed.

Oscar gains a very happy expression, and Jaune rubs the back of his head.

"Oh, okay." Jaune said.

Mantle...

Later, after the sun has set, Ruby, Nora, Ren, and Jared are walking in Mantle, on their way to Robyn's victory party. A truck drives down the street, honking its horn, with people standing in the bed holding signs, which say 'HILL IS HERE' and 'HILL 4 COUNCIL'.

"I understand Weiss' point though. A victory party does seem a bit premature." Ren said.

Ruby, Nora, Ren, and Jared continue on their way down the sidewalk.

"Aw, let them have one sure thing." Nora said.

"Probably the last sure thing before Amity Tower goes up and everyone learns about…what we're fighting." Ruby said.

"Yeah, because this is more serious." Jared said, grabbing Ruby's hand. "Salem. Like, I chose to help you guys. I could have easily stayed with the Doctor."

They walk past a group of people watching the live election results on a TV screen. Jacques has 33% of the vote, and Robyn has 67%.

"We spent so much time worrying about how Ironwood will react to the truth about her, but have any of us considered how we're even going to beat her if we manage to work past that?" Ren asked.

"Jinn said she can't be beaten." Nora said.

They walk by two people who are sitting beside a heating element, trying to warm up.

"She told Oz that he couldn't destroy her." Ruby said.

"But maybe someone else could?" Nora asked, looking at Ruby.

"I don't know." Ruby said.

"It could be us. But this is still beyond what I know, Nora." Jared said, sadly. "I bet that it could even be Ruby."

"We should be training right now." Ren said.

"We've trained enough! Take some time to…" Nora said, angrily.

"We don't have time!"

Ruby and Jared slow down and watch as Ren and Nora angrily walk on ahead.

Auditorium...

A large crowd of people have gathered inside a small auditorium for Robyn's victory party. Wires have been taped up along the walls, and there are Robyn Hill campaign posters decorating the walls. Above the stage is a giant hologram screen showing the live election results. Jacques has 36% of the vote, while Robyn has 64%. A pair of camera drones float around the room, one of which has a 'Kick Me' sign taped to the back of it and the other of which has a gift ribbon stuck to it. While Ruby, Nora, Ren, and Jared enter the building, the vote percentage shifts to 37% for Jacques and 63% for Robyn. Penny makes her way through the crowd and sees her friends.

"Ruby, Jared, Nora, Ren!" Penny said, excitedly.

"Hey, Penny." Ruby said.

"Hi." Jared said, fixated on the poll results.

"I am so glad you made it. It's just Marrow and I tonight, so more friends means more fun. Where are the others?" Penny asked.

Nora and Ren are still in a bad mood.

"Weiss is out with the boys, and Blake and Yang are off doing their own thing...again." Nora said.

"At least they're back to being friends." Ren said.

"Friends, huh? Just friends?"

Ruby takes on a somewhat fed up expression and sinks down to the floor, Jared is also fed up and he activates his Semblance and he turns invisible, while Ren turns to Nora.

"What else would they be?" Ren asked, speaking slowly in confusion.

"Two people who've gone through that much? I think there's more going on." Nora said.

"Well maybe one of them feels that way but the other might be worried."

"About what!?"

Ruby rises back up and Jared appears next to Penny, both of them still fed up.

"It's just, there's a lot of things going on right now." Ren said.

"Well, how can they figure things out if they don't talk about it?" Nora asked.

"I believe I may be confused. Who are we talking about again?" Penny asked, leaning to Ruby and Jared.

"I'm not really sure." Ruby said, sadly.

"I think it's either Flower Power or Bumblebee." Jared said, frowning.

Nora and Ren continue talking while Penny gets communications from Marrow through her ear piece.

"Penny, where'd you go?" Marrow asked, over Penny's ear piece.

Penny starts to leave, and Ruby clings to her arm in a panic.

"Please don't leave me and Jared." Ruby said, looking up at Penny.

"I'm not one for parties in general." Jared said, sadly.

Ruby, Penny, and Jared go backstage together to meet up with Marrow.

���Oh hey, what...what're you doing here?" Marrow asked, looking between Ruby and Jared.

"We're just, uh, hangin' out with one of our friends while she's on the job." Ruby said, casually holding out her fist for a fist bump.

Recognizing the gesture, Penny gasps, her eyes wide and shining with excitement. She makes a fist, closes one eye, sticks her tongue out and lines it up. She pulls back her fist and then slams it into Ruby's with a big smile.

"Did that hurt?" Jared asked.

There's a dull 'ding' noise, and Ruby gains an expression of deadpan shock, her hand throbbing with pain.

"Yes…" Ruby said, looking at Jared. "Help me…"

Penny turns to Marrow with an innocent smile, and Ruby cradles her hand, groaning quietly in pain.

"Yeah, real cute. Look, try not to be too much of a distraction. We need to be vigilant in case…" Marrow said.

May Marigold suddenly approaches Marrow, setting the tip of her weapon to the floor, "In case what?"

"In case someone tries to start trouble." Marrow said.

"Oh, funny, that's why we're here. So feel free to take a hike." May said.

"Listen, the General's trying to help, all right? Just 'cause you can't understand…"

"What's going on here, Wags?" Robyn asked, and she entered the backstage area next to Ruby, Penny, and Jared. She notices Ruby. "Oh, and the pipsqueak is back."

Ruby gives a slight glare, growling a little.

"Don't call my…" Jared said, clenching his hand. "Not the time?"

"No…" Ruby said, grabbing Jared's hand.

"We're concerned about security risks, ma'am. The General doesn't want any surprises tonight." Marrow said, scoffing.

May smirks in amusement. Joanna Greenleaf is now standing next to her. Robyn walks over to Marrow.

"Fine, but stay out of the way." Robyn said, walking over to stand with May and Joanna, the former of whom gasps in surprise and confusion. "If I get elected tonight, we'll all have to learn how to get along."

Robyn looks at May, who rolls her eyes and walks away.

"Sure, we won't have any problems, as long as you stay within the law." Marrow said.

"The law isn't perfect, you know. It's certainly not equal." Robyn said.

"Trust me, I'm well aware." Marrow said, tilting his dog tail to the side to be more visible to Robyn.

"My only goal is that all the citizens of Mantle and Atlas...and Faunus...have an equal shot at a good life." Robyn said.

"That sounds great. And you're planning to do all that equalizing legally, right?"

Behind them on the stage, Fiona Thyme is fidgeting with a microphone. Joanna is grinning. Robyn looks at Joanna and smirks, causing Joanna to grin more.

"Everything I've done is legal." Robyn said.

"Of course, one hundred percent." Marrow said.

Fiona taps on the microphone, causing loud feedback, much to the crowd's displeasure, "Ha-ha, well, that worked."

The live election results now show that Robyn's vote percentage is 57%. Joanna walks away, and Marrow groans in annoyance and walks away toward Penny, Ruby, and Jared. The crowd begins chanting 'Robyn'.

"Scram kids, we've got a job to do." Marrow said, gesturing to himself and Penny.

Marrow exits the backstage area, and Ruby hops out and blows a raspberry at him, which Penny and Jared giggle at.

"Where did you learn that?" Jared asked.

Ruby, Penny, and Jared wave to each other, as Ruby and Jared walk away into the crowd.

"Oh, at some point during the Ponds' honeymoon." Ruby said, smiling. "I learned it from you."

"Right, I forgot about that." Jared said, happily. "I was pissed that the Doctor was destroying the Zwei launchers."

Ruby and Jared's smiles fade when they see that Nora and Ren are still arguing.

"He destroyed that jet pack for Zwei too." Ruby said, letting out a sigh.

The live election results now say that Jacques has 41% of the vote, while Robyn has 59%.

"Can we please just not do this right now?" Ren asked.

"Jared, we should've just gone to the movies." Ruby said.

"Yeah…" Jared said, grabbing Ruby's hand. "We were really dumb."

Jared turns back around and pulls Ruby's hand so they can head to the front of the crowd. Fiona has begun giving a speech, and the live election results show Jacques now has 43% of the votes.

"I want to thank everyone for going to the polls today. This is Mantle's moment. I know that, like me, you're all thrilled that we chose Robyn as our voice in Atlas. No one has fought harder for Mantle than she has. And…" Fiona said, covering her mouth, trying not to cry, and then wiped a tear from her eye with her palm. "I know Robyn will continue that fight on the Council. Will you share a few words?"

Fiona turns to look at Robyn, who is off stage, and the crowd begins chanting Robyn's name again. Robyn walks onto the stage, causing the crowd to cheer. She takes the microphone, and Fiona excitedly talks to her for a few moments, before walking off stage.

"I've never been much for public speaking, probably wasn't my best idea ever to go into politics." Robyn said.

The live election results show Jacques has 45% of the votes and Robyn has 55%.

"Thank you so much, everyone, for choosing me. You said you believe in me. But I'm the one who believes in all of you. You've proven to me that as individuals, we are strong. But together, we're unstoppable." Robyn said.

Nora looks at Ren. Jared looks at Ruby. The live results shift to Jacques with 46% and Robyn with 54%.

"So no matter what happens tonight, win or lose, we will continue to fight for our city, because it is this city that brings us together." Robyn said.

The crowd cheers, and upbeat music begins playing. Nora reaches out to touch Ren's arm, but he turns away from her. Robyn walks off stage, smiling and waving to the crowd. She turns her head away from the crowd and looks nervously up at the screen.

"We're in the final minutes now, and it's looking to be a closer race than anticipated." The newscaster said, on screen.

Robyn stands with her Happy Huntresses.

"Don't worry, it's in the bag." Joanna said, smiling.

May grins, winks and gives a thumbs up.

Robyn smiles faintly but then looks nervously at the screen again. The results change again, showing Jacques with 47% and Robyn with 53%. She looks away, frowning.

Ren is avoiding looking at Nora, who finally speaks up.

"Ren, what's going on? Why won't you just talk to me?" Nora asked, sighing.

"You know I've...never...been really good with talking." Ren said.

"Then screw talking!" Nora said, grabbing Ren's shirt and pulling him to her, planting a kiss on his lips.

Ren's eyes widen and he holds his arms out in surprise, but then he closes his eyes and kisses back. As he wraps his arms around her, Nora moves her arms behind his neck. Everything around them fades to a blur.

"Looks like Flower Power is finally canon." Jared said, smirking.

Ruby and Jared look around happily.

"Yeah." Ruby said, happily. "Was that one of the ships you were waiting for?"

Penny and Marrow look at each other.

"It was…" Jared said, fixated on Ren and Nora.

Building…

A room is filled with Schnee Dust Company crates, Arthur Watts is watching live drone footage of the party on a screen projected from his Scroll. Beside the live drone feed is a recorded video of Penny fighting Sabyrs in the streets of Mantle. In windows behind the live and recorded footage, there is a Mantle election map and the live election results screen with the numbers erased. Watts taps the screens of an array of Scrolls laid out in front of them, and the screens light up. He adjusts one of his rings, and all eight of them light up. He strikes a pose with his hands in the air.

"You ready, Tyrian?" Watts asked.

Auditorium...

Tyrian is standing among the crowd at Robyn's party, with the hood of his jacket obscuring his face. Robyn walks past on the stage.

"Always." Tyrian said, chuckling.

Penny cheerfully salutes Ruby and Jared, who grins at them.

"The polls are about to close. Twelve, eleven…" Robyn said.

Penny looks over at Robyn, while the crowd carries on the countdown.

"Son of a bitch!" Jared said, letting go of Ruby's hand. "This really is a repeat of 2016!"

Ruby and Jared notice Tyrian's prosthetic tail slither out from the crowd as he begins walking away.

"I can help you stop it. I'm not letting you run away from this again." Ruby said, looking back at Jared. "Come on, we have to get their attention."

"Ten, nine, eight…" The crowd said.

Ruby and Jared move and lean into the crowd to look for the owner of the robotic scorpion tail, her eyes widening in panic.

"Come on, come on…" Jared said, grabbing Ruby's hand.

Jared is dragging Ruby into the fray, not losing her within the crowd. Tyrian chuckles maniacally and looks at Ruby and Jared.

"We got this…" Ruby said.

"Seven, six, five, four, three…" The crowd said.

Ruby gasps and reaches out toward the stage, "Watch out!"

Ren opens his eyes and looks in Ruby and Jared's direction. All power in the building shuts off. The crowd murmurs in confusion. May and Joanna are leaning against the wall opposite from the stage, looking up at the lights. Ren and Nora hold onto each other, looking around with confusion and worry.

Building...

"Go." Watts said, swiping his hand across his Scrolls, lighting up their screens.

Robyn drops the microphone onto the stage, and there is a faint sound of blood spatter, followed by a woman screaming. In a panic, someone elbows Ruby and Jared, knocking them down and causing them to fall on top of each other against the side of the stage.

Auditorium...

Tyrian begins swiftly moving through the crowd, kicking people's legs from under them and slashing them with his blades. He stabs one person in the torso and continues his rampage, running and spinning through the air.

"Penny, what's going on over there?" Marrow asked, over the communicator.

Penny activates her night vision and looks at Ruby and Jared, who are sitting next to each other with their backs against the stage, trying not to be trampled. Penny turns and looks at the main area of the building, to see Tyrian slash another civilian with his weapon and then impale yet another with his stinger. He drops the civilian and straightens up, licking his lips.

Penny draws her Floating Array and points the blades at Tyrian, "Put down your weapon and surrender!"

Tyrian looks at her and then vanishes into the crowd as two civilians run past between them. Penny looks around for him.

Building...

Watts continues waving his hands around, while his screen shows recorded video of Penny fighting Sabyrs, live footage of Tyrian attacking the party goers, and 3D models of Tyrian and Penny. As he moves his hands, the Tyrian model and the real Tyrian in the live footage each gain a cyan outline. Shortly after, the Penny model and the real Penny in the recorded video gain cyan outlines, as well.

Auditorium...

"This is Ace Operative Marrow, requesting immediate assistance!" Marrow said, over the communicator.

Building...

Watts gestures to a Scroll that is showing Mantle's election map, causing the colors to change in Jacques' favor. He swipes his hand across other Scrolls, causing their screens to light up.

Auditorium...

Robyn and Fiona stand back to back on the stage, weapons drawn.

"Huntresses, to me!" Robyn said.

Fiona looks back at Robyn, unaware that Tyrian has ascended the stairs and begun running toward her on the stage.

"Come on, we've gotta get you outta here!" Fiona said, turning and looking just in time to see Tyrian charging toward her.

His right arm begins glowing purple with Aura, and his eyes glow purple, as well. He drags his fingers across her stomach and side, causing her Aura to dissipate from that area, as if he ripped it open. Immediately afterward, he swings his left arm, cutting Fiona with his weapon. Fiona cries out in pain and drops to her knees, while Tyrian leaps over her and Robyn. Hearing Fiona's scream, Penny turns to the stage.

"Robyn!" Penny said, activating her jets and flying toward the stage.

Tyrian rises up behind Robyn, giggling to himself, and Penny tackles Robyn out of the way. Tyrian leaps up into the air. Robyn gasps and turns over onto her back, aiming her weapon at Penny, who slowly levitates her swords around her and scans the area for Tyrian. On a beam above the stage, Tyrian watches her.

"Right on time." Tyrian said, leaping away, and the power comes back on, momentarily blinding Robyn.

Once her eyes adjust, Robyn sees Penny standing in front of her with swords drawn. Penny looks around, upset and confused. Behind her, the giant screen displays a photograph of Jacques, with the word 'VICTORY!' below it.

"And the winner of the Atlas Council election is…Jacques Schnee!" The newscaster said, on screen.

Penny stares out at the bloodied civilians lying on the floor. The rest of the crowd is standing back from the massacre, crying and yelling hysterically.

"No…" Jared said, letting out tears. "2016 happened again…"

Ruby and Jared look around at the scene in horror, while Marrow looks at the bodies in shock. One of the citizens, who is putting pressure on a fallen civilian's wound, points at Penny.

"It's Ironwood's robot!" A random citizen said, angrily.

"Penny." Robyn said.

Penny turns to see Robyn staring at her with distrust.

Penny folds her swords and puts them away, "I...I didn't."

The screen begins displaying live footage of Jacques standing at a podium in front of the Schnee manor.

"Oho, thank you everyone, thank you. It's all because of you. It's a new day in Atlas." Jacques said, on screen.

Ruby climbs onto the stage with Jared, the silver-eyes girl runs over to Fiona and puts pressure on the wound, Robyn watching her as she does so.

"We've won, we did it!" Jacques said, on screen.

Robyn glares at Penny and growls angrily. Ren and Nora run over and climb onto the stage.

"What happened?" Nora asked.

"It was Tyrian! Tyrian's here!" Ruby said, terrified.

"Tyrian helped rig the election to Jacques Schnee's favor!" Jared said, looking between Ren and Nora.

Ren draws his guns and deploys their blades, and Marrow climbs onto the stage..May, Joanna and the rest of the crowd charge toward the stage.

Marrow points at them, "Stay!"

The crowd slows to a stop.

"Get Penny out the back, now!" Marrow said.

Nora encourages Penny to go backstage with her, and Ren and Jared follows them. Robyn aims her weapon at them the whole time, then folds the crossbow away once they are gone. She gets up, hurries over to Fiona, shoves Ruby away and begins applying pressure to the wound.

"I...I'm okay, I'm okay." Fiona said.

Marrow stops holding his pose and approaches Robyn and Fiona.

"I...I'm sorry. Is she…" Marrow said, reaching toward them, and a crossbow bolt just barely misses his hand.

Joanna glares with her weapon aimed at him. Ruby runs over to Marrow and begins tugging on his arm to get him to follow her backstage.

"Come on!" Jared said, annoyed. "We can't stay here!"

Marrow continues reaching out to Robyn, "This wasn't us, I swear."

Marrow and Ruby run backstage. Robyn glares at them as they leave.

Building...

Watts watches a video on his screen titled MNTL_SECURITYCAM_PENNY_001. The video depicts Penny standing among the party goers, swinging her swords at them.

"Fine work, Tyrian. I think we are done for tonight." Watts said.

He taps the large 'UPLOAD' button, and then the screen fades away. He picks up his bag and his personal Scroll and turns away, tossing his Scroll into the air. His Scroll collapses, showing his W emblem, and he catches it, smirking.

Mantle...

Drunk Mann stares at a TV screen while other civilians run past him, screaming in panic.

"A surprise victory by SDC Mining Corporation's CEO, Jacques Schnee. Last minute voter turnout produced a dark horse victory for the Dust industry leader." The newscaster said, on screen.

He drinks from his flask and walks away.

Ruby, Nora, Ren, Marrow, Penny, and Jared are standing in an alleyway somewhere. Penny is standing apart from the group. Ren still has his weapons drawn, and Marrow has his hand to his face.

"Penny…" Jared said, grabbing Ruby's free hand. "I'm fine, it's going to be okay! We will stop this together. I promise. No need to worry."

Ruby and Jared turn and look at Penny, who is staring into the distance, her eyes glimmering from the shock and despair. Ruby reaches her bloodied hand out to Penny, but then stops and looks at the blood.

Marrow turns to Penny, "Penny, you need to get to Atlas. Backup's on the way."

Penny does not answer.

"Penny?" Marrow asked.

Penny turns a little, as if to look back at him, but then flies away into the sky and disappears behind a building. In the distance, Grimm roar and more sounds of people screaming are heard.

"Grimm." Ruby said.

"We've got a long night ahead." Marrow said, sighing, drawing his weapon.

They run out of the alley to face the Manticores that have begun invading Mantle.

"Unfortunately…" Jared said, letting go of Ruby's hand. "Come on. We can do this together."

The giant screens in the city broadcast a live feed of Jacques' acceptance speech, while Mantle's security sirens begin blaring and the street lights turn red.

"And as the newest member of the Council, I pledge to serve each and every citizen of Mantle and Atlas." Jacques said, on screen.