Divide

"Let's watch volume 8" zen said

"Yep let's get ready for more bad news" yang said

"It can't be that bad" ruby said

"Oh it definitely not that bad" zen said with a smile

"I think it going to be bad" Weiss said

Everyone just nodded

"Get ready for trauma" zen whispers

"Huh?" Blake turned and looked at zen

A lone girl with black hair tied back into short pigtails is on her knees in the middle of a dim spotlight, slowly scrubbing a wooden floor. In present day, Cinder Fall scrapes the claws of her Grimm hand against an airship seat to the same slow rhythm of the girl scrubbing the floor. Neopolitan is sitting in the seat, piloting the airship. Thunder rumbles, and red lightning illuminates the dark clouds ahead, revealing Monstra. Focused on the whale, Cinder moves to her right to stand between the pilot's and co-pilot's seats.

"Who is that?" Ruby asked

"All will be answered" zen said

"You will never give us a straight answer for the future will you" Blake said

"Nope kind of like you who will never be straight when she see yang" zen said

"Yep that sounds right" ruby said smiling

Blake just sighed while yang just ignored them

"Let's focus on what happening" yang said

"That Grimm is massive" ruby said

"It called monstra" zen said

"That name suits it" yang said

"Yeah but how are they going to land the airship?" Blake asked

"Well that would have been sorted out" Salem said

Cinder: There.

Neo looks at Cinder and then at the whale with a frown. The airship flies past Manticores and Teryxes, soon arriving at a landing bay within the whale's flesh. She lands the ship on the platform furthest to the left.

Some time later, Neo and Cinder walk up a set of bone stairs, leading to a large chamber. In the middle of this chamber, Salem is sitting on a throne made of bone. Neo stops and stares with her mouth slightly open, before walking forward to stand beside Cinder. She watches as Cinder kneels and places her right hand to her chest.

"Well looks like neo doesn't like it" Weiss said

"Who knows she could have frowned at anything" ruby said

"It has a landing bay" yang said

"Well I didn't think that would be possible" Weiss said

"This is just Disturbing"yang said

"Yeah" ruby said

"Oh right this would have been the first time trivia would have seen Salem" zen said

Neo just looked at zen shocked

"Who?" Jaune asked confused

"Oh sorry i meant neo" zen said

"Well it seem like you know about that" Roman said

"Yep" zen said

Cinder: My queen.

Salem stands from her throne and turns to face Cinder.

Salem: Cinder.

Salem slowly descends the steps of the platform on which her throne rests.

Salem: When I chose you as my vessel for the Maidens, I put my trust in you. So, I trust that you wouldn't possibly return to me empty-handed.

Cinder holds out the Relic of Knowledge.

Cinder: The Relic of Knowledge. I took it right from under Ironwood's nose.

Upon hearing this, Neo blinks her eyes rapidly in disbelief and looks at Cinder with an indignant expression. She then crosses her arms and glares. Tyrian Callows' voice then draws her attention.

"So now Salem has the relic of knowledge" yang said

"She doesn't know how to activate it" ruby said

"Well some good news" Blake said

"You did nothing when it came to the relic" ruby said

"Wow taking all the credit for neo achievements" roman said

"Hey maybe neo should be the vessel for the maidens" zen said

"Hmm maybe" Salem said

"No you can't do that" cinder said

Salem just ignored cinder

Tyrian: Outsmarting the general speaks less to your intellect and... more to his.

Tyrian steps out from the shadows behind Cinder while Salem takes the Lamp. He begins walking across the room.

Tyrian: After all, you were outsmarted by those children first.

Cinder: And according to radio chatter, that same general and his forces outsmarted you. A shame Watts never made it back.

"Wow he just dissed both of you at the same time" zen said

"I don't have to listen to watts anymore" cinder said happy

Tyrian: I'm afraid the doctor was a necessary sacrifice. (pointing his tail at Neo) I do hope this little one doesn't become another.

Neo glares at Tyrian and lowers her arms with her fists clenched. Cinder turns to look at Salem, who adopts a look of suspicious curiosity as she speaks.

Salem: Who is she?

Cinder: Neopolitan has some very useful abilities and has proven to be a valuable asset.

Neo just glared at Tyrian on the screen

"Yes just an asset" cinder said

Neo just looked annoyed now

Neo looks somewhat upset by Cinder's use of the word "asset".

Salem: Hm, you certainly do enjoy collecting assets.

Neo lowers her gaze, clearly displeased. The squelching noise of the nearby membrane door catches her attention, and she turns to see Emerald Sustrai, Mercury Black and Hazel Rainart entering the room. Upon laying eyes on Cinder, Emerald smiles.

Emerald: Cinder.

Emerald begins running across the chamber toward Cinder.

Emerald: You're here! I knew you'd co--

Cinder: Quiet.

"Time for some disappointment emerald" Mercury said

"Shut it" emerald said

Emerald stops with a hurt expression on her face, glancing at Tyrian who clicks his tongue in disappointment.

Tyrian: So devoted to someone so incompetent. While the good doctor and I were advancing the will of our goddess, dismembering the very body of this kingdom... you were merely atoning for past failures.

Cinder glares intensely at him.

Cinder: Polendina's creation interfered with the transfer of the Winter Maiden power... but now I know she has it. And once I return to Atlas, it won't take long to finish what I started. That power will be mine.

"Yeah like that ever going to happen" yang said

"Yep" ruby said smiling at penny

Penny smiled with a saddened look

Cinder's expression turns from anger and confidence to surprise as Salem lifts her hand to shush her.

Salem: I've given no such command.

Salem approaches her throne, and Cinder shakes her head in confusion.

Cinder: Ma'am, now is the time to--

"Well that surprising" Blake said

"Yeah why aren't you trying to get the maiden powers?" Weiss said

"I have bigger plans right now" Salem said

Cinder cuts off as Salem rests her hand on the throne. The glowing red holes on the back of the throne light up more brightly. Salem's hand produces a red shockwave, and in response, a red design on the floor begins sending out repeated shockwaves, which move across the fleshy walls. As Salem speaks, a bright glow can be seen pulsating through red lines that lead out from the throne across the floor in several directions. She walks away from the throne with her back to everyone else, and a dark fog clears from the wall at the front of the room, revealing a view of the City of Atlas.

Salem: This game is not yours to win, Cinder, it's mine. Just because you're more valuable to me than a pawn, does not make you a player. Everything is already in motion. All you need concern yourself with is your ability to act when I tell you to.

Cinder: Of course. (lowering her head) Without you, I am nothing.

"This just isn't fair" yang said

"Well it seems like we don't have to worry about them going after penny for now" ruby said

"But because of you I am everything" zen said

Everyone looked confused except cinder who was thinking where she heard that before

"Zen stop with the confusing stuff okay" Weiss said

"Never how about a riddle that will mean the name of one of the people going to die in the future" zen said

"No don't " ren said

"Fine" zen said

Salem's frown turns to a smile, and she lifts her hand and waves them off. Footsteps can be heard as her subordinates begin leaving. As dark clouds drift in between the whale and Atlas, Salem turns and walks back toward her throne with the Relic of Knowledge in her hands.

Oscar Pine and numerous Faunus are gathered in the slums in the crater beneath Atlas, using blankets and Schnee Dust Company crates as seats. An older man with furry clawed hands steps out of a small home made from corrugated metal and thrusts a bowl of something at Oscar, who looks confused. The man gives an encouraging nod, and Oscar takes a sip from the bowl.

Oscar: Thank you.

"Good thing Oscar alright" Ruby said

"Yep we going to need everyone to beat Salem" yang said

Oscar hands the bowl back, and the man gives a nod and a grunt in response before walking away.

Ozpin: (in Oscar's mind) Heads up.

A small Atlas airship flies overhead, and the Faunus flee the area. Oscar picks up The Long Memory and stands up, watching the ship with suspicion. The side door slides open to reveal Ruby Rose, who waves.

Ruby: Need a lift?

Oscar relaxes, and is soon after inside the ship with Ruby, Weiss Schnee and Maria Calavera as it flies over Mantle.

"Why would a atlas airship go down there unless it us" Weiss said

"You can never be to cautious after all

i just got shoot and fell through the bottom of atlas" Oscar said

"He got you there" Blake said

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

The ship flies over a street where people are using fires to keep warm while a Grimm siren blares.

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

Ruby places her hand on his shoulder and offers a comforting smile. Below, Joanna Greenleaf peeks out at the ship from around a corner, and then steps out into the open and waves her arms at it. Maria who is piloting the ship, looks down at her.

Maria: Yeah, yeah, I see you.

"Well seems like we are working with the happy huntresses" ruby said

"Probably keeping mantle safe since they won't get military support " yang said 

Maria lowers the ship to land, and she, Ruby, Weiss and Oscar soon hurry down a sidewalk to Joanna, who ushers them into an alleyway.

Joanna: Inside! Hurry!

A camera drone comes hovering along, and just as it turns to look at Joanna, she shoots it down and then runs into the alley.

"It a safe house we're going to" ruby said

"Seem like they looking for us" Blake said

"Yeah should just completely smashed it" Nora said

Inside a restaurant kitchen, May Marigold leaned over a map on the counter, speaking over a communication device. While she talks, Ruby, Weiss, Oscar, Maria and Joanna walk inside and head across the kitchen.

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: Copy!

"Why the crater it not the best place to be if anything bad happens" Weiss said

"Well it is warm in the crater so that is a good place to put everyone" winter said

"Now she trying to help" yang whispered

In the dining area, Jaune Arc, Yang Xiao Long, Blake Belladonna, Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie are sitting at tables while Penny and Pietro watch the news. The news network is displaying a "Fugitives" notice for Team RWBY, Team JNPR, 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--

"You really made us all fugitives" Weiss said

"I don't like this either but i still think retreating is the best option" ironwood said

"It really is the best option if everyone was going" yang said

As Ruby's group enters the room, Nora turns and stands from her chair, smiling. She approaches Oscar, who recoils in fear, turning his head to the side, closing his eyes and putting his hands up to stop the tackle that he assumes is coming. Instead, Nora calmly walks over and hugs him, much to his surprise. He relaxes and hugs back, and Weiss and Ruby smile at the scene.

Blake: (voice shaking) When we heard you went off after Ironwood on your own, we...

Nora lets go and walks away.

"Why was you scared?" Nora said

"You always crush me" Oscar said 

"No I don't" Nora said

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

Oscar: It's a... (sighs) long story. I get the feeling there's been a few of those tonight.

Everyone looks at Penny, who looks down at her hands.

Ozpin: (in Oscar's mind) You're not going to tell them?

Oscar: (in his mind) You and I aren't done talking yet.

"Wow seems like all of us like to keep secrets" yang said jokingly

"What secrets have i keep from you" ruby said

"Your feelings about all this" yang said

Ruby just went quiet

Oscar's eyes widen slightly as he realizes someone is missing from the group.

Oscar: Where's Qrow?

Ren, Blake and Yang lower their gazes, and Jaune looks toward Blake and Yang before looking down, as well.

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

Joanna enters from the kitchen.

Joanna: Alright, your friend is back now.

"You don't have to worry about me I'll be fine and probably escape at some point" Qrow said stroking Zwei ear

"Well tell that to future us" ruby said smiling

She walks further into the room to stand in front of them.

Joanna: You ready to work?

She is met with silence. Joanna turns to look through a box of supplies and continues talking.

Joanna: (sighs) The largest Grimm horde ever seen is hovering over the tundra, and out there is a city full of people with no heat and, from what you told us, 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.

"Yeah we need to help them and protect them" yang said

"Yes but it not going to be easy"  ren said

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.

She turns and heads back toward the kitchen.

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

Joanna stops with her hand on the door and turns to look at Weiss.

Joanna: Either you're helping... or you're baggage.

"I'm just speaking the truth we won't sleep" Weiss said

"Oh I better get ready" zen said grabbing popcorn

"Why?" Ruby asked

"Oh you'll see" zen said

She then exits into the kitchen. Yang gets up and moves to stand in front of everyone.

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

While Yang speaks, a view of the near future shows Yang running through an alley in Mantle. As present day Ruby begins speaking, future Yang spots a pair of Sabyrs around the corner and hides against the wall.

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.

"We need to help mantle" yang

"We need to help everyone" ruby said

"I think this is the first time i seen these two argue" Blake said

"Oh please this is nothing just a disagreement" yang said

"Seem like you go and help mantle but with who?" Ruby asked

Future Yang moves to sneak away from the Sabyrs but is distracted when she steps on a watch on the sidewalk. It is then that she notices an abandoned suitcase and a photo of three friends.

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

"Those poor people" ruby said sadly

"You agree with ruby" yang said

"Yes because it about the bigger picture like i said" Blake said

The view switches back to present day Yang.

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

Ruby turns 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.

"So we can launch amity it just nearly impossible" ruby said

"So don't do it you never get to his terminal" yang said

Yang turns to Ruby with her arms crossed and lowers her arms as she speaks. Ruby, meanwhile, is thinking.

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?

"Is there another terminal?" Ruby asked

"Yes and doctor polendina  know about it so he tell you" ironwood said

"I guess that would be the easy option" Oscar said

"Yep" ruby said

The view changes to Ruby on a Mantle rooftop in the near future, as she hurries with her hood on her head and hides from a drone camera behind an air conditioning unit.

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.

Future Ruby lowers her hood and peeks over the air conditioning unit to look up at the underside of Atlas. She then starts contemplating, and the view changes back to present day Pietro.

"So that the easy option" Blake said

"Yeah not so easy" ruby said

"So it pointless after all a lot of soldiers will be there" yang said

Ruby just looked at yang annoyed

Pietro: 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 looks at Ruby.

Oscar: And 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.

"See even Oscar thinks it a bad ideas" yang said

"I'm still going to do it because we need to warn the rest of remnant" ruby said

Ruby becomes annoyed while Yang speaks.

Ruby: 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 stands 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 recoils somewhat with a mix of emotions on her face. Yang's statement elicits various reactions from Weiss, Nora, Oscar and Penny, as well.

Yang: I just--

"So it all my fault" Ruby said sadly

"No I didn't mean it like that" yang said quickly

"Well it did sound like that yang" Blake said

"I'm not saying it your fault it just that some choices you made and we made caused  some of this" yang said nervous

"Pfft you have to see your face, yang it does hurt that you said that but I'm happy you did" ruby said

"I hate you sometimes" yang said messing with ruby hair

"I actually thought you two was falling out with each other" Weiss said

"Please that not compared to what happened we got back home after beacon" yang said

"Yeah like this would affect our relationship" ruby said

"I'm still right" yang said smirking at ruby

Ruby started mocking yang

Ren steps forward, interrupting Yang.

Ren: There are people here who need us right now.

The view changes back to Yang in the near future, as future Ren approaches her. They nod to each other.

Ren: That's something we can actually do.

Nora: But this isn't about just Atlas. Ruby's right. It's about all of Remnant.

Future Yang looks away from Ren, who looks somewhat saddened. The view changes to future Ruby, still looking over the air conditioning unit, as future Nora places her hand on her shoulder. Future Ruby turns to look at her.

"Well I think this is the first time Nora and Ren have been separated" yang said

"Yeah it surprising but I got Nora on my team" ruby said

"Well I have Ren" yang said

"Are you two having a competition about the teams?" Weiss asked

"Yes" ruby and yang said

Nora: They need to know in Vacuo, in Mistral, in Vale, what's coming.

The view shifts back to present day Nora.

Nora: So they can prepare.

Jaune steps 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.

"I don't want us to be divide" ruby said

"That won't happen" yang said

"I hope" ruby whispered

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... 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.

"You didn't just offer to sacrifice yourself" ruby said

"I thought it would be the best option" penny said

"No it won't" yang said

"Don't give us that look" ruby said

"Yeah or I'll break your legs" Nora said

"No you won't" ruby said

"Fine" Nora said

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: (softly but firmly) I'll go.

Pietro looks at Penny, who has her back turned.

Pietro: Penny, we can't risk--

Penny turns to look at him, activating the Maiden flares in her eyes with a determined expression.

Penny: I'll go.

"I won't take no as an answer" penny said

"Of course" ruby said

Yang: (sighs) Do what you've got to do. I'm going out there to see what I could do.

Yang begins walking toward the kitchen, and Blake watches her with a sad expression.

Pietro: Yang.

Yang stops and looks at Pietro, who tosses her a key. As she looks at the key, the view changes again to future Yang, who looks at Pietro's pharmacy.

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

"What are we going to get" yang asked

"Oh you like it a lot" zen said

"Yeah I get cool new tools" yang said

"I need to top that" ruby whispered

Future Yang turns and looks at Ren, who turns to share a nod with Jaune and Oscar.

Ren: Nora?

Nora: I'm going with Ruby.

Future Ren looks somewhat sad.

Ren: But what about Mantle?

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

Both Nora and Ren looked saddened

"I think this will be good after all you two have never been apart you might discover something about yourself" zen said

"I didn't think of it like that" ren said

"Yeah it might be a nice change of pace" Nora said

On the rooftop with future Ruby, future Nora has a somewhat sad expression, but then musters up a look of determination. She walks over to Ruby, Blake and Weiss. This view of the future becomes the new present. Blake puts her hand on Ruby's shoulder.

Blake: Hey, we're still united.

Ruby: I hope so.

"Ha I got your girlfriend on my team" ruby said

"Blake isn't my girlfriend" yang said

Blake and Weiss just facepalmed after yang said that

"I never said Blake i could have been talking about Weiss" ruby said smirking

"Damn it" yang said

Maria: (over ear-piece) 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 f--

A beeping tone starts playing from someone's Scroll. The girls look confused, and Blake, Ruby and Nora check their Scrolls. The four of them then turn to look at Penny, who is holding her ringing Scroll, unsure of what to do.

The scroll's screen says:

Incoming Call

General Ironwood

"Well thanks for interrupting my idea" Weiss said

"I'm sorry" ironwood said

"I want to here Weiss idea" ruby said

"You will  hear it in the next one" zen said

Penny nervously taps the Talk icon, accepting the call.

Ironwood: (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 walks over to Penny, who allows her to take the Scroll.

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

Ironwood: 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.

"Hey don't try to put all the blame on penny" ruby said

"His fear really is controlling him" Oscar thought

"Sadly" ozpin responded

With Ironwood's final statement, Penny tenses, becomes worried, and then leans into a hug from Ruby. Ruby's brave face falters, and she looks somewhat worried.

"Yes I'm worried after all i don't have hide my feelings" Ruby said

Everyone looked at ruby with an sure you don't

In an Atlas medical facility, Marrow Amin, Vine Zeki, Elm Ederne and Harriet Bree are staring at Clover Ebi's corpse on a table in front of them. Marrow is saddened, Vine is stoic, and Elm and Harriet are angry. Ironwood watches them through the window of Winter Schnee's patient room across the hall, while Atlas technicians check on Winter.

Ironwood has retrieved his black gun and has had his injured left arm replaced with a prosthesis. He looks at his new left hand, flexing his fingers, and then looks over to the door as an Atlas crewmate enters the room and salutes him. He briefly salutes back, and they both place their hands behind their backs.

"Great we just need to be reminded about that" Qrow said

"Sadly" ironwood said

"He gets the latest technology while I'm still stuck with this one" yang said

"Which would you rather have through?" Ruby asked

"This one it has my colours and suits me" yang said

"Then stop complaining" Weiss said

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

He nods with an affirming grunt, and the crewmate leaves.

Winter: Qrow and Robyn?

Winter winces as one of the technicians makes her bend her wrist back.

Ironwood: Could you give us the room, please?

"Going to be hard to escape but I'll escape with Robyn" Qrow said

"Seems like I injured more than I thought" cinder said

"Just wait i will get you back for it" winter said

The technicians promptly exit the room, and Winter gives him a reassuring smile.

Winter: I'll be fine.

She struggles to curl her fingers into a fist, grimacing, leaving Ironwood unconvinced. His expression softens slightly, and he relaxes 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.

"Yes you looked completely fine" ironwood said

"I will be fine" winter said

"Yeah with some power armor" zen said

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 move forward with their hands up to stop Councilmen Camilla and Sleet from approaching.

Sleet: This is absurd! Let us through!

Ironwood watches through the window, and Harriet steps out of the room across the hall and watches with her hand on her hip.

"Seem like the council is against everything ironwood is doing" yang said

"Can they do anything though?" asked ruby

"Probably not" Blake said

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 push 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 walks through the door and into the hall.

"Maybe they might talk sense into ironwood after all they know him longer" Weiss said

"Yeah that will definitely happen" zen said

"What happens?" Jaune asked worried

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 draws his white gun and shifts his stance, aiming and immediately firing a single shot at Sleet, who cannot be seen from Winter's view of the window. As Ironwood takes aim, Camilla's eyes widen, and she turns to look at Sleet, bringing her arms up close to her chest and screaming in terror as the gun fires. 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 look at Ironwood, who lowers his gun. Camilla is staring wide-eyed at where Sleet stood, and Sleet has gone completely silent. She hyperventilates and looks at Ironwood.

"You just killed an innocent person who was scared" ruby said

"I-I don't know why i did that. I could have done anything else" ironwood said with a distraught look

"I don't think we can talk to him" Blake said

Ironwood turns and walks in the opposite direction down the hall, holstering his gun, while Winter and Harriet watch. Harriet looks at Winter, then lowers her gaze. Winter sits there, processing what has happened with her mouth slightly agape. She closes her mouth and frowns.

"You just going to sit there and let him get anyway with murdering people" Weiss said

"If is necessary i would but this isn't right" winter said

Back inside Monstra, a fleshy membrane door tears open. Salem stands on the other side holding the Relic of Knowledge.

Salem: I have questions for you.

She holds the Relic out to a Grimm, whose only features shown are its large jaw. It sniffs the Relic and opens its gaping maw slightly.

Salem: But first I need the one who can show me how. (to the Grimm) Bring him to me...

The Grimm growls menacingly.

"Oh that just disgusting" Blake said

"Yep i really don't want to look at that" yang said

"There the Grimm we saw in the trailer" ruby said

"We'll seem like we are going to have to protect Oscar in the future from that Grimm" yang said

"Yeah but i have a bad feeling about it" jaune said

"Well time to see the intro with music actually playing so you can hear the lyrics" zen said

"I'm not putting the lyrics in the text but the videos will be put at the top"

"Lets see then" ruby said  impatiently

"Okay" zen said

Shots of the city of Mantle are shown in a peaceful daylight, but the video glitches revealing it to be in flames and overrun by Grimm.

Ruby Rose is seen standing in the Mantle streets, armed with Crescent Rose, while looking up to the floating city of Atlas as the video glitches once again showing the kingdom in flames.

Her silver eyes blink.

"Well this doesn't look good" yang said

Ruby then turns around and sees her friends standing together. The logo "RWBY VOLUME 8" seperates them.

Individual shots of Team RWBY are shown with an image of their past selves somewhere on their persons: Ruby stands at her mother's gravestone, reflected on her cape; Weiss Schnee stands in the Schnee Manor courtyard, reflected on her dress; Blake Belladonna sits on a rock in Forever Fall, reflected on Gambol Shroud; and Yang Xiao Long stands in the sun at Patch with Zwei, reflected in her hair.

"The music is good but the lyrics are so sad and depressing" Blake said

"It all of us before we attend beacon"

"Yeah and we are all only expect yang who has Zwei the adorable little thing" Weiss said

An invididual shot of James Ironwood is shown with an image of Atlas Academy before it is engulfed in flames on his person. Likewise, a shadow casts over him.

Clover Ebi's hand is shown dropping his four-leaf clover pin, with each of the Ace Ops on each of the leaves: Elm Ederne, Vine Zeki, Marrow Amin, and Harriet Bree, the latter sharing a leaf with Qrow Branwen.

The downtrodden Qrow is offered a hand, and is helped up by Robyn Hill. The two smile at each other despite being behind bars.

"Well the lyrics don't help with my confidence" Weiss said

"Seem like me and Robyn are going to work together"

Inside the Monstra, Oscar Pine holds his head in agony as a winged Salem looms over him. Red eyes watch from the shadows.

Shots of each of Team RWBY's weapons are shown: Crescent Rose with Myrtenaster, and Gambol Shroud with Ember Celica.

"I hope that just for visual because if that happens in the future it will be bad" Oscar said

Jaune Arc is seen on the frozen tundra proudly holding Crocea Mors. Behind him, his teammates, Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie, stand at a distance facing away from each other with troubled looks on their faces. A concerned Nora turns around as pink lightning and snow transition to the next scene.

Weiss and Winter Schnee are seen walking towards each other, only to walk past each other. Winter sadly looks down while sporting a new appearance.

The Schnee family emblem is shown with Whitley Schnee and Willow Schnee before it falls to the ground and shatters.

"Why are we in the tundra anyway?" Nora asked

"Who knows" jaune said

"Seem like winter does get power armor" Weiss said

"Yeah but why is your mom and brother there unless they play a part in the future" yang said

On a chess board, Salem emerges from the black side sending her Grimm hordes forth. On the white side, Ironwood stands alone as the chess pieces on his side disintegrate and all the tiles except the one he is standing on fall to the abyss below.

Arthur Watts smugly smiles while looking at a holographic screen. On the other side of the glass, Pietro Polendina looks at a holographic screen as well. His reflection in the glass behind him looks at Penny Polendina, who holds her hands out in front of her sadly while her reflection behind her looks on. The glass behind her starts to crack.

"I think that a visual of ironwood either losing hope or losing the trust of everyone around him" Weiss said

"Oh you have to be kidding me how does he escape" yang said

A snowflake is shown melting on Ren's palm before he is joined by Jaune, Oscar, and Yang, the latter riding on an HVB Rhino. A flower petal is seen blowing in the wind as Nora tries to catch it but fails. She is joined by Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Penny.

The group stands together about to face off against a Grimm horde it then shows penny flying up and facing down at everyone with amity in the background Ruby and Yang nod at each other. Team RWBY are shown fighting their way through Grimm.

"Is that new tools were going to get" yang said

"Maybe" zen said

"Ha I have a cool new bike" yang said

"I still have your girlfriend" ruby said

"I will punch you" yang said

"Oh I'll do you one better we launch amity tower" ruby said pointing at the screen

Yang just slightly punched ruby on the arm

"Your just jealous" ruby said

"Did the song just say some roses will never bloom?" Yang asked worried

"Yes it did but it might not be anything" Blake said

"Most of the time it does mean something" zen said

"Oh god" yang said

Suddenly, time freezes, and Cinder Fall is seen walking past the frozen heroes. She also walks past Neopolitan and Emerald Sustrai, the latter of whom tries to wave at her before looking down in disappointment. Cinder holds her Grimm-ified left arm in pain as flames engulf her.

Through the flames, Hazel Rainart, Tyrian Callows, and Mercury Black are shown, before zooming in on Salem, the Relics of Knowledge and Creation reflected in her eyes.

"Seem like cinder going to use the relic of knowledge but how does she figure out how to activate it" ruby said while in thought

"Who knows but the lyrics are just rubbing it in our face know that Salem can't die" yang said

"Yeah there are only two positive songs this entire volume I mean there would be a friend but you will be crying through that one" zen said

"Great" Weiss said

The aformentioned Relics encircle each other as blue smoke emanates from them.

Ruby and her friends look at Atlas and Mantle in the distance.

Suddenly, the ice cracks below them, and Team RWBY falls into the darkness below. They drown in the watery void. Ruby desperately tries to reach out to the Staff of Creation in the light, only to be pulled down by Shadow Hands. Some try to reach for the Relic as well.

"Oh come on please don't mean we use the relic of creation than lose it" ruby said

"If that happens Salem can create whatever she wants" Blake said worried

The word "HAPPY" is seen on screen before glitching to "HAPPY?". The maw of The Hound is shown opening its large jaw. The word "EVER" appears before glitching to "NEVER". A close up of Penny's eye is seen before her outline turns red. The word "AFTER" appears before glitching to "AGAIN".

Team RWBY's weapon fall to the ground until Crescent Rose remains, lonely against a backdrop of Remnant's Moon. Rose petals blow in the wind as the words "CREATED BY MONTY OUM" appear on screen before fading to black.

"Happy ever after" ruby said

"Or happy never again" Blake said

"Well it seems this has just said it going to be be extremely bad" yang said

"Why is Ruby's weapon the only one staying?" jaune asked

Zen just shrugged already knowing the answer