Divide

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.

Atlesian Airship...

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.

"There." Cinder said.

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.

Monstra...

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.

"My queen." Cinder said.

Salem stands from her throne and turns to face Cinder.

"Cinder." Salem said, slowly descending the steps of the platform on which her throne rests. "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, "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.

"Outsmarting the general speaks less to your intellect and…more to his." Tyrian said, stepping out from the shadows behind Cinder while Salem takes the Lamp.

Tyrian begins walking across the room.

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

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

"I'm afraid the doctor was a necessary sacrifice." Tyrian said, 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.

"Who is she?" Salem asked.

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

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

"Hm, you certainly do enjoy collecting assets." Salem said.

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.

"Cinder." Emerald said, while she begins running across the chamber toward Cinder. "You're here! I knew you'd co…"

"Quiet." Cinder said.

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

"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." Tyrian said.

Cinder glares intensely at Tyrian, "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."

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

"I've given no such command." Salem said, approaching her throne, and Cinder shakes her head in confusion.

"Ma'am, now is the time to…" Cinder said, while she 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.

"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." Salem said.

"Of course." Cinder said, lowering her head. "Without you, I am nothing."

Salem's frown turns to a smile, and she lifts her hand and waves them off. Her subordinates begin leaving the room. 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.

Slums...

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.

"Thank you." Oscar said, handing the bowl back, and the man gives a nod and a grunt in response before walking away.

"Heads up." Ozpin said, in Oscar's mind.

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 and Jared Shay, who waves.

"Hello Oscar. Happy Holidays." Jared said, smiling. "Or it was that. Wanted to spend Christmas 2013 with Team RWBY, Team JNR, and Penny. Sorry about that."

"Ugh. Not the time. Oscar, do you need a lift?" Ruby asked.

Atlesian Airship...

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

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

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

"We all did what we thought was best. I'm just glad you're alright." Ruby said, placing her hand on Oscar's shoulder and offering a comforting smile.

"Same. Like escaping my death at Lake Silencio wasn't easy." Jared said, looking between Ruby and Oscar. "Can't believe I had to go through all that. Just to end up here."

Mantle...

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 Joanna, "Yeah, yeah, I see you."

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

"Inside! Hurry!" Joanna said, worried.

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.

Restaurant Kitchen...

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

"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." May said.

"Copy!" Fiona said.

Restaurant...

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 JNR, Jared, Oscar, Maria, Penny and Pietro.

"...once heroes, are now fugitives on the run. Many in Mantle are left to wonder what the future will…" Someone on the news said, on TV.

As Ruby's group enters the room, Nora turns and stands from her chair, smiling.

"Great, this is the Year that Never Was or the 456 all over again. I really missed that." Jared said, scoffing.

Nora 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.

"What do you mean this is like those times you were with Jack?" Weiss asked.

Instead, Nora calmly walks over and hugs Oscar, much to his surprise.

"I don't know." Jared said, smiling. "I'm just glad that this time around, I'm with you guys."

Oscar relaxes and hugs back, and Weiss, Ruby, and Jared smile at the scene.

"Don't worry." Ruby said, happily, "You're not dealing with the Master or an alien race that was controlling children. You're up against Salem and Ironwood. And you have us by your side."

"When we heard you went off after Ironwood on your own, we…" Blake said, her voice shaking.

Nora lets go and walks away.

"How did you end up down in the slums?" Weiss asked.

"Yeah. How did you even end up Rock Bottom?" Jared asked.

"It's a…" Oscar said, letting out a sigh. "...long story. I get the feeling there's been a few of those tonight."

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

"A few? I had to escape my death at Lake Silencio, wipe the records off us in the Doctor's world, and have River Song forge her own path. Along with us spending Christmas dinner with the Ponds." Jared said, leaning against the wall. "All in one fucking sitting. Which is crazy to think about to be honest."

"You're not going to tell them?" Ozpin asked, in Oscar's mind.

"You and I aren't done talking yet." Oscar said, in his mind.

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

"Where's Qrow?" Oscar asked.

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

"We don't know. The last we heard he was with Robyn, but…" Ruby said, sadly.

Joanna enters from the kitchen.

"Alright, your friend is back now." Joanna said, walking further into the room to stand in front of them. "You ready to work?"

She is met with silence.

"Work?" Jared asked. "What work?"

Joanna turns to look through a box of supplies and continues talking.

"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." Joanna said, letting out a sigh. "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."

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

"And it's not like I can ask for help from some of my friends in the Doctor's world. They don't have the right abilities or weapons to fight Grimm." Jared said, rolling his eyes. "Where can we go?"

"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." Joanna said, turning and heading back toward the kitchen.

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

"Tell me about it. Lake Silencio was hard enough." Jared said, grabbing Weiss' hand. "But this is much worse."

Joanna stops with her hand on the door and turns to look at Weiss and Jared, "Either the two of you are helping…or you both are baggage."

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

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

Mantle...

While present Yang speaks, the near future shows Yang running through an alley in Mantle. A woman with brunette hair wearing a red dress is running behind the blonde.

"Yang? Yang Xiao Long?" The brunette asked. "I'm Ozzie Oswald. I'm here to help."

Restaurant...

As present day Ruby begins speaking, future Yang and Ozzie spots a pair of Sabyrs around the corner and hides against the wall.

"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." Ruby said.

Mantle...

Future Yang and Ozzie move to sneak away from the Sabyrs but are distracted when the blonde steps on a watch on the sidewalk.

"Ozzie. Do you know how to fight Grimm?" Yang asked, looking at the brunette.

It is then that the blonde notices an abandoned suitcase and a photo of three friends.

Restaurant…

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

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

"So? If Harriet Jones and the Children of Time were able to launch the Subwave Network in the Doctor's world. To try and call me and the Time Lord in the middle of the Dalek Invasion of 2009." Jared said, smiling. "Who says we can't do the same by getting Amity up and running and warn people of Salem? Similar circumstances."

"You're right, Jared. This is similar." Ruby said, turning to Pietro. "Doctor? What would you need to launch Amity now?"

"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." Pietro said.

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

"Ruby, Jared, there is no way Ironwood will cooperate with us." Yang said.

"But he doesn't have to." Ruby said.

"He really doesn't. It's not like the people from my world want martial law like the people here in Remnant. To help and deal a global catastrophe." Jared said, frowning.

"We just need the green light from his terminal, right?" Ruby asked.

"It's like resetting a WiFi router. Or any technology in my world."

"The two of you want to go back to the academy?" Yang asked.

"If it means being able to save everyone and raise an army. Yeah. We would." Jared said, smirking.

Mantle...

Ruby and Jared are on a Mantle rooftop in the near future, as the two hurry with their hoods on their heads and hide from a drone camera behind an air conditioning unit.

Restaurant...

"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." Pietro said.

Mantle…

Future Ruby and Jared lower their hoods and peeks over the air conditioning unit to look up at the underside of Atlas.

"Oh, so that's where it is." Future Jared said, looking at Future Ruby. "At least we now know where it is."

The two then start contemplating.

Restaurant…

"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." Pietro said.

Oscar looks at Ruby and Jared.

"And just to clarify, this is the easy option?" Oscar asked.

"Yeah. Believe me, I tried saving children with the help of Symphogear. It was an impossible task, Oscar." Jared said, sadly. "I had to sacrifice one child. Jack's grandson. To save millions of children."

"What both of you are saying is it can't be done. It's pointless. And with the Subwave Network, that was pure luck. Involving a rift in time and space, a supercomputer in an attic, a phone number, a superb song, and a server. Just to reach a time space machine. And even if the two of you got the message out at Amity, there's no guarantee help would come." Yang said, looking between Ruby and Jared.

Ruby becomes annoyed while Yang speaks.

"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!" Ruby said, angrily.

Yang stands in silence for a moment.

"Ruby…Jared...when we came here, and when we came to the Doctor's world, we said we'd follow both of your leads…but...things haven't exactly worked out." Yang said.

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

"I just…" Yang said.

Ren steps forward, interrupting Yang.

"There are people here who need us right now." Ren said.

Mantle...

Yang is in the near future with Ozzie, as future Ren approaches them. They nod to each other.

"I'm Ozzie. Long story." Ozzie said, smiling. "Need help evacuating the city?"

Restaurant...

"That's something we can actually do." Ren said.

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

"Salem is as big of a threat like the Daleks." Jared said, looking at Ren. "We have to fight back and let people know."

Mantle...

Future Yang looks away from Ren, who looks somewhat saddened. Ozzie looks between Future Yang and Ren, worried for both. Future Ruby and Jared are still looking over the air conditioning unit, as future Nora places her hand on future Ruby's shoulder and future Weiss places her hand on future Jared's shoulder. Future Ruby and Jared turn to look at them.

Restaurant…

"They need to know in Vacuo, in Mistral, in Vale, what's coming." Nora said, as Jared looked at her. "So they can prepare."

"The Children of Time barely made it calling me and the Doctor." Jared said, looking at Team RWBY and Team JNR. "And trying to save everyone in a short amount of time is impossible."

Jaune steps between Ren and Nora, putting his hands up to each of them.

"Okay. Okay…then let's go for both." Jaune said, gesturing to Nora and then Ren. "Let's do what you couldn't do without us, Jared. Our equivalent of the Subwave Network and saving children from the 456. Get Amity up and running and evacuate Mantle."

"But that's how Salem got this far...by dividing us. We have to stick together." Ruby said.

"No. What Salem wants is to turn us against each other. Just like this. And that's exactly what happened with Jared, Torchwood, and the UK government. Because Jared was working with Torchwood, he was forced to work against that government to stop the 456 and save children. Jaune has a point. We can work separately and still be united." Oscar said.

"Or…let me take the Relic to Salem…and maybe she will call off her attack on the Kingdom." Penny said.

"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."

"Nobody's turning you over to anybody." Yang said, giving a stern look toward Ruby, Jared, and Nora. "I think that's the one thing we could all agree on."

"Okay." Ruby said, letting out a sigh. "Then I guess we're going to Atlas." She looks over at Pietro. "Can you help us get to that terminal?"

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

"I'll go." Penny said, softly but firmly.

Pietro looks at Penny, who has her back turned, "Penny, we can't risk…"

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

"I'll go." Penny said.

"Do what you've got to do. I'm going out there to see what I could do." Yang said, letting out a sigh.

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

"Yang." Pietro said.

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.

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

Mantle...

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

"Let's see what's here." Ozzie said, smirking. "I hope it's good."

Restaurant...

"Nora?" Ren asked, looking at Nora.

"I'm going with Ruby and Jared." Nora said.

Future Ren looks somewhat sad.

"But what about Mantle?" Ren asked.

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

Mantle...

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, Weiss, and Jared. This view of the future becomes the new present. Blake puts her hand on Ruby's shoulder and she looked over at Jared.

"Hey, we're still united." Blake said.

"I hope so." Ruby said, sadly.

"I can get Pietro out to Amity to prepare, but that doesn't answer how we're getting all of you up to Atlas." Maria said, over the earpiece.

"I might actually have an idea f…" Weiss said.

A beeping tone starts playing from someone's Scroll.

"Where's it coming from?" Jared asked.

The girls and Jared look confused, and Blake, Ruby and Nora check their Scrolls while Jared looks down at his Apple Watch.

"Is it someone from the Doctor's world?" Blake asked.

The five of them then turn to look at Penny, who is holding her ringing Scroll, unsure of what to do.

"It's for me." Penny said, frowning.

The scroll's screen says:

Incoming Call

General Ironwood

Penny nervously taps the Talk icon, accepting the call.

"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." Ironwood said, his voice is calm over the phone.

Ruby walks over to Penny, who allows her to take the Scroll.

"She's not going anywhere until you change your mind about Mantle. There's still a chance for Remnant to be…" Ruby said, angrily.

"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." Ironwood said, his voice over the phone.

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

"It's okay, we're not going down that easy." Jared said, smiling. "I can promise you that."

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.

"Sir, the prisoners have arrived. They're being processed in Stockade B." A crew mate said.

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

"Qrow and Robyn?" Winter asked, wincing as one of the technicians makes her bend her wrist back.

"Could you give us the room, please?" Ironwood asked.

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

"I'll be fine." Winter said, struggling to curl her fingers into a fist, grimacing, leaving Ironwood unconvinced.

Ironwood's expression softens slightly, and he relaxes his stance.

"Thank you, Winter. I don't know what I would do without you." Ironwood said, 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."

"What will you do…sir?" Winter asked.

"Wait, you can't be in here!" The Atlas technician said, worried.

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

"This is absurd! Let us through!" Sleet said.

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

"I told you, we need to speak to the general!" Camilla said.

"I'm going to do everything I can to defend this kingdom." Ironwood said.

Camilla and Sleet push their way past the technicians.

"What in God's name do you think you're doing, James?!" Camilla exclaimed.

"No matter the cost." Ironwood said.

With his hands clasped behind his back again, Ironwood calmly walks through the door and into the hall.

"And what's this about martial law? Have you lost your damn mind?! Are you that scared of what…" Sleet said.

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.

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.

Monstra…

A fleshy membrane door tears open. Salem stands on the other side holding the Relic of Knowledge.

"I have questions for you." Salem said, holding the Relic out to a Grimm, whose only features shown are its large jaw. It sniffs the Relic and opens its gaping maw slightly. "But first I need the one who can show me how." She looks at the Grimm. "Bring him to me…"

The Grimm growls menacingly.