Qrow POV

I am sitting in a cell, along with me are Robyn Hill, Jacques Schnee and Arthur Watts. In my hands is the pin Clover gave me just before Tyrian killed him with my weapon, now I'm in here for a crime I didn't commit, but his death still hurt me.

Robyn: *sighs* This is your fault. You realize that, don't you? All I wanted was to bring people together, to give them a chance at a better life. But you... are stone cold son of a bitch.

Jacques: Me? I'm a victim! *Robyn scoffs* I'll admit, I was duped. Used! And although my hands may nit be clean, at least I am not *looks at me* a murderer.

Robyn: Okay, 1: That man is innocent, he didn't kill anyone. And 2: I'm talking about ordering the hit on your own grandsons and our allies against alien invaders!.... You know what forget it, I'm not gonna take lectures from a snake with a mustache who helped that man tears us apart.

Watts: *raises hand* Yes, well... I suppose we're all stuck in here together.

Jacques: You will, but I know the right people. Whitely has probably reached out to my legal team and they will have me out of here before you can say--

Robyn: SHUT UP!!!

Robyn punches the hard-light barrier, startling Jacques.

Suddenly, a buzzer is heard getting my attention, I quickly hide the pin as a squad of military guys walk in. They press a button in a panel, to take down Watts' cell barrier and two soldiers drag him out of the room.

Robyn: *sighs* I hate not being able to do anything... *sits down on bench*

Qrow: We can do something.... *lifts head with a dark look in my eyes* We can kill the man that put us here...

3rd Person POV

News Reporter: With still no word from General Ironwood, Mantle citizens are frightened and perplexed by the sudden withdrawl of all Military personnel, especially with the massive Grimm horde outside the city. I've never seen anything quite like this. It truly feels like the end of days, but the Atlas Eye is commited to updating the public until our dying--

Joanna then appears on camera and takes the mic from the reporter.

Joanna: Citzens of Mantle! General Ironwood has abandoned you! But we have not. If you can hear this, please gather any food and supplies you need to keep warm, then come to the Mantle crater. The Grimm are starting to make their way back into the city. But we can hold the line if we all come together. If we don't... well, you've seen what's waiting for us in the storm. It's time to show your teeth Mantle.

The scene changes to Yang, Ren, Jaune and Oscar taking out two Atlas androids. The group then moves to a locked door and Yang uses the key she was given by Pietro to open said door. When it does Yang eyes sparkle as she sees the cool new toys.

Yang: *gasps* Okay, the others are definitely missing out.

Out in the streets, Yang, Jaune, and Ren pilot a triplet of hoverbikes, with Oscar riding backseat with Yang. Yang then sees a ramp and wants to jump off it.

Oscar: *panicking* Yang! Yang, no! No!

He was too late. Yang jumps off the ramp and uses Ember Celica to fire a round and do a flip in midair on the hoverbike. As Yang smiles at the thrill, some of her hair gets caught in Oscar's mouth, which he tries to spit out. They land safely back on the ground. Ren and Jaune exchange a look, with Jaune bumping over a piece of debris. As the three continue their ride through the Mantle streets, they are unwarily being watched by a Grimm-like figure perched on a bridge overhead.

Later on, Ren is seen shooting a security camera with Stormflower, disabling it. Oscar helps evacuate people, knocking on the doors of peoples homes. They gather a large group of civilians. Jaune is seen doing a fistbump handshake with a child, before looking to his parent.

Jaune: Take only what you need.

Yang is seen standing before the large group of civilians.

Mother: The crater? Are you sure it's safe out there?

Yang: Absolutely ma'am.

Suddenly she hears people screaming behind her. They are seen running away from a pair of Sabyrs. They charge forward. Jaune runs up and takes out pne of his deployable hard-light shields and blocks the Saybrs from moving any further. As they try to claw at it, Ren comes in from above and stabs them both with his blades, turning them to ash. The shield deactivates and Ren kicks it towards Jaune, who uses gravity dust built into his shield to catch it.

Jaune: *smirks* So much better than a hoverbike.

Oscar: Have the Grimm already pushed this far in?

Yang: No, I think these were more from last night. Still... Ren! If Jaune hits you with his Aura Amp, do you think you can mask everyone?

Ren: We can give it a shot, but it is a lengthy trip through Mantle.

Jaune doesn't immediately respond, as he's distracted by a crying child.

Jaune: No, no, it's a good idea. We'll have a largely Grimm free journey all the way to the crater.

Disgruntled Grandma: Do we really gotta shack up with those animals down in the slums? I'd feel a lot safer in Atlas.

Yang: Yeah, I'm sure you would. But the people up top have decided you're not worth the trouble. The Faunus on the other hand, have been willing to lend all the help they can. Regardless, of whether or not you deserve it.

The grandmother looks down at the ground.

Mother: So, I'll just... I'll just go get our things then.

Yang, Jaune, Ren and Oscar guide the people throughout the streets of Mantle using Ren's Semblance.

Disgruntled Grandma: I don't want to go the slums.

Mother: Mother!

Disgruntled Grandma: General Ironwood said we're hoing to Atlas.

Mother: You're setting a bad example!

Disgruntled Grandma: Those kids should... *inaudible*

Oscar: It should not be this hard getting people to just cooperate.

Disgruntled Grandma: Well, she didn't have to yell at me.

Mother: Mother, it's fine. It's fine.

Ozpin: *in Oscar's mind* And yet, it's something that I'm becoming increasingly concerned about.

Oscar: You know I really don't need your additional commentary right now.

Ozpin: You all have every right to be upset, especially you, Oscar. I'm sorry I left you.

Oscar: I'm not upset that you left. I'm upset that you're back. I started to feel like me. Not the same me I was before all this but, the me I always wanted to be. I felt, like I was actuallt a part of the team.

As the two continue to converse, the Grimm from earlier observes the group from atop a far away tower.

Ozpin: I understand. But even though it may bot have felt like I was with you, I was never truly gone. *Oscar pulls out cane* You're gaining control of my remaining magic, recollecting my lingest held memories. Which means our two souls are still on the inevitable path to becoming one.

Oscar: But, I don't want that.

Ozpin: Neither do I.

Elsewhere in Mantle, Penny is seen standing on a rooftop, taking a long look at the civilians making their way towards the crater. Behind her, May is seen removing the chain to a fence with a label that says Authorized Personnel Only. Weiss, Ruby, Blake, Nora and Pyrrha watch May as she opens the gate.

May: Alright, come on.

Penny turns around as Weiss and Ruby walk in, following in. Nora, Blake, Pyrrha and May soon follow.

Pyrrha: *pauses next to May* Thanks again for coming.

May: Don't mention it. Once Robyn learned about Amity Tower, she wouldn't shut up about it. Wherever she is, I'm sure she would want us doing what we can to get it up in the air and get the world talking again.

May closes the gate once everyone is on the other side.

May: Besides, Fiona's got your friends helping out in my stead.

Nora: *looks down* Yeah.

The group heads towards what looks like a factory.

Ruby: Are you sure this is safe?

Inside, numerous robots are seen manning devices next to large slightly transparent tubes. A package goes up one of the tubes with an audible whoosh. The robots do not react as the group walks in.

Weiss: Snow Shoe Shipping is an SDC subsidiary, meaning the drones here report to the company, not the general. The pneumatic tubes allow for Dust refined in the crater to be sent straight up to Atlas. We just need to find the one for the military base.

Blake: Are there any buildings in Altas that your family doesn't own?

Nora giggled at the comment.

Weiss: *looks at Blake with eyes half closed* That, isn't relevant at the moment.

Blake giggles as well before the group disperses. Penny stops to stare at a panel that says Terminal Destination: Atlas Academy.

Ruby: Hey.

Penny: *turns around as Ruby approaches* I do not like it when friends fight.

Ruby: I know. Yang and I may not agree on how best to save Mantle but-

Penny: No. I mean Winter. The General. They were our friends. But then the Ace Ops attacked you. *looks down at the ground* And the general said people were going to die, because of me.

Ruby: *turns Penny around to look at her* That was a lie. He was only saying that to hurt you.

Penny: I'm the protector of Mantle, but, I'm not sure if I'm worthy of that title.

Ruby: Yes, you are. You've proved it time and time again that you value everyone, not just Atlas.

Penny: *smiles* Thank you Ruby.

Ruby gives Penny a hug.

Nora: Found it!

Slowly, the group makes their way to Nora.

Blake: I suppose there's no turning back now.

May: *points at Penny* Between our secret weapon and my Semblance, *becomes invisible for a second* you all couldn't be in better hands.

Nora: So how do we use this thing?

Weiss makes her way to the tube and sits where the cargo is loaded.

Weiss: It should be simple. If you lie back in the tube and press launch-

Nora presses a button on a nearby console, sending Weiss up the tube, causing her to scream in surprise. As the others look on with bewildered expressions, Nora expresses joy at the sight.

Back at the crater, a group of civilians are brought down to the crater via an elevator, as Joanna makes her way inside a tent. Inside, Fiona is seen writing notes on a map while talking to someone through her earpiece.

Fiona: No Crimson, I need you and your team over in Sector 11, Mantle police are helping us clear the hospital, but they're going to need backup.

Once the conversation is done, Fiona sits down with a sigh, while Joanna throws some fire dust at a small furnace.

Joanna: You're doing great, Fi. Robyn would be proud.

Fiona: *uses her Semblance to store map* I feel like you should be doing this after flexing on the news like that.

Joanna: How else was I supposed to het the word out? Besides, it seems to be working.

The two eventually make their way out of the tent to inspect the latest group of civilians.

Fiona: Where's this group coming from?

Jaune, Ren, Yang and Oscar make their way towards them.

Yang: That would be Sector 7.

Fiona: You cleared 7 already? That's great! To be honest, I wasn't sure how you'd be doing without all your teammates.

Ren turns around and walks away from the group while Jaune watches him go.

Yang: Well, as you can see we're doing just fine. How are the kids we left with you?

Joanna: Still sound asleep in the tent, but... *grows a slitghtly concerned expression*

Yang: But what?

Joanna: I fear the one you called Grimlock is getting worse.

Jaune: How so?

Joanna: His coughing fits are become more frequent and violent. He coughs up more blood each time. None of us really know what to do for him.

Yang grows concerned upon hearing this.

Jaune: We need to warn Ruby.

Yang: No, I don't like it, but she needs to be focused on her mission. Can you give Grimlock a quick Aura boost before we leave?

Jaune: Yeah.

Jaune follows Joanna into the tent.

Oscar: So, where are you putting everyone?

Fiona: We're working to get most of them settled in houses or other shelters. A large portion of the community is also trying to get old mine shafts into liveable condition.

Various civilians are seen settling in while they talk.

Joanna: *reappears from tent* We've got a lot of people to keep warm. Looting the SDC refineries is our best source of Dust. Fortunately, no one's getting arrested during the apocolypes. *looks up at Altas* Just knowing those Grimm are circling out there doesn't feel great. What are they waiting for?

Fiona's uncle walks up to the group in a panic.

Fiona's Uncle: Fi! We've got another fight breaking out.

Fiona: Crap. Thanks uncle! We'll handle it....

Joanna stops her by placing a hand on her shoulder and saying.

Joanna: I'll handle it. You've got enough to worry about.

Joanna walks away while cracking her knuckles before a voice is heard from Fiona's earpiece.

Crimson: Fiona? Crimson again. We spotted a decent sized group of Grimm moving in from the east. Can't take them with all these civvies.

Fiona pulls the map out with her Semblance to inspect it.

Fiona: Oh for crying out loud.

While she does, Jaune returns and Yang asks.

Yang: How is he?

Jaune: I did what I could, but his Aura is being almost completely drained just to try and heal himself, but it felt like something inside him is tearing him apart. I fear the only one that can help him, is the monster that created him.

Yang: .... Maybe not.

Later, Yang is seen riding her hover bike in the city while being chased by a Teryx. Ren and Oscar are following them on a side street while sharing another hover bike, with Ren as the driver.

Oscar: Ready?

Oscar pulls out a device that looks like a stick grenade. Yang takes a couple shots at the Teryx to slow it down.

Yang: Now!

Yang passes a rock bridge where the Grimm-like figure from earlier was perched. It decides to quickly dash off the bridge before the Teryx collides with it.

Ren turns right and cuts in between Yang and the Teryx, allowing Oscar to throw the grenade in the Grimms path. It explodes in a flash of wind dust, launching the Teryx into the stone bridge, breaking ine of it's wings and knocks it to the ground.

Yang turns her bike around and smirks at the Grimm. She moves ghe bike to the side, allowing Jaune to charge at the Teryx while standing on his hover bike, with the barrier dust on his shield active. He successfully decapitated the Grimm, after which he has some trouble maintaining his balance in the bike. He lands on it properly while giving a nervous chuckle.

Yang: *contacts Fiona with a sigh* Okay, Fiona. That's one more problem taken care of.

Fiona: Good, because we're getting reports if nore Grimm coming from the west. The Hunstmen there could really use the help.

Yang sighs and slumps in her seat.

Yang: Okay, we're on our way.

Oscar: It's all the negativity. Salem's forces aren't moving in, but it's enough to start attracting the stragglers.

Ren: Guys, we're not finished yet.

Three Saybrs appear and charge towards the group.

Yang: All right. We need to hurry this up and take-

The Saybrs look to their right before turning around and running in the opposite direction.

Ren: What just happened?

Jaune: They ran. I've never seen Grimm act like that before.

Oscar: But what were they running fro-

Oscar is suddenly tackled from abobe by the Grimm originally perched on the bridge, dubbed the Hound, knocking both him and Ren off the bike. Oscar tries to stand up only to be butten by the arm and get flung to the ground once more.

Ren: Oscar!

The Grimm pounces on Oscar with all it's weight, causing his Aura to shimmer. Oscar tries to kick one of it's legs away, only for the Hound to bite it and knock him to the ground for a third time. With a final swipe of it's paw, Oscar's Aura breaks and he falls unconscious.

The Hound howls, before it's body begins to twitch and spasm. It's body pulses and morphs, as Jaune looks on in horror. The Hound stands up, revealing that it has assumed a bipedal form in order to lift and hold an unconscious Oscar with one hand.

Yang finally wakes herself from her stupor and charges the beast, prepared to punch it.

Yang: Oscar!

A look of panic crosses her face before she grabs the handle in order to try and turn away from the grimm. The Hound catches her with it's other hand and throws her at a nearby wall, cracking it.

Ren takes a couple shots at the Hound's back, causing it to turn around and be stabbed by the grappling hooks of Ren's guns. Ren reels the hooks in, intending to kick the Grimm. The Hound's right hand pulses before it grows longer, allowing it to whip Ren off his bike and into another wall. Jaune prepares to charge in as well, before the Hound lifts Oscar between it and Jaune.

Yang: Wait! It's using Oscar as a shield.

Jaune: But Grimm aren't that smart.

Ren picks up his guns and aims them at the Grimm. The Hound overhears and places Oscar between it and Ren.

Ren: Give him back!

The Hound's neck pulses and shifts.

The Hound: No.

Jaune, Ren and Yang look on in shock as the Hound starts to walk away from the group.

Jaune: Did it just... ?

The Hound pauses, it's back pulsing and morphing again. Several cracks could be heard as it twitched and howled. With a final roar, black ooze erupts from it's back to reveal wings. One such drop falls on Oscar's face.

It grabs Oscar in it's mouth, before taking off to the skies. Yang lifts herself back to her feet as Fiona contacts them through her earpiece.

Fiona: *over comms* Kids, what's your status? West sides taking damage.

Ren: What do we do?

Fiona: *over comms* Kids, what's your status?

Yang, Ren and Jaune scramble in order to follow the Hound on their hover bikes.

Yang: We've got an emergency, we're not going to make it.

Fiona: What? What kind of emergency?

Yang: *pauses* You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

The Hound is seen flying away.

(A/N): Oh boy, things are about to get serious very fast. Hope you're ready.

Anyways, thanks for reading. As always, I wish all a great rest of your day/night and I'll see y'all next time. PEACE OUT!!!