The Kybuck Clan Volume VII (RWBY X Star Wars)

Chapter Sixteen - Gravity

As the evacuation of Mantle continued, the Kybuck Clan regrouped with Team RWBY and the Ace-Ops in Atlas. As they reached Ironwood's office, they soon learned that both Arthur Watts and Tyrian Callows had been captured. Watts was locked up in a cell in the Atlas Academy while Tyrian was in transit. Inside Ironwood's office, he briefs them on what has transpired. 

Ironwood: We have made a critical error. The Black Queen was the symbol Salem showed us before we lost everything. Her way of telling us she was inside. That it was too late. We stopped Watts. We stopped Callows, but someone was here. They put this in my office to tell me that...

Everyone became concerned as Ironwood began to lose his nerve. It was clear that the looming threat of Darth Jadus and Salem took it's toll on Ironwood. 

Vine: In trying to save everyone, we left ourselves most vulnerable.

Ironwood: Salem has been one step ahead of us this entire time!

As Ironwood slams his fists on his desk, Ruby notices a chess piece made of glass. The type of glass was familiar. 

Ruby: That glass...it's Cinder. 

Yang: She's alive? And she's here?!

Ironwood: If Cinder's here, then, for all we know, Hazel's here, too!

Blake: Sir, this isn't over yet. We're with you.

Ironwood: Are you really with me?

As Ironwood says this, the Kybuck Clan became concerned. When questioned about Robyn's knowledge of the Amity Tower, Yang confesses that she had told her about it. The Ace-Ops feel a sense of betrayal. 

Katooni: Now's not the time for this, General Ironwood! Darth Jadus and Salem are coming! This chaos is only the beginning! Fighting among ourselves is exactly what they want!

Ironwood: Yet you have a Sith among you. 

Scourge: I'd chose my next words very carefully, General. I've gone along with your suicidal plan up until now. If you seek to threaten Katooni or myself, then Darth Jadus will the least of you worries. 

Suddenly, a Seer appears from Watts's bag. It soon creates an apparition of Salem.

Salem: General Ironwood. The brave Huntsmen and Huntresses bested Arthur Watts. Congratulations.

Ruby: We stopped Tyrian, too. And we'll stop Cinder, and anyone else you try to send here.

Salem: Dear girl, their goal was never victory. It was merely to set the stage.

Ironwood: For what?

Salem: For me. Time isn't on your side, James. It's always been on mine. The people of Atlas have suffered enough. Surrender the Staff and the Lamp to me, and they needn't suffer any further.

At that point, Katooni steps forward and confronts the apparition of Salem.

Katooni: You won't win, Salem. We'll stop you and Darth Jadus. 

Salem: You must be the Jedi that Darth Jadus has taken an interest in. I must say I'm disappointed. I was expecting someone of your reputation to be a little....older. 

Petro: Salem. You're shorter than I expected. 

Salem: Simply accept the futility of your situation and this will all be over. 

Ruby: We've seen what you're capable of. The lamp showed us. It showed us everything. 

Katooni: We know about the Mother. 

As the Mother was mentioned, Salem fell silent. Her black eyes fell on both Ruby and Katooni who both stood tall before her. 

Ruby: We've seen that you can't be killed. But we've also seen you fail. We don't have to kill you to stop you. And we will stop you.

Salem: Your mother said those words to me. And she was wrong. 

As Salem said this, Ruby's heart stopped. She broke down as memories of her mother began to take hold. Salem took great satisfaction in this. The apparition of Salem soon fades. 

Marrow: That's Salem?! That's who we're up against?!

Harriet: And she's apparently on her way.

Scourge: As well as Darth Jadus. Both have their eyes set on Atlas. Whatever they want, they are ready to strike. 

As everyone took the time to process this, Ironwood simply remained silent. He soon reveals that Winter has been sent to inherit the powers of the Winter Maiden. He also reveals to have both the Lamp and the Staff locked away.

Ruby: I thought...you said we could keep it.

Ironwood: Well, that was before you lied to me about the Lamp. Before you lied to us about Robyn, before Salem was right on our doorstep. Before Mantle was nearly destroyed, and myself and my army were left exhausted. The timeline has changed. And so we must change accordingly.

Harriet: What are our orders, sir? 

Ironwood: We are going to take our plan for Amity Tower and apply it to the city of Atlas.

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. 

Ganodi: But there's still people in Mantle! You can't just leave them! 

Ironwood: If we harness the power of the Staff, and raise ourselves high into the atmosphere, the city's artificial climate will keep citizens and food supplies unharmed. Always out of reach of whatever Salem may try to send our way.

Scourge: You are a fool. Do you think raising your city to the clouds will stop Jadus? He will rip your city out of the sky and claim his prize. Your efforts are laughable. 

Ironwood: I will do whatever it takes to stop Salem and Jadus. If this is what it takes, so be it. 

Katooni: We can't allow that. This is wrong and you know it! 

Ironwood: It's treason then. 

With that, the doors behind the group began to close, locking them in with Ironwood and the Ace-Ops. In that moment, Ironwood ceased to be an ally and became an enemy.