The Kybuck Clan Volume VIII (RWBY X Star Wars)

Chapter Eleven - Midnight

After the broadcast, Darth Jadus was proud of himself. His broadcast would no doubt sew untold fear and chaos across all of Remnant. Not only that, but his Terror Network grew larger and larger with each passing moment. As he reached the Monstra, he was joined by Sithspawn and several cybernetically-enhanced dark guardians. He soon meets up with Salem who quickly notices his entourage. 

Salem: It seems you have been busy. I just finished watching your broadcast. What...interesting things you said. 

Darth Jadus: I have sewn fear and terror into all of Remnant. I have created mistrust within every living being of Remnant. My Terror Network awaits my commands. 

Salem: Then why don't you strike? 

Darth Jadus: To strike now would undo all my progress. One cannot rush perfection. It is like painting a portrait. Every movement must be precise or else it falls apart. Everything that has happened here has happened according to my design. And now you are on the verge of a great victory. You have the Lamp and the farm boy. 

Salem took note of Darth Jadus's words. Salem was surprised at how much Darth Jadus knew. Despite this, Salem showed no real concern. 

Darth Jadus: I have remade the pitiful creatures around you into my image. With the DNA of the creatures that roamed Korriban, I have created a new species of Grimm that now command the Dark Side of the Force. 

As Darth Jadus raised his hand, the Shyrack Sithspawn flocked towards the Sith Lord as the Tuk'ata Sithspawn stood beside him. At the same time, the cybernetically-enhanced Dark Guardians knelt before him. 

Darth Jadus: The Dark Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural. 

Salem: Is that so? Perhaps we share that in common. My....existence is entirely unnatural. I have lived many lifetimes. I have waited centuries to get where I am now. This victory is inevitable. Nothing will stop that. 

As Salem said this, she glanced over to Darth Jadus to see his reaction. Darth Jadus showed no visible reaction that could help Salem reveal his true intentions. 

Darth Jadus: You will have your victory, Salem. Atlas will fall. 

With that, Darth Jadus continued to put up the front that he still served Salem's purposes. But in reality, Darth Jadus continued to manipulate events from behind the scenes. As he walked the halls of the Monstra, he overhead a conversation between Emerald and Mercury who began to question Salem's motives. He soon saw an opportunity to recruit yet another spy in Salem's ranks. He waited until Emerald left to intercept Mercury. 

Darth Jadus: Mercury Black. I sense uncertainty in you. 

Mercury: If you got something to say to me, say it. 

Darth Jadus: I know you question Salem's motives. You do not wish to see this world be destroyed. What if I told you that I had the means to destroy Salem. 

Mercury: Why tell me this?

Darth Jadus: Because I see potential in you. You have witnessed my power time and time again. You know what I'm capable of. 

Mercury: Even if you somehow managed to kill Salem, I would just be another slave to you.

Darth Jadus: You would be a servant. Unlike Salem, I do not desire this world's destruction. Salem has offered you nothing. I offer you power. Power only I can grant you. What loyalty do you owe to Salem or Cinder Fall?

As Darth Jadus spoke, Mercury took a moment to contemplate Darth Jadus's offer. He had witnessed Darth Jadus's power time and time again. He thought about the promises Salem had yet to fulfil. It didn't take long for Mercury to have an answer. 

Mercury: All right, Jadus. I'm in. 

Darth Jadus: For now, continue to fulfil Salem's orders. When the time comes, I will contact you. 

With that, Mercury left to follow through with his assignment. In that moment, Darth Jadus had gained a new spy. Meanwhile in the Schnee Manor, everyone was in total shock at what had just happened. They soon began to contemplate their next move.

May: We need to head back to Mantle. 

Weiss: What? We can't leave.

May: It's chaos at the crater. Atlas has its army, but Mantle only has us. People are dying.

Katooni: People are dying here in Atlas as well. We can't abandon them.

Scourge: We have lost precious time. Atlas is lost. Ironwood's actions have doomed the city. 

Katooni: We will not abandon those who need our help. 

May: Which side are you on, anyway?

Blake: We've heard that before. 

Ruby: There are no sides! We want to help everyone. We're all facing Salem together. And together is the only way we're going to get out of it.

Scourge: This is a waste of time. If we are to stop Darth Jadus, then sacrifices must be made.

Ruby: What about Uncle Qrow and Robyn? Well, maybe if we can get them out of wherever they're being held, they could...

May: No, see, you just don't get it! This is not a situation where everyone wins. Now, you all can come with me to help in Mantle, or I can drop you off near the front lines, if you still want to help Atlas. Your uncle and Robyn can't save us. We have to choose. So choose.

The conversation was soon interrupted by a loud explosion. Everyone rushed out to see a barely conscious Penny covered with neon green fluid lying in at the bottom of a crater.