The Kybuck Clan Volume VIII (RWBY X Star Wars)

Chapter Fifteen - Ultimatum

At the Schnee Manor, Ruby's group waited for the arrival of Yang's group. When they returned, a warm reunion occurred. When Katooni saw Petro, she ran up to him and hugged him. 

Katooni: I knew you would make it. 

Petro: Was there ever any doubt?

Soon enough, everyone on Ruby's group noticed Emerald. As they reached for their weapons, Oscar stepped in. 

Oscar: No, she's okay. I can...

It wasn't long before Katooni and the other Jedi noticed Embo and Marrok. Immediately recognizing the former Bounty Hunter, Petro spoke. 

Petro: Don't worry. He's with us. 

Suddenly, an emergency broadcast from the CCT. Everyone grabbed their Scrolls and tuned in to the broadcast to see Ironwood. 

Ironwood(Broadcast): I have always promised to defend this Kingdom. Its technology, its future, from those who would see it destroyed. Our enemy is crippled, but one individual still denies Atlas its salvation. The Protector of Mantle. Penny, wherever you and your friends are, I need you all to listen. I know how much Mantle means to you, so I'm going to give you a choice. You can bring yourself to Atlas Academy and do your duty, help me save as much of Atlas as I can, and Mantle will be left to fend for itself. Or...you can all watch as I destroy it. I have one bomb. That's all it will take. If there is no Mantle then there is no reason for you not to work with me. Neither of us want it to come to that, but one of us is willing to do it. If anyone tries anything other than what I've ordered, Mantle... is gone. You have one hour to respond.

In that moment, everyone was stunned by Ironwood's ultimatum. It was clear that was willing to level Mantle in a misguided attempt to save Atlas. 

Katooni: Ironwood has gone too far this time! We can't allow him to murder all those innocent people! 

Blake: Qrow and Robyn are still in his custody, and May said that the Atlas security drones are watching the crater, so they're trapped too.

Oscar: And Salem isn't going to stay gone for much longer.  

Ruby: Then it's impossible.

Emerald: See? If Miss Hero with all the answers doesn't have an answer, then we have ours.

In that moment, anger towards Emerald began to flare up. Oscar soon stepped in. 

Oscar: Can we please just give each other a chance? Emerald's not with Salem anymore, and Ozpin is back. All of this doubt and worry and distrust, it isn't getting us anywhere.

Scourge: There is another way. It's clear that Ironwood only wants the android for her powers. 

Ruby: Where are you going with this? 

Scourge: We kill her and have her grant Katooni the powers of the Winter Maiden. 

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. Ruby lashed out at Scourge and punched him. 

Ruby: If you lay your Sith hands on Penny, I'll kill you!

Scourge: How many more people must die before you understand? Your inaction and unwillingness to do what is is necessary has forced us into this position. 

As Ruby gripped Crescent Rose, Katooni stepped in. 

Katooni: We're not sacrificing anyone, Scourge. 

Scourge: Look at her, Katooni. The android is in agony. Whatever is wrong with her, it's corrupting her. It would be a mercy to put her out of her misery. Her sacrifice would bring us closer to victory against Darth Jadus and Salem. 

Katooni: It's not worth it, Scourge. 

Scourge became annoyed at Katooni's continued dedication to the Jedi Way. Despite her power, she refused to do what he felt was necessary. Soon enough, Petro spoke up. 

Petro: I think I have an idea. Embo? You think you could pull one last....bounty?

Embo looked at Petro with curious eyes. After a moment of silence, he nodded his head.

Petro: Listen, Embo was a Bounty Hunter. His job was to hunt down and deliver targets dead or alive. We could have Embo deliver Penny to Ironwood. 

Yang: But Ironwood clearly said that Penny should come alone. 

Petro: Then he'll deliver us. I'm pretty sure we all got a bounty on our heads. That's how we get close to Ironwood without him detonating the bomb. Once we get close enough, we take him down. Simple as that. 

As Petro said that, everyone was impressed by Petro's plan. 

Emerald: You're smarter than I thought, Jedi. 

Zatt: It could work. It's risky, but it just might work. 

Petro: And the language barrier won't be a problem. Can you translate Kyuzo, Professor Huyang? 

Huyang: Why of course, young Petro! I am quite fluent in Kyuzo!

Petro: Here's the story. Embo here heard about the bounty on our heads. He catches us off guard. Captures us and kills Scourge. He hijacks the Ebon Hawk and delivers us to Ironwood just as Penny arrives. Once we see an opportunity, then we jack in the box, look nasty and stuff, take down Ironwood and boom. Mantle is saved....for now. 

Katooni: There's considerable risk to this plan, but I have faith it will work. 

Ruby: If Katooni thinks this plan will work, then so do I. 

With that, everyone agreed to Petro's plan. As Penny flew off to meet Ironwood at the Atlas Academy, Embo proceeded to tied up everyone and bring them onto the Ebon Hawk. Lord Scourge however would use a Force technique on himself to appear dead. In that moment, the group put Petro's plan into action as the Ebon Hawk began making it's way to the Atlas Academy.