RWBY: Ironwood's Redo

Part 3: The hard part.

After dropping an insane amount of information on the other members of the council, Ironwood has Winter continue talking to them about Amity, and his plan for Mantle. He steps off the elevator and makes his way toward his office. Just as he is about to turn the corner to the stairs that lead to his office, he hears running behind him. Ironwood turns and sees Penny Polendina. She skirts to a halt right in front of the General, and salutes him playfully.

Penny: Salutations General Ironwood! You'll never believe who i just saw down in Mantle!

Ironwood smirks at the girl, already knowing what she is about to say.

Ironwood: Penny, why don't you accompany me to my Office and tell me there? I'm sure it's worth the wait.

Penny thinks for a moment before nodding her head violently. She quickly moves beside the General and they finally round the corner. Penny looks behind her and stops, Ironwood turns around to be met by the sight of Team RWBY. Followed by Team JNR, Qrow, Oscar, and the Ace-Ops. The newcomers look somewhat shocked by Ironwood's drained appearance

Penny: Ruby! It's so good to see you again!

Penny rushes from his side and embraces Ruby in a bone crushing hug, the pained moans of their leader draws the looks of everyone else.

Ruby: Penny, we saw each other 15 minutes ago...

Penny: It was 15 minutes too long!

Everyone in the group let out a chuckle as they slowly started to feel more comfortable. That feeling was subdued when Ironwood inserted himself into the conversation.

Ironwood: As much as i love seeing this reunion, I do believe we all need to have a chat.

Ironwood leads them all into his office, and waits for Winter to conclude the meeting with the Council. Once she enters, Qrow speaks in a hushed voice to Ironwood.

Qrow: James, we need to talk to you about something, In private.

Penny and Winter both smirk, and walk to Ironwood's sides.

Winter: Is it prehaps about Salem?

Penny: Or maybe the Relics?

Everyone else in the room stares at them with shock. Qrow quickly snaps out of it, however, and yells at Ironwood.

Qrow: You told them!?

Ironwood: With Ozpin "gone", I needed people I could trust. It was logical to make my own inner circle.

The group winces at the mention of Ozpin. They all take quick glances at Oscar, who started rubbing his upper arm.

Ruby: A-actually, about Ozpin-

Ironwood stands up, which silences Ruby immediately. He slowly makes his way around his desk, and decends down the steps toward Oscar. He stops infront of the boy, and gazes down into his eyes. Nora and Ruby move slightly towards him, taking up somewhat protective stances behind Oscar. After a few seconds, Oscars eyes shimmered ever so slightly. Telling Ironwood everything he wanted to know.

Ironwood: So, this is the next Incarnation of Ozpin?

Everyone, except Penny, Winter, and the Ace-Ops, gasp. Ironwood turns around and makes his way back up to his desk. He opens a drawer and removes the Lamp Of Knowledge. It grows in his hand, and sets it down. Allowing to to float on his desk.

Ironwood: After the Fall Of Beacon, I was... Scared. I closed off the borders of Atlas, supressed Mantle, and even intimated the Council into following my every whim. But, i recently gained a "new piece". A member of Salem's council, someone who could supply me with the information i need to win this war.