Ryder stood in Ironwood's office as he slowly paced back and forth. Ironwood was in the room with him, and he told him what had happened. He told Ironwood that Salem contacted him and that she was most likely coming to Atlas as they spoke. Ironwood immediately recalled Winter, Team RWBY, JNPR, Kairos, Qrow, Robyn, and the Ace Ops. After putting Arthur Watts and Tyrian Callows into cells to keep them locked up, everyone gathered into ironwood's office. One by one they walked into the room and saw Ryder pacing and Ironwood worried.
"Something the matter James?" Qrow asked.
Ironwood didn't respond for a moment making everyone concerned. He then sighed and looked at them.
"Salem's coming." Ironwood said. "To Atlas."
"How do you know?" Blake asked.
"Because she contacted me." Ryder revealed as he paced. "Tried to get into my head to give up the staff of creation."
Ryder stopped pacing and stood directly in front of everyone. He then lets out an exhale before turning to everyone. They all looked at each other concerned or wary. Clover stepped forward.
"Will you be, okay?" Clover asked Ryder.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine." Ryder said.
"What now?" Winter asked.
"Now, we prepare for her." Ironwood declares as he stood up.
His concerned expression replaced by determination.
"We make our stand. If this coming storm is to decide the fate of Humanity, then we need to rally all we can to bring her down." Ironwood explained. "With the Dragon Ball Wish made, she's vulnerable. We also have a new ally."
Everyone looked at Pyrrha. When Team RWBY and the rest of JNPR saw her, they were stunned, in disbelief but also elated to see her again and alive. Hugs were exchanged and tears were shed, but at the end of it, they were just happy to have her back.
"I don't think I'll be able to turn the tide of a War, General." Pyrrha said.
"Perhaps not, but we have each other." Ironwood said. "Only together will we win."
"I highly doubt Salem will be alone." Qrow brought up.
"Which is why we'll need to divide Salem's forces and take them on in chunks." Ryder stated. "She no doubt will be bringing out all the Grimm she can, so we need to diminish that number as much as possible. Thankfully me and Kairos have enough collateral damage techniques that can hopefully dwindle her numbers significantly."
"What about Mantle?" Robyn asked.
"We continue evacuations to get as many people away from the Grimm as possible." Ironwood said.
"We'll have our hands tied with fighting the Grimm, dealing with Salem and evacuating the people of Mantle." Clover stated.
Ryder looked down to the floor in thought. He then gained a determined look in his eyes, but he didn't say anything. Weiss took notice and wondered what he was thinking.
"Ryder?" Weiss asked. "Do you have a plan?"
Ryder then looked directly at his friends one by one. He clenched his fists before turning to Ironwood.
"Leave Salem to me." Ryder said.
"What!?" Ruby said in alarm.
"Ryder are you crazy!?" Yang asked, concern in her eyes.
"She'll kill you!" Qrow said with an angry expression.
"I'm the only one who stands a chance against her!" Ryder argued. "I have an Evolutionary Semblance and Magic!"
"That doesn't mean anything!" Weiss argued, stepping forward. "Yes, you have this incredible power, but how can you be certain it's enough to take Salem down!?"
"I'm not certain." Ryder answered.
Weiss stepped closer.
"Then why are you willingly putting yourself in harm's way!?" Weiss said angrily.
"I don't want to lose anyone else!!" Ryder yelled with clenched fists.
The room fell silent. Weiss was surprised Ryder yelled at her and surprised seeing his anger filled eyes. Ryder calms down.
"I'm sorry." Ryder said softly. "I lost one family; I will not lose another."
He was referring to his family on Earth that perished. Ryder lost them, he refused to lose what he has left. Ruby then stepped forward.
"Well, we don't want to lose you either." Ruby declared.
Ryder looked at her.
"I know what you lost, I've lost someone important to me as well." Ruby said, referring to her mother, Summer Rose. "Pushing us away isn't keeping us safe. It's making it harder for you to be close enough to protect us."
Ryder hadn't thought about that. He was just so driven by his desire to keep them safe, far from danger, he failed to notice that keeping them away from him would make it harder to keep them safe when danger came for them. Ruby walked closer to Ryder and stood in front of him.
"Please, don't push us away and don't do this alone." Ruby said with pleading eyes.
Ryder then looked at all his friends and allies. They all seemed ready to face Salem, and they didn't appear to be taking no for an answer. He then briefly looked at Ironwood before returning his gaze to Ruby.
"Alright." Ryder said. "Let's do this."
Ryder placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder.
"Together."
Just then Ironwood heard something over comms. He pressed his two fingers onto his earpiece. His eyes then widen.
"What?" Ironwood asked.
Everyone turned to Ironwood.
"Move the entire Fleet into position." Ironwood ordered. "Yes, everything. Make sure both Mantle and Atlas are not vulnerable."
Ironwood then moved his fingers away from his earpiece.
"what is it?" Ryder asked.
"A large number of Grimm are approaching Atlas." Ironwood revealed. "Bigger than anything we've ever seen."
Everyone was shocked. Ryder then clenched his fists and had a scowl on his face.
"Salem." Ryder said, hatred evident.
Ryder then ran out of the room and attempted to make his way outside. Everyone else followed him, Ironwood included. Once he got outside, he ran to the edge of a landing pad with the group behind him. He stopped at the edge and saw a large black cloud with red lightning moving towards Atlas. The group saw it too. Then a ton of flying Grimm came out of the cloud with a massive Grimm whale like beast flying amongst them. This beast was much, MUCH larger than a whale and was basically a Titan. Ryder's eyes widened seeing this as did everyone else.
"She's here." Ryder said.
On top of the giant Grimm whale, Salem stood on top of it with Frost and the Grimmified Summer Rose beside her. A wicked grin then came to Salem's face. Back at Atlas Academy, Ryder glared towards the approaching Grimm Army.
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Author's Note: Time to Fight!