Here we are at Chapter 119. With the elections now over, how much worse will things get for our heroes? I do not own RWBY. They belong to roosterteeth. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 119. Enjoy.

Chapter 119: A Rock and a Hard Place

The Grimm attacks in Mantle have been dealt with. However, more innocent people were lost in the chaos. What's worse, people in Mantle saw video of what appeared to be Penny attacking civilians at the warehouse. Though officials said the video was doctored, people in Mantle are calling for Penny to be deactivated. Due to the growing tensions, Ironwood has declared a temporary ban on all public assemblies. To add more fuel to the fire, Robyn Hill has begun robbing Atlas military transports and stealing the supplies needed for the Amnity tower. Currently, everyone is in Ironwood's office as they go over the situation.

"This is the worst-case scenario!" Ironwood seethes as he slams his fist on his desk. "More people dead, Penny's been framed, and somehow, Jacques Schnee is sitting on the council!" Ironwood says, angry.

"How the Hell did that bastard win the election? Robyn was ahead by a landslide," Porphyrius asks.

"What's worse is that Robyn has now hit two shipments for Amnity today. Robyn has just gone from hometown hero to full-on vigilante. Khazhak, she's your aunt. Can't you do something about her?" Clover asks.

"In case you forgot, she and I aren't exactly on speaking terms. I can't control what she does," Khazhak retorts.

"I'm afraid the shipments aren't the only problem here," Winter notes.

Ironwood sighs, "It seems Robyn has emboldened our suppliers in Mantle. They're refusing to sell us provisions until the city is adequately repaired. With Robyn redistributing the goods her team has STOLEN... the Amnity project has stalled.

"Isn't there some way we can fix this and finish the tower?" Voshkie'ahk asks.

"There is: declaring martial law," Winter says.

This stuns most of the group as they look at Ironwood, who has his back to them as he looks out his window.

"You're not... actually considering it, are you?" Nora asks.

"...What's more important? Establishing communications and uniting the world? Or appeasing a few city blocks?" Ironwood retorts.

Khazhak steps forth, "It's not that simple, Ironwood. It never was! You keep talking about time, but the people down in Mantle don't have time. Every day for them is a constant struggle just to survive to the next day, and things have only been getting worse for them. You're not down there in the mud, getting your hands dirty. Instead, you send your machines to do it. How many more innocent people down there have to die before you finally step up and help them?!" Khazhak exclaims as he stands right in front of Ironwood's desk.

"We all have had to make sacrifices for the greater good, Khazhak. Mantle has had to shoulder much of the burden, yes, but-," Ironwood argues.

"They're shouldering ALL OF IT! With each passing day, they have to shoulder more of it, and now you want to throw more soldiers and robots into the mix? That won't help keep the peace. It will only cause the people of Mantle to hate you and Atlas more. That hate will give rise to more chaos and despair, and that will bring more Grimm. Mantle can't keep enduring all of these attacks. Especially knowing that those in Atlas are safe and out of danger while they're not! You can't force people to do what you want. They have to do it willingly. I never forced my brothers to join my team, and they are free to leave it whenever they so choose. They stay because THEY choose to, not me. You have to reach out with an open hand, not one gripping a pistol aimed at them. Only then can you begin to get Mantle on your side, and get things moving smoothly again. You said you want to unite the world. Well, that has to start here, with Mantle. Uniting Atlas with Mantle will be a huge boost in getting the rest of the world to work together again. But you have to take that step first," Khazhak explains.

"As long as the humans between Mantle and Atlas remain divided, Salem's forces can reach in and squeeze the life out of them whenever she desires. And that time may be now," Bahamut adds.

Ironwood glares at Khazhak for a moment before sitting back down in his seat and rubbing his temple.

Ruby steps forth to stand with Khazhak, "Please, General. Squeezing Mantle this way is exactly what Salem wants. To divide us. To make it easier for her to get what she wants. That's why Tyrian is here framing you," Ruby says.

"Right, the main reason we called you all up here," Clover joins in and uses his scroll to pull up a profile of Tyrian Callows. "You're sure this is the man you saw?" Clover asks.

"Yeah, that's him. I'd recognize that sadistic smirk anywhere. He tried to kill Ruby in Anima and almost killed me. He said that Salem told him to capture Ruby and kill me. Luckily Qrow showed up in time to even the playing field a bit. And then my powers awoke as well,": Khazhak says, glancing at his left arm for a moment.

"Tyrian Callows. He was accused of murders all across Anima. A homicidal maniac. He was eventually captured and was being transported to Mistral to be tried for his crimes. However, the bastard escaped justice when his transport was attack by Grimm. He disappeared after that and has not been seen since... Until recently," Winter explains.

"Guess Salem picked him up, and now he serves as one of her lapdogs," Edom says.

"He called her his goddess. Guess that kind of admiration is normal when someone saves you from the chopping block," Khazhak notes.

"If we ever had any doubts Atlas was Salem's next target, I think those are officially out the window now," Qrow says, crossing his arms.

"But, now that we know who really did it, can't we tell the people about it and clear Penny's name?" Lloyd asks.

"That a long-lost serial killer is loose in Mantle and the military has no idea where he is. That may make things worse before they get better," Clover argues.

"I am SO sick of secrets! If we just told everyone about Amnity, about Salem-," Nora argues.

"We CAN'T!" Ironwood yells, stopping her. "If we tell everyone about Amnity now, we risk Salem's forces, who we know are here now, working to sabotage it. If we tell them about Salem now, we risk falling to the Grimm before we can reunite Remnant. We have to finish the tower," Ironwood argues.

"Then what do YOU suggest we do?" Khazhak asks, crossing his arms.

"I want Robyn Hill in custody. We can offer her a deal if she gets Mantle to cooperate," Ironwood says.

"Yeah, that's never gonna happen with how you've been handling things lately," Khazhak retorts.

"We'll figure something out," Clover says, trying to be diplomatic about it.

"Anyone not dealing with Robyn needs to focus on Tyrian. I want to know who he's working with, where he's hiding, what he's planning, and how exactly that video of Penny got all over MY kingdom," Ironwood orders them as he walks by them and stops by the doors. "Do I make myself clear?" he demands.

"Yes, sir," Winter and Clover reply.

"...Yes, sir," Ren suddenly says, stunning his friends.

The group leave the office, but as they do and separate from Ironwood, Clover, and Winter, Khazhak takes a sudden swing and nails Ren in the stomach.

"What was that for?!" Nora asks.

"I told you once Ren. I'm not telling you again. Get your head out of your ass. You turn into one of those Ace Ops goons... and I'll break you in half. Dealing with them is bad enough. I won't have you become a machine like the rest of them... Nora deserves better than that," Khazhak says and walks away, leaving Ren to glance up at Nora who looks away with a worried look on her face.

…

Later that night, Yang, Blake, and Porphyrius are in one of the Atlas transports moving through the city, talking with Clover over the comms.

"We'll be hitting 51st St shortly. Nothing so far," Porphyrius says.

"Thanks for the assist on this one, you guys. Now, we may all split from between different trucks, but we need to be ready to act as one in case Robyn's team takes the bait. If your truck is hit, pursue immediately. Everyone else will move in as fast as possible. Going radio silent. Over," Clover explains before the comms go off.

"Guys... Do you think we should've told Ironwood about Salem? Before all of this happened and so much was at stake for Amnity and Mantle?" Yang asks.

"Sounds like you do," Blake notes.

"Porphyrius?" Yang asks.

"Look Yang. I love you, but I do not trust Ironwood. Look at all his past actions, including the time when he didn't believe you after what happened with your match against Mercury in the Vytal Festival. He overreacts and thinks that he's the only one with the right choices to make and that everyone else needs to fall in line without any complaints. I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly sure that Ironwood's gonna react well if he hears what we know," Porphyrius says.

"I trust Ruby and Khazhak. But I think he deserves to know what he's stepping into. We all did," Yang says, but the other two remain silent. "You guys... don't agree?" she asks.

"Look at what's happening to Mantle. The embargo, the military presence, the restrictions on assembly. He's a bit prone to overreacting," Blake says.

"That's putting it mildly," Porphyrius rolls his eye.

"I know, but it's not like he had a lot of good options to choose from," Yang retorts.

"I'm not sure there are many good options left for any of us at this point. Keeping secrets? Taking lives? It makes me wonder how far we're gonna have to go to keep doing the right thing," Blake says and looks at Porphyrius.

Porphyrius picks up on it, "If you're asking me if I feel guilty for killing Adam Taurus, I don't," he says decisively.

"Porphyrius-," Yang begins.

"Look, I know you guys aren't big on killing. I respect that. But you have to look at the reality of the situation we're in. We're up against a powerful and ancient being that will kill people simply because she can. My brothers and I; we've all killed people. But unlike Salem and Adam, our victims deserved it. We killed the worst of the worst so that innocent people can stay safe and live in peace. It's not pretty, but the world we live in isn't either...World's not so simple. Guess it never was. Some of us tried to ignore that. Now we can't," Porphyrius argues.

Yang and Blake look sorrowful between each other, "I know you've killed people, Porphyrius. As has the rest of your team. I won't argue against it, because I know it wouldn't change anything. But... I wanna make sure that next time we can try and do the right thing without having to go that far. Just like now. Ambushing a huntress who's just trying to help isn't an option I'm thrilled about choosing," Blake laments.

"...Then maybe we shouldn't," Yang suggests.

Porphyrius shakes his head. "Khazhak's not gonna like this... Welp, it wouldn't be the first time," he mutters.

…

Back in Atlas, Ruby, Weiss, Edom, and Lloyd are with Maria and Dr. Polendina as he examines Penny, who is standing while asleep in a large scanner.

"How's she doing?" Ruby asks, concerned for her friend.

"She's confused, scared. I honestly can't blame her after what has transpired. We'll have her recorded visual data shortly. That should prove her innocence, but... the damage has already been done," Pietro says as he watches a recording of the video showing Penny attacking civilians. "The things people are saying about her... If Penny hadn't been there, Robyn Hill would be-," Pietro says angrily before he starts coughing roughly.

"Robyn wasn't their target. Salem works from the shadows, using others to do her dirty work for her. To get us to fight amongst ourselves. To weaken us. To divide us. That has always been her goal," Edom says.

"Edom's right. I think Penny was exactly where they wanted her... Just like at the Vytal Festival," Ruby says.

"And just like the Vytal Festival, someone is using our own technology against us. This doctored footage of Penny came from all of her work around Mantle, stolen straight from our surveillance network," Pietro explains.

"Ugh, hacking, technology. Why can't people just do things like in the old days and fight to the death?' Maria asks.

"If only it were that simple," Lloyd mutters.

"Well, if we're dealing with the same enemy from Beacon; hacking into Mantle's system would be simple. The system we've got running in Atlas is upgraded, more secure. But the one down in Mantle... I'm afraid it's not the same.

"How would someone gain access to those systems?" Weiss asks.

"Well, only a small number of people have clearance. Ironwood, the council, our cybersecurity and surveillance team leaders, and maybe a few people who oversee important systems like the sewers or the heating grid," Pietro explains.

"So, we still have no idea who it could be? That's wonderful," Lloyd groans.

"Weiss, doesn't the heating grid work in a partnership with your father's company?" Edom asks.

"It does, which has me concerned. I can't say for certain, but something isn't right," Weiss replies.

"None of this is right. Everything's been going to Hell," Lloyd says.

"Dr. Polendina, how are you doing with all of this?" Ruby asks politely.

"Well, if Maria wasn't here to help me out these past few weeks, I might of collapsed by now. Getting the communications tower into the sky seems nearly impossible on its own, but now... to think of what people want to do to my precious daughter," Pietro laments before he coughs roughly again.

"Well, even if the worst did happen, you could always reactivate her again. So maybe try not to worry so much about it," Ruby tries to cheer him up.

However, it only has the opposite effect when Pietro stares at them with a sad look.

"There's something else, isn't there Dr.?" Edom asks.

Pietro asks, "There's a reason why Penny is the only one of her kind..." he says and walks over to his desk to pick up a picture showing a younger version of himself along with Dr. Onyx and a few other scientists. "When General Ironwood challenged us to find the next breakthrough in defense technology, most of my colleague pursued mor obvious choices. I was one of the few who believed in looking... inward for inspiration. Not long after, Dr. Onyx decided to help me out with my project," Pietro says.

"You wanted a protector with a soul," Ruby says.

"You wanted something, someone, who was more than just a machine," Lloyd adds.

"Indeed. And when General Ironwood saw her, he did too. Much to my surprise, the Penny Project was chosen over all the other proposals," Pietro says happily.

"Why wouldn't it be. You created a living person with the first synthetic aura. That goes beyond what any other scientists could of thought of. It certainly outdid what happened to me," Lloyd notes.

"Well, not quite," Pietro says and shows them his aura... including all of the missing pieces of it, shocking them.

"You... gave her part of yours?" Ruby asks.

"Yes. And each time I rebuild her, it takes a little more. If the people of Mantle get their wish and she's destroyed... I'm afraid I won't be able to bring her back," Pietro says, a tear falling out of his eye.

Maria offers a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"We'll find whoever's responsible for this. I promise," Ruby tells him. As he puts the picture down, showing a younger Arthur Watts in the picture.

…

Back in Mantle, Robyn and her crew surround another transport. However, when Robyn opens it up, she finds Blake, Yang, and Porphyrius inside with their hands raised.

"Robyn-," Yang begins.

"Scramble! Split up and regroup at the hideout!" Robyn yells as she and her allies scatter.

"I knew this was a bad idea," Porphyrius mutters as he and the girls go after Robyn.

They follow her as she gets past some passing cars, seeing her duck down an alley. Porphyrius jumps up and uses his gravity boosters to propel him forth while Yang and Blake look up at the fire escape of one building. Blake uses her chain scythe to swing around into the alley. Robin looks back, seeing Porphyrius running after her and firing his rifles off. Robyn engages her weapon, making a shield to block the bullets.

"Dark Void Xenodriver!" Porphyrius drills towards her, but Robyn jumps along the building walls to evade the attack. However, Blake comes in and throws her chain scythe at her. Robyn flips in the air and aims her crossbow, firing a few arrows at Blake. Blake rolls out of the way as she takes out her blades.

"Robyn, please, we just want to-," Blake begins.

However, Robyn attacks with the blades of her crossbow, forcing Blake on the defensive when Robyn makes a few spinning swings followed by a downward swing of her blade.

Blake jumps back, and Yang comes in to smash her fists onto Robyn. Robyn jumps back and blocks a few shots from Yang with her shield. Porphyrius comes in from behind, twirling in the air with his blades out. Robyn blocks one strike and ducks under a third. Blake comes in and makes a swing at Robyn's legs, but the vigilante jumps up into the air and fires off more arrows at Porphyrius. Porphyrius fires his rifles to take out the arrows and then a few gravity shots at Roby. Robyn rolls under them but then has to jump back when Yang and Blake make a pincer attack at her. Robyn deflects a strike from Blake, followed by a back-kick to Yang. However, Porphyrius comes in from the side with his weapon in its brawler form and throws a right cross to Robyn's chest, sending her flying back towards a larger section of the alleyway. The three fighters face off against her.

"If Ironwood wants me, then he'll have to send more than a couple of kids," Robyn says.

"He knows that," she heard and looks back to se Khazhak land behind her while cracking the ground with his dragon arm. "That's why I'm here," he says and charges at her.

"Khazhak, wait!" Blake yells.

"Stay out of this!" Khazhak yells as he draws his sword.

Khazhak makes a quick side slash at Robyn's side, but she blocks it. Khazhak spins around for a hook kick, forcing Robyn to jump back. Khazhak fires a few spark shots that she blocks with her shield, but Robyn gets knocked back when Khazhak punches the shield with his dragon arm. Khazhak charges lightning into his blade and swings it to send out his Lightning Slash technique at her. Robyn barely jumps over it, but when she lands, Khazhak throws a left uppercut into her stomach, taking the air out of her. He follows it up with a head-butt to her face, a spinning back kick to her chest, and then a spinning slash that knocks her to the ground. Robyn sits up and fires another arrow at him, but Khazhak catches it in his left hand and crushes it before moving to slam his foot down on her, pinning her down. Robyn tries to aim her crossbow, but Khazhak stabs it to the ground with his sword.

"Khazhak, please! We need to talk to her!" Yang pleads.

Khazhak fires off a spark shot at them to hold them back without looking at them, "I said stay out of this. Now then, Aunt Robyn," Khazhak begins.

"So, this is what you've become Khazhak? Ironwood's dog?" Robyn spitefully asks.

Khazhak growls and throws a left punch at the ground next to Robyn's head, spooking her.

"For once in your life, will you shut up and listen to someone else for a change. I told you, I don't serve Ironwood," Khazhak says and steps off of Robyn, allowing her to stand up. "We don't have time for this crap. The Ace Ops are on their way right now, and you need to hear what I have to say," he says.

"You're just stalling-," Robyn says.

"Amnity Coliseum, the supplies; they're all for a new communications tower that will be built on top of Amnity," Khazhak confesses.

"...What?" Robyn asks, confused.

"With communications back up, we can unite the other kingdoms-," Porphyrius says.

"I know what that entails, one-eye," Robyn stops him and extends her hand to Khazhak. "Take my hand Khazhak," she asks.

Khazhak narrows his eye at her but takes her hand, both arms glowing white from Robyn's semblance, "Ironwood is trying to build a new communications tower. He may be an idiot, but he's trying to help all of Remnant, not just Atlas," Khazhak says, their arms glowing green before he lets go.

"You're... telling the truth," Robyn realizes. "Why keep that a secret, though?" she asks.

"Because he's paranoid and doesn't know who to trust besides his machines. Atlas is not the enemy here. It's the people who are really killing civilians in Mantle and framing Atlas for the job. If those people learn about the tower, they'll do whatever it takes to destroy it, and then we'll never be able to unite Remnant again," Khazhak explains.

"But, who's 'they'? Who's really behind all of this?" Robyn asks.

"Yang, Blake, where are you?" they hear Harriet call out on comms.

"We can't tell you that yet. Look Aunt Robyn, I still haven't forgiven you for not being there for my mother, but I am TRYING to trust you with this knowledge, so you need to trust me when I say that the tower must remain a secret until it's completed. Only then can we reveal the whole truth. But, you must be patient," Khazhak says.

"Come on, they might have gone this way!" they hear yelling a short distance away.

"Run! We'll throw them off!" Blake says and runs off with Yang and Porphyrius, leaving Khazhak and Robyn alone.

"I won't stop until I learn the whole truth," Robyn says and gets ready to leave.

"Robyn," Khazhak calls out, stopping her. "You should also know... Kamir'ahk is still alive," he says.

Robyn appears shocked by this, "What? But... how?" she asks.

"I can't say. What I can say is that if you ever encounter him, your ONLY option is to run because he WILL kill you. Kamir'ahk is strong... stronger than me, and you can't even beat me, let alone him. If you see him, run... I've lost enough family," Khazhak says and then leaves, leaving Robyn with both more questions and another surprised look when Khazhak addressed her as family.

Khazhak turns around one corner to find Voshkie'ahk waiting for him, "Are you sure it was such a good idea to tell her all that?" she asks.

"From what I gather, you trust her as much as you trust Kamir'ahk," Tiamat notes.

"Salem's forces are here in Atlas. It's not ideal, but if we're going to have a chance to stop them, then we need as many allies on our side as possible. Besides, I promised Ruby and try to reconnect with her... and Mother would want us to as well, I'm sure," Khazhak replies.

"Tread carefully, Khazhak. Robyn may be your aunt, but her loyalty may lie only with Mantle," Bahamut warns him.

"We'll deal with it," Khazhak says, but then gets a message on his scroll and pulls it out.

"What is it?" Voshkie'ahk asks.

"More problems. It's from Ironwood. Apparently, we are all invited to dinner at Jacques Schnee's manor... where Ironwood will defend his seat on the council," Khazhak says, causing both siblings to look worried at what that entails.

And that's the chapter. Khazhak begins to build bridges with Robyn, and standing his ground against Ironwood. But now, they have to deal with Jacques again. There's really no room for fillers from this point on in this chapter, so we're almost done. What challenges will Khazhak and his friends face at Jacques Schnee's manor? Until then, please Read and Review.