-The Next Morning, River Keep-

The sound of citizens' conversations filled the grand hall as they awaited the cause of the meeting. Silence quickly fell over the masses as the three council women walked to the stage, followed closely by Weiss and Sun.

"Citizens of Vale," Blake addressed them, "We have called this meeting on such short notice for we have received dire information that we must vote on immediately." The crowd's voices picked up and Blake waited for them to calm before she continued, "Nearly two fortnights ago we sent message to Atlas and her allies of our ransom for their princess. Yesterday, we received our replies." Blake's face took a grim frown before she continued, "Atlas has demanded the return of Princess Schnee and will be readying her armies to attack any who harbor her." The people of Vale instantly shouted and their voices were drowned out by one another as they shouted suggestions. "Not only that, but the Emperor of Vacuo came to us on one of our ships! I believe that we should send the Atlesian Princess back with the Vacian Emperor and be rid of them!" Cheers sounded throughout the masses.

"SILENCE!" Yang demanded as her voice battled the voices of her citizens. The blonde walked towards the edge of the stage and the people focused on her, eventually quieting down at their General's command. "Councilwoman Rose is right! Atlas has made these demands, however she is pushing for this course of action because she does not believe in our military!" The military leader called out, her voice echoing off the walls as the citizens hung on her every word. Blake glared at Yang angrily as the blonde continued, "Centuries ago we had an army that rivaled Atlas and we once again have our strength about us! With our military we could sail to Atlas and defeat her armies! We could once again live without fear that has plagued us and the generations before us! Concilwoman Rose has FORGOTTEN to inform you, the people, that Emperor Wukong has pledged Vacuo's military support against Atlas and Mistral! If we assaulted Atlas we would have the element of surprise as well as outnumbering them! Vytal would be united in an alliance against Atlas and Mistral and we would be a force to be respected and feared!" Yang bellowed, her voice calling out before she ended her speech.

"Yes, that is true General Xiao Long, but would you risk the lives of our people for a CHANCE at defeating Atlas?" Blake countered as she walked up to Yang on the edge of the stage, the two women glaring at one another in challenged. "This entire campaign is based off an IF we can win. Your forces have never fought another Kingdom before, your armies have never marched against foes with more combat training than them. Chasing down bandits and raiders is entirely different than battling against an organized army, General Xiao Long!" Blake leered at Yang before she turned to the people, "Yes, our armies can defend us from local enemies, but can we expect them to battle a kingdom? If we send them to battle Atlas, there will be losses! Can we afford to send our men and women, husbands and wives, out to a war we do not have to fight?! Regardless of alliances we cannot afford such a risk to our kingdom!" Blake told the crowd and an uproar of agreement surged.

"Our armies CAN win!" Yang argued, though her voice could not travel past the first three rows of citizens, the overall racket of the crowd drowning even her own voice out. Yang frowned in dismay as the people cheered and shouted, Blake smirked at Yang, her eyes still harboring animosity against Yang though her victory satisfying her. Yang stepped back from the stage back to where her sister, Weiss, and Sun stood. Blake eventually settled the crowd.

"Those in favor of sending our troops to a needless war against Atlas, say aye!" Nearly half of the crowd cheered for ayes and Yang smiled slightly at the approval and raised her own hand, Ruby kept her hand lowered. Blake continued, "Those in favor of exiling the Atlesian Princess and Vacian Emperor, say aye!" The other half of the crowd called out against Yang and the war as Blake raised her own hand and frowned at her wife, Ruby remaining neutral. "Councilwoman Rose, you will need to vote in favor of this tie." Blake told Ruby. The younger woman looked between her loving sister and her wife, both women looked at her for approval.

"I vote in favor for…." Ruby frowned before bowing her head, soft tears slowly ran down her cheeks, "Councilwoman Rose…." Ruby finally stated. Yang's fists clenched before her hands limply opened at her sides. Blake smirked at Yang in victory before addressing the crowd once more. Yang and Ruby looked at one another, Ruby's eyes pleading for forgiveness while Yang's face only held defeat and betrayal. Ruby silently reached for her sister only for Yang to turn away and walk back towards Weiss and Sun, leading the two foreigners away. Ruby took a step after them before dropping her hand and sighing, tears still stung her eyes. Blake smiled at being able to protect their kingdom in her eyes and Ruby silently wondered if perhaps she had chosen wrong. With a frown Ruby grabbed a quill and an ink well before she began writing on a piece of parchment. The meeting soon drew to a close after Blake settled details. Ruby handed the paper to a guard. "Take this to Councilwoman Xiao Long, she needs to see this."

-Later That Day, Fort Castle-

Sun sighed as he lay back in bed, saddened and confused that his journey to Vale had been for nothing. His thoughts were interrupted by the door to his impromptu lodging being opened. The blonde King of Vacuo looked in surprise as the blonde General of Vale barged into his room.

"General?" Sun asked in confusion as Yang closed the door behind her.

"Obsidian Outpost." Yang simply replied as she took out a scroll of parchment and placed it haphazardly on the table. The King looked at the paper as the General pointed at a peninsula between Vale and Vacuo. "I have a battalion stationed here in case of an attack from Vacuo. We shall meet here before we launch our invasion of Atlas."

"So you are going to defy the Kingdom?" Sun questioned her.

"No, I'm going to ask my people if they are willing to assist me in defying the Kingdom. I've already sent a ship out to meet with Captain EJ Azure and inform him of our plans. We shall meet there within the week before we leave for Atlas." Yang told Sun. "Bring Weiss with you to the outpost."

"Do we have time to discuss our plans?" Sun asked.

"I received a message from my sister that you and Weiss are to be sent away at midday." Yang informed him. "I will rally the troops at dusk and whoever will come with me will come."

"Do you not have a civil war on the horizon?" Sun asked Yang before the female blonde smirked.

"The mobilization of the townships? They're to meet us at the Obsidian Outpost in three days." Yang said, "Blake may be in charge of foreign relations but I can still lead people towards a common goal." Yang said as before she rolled the map up. "I will see you as soon as possible at the outpost, I expect we will arrive before you and then we shall leave for Atlas."

"Yes we shall General. It will be an honor to see Vale fight alongside Vacuo." Sun smiled at Yang and the two shook hands, sealing their deal. The rest of the day passed in silence, Weiss and Sun confined to Fort Castle. Yang and Weiss stayed in their room, spending what little time they had left together before they were reunited at the Obsidian Outpost.

"Yang?" Weiss asked as they lay in bed in silence. "Do you truly think we can be together? Even after all of this is said and done?"

"Yes." Yang told Weiss as the taller woman held the smaller one closer to her breast. "I believe that we will be together. Even if a war is required, I will make my way back to your side."

"Hopefully one isn't needed." Weiss said.

"Indeed, the best case would be you being crowned Queen and us being wed in an alliance between Vale and Atlas." Yang told her, both women blushing at the thought of them being married to one another.

"That….would be nice." Weiss replied to Yang. The two quickly fell into comfortable silence, enjoying the thought of the best case scenario, neither wanting to discuss the worst that could befall them. The two leaders cuddled one another, ignoring calls for lunch and dinner as they preferred to spend time with one another rather than eating meals. Eventually however all good things must come to an end and Ruby knocked lightly on the door.

"Yang? Weiss? It's….time." Ruby said from the other side of the door. Yang frowned at Weiss before the two kissed lightly and rose from their bed before they got dressed. The duo walked out in their normal clothing, Weiss's clothes far less royal than the fabric she'd worn for nearly all her life and yet those were the clothes she wished to return to Atlas in. "I...I'm sorry Yang." Ruby frowned as the two walked out. "I'm sorry to you as well, Weiss. I….Blake's my wife…." Ruby said only for Weiss to hug Yang's sister.

"It's okay, I understand." Weiss told the younger woman before she released the embrace and took Yang's hand in her own.

"It's alright sis. I just….wish Blake weren't so-"

"I know. She can be….stubborn some times." Ruby interrupted Yang to admit. "Then again, aren't you as well?" Ruby added on with a grin that caused Yang to chuckle.

"I suppose you're right….though I…." Yang stumbled over her words, unsure of whether she should tell her sister the plans for war or not. Ruby looked at Yang in confusion before her sister hugged her. "Love you sis."

"Yaaaannnngggg….stahp…." Ruby gasped out playfully as her sister hugged her tightly. Yang gently let her sister go and the younger woman stood on her own two feet once more. "Thank you." Ruby looked to Weiss and gave her a sad smile. "I'm sorry that this has to happen."

"It's alright." Weiss reassured her. "Hopefully everything will turn out okay." The group collected Sun before they headed down to the docks with an armed guard. Citizens crowded the streets and watched as the foreign royalty left their city. Some cheered at their passing, some voiced their dissatisfaction with the choice, while others simply stood by and watched. The small unmerry parade eventually arrived at the docks at the end of the river that flowed through the Kingdom.

"Goodbye Weiss…." Yang told her. "I'll see you soon."

"I'll miss you." Weiss replied wholeheartedly. "These were the best weeks of my life." The two shared a quick embrace that was soon punctuated by a kiss between them, one that caused whispers and murmurs to run throughout the watching crowd.

"Goodbye Emperor Wukong." Yang told him before the two shook hands. "I'm sorry we couldn't show you more hospitality while you were here."

"It is alright, though I hoped your sisters would have supported our alliance." Sun replied. "However life will move on and continue. Farewell General Xiao Long, and be your future campaigns as victorious as they can be." Sun gave Yang a small bow and Yang returned the gesture before they boarded the boat and it set sail for Vacuo. Yang watched the boat disappear into the sunset while the crowd behind her dispersed to continue their day to day lives. Eventually Yang could no longer see the ship that held her beloved and the blonde returned to Fort Castle to ready herself for war.

-Midnight, Fort Castle-

Yang sat in full armor, her hair having been tucked in to ensure its safety as well. The usually excited blonde was morbid as she stared at her unsheathed greatsword, Ember Celica, in her lap before she looked at Weiss's rapier, Myrtenaster, in her other hand. After what must have been hours of waiting, though it seemed like minutes to Yang, there came a soft knock on her door.

"General, the troops are gathered." A guard's voice was heard and Yang stood, sheathing Ember Celica before she buckled Myrtenaster to her belt, determined to return it to Weiss when she could. Yang blew out the candle before she opened the dark door and exited with her head guard to the meeting place.

"Did you tell them our plans?" Yang questioned Janet, the head guard, as they traversed the passageways.

"No ma'am." Janet replied. "They were confused and curious as to why they were all summoned though they have not demanded answers because of your promise to address them and their concerns."

"Good, the less they know the less risk Ruby and Blake will find out before we leave." Yang said.

"General, permission to speak freely?" Janet asked.

"Granted."

"Is this really the best idea? We're betraying our kingdom and leaving it defenseless in the hopes that Vacuo will help us defeat Atlas?" Came the question and silence fell upon them as they walked.

"Honestly? It isn't the best idea." Yang admits. "But it's a valid option that will allow Vale to no longer hide in fear. We'll prosper and thrive with an alliance with Vacuo and their territories and if we ally with Weiss as ruler of Atlas then Mistral will either be against three Kingdoms or they too will stop hostilities towards Vale."

"I….see…." Janet simply replied.

"I know it's not the best of options but Atlas isn't likely to stop looking for us if Weiss isn't immediately put in power. They'll be determined to find the people who kidnapped their princess and queen." Yang elaborated. "Trust me Janet, if I didn't think this would work I wouldn't be asking our men to betray our nation." Yang finished and the two women continued on in silence, neither noticing the small yellow eyes that followed them in the shadows.

-Midnight, Lake Brila Lumo Outpost-

Yang walked out with her second in command at her side. Her helmeted gaze passed over the masses of soldiers at her command, at Vale's command. The outpost had been filled with soldiers to listen to their General's words first hand.

"Soldiers of Vale!" Yang called out and everyone directed their attention to their leader. "Thank you for coming here tonight at such late notice. I'm sure you're all questioning yourselves as to why I would summon you all. The answer is simple." Yang said, taking a deep breath before she finished. "Treason." Gasp and discussion flowed throughout the crowd of armed citizens, though no swords or weapons were drawn to go against the General. Once they had quieted down Yang continued on, "I know that I can not command you to betray our Kingdom, nor would I attempt to do so. All I ask is that you all hear me for what I have to say and consider my words." Yang paused for any outbreaks that might have occurred. When none came she continued her speech. "Blake Rose, my sister by marriage and fellow Councilwoman, does not believe in your ability to fight for our lands. She believes that the proper course of action is to continue hiding from our enemies. I believe they are wrong. You are the finest men, women, and nonbinary soldiers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and fighting along side. The princess of Atlas, Weiss Schnee, has indeed found a place in my heart, I will not lie to you all about that. However that is not the reason I wish to wage war against Atlas. I believe that if we ally ourselves with Vacuo, as was proposed by their Emperor, that we could force Atlas into submission either through threats, war, or by ensuring that Princess Schnee is crowned Queen and she allies herself with Vale, ending any hostilities they may still harbor against us. Is it possible that Atlas will fight us, and it is possible that there will be casualties on either side. Hence why I'm asking you to fight by my side!" Yang shouted, trying to rally them to her cause. "I know none of you have any obligation to fight this war with me! If you choose to fight with me, you will be committing treason against your kingdom. If you do not stand by me, I will think no less of you. I have the support of the townships that surround Vale to battle with me, so what say you?!" Yang asked. "Will you stand by me against the force that has kept Vale in fear for generations? Or will you remain here to protect your Kingdom and warn your leaders of such treachery?" Yang questioned them all. "Those of you who are with me, follow me to the ships in a half hour. Wish your families and loved ones well for we leave tonight. Those of you who will stand with Vale, all I ask is that you wait for us to be on our way before you tell your leaders." Yang told them and soon the hall emptied with the soldiers either going about their business before they went to war or went to Fort Castle.

"YEAH! Wait for us to be gone!" Holly shouts as she runs on stage, small metal armor bouncing on her shoulders.

"H-Holly?" Yang asked in surprise. "What on Remnant are you doing here?"

"I'm going to war and fighting for Vale!" The small girl declared.

"No, you're not." Yang informed her.

"Awww….but why?" Holly pouted.

"Because…." Yang frowned slightly before she took off her helm. "Because someone's going to have to grow up to be General of Vale. When I leave, or at least when your parents hear about what I'm doing, they likely won't let me be General anymore. I need you to help lead the soldiers who stay behind to protect our lands. Miss Azure here will help you, more or less." Yang said, gesturing to her second in command, Janet Azure.

"Oh….okay." Holly muttered before she hugged Yang. "I love you Aunt Yang." The small girl told her.

"I love you too Holly. Now, make sure you take care of your mothers while I'm away. And make sure your Momma knows that I'll come home if I can. Okay?" Yang asked her niece.

"Aye aye General!" Holly declared with a small salute before she ran off.

Janet looked at Yang, "I'm staying behind then?"

"Of course, who else is going to lead the left over army?" Yang asked rhetorically. "Don't worry, I'll tell your brother you said hi. I might even order him to visit." Yang chuckled.

"That'd be nice." Janet replied with a small chuckle. "Farewell General. No matter what happens, it's been an honor to fight with you." Janet gave Yang a salute that was quickly returned.

"And I with you. Now go lead the men, I'll be waiting with the fleet to leave tonight." Yang informed her.

"I wish you safe voyage and a peaceful resolution."

Yang chuckled lightly, "Thank you, though for some reason I doubt I'll be lucky enough to enjoy that." Yang said before they went their separate ways.

-Thirty Minutes After Midnight, Valish Naval Docks-

Yang smiled proudly at the number of troops that stood before her as they boarded the ships. Nearly eight brigades worth of men stood at her command, nearly thirty-two thousand troops standing beside her even when it meant betraying their Kingdom. Three legions worth of troops stood by at the docks, eighteen thousand preferring to stand by their oaths to defend their Kingdom. Yang gave her men one final salute before they returned the favor, General Azure stood in front of them all. Finally the fleet of eighty ships set sail, leaving behind most of the smaller ships as they left for war.