Yo Peeps. GMG here with chapter 4 of SWR. I just wanna keep this train rolling. The number of reviews/follows/favs has been astounding and I'm so glad this fic has been such a hit with you all. I won't waste your time any more than necessary, so let's kick this chapter off!
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.
After Ruby had left, Winter sighed in relief. Time for some work. Although, not the normal boring kind. Reaching under her bed, she slipped out her secondary laptop. Why have a second one? To hide what people will search for on the first. She also pulled out a portable wireless router and hooked it up to the laptop (1). Powering up the device, she smiled when her screen flashed on. After a quick search of her most recent files, she pulled up her latest work.
Unbeknownst to most, there were three factions in the criminal world: That of Cinder Fall and her lackeys, the self-righteous terrorist White Fang, and a faction led by Frost. Frost was an alias chosen by Winter long ago and with it, she began her amassing of power. While not as steeped in illegal activities as the other two factions, her own had its fair share of deals under the table, taken care of by the most trusted of her underlings.
Frost wasn't seen nor heard, but the power she wielded was immense. While an individual such as Cinder Fall had to scheme and connive to overtake the world or how the White Fang's methods now included violence and terror tactics, Winter had collected debts and favors enough, that she held much of the government in her pocket, but one should digress.
The small funds of money she had been leeching from her job, transitioned its way into the machinations of her plans. Loans given out and returned with interest, hiring able bodies and striking deals. All of this and more to secure her unseen empire. Even the other two factions knew not the power she held.
What end goal did she have? None really. Her desire to act out is probably the largest proponent to her beginning this whole escapade. Truthfully, she could've lived well enough in the comfort of wealth, but the young repressed Winter had wanted something more and when a Schnee wanted something, it was only a matter of time until it became theirs.
Did she hate the world? Hurt others with her plans? Not at all. She was only criminal in that her activities broke some laws. Foremost being that she was a loan shark of the highest caliber. Her information network was vast and recent news had her initiating a new project within her empire. Cinder Fall sought to dominate Remnant, the success of which would cripple the power of Frost and the standing she held. So, she set to work, initiating plans to crumble those of Cinder's. No one would take the power she held. Not a single person.
A ping from her scroll pried her attention away and she slid the device open to check the message she had received. Ruby had messaged her wishing her a good night's rest and that she would see the older girl on the weekend in two days. Winter replied back before putting the scroll down, a soft smile pulling at her face.
Maybe one person could take the power she amassed. If it were Ruby, Winter reasoned, the girl's kind heart would be nigh incorruptible. Something she needed in a person who could rule alongside her from the shadows, but that wasn't what Ruby was to her. The closed off Schnee knew what feelings were budding within her and that Ruby would most likely grow to return those feelings. Shaking the thoughts away, Winter scowled at the screen of her laptop as she read the latest line.
Torchwick had escaped. When it was mentioned that no one knew Frost, there were few exceptions. Her highest underlings knew, of course. They were the ones who helped her found her empire, but one had turned long ago. She knew he'd never tell his current boss, Cinder. The pyromancer was a bit volatile when it came to the Frost Faction, but the information leak was still an issue.
And he also had his own collection of informants. Winter paled. She knew the informants for the other factions and how to avoid them, but she had forgotten Torchwicks sources. These last couple of days, she'd been careless. She only hoped it would tide over in her favor.
Elsewhere…
Lighting his cigar and taking a puff, Torchwick hummed a tune as he flipped through the dossier handed to him by one of his sources. Dirty little tidbits from the various people in power, updates on Team RWBY and their inability to follow their own plans, and… his visible eye widened, a grin splitting his face. "What do we have here? Ohohoho, seems like Frost has taken a shine to Red. This looks like a hornet's nest just waiting to be prodded."
He took another puff of his cigar before motioning to his thugs. "Alright fellas, with Cinder out of my hair for once, we'll be starting a little assignment on the side. Get our contacts in the White Fang. I think it's time for the mutts and us to go on a little adventure."
With a snapped, "Yes sir!" one of the men ran off to complete the task, leaving Roman to glance over his drawing table.
"Cinder is doomed to fail as it stands, but I need to guarantee Frost falls beside her." He sighed. "With all the evidence in the world, even a public statement from me or anyone wouldn't do any good with her reputation and fortune. An innocent child like Red, however, is a different story."
Elsewhere…
Stepping into her dorm room, Ruby Rose was greeted by the sight of Yang… making out… with a girl with turquoise hair. She also noted they were on Blake's bed, something the faunus would mostly likely flay Yang alive for. Storing that blackmail away, she cleared her throat, catching the two girls' attention.
Yang didn't seemed phased in the slightest, but her company pulled away with a jerk. The blonde pouted at her sister, upset at the ruined moment. "Ruby, did you have to cut in on Yang's kissing time with her girlfriend."
"Yes," Ruby cut in. "Especially when I don't want to be scarred for life and when I have no idea who you're molesting."
The other girl raised a gloved hand in greeting. "Name's Reese Chloris! I'm from Haven."
Ruby waved back with a smile. The girl had a bright demeanor and seemed to be just as cheeky and outgoing as Yang. "It's nice to meet Yang's vic-, I mean girlfriend."
The blonde crossed her arms and frowned. "You make it seem like I'm a dastardly villain, Rubes. I thought we were sisters."
"I know and it scares me." Ruby feigned a shudder. "Besides, the little thing you set up with Winter wasn't virtuous or heroic in anyway. So, for now, you are evil." Ruby pointed at Yang as if begging for wrath to be dispensed on the mischievous brawler.
Reese looked between the two, confused. "Am I missing something?" Yang whispered something in her ear and a look of understanding dawned on the skater's face. "Ohhhhh. Your sister is right. You are evil, Miss Xiao Long."
Yang cast a suggestive glance at the skater. "I thought you liked the bad ones."
With a snort, Reese pecked Yang's lips before nodding. "I do. It just doesn't change the facts." Patting the blonde on the head and standing up, she made her way to the door. "As much as I'd like to stay, Blondie, I gotta crash. Besides, my team would flip if I disappeared for the night." Opening the door, she waved to the two sisters. "Xiao!"
When the door closed, Yang swooned dramatically. "A girl after my own heart."
Ruby flopped down on Weiss' bed and looked at her sister. "I thought you liked boys."
The brawler shrugged. "They look nice, but I thought you knew."
"Knew what?"
"I'm punsexual," quipped Yang. "Better you are at making puns, the more likely I'll go after you and Reese is like my soul mate, I swear."
Silver eyes narrowed. "Would you let her groom your hair."
Yang's demeanor became serious. "Without a doubt."
The caped leader almost fainted. Yang wasn't one to joke about such things and her hair was very important to her. She must have REALLY hit it off with Reese, though… if the make out session was any indicator, the couple was already developed more so than that of Ruby and Winter.
Changing the topic, Yang spoke again. "How'd it go with Winter?"
Ruby beamed as she recounted her evening with the elder Schnee, rambling on about the movie they saw and how nice it was talking with the woman. She got so lost in her ramblings, she didn't even notice the tears in Yang's eyes. She was cut off by her sister pulling her into a hug.
"I'm so proud of youuuuu," Yang breathed out. "My baby sis is growing up."
"Yannnng," Ruby groaned, squirming in her sister's embrace. "We just hanged out. Why is it such a big deal?"
"You've only spoken about Crescent Rose the way you just described your evening." Yang pulled away and grinned at Ruby. "I think someone is in love."
Ruby turned beet red and shoved her sister on to the ground. "Shut up!"
Laughter flooded the room. "It's so true! You lovvvvve her, Ruby." Yang cackled at her sister's red face before grabbing the pillow that was thrown at her. "Don't even try, baby sis. You and I both know that we're too good for this little game of ours."
"And I'd appreciate you not using my pillow as weaponry," snapped Weiss, closing the door behind her and Blake.
Yang made a show of putting the pillow in its proper place and smoothing it out, appeasing the irritated heiress. "So, how'd your date go?"
The faunus member of the team rolled her eyes. "We were just studying, Yang, and like you, I'm taken."
Weiss frowned. "We should all get to bed soon. We have classes tomorrow and we can't stay up all night."
A scroll alarm went off and everyone looked at Ruby. The leader opened her scroll and stood up, hurrying over to the door. "We'll have to stay up. Roman's out and he just messaged me. He's pulling a heist and he wants some entertainment."
"It's obviously a trap," snapped Weiss. "We can't just come to him because he asked us to. And how do you even know it's him?"
"He called me Red, something only Roman does."
Blake spoke up, "We can't let him get away either. Who knows what he's planning. Besides, we can take him."
"That may not necessarily be true, Blake," countered Weiss. "We got lucky last time. We had Professor Oobleck and later the help of the other teams. What makes you think we can win?" Blake didn't answer. "I thought so. Now, are going to get a move on?" At the others' looks, she huffed. "We do need to stop him. I was just pointing out that Blake's reasoning wasn't the best."
And off they went.
End…
1) While wireless in terms of producing a signal, many portable routers that are small are USB powered. Thus why she hooked it up to her laptop.
Now, the idea of Winter being a criminal mastermind has nothing to do with my interpretation of her personality or role. I just thought it'd be an interesting plot to have in this story. I'm also trying not to rush the pairing, so it'll be a chapter or two before they're all lovey dovey with one another. Adieu for now!