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Chapter Four:
The Soldier
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Designation: [Remnant-8843]
Status: Massive ethereal shift in early stage of civilization, causing unknown
levels of alterations. Frequency wildly shifted from standard, otherwise stable.
Locals currently engaged in wartime operations.
Condition: Yellow
Recommendation: Establish on-site research outpost to directly examine both
frequency modulations and local levels of ethereal energy.
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Something didn't feel right.
The large transport was one of a group of four, each loaded with various supplies, travel-sized pieces of hardware, and two small regiments of Atlesian soldiers. It was basic, minimal equipment. The mission was simple: evacuate a small, newly developed village along the northern regions of the continent, where expansion was slowly continuing throughout the current era.
Unfortunately for this particular group of settlers, they had accidentally disturbed a nest of Grimm hidden nearby and were now in danger of being wiped out. General Black did not want that to happen, hence the order of an immediate evacuation.
That was the official story anyway… but something was wrong. She couldn't tell you how she knew, but she just… knew.
Unlike the other troops in the vehicle, Sapphire Schnee didn't bother to sit buckled up in a seat – she preferred to stand. Her gleaming white jacket shone brilliantly in the midday sun while her dark-colored boots and gloves gave off a nice contrast. Her signature dark red hair, which was considered a bit odd at first, had been adopted by nearly every enlisted soldier as their new personal favorite color. The woman stood taller than most of the men around her, partly due to her thick heels but mostly from sheer presence. People tend to notice when a Schnee is in the room, after all.
Sapphire's silver eyes, unique in all of Atlas, narrowed as she looked out over the quickly receding landscape. They were only minutes away from their landing point, but she could detect no sign of abnormal animal movement, nor any trace of Grimm; and the latter was odd all by itself. The further they flew, the more certain she became that something was off.
The radio buzzed in her ear, "ETA in two minutes." A single gloved hand motioned to the vehicle's other occupants and the team prepared themselves. Gear was stowed and/or pulled out, belts were loosed, and weapons brought to the ready. They were all armed with semi-automatic rifles loaded with special anti-Grimm rounds, but Sapphire always kept both normal and special ammunition on her person every time she went out on a sortie. You can never be too careful in this messed up world.
As the massive transport landed, Sapphire gripped the deep blue handle of her sword tightly. She sent up a silent prayer to whichever gods were listening that her suspicions would be wrong.
No sooner had the last of the soldiers disembarked from the vehicles than a high-pitched shrieking sound erupted from their left, followed by a small light that flew directly at the still-running engine. It exploded in a massive fireball that quickly knocked the Schnee woman off her feet and quite a distance through the air. Three more shrieks quickly followed from all other directions, each leading to the destruction of the other transports. The machine guns started up right after that.
The instant after Sapphire landed she quickly formed a glyph beneath her feet and propelled herself back to what was left of her soldiers. Three had been killed instantly, two had been badly wounded, and the rest were just trying to get a fix on the enemy's location. Panic was the word of the day, it seemed.
The tall woman quickly barked orders to gather what they could grab hold of first and then make a run for the town. There was no time to dwindle… unless they wanted to get shot of course. The woman used a different glyph to deflect incoming bullets as her men fled from the scene of the ambush, hoping and praying they might find some help. She broke her concentration and let the glyph fade in order to keep up.
As she ran, Sapphire grimly thought, Sometimes I hate being right.
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[ - One Week Earlier - ]
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To my dearest Sapphire,
I hope this letter finds you well. It is unfortunate, but I must keep this brief as I only have a short time to write to you. Were time not an object, I would love to disclose everything that has happened thus far but I know neither you nor I have such a luxury.
I am healthy and well, and my studies go very smoothly. The teachers all treat me nicely, as do most of my fellow pupils. The subjects I study vary greatly, shifting between combat strategies one day to Grimm Studies the next. I love it all and have found no small joy in learning all the new information.
My teammates send their regards as well. Dew and Ilia took me shopping in Vale last week where we purchased a whole new wardrobe. I can't wait to show it to you, I had so much fun. Raven is her usual anti-social self, but even she couldn't help but smile at our antics. I feel she is close to coming out of her shell and will soon join us in the sunshine.
As much as I'm enjoying my time at Beacon Academy, I do miss you. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Vytal Festival Tournament next month.
Your loving sister,
Glynda
…
The young woman set the folded piece of paper down on the table and took a sip of tea. The liquid was still quite hot, so she only drank a little. She gazed out over the vast expanse of stars, leaning back in her metal patio chair to better take in the spectacle. The night air was cool on her face, sighing by every few minutes in a gentle caress. Sapphire simply loved stargazing.
She crossed her legs, her thick boots swaying as she settled further into the chair. As her body relaxed, so too did her mind – and with that came memories unbidden.
Memories of the past. Of better, more innocent times.
It had been several years now since she had graduated with honors from Atlas Academy. The military was all too eager to snatch her up as soon as she was finished, making her a Specialist almost immediately. Sapphire was currently the youngest soldier to ever hold that title in the kingdom's history.
She had served her standard tour of four years but bowed out of a second, choosing instead to take up the position of combat instructor back at the Academy… something her previous instructor had basically trained her for. That was three years ago, now. Three wonderful and truly fulfilling years…
A gruff voice interrupted her thoughts, "Is that another letter from Miss Glynda?"
Peter Port, the Schnee family butler, jovially inquired of the woman. He gently set a tray of sandwiches down next to Sapphire's tea, his broad mustache rising in a grin as he glimpsed the folded piece of paper.
The Schnee family was rather picky when it came to their choice of staff and personnel, especially when it came to the care of their children – but they had no issue with Peter as the caretaker. He was the single most trusted man in the entire estate, a title not lightly earned.
Sapphire nodded, glancing over at the man, "Yes, she sends her greetings. She seems to be doing quite well at Beacon." She took another sip of her tea, downing more of the mild drink now that it was cooler. "Better, I'd wager, than she would've done here, at Atlas Academy…"
The man stepped back from her seat and made a noncommittal, but pleased, grunt. "I do hope she can come home for a visit sometime soon. I've missed her terribly."
The woman's silver eyes gleamed in the starlight. "I, too, look forward to seeing her again. It's been too long."
They remained this way for several minutes before the older man cleared his throat, saying "Well, I'd best return to my duties. Good night, milady."
She nodded in response. Leaving the tray behind him, Port turned on his heels and briskly walked back inside.
Sapphire returned her focus to the sky, putting the man's presence to the back of her mind. As before, her thoughts once again returned to the past. Specifically, to a man called Qrow.
It was almost eleven years ago that she first beheld the scruffy man. He stood as tall as the tallest teachers in the school (taller than General Black, even), with charcoal grey hair and his eternal stubble of a beard. His piercing red eyes were what stood out the most to the young Sapphire, even back then.
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The two combatants breathed hard, sweat glistening from their respective brows. Qrow held his sword loosely, a wide, segmented blade with numerous gears and cogs built into the hilt (most likely used during it's transformations, although Sapphire had yet to see those), and Sapphire gripped her sole remaining blade from a set of two: one had snapped during the fight and been discarded. Neither fighter was badly injured due to their high levels of Aura, but both were well worn down.
"I gotta say, kid…" Qrow gasped, "…you're not too shabby. How long you been trainin' with those things?"
Sensing the haze of battle had faded from them both, Sapphire spared a glance at her weapon. It had been part of a set, given to her by her father and mother (she never referred to them as her 'parents,' for personal reasons), which was now more then a little ruined.
"Long enough," she replied, also gasping. She didn't want to spoil the moment by admitting that she had only owned them for about three months by that point. Nowhere near what other trainees would call 'experienced.'
Qrow walked forward and picked up the shattered remains of Sapphire's shorter sword, examining it carefully. "Some high-quality shit right here… though not quite fit for a soldier, wouldn't you say?" He looked at the woman, little more than a girl at this point in time, and raised one eyebrow. "After all, it didn't protect you very well, did it?"
Sapphire averted her gaze, the color on her face darkening just a bit. The onlookers murmured amongst themselves – and why shouldn't they? Not only did a new student get her sword broken during initiation, but it was a Schnee! Never mind the fact that it was the infamous Qrow who did the breaking…
"Does this mean that I've… I…" she choked. For a Schnee, failure was not acceptable. Death before dishonor.
"Kid, you have nothing to worry about. Why, if it were up to me… Oh wait…" He put on his best shit-eating grin, "It is up to me, isn't it?"
Sapphire's blush receded just a little, but her look of confusion was as strong as ever… and doubly so when she saw what Qrow did next.
The man took his own sword and held it out to the young Schnee, pommel first. The crowd noise grew into a dim clamor. Sapphire was speechless.
"As good as you handled those toothpicks, I couldn't help but notice how much you favored your left, not to mention that most of your attacks used both swords together… as though you were only holding one weapon with both hands."
Sapphire's blush returned with a vengeance. How sharp was this guy?
"Take it. I wanna see how well you can handle it." His smile, along with his proffered weapon, had not moved.
The girl finally moved her hand and grabbed the deep red leather grip, shocked at how light the weapon actually was. She moved it naturally, like an extension of her own arm. As though it had been built solely for her.
Qrow had stepped back and crossed his arms, although he was still smiling. "I think that's a much better fit for someone of your caliber, kid."
"I have a name, you know…" she responded irately. She flipped the weapon over and held it out to the man in a similar manner as he had done just moments before.
"Yep…" he took the blade back, then added, "And now you have a reputation to go with it. You're the only kid who's ever managed to get behind me during a match. Ever." His gaze grew serious as he drove his point home… only for the mood to shatter at his childish grin. "You're gonna go far, kid. I'll make sure of that."
Leaving Sapphire and the onlookers to mull over what he said, Qrow began to walk away. Before he got out of earshot, however, the young Schnee overheard him mumble, "…if it's the last thing I do."
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The teacup sat empty, the sandwiches forgotten. Sapphire Schnee was content with gazing out over the vast expanse of the stars. If given the chance, she would happily sit there until the sun began it's regular ascent and tucked the night sky away beneath a blanket of orange and yellow.
The man named Qrow did, indeed, make sure she went far. During her four years at Atlas Academy, the combat instructor took her aside and personally trained her in every form of combat he knew, which was a lot. By the time she graduated, Sapphire finally learned why he had given her so much extra attention – Qrow had planned to retire for some time, and Sapphire was the perfect fit to replace him as combat instructor. For most students, this was considered a major honor. The young Schnee was more than happy to oblige.
Unfortunately for them both, the Atlas military had other ideas. Sapphire really had no choice (no matter what the higher-ups might have claimed), but she did promise to relieve Qrow as soon as she got out. She wanted to do it.
Four years of active duty. The longest four years of her life.
Then came three years of work as Atlas Academy's combat instructor. The shortest three years of her life. And the most fun.
The tall woman absently scratched the back of her head as she reluctantly stood up. She had business to attend to later this morning, and it would not do to go without any sleep. She didn't bother trying to stifle a yawn as she turned to head back inside.
Before she got all the way inside, however, she eyed a lone strawberry on the tray of sandwiches and quickly plopped it into her mouth. A strawberry is a terrible thing to waste, after all.
As soon as she laid her head down on the pillow, Sapphire Schnee fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. She'd dreamt enough for one day, it seemed.
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[ - Present - ]
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The building used to be some kind of church, by the looks of it. A broad, open space with a stage at one end opposite from the doors they had come through, with the beginnings of a collection of books off to one side. Only a handful of pews remained, the rest had been destroyed. Broad stained-glass windows lined the sides of the large room, letting colorful streams of light pour in and giving the room a very ethereal feeling.
Sapphire posted two men at each exit, ordering the doors barricaded so they could tend to the wounded inside. Everyone stay low to give the enemy less to shoot at. Avoid the windows.
She had glimpsed their attackers – men and women wearing white masks. Things that were supposed to resemble the Grimm. It was a tactic meant to scare and confuse.
The White Fang. Damn terrorists.
All at once Sapphire didn't think the Grimm had anything to do with this town's problems.
Everyone knew the White Fang just wanted a war with the humans. That seemed like all they ever tried for these days. At first they were just another pro-faunus rights group that demonstrated peacefully – but after the first faunus was murdered during one of these protests, they soon declared out-and-out war.
Sapphire didn't know too much about the White Fang's inner workings (really, no one did), other than the fact that their leader was called Scarlatina. She never showed herself in any of their videos, and it was speculated that she may only be a figurehead while some other faunus prick really ran the show. Regardless of the details, this Scarlatina was considered the most wanted person in the world… and no one even knew what she looked like.
Every Atlas soldier, active or otherwise, had a very specific order regarding her: upon successful identification, terminate on sight. No exceptions.
As Sapphire helped tend to her wounded men, the machine gun fire continued unabated from outside. They clearly didn't want the 'rescue party' to survive this. The Schnee woman gritted her teeth at such bad luck.
Approximately one hour after landing, all hell broke loose. The creatures of Grimm had arrived.
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[ - Several Years Earlier - ]
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The girl called Sapphire couldn't believe her ears.
The twelve-year-old was standing in her mother's bedroom, watching the woman quietly nursing her new baby sister. It was early in the evening, before the sun had fully dropped below the horizon and given the stars their time to shine. The lingering sunshine coming in through the window gave her mother's golden hair a fiery glow, in stark contrast to the gentle woman holding the infant.
"It was your father's decision. No matter how much I pleaded with him, that man is just too stubborn," she almost whispered. Sapphire had heard tales of this woman being a real hot-headed woman in her younger years… but looking at her now, such stories seemed like pure fantasy.
For as long as she could remember, Sapphire had been brought up thinking that she would inherit the Schnee name and, along with it, a good portion of the Company. Now that dream was shattered. It would go to little Glynda Schnee instead.
Why? Because Sapphire was adopted.
They had never mentioned this before, and the Schnee household was all the girl could remember. It was more than heartbreaking… the girl felt close to passing out. Everything she had ever known was now up for debate.
Her mother looked up at the girl, lavender eyes filled with sadness and a hint of shame, as she reached over with her free hand and took a small box from her nightstand. She motioned for Sapphire to come closer, and gave the box to the girl.
Inside was a small piece of wood, mahogany by the look of it, which bore carved letters. Part of the top and one side was broken off, the splinters having been sanded down smooth. A small hole at one end had a length of rawhide strung through it; evidently it was made to be worn like a token or pendant.
"When we found you at the orphanage, this was all you had with you. The workers there assumed the writing on it was your name, so we kept it." The blonde woman returned her attention to the infant, but kept speaking, "You know how your father is… once we adopted you, he wanted to change your name to something that would befit a Schnee… so to keep with the spirit of your original name, he went with Sapphire – another gemstone."
Sapphire hardly heard any of this. Her eyes had glazed over as she stared at the piece of wood in her hand.
The carved letters spelled out "Ruby Rose."
…
She wore that token around her neck for the rest of her life.
It was there when she demonstrated her ability to use the Schnee family technique of Summoning in front of the entire household, shocking her father and causing her mother to beam with pride. The girl had completely earned her place as a member of the Schnee family, and there was nothing Jacques Schnee could do about it.
It was there when Glynda, once she was old enough to walk and get herself into trouble, started following Sapphire around the house wanting to play. The two became close very quickly, Sapphire finally able to act normally around another human being. They would stay close for many years, laughing and playing as children should.
It was there when she applied for, and was accepted to, Atlas Academy. Glynda didn't want her big sister to go, but after a few kind, encouraging words, the youngest Schnee agreed to allow it (giving Sapphire cause to smile).
It was there when she received Qrow's sword as a graduation gift, causing nearly endless rumors that the two of them were …together. She had to work extra hard to quell those fantasies, but even then there were still some who simply loved a good story. Qrow himself was no help on the matter. Hell, he seemed to be enjoying it.
It was there when she got the letter from Glynda some years later, informing her that her sister had applied for Beacon Academy in Vale rather than Atlas… as well as her reasons. In spite of the issues that decision would inevitably cause, Sapphire had never been more proud of her little sister.
And it was there the evening of the ambush. First by the White Fang… then by the creatures of Grimm.
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[ - Present - ]
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This was madness.
Normal people (including faunus) would drop any conflict they had with someone as soon as the creatures of Grimm appeared… but apparently the White Fang were truly dedicated to their hatred. Even with the big black monsters dropping down on them, these idiots still chose to fire at the Atlas soldiers instead.
Her soldiers, still shaken and wounded, had been driven from their refuge by a large Deathstalker – mainly due to the fact that it had knocked the entire building down around them. They were now fleeing for the imagined safety of the nearby mountains while fighting both the White Fang terrorists and the Grimm.
On the other hand, the Grimm had no problem picking off everyone that wasn't a Grimm, whether human or faunus.
The only plus that Sapphire could see was that there was no civilians in the area for her to be concerned with.
…
The battle could have lasted three to four hours… or twenty minutes. It was pure insanity.
Sapphire Schnee knelt in the snow next to a fallen comrade. Her right arm was bleeding heavily, and throbbed painfully from the shoulder. She had taken a hit from the fangs of a King Taijutsu, and most likely was poisoned. Three ribs were broken, one busted foot, and a gash on her head forced her to shut one eye against the flow of blood coming down her face. The body before her had no spare ammo magazines, just like the other four she'd already checked. The first aid kits were one of the first casualties – they didn't even make it off the transports.
She'd had better days.
All around her lay the dead and dying. White Fang warriors and Atlas soldiers alike, both ripped to shreds and laid out together on the killing fields. The woman made sure to take it all in, never to forget it. These men died with honor, no matter how they got here. The gently falling snow seemed ready to start their burials right away, slowly covering the bodies with a blanket of white.
Just to her left, there came the last sound of gunfire followed by a scream. The silence was deafening after that.
No, not total silence. There was heavy footsteps and growling.
Sapphire looked over to see a massive Beowulf approaching, jaws gaped open and razor-like claws digging deep grooves in the snow. The woman was the only prey left, and this creature was certain of it's victory.
And why not? She was wounded, her weapon dropped far enough away so that she couldn't dive after it. Easy prey.
Burning red eyes locked with fierce silver. No matter how easy it might expect Sapphire to go down, she would not simply give up.
Death before dishonor.
As she witnessed the Beowulf raise one huge claw for the killing strike, Sapphire concentrated the last of her aura into one final glyph, ready to blow them both to kingdom come. She waited until it was closer, just to be sure…
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But it never got closer. Time seemed to be standing still.
When she lifted her gaze to the enemy, Sapphire found this to be exactly what happened.
The Grimm had stopped dead, holding a pose in mid-strike. Sapphire was reminded of a picture she had seen of the statue in front of Beacon's front gate.
Yet as she watched, she realized it was more than the Grimm. Even the falling snow had stilled in mid-air.
Her thoughts were interrupted by more footsteps crunching though the snow.
A young girl approached, looking no older than Glynda. She bore a large red cloak with tattered and worn edges, along with a mostly black outfit with red lacing and trim. Sapphire noticed with more than a little surprise that the girl's hair and eye colors almost perfectly matched her own.
The newcomer held a long device, shaped almost like an ice cream cone, and walked right into the middle of the battlefield and placed it down, point first. As she stood back, the device appeared to kept itself upright, then it quickly began to rotate and drill itself right through the snow and deep into the ground.
Seemingly satisfied with her work, the girl turned and walked over to Sapphire. She stood between the soldier and the monster, saying only, "Do you wish to live?"
Sapphire tried not to show how shocked she was at hearing the girl's voice. First off, she sounded the same as Sapphire did when she was much younger, and secondly, …she did not speak like a child. This voice had real depth.
She didn't respond to the question right away, knowing the answer would be more than a little complex. "… … …I am sworn to defend my country. Whether or not I wish to live means nothing…"
The girl simply stood there, unmoving, gazing into Sapphire's very soul.
An image of Glynda flashed through the soldier's mind right then, bringing with it a pang of guilt. The girl seemed to sense this.
"You have someone to return to, don't you?"
Sapphire wrestled with her emotions. On one hand, she had her duty. On the other, her sister. "She… she knows what I do… she… Glynda would understand…"
"Do you really believe that?"
She turned to glare at the girl, angry that she would imply something like that… only for her emotions to agree completely. Sapphire could imagine, all too easily, how Glynda's heart would shatter into a thousand tiny pieces when, or if, she heard the news that her sister… her beloved sister…
"All she wants is her sister to come home. Would you deny-"
"Alright, stop. Yes. My answer is… yes." She exhaled sharply through her teeth, furious at how easily she'd been coerced into denying her duty.
"Rise."
Normally she would have argued. Resisted. Made an excuse about her wounds. When she stood, however, all of that was out the window. The pain was gone, the poison cleared out, and even her uniform had been repaired. She was as good as new.
"I have helped you… now you must help me."
Understanding flooded the woman. This girl, whoever she was, clearly meant for this exchange to happen. Regardless of the intent or the methods, she had truly helped Sapphire out. The Schnee woman nodded. She would repay the debt, no matter what it took.
Death before dishonor, after all.
The shorter girl stared deep into Sapphire's eyes as she said, "The journey before you is a long one, full of lives to defend, enemies to defeat, and mysteries to solve – the greatest one being your own. Are you ready?"
Sapphire tensed, clutching the token under her uniform with a shaking hand. She swallowed hard and nodded.
The girl pulled out another device from a pouch around her waist and hit a button, forming a brilliant light in midair that seemed to break apart space itself. A glaring blue-green light flooded the woman's eyes.
"When you get to the other side, look for Carmine. She'll give you the next steps."
"Carmine…" Sapphire looked over at the girl with a raised eyebrow, "…so what do I call you?"
"Rain."
Sapphire Schnee walked through the portal. The girl called Rain approached it, then stopped and looked back out over the killing field. Bodies were strewn about everywhere and the snow was stained with red blood.
Under her breath, the girl mumbled, "Will they ever learn?"
She then raised the device she was holding up to her face and said, "Eight-eight-four-three, transfer confirmed."
She walked into the light a moment later.
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Author's Note: Sapphire was the result of trying to imagine how Ruby would have turned out if she had been raised in the same position as Winter – I admit, she turned out a bit too close to Winter herself, but that was the idea. Other than her, I randomized everybody else I could. I explain it later in the main story, but I kept Jacques where he was and made him the Schnee, rather than have him marry into the family.
=^w^=