Chapter 12: By Human Nature

All right, this should be it. Coal stood before a solid wall of a spotless utility room. Despite being a simple room holding no importance, there wasn't a speck of dust or a single cobweb. Coal confirmed the location on the map. Although he was uncertain of the credibility of this map, it did match up with the halls and markers he had come across. He pushed aside a group of mops and brooms, cluttering to the side. He knocked on the wall for assurance.

It's near indestructible. Viridian remarked. He was leaning against a utility closet while he watched, curious. Or maybe he was still just annoyed? The gladiator crossed his arms and scoffed. So show us how exactly you plan on getting through two feet of solid steel enforced concrete.

Coal ignored him, instead turning to Seraphina. Does your Semblance work through walls that thick?

Normal walls, it functions with little difficulty. Steel walls provide some resistance and interruptions. Walls like this? I'm not certain. The psychic's eyes shifted from the wall to him. But why through? You intend to enter alone?

Coal nodded. He didn't have much choice in the matter anyhow. He stepped back from the wall, prepared to sprint towards it. Hopefully, his whole two lessons with Sera prepared him enough to access Mr. Schnee's private computer. And even then, Coal could at least steal some important documents. He closed his eyes, calming his breathing. After opening them, he hurled himself at the wall, jumping before making contact with the solid surface. Except he never collided with it. In half a second, he had phased right through it like the wall was only mist, appearing on the other side. Coal had to prevent himself from continuing into the oversized desk. He released a nervous sigh. He was in.

He would have to end up explaining his Semblance to the others later, something Coal thought Sorrell had done already. But there were more pressing matters at the moment. Before him stood a long room, furnished with sofas that looked as comfortable as they were expensive. Many books filled the bookshelves covering the two longest walls, while some spaces were decorated with prizes, awards, and few family members framed. Coal's eyes trailed to the wall he had passed through, taking in the massive portrait of Mr. Schnee himself in his younger years. He rolled his eyes at the sheer size of it.

Time is of the essence, he reminded himself, examining the large desk that he presumed seated Mr. Schnee. On the right was a picture of a young boy with snow white hair that he skimmed over. A few other useless details and objects here and there. But no visible computer holoscreen base, no keyboard, nothing. Not even a file cabinet was nearby. Out of options, Coal began patting the piece of furniture down, hoping to come across some hidden button.

While he searched Coal let his mind wander to the pictures of the Schnee children. The desk surface held a picture of Whitley, Jacques' only son. But the only other family member was his second daughter on a bookshelf, a clear view of it from Coal's standing point. Weiss, I think her name was. Weird, why would his son be so close yet his- A click grabbed his attention, a holoscreen flickering above the desk while a panel opened, revealing a keyboard. Coal slouched into the extravagant chair before the desk, relieved. Now all he had to do was get into the files and everything was a cakewalk from there.

And thus the final barricade revealed itself. The screen was empty save for the simple sentence that caused Coal to groan. 'Enter password'. "How the hell am I supposed to know what word Jacques uses for this thing?!" He shouted at the empty room. He grumbled further, trying to message the others for help. But his thoughts weren't getting through. Or at least, he wasn't getting a response. Maybe Sera's Semblance was blocked off as she presumed.

Coal glanced at his Scroll, worrying about how little time remained. It showed the map again, alongside the time. Well, on the bright side we'll know how to get out quickly. Then he noticed the lone word to the side. Gelé. Coal paused. Up until now, that word had nothing to do with this mission, even this place. If Sorrell was the one who drew this up... With a shrug, Coal entered it on the keyboard. The word appeared, before fading into a welcoming message. Coal didn't know how Sorrell knew what Jacques' password was, or if he just guessed, and right now he didn't care. There wasn't enough time.

He shuffled through the countless files stored within the computer. A detailed layout of the entire Schnee Mansion, which Coal copied to his Scroll without a second thought. A schedule displaying all Jacques' planned meetings and other important dates. In you go. Data on his daughter's progress for her private Huntress tutoring. Why not. Coal released a slow, bored yawn as the file names rolled down the screen. Maybe there is too much to be copied. Since I have time, he figured, I might as well guess what's important and what isn't. The young spy then began browsing the information the computer stored within.

A list of business associates and rival companies, that seemed important. History of his past calls and contacts. Man, is there nothing juicy in here? Coal had heard about many scandals involving Mr. Schnee, though he never discovered if they were romantic affairs or simple and shady business deals. And then he paused at something that caught his eye. The Polendina Project. Mr. Schnee, alongside one James Ironwood, had shown interest in a particular project involving androids. Enough that Jacques invested an impressive amount of lien towards it. While copying the file, Coal submitted to his curiosity and read further. Some old scientist delved into a crazy theory of an android with an Aura.

Coal toyed with the thought. As interesting as it might be, he supposed that androids were already powerful enough on their own. Plus, didn't one need a soul to generate Aura? It was one reason Grimm don't have Auras. Though he supposed that despite some of the cruel actions driven by human nature, some evil men still bear a soul, and in turn, an Aura. Maybe it wasn't unlikely that Grimm possessed Aura in a different form? Nah. Reading on, the notes included revealed many prototypes and failed results. They were labelled the CAS Experiments. Coal began to worry about exactly what he was reading. Were he to find out information he didn't want to, considering his occupation, he may end up paying for it later. Paying it no further mind, Coal continued to copy the rest of the files that held a semblance of importance.

...Hurry...

Coal jumped at the sudden message, thankful that Sera's ability was working again. I know, I'm going as fast as this will allow. It should be a couple more minutes. After receiving no response, he wondered if the thick walls were blocking off most of the communication still.

...Whitley.......Near...

His eyes widened. If Jacques' son was close, then that was bad news for all of them. Panicking, Coal tapped his foot with impatience, urging the device to finish copying. It was a state of the art computer, meaning it was fast and powerful. Copying all the files would have taken ages, but the wealth of the Schnees was able to shorten that to mere minutes. But it was still too long. We don't have minutes. We still have to get out without being- Coal slapped his forehead, cursing his one track mind. There was still a few other things he had to do here. He had to disable the rest of the cameras. And there was deleting the proof showing his Scroll attaching to the computer as well. His fingers moved like lightning, trading glances between his own activity and the progress of the files.

(-)

Whitley arrived at the hallway outside Father's study, the burning in his chest fading as he caught his breath. When he felt he could stand without his knees buckling, he looked up and was relieved to see four Atlesian Knights standing guard, with more marching around the area. No one has made it here. Yet. He gulped, glancing around for any sign of the vandals. But nothing told him of any recent intrusion. The AK were still functioning, the cameras untouched-

He froze. Just as he had determined nothing was wrong with the cameras, he studied it more closely. Each camera here was equipped with a tiny light that confirmed whether it was on or off. And this one was deactivated. Whitley searched for another camera, finding the same result. But that didn't make any sense. Only from inside Father's room could the surveillance system be disabled. And he couldn't verify his concerns. Father was the only one able to open those doors.

But the cameras were one of the few parameters beyond Whitley's control. His fingers raced across the Scroll surface, and within seconds, the alarms blared around him. Whitley made a silent apology to anyone he awakened, but that wasn't important. He had to figure out how these thieves got in there and stop them by any means. If they hadn't entered through the front, then their only option was destroying a wall connecting it. But unless they brought in a bulldozer, that would take hours. And Whitley had only been gone ten minutes.

"You two." He pointed at two of the passive Atlesian Knights. "I am Whitley Schnee. Enter command mode."

"Authority recognized." They responded simultaneously, turning to the young boy. "Awaiting orders."

"Come with me. Remain ready to attack on sight." Whitley didn't wait for them to comply, there wasn't any time. He marched off, Scroll in hand while the androids followed faithfully. There was no doubt in his mind that the White Fang was up to this attack. They always blamed his family for their own misfortunes. Whitley was already familiar with the damage they had done to his family. Close friends, those the Schnees could call allies, it didn't matter to them. If they had a connection to the proud heritage, they were accomplices that had to be eliminated.

What didn't make sense was how they knew when to attack. Was it just coincidence, or does the White Fang have eyes everywhere? He turned another corner, pushing aside his worries. Father was relying on him. He couldn't let him down. Whitley had to prove himself here and now. He would find these scum, apprehend them, make his father proud, and turn the other way without looking back. Wait... Why did I- After he mindlessly obeyed, Whitley heard the clanging of metal carving through metal, and a severed limb flew into his vision. He began to turn back around, then a hand wrapped around his throat, slamming him against the wall.

He let out a gasp, the wall cracking from his impact as his legs flailed. He couldn't breathe, although his Aura protected against the blunt attack. It didn't help against strangulation however, and Whitley couldn't open his eyes. All he could think of was how he needed to keep his eyes closed, though the thoughts felt wrong and illogical. The attacker pulled him back and smashed the wall with his thin body one more time, before letting Whitley slump against the wall. As he recovered, footsteps rung in his ears. He couldn't tell how many. But as quickly as they came, they left, diminishing down the hallway. He opened his eyes, eyelids faltering as he tried to trace their path. And then he saw a figure looking back at him.

When his vision cleared more, Whitley saw somewhat clearer details of an adolescent, older than himself, staring at him. Black hair. Dark clothing. No animal-esque appendages. Once the intruder realized they made eye contact, he flinched and disappeared, but not before Whitley swung his Scroll towards him, hoping to get some footage of the vandal. His arm wobbled, throat aching, and darkness filled his vision, drifting into unconsciousness. His last thoughts were of the black haired one, whose expression showed remorse and concern. How strange...

(-)

Coal fell to the ground after having been heaved over the outer wall once again. His panting had slowed, pressing his hands onto the dirt to get himself up. His mind was racing with panic. Whitley had seen him. He knew it. Coal could only hope no one else had learned of it as well. But the look Sera gave him, a smug grin, made him curse under his breath. Of course she would figure me out. He heard Viridian land on his feet beside him, his boots loud over the wailing siren the mansion was emitting.

The job is done. Viridian stretched his arms, traversing further into the forested area with a calm pace. Let's get back to the Academy.

Reality hit Coal like a truck. He was a criminal now. He had assisted, Hell, he had a major role to play in their infiltration of private grounds. And they had succeeded. Coal felt his heart hammering away inside his chest, exhilaration sweeping over him, rejuvenating his energy. We did it. We really did it. I can actually get used to this.

Good to know. Sera replied with a smirk. There will be more work to come, now that you've broken the threshold.

Coal frowned after thinking things over. Wait, shouldn't we meet up with Sorrell again? Deliver the information and all? Maybe get congratulated?

Haven't you always been nagging us about being too suspicious? Sera gave a laugh, following the gladiator. We'll meet with him when he summons us. For now, we kick back, relax, and continue our business at the Academy. Don't wait up.

(-)

"...Master... Young Master!"

Whitley let out a groan, a weak arm swaying as it waved off whatever was making that noise. The source grew quiet, and he felt he might drift back to slumber, now that there was no alarm deafening him. In that moment he snapped awake, recalling the events that transpired. His panic, the androids, the intruders. Whitley's throat ached, unsure if there was any bruising showing. And then he noticed Klein, the faithful family butler, attending to him with great worry.

"Oh, thank goodness." Relief flashed in Klein's soft brown eyes. "No permanent damage, from the general appearance of things. You should be fit as a fiddle after some rest."

Whitley brought a hand to his forehead, a headache now apparent. "Ugh... Klein... The assailants! Did they get away?"

"I'm afraid so, Young Master. It has been two hours since the alarm was sounded."

Two hours. That's two hours he's spent here dozing off. His eyes traced the Scroll in his hand. Though it had entered sleep mode, it was still untouched. "Was anyone else harmed?"

"No, Young Master. Everyone else remains accounted for. Though your mother is asking for you. There was..." Klein bit his tongue, no doubt looking for a way to soften the coming blow. "...moderate damage to the Atlesian Knights and property, unfortunately."

"I know." Whitley glanced at the demolished androids that were accompanying him. He got up, a little dazed, before making his way down the hall. "Any estimates on the overall damage?"

"Thirty seven Atlesian Knights annihilated." Klein answered, following the young patrician. "Twenty one surveillance cameras were also destroyed, as well as some damage to a doorframe likely used for their entrance. And one banana."

Father won't be pleased about this. "First thing's first. Ensure no word of our moment of vulnerability gets out to the media. Make arrangements for immediate repairs to the door and cameras. Alert my father of the attack, promise him it is being taken care of. I'll see to my mother."

"Of course, Young Master." Klein turned and made haste after a gracious bow. He paused and added "Good luck."

Whitley acknowledged his concerns. He knew there would be repercussions from this attack, but right now he had to ease it as much as he could. It was his responsibility until Father returns. Which did remind him of the Scroll still locked in his hand. He activated it, the device revealing the camera mode. A ray of hope flourishing within him, Whitley found his most recent video. He scanned the content, searching for what he needed. It showed him turning, moments before his escorts were pulverized. And then the feed throttled. He recalled the event unfolding, heart rate quickening. Still, he considered himself lucky for his minor injuries.

And then the video blurred, focusing on a target. Whitley paused the video, anxious for answers. The image revealed the lower half of a figure clothed in black. Though a little hazy, it showed no tail or any other signs of affiliation to the White Fang. It did, however, have a notable feature. A silver loop holding five narrow shards of metal. A smile found its way onto Whitley's lips. Just wait until Father sees this.

(A.N: Sorry for the late update. I was honestly about to head to sleep having completely forgotten about this. Here's hoping it doesn't happen again)