A/N: One of the main criticisms I seem to be getting is that Weiss isn't really the main character in this fic, and to that I say…. Yeah I get your point. People cite that this is a story for Dr. Glass and to a lesser extent Flynt, which, well…. Dr. Glass, while I tried to make him an interesting character, is sort of our source for information based on the weird aura mumbo-jumbo I theorize is happening in Atlas right now… and while I could use Dr. Polendina for that, from what we've gathered from Penny, Dr. Polendina seems very similar to General Ironwood in terms of priorities. I wanted a character in the Atlesian higher ups that wasn't similar to what we imagine everyone to be. If we had just a bunch of militaristic orderly people, the political and expository sections would be more boring… so… I thought introducing a sarcastic mad scientist with a moral center but dubious practices to be an interesting inclusion into the mix.
Now with plot elements being set in place, Weiss will get more Main Character time… I mean, look at Ruby in the main show… she only really turned on Main Character powers until the very end of the Volume.
Also, why do I not think Weiss would be a good leader? She's a great organizer, and would keep her team in check… but she wouldn't be a good leader. Even after learning humility, Weiss would probably freak out if her plan didn't work, and would probably have problems improvising. She also wouldn't be very inspiring, and would have a hard time conveying ideas to the team… the same way that Ciel didn't bond with her team from this story. Which is fine, Weiss is flawed, which is a good thing for a character. I kind of like that Yang is the strongest, Blake has the most experience, and Weiss is the most organized, yet none of them would be good leaders.
But hey! Opinions are opinions, and I am grateful for every reader I have!
I don't own RWBY, that goes to Rooster Teeth, and its conception to the late Monty Oum.
"I am curious. What's the Winter Maiden doing with the White Fang?"
The small faunus laughed, "Well, I am simply in the company of them. When you see a group of your kind, suffering hard for a cause they believe in, is it not considerate to grant pity?"
Nickel nodded. He did not expect this. The information he downloaded from Dr. Glass's database was extensive; he knew a lot about the world and what was threatening it. He knew of the maidens… he knew of the true Mind behind the Grimm…
But… this was new.
"The Winter Maiden," Nickel began, "when last documented, was not a faunus. I guess that the previously known maiden is dead?"
"Indeed, she died in my arms," the woman stated, regret leaking from her veil, "I didn't know her well, if at all, but she treated me with kindness in our brief interaction… She told me what was to become of me in her last dying breath, as I sequestered her away from her attackers."
"She was attacked?"
"Yes, people thirsting for her power… They attempted to take her. They succeeded, but I felt it necessary to help her. I, then a meek servant to a rich Atlesian family…" her face drifted away from Nickel's intense gaze, "I saw her struggle. Her attackers vehemently trying to kill her, wielding some white glove… I swooped in, and used my faunus speed to evade them… How I did, to this day I don't know how, I know they didn't let me; that would make no sense. But she, in her last moment of consciousness, granted her powers to me… and begged me to hide." She moved the veil from her face.
Nickel had no hormones, but he could recognize beauty. Her face was like a serene, living ice sculpture, with light purple eyes. She did not smile, but her firm glare was oddly welcoming.
"So I hid. I never made myself known: my powers known. I wondered the outer reaches of the Atlesian capital, working odd jobs given to us faunus to pay my rent… She told me this power was a curse… and that she pitied giving it to me… but… I got it, and it was my duty to keep it hidden."
Nickel assumed she was going to arrive how the White Fang seem to accompany her now, so he simply nodded, awaiting his answer.
"Now, this… White Fang group came to me, ragged and worn: their number dwindled by some tragedy. I knew of their actions, and I don't approve of them, but I understand them. I showed them the way around the Atlesian landscape; they came to respect me as a sage. Now… I don't lead them, but I advise them… The reason they are recruiting more so than taking lives from my own advice…"
"So, you're trying to delay their own violent tendencies?"
"In a way, yes." The Winter Maiden nodded her head, "they don't even know who I am, what I am, but they seem to comprehend my power…. I guess us faunus are just good at sensing things."
"Empirically," Nickel decided to add, "you are."
The woman nodded with a smile, "my name is Fleece Sickle, and you are?"
"Nickel Polendina."
"Well, if you don't mind, will you tell me your story? Since you seem to recruit the White Fang for' something,' and while I don't necessarily approve of their actions, I wish to know that my kind are not being used for some malicious purpose outside of faunus rights."
"Certainly," Nickel smiled, granting eye contact with the Winter Maiden. "May I take a seat? I wish not to literally look down on such a respectable individual."
"Be my guest," Fleece motioned to one of the many pads in the tent, allowing for sitting.
Weiss left with Team CWPK(?) from Dr. Glass's office. They were told quite simply their first order of business: research.
To head straight into the Atlesian wilderness to search for a defective robot was not only stupid but impractical; it could only waste time unless there was a lucky guess. They had to wait for signs, for reports of what they were looking for. It couldn't be that hard; Nickel was eight feet tall and had distinctive albino eyes… while a distinctive appearance did not guarantee immediate reporting, if he did anything, people would be able to remember and describe him.
"So… Ciel?" Weiss turned towards her new leader. Weiss would always prefer Ruby… but Ciel admittedly seemed more competent than the scythe wielder, "what's the first move?"
"We read the news. We don't watch the news; we read the online newspapers of the local towns. We would already know if Nickel did something widespread and major, if he did anything, it would only insight a humble article in some local paper."
Weiss nodded. Ciel sounded a lot like Blake in that regard; determined, yet it rarely stood in the way of logic… unless if it dealt with personal health. Yet Ciel's head seemed more secure on the woman's shoulders than her faunus team-mate.
"Neon!" Ciel commanded," ask around downtown Atlas for personal accounts. You are fastest of all of us… and the better socializer." Neon gave a mock salute, but the smile gave Ciel respect.
"Penny," Weiss didn't ignore the wince Ciel gave at that name, "since of your… cataloging origins and increased research capacity, you will research all activity that happens in the adjoining sections of Atlas, the tiny cities nearby. If you see something suspicious, or possibly pertaining to our objective, let me know."
"You got it, Ciel-baby!"
"Also, can you not call me Ciel-baby?"
"You got it baby!"
Weiss thought she was a big "huffer," but Ciel's frustrated "huff" made wind dust look obsolete, "fine… just, do your job, please?"
Penny nodded, also giving a salute. Ciel then pointed at Weiss, "you are coming with me!"
Weiss also nodded, but didn't give a salute. She never saluted Ruby, and as much respect she had for a fully graduated huntress, she'd never salute a person before her own partner and leader… the amount of respect she gave the scythe-wielder surprised herself at times.
Weiss followed Ciel as they exited the Atlesian building. "So… what are we going to do," Weiss asked, realizing she didn't know what she was going to do.
"From your private training and my experience, we are the best fighters on this new team of ours." Ciel stated, "while you will be put in a 'support' role for me and Neon, due to your mainly metallic weapon, I thought it best to test your skills. We need to train, because, as much as I hate to admit it…" Ciel paused, "I was impressed with Penny, and I assume Nickel is supposed to be an improvement. Combined with the powerful semblance… I can only imagine what he's capable of… we need to train."
Weiss nodded, "so do the others. I need to figure out how good the new Penny is in combat, even if she can't really assist us with the actual target." Weiss continued to obediently nod as Ciel gave her reasonings. "I've seen Neon in action against Grimm and human foe, while she's not necessarily the most skilled, organized, or powerful, she has something that I can see as a good ally. I wouldn't rely on her… but I trust her. She seems to give her all into everything."
Weiss was starting to get why Ciel never got close to her team: she always observed, but interaction seemed weak. She wondered if Team RWBY would've been like that if she was elected leader.
"But since Neon's amicability and Penny's…. robot-state are more useful applicated somewhere else, I want to train. And I want to see what you can do. You had top marks in your sparring class, no? Second behind Pyrrha Nikos…" Ciel seemed to laugh at that, though Weiss could only imagine why.
"I am just a first year…"
"And you are also the heir to the SDC, and second to what people would consider a wonder-child, because she kept her clearly advantageous semblance hidden from everyone." Her voice seemed bitter, "look Weiss, if there is anyone I can confide in this cluttered together team, it's you. I don't care if you're a first year unlike Neon, or a complicated weapon like this new Penny. You are the most trained, you are the one I trust. I may be a selfish bitch, trying to smooch up to everyone, including your family… but… after what this machine did to Flynt, and what I know the 'prototype' of 'Penny' can do, I recognize that this will be the most difficult task I've undertaken in my life. So please, teams are supposed to have partners within…." Ciel gave a deep breath, "will you…. be my… honorary partner?"
Weiss could hear the pain in Ciel's voice. Ruby would always be Weiss's partner, but that was because she formed a strong bond with her. What did Ciel have?… a partner who died by circumstance, and people capitalized on that to make the original Penny… who also died.
"I already have a partner, but in this position… sure." Weiss reaffirmed, mostly for herself. Ciel somberly nodded as they continued walking through the Atlesian campus. "We should be prepared at all times, so we shouldn't really drain our auras, so we'll holo-spar."
"Holo-spar?"
Ciel gave a rare smile, "I guess Beacon doesn't have that available, I'll show you when we arrive."
They walked in silence and muted thoughts until they reached some kind of facility. There was an arena, yet the ground was laced with a black, computer-like grid rather than white tile of a Vytal Standard arena. There was the usual spectator section, yet at the edge of it there were two tubes, with dangling wires with clamps within them. It didn't look impressive, but it looks, weird.
"Holo-sparing is not as accurate as well… real sparring, but it's a useful tool for customizable fights. Step into one of the tubes Weiss."
Weiss tentatively walked into the tube as Ciel followed. Ciel reached up and started pulling down on the dangling clamps, and hooking them up to Weiss's body. "This will feel weird at first, but I promise you'll get used to it." She then pulled some kind of visor over Weiss's head.
The screen came alive. [Subject Registered: Beginning Scan].
Weiss felt the tube begin to whirr as she, blinded from the visor only displaying text, couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. She hated being blindfolded, even if it only happened that one time when Yang wanted to surprise her with…
She shuddered; she didn't want to think about it.
[Scan Complete: Beginning Program]
She felt herself being lifted from the clasps. "What the-"
"I told you it'd feel weird," she heard Ciel's voice call out. Weiss flailed, trying to find ground. "You didn't tell me I'd be lifted upwards!"
"Hm…. I thought it was obvious, considering the clamps were clearly hung to the ceiling for a reason."
"IT WASN'T OBVIOUS!" Weiss screeched, wishing she could give Ciel a death glare, but she couldn't see due to the visor's currently blank display.
"Just get accustomed to it; the program shall be underway soon. I'll get into my pod."
Weiss dangled indignantly as she waited for Ciel to set herself up. She didn't know the progress because all she could see was the monitor in her visor declaring [Awaiting Second Member], she could already hear Yang laughing at her as she felt her body pout and limply sway within the capsule.
Suddenly, the visor released a blinding light, making Weiss squint within the device. She instinctively covered her eyes, even if she wouldn't be able to see them…. But she did.
She still felt that she was hanging in mid-air, yet when she looked down she saw her feet planted on the black grid. She tried walking, and while it felt more like flailing a leg within the air, she stepped forward, albeit awkwardly.
"As I said, it isn't perfect." Weiss looked up to see Ciel standing in front of her, "semblances can't be transferred to the holograms, hitbox readings are finicky, and of course it takes a while to get accustomed to the whole, 'hang in the air' thing."
Weiss stared at Ciel and looked upwards, seeing Ciel dangling in the opposite tube. Weiss felt her head start to turn around.
"I suggest not looking at yourself; you never forget how weird and unprofessional you look dangling like some unwanted puppet on strings." Ciel declared before her… neck(?) could turn around."
"Oh, uh…" Weiss returned eye contact with Ciel, "thanks. Um… wait, you said semblances don't carry over?"
"No. Apparently Dr. Glass is having his associates work on it, but… it's hard. However, the aura scan does allow for this hologram version of yourself to have the same amount of 'aura' as your real self. Though that is changeable."
"Changeable?"
"Fight Options!" Ciel declared, as a menu appeared. "Aura Level!" And three little options appeared. [Scanned Aura], [One Hit Victory], [Custom].
"Back!" Ciel declared, then responded, "exit!" She turned to face Weiss, "it gives you your aura amount by default." Weiss nodded, "so! Any questions before we duel?"
"No…." Weiss muttered, "but… uh… I kinda rely on my glyphs… like a lot… in combat… All my training revolved around me using them."
"Indeed, that is a problem with some of the students here when they holo-spar." Ciel motioned to the bleachers as if they had people in them, "but that doesn't matter. Try your hardest; I don't have my semblance either, even if it really doesn't do anything in combat."
"What IS your semblance, if you mind me asking?"
"I have a great memory. I don't forget anything."
"THAT'S your semblance?"
"It helps me keep track of appointments." Ciel stated, as her watch transformed into a grip which released the energized ball-and-chain. "Ready?"
Weiss gripped Myrtenaster and pointed it towards Ciel, "I am."
Ciel reached into her skirt and started tossing bolas towards her. Weiss rolled to the side, making sure her limbs were not ensnared. She then proceeded to launch herself towards Ciel, Myrtenaster pointed towards the lady's chest.
Weiss felt it was going to land until her legs were tripped by a massive green, spiked ball. Damn it, I'm too used to my Glyph enhanced speed. She thought quickly and controlled her momentum and, instead of landing on the ground, she flipped around, aimed her feet to the ground as Myrtenaster pointed downwards, aiming at Ciel's head.
Ciel's eyes briefly widened as she side-stepped out of the way. Weiss landed upright but noticed that Ciel had not stopped spinning Pendulum around. The chain whipped into her side, and the ball started orbiting around her, the chains wrapping around her in a compromising tangle.
Weiss started twirling against the chain to untangle herself, and also yanked on it to unbalance Ciel. Ciel simply dropped the grip and jumped into the air, positioning herself for a divekick.
When Weiss finished untangling she positioned Myrtenaster to block Ciel's foot, which landed… without a clang? This hologram thing is really weird, Weiss thought. She clicked the dust revolver, setting it to fire, and set the blade ablaze, knocking Ciel off prematurely and blasting her away from her dropped weapon.
Ciel landed on her feet and smiled, "adequate: especially without use of your semblance and getting accustomed to weightlessness."
"Adequate?" Weiss screamed incredulously, "I am more than 'adequate' thank you very much! I disarmed you!"
"A good huntress can fight without her weapon. What if I did the same to you?"
"I simply won't let you…"
"Bold words," Ciel stated, grinning. She stared flipping towards Weiss.
"Show off," Weiss muttered towards herself and dashed forward with Myrtenaster.
Ciel, off of another flip, jumped higher into the air before Myrtenaster made contact with her holographic flesh, and Ciel landed hands first on Weiss's extended arm. One twisted her wrist while the other reached for her face and crudely muffled it with her palm. She felt the clasps on her real body contorting her to mimic what Ciel was doing to her. Myrtenaster was dropped as Ciel pushed herself off and flip-kicked Weiss in the face, knocking her away from her weapon.
Weiss landed on her back, but immediately propped herself upward to see Pendulum, now once again in Ciel's hands, ram right into her head.
Weiss's hologram shattered with the impact.
[Opponent B Wins!] Her now blank visor declared.
Weiss was lowered within the tube, a look of dissatisfaction on her face. Am I just that bad on one-on-one battle? I couldn't even beat that brute with the chainsaw!
As the visor was lifted, and clasps released, Weiss walked out, glad to feel the ground.
"No one is that good on their first holo-spar, it's very disconcerting, as well for someone who uses their semblance heavy in battle." Ciel moved out of her tube. "While the fact that you would just be beginning your second year of training in a couple months is incredibly apparent, you definitely have the skill for this mission!"
"But I barely hit you!"
"I'm fully trained, graduated top of my class, and was trusted this early to LEAD a mission this deadly, with forces that are admittedly… lacking. To lose to me shouldn't be too demeaning. I could probably even beat that Nikos girl since I am highly skilled at fighting without a weapon, along with my weapon using very little metal!"
"Yet against Nickel?"
"We shall find out," Ciel stated solemnly. She checked her scroll, "you know, I could teach you a thing or two… if you wish to re-enter the holo-spar, I haven't gotten any report from Neon or Penny."
Weiss nodded, "sounds like a plan."
Fleece Sickle sat listening to Nickel. A super-weapon wielding some dead-girl's aura: a girl who was promised to inherit the power of the Fall Maiden. Ever since she unwittingly inherited this power of "Winter," Fleece wasn't really surprised about the antics of the higher-ups anymore. She remained in hiding, but occasionally observed from word of mouth from the populace. General Ironwood and his desperate expansion of the Atlesian forces, as if preparing for something. The citizens assumed it was to squash the unrest swirling in the protests against their militarized government. However, Fleece knew better.
With acquisition of the power came a flow of new knowledge. Not only did she get the power to control the world around her, she got the mind to understand the world around her. She saw the thoughts of Grimm, their connection… and the ultimate evil they answered to.
She couldn't understand everything, but she knew the powerful underbelly of Remnant, those with the knowledge of it try to hide.
She avoided talking about it to avoid looking like a madwoman. Even if she wielded unbelievable powers, similar to the Maidens of lore, that could always be attributed to some semblance.
The secret of the Maidens didn't remain a secret to hide the capabilities and powers of the four; it was kept secret to hide the world from the more… arcane side of Remnant: The uncontrollable, immortal, and unpredictable side of Remnant.
And here was this robot, who effectively knew all of it just by perusing from some Atlesian scientist's locked away files.
"So," the robot finished, his albino eyes looking into Fleece's with a kindly intensity, "I hope you understand why I wish to have the White Fang work with me."
"It makes sense," Fleece stated, "you have the power to change the world."
"But it doesn't mean anything if the world won't accept that change."
"To encourage unity between White Fang members and the incoming Mistrali and Vacuosi armies," Fleece mused, "that would take some convincing. Convincing even I am not sure I can support."
"I'll do that. You needn't do anything." Nickel stood back up and started exiting the tent.
"Are you being nice to me because you fear my power?"
Nickel paused and turned around, "No. I don't fear it. I respect it, and there is no reason to kill you."
"Do you think you can kill me?"
Nickel did not answer, but gave a grave gaze. That was the answer Fleece understood.
As much as she would love to prove the robot wrong, there was indeed no point. She didn't need to fuel her pride.
"Good luck on your quest, machine."
"And to whatever you aspire, maiden."
When Wagner only found a passed out… Flynt was his name?... in the hospital, he felt his dignity drain as his desire to foam at the mouth increased.
Where was his daughter? What was she doing? If it had anything to do with what happened last night he'd…
His scroll started to ring. Expecting some business partner complaining about this-or-that he answered with his annoyed tone, "what?"
"Hello Wags! How are you doing?"
….He would've preferred the business partner.
"Dr. Glass, can I inquire as to-"
"Oh, your daughter has been recruited for a top secret Atlesian mission! Important stuff in these desperate times of ours, I hope you understand!"
Wagner felt himself vibrating, "Dr. Glass, if you have any hope for the SDC to continue funding your research, I hope-"
"-that you have a substitute for me lined up. Do you?"
Wagner face-palmed. He didn't. And Pluto knew it. With his research a variety of incredibly profitable products were sold to the public under the name of the SDC: Generators, medicines, and state of the art weaponry… things that Dr. Glass had the patent on. Wagner simply held legal rights to sell, yet it could be immediately revoked by the proper patent holder.
He hated Atlesian law sometimes.
"Look. What do you want, Pluto?"
"I'm glad you asked!" the scroll seemed to vibrate from the sarcastic happiness, "look. As you probably know, the White Fang are crouching on our borders. The numbers are manageable, but I can only imagine what would happen when they reach one of the many Schnee Dust refineries that decorate the lovely border of this capital! General Ironwood is telling me that he would increase defenses at that area, but with Mistral and Vacuo on our tails- oh don't tell me you don't know about this? You schmooze to every officer in the military to keep an eye on us!- his hands are tied. I'm simply informing you… as a friendly gesture, that you might want to… invest and buff security along those borders, as well as increase your involvement in it so that you don't spend too much money on low standard security."
Wagner just stared at his scroll, giving his typical hard Schnee glare. "You're kidding, right?"
"Since when do I kid?"
Wagner sighed, "all the time?"
"You mistake 'kidding' with 'sarcastically-telling-the-truth,' I rarely kid."
Wagner felt a migraine coming on. "Just… how dangerous is this mission Weiss is on?"
"Oh, it's just your standard huntress mission. It's dangerous but they wouldn't write stories about it."
Wagner had a feeling he was lying. "Fine, just… if something happens to my girl…"
"I'll take full responsibility, now I don't expect you to not busy yourself with the information I just gave you…"
Wagner sighed. His daughters were important, but he taught them to handle themselves: just as he must handle himself.
"I'll talk to Weiss tonight… but until then…."
He had to divert some Schnee security to the refineries, and maybe some freelance huntsmen. He did not want his business to fall because of those animalistic degenerates; he's already lost enough by their hand.
If he had to, he would fight them himself. THAT would be cathartic, admittedly.
Nickel walked out of the tent to see the White Fang looking at him; eyes within their masks granting suspicion. The man who called himself bane was grasping his jaw, rubbing it through the Grimm bone, probably to heal his injured pride than his actual injury.
"Your 'sage' has declared neutral support of me. Those who wish to follow me may, but you are not forced to."
"Good!" Bane screamed, "now get the hell out of here, whatever-you-are."
"Now, unlike your previous…. Extra-faunal deal, I am not simply offering 'not' to kill you, I am offering something you truly do desire."
"And what is that?" Bane asked.
Nickel gave a professional smile, "side with me, and I will bring you the man that drove you to such hatred. The man who bred violence within your hearts… I will bring Wagner Schnee before you on his knees, begging for your mercy."
A/N: Short chapter I know… admittedly I have a little writer's block for this story. I know where it's going, but it's hard to sometimes write it, especially in these more transitory portions. So next update might come a little slow… I dunno. I'm sorry.
In other news I have another story idea that will be coming soon… I think. (If I'm going to have writer's block, I might as well pursue another idea until I reach a block, then alternate! Who knows…) It will be a Romantic, Humorous Adventure featuring!... an "interesting" paring. I say interesting, in that it is by no means popular in terms of… well… actual practitioners, yet there are a couple fics that feature the pairing that are heavily popular… so clearly, there is some DEMAND to at least witness it. Hey, it's okay to sell out sometimes… as long as you do it well.
Until then, follow! Fave! Review! Learn how to Hula Dance! Ship a literal Ship and Shamu, THAT is innovative!