The Lost Schnee - Chapter Twenty Five
Will's hell
Hey guys, explodingninja here, back with another chapter of The Lost Schnee. This chapter introduces Winter and her relation with Will, like the last chapter I've edited what it said, just so it works with Qrow's past with Ebony. Also, did anyone else notice how Will just seemed to teleport from sitting near to Mercury, to then sitting next to team RWBY and Peony? Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: See Chapter one
Pyscho Will
The white haired male growled as he was dragged towards the Schnee Dust Company ship. Ruby was running behind them, confusion clear on her face.
"Weiss!" Ruby exclaimed, coming to a halt to catch her breath. "What is the big deal?" she asked, holding her hands out as she began to run after Weiss again. All Psycho did was glare at Ruby. "Who is it?" Ruby added as Weiss, her and 'Will' came to a stop near to the landing SDC ship. "Who is she?" Weiss looked towards the ship, a slight smile on her face as psycho Will ripped his way out of Weiss grip, anger clearly present in his face.
"Winter." Weiss replied, her smile growing.
A young woman with light white hair came walking out of the ship, her posture was very proper and formal. She was being escorted by crimson-coloured Atlas Soldiers and Atlesian Knight-200's as she exited her airship.
"Wait? Your sister?" Ruby questioned. As said woman turned around to look at the Atlas robots behind her.
"WINTER!" Weiss called out, her hand cupped around her mouth. To her left Ruby looked shocked, while psycho just glared at Weiss. At the sound of her voice, Winter Schnee turned around just as Weiss ran up to her, dragging a complaining Aura Will and with Ruby running behind them. Once they stop Weiss continued. "Winter, I'm so happy to see you."
"I guess so am I." 'Will' replied, "Knowing... that mum actually forgave you for what you did." 'Will' added.
"Oh." Weiss said, "Your presence honours us." Weiss said, curtsying towards Winter. Winter looked around she approached them.
"Beacon, it's been a long time" Winter started, "The air feels... different."
"I mean it is fall. It's probably colder." Ruby said, awkwardly rubbing the back of her head. This caused Weiss to punch Ruby in the shoulder, causing Ruby to almost fall over with a whelp, before she turned back to her eldest sibling.
"So, what are you doing here?" Weiss asked her sister.
"Classified." Winter replied, as 'Will' sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Oh, right." Weiss said. "Well, how long are you staying?"
"Classified."
"Of course." Weiss replied, as she gave Winter a nod along with a smile, in complete understanding. Ruby looked around pensively in the awkward silence that fell upon the group.
"Well this is nice." Ruby said. "I think."
"You're going to love it here!" Weiss started, shaking in anticipation. "I know you travel a lot, but so much of Beacon is different from Atlas, Vale too. The Government and School are completely separate. Can you believe it?"
"I'm more than familiar with how this kingdom handles it's bureaucracy." Winter interrupted Weiss. "That is not why I came."
"Right!" Weiss replied, standing up straight. "I'm sorry."
"Nor did I come here to watch my own blood fail so miserably in battle." Winter continued, looking away from the group. Meanwhile, Psycho Will started to back away. "But it appears I have no choice in the matter."
"But... we won?!" Weiss complained.
"Only a novice would refer to that as a victory. I counted at least three strikes missed." Winter replied, causing Weiss to hang her head in shame. Psycho Will turned around and growl.
"B-I-T-C-H." He said towards Winter. "At least she won the game. At least she tried her best, and you know what," he continued, "for a first year student at any Academy that shows that they have potential. They can continue to strive to be there best! Did you learn nothing from mum?"
"Leave us." Winter ordered the security behind her. The AK-200s obeyed by walking two steps backwards into formation as she sighed and smiled a little more warmly at Weiss. "How have you been?"
"Oh, splendid! Thank you for asking. I'm actually in the very top ranking of our sparring class!" Weiss started.
"UNDER ME, PYRRHA AND PEONY!" Psycho shouted from behind Weiss. Weiss ignored the shouting male and carried on.
"And the rest of my studies are going wonderfully, too! I'm..." Weiss was cut short by Winter's hand slapping her on her head, leaving a massive bump.
"Silence, you boob! I don't recall asking about your ranking, I'm asking how you've been. Are you eating properly? Have you taken up any hobbies? Are you making new friends?" Winter exclaimed.
"Well, there's Ruby." Weiss replied, gesturing towards her team leader.
"And Yang, Blake, Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Peony, Nora, Sun - somewhat - Neptune not that they even matter. Especially since Yang is your girlfriend." Psycho Will mumbled, while making a metal note to show Will one more memory.
Meanwhile, Ruby was giggling as she pushed the lump back into Weiss' head. "Heh, boob."
"I see. So this is the leader you wrote of. How appropriately... underwhelming." Winter said.
"Uh... Thank You!" Ruby replied.
"Greetings, Ruby Rose. I wish to thank you for taking an interest in my sister." Winter said, turning slightly to face Ruby.
"Oh! Uh, yes, of course!" Ruby replied, before she attempted to salute and curtsy. "The honour is in my... court!" she continued, before she nearly lost her balance, which caused her to wave her arms until she could get back up.
"I have business with the General and your Headmaster." Winter explained, "But, seeing as I'm early, why don't you take me to your quarters?"
"Really?" Weiss questioned.
"Yes. I wish to inspect them and make sure that they are up to my personal standards." Winter replied as she and Weiss began to walk towards the Academy, followed by the androids and a very unhappy psycho Will.
"Of course." Weiss agreed "Just so you're aware, the bunk beds only look unstable."
"Bunk beds?" Winter questioned. Behind them Ruby waved goodbye to them.
"I'll catch up- I mean, I will... reconvene with you both... at a later..." she paused, her hand on her head, as she wracked her brain for the right word. "juncture!" she exclaimed, raising her finger, before she stepped to her left. "At a juncture. Yeah."
Will (While Psycho was meeting with Winter)
"Nah. Yang it was the best idea." Will said, looking towards said blonde haired teen. "You see, psycho know more than he's letting on." Will started to explain. "So, by making him the one who goes, he's forced to act like me with everything that he knows, such as whether my mother... *Yawn*... sorry, if my mother ever forgave Winter and then use it to... *Yawn*... sorry, I have no idea why I'm suddenly tired."
"Could..." Blake started before Will crashed to the floor.
"Winter! Can you come here for a minute?" Ebony Schnee called up the stairs. There was no reply, so after waiting for a minute she called up to her daughter once again. "Winter! Could you please come here for a few minutes?" Once again there was no reply so Ebony walked up to the stairs and headed towards Winter's room. Once she reached the room, she stopped as she heard the sound of Winter crying. Ebony opened the door as quietly as she could and stepped in to the room.
Winter was sitting on her bed, holding a framed photo of her as a young child holding the newly born Will - a bright smile on her face. Winter wiped another tear from her face before she stood up and placed the photo under her pillow. Winter then turned around and gulped. Ebony sighed and went to walk towards her, but Winter sighed and sat back down on her bed, her back towards her mother. Ebony sighed and went to sit down next to her eldest.
"You miss him don't you?" Ebony asked, looking towards Winter. Instead of replying Winter nodded and rested her head on her mums shoulder. "Do you think I hate you?"
"After what I did, yes." Winter replied, sitting up once again and turning away. Ebony placed a hand on Winter shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"I never blamed you." Ebony said. "I always knew that you were just terrified of what you father could... no would do to you." Winter looked towards Ebony and gulped, tears still freely falling down her cheeks. "Winter, I forgive you for everything, I truly do. You're my daughter, my child, I still love you no matter what you did, or what you are going to do." With that Ebony gently placed a kiss to Winter's forehead before she stood up and walked over to the door. "Oh, just to let you know there's something downstairs if you want it."
"Okay mum. I'll see you down there."
"Also, if it helps, Will is still a happy and healthy kid, who misses most of his family. Although, he doesn't seem to listen when I talk about you... but I'm sure he still cares about you and understands why you did what you did."
Will sighed as he woke up, his head was hurting as his mind was racing between a million and one possibilities. He pushed himself up into a crouch and looked around, Yang and Blake were nearby, talking quietly between each other, Blake had her back to Will. Will stood up and walked over to Blake. He wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a kiss to her cheek. Blake blushed a light shade of pink as she placed her left hand over Will's arms.
"Hello Beautiful." Will muttered into Blake's ear, causing her to blush even brighter.
"William!" she exclaimed, turning around to face him, wrapping her arms around Will's neck.
"What?" Will replied, leaning down and kissing Blake softly.
"Could you stop making me blush right now." Blake replied, after they stopped kissing. Will nodded, and after kissing Blake once more Will let go off Blake and smiled towards an amused Yang.
"Well, I'll see you soon. I sense a great fight is about to start!" Will said, before he ran down the corridor.
'Hello. I have one more this to show you, but I can't be bothered.' Psycho said through the mind link. Will sighed and rolled his eyes, as he made his way over to the front of Beacon.
"Hey RUBY!" Will shouted as he passed the young red haired teen. Ruby smiled and ran back after Will, wondering what he was off to do.
"So that was Psycho?" Ruby asked as she caught up with her cousin.
"Yeah. He knows more than I do, so it was a better option for Weiss to take my twin than me, although it was probably obvious to Winter." Will replied, looking quickly through a window and smiling widely as he saw Qrow walking up the courtyard behind Winter, Weiss, a few androids and a grumpy Psycho Will. This caused Will to channel his aura to his leg to go faster.
Qrow
Qrow dizzily snuck up behind the AK-200s and promptly decapitated one, before kicking its head towards the group, of Weiss, Winter, the androids and what Qrow could only assume was Will, who were walking down the courtyard in front of him.
"Hey!" the drunk male shouted. The group turned around to see Qrow, who had previously been in the Crow Bar. Psycho smiled and started to walk towards Qrow. "Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen!" Qrow continued, noticing that 'Will' was walking towards him. Qrow looked at the decapitated machine he was holding before he tossed it aside. At the sight of this one of the automated soldiers advanced towards Qrow his rifle raised.
"Halt!" Winter ordered the soldier. Meanwhile 'Will' was pushed aside by a very angry Weiss who had walked over to Qrow.
"Excuse me!" the heiress exclaimed. "Do you have any idea who you are talking to!?" Qrow placed a hand on Weiss' face.
"Sssshhh. Not you." Qrow replied, pushing Weiss out of his way as he moved forward.
"Hey!" Weiss exclaimed.
"You." Qrow finished, looking at the irritated Winter. Behind him a crow was seen perched on the lamp post before it flew off and circled past the group. "Saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too."
"I'm standing right before you." Winter said.
"So it would seem." Qrow replied, squinting through his hazy state of mind.
"You realise you just destroyed Atlas Military property." Winter reminded Qrow.
"Oh, oh I'm sorry. See, I mistook this for some sort of... sentient garbage." Qrow apologised, sarcasm clear in his voice.
"Has ever not be sentient garbage?" 'Will' questioned, gaining a smile from Qrow.
"I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow." Winter said.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Weiss questioned, walking up to her sister.
"NO FUCKING SHIT SHERLOCK!" 'Will' shouted towards Weiss. "EVEN MUM KNEW THIS OLD DRUNK... no... THIS DRUNK DUDE, HELL EVEN..."
"Geez, you Atlas Specialists think you're so special, don't you?" Qrow questioned, cutting 'Will' off.
"It's in the title." Winter retorted.
"Well, you know what you really are? A bunch of sellouts. Just like your boss." Qrow replied.
"I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough." Winter said.
"Oh I heard, too. I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin." Qrow retorted.
"Ozpin?" Weiss questioned, causing 'Will' to sigh and roll his eyes.
"Weiss, it's time for you to go." Winter replied, pushing Weiss aside.
"What..." Was all that Weiss could say.
"Listen to big sister, Weiss. She'll protect you. Just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?" Qrow added, clearly taking the mick.
"If you won't hold your tongue, then I will gladly remove it for you!" Winter exclaimed, drawing her sword.
"Alright then..." Qrow replied, slicking his hair back. "Come take it."
The square cleared before Winter charged at Qrow, making several quick, but futile thrusts at Qrow's head as he swiftly bobbed away from the blade, teasing her with several faces until he mockingly bowed towards her. A downward strike was blocked by the base of Qrow's sword, right before he tossed it in the air and drew it towards Winter. The two openly clashed blades as Qrow landed a downwards strike, and then aggressively swiped at Winter. This forced her to do a series of back handsprings away from the greatsword so that she could eventually block it. The two continued to spin, trading blows as Ruby entered the crowd next to her teammate, while Will jogged up casually behind Ruby.
"What's going on?!" Ruby asked, looking at Weiss. Will smiled and pointed towards the two that were fighting in the middle of the courtyard.
"Some crazy guy just started attacking my sister!" Weiss replied.
"Oh no! Who would do such a th..." Ruby started until she saw Winter's opponent. "THAT IS MY UNCLE!"
"What?" Weiss replied.
"Kick her butt, Uncle Qrow!" Ruby yelled loudly towards the fighting pair.
"Uh..." Weiss started before she decided to shout her own encouragement. "Teach him respect, Winter!"
"KICK HER BUTT QROW. SHE SHIT ANYWAY!" Will shouted, waving towards Qrow. Mercury walked past and noticed the two that were fighting.
"Huh?" was all he said before he ran off, leaving the two still battling.
Back in the fight, the two parried each of their opponents strikes with rapid speed. Winter dodged a two-handed swing before she smacked Qrow's left cheek with the pommel of her saber. But Qrow was grinning as his left eye flashed brightly. Winter was forced to leap away with a glyph as Qrow slammed his sword on the ground, shattering the pavement.
Winter then broke away from the midair crane stance as she landed near a lamp post, which was subsequently destroyed with a swipe from Qrow. Winter then leaped above him, and dodged his swings, finally leaping on top of his sword, then giving him an excellent view of her foot as she kicked him in the face. Winter back-flipped onto the stump that used to be a lamp post, but then leaped off onto a railing high above, right as Qrow threw his sword at the stump. Qrow transformed his weapon, firing a cannon shot at Winter and forcing her to jump onto the side of a concrete, arched pillar. She used her sword to stay on the vertical surface until Qrow ran forward and tried firing more blasts at her, which she dodged by scaling the pillar's face and eventually leaping onto the archway itself. Qrow followed suit on the opposite structure, firing off round after round at his distant opponent.
Qrow then searched for Winter as he saw a cloud of white steam consume her, narrowing his gaze. Suddenly, Winter flew towards him, separating her bifurcated saber into two, and Qrow blocked the attack. The arch collapsed from the force, causing the two to crash back down to ground level, continuing their furious attacks towards each other. Qrow is forced backward and dragged his sword in the ground to slow to a stop before holding it in a one-handed stance, to the cheer of the audience.
Winter then stabbed the ground with one of her swords, summoning a glyph that created a flock of small white Nevermores, which began flying towards him. Qrow swung his sword at the flock, causing a few to burst into small clouds of steam. He then sent an Aura arc at Winter, causing her to jump back, which put an end to the birds. Winter angrily summoned a second glyph behind her, and the blade of Qrow's sword began to transform in a sequence initiated by its clockwork gears. But suddenly, his gaze travelled elsewhere, and he suddenly sheathed his sword, instead beckoning his bewildered rival to come at him with his right index finger. The glyph faded away, and there's was a bright flash of light, followed by Winter speeding forward with light trailing behind her. Psycho Will smirked before he put his foot out, tripping Winter over causing her to land on top of Qrow, the tip of her blade stuck in the floor close to Qrow's throat, the voice of James Ironwood was loudly heard in the courtyard.
"SCHNEE!"
Winter looked behind her to see General Ironwood standing behind her, with Penny Polendina behind him. Winter quickly stood up and grabbed her blades from the ground before she addressed Ironwood.
"General Ironwood, sir!"
"What in the world do you think you're doing?" Ironwood questioned, as he approached Winter with Penny by his side.
"He started the altercation, sir!" Winter claimed.
"That's actually not true. She attacked first." Qrow corrected her, his hands were behind his head in a relaxed stance.
"Is that right?" Ironwood asked. Winter searched for words, only to realise that Qrow was right. She looked down in shame.
"Wow. Mum's rolling in her grave." Will said. Winter looked up briefly to see and angry Will before she looked back down in shame.
"And you." Ironwood said, turning to face Qrow. Qrow pointed to himself in mock confusion. "What are you doing here?"
"I could be asking you the same thing." Qrow replied.
"I..." Ironwood started.
"Now, now, everyone." Ozpin interrupted, with Glynda Goodwitch. "There is a sanctioned fight happening just around the corner at the Colosseum, that I can assure you has better seats... and popcorn." Ozpin continued, before he swirled his coffee.
"Break it up, everyone! We will take care of this mess." Glynda added, glaring at the group, which consisted of Psycho Will, Qrow, Winter and Ironwood.
"Let's go." Ironwood ordered Winter.
As Ironwood and Winter left, Penny noticed Ruby and quietly waved to her, while Ruby waved back. Ruby then leaped giddily onto Qrow's arm, shaking her legs in delight.
"Uncle Qrow!" the youngest scythe wielder exclaimed, as she hung on Qrow's outstretched arm. "Hi." she began. "It's so good to see you! Did you miss me? Did you miss me!?"
"Nope." Qrow replied, sharing a grin with Ruby as he patted his niece's head.
"DAD!" Will shouted, as he jumped onto Qrow's other arms. "Hi!"
"Qrow!" Ozpin called. The drunk huntsman turned to look at the headmaster as Ruby got dropped, while Will stood up. "A word, please." Ozpin said, as Goodwitch repaired the courtyard using her semblance.
"I think I'm in trouble." Qrow stated to Ruby and Will, discreetly.
"You did kinda tear up our courtyard." Ruby reminded her uncle.
"Yeah, I did." Qrow replied, before he winked and gave her a fist bump. "Catch ya later kid." With that Qrow walked off to join the others.
"That's what I call blowing a literal hole in front of the school and Winter is what I call a crabby girl." Will stated, earning a glare from both Weiss and Ruby. "See Ya!" With that Will ran after Qrow, before he jumped onto the older male's back.
"And suddenly, your's and Will's recklessness makes sense." Weiss said, walking up beside Ruby, her arms crossed.
"You're just mad because he whooped butt." Ruby replied, nudging Weiss' shoulder.
"That was a draw at best!" Weiss argued. Ruby's grin said otherwise.
"Winter was shit. She tripped on nothing, almost kissed her mother only love interest, how did she win? Oh and I counted at least seven or more missed strikes." Psycho Will retorted, walking up to Ruby.
A few minutes later
The elevator door opened to reveal Winter, who was pacing impatiently about, while the General was leaning against Ozpin's desk, his arms crossed. Will stepped out before Qrow and looked towards his pacing older sister.
"What were you think?!" Winter exclaimed.
"That Qrow was going to whoop..." Will started before he was cut of by the General siding with Winter.
"If you were one of my men, I would have you shot." Will looked towards Qrow who pulled out his flask.
"If I was one of you men I'd shot myself." Qrow retaliated. Will had to hold back a laugh as he saw the two grown men sizing each other up.
"While I wouldn't condone his behaviour, retaliating like you did certainly didn't help the situation." Glynda added, walking over to Winter and crossing her arms.
"He was drunk!" Winter exclaimed.
"So he was his normal self? He's always drunk, idiot." Will replied. The group turned to Qrow to see him drinking from a flask. His eyes widened when he noticed them staring, and he held the flask out to the side, looking at it awkwardly before grimacing. Ozpin, wide-eyed, sat down on his seat. "Can everyone focus, the situation we are in is not a joke." Will stated, gaining a look from everyone. "Sister, I suggest you leave. What we are about to talk about doesn't involve you."
"He's right." Ironwood agreed. "Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back at my ship."
"But... Sir," Winter replied, looking surprised.
"Winter. Leave."
"Yes sir." Winter said, saluting towards the General before she left, walking past Qrow who smirked at her.
"What did you find out?" Will asked, stopping the General from talking.
"Your little infiltrator isn't just another pawn. They're the one responsible for Autumn's condition." Qrow replied, taking a drink from his flask once again. Will nodded, he had worked it out from what Mercury had been telling him but he wasn't one hundred percent sure.
"What?" Goodwitch questioned.
"Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, or generals, or headmasters, or a student. The people in this room, the leaders of the other two academies, we're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils no one even knows about!" Qrow began. "It's why we meet behind closed doors, why we work in the shadows. So you tell me, James, when you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discreet, or did you just not give a damn!?" Qrow finished, getting up in Ironwood's face.
"Discreet wasn't working." Ironwood said, placing his scroll on Ozpin's desk. only for Will to pick it back up, shaking his head. "I'm here because this is what was necessary." Ironwood finished, gesturing to the centre of the room where nothing was. "Where..."
"You're here because Ozpin wanted you here! He made you a part of this inner circle and opened your eyes to the real fight that's in front of us!" Qrow retorted.
"And I'm grateful." Ironwood replied.
"Oh, well, you've got a real funny way of showing it." Qrow and Will replied in unison.
"The people of Vale needed someone to protect them; someone who would act. When they look to the sky and see my fleet, they feel safe, and our enemies will feel our strength." Ironwood explained, holding his hand out for his scroll. Will shook his head once again.
"You... You think they're scared of your little ships? I've been out there and I've seen the things she's made, and let me tell you - they are fear." Qrow replied, laughing at Ironwood idiocy. Ozpin stood up, at leant on his desk.
"And fear will bring the Grimm. A guardian is a symbol of comfort. But an army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, a question in the back of everyone's minds..." Ozpin reminded everyone. He gestured to the window, at the Atlas ships. "If this is the size of our defences, then what is it we're expecting to fight?"
Ironwood glared at the four, before he sighed at walked forward. He grabbed his scroll from Will.
"So then, what would you suggest we do?" Ironwood asked.
"I suggest we find our guardian." Ozpin replied.
"I agree. With Amber in her condition we have no idea how long she's going live in that pod." Will agreed, gaining a glare from Ironwood. "Not sorry Jimmy. However, I think I've found someone who could help us."
"Who?" Qrow asked.
"Pyrrha Nikos, four time winner of the Mistral Championship." Will replied. "Plus, with Spring being so close to her, she has someone who can help her through everything."
Mercury
"Are you sure?" Cinder asked, after Mercury explained everything.
"Who else wields a Scythe and smells like my dad after a long day?" Mercury replied. "I mean it could have just been Em messing with me, and it was just Will fighting with her. You know what forget it. I don't think it was him."
"Well if it is, what do we do?" Emerald asked.
"Nothing. We stay the course. They have no idea who we are, so we have no reason to worry." Cinder replied. "Besides, the last of the heavy lifting is being taken care of thanks to our clever little friend."
Mercury nodded and looked away, a small smile on his face, he knew that Will knew what was going on.
"Go to your rooms. I'll prepare everything for tomorrow." Cinder said, a smile on her face.
"Yes, ma'am." Emerald replied.
"New access point?" Mercury asked.
"Let's give the crowd a good fight."
And that is the next chapter! I hope you enjoyed this slightly shorter chapter. Again sorry about the sporadic uploads. I've just not really been feeling very creative and also I spent the most time on this chapter just trying to get Psycho to act like Will but with his own flair. Along with that I've been really busy. Anyway the next chapter is going to be the doubles rounds so the chapter's probably going to a lot longer.
explodingninja out! BOOM!