Chapter 28: Threats, Promises, and One Final Gambit

It had only been a matter of hours after Weiss's confrontation with Father that Winter had sent her a communications request through the CCT Network. Weiss was only too happy to take Winter's call. She really needed to speak with her and not just for her sympathetic ear. Weiss had immediately headed for the CCT Tower. She was seated in front of a console now, impatiently waiting for the system to connect her with the Tower in Atlas.

The screen in front of Weiss finally flickered to life, and the image of Winter appeared.

Weiss didn't wait for Winter to say hello. She just asked, "I assume you've heard?"

"If you're referring to your…disagreement with Father. The whole family has heard," Winter said. "Judging by the deliberate language he used in his message, you've succeeded quite handily in enraging him."

"He's overreacting as usual," Weiss said.

"Is he?" Winter asked. "Then Yang didn't assault him?"

"Well…yes, she did," Weiss admitted.

"That is unfortunate," Winter said.

"I know," Weiss said. "That's why I need your help."

"There is little I can do," Winter said. "If I know Father, he will undoubtedly press charges against Yang. And he's well within his legal right to do so."

"I know that too," Weiss said. "But I'm going to negotiate with him."

"Oh?" Winter asked, sounding intrigued. "And what do you intend to offer in exchange for Yang's freedom?"

"In exchange, I won't tell the world about what goes on in the Schnee Dust Company's mines," Weiss said.

Winter's eyes narrowed. "That's a very dangerous game you intend to play. Father will not take kindly to it."

"Which is why I need your support," Weiss said. "It would be near-impossible for the media to ignore two members of the Schnee Family making the same claim. Father can't afford to let that happen."

"Weiss…" Winter said. "That would spell disaster for the Family. Furthermore, without evidence, it would end up doing little good."

Weiss had suspected that Winter would say that. Fortunately, she had a trump card. She said, "I have evidence."

Winter actually looked surprised. "Show me," she said.

Weiss pulled out her scroll and plugged it into the console. Blake's contact had come through. He'd gone undercover with a hidden camera into the Company mines. Weiss had only found out about it a little while ago. She pulled up the video file he'd sent and transmitted it to Winter.

Winter was silent as the video popped up on her screen. She let it play for less than a minute before she closed the file. Weiss didn't blame her; the footage wasn't pretty.

"I can get more, if you're not convinced," Weiss said.

"That won't be necessary," Winter said.

"Then you'll help me?" Weiss asked.

Winter didn't say anything.

"What's more important?" Weiss asked. "The Family's immediate good name or its legacy? We can still fix this, and if the drive for change comes from within the Family, maybe we won't be remembered as monsters."

"You underestimate our family's will to change," Winter said. "And you underestimate Father. There is so much worse he could do to you than what he's already threatened."

"I don't have a choice," Weiss said. "If Father came after the love of your life, would you do any less?"

"No," Winter said. She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she looked straight at Weiss and said, "You have my support."

"Thank you, Winter," Weiss said.

"Does this mean you've given up on somehow ending the faunus plight?" Winter asked. "That is what you will be promising to Father."

Weiss said, "There are other ways for the public to find out about what's happening besides you or me telling them."

"I see," Winter said. "Regardless, I must be going. Weiss? Good luck."

The screen went dark. Weiss let out a sigh of relief. Winter wasn't wrong about Father. He wouldn't give in easily. But with Winter on her side, Weiss knew she could do this.

Weiss unplugged her scroll from the console. She was surprised to find a message waiting for her on it. It must have been sent from outside of Vale. If so, it would have downloaded onto her scroll when she'd connected it to the CCT Network just now.

Weiss opened up her scroll.

Mother:
I was most distraught to hear what your father had to say about you. We raised you better than to be seduced by some jezebel. I will pray for you to come to your senses quickly and see the error of your ways.

Weiss's lips turned up into a sneer. She slammed her scroll shut and shoved it angrily into her pocket. That message might have been more words than Mother had spared for her in a long time. If Weiss had known that disappointing Mother would finally get her attention again, maybe she would have done it years ago.

Weiss took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Mother's ignorant condemnation hurt bitterly, but Weiss had more important things to worry about at the moment. She would cry later with Yang there to comfort her.

Weiss got up from her seat and headed to the elevator. She took it down to the ground floor of the tower. When she walked outside, she found Yang, Blake, and Ruby all waiting there for her.

"Well?" Yang asked. "What did Winter say?"

Weiss said, "She's going to help us."

Ruby said, "I told you she would. Older sisters are awesome like that."

Blake asked, "Did you show her the video?"

Weiss said, "Yes. I don't think I would have been able to convince her otherwise. Make sure your contact knows how grateful I am."

"I will," Blake said. "He's already busy getting more."

Ruby said, "Looks like we're ready then."

Yang asked, "So do we go to your dad now, or—?"

Yang was cut off by the ringing of Weiss's scroll. Everyone looked at Weiss with trepidation.

Weiss pulled her scroll out of her pocket. She answered it and said, "Hello?"

"Hello again, Ms. Schnee," Ozpin said on the other end of the line.

"Professor Ozpin?" Weiss asked. She hadn't been expecting a call from him.

"Correct as usual," Ozpin said. "I was wondering if you and Ms. Xiao Long would join me in my office. I've become aware of the altercation between her and your father. I think it would be in everyone's best interest to discuss the matter with all parties present."

"Yes of course, Professor," Weiss said.

"Excellent," Ozpin said. "I've already contacted your father. I await your arrival."

"We'll be right there," Weiss said. She hung up her scroll and put it away.

Ruby asked, "What did Ozpin want?"

Weiss said, "He wants to talk to Yang and me about what happened."

Yang said, "Let's go then!"

"Yang," Weiss said. "Father will be there too."

"Oh," Yang said. "It's not a problem. We're ready for him."

"Ready as we'll ever be," Weiss said.

Weiss, Yang, Blake, and Ruby all looked at each other. There was a palpable sense of foreboding in the air.

Blake coughed to get everyone's attention. "Would this be the right moment for a…group hug?" she asked.

Yang smiled. She said, "It's always the right moment for that."

Ruby said, "You heard her. Group hug!"

Team RWBY all came together in a collective embrace. Weiss felt herself tearing up. She'd come to Beacon for many reasons. She'd learned and done and seen so much, just like she'd planned. But what she never could have planned for was the incredible friendships she'd made here. Ruby, Yang, and Blake had all changed her life forever. No matter what was about to happen, she wouldn't take back one thing about her time at Beacon.

Everyone let go of each other. Weiss said, "Thank you all so much. Are you ready, Yang?"

"Ready," Yang said with a confident nod.

"Let's go," Weiss said.

Weiss and Yang started walking toward Beacon's tower.

Blake called out after them, "Remember that we're behind you all the way!"

"Yeah!" Ruby said. "Kick Mr. Schnee's butt! I mean…not literally this time. You know what I mean! Good luuuck!"


The moment Weiss and Yang set foot in Beacon's central tower, they headed straight for the elevator.

Yang asked, "Do you think Whitley told your dad about what I did to him?"

"I doubt it, actually," Weiss said. "He's desperate to prove to Father that he's worthy to be his heir. He wouldn't want to look weak."

"Well I guess that's one less thing to worry about," Yang said.

Weiss and Yang got onto the elevator, and Yang hit the button for the top floor. Weiss pulled out her scroll. There was one last thing she needed to do to prepare for Father. She opened up an application on her scroll and hit a button. Then she slipped her scroll back into her pocket.

The elevator ride seemed to take forever. Weiss's hand found Yang's, and she held on tight. They both looked at each other. Weiss reached up with her free hand and tapped her cheek twice.

Yang smiled. "Me too," she said tenderly.

The elevator doors finally opened, and Weiss and Yang stepped out into Ozpin's office. Ozpin was seated at his desk, and standing before him was Jacques.

"I resent this, Ozpin!" Jacques was saying. "This is none of your concern!"

"To the contrary," Ozpin said. "The matter in question happened at my school, in this very building none the less. That makes it my concern."

Ozpin looked past Jacques at Weiss and Yang, prompting Jacques to turn around. "You!" Jacques said to Yang. "What are you doing here?!"

"I go to this school," Yang said. "What's your excuse?"

Jacques's eyes felt to where Weiss's and Yang's hands were clasped together. "You will let go of my daughter right now," he said to Yang in a dangerous tone.

"Nope," Yang said.

Jacques gritted his teeth, but he didn't say anything more.

"Well look at that," Yang said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's scared of me."

"Ms. Xiao Long, please," Ozpin said. "I was hoping we could discuss what has happened without antagonizing one another further."

"There's nothing to discuss," Jacques said. "I have the matter well in hand."

Weiss asked, "What do you mean by that, Father?"

"I mean that I intend to see your precious Yang thrown in jail to rot," Jacques said. "Attempted murder should do. It comes with a nice, long sentence."

"Attempted murder?!" Weiss exclaimed. "That's ridiculous!"

"My lawyers will disagree," Jacques said. "And if my guards want to file assault and battery charges, I wouldn't be inclined to stop them."

"Be reasonable, Father!" Weiss said.

"I tried being reasonable, and look where that's led us," Jacques said. "But if you're so intent on saving your…friend, you know what you have to do. Come home with me where we can see to your rehabilitation."

"I don't need rehabilitation!" Weiss said. "And you are going to leave Yang alone."

"Oh?" Jacques asked, sounding amused.

Weiss let go of Yang's hand. She walked toward Jacques until she was close enough to stare him down. "I know what happens in the Company's mines, despite your best efforts to hide it," she said. "I know about the beatings and the abuse. I've seen the scars left behind from the whippings. If you do anything to Yang, I'll make sure the whole world knows!"

To Weiss's surprise, Jacques didn't look concerned in the least. "And how do you imagine you'll do that?" he asked.

"I have evidence! And Winter will back me up!" Weiss said.

"What you have is not a scrap of money to your name and none of the resources of the Schnee Dust Company that you're so used to enjoying," Jacques said. "I have the best PR team in the world. They're quite adept at handling this sort of thing. And as for Winter. She still draws quite heavily on the Family's money. She'll be easy to dissuade from doing anything foolish."

Weiss was taken aback. Panic slowly crept up in her. She hadn't thought that she'd actually need to follow through with her threat. And Father had raised some very good points. Even she might not be able to make the world believe her.

"An impressive effort," Jacques said. "But you still have much to learn. Now it's time to face reality, young lady. If you want to save Yang, you'll have to come with me."

Ozpin suddenly said, "That's not necessarily true."

"Excuse me?" Jacques asked.

"A word in the ears of certain people of influence, people I happen to know personally, would go a long way toward bringing any crimes the Schnee Dust Company may have committed to light," Ozpin said.

"Are you threatening me, Ozpin?" Jacques asked.

"No. I am merely stating a fact," Ozpin said.

"You may be the headmaster of Beacon Academy," Jacques said. "But you do not want me as your enemy."

"I've faced, and continue to face, far worse than you," Ozpin said. "Quite frankly, you're not significant enough to be anything more than a nuisance to me."

"How dare you!" Jacques said.

"You would also be advised to consider what the case against Ms. Xiao Long would bring to light," Ozpin said. "I recall there being three bullet holes in the wall opposite the office I provided for you. Ms. Xiao Long, were those your doing?"

"No," Yang said. "I wasn't even wearing my gauntlets."

"My, my," Ozpin said. "Schnee Dust Company personnel firing on an unarmed young woman?"

"A huntress-in-training is no mere 'unarmed young woman'," Jacques said.

"You may argue that if you wish," Ozpin said. "But it still casts the security services of your company in a poor light if they were unable to protect the head of their own company against someone who wasn't even armed. In fact, I see no need to employ your company to upgrade Beacon's security. Consider our prospective business relationship terminated."

"You…!" Jacques said, but then he visibly calmed himself. "Why even involve yourself in this, Ozpin? Surely it's beneath you."

"If what Ms. Schnee says is true about your company's labor practices, it is not something I can condone or overlook," Ozpin said. "More to the immediate point, you're threatening the futures of two of my most promising students. I would be a poor headmaster if I didn't involve myself in that."

Weiss said, "It looks like I have more resources than you thought, Father. Walk away from this. Before things get worse for you."

"Enough!" Jacques bellowed. "You will do as I say, Weiss! Or I'll make sure your precious Yang is buried in a hole so deep, she'll never see the light of day again!"

A deafening silence fell over the room. But then the corners of Weiss's mouth turned up in an evil smile. "Thank you, Father," she said.

Weiss pulled out her scroll. She hit a button, and Jacques's words echoed in the room once more. "Or I'll make sure your precious Yang is buried in a hole so deep, she'll never see the light of day again!"

"Blackmail is a crime, Father," Weiss said.

"Why you little, insolent, traitorous…!" Jacques shouted as he stalked toward Weiss. Without a second thought, he slapped her across the face as hard as he ever had.

The force of the blow made Weiss's head whip to the side, but the smile didn't leave her face.

Yang took a menacing step forward.

Suddenly, Jacques's eyes went wide, and he stepped back.

Yang crossed her arms. "I don't know," she said. "I'm no lawyer, but that looked like assault to me."

"Actually," Weiss said. "It would be battery."

"Looks like somebody's in trouble," Yang said. "I wonder if he'll get jail time. That might get awkward. I don't think there's a prison in the world without a few faunus in it."

"How dare you! All of you!" Jacques shouted.

"You don't scare us, Father," Weiss said. "You know what you need to do to make this go away."

"Fine. Fine! Enjoy your life of sin and destitution!" Jacques said. He thrust a finger at Weiss. "But you are no longer a Schnee! You never will be again! I disown you entirely!"

Jacques marched toward the elevator, and like that, he was gone.

Yang ran over to Weiss. She cupped Weiss's cheek where she'd been slapped. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," Weiss said.

Yang threw her arms around Weiss and hugged her tightly. "Is it really over?" she asked.

"I think it is," Weiss said, not quite daring to believe it herself.

"That was so awesome seeing you stand up to him," Yang said.

"It was rather audacious," Ozpin suddenly said in an amused tone. "Especially since you essentially blackmailed your father not two minutes after accusing him of the same."

Weiss had been so overcome with the rush of relief that she'd almost forgotten Ozpin was in the room. Out of habit, she pulled herself out of Yang's hug. "I guess I'm more like my father than I thought," she said. "Thank you for helping us, Professor. Thank you so much."

"You're quite welcome," Ozpin said. "I'm sorry a way couldn't have been found to reconcile your and your father's differences."

"That was never going to happen," Weiss said sadly.

Yang asked, "Do you think he'll ever get it through his head that us being together is okay?"

"I don't know," Weiss said. "Maybe someday."

Ozpin said, "Ms. Schnee, regarding your allegations about the Schnee Dust Company…."

"They're true," Weiss said.

"This must be investigated," Ozpin said.

"I agree," Weiss said. "But please don't make any of your findings public just yet."

Yang asked, "But…we are going to tell everyone eventually, right?"

"Of course," Weiss said. "But I don't want to inspire revenge against my family. I want to encourage change in a positive way."

"I understand, Ms. Schnee," Ozpin said. "You have my full support."

"Thank you again," Weiss said.

"Now, Ms. Xiao Long," Ozpin said. "I am aware of what led you to attack Mr. Schnee, and while I by no means agree with him over his treatment of his own daughter, your response was an overreaction. We will be having a discussion on the appropriate use of force later. But for now, I suggest you enjoy the rest of your day with Ms. Schnee."

"Sure thing, Ozpin," Yang said.

Weiss elbowed Yang.

"Oh, uh, I mean, Professor Ozpin," Yang said.

Ozpin smiled. "If you two will excuse me," he said. "I have a great deal of work to attend to. The least of which is preempting any fuss Mr. Schnee might choose to raise."

"I apologize if we've caused trouble for you," Weiss said.

"Trouble? With Ms. Xiao Long involved, I would expect nothing less," Ozpin said.

"You know it!" Yang said proudly.

"However," Ozpin continued. "This incident has given me an excuse to not follow through with those security upgrades General Ironwood was so insistent on."

"I'm…glad it all worked out then," Weiss said. "We'll leave you to your work. Come along, Yang."

Weiss and Yang rode the elevator down and left the tower. They started strolling aimlessly around campus. Weiss was surprised. Despite everything that had just happened, she felt light and carefree. Maybe the reality of the situation hadn't hit her yet, but she truly believed that this was a new beginning for her. There were bound to be difficulties ahead, but she was ready to face them. Maybe today was the day her life truly began.

Yang shoved her hands into her pockets. She said, "That was pretty crazy. So, uh, now what do we do, Miss Weiss?"

Weiss laughed.

"Something funny?" Yang asked.

"It's not, really," Weiss said. "But I was just thinking that 'Miss Weiss' might very well be my full name now."

"Are you…okay with that?" Yang asked.

"I am," Weiss said.

Yang smiled. She pulled her hands out of her pockets and put them on Weiss's shoulders. "Thank you for keeping me out of jail. I'm not sure if I can ever pay you back for that."

"I wasn't about to let Father destroy one more life," Weiss said. "Especially not yours."

"Hmm," Yang said. She let go of Weiss's shoulders and looked Weiss over with a smirk on her lips.

"I know that expression," Weiss said. "What are you thinking about?"

"If you're not Miss Weiss Schnee anymore, how does Mrs. Weiss Xiao Long sound?" Yang asked.

Weiss's cheeks flushed. "That…that has a nice ring to it."

"I want to wear the dress at our wedding!" Yang said.

"Couldn't we both wear dresses?" Weiss asked.

"We could," Yang said. "But I'd bet you'd rock a white suit. And it'd match the flowers in my hair. They'd be daisies of course. We could split the bride's maids. Ruby, Blake, Pyrrha, Nora, I can think of a few more too. Maybe Jaune and Ren could be bride's men? Is that a thing?"

"You've really thought about this," Weiss said.

"Well yeah," Yang said. "What kind of little girl doesn't dream about her wedding day."

"I'm sure there are plenty who don't," Weiss said. She smiled and added, "I want to plan the reception."

"Duh," Yang said. "I couldn't stop you if I tried."

"I suppose we'll have to start saving money for this grand event now," Weiss said. "Somehow."

"No need," Yang said. "The bride's family is supposed to pay for the wedding."

"But which one of us is—?" Weiss asked.

"Me! I'm wearing the dress, remember?" Yang said. "Actually, we'd both be brides I guess, but still."

"So you're going to hoist the bill onto your father?" Weiss asked.

"Are you kidding?" Yang asked. "He's been squirreling away money he thinks I don't know about for my and Ruby's weddings for years. He's going to be more excited about it than I am!"

"Before we talk about weddings, I should meet your father at least once," Weiss said.

"Oh yeah," Yang said. "That'll be fun. He's going to love you. You want to come home with me at the end of the semester?"

"I would love to," Weiss said.

"And then we'll get married?" Yang asked.

Weiss chuckled. "That might be a bit premature," she said.

"How about the week after then?" Yang asked.

"I'll tell you what," Weiss said. "As soon as we've both graduated, I'll propose to you. That should encourage you to keep your grades up."

"What if I propose to you first?" Yang asked.

"I'm going to be wearing the suit, remember?" Weiss asked.

"You got me there," Yang said. "Alright, Weissy. It's a deal."

"Agreed," Weiss said.

Weiss and Yang looked at each other for a minute or two. Then Yang asked, "Did we just sort of pre-propose to each other?"

"I suppose we did," Weiss said.

"Alright. Great," Yang said. "I guess that leaves the rest of the day free."

Weiss smiled. "And I know exactly what I want to do with it. I want to hold your hand in public."

"Really?" Yang asked.

"Absolutely," Weiss said. "There's no need for secrecy anymore. I want the whole world to know that Yang Xiao Long is my girlfriend."

Yang grinned big. She planted a kiss on Weiss's lips. Then just as quickly, she grabbed Weiss's hand. Weiss followed along as Yang took her to the statue in the center of Beacon, which just so happened to be one of the most heavily trafficked parts of campus. Today was no exception. Hundreds of students were there, on their way to a dozen different destinations.

Yang jumped up onto the dais that the statue sat on and pulled Weiss up with her. "Hey everybody, listen up!" Yang shouted. "I've got something important to say!"


Edit: This story now has one more chapter! Be sure to check it out!

Author's Note: Remember kids, assault and battery are not the same thing! Although now, I'm wondering how a thing like aura would factor into the laws of the RWBY-verse. Especially if not every human (and faunus) has an active one. Would a person with an aura attacking one without count as assault with a deadly weapon? Never mind. I think I'm going off on a tangent.

This was a great project to work on, but also an exhausting one. I'm definitely going to have to take a break so I can come back fresh for the next story. Thank you everyone for your comments and reviews and such. Some days I still can't believe that anyone reads my stories, much less enjoys them. I'll see you all next time!

As always, I welcome constructive criticism. Please feel free to leave a review. And if you like what you've read, taking the time to favorite and/or follow really helps me out. You can also find me on tumblr (electronicyarn) if you want to send me a message or be notified of updates.