A Grimm Huntsman
Chapter 28
-Winter-
Frowning, Winter marched alongside her sister towards General Ironwood's office in the flagship, the man having requested the two of them come to see him immediately. Winter was more than used to the patrolling Atlesian Knights and the mask covered Atlesian soldiers, but Weiss seemed to be uneasy around them. "Sir, you called for us?" Winter stepped into the office, snapping to attention as she saluted her commanding officer, the man standing by and staring out of his window.
"Yes, I'm afraid I have some bad news for the both of you." The general turned, gesturing for them to take a seat, the man steepling his fingers as he settled into his own chair "I just got word of this myself, but it would seem your father was recently killed." As much as she hated Jacques Schnee, it was still staggering to hear.
"What? Killed, by whom?" Winter gripped the hilt of her saber for support.
"Reportedly by a White Fang cell, although it's still under investigation." Ironwood shook his head, "The Fang hasn't officially claimed responsibility yet though."
"Then…then I am the new head of the SDC?" Weiss' voice was soft as she worked to process this, her little sister likely concerned about having to give up her dream of being a huntress if she had to go ahead and take over the company.
"Actually, you aren't." Ironwood's fingers tightened around each other, his eyebrows knit "It would seem a few days before his abduction and murder, your father replaced you with Whitley Schnee as the new heir for the company. He's already started taking over the duties of running it with the aide of his new 'guardian'."
"New guardian?" Winter frowned, "What of mother?"
"She is still residing at the manor but thanks to evidence submitted about her alcoholism caused by the stresses of married to Jacques as well as his own abusive behaviors around home, she lost complete custody. It would seem Whitley is forcing her to undergo rehabilitation at the manor while his new guardian keeps an eye on him and aides in running the company. This guardian is a former scientist from my employ I thought long dead, one Arthur Watts."
"B-but I was the heiress." Weiss seemed to be in the most denial about losing her status.
"And as Jacques Schnee had full control over the company, he was able to change that without informing you under Atlas law. Now, I was also tasked to inform you that you've both been cut off from the Schnee accounts. Whitley left you both a smaller account each to use as you will but your old use of the Schnee fortunes. Winter, since you already have your own home this won't affect you as much but Weiss, as an of age adult he made it clear that the manor isn't your home anymore, so you'll need to find your own. Headmaster Ozpin has agreed to let you spend your summer breaks at Beacon, so you have time to find your own feet as it were." The fact that this offer would be rescinded should Weiss earn expulsion went unsaid.
Silently accepting the file from the General with information on the new accounts, as well as whatever their father would have left them in his will, Winter led a stunned and silent Weiss back to Beacon. The two needed to be alone to go over all this and talk.
-Harry-
Gritting his teeth, Harry filled the statis pod with more of his silver flames, their glow lighting up the vault as Ozpin and Glynda watched. Inside the pod the woman, Amber, remained unmoving. He could see the scars on her face having faded over the course of his treatment and any atrophy was also fixed and kept from reappearing. "How are her vitals?" he heard Goodwitch asking Ozpin, "Any signs of-" whatever the woman was going to ask was cut off as Amber lurched in the pod, eyes snapping open with a gasp. Amidst the silvery flames was a golden glow, crimson flames pouring from her eyes. Trusting his gut and leaping back, Harry was just able to avoid the lid to the pod striking him as it came flying away, the Maiden inside panting as she looked around, eyes wide and frightened.
"Amber!" Ozpin shouted, pushing forward through the winds the woman was producing "Amber, calm down! It's me!"
"O…Ozpin?" Amber blinked as she looked towards the sound of the Headmaster, the winds sputtering out with her confusion.
"Yes Amber, it's me. You're beneath Beacon right now." Ozpin approached slowly, hands out placatingly, "Qrow was able to drive off your attackers."
"And this young man here was able to heal you." Glynda approached, helping Amber out of the pod, the woman's legs still shaky "What was the last thing you remember?"
"I…I remember pain." Amber shuddered as Ozpin gave her his coat, the Fall Maiden huddling into it as she stared off wide eyed at nothing, "My attacker…this weird bug Grimm came out of her glove and it screamed at me. It shot something at my face. It…my soul felt like it was on fire."
"And the Maiden's powers?" Ozpin frowned, "They're still with me. I…I'm not sure how though, I felt whatever was attacking me pulling them away."
"I have a theory." Professor Goodwitch's eyes gleamed, sharply "You said that your attacked used some sort of Grimm in their attempt to steal the powers yes? Then it is likely only through that Grimm that they could use them. With half the power in them and half in you, there would have been some sort of connection. One that young Harry's semblance could take advantage of."
"Meaning while it was healing her, the Grimm and whoever attacked her felt extreme pain." Harry finished, giving a vicious grin at the discovery of unintended Karma.
"For now, I'd suggest you spend time at Beacon as you recover and regain your strength." Ozpin smiled at Amber sadly, the man probably thinking of everything he could have done different to have kept her from being attacked in the first place, "Perhaps working in the medical wing, or assisting myself or Glynda."
"If you assist Ozpin, he'll likely end up pushing all his paperwork on you." Glynda didn't miss a moment to throw Ozpin under the bus as the ancient wizard sulked petulantly.
-Salem-
"Hazel, did the extraction process go smoothly?" Salem demanded of the juggernaut as she reclined in her throne, her recent experiment, the Hound, standing loyally at her side.
"Surprisingly." Hazel grunted, "She fought back the entire time at the notion and had to be rendered unconscious so we could remove the Grimm from her. Once it died, the powers shot off towards Beacon. I had Neo knock out that Emerald girl that follows Cinder with a devotion reminiscent of Tyrian's towards yourself. The boy, Mercury, did not try to stop the procedure and their other minion, an expelled Huntsmen student named Cardin Winchester, wasn't in the area as he knows next to nothing about any part of the plans."
"Very good. I'm growing increasingly displeased with Cinder's constant string of failures, and her refusal to listen when she is commanded. One of those girls you've brought to the fold may yet serve as a more suitable vessel for the powers of a Maiden."
"Deery, while loyal and a trusted ally, I don't think has the mettle to be able to be the Maiden." Hazel shook his head, "But Neo, she not only has the ruthlessness necessary, but she shows cleverness and cunning. She would be the dagger where Cinder was a blunt hammer. If any were to inherit the power my sister was killed for, I would prefer it be her."
"Not to mention Watts will be pleased having a less talkative Maiden." Salem snorted in cold amusement.
"Ma'am, Neo has given better cutting remarks with a look than Watts can verbalize with a week of preparation." Hazel shook his head, defending the potential new maiden instantly.
"Why my dear Hazel, it would seem you're quite fond of this new Maiden of ours." Salem smirked. Seeing Hazel grow flustered was something she had to admit was quite adorable.
AN: Hey everybody, thanks for reading the latest chapter. I'm trying to decide how Weiss will respond to this as it's a make or break moment. This will either be the kick in the ass she needs, or it will make her worse. Let's find out, shall we!