Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cold Compassion. Enjoy the 2000-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.
(Atlas, Mantle Cemetery.)
The city was silent. Atlesian soldiers stood respectfully at every corner. They were watched by AK-200s and AP-290s.
"People of Atlas. The past few days… They haven't been easy for anyone within our fair kingdom. Within our 80 years since the great war that would since create our planet? I am well aware of the destruction, the carnage, the bloodshed the past few days have wrought." Sleet started.
Within the walls of Atlas Academy. Slater had been helping Winter prepare. Robyn, the Ace-Ops, Happy Huntresses and General Ironwood had taken an Atlas Dropship to the funeral. Ironwood had assigned the military to guard the streets and escort the procession of fallen soldiers and civilians.
"Ow…. Ow!" Winter hissed. She struggled to put on her undershirt on. She still had a pack of Ice Dust patch directly on her arm. It continued to sooth her wounds.
"You… Need help?" Slater asked, Winter turned to see Slater. She had been so nervous she had forgotten Slater was coming to get her for the funeral.
She could see Slater respectfully but awkwardly avoiding looking at her. Winter could also see the flush of crimson on her cheeks.
"I could get Penny or Weiss?" Slater said, Winter did have a light blue bra on. Slater looked ready to leave.
Winter went to get the shirt on again and felt the burns cause her to hiss again. Slater frowned, but made no effort to disturb her.
"You may assist me… Please." Winter looked away while Slater nodded and walked over.
He slowly started to work her arm through the sleeve gingerly, she grunted again. Slater grabbed her fingers.
"Squeeze my hand, this is going to hurt." Slater said, Winter nodded. He slowly pulled the garment over her skin and she squeezed his hand tight while gritting her teeth.
Slater stopped when it was fully in place while Winter fixed her hair tie. She had decided to try wearing it down, but not on today.
Slater helped fix her necktie and looked at her frowning. He hummed and finished his task.
"Nervous?" Slater knew it was more statement then question. Today was not an easy day for anyone. Slater and Winter had seen the cars in the street, the rows of soldiers. Nobody won today.
War always claimed lives. Slater sighed.
"Yes, thank you." Winter stated, Slater blinked.
"For the help?" Winter shook her head. Slater straightened up and shook his head.
"Your welcome, for both issues. I already know it's not going to be easy to go up in front of all those people, talk about her. I'm going to be right there, Weiss and your mom as well. You won't be alone up there." Slater said before his earpiece buzzed.
"General Ironwood is asking if your arriving soon. He and Ms. Hill are giving their speech," Penny reported. Slater put his fingers on his earpiece.
"We're coming right now. Winter's arm was just hurting. Your attending, right? I get if your still sad about the attack or..." Slater turned to Winter and crossed his arms.
"I want to point out that our ship is waiting." Slater and Winter walked out of the room. They walked to the hanger and then walked towards Winter's airship.
"Tomorrow is deployment to Vacuo, right?" Winter asked. Slater looked out the window.
"Yes. We have Vacuo soldiers to assist. I heard there was a prison riot there. I believe we have to deal with Grimm, White Fang…" Their airship circled around before landing in the middle of Mantas, Bullheads and dropships.
The duo walked through the cold snowy tundra while Winter held her wounded arm.
"I am well aware many of you are aware of mine and Ms. Hill's arguments. We have squabbled, we have warred. Our conflict has only allowed Salem to borrow into Atlas. I have stepped down from my decision to occupy 3 seats so Ms. Hill could take the seat. We have agreed to fight side by side against this monster. We cannot, though, offer endless protection. I wish to heal Mantle and I have stopped the Embargo to stockpile resources. I must still announce our military must take the fight to Salem alongside every willing combatant. Mantle's safety is dependent on the people and our bond." Ironwood stated before Robyn's voice was heard.
"I wish to speak for the family of Fria Hausmeister. We extend our sympathies for her death. I and the rest of the council do not mean to subtract from the loss of life shed during the attacks. Brigadier General Winter Schnee, the second in command of the Atlesian Military… Along with the wielder of the Winter Maiden powers, would like to speak." Winter walked up the stairs. Slater helped her.
Winter stood in front of rows of civilians, her family in the first row, Penny smiled nervously. Her father had been informed by her of what happened. She could see the rest of team RWBY, JNR, Pietro, Maria. The Ace Ops and Happy Huntresses stood on stage along with a group of Atlas soldiers, Oscar, Robyn, Sleet, Camilla and Ironwood.
"I…" Winter cleared her throat and looked at Slater who smiled reassuringly. Winter looked at her sister and the others who looked at her as well.
"I would like to first apologize for today. I am well aware there are still civilians who blame the Atlesian military and government for the battles. I cannot change those feelings alone. I would also like to thank you for your respectful silence, I do not use the Schnee name to stand over others less fortunate." Winter said. She was greeted by murmurs, some good, some bad. She sighed and then continued.
"Fria didn't start out what I would call a friend. I had been serving within the army to stop these issues for so long I barely have many friends… Nevertheless, Fria had compassion, very clear care for anyone. She continued to speak of her family even in the days leading up to her death. She would always speak to me as a person, not as a greedy power seeker. It makes me guilty to be given the duty of gaining her power to help defeat Salem… If any of you accuse me if using Fria, for finding her to be nothing more than an objective? I will not blame you, but I wish to state the more time I spent around her, the more I considered her a comrade." She stated. Winter flicked a few tears forming in her eyes, it didn't help that her hands trembled on the podium before she composed herself.
Slater was right, she was ok to feel normal and stressed. She took another breath.
"When Cinder attacked the M3 Atlas Memorial Hospital? Our first concern was the safety of all patients and staff. Cinder wanted her power… Not to help people, not to better the world. Cinder wanted the power of the Winter Maiden to enhance her own Maiden abilities, without a single concern for Fria as a sentient creature. Me, Specialist Penny Polendina and my attaché…" Winter looked at Slater who said nothing.
It seemed it would be breaking one of their relationship rules… Screw it, she was going to break a rule or regulation sooner or later. Slater smiled at her reassuringly.
"And my boyfriend of a few days who has been helping me recover… Fria wasn't forced, tricked or cajoled into relinquishing powers. she willingly gave them to me and if it pleases Fria's family? We have video evidence of her last moments… Fria didn't deserve to die; she didn't deserve to be a pawn in this war. General Ironwood and I believed if Fria gave her powers to me, Remnant would be secure. We have both have since come to regret that action… Fria isn't the only being we will be burying today because of Salem. Hopefully it will be the last." Winter stated. She smiled at her sister and mother. Both looked shocked and Whitney still looked forlorn.
"I would like to thank the support of my family, General Ironwood. Slater, Penny and my peers and Fria's family. I will end this by thanking everyone for their attendance. Even if you dislike the state of Mantle, our military or government? I am glad we can agree the dead should be buried peacefully. I return the stage to the council. Thank you." Winter said before walking to Slater.
"Thank you, Ms. Schnee. At General Ironwood's request, we will have a formal military salute for the death of all civilians, military personal and Fria." Camilla turned to Clover.
He motioned for the soldiers to ready their rifles. Slater gently gripped her right hand. Winter looked at him.
Weiss watched her sister knot her fingers with Slater as the soldiers fired. The volley of 21 shots echoed through the city.
(10:00PM SDC Mine #2)
General Ironwood stood with a Platoon of AK-200, the Ace Ops, AP-290s and Atlas soldiers.
A truck pulled up and the Happy Huntresses climbed out. Winter's airship flew with an escort of 2 Mantas before they landed.
Slater, Winter, RWBY and JNR along with Oscar emerged from the ships. They walked over to with the General while he looked at Remnant's shattered moon.
"I think it's time for the launching of Amity Tower. We need to deal with Salem." Ironwood stated, there was silence before there was a low whirling sound. It slowly grew in tempo till it drowned out the wind.
"Sir." Clover stated. They looked up to see a convoy of White Fang trucks with a wave of Vale Bullheads above them. they were led by a group of AP-290 prototypes.
"Oh, you have to be kidding me…" Slater reached for Umbra and drew it.
"Robyn, get inside, there's still some Grimm inside…" Ironwood started to say before war howls could be heard.
"Grimm AND White Fang? I thought Salem left Atlas alone!" Yang stated. Ironwood turned to her.
"This isn't Salem, it's someone else. Everyone spread out! Nothing gets to Amity Tower." He drew Due Process while everyone drew their weapons.
"Set up a perimeter!" Slater flicked his weapon to its sniper form. The Atlas ships flew into the air. Winter's returning to the academy and the Mantas to provide air support. The trucks also revved up and pulled out.
"Whoever is attacking today has some nerve…" Slater muttered before the Atlas military set up behind the shipping crates.
The Ace-Ops, RWBY, and JNR all rushed forward. Winter clutched at her arm and drew her sword.
"Win…" Slater said. Winter looked at him while Oscar drew The Long Memory from his belt.
"I'm fine… Cover me." Winter knew she'd need physical therapy. This served as it.
"If you get hurt, I'm calling you on that." Slater muttered. There was a pair of Airships emerging from the clouds.
AK-130s dropped to the snow as White Fang soldiers and thugs emerged from the trucks and Bullheads.
One such Bullhead angled for them. Its autocannons strafed them before flying overhead.
"Damn it!" Slater rushed for cover while the first AK-130s opened fire. They were joined by White Fang soldiers who opened fire while the Thugs and several other soldiers rushed them.
That was before groups of Grimm. Beowolves, Ursa, screeched. Centinels erupted behind them and screeched. Megoliath, Sabyrs howled and charged. And finally, a quartet of Nevermores swooped down, a group of Manticore, Sphinx and Teryx behind them.
And a massive Geist led them as war erupted on the tundra.
Author Notes
Phew, another chapter done! I want to apologize if the funeral wasn't the best, I wanted to show more character development for Winter and her relationship with Slater. I apologize if the scene came off as risqué. Next chapter is on Saturday and will show the battle of the mines and Winter and Slater fighting one of Neo's minions. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!