RWBY: Shadow Company
Chapter 14
It was a lovely day in Mistral.
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the smell of blood and smoke is in the air.
And Weiss was slowly dying from blood loss.
But can she hear the birds chirping, though? I mean, her ears are still ringing after she pulled Myrtenaster's trigger. And there was a big explosion that happened right next to her not too long ago.
She could still feel the fear that she sensed when she tried to defend herself.
The smell of burning smoke fades from her nose as the fresh air from the forest comes in. The sound of rustling leaves and the snapping of twigs were loud.
She felt her body jumping up and down as her head looked up towards the skies.
She could see the clouds and the tall trees looming over her as she felt the wind blowing on her skin.
She could hear the whistles all around her like a choir in a church. It was faint, but it almost sounded like it. That is if you count the bullets flying around her as singing.
Weiss felt sick, but why was she sick? Her aura should have healed her.
But now that she thought about it, her back felt very sore. Like something had plunged its teeth into her skin. It felt cold like metal, but she couldn't see it.
She lifts her head and looks at her body to find a small piece of metal that had punctured her right thigh. And a scorched mark on her abdomen.
And yes, she was bleeding from both of them.
Shocking.
Weiss would panic upon seeing it. But without her aura healing her as it should. Her body was weak, and she felt too tired to respond.
She did feel a bit sleepy right now. But even the thought of closing her eyes scares her.
All she could do was look.
She could see the person carrying her. But he was wearing his helmet. So she couldn't see his face. He was wearing a dirty white hooded cloak.
But his black armor made Weiss realize.
He is a shadow.
There were two shadows, but the other one was wearing a black and red variant. And two red horns adorned on top of the helmet.
Just who are they?
They were running through the forest as fast as they could, dodging the trees and bullets as they passed through.
Weiss heard screams coming from behind them. And the shadows heard it as well. They knew that stopping now was no longer an option for them.
"Stop them! They're getting away with the prisoner!" One of the pursuers shouted. The rest tried to gun them down but to no avail.
"Don't let them escape! Call the commander!"
They sounded angry, Weiss thought slowly. In this state she's in, it would make sense. They beat her and assaulted her. It was clear that these people wanted her dead at some point.
Besides, she already killed one of them in defense.
Her first non-Grimm kill.
She trembles from the thought of it.
"They're still chasing us!" The red shadow shouted.
"Are those charges still ready?" The hooded one holding Weiss said.
The other pulled out the detonator in his hand. "As ready as they'll ever be!" He shouted.
They stopped as they approached a cliff.
They've made it past the point of no return. Or, in this case, the blast zone.
"Now?" He asked.
"Over there! They're right there!"
"No time like the present, do it now!" Shouted the hooded shadow.
His partner wasted no time and pressed it.
"Stop!" The commander said as he pointed his rifle at them.
/-/
Weiss sighs as she watches herself in the mirror in her room. The gown she was wearing tonight was white, with hints of blue fading from the bottom. But it felt tight around her body.
She would prefer something less constricting.
But it was only for tonight.
She braided her hair just for the occasion. With the help of Klein, of course. But she chose not to wear much jewelry. The locket necklace she wore was good enough for her. She reached for it and caressed it.
She lets go of it and takes a look at the mirror one last time. Her scar is still visible. But she couldn't care much about that right now.
Feeling satisfied, she turned around, "How do I look, Klein?" She asked.
Klein watched her from the side, "I think you look stunning, Miss Schnee." He smiles.
Weiss sighed, "I'm sorry to call you up so suddenly, Klein. It's been a rough week after Jaune has left for his studies. I didn't think I would feel this empty without my friend." Weiss was gloomy at the thought.
Jaune said he would be back during his break, but he didn't say when would be his break. At least they would have regular night calls. It was the only way to rant about her frustrations. Jaune looked happy to chat, at least. He didn't seem bothered by it.
He did have a roommate with him. But he preferred not to show himself for the sake of privacy.
She asked about his studies and how he's doing at Vale. He looked pleased. At least he was enjoying his time.
While he's out there doing whatever he wants, she's still stuck here in Atlas all by herself.
Klein walks up to her and holds her hands, "I'm sure whatever he's doing right now is fine. You said yourself that he will be back when he has his break, so don't worry too much, my little snowflake."
"Thanks, Klein."
That was what she needed to hear. She wanted to look her best for Winter's long-awaited return. It's been a while since she's last seen her sister in person.
A knock came from the door, "Dear sister, are you done yet? Father and the guests are waiting for you in the ballroom."
"Yes, Whitely. I'll be out soon." Weiss said. She watched Whitely's shadow leaving the door, "I guess it's time to face the crowd again."
"Breathe and compose yourself, Miss Schnee. There's no reason to be nervous. If anything, they should be anxious when they see you." Klein jokes.
Weiss laughs a little at the joke.
"Yes, Klein. Let's not keep everyone waiting then." She said.
They both walked to the door, with Klein opening to let Weiss out first. Outside her room were two shadows that guarded her room. They were waiting to escort her to the ballroom.
"Good evening, Mistress Schnee." They said in unison.
"Good evening," Weiss said.
"Well, I'll have to leave you on your own then. I'm needed urgently in the kitchen." Klein said.
Weiss nods at him. "You are excused, Klein. Thank you for answering my call." Klein smiles and bows before leaving her be.
The two shadows moved away from her door and took position on her sides, "Please follow us, Mistress Schnee." Said the shadow.
Weiss was walking in front as the two shadows stayed behind her. The walk to the ballroom would only take a while. It was quiet, but the sounds of footsteps echoed in the hallway as they walked further.
Winter must be feeling just the same as her right now.
/-/
Why am I doing here? Winter thought to herself as she held a glass of alcohol. She could have been doing other things by now.
She takes a small sip from her glass. She traces the rim of her drink as she waits for the airship to land. She couldn't wait to get this thing over with and go back to base.
But Ironwood suggested that she attends. He said it would be a great way to show the Sentinels.
They are a new chapter, after all. And Winter is in charge of them.
She had trained them and handpicked them. And even if they are less than two hundred of them and even less than Branwen's Black Ravens.
The White Sentinels will prove them wrong.
It was an honor to be in charge of a chapter. Not a lot of people can have that in their careers.
But she did because she proved herself.
Feeling the airship touching the ground, she placed the glass and stood up from her seat. She descended from the ship.
Two Sentinels saluted her, "Sentinels, with me. Let's get this party started."
"Yes, ma'am." They responded and followed her inside.
/-/
"Is everybody ready?" The commander asked through the radio.
"Yes, sir. All teams have made it inside."
"Good. Get everyone changed and move out. The target is moving to the ballroom. Once everyone is there, that's when we'll strike."
"Roger, moving out."
A man in a white suit lit his cigar and took a puff, "Well, this has been quite interesting. You guys are going all out for her? I mean, there isn't any real compensation for you guys."
The commander turns around and points his sword at him, "You watch your tongue, Torchwick. We want no reward but to serve her."
Roman smirks as he pushes away the sword with his hand and walks away from him, "Right. It's funny. It's like you fellas are brainwashed or something."
"But, whether you are devoted or not. You're not going to get anywhere once you make your move." He said.
"What are you implying?" Asked the commander as he approached Roman, but Neo stopped him.
Her blade pressed on his neck, "Do you have something to lose, commander?" Roman calmly asked him.
"No, and like my comrades, we have nothing to lose, unlike you. You're too afraid to take risks. You're a coward." The commander responds.
Roman sighed as he walked back to him, "You don't get it, do you? You people are the reason we can never see a common ground. I don't know your true motives for doing this but let me remind you."
Roman removed his cigar and blew smoke into his face, "These white shadows here are a joke, and you can do whatever you want with them and more. But once you and your boys step out of here, then the boys in black will come after you."
"Who?" Neo released him and stood beside Roman.
"Just a heads up. These guys do not play around. I have met them before, and trust me. Even I would think not twice but tenth before I think about fighting them."
Neo shook her head and drew a line across her neck. She smiled as she watched his reaction.
"Normally, I'm not supposed to break your focus when you go in there but, it looks like it was a slip of the tongue. Devotion and determination are not the same."
"I get your point, Torchwick. But why would you rather stay away than confront it?"
"Like I always say, it doesn't matter about what I've gained. Is that I can't afford to lose it." Roman hooks his cane on his neck, "You and I are not the same. And don't ever threaten me again. Because you don't scare me."
This time, the commander did nothing.
"I'm here to assist you and not to make friends with you. So keep your beliefs to yourself, okay?"
He nodded.
"Excellent, well hurry up then. We got a show to do. The boys are waiting on you." Roman returned to his usual manner.
/-/
"And then I said, pay taxes? What am I, poor?" Jacques jokes and laughs with his guests. Weiss tried her best not to cringe at the joke.
That joke was poor.
She would rather get strangled than listen to this.
Her mother was here, surprisingly. Usually, she stayed away from parties as much as she could, but now she's here.
And with a glass of wine in her hand.
Whitely was on the other side of the large room, talking to the other guest. She noticed that there were more younger guests than the older ones.
She caught a few guys checking on her. And some had tried to flirt with her earlier. Luckily, the guards were there to stop them before they could do anything else.
All this waiting was making her anxious. She hoped that Winter would get here soon and fast.
And soon, the whole room began clapping as Winter entered the room with her shadows. Winter felt a sense of pride when she entered the room.
"Ah, there she is," Jacques said. "Come, my daughter," He commands Weiss. Whitely was walking over as soon as he heard the clapping.
Winter tried not to scowl when she saw her father approaching.
"Welcome back, Winter. It's so good to see you again." Jacques said.
"Yes, father. It is good to be back." She lied.
"Welcome home, Winter. I hope the military is treating you well." Whitely smiled.
"Of course, dear brother. I had a wonderful time." She takes a look around, "I presume that mother is busy at the moment. I do not see her."
"Yes, your mother is in our room. She's putting the finishing touches on her makeup. You know how she is."
"I see," Winter said.
The rest of the conversation was bland. These words of care and concern felt empty. Not that Winter even cared in the first place. It took a while, but Winter was finally alone with Weiss to chat.
But Weiss settled for a simple hug instead. Winter laughs and returns the hug. "But it is good to see you again. I'm sorry that I couldn't talk to you earlier. Father would never shut up, and he loves to open his mouth."
"I missed you, Winter. It's been so long." Weiss said as she lets go.
"And I too you."
"But I hope the party is going well so far."
Winter looks around again before speaking, "Yes, home. That is if I could even call it that again." Weiss felt a little offended at her remark but kept her look unchanged. She tried to talk about something else.
"Uh, I've heard that mother would show herself at the party. But I'm not sure if she would."
Winter smirks, "She won't. She's drunk and pathetic. Mother wouldn't give us the time to see either of us. She'd rather drink instead, Weiss. When's the last time you've seen her?"
"Not in a while." She said.
Their conversation was short as Jacques spoke through a mic, "Attention everyone, I would like to share a few words before we begin the feast. Winter, would you care to join me up on stage?"
The waiters began to enter the room with dinner carts.
Winter sighed, "Guess I'm needed. That'll be fun."
Winter walks up the stage and stands beside Jacques, "My daughter, Winter, has come a long way. Through blood and sweat, she worked her way to the top, as a Schnee should. Winter has proved to lead. And she has proven that she is strong. And now, she holds the privilege and prestige as Ironwood's specialist."
Everyone clapped.
"But enough from me, I think you all would like to hear the rest of it from her." Jacques presented her with the mic.
Winter took the mic from him, "Thank you, father. But I didn't do it alone. If it weren't for the men and women of Atlas, then I wouldn't be here today. And the Sentinels will do their best to protect Atlas from her enemies. The people of Atlas matter. You all are what it mattered."
Weiss shakes her head.
"For Atlas," Winter said as she raised her glass.
"For Atlas!" Everyone said, doing the same with theirs.
"For Mantle." A waiter raised his pistol and shot a shadow.
The music stopped.
"Don't move! Stay down!" The waiters shouted as they aimed their guns down at the unarmed guests. Another had knocked over a table as she forced the other guests to get on the floor.
"What the-"
Weiss suddenly felt a hand grab her shoulders and push her onto the floor. "What are you-" She tried to speak but was met with a rifle bash to the face.
"Shut up!"
Weiss then felt a metal object strapped to her back. Four metal rods plunge deep into her skin and clasp onto her, making her scream in pain.
They continue to push her down to prevent her from escaping.
Weiss tried to use her semblance. But she couldn't.
More 'waiters' began to grab their guns from the dinner carts. And some in ice buckets.
They've either killed or captured the rest of the shadows in the room. The rest were hostages.
The others panicked and ran straight got the main doors to escape. But they were stopped. A waitress aimed her gun at them.
"Don't you fucking move, or I'll shoot you down!"
They immediately back away from the door.
"Get on the floor and shut up!" She instructed.
But one of them decided to speak out, " What is the meaning of this? Do you know who I am? I am-"
"Shut it!" Another waiter hits her in the face with his rifle.
"You dare- argh!" She tried to speak again. But this time, the lady got shot in the leg.
"I said, shut it. Sit there, and let it bleed," The waiter said before returning to the rest.
Winter struggles as the binds on her hands and legs restrain her. They placed the metal device on her back, stopping her from using her glyphs. They took away her sword and scroll. And any form of communication that they had.
"Make way for the captain!"
Weiss managed to turn her head slightly. A dead sentinel lay dead beside her. The captain passes Weiss and stops at the center of the room.
"That's quite an entrance," Roman said as he walked in. He lights up a new cigar as he glances at the dead shadows around him.
He puffs and smirks, "Huh, is this the best that Atlas can offer? For the people, was it?" He kicks one of the bodies over to check that it's dead.
"Well, I'm kinda disappointed. I expected a lot more from them."
"They were caught by surprise. You didn't give a chance!" Winter shouted. But the others quickly gagged her mouth with a cloth.
"That's enough out of you, Schnee!"
Roman quickly puts away his scroll and clears his throat, "Right, I guess it's time to introduce them. Everyone, meet the Golden Company. These guys are the low man, the little man," He turns to one of the guests and grabs his neck, "The poor man."
He lets go walks over to the food table, grabbing a glass of champagne.
"Thanks for the catering service."
The captain steps forward, "We have been stepped on, spit on and shit on by the upper class in Atlas. All of that ends now."
The captain walks over to Jacques and points his gun to the back of his head. "Stating with you."
"But wait, surely we can sort something out!?"
"Sorry, it's nothing personal. It's just business." Roman smiled.
The captain shoots Jacques in the head, killing him instantly. His body falls off the stage and slams onto the ground.
"Down with Atlas!" The golden soldiers cheered.
The rest looked in horror and screamed with fear.
"Someone shut them up, please," Roman asked.
Some of them knocked their faces with their rifles. One had threatened to cut their throat with a knife pressed against their necks.
It took a while to get everyone to be quiet again.
Weiss had a difficult time trying to get a hold of herself.
"Eyes down, Schnee!" The soldier threatened her, pressing the end of the barrel against the back of her skull.
"Don't you dare touch her!" Winter shouted as she struggled to break free from her binds. She tried to use her glyphs, but the device strapped to her back prevented her from doing so.
The man in white sighed and kneeled in front of her. "Oh, will you put a sock in it, please? Just be thankful you're not dead yet. You're more useful alive, just letting you know." He laughed as he stood back up and puffed his cigar. He took a whiff and spoke to their captain, "Tell your commander that we got the package secured."
The captain nodded.
"I said eyes down, Schnee!" Weiss felt a hand forcing her head down.
Just a few hours ago, everything was going well.
"Alright, Golden Company. Time to wrap things up now. Take the rest of the family and get out before someone finds out about this." Roman said.
They brought Weiss up to her feet.
"What are you-" She said before a piece of cloth was pressed against her face. The smell of chloroform brought her mind into a calm state, knocking her out of consciousness.
/-/
He watches the scene unfold through his scroll, his blood boiled with rage.
"They're moving her. You should do something right about now." A text came.
He puts away his scroll and puts on his helmet.
He walks towards the door and exits the darkroom he was hiding in. The manor is crawling with them. And there's too many for him to handle. But no one else is coming soon, so he will have to do it for now.
"I suggest you free the guards first if you want to save the hostages." Another text message came up on his HUD.
He took out his revolver and headed down the stairs to the main hall while it was still empty.
"You're not going to do that, are you?"
Nope.
"But you can't shoot them all by yourself."
Yes, I can. The shadow dual-wields a second revolver and walks a little faster down the hallway.
"You just going to rush in there like that? Are you crazy!?"
Maybe, just a little bit.
"Hey, are you even listening to me!? Stop!"
The shadow reaches the double doors and kicks them hard.
The sudden burst from the door caused every gun in the room to point at the lone shadow in a white cloak.
Roman looks at him while looking at his scroll, "Oh."
"No funny moves, shadow! Put your weapons down, and we might let you live!" The captain shouted.
The shadow said nothing and immediately fired at the captain first, shooting right in the head.
"Fuck, the captain's down. Shoot him!"
The shadow dives away from the storm of bullets and takes cover from behind a pillar.
"Time to go." Whispered Roman as he left the room.
The shadow didn't flinch as time slowed down when he moved from pillar to pillar, firing back at them.
"Argh!" Almost a dozen soldiers fell to the ground with a bullet in each head.
"Take cover, don't stand in the open! Just who is this guy?"
"We got a gunslinger on us!"
"Alright then, take this!" One of them ran at him, trying to flank him from the side. He approaches the shadow and goes in for a stabbing motion.
But the hooded figure was quicker. The shadow dodged the attack and grabbed the arm holding the blade.
He returns the gesture and stabs the attacker with his blade.
"Argh!"
"Shit, he's fast."
The shadow then used the attacker's body as a shield.
"Quick, you guys escort the unconscious Schnee out of here."
"Yes, sir!" They grabbed Weiss and quickly left the ballroom. The rest stayed behind to hold the shadow off.
The shadow tossed the body aside, and time slowed down again.
With one final draw, the shadow kills the rest of them still reaming in the room.
"Fall back to the loading bay!" He heard them in their comms.
He turned to Winter. He holstered his guns and proceeded to free her and her shadows.
"Thank you, you two free the others and meet us at the loading docks. The rest of you, with me!" She instructed.
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"That was stupid. But you did it. Now go get the Schnee before they leave the place." The text from before said.
Without hesitation, they rushed through the kitchens. And down to the loading bay, "They're here, open fire!" The golden soldier yelled.
The shadow took cover by the door of the staircase. The loading bay is just below, and it looks like the bullhead has yet to leave.
The commander boarded the ship, with Weiss secured inside. "All of you, hurry!" He shouted.
They quickly boarded the bullheads, allowing Winter and the rest to enter the loading bay.
The bullhead flies away before Winter can even stop it.
"Damn it! We're too late. Inform General Ironwood. We got a code red!" She yelled in frustration.
The shadow grunts, "They are talking her through Mistral. Winter is going to let the whole world know about the Golden Company. You should probably get going. I did your favor. We never had this conversation." The text message said.
How can she be so careless? Of course, something like this would happen. But who are they? They call themselves the Golden Company and are pro-anti-Atlas. But where are they taking Weiss?
Winter turns to the shadow that freed her earlier, "You, shadow. State your name and-" But he was already gone.
/-/
Down in the bar in Mistral, a lone shadow is calmly enjoying his drink in a quiet corner. He just finished another solo mission in the mountains.
But then his scroll rang.
He sighs and picks up his scroll. He smirks as he looks at the contact before answering, "Hello?" He said.
"Leon, it's me. Look, I need your help with something."
Leon raises his brow, "Oh? What happened?" He said, leaning on the table.
"Winter's party has been under attacked, and the attackers kidnapped Weiss," he explained. "And I need you to help me track her down."
"Okay, and why are you calling me for help? Why didn't you contact Ares or Qrow to help you with it?" Leon asked.
"Because you are the best when it comes to tracking, and if I called the others, Weiss would be long gone till then. And with the two of us, it would be a lot easier to reach her in time that way."
Leon thought for a moment, "Okay, and how do you want to intercept them? Do you know where they're going?"
"I overheard them discussing going through Mistral. I don't know where they're stopping, but at least we know where they are heading. Can you please help me?"
Leon takes out an old photo of his training days with his mentor, "Well, you've helped me before. I think it's time that I return the favor, old friend."
He sighs in relief, "Thank you, Leon. It means a lot to me." He said.
"Yeah, yeah. Don't start crying now, grandpa. We haven't rescued her yet."
"..."
"Hello, Frost. Are you still there?" Said Leon.
"You're old too. You're not young anymore."
"40s isn't old, come on. You're 20 years older than me."
/-/
Have you ever heard the tale of the fastest gun in the north? If you're from Mantle, then. Of course, you would.
He was a man whose name used to be trivial.
He is no Huntsman.
He is quick on the draw and deadly with his aim.
He doesn't flinch when he sees his enemies.
He aims true with his power of time.
He holds no fear of death.
Nor does he care for wealth or glory.
With ice and steel, a silver revolver as old as time.
With hair as white as snow and eyes as blue as the night, his face not known by many.
But few have ever caught sight of him.
And fewer cared.
Snow-covered by blood and ash.
He is a former shadow of himself.
No longer was he the man that he once knew.
He roams the snow plains, still protecting the weak.
For he is the gunslinger of the north.
End of Chapter 14
Hello, I'm back.
Hopefully, that intro managed to surprise a few readers. I hope the chapter is okay. I had fun writing it. Especially Roman's part.
Okay, so. Jacques is dead. Why? Uh, to be honest. The show didn't do much with him and I couldn't figure out how to redeem him. Or I could have but I didn't think about him. So killing him off sounded interesting at the time. But then, killing him will set off a chain of different events to spice things up. I hope this was a good idea.
Thank you for reading.