Saturn and Lydia
Neptune and Weiss returned to Argus. He felt relieved that he's not going to take the ferry for a while, but who knows when he'll haver to use it again? Weiss held his hand since he felt shaken since the previous night of his nightmare and didn't pull back. Weiss' face turned red when she keeps looking at her hand with his. She wanted it to lasts forever. On the pier, there they saw Flynt Coal, a dark-skinned man with a cool hat and sunglasses. And Neon Katt, a female faunus with a cat tail and roller skates. Both are members of Team FNKI. "Hey, Schnee! What's up?" Flynt waved. Despite the earlier conflict at the Vytyl Tournament. They parted in good terms.
"Oh, hey Flynt! Neon! It's been a while." Weiss said. They then looked at Neptune. "Hey, you're that dude from Team SSSN in the tournament, right?" He asked.
"Yep, that's me." Neptune nodded and gave him the fist pump. "By the way, I like that hat, looks pretty cool on you."
"Gotta say, you ruled in the round against NDGO." Neon said cheerfully.
"So what's brings you here to Argus? Shouldn't you guys be in Atlas?" Weiss asked.
"About that, we are planning to get our huntsmen licenses revoked."
"What?" Weiss inquired. "But you guys are huntsmen now. Why throwing your jobs away?"
Flynt and Neon are both graduate students from Atlas Academy. They hesitated to tell her some strange activities going on in the military. "The thing is, your sister, the general. She isn't the same person you used to know anymore." Which makes Weiss slightly jolt a bit. "What do you mean?"
"Come to think of it. She's starting to act a bit strange. Even scared. Earlier there are huntsmen who're claimed to be wrongfully arrested. I don't know if this is true or not, but something doesn't feel right. As much as we respect the general, we cannot bring ourselves to stay in Atlas. So we ran to lay low for a while." Neon explained, then turned to Neptune. "By the way, goggle boy. you need to make a run for it."
"Huh?" Neptune scratched his head in confusion. Flynt showed him his scroll for him to see himself on the wanted segment. With his name and face on it. "You're all over the news, man. I don't know what is going on, but they're looking all over for ya."
"And to think I'm only wanted in Atlas." Neptune sighed.
"Well, looks like General Schnee is one step ahead." Neon said. "Way quicker than Ironwood."
"As much as we would like to stay and chat, Neptune and I have to keep going. You guys should do the same." Weiss said.
"It's cool. We need to get going as well. Juane is sending us an invitation to his meeting." Flynt told them.
"Meeting?" They both questioned.
"We'll catch up later. See ya!" Neon waved.
"Stay safe!" Weiss waved back as they left the dock.
"I've taken this guys happened to have some history." Said Neptune.
"Actually, we didn't know each other much. But from what I've got from Flynt is that his father used to own a dust shop. Until my father forced him to shut it down. Don't get me wrong, I felt bad for him. It's no wonder why I've been labeled a "rich brat." Weiss explained. Looking back, she wanted to become a huntress to reclaim the honor of her family name. Since her father tainted it with methods of faunus slavery and questionable business partnerships. Her sister have opened her eyes that wealth does not lead to glamour and happiness. It leads to the abuse of power. Leading Weiss to enroll to Beacon. "Don't let the past get to you. It's bad enough if you let that get you very emotional." Neptune advised. Weiss led him to a clothing store, since he needed a disguise to not grab any attention for a while. "Wait behind the building, I'll be right back." Weiss told him as she entered the store.
Neptune waited for Weiss to come out. It left him wondering about the nightmare where he saw Jupiter. Who could be in his 30s today. And the part were Argus, no the entire world is in ruins. Jupiter's last words before leaving the dream are that "she" is coming. Who does he mean by "she?" Is there an enemy that Jupiter and his team have been running from? Is this why they've been faking their deaths this whole time? What other secrets has he been holding all this time? How would his parents felt if they found out that he's alive but not as who he used to be?
Maybe if I can go back to sleep. I'll bet I can speak to Jupiter again. Thought Neptune. Why was he playing dead this whole time?
Weiss came out with a swag bag in her hand. "Sorry it took so long. Took a lot of lien to purchase this thing." She said. Neptune turned to her as she showed him a hoodie that matches his eyes. She thought he would like it. "Um...thanks?" He scratched the back of his head in awkwardness, although he is not one to be rude towards women. So he took the hoodie and puts it on. After this, he puts his goggles over his eyes to not be further recognized. Much to Weiss' joy that he's taking it. "We should be away from public for a while. Who knows who's been watching anyway?" Weiss suggested.
"I just need to see some people first." Neptune told Weiss.
"Are you sure, there's a chance we could've been caught at this rate." Weiss hesitates. But Neptune insisted that it's really important. So they took a ride to Mistral, where he moved after Jupiter had Neptune to unlock his semblance. Since he couldn't stand seeing water in Argus, he lived in the inlands of the Capital. Where there's a fascination of the art, fashions, and culture. But one known fact about the place is the secret black marketing, that is another thing they are fully aware of. "Neptune, where are we going?" He leads Weiss to a house near the mountain where the falls are behind it. She grew tired of climbing on the rocks to their destination. Especially when hiding in a hoodie.
18 years ago.
Neptune is in Argus beach standing next to his father, Saturn, as Jupiter walks into the water for his first dip. "Watch your brother, closely, Neptune. And you'll see what it means for survival." Saturn instructed wisely. Jupiter's lower body have descend into the depths. He then dove into it. Neptune at the moment grew worried that his brother would drown. But Saturn knew that he would survive.
"Dad, we need to get him out. He won't last long down there." Neptune tugged into his leg, begging. But he just stood there, looking at the sight seriously.
"No, we need to wait a but longer." Neptune then saw the spot where his brother dived in, burbling. And the water arose like the fountain. The water blew into the fog. It was steam. There are no longer waves spreading to shore. Then drops of water came down like rain. Causing Neptune to be covering his top head. As he hates getting wet. There was a person walking through the mist. Both father and son stare at it closely. Jupiter has emerged back to the surface. Neptune becomes amazed that his brother have unlocked his semblance. "How's that?" Jupiter smirked.
"That was so awesome, bro!" Neptune cheered throwing his hands up. Saturn nodded, a sign that he's proud of him. But he is also unwilling to put his children at risk as a means to unlock semblances. Then two girls showed up walking passed Neptune and Saturn towards Jupiter, their eyes widened and sparkled seeing Jupiter.
"That is so amazing, Jupiter!"
"Gosh, not only that you're handsome. But also very endurable, and strong!" In a mixture of screaming and giggling. Jupiter said nothing and walked back into the house. But looks back at the girls and winked at them. "Ahh!" They screamed excitedly.
Can Jupiter get any more cooler? Thought Neptune.
In the present.
Neptune knocks the door. Taking a deep breathe while Weiss stood behind him. "Are you okay?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, just need a bit of consultation." The door opened by a woman with lavender hair, a red causal sweater and a long skirt. Black heels. Reading glasses above his head. "Hey. How are you?" Her eyes became startled, she then grabbed an umbrella thinking he's an intruder to smack. "Ahh! Intruders!" Neptune then caught the umbrella before she can hit, yanking it off her hands. "Geez, Mom! It's only me!" Neptune exclaimed removing his goggles from his eyes. Something that his mother have recognized for a long time since her sons went to Haven. While leaving the hoodie on his hair. Lydia pulls Neptune into her arms, sighing in relief.
"My baby boy." She said. While Neptune hugs back. "Lydia! What's wrong?!" A man with blue hair, and eyes, just like Neptune's. Only older. Still he looks more like in his 30s or 40s, and somewhat healthy. "Son, is that you?" He asked. Neptune nodded. "Hey, Dad." His father Saturn then turned to Weiss. "Oh, who is this lovely young lady?" Saturn asked. Making Neptune nervous as they thought for what it looks like. But before Weiss could answer. Saturn offers them to get inside. "You know what, why don't you two come inside? We'll talk on the way." He then looks out left and right. It seems he was aware for what is going on when his son informed him that he'll be taking a mission when he returned to Argus. And closed the door. Afterwards he shuts down the curtains, and windows to cover and blind spots. All four are sitting on the loveseats.
"I supposed you already knew what was going on, right?" Neptune asked.
"Your mother and I saw the news. We never thought this would've happened." Said Saturn. "What happened while you're on Poseidon Island?"
"We were so worried when we heard you left your team. We thought you couldn't make it on your own." Said Lydia, holding Saturn's hand. "We tried calling you, but you wouldn't answer."
"Oh yeah, about that. Weiss and I have to destroy our scrolls to keep them from tracking us." Explained Neptune.
"What really happened-" Neptune was interrupted when Weiss gave them the full explanation.
"Forgive me for the interruption, Mr. and Mrs. Vasilias, my name is Weiss. What actually happened was that my sister is the general of the Atlas Militia and she assumed your son was responsible for the embargo sinking because of some DNA evidence. But he doesn't know any of this, and I don't believe he did it. You see, we ran into each other in a mission to search for the Thunderbolts. I apologize that this happened to him." Weiss explained. She expected her to at least ask her for why she didn't try to talk to her sister out of assumptions. But instead, Lydia gave her a genuine smile.
"No need to apologize, we understand." Said Lydia kindly. "Why don't you join us for dinner? You must be very tired coming all this way."
"Oh, let me help you." Weiss offered.
"No, no. I can handle it." Lydia insisted.
"Mom, why don't you and Weiss go ahead? I need some time alone with Dad." Neptune asked. They left for the kitchen to give them time to catch up with each other. Neptune sat next to him. They were in silence at first. Neptune looking at the window, which is covered in curtains. Saturn looks down to the floor. Seeing his offspring fully grown. Reminding him of his oldest son, whom Neptune thought his father is aware that he turned up somehow. Saturn looked at a family photo, there was him, Lydia, Jupiter, Ceres, another boy and a girl. And an infant Neptune. "You know, you almost look like your brother." He said seeing the resemblance between the brothers.
"Yeah. Did Ceres told you?" Neptune asked.
"She did. I saw the footage and the man looks like him." Saturn replied. "I don't know if I should be happy he's alive, or disappointed for the fact that he has joined the Thunderbolts?" Mixed feelings ran into his skin. Brushing his hair with the tip of his fingers. "Still, I don't know if it's him." Neptune looks down in shame, still thinking about the accident. Saturn could tell he's still can't get this off his head. "Still thinking about what happened that day?" He asked.
"Do you ever stop to think about never using semblances again?" Neptune asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, after what happened to Jupiter. I told myself to never use it again. It's a reminder of that day. Since then, I never took a dip." Neptune shrugged as he hugged himself tightly. Shaking remembering about the accident. "It was stupid of me to follow him. Back then, I couldn't control it." Saturn placed his hand on his left shoulder to calm him down.
"You were only young when this happened. You know it was an accident." Saturn assured him. But Neptune denied that it was an accident to begin with. "How could you be so forgiving after what happened today?!" He covered his eyes as tears once again hit him. Saturn never saw him cry in a long time, he always puts up a smile. To make things look like he has gotten over it. But nothing replaces a brother he looked up to so much. "I am nothing but a coward. Even if I'm a man...it doesn't make fears go away."
"There was nothing you could've done to save him. But as a father, it was my job to protect you and your siblings. But after the accident. I felt like it was my fault. Our semblances are part of the lineage. But I didn't think it wasn't fair to push all of you into the water. However, I don't condone for what your brother did to unlock your semblance. But I am proud that he only did it, because he believed in you. So did I." He hugged his son to assure him. Weiss eavesdropped to see them embracing. Looking back at what his mother told her.
"Ever since he was four, Jupiter only did it for his own survival." Said Lydia "The saddest thing is, even after attending Haven and Vacuo. He was still scared of the water. When I first met Saturn, he was also afraid of the water. It took us some time together to help him get over it." Lydia recapped her precious memories with her husband. "Jupiter has been very attentive to Neptune. We were working overnight, it wasn't fair to our children. But Jupiter insisted on babysitting them."
"That sounded like my sister. She would take care of me when no one else couldn't. She was like my only family when our parents and brother would always have a turmoil in the manor." Weiss adds.
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. Want to know the secret? I have to put my father in jail for doing something dumb. Thanks to my mother." Weiss said.
"Well, let me know if you need a lawyer. Cause I am one." Lydia smiled. "I seriously have strong distaste of men who does worse. Which is why I studied law."
"You and me both."
"By the way, that new girlfriend of yours seems nice." Saturn said, making Neptune blushed.
"D-dad! It's not like that!" He denies. Hearing this made Weiss giggled. Seeing them together made Weiss realized that she wanted this since she was younger. Having good memories with her family had her father not treated her, Winter, her mother, or her brother badly. But now, she has to focus on the present and future. Being on Neptune's side to overcome the challenges waiting for them.
Later they're on a table enjoying dinner. Having Teriyaki and rice. Including sushi and salmon. "So is Ceres coming home, tonight?" Neptune asked.
"She's busy on her work for a while now. Ceres had been working in Vale to treat the wounded Huntsmen." Replied Lydia. "She said she'll probably be there long before we knew it."
"That's a bummer. Even us huntsmen have to endure all this." Neptune sighed, chopping down the food on his plate. Weiss was about to grab some ice tea, but Neptune pours the cup for her and placed it on her hands. But when he did, her hand was placed on his. Making her face warm. Same happened to Neptune. Then Lydia nudged at Weiss. "You know, my son is quite the gentleman. Just like his father." She winks.
"Dah! Alright, we seriously need to talk about this, Mom!" Neptune exclaimed rubbing his hair in embarrassment.