Break-in
Gletscher Island Ski Resort
Neptune and Drey snuck on an airship ship where it can lead to Gletscher Island. A well-made island created in the production for the resorts by the Vega Corporation. There have been sightings of Jacques Gele having a time in the resort. An ice resort to be exact. As the pilot have dropped out the crates for dusts. They carefully tried not to trip or fall. As expected, it was cold. Not even a sweater or a jacket would keep their body temperatures warm. They began asking questions about Jacques' whereabouts, as they are sure that he already arrived before the reception. Many of the witnesses recognized his appearances, no matter if he dyed his hair. Or if he changed his identity. Neither Neptune, nor Drey were questioned about their statuses in the news, as if nothing have happened.
Much to the relief. As if the word about them hasn't spread yet. But who knows for how long before it gets out? Like any other detective, he was able to find his record of reservation in an inn. With help from the receptionist, who too has been suspicious of his familiar appearance that cannot fool him that easily. His room number, his schedule, and keycard number. The receptionist is a well-mannered man who helped lead them to the room where it was a green room, with just one bed, as well as brown shelves and draws. There are also suitcases filled with clothes. Not even a single memoir of family members. Not a single care he has for his own children. They even searched there for any weapons he might've have if he is armed with a gun. Or even a murder-for-hire in case they come.
"That's some place they got here. I am just glad the receptionist didn't sell us out." Drey said. He keeps looking at the briefcase for some more information. He found the document containing the contract about the debt. With Rick's scroll, he takes a picture to not lead any trace. Even to prove his cousin's involvement in the crime. To Neptune, there's more to the story than just the debt. A father who would made such terrible decisions, would have a price to pay. According to the receptionist, he changed his identity to "Terrance Lace." Which to the duo, it was really lame. Neptune actually seemed to be glad for bringing Drey along, but he was starting to miss having the rest of Team SSSNN around. "Hey, Vasilias. Check this..." He paused when he heard a click of the door knob. He turned to the front door. As it slowly leans back, squeaking. Their eyes are opened as they saw a man with raven hair, but the eyes of cold ice was unmistakable. He went eye-wide as well. "Out..."
Neptune and Drey have looked at each other and blink two times. Then turned back to the man. The man is too shocked to move to see two young men in his room. Then Neptune looked at the wanted poster of Jacques, to see the similar outlines. The hair color hadn't fooled them this easily. "I...um...I..." He stuttered and coughed. His ankles and wrists shook form the sight. Before he starts sprinting. "It's him. After him!" Neptune shouts. Drey was first to run out the room after Jacques. Then Neptune came last to chase. Jacques was about to leave the aisle to reach the elevator. But Drey stopped him by making a fire wall in front of him. Jacques stops dead in his path, and was tackled by the boys. "We've got you now!"
"Oof!" Two people weighing the old ex-CEO is impossible to push off. Drey pulls out handcuffs, and snaps them on his wrists. While Neptune is holding him down to keep him from escaping capture...again. "Where did you get these cuffs?" Asks Neptune. To which Drey responds, "Stole them while on the hunt with Rick." And Neptune rolled his eyes in dismay, but ignores that for a while. They then dragged Jacques back into his room and pushed him into the chair for interrogation. They stared at him dead in the eye. Jacques is too powerless to stand against people with semblances. As he hates the idea of huntsmen and huntresses. They have to use different ways of interrogation. Neptune has played good cop with Sun as the bad cop during his junior detective days in academia. So the first thing about getting a criminal to reveal his/her secrets, is to go easy. In some ways to convince him.
"Okay, this is awkward." Neptune sighs. "Can I get you anything? Water, coffee, or maybe a bite to eat?" He asks, it's a way to persuade some scumbags. They always asks for anything, like a phone call, or a snack to bite. But Jacques isn't opening his mouth to spill some secrets. "If this is about Weiss, young man. You should forget about her and leave, before I called security." He threatens. But luck was on their side to the point when the receptionist is no fool to begin with as the police is taking forever to come and pick him up. Otherwise he would be on the run. "Sorry, Jacques. But witnesses say you'd be here and their hunch was correct. As you can see, you're still a fugitive all over the media." Neptune retorted. Jacques struggles to uncuff himself. But Drey held his shoulders to sit him back down. "Calm down, old man. We're not going to hurt you. We just want answers." Clarified Neptune, remaining calm. But nothing is convincing him. "The Vale police are on their way to pick you up, so unless you want to spill out some things. Better make it quick. First off, where is Weiss?"
Jacques isn't answering his question. So they decided to go for bad cop mode. Neptune turns to Drey and gives him a nod for a signal. That's when Drey snaps his fingers to summon a small flame. And Jacques jolted in fear. It is proof of the coward he is. "Alright, we have enough of the silent treatment from you. You got 10 seconds to answer the question. Or else I will burn this place down." Neptune also jolted by those words, thinking it went too far. But Drey knew better as a way to just scare him. After all, he isn't Rick. So he started counting down. "10...9...8...Don't make me say 7...7...6...5...4...3...2." At that moment, Jacques' eyes squinted. He had enough too easily. Before they hit 1. He then interjected. "Okay, okay! I'll talk, I'll talk! Just please put the fire out." He pleaded. He is no match with the huntsmen standing in front of him. Drey have lowered his flame and lets down his hand.
"Thank you." Drey clasped his hands like rubbing out the dust. Then it was switched back to good cop mode for Neptune to repeat the question. "Okay, we need to know where Weiss is. And just so you know, my mom is a lawyer. Since you nearly have me beaten to death, anything you say after your arrest, all those contacts you have with the Vega Corporation. The debts. Especially what you have put her through, will be used against you." Neptune made this clear to the conman who have put his own daughter in a debt. And the fact that his mother is a lawyer, it got Jacques to be paled. He knows female lawyers in Mistral are very victorious and tough as nails against criminals. Once he ends up in jail, it won't end well for him once he gets interrogated by Lydia Ops Vasilias. The top prosecutor of Mistral. A woman who never lost her cases. A woman with a sense of justice, who has distaste in men who would do such things to their families. And Jacques will be one of these men, who she will personally prosecuted. And Neptune is proud to have a mother with a sense of liberty. A mother's son, who taught him what justice means. "If it means getting you commoners out of my sight, then fine. She is in Mantle, where the Vega Corporation is held. It was already heavily guarded by some of the traitors in the military."
"That's better. Now next question, in Mountain Glenn, you and Carlos' father, Montero have funded the Grimm-hybrid experiments vaccination, testing it on student volunteers. Why exploiting this on your eldest daughter and the other students? There were rumors about the Red Eye. And you were a part of it, aren't you. Not to mention you even paid many people you find to frame the huntsmen if they tried to expose you for your crimes. So that you can keep them quiet. Isn't that right?" Drey pulled out the files with Winter's profile. "I don't...know what you're talking about." Denied Jacques. This makes Drey lit the fire again. This time it was burning higher. "Come on, Gele. We all know "Schnee" wasn't your true surname." Clarified Drey. This scares Jacques again. "Alright, fine. I thought this would raise millions as it increases their strength. Winter has very high expectations to the previous general, after she betrayed me. So she was fooled to think it would make her stronger. I was surprised that she holds down the reactions after all these years. It would raise the popularity of both the Vega Corporation and the Schnee Dust Company. As for the Red Eye, it was a home to me. Where huntsmen are nothing but guinea pigs of our experiments."
"Okay, Jacques. One last question, why was Weiss part of the debt? And is there a reason for why you took her inheritance away other than what happened in an after party?"
"So you knew about the ordeal, huh?" Jacques scoffs. "That disgrace of a young lady she is now, has become my opportunity to escape the threats that have been placed upon me. After Weiss has an outburst at the charity event. Of course, the will of Nicholas Schnee wasn't enough. I knew with the inheritance, Weiss will never come through with the wedding to settle the debt, if she inherits the company. So I took matters into my own hands by choosing my son as a successor instead. Since he wasn't trained to be a barbaric being, such as you two." Jacques explains, mockingly. This upsets the two.
"Hey!" They yelled, offended. As much as they want to give him a punch in the face for that comment he made. The huntsmen might still needed him for later details. So they decided to leave him the the authorities to focus on the mission. Even if it means that the police won't be that much help. Considered for the fact that Team ZRVT tried and tried again to get help for this madness, and no one did a thing to help them. It even disgusts Neptune for the way he was using Weiss for a debt she never wanted to be part of. So he crossed his arms and have one final say to him. "Listen here and listen good, old man. Guys like you are nothing but a bunch of cowards you are now. Using their daughters for personal gain. Sitting alone in an office, not to mention the lives you have stolen when using faunus slavery. You're nothing but a poor excuse of a father, a master manipulator, who won't own up to his mistakes. Do you have any idea how Weiss has felt for what you put her through? No, you didn't. You just treated her like a pawn, and an extension. And my brother, he and his team suffered because of you, and Montero Vega." Jacques is at a loss for words for what he says to him. His arms and legs have been shaking at the fright he deserves. "Serves you right for the stupidity and conspiracy." Drey adds.
"Why you little brat! You dare to mock me like that?!" Jacques yells. But Neptune wasn't affected by this and continues to break him. "Oh no, I am not done yet. As much as I wanted to wipe that smug off your face, I am going easy on you because I'm a nice guy. Unlike you. Thank you for your time. Oh, and by the way, good luck dealing with my mother, she is as tough as nails." Neptune finished. "We're done here." Drey sighed in relief wanting to get out of the small room, after minutes of boredom. As the two left the room, leaving Jacques bounded so that he cannot escape the authorities. But not before he ranted at Neptune about hiring more people to hunt him down if he interferes with the settlement of the debt. But he didn't care, as long as he remains vigilant of every move a criminal makes.
Vega Manor
Carlos Vega, now promoted as a CEO of the Vega Corporation all dressed in a black suit on the night he was waiting for all his life to take over Atlas. It won't matter to him who he hurts, as long as he has control of every human and Faunus being under his reign. He was sure that he has manipulate every last of the huntsmen under his influence of cash and power to rid those who would get in his way. He wanders through the aisle of his house, until he stops by at Weiss' guest room. There he has knocked the door to ask one of his maids to see if she is ready. She nodded and lets him in. To his satisfaction, his victory is almost near. As he enters the room, he sees her in a wedding dress. It amazes him to have total control over the former heiress. With the necklace still on her neck.
Weiss is still blank in her expression. And cannot react to his presence. Not looking at his face, nor will she refuse to accept the vows that will be made. What is worse about the wedding, he will possibly take control of the military, even her sister. "My, I have waited this moment my whole life. It doesn't matter if your brother is an heir to your grandfather's company. Worry not. Once you become a member of the Vega Family, soon Atlas will be under our rule. Then afterwards, you can dream and shed tears as much as you want. Till death do us part. Mi Belleza de Nieve. My queen." Carlos walks around Weiss to examine her in a dress. Then ran his palm and fingers on her cheek. And she couldn't do anything about it since her mind is now under his control. But deep down in her heart, she is heartbroken and trapped in this fate. This isn't the life she wanted. How will she be happy if her friends' life is in the line?
What will happen to her sister, mother and brother if this union proceeds? What will happen to her friends if Atlas is taken over? She asked herself: Is this her fault that she let this happened to give her life for someone else to not be killed by the wealthy heir? Will Vega declare war against the other kingdoms? How long will this end before she wakes up from this nightmare? Either way, it was the one nightmare she cannot wake up from. Her escaped attempt failed. When she saw her father in handcuffs, Weiss thought she got the last laugh. Before her father gains the upper hand. Fearing the worse.
How am I gonna wake up? This can't be happening. Thought Weiss, somberly. Making her final goodbyes to those she shared her memories with. What's going to happen to everyone else if he takes over Atlas? We're all done for. Weiss made a mental note for one final goodbye. Before her heart and mind becomes separated once again.
I guess this is goodbye, to everyone I know. To Ruby, I know I have been harsh on you from the very beginning. But in the end, you showed me how to see the good in people differently, just like how you saw in me. You have already proven to be an incredible leader. To Blake, it never mattered to me if you're a faunus, you are an incredible person to fight for what you believed in. To Yang, you're stronger in your own right. When I saw how much you cared for Ruby, it reminded me of Winter. But to me and the rest of our team, you're always a big sister to all of us. To Jaune, you may have been a goofball who faked his transcripts to get to Beacon, but in the end, you have proven yourself worthy of becoming a huntsman. Pyrrha has taught you so well, because she believed in you. And I am sure she is proud of you. To Nora, you're always the light of Team JNPR. You always see the positive side of the worse to claim the victory you fought so hard to gain. To Ren, you're always quiet, but very caring for others. You may have a painful past, but in the end, you fought it to this day. To Winter, thank you for looking after me. I know it wasn't easy for you to leave me behind when you left for Atlas Academy, but you're the one to have already opened my eyes to escape Father's tyranny. Please survive while you can. Don't blame yourself for whatever happens to me. As for Mother and Whitely, I hope you two will be doing better now that Father is better off away from you all. And Sun, I know we got on the wrong foot the last time we met, but you're also funny at times when you cheer someone up. I'm just glad Neptune has someone like you as a friend. And Neptune...I wish I have more time with you. If I could just go back, I would've understand you better. Now I know that there is no going back, I wish I could've told you for how I feel for you. But you need to continue to search for your brother. Please know that my heart will always belong to you. Don't come looking for me. This way, you'll be safe. Good-bye to you all, I'm very happy that I met all of you. But now, I'm marrying the most horrible person against my own will. No thanks to my father, who cannot own up to his mistakes. I guess my life is over. Goodbye forever.
Weiss' heart felt like it stopped for am moment. The longer it was on hold for her own fear that the past came back to her. How her parents would argue, before things turned into a brute force from her father. How he would blame her for her own mistakes. How he would pressure her for perfection. That was all she ever was to him, a pawn for his own game. Her world shattered. Even if she was mind-controlled, her body still shakes form the fright she has been inflicted with. All the deafening has her dropped the bouquet. Carlos picks it up and pushed it back into her hands. Jacques Gele, has gained the trust from Montero Vega, the previous CEO of the Vega Corporation, to marry off both their children to each other, to make the settlement of the debt without the knowledge of Weiss' mother, or sister.
Weiss has made her way to the aisle in the ballroom of Vega Manor to (unwillingly) prepare for the wedding. It will haunt her for the rest of her life if his plan succeeds. Rose pedals are falling like snow, the snow that symbolizes the emotions of eternal depression, and somber. As she keeps walking, she stepped on her dress and nearly falls, but she recovered before she gets closer. Unbeknownst to her, or Vega, there are people watching from the window.
Neptune and Drey are hiding behind the shrub mazes to see the guards in front. They then ducked their heads down to come up with a plan. They made silent gestures as codes for quiet communication. The nodded to each other and Drey throws a rock in a random spot, where the guards can hear. "Did you just hear that?" One asked, but the other one just shrugged. Hoping they're just hearing things. At that moment, they pulled in the two guards and knock them unconscious. They put in their uniforms while tying them and gagging them, to have them remained hidden from the rest of the security team to blend in. Armed with guns they had possessed before being ambushed. To them, the uniforms are very itchy in their own skin.
As they entered the manor, some of the guards questioned them for suspicious reasons. But Neptune was smart enough to tell them white lies to drive them away, without causing a ruckus. Then they saw Rina, the woman with a semblance to extend her hair in battle, training in a testing room fighting battle drones. Which is a scary fit to combat afar. When she finished, she brushed her hair, like it was some kind of treasure. Drey made a note to himself that she isn't one to be messed with, consider her vain and aggressive nature. Closing her eyes as her eye shadow have glossed from the light bulb shining from the ceiling. As she was about to exit, the pair have left the watching view to avoid eye contact.
They checked in every door to see if Weiss, or Vega are in each room. But found none. The last door was the ballroom. They heard the reverend speaking in their ceremony before they got to the vows. They peeked through the door to see what was happening next, since they are still in uniforms, no one suspect a thing.
"We are gathered here today, to celebrate the union of Carlos Don Vega, son of Montero Vega and Luisa Montez Vega. And Weiss Schnee, daughter of Jacques Gele, and Willow Schnee, granddaughter of Nicholas Schnee..."
"What do we do? We can't just barge in and yell surprise, this place probably got a few tricks here. You know how rich people are one step ahead the moment we go across the aisle." Neptune asks. He then remembers Rina being an Atlas soldier in first sight of her uniform. Another traitor in the ranks. "I got it, we'll cause a scene outside the ballroom. That soldier we saw in the testing area, if I can make a distraction by getting her attention, if we can make a mess out of everything, Vega will notice and try to see what was going on. Once he left the aisle, you grab Weiss and get out of here." Neptune went to the balcony to get to the other side of the aisle by jumping to another without being caught, while Drey went to find Rina to pick a fight with her.
He found her sitting in the living room to relax doing curls for her hair. She seemed to be loving her own hair, like it was her own pet to care for. In unrealistic ways of happiness. But not true joy. "I might as well get ready for the next meeting. I wouldn't want to go unnoticed in the mandatory session without my flawless hair." She then picks up a mirror to look at herself. Adoring the vanity of her reflection. Outside is innocence, while inside was the guilty party and instigator of Vega's cause. "Ah, look at you. Ready for the show." Drey then burst in the room and yells out, "Hey!" Rina Lume, have spun to Drey, then her hair smoked with fire on her end when she forgot that she is still holding her curling iron onto her hair. "Huh?! Ahh!" She screamed when she saw this and puts out the flame with water in a vase nearby. As her face froze in shock like ice, to see her bottom length of her hair being burned black, while the rest is still okay.
Drey seemed to feel bad about it. But then again, she's the enemy. "Sorry." He said. But she shrieked out like it was the end of the world. Her world to be exact. "Dah! My hair! You ruined my hair! My only companion! Now...I'm mad! Feel the wrath of what's left of my beautiful locks!" She stretched her hair with embroiled rage of the flames that lit on her eyes. Drey ran out of the door as her locks of hair extended after him. Without thinking, some of her hair pieces have knocked out various of furniture and breaking them. Enough for Vega to hear crashing.
Vega have jolted from the noise before the marriage ceremony can continue. More of the guards have rushed in the aisle to protect the ceremony. "Is everything alright, Boss!?" One asked. "Keep anyone from getting in! The ceremony must continue!" He orders. Carlos then turned back to the reverend, "And you, keep going, but make this quick!" He complied without hesitation. "Very well then. Do you, Carlos Don Vega, take Weiss Schnee to be your lawfully, wedded wife? In sickness and health, till death do you part?"
"Certainly. I do." He replied. Neptune hid next to the window of the ballroom balcony and noticed that he isn't leaving to check the commotion. The plan backfired as there are many guards handling the situation. Shoot, why isn't he leaving the scene. The ceremony should've stopped by now. Looks like I'll have to fight my way in. He thought. Equipping himself with the rifle he always carried for his life.
"Do you, Weiss Schnee, take Carlos Don Vega to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and health, till death do you part?" Weiss then begins to fight the control that was manipulating her mind. Unwilling to say the vows. "I...I...I..." She stammered. She is urging to break free. She squeezed the bouquet that was full of thorns, but luckily it was covered in plastic. Her hands shake in the process of fighting both sides of her decisions. One that accepted the fate, the other tried to wake herself up. "Is something the matter?" Asked the reverend. But Carlos brushed it off before she could say anything. "Oh, she is just so nervous for the big day. Now get going."
"Well then, I am going to ask again. Do you, Weiss Schnee, take Carlos Don Vega to be your lawfully, wedded husband? In sickness and health, till death do you part?" He repeated the question. They are interrupted when the glass break by a disguised Neptune as he rolls wand pointed his rifle at the billionaire. "What do you think you're doing?! You were supposed to be keeping on a lookout for intruders!" Carlos shouts. "That's what you think." He took off the hood part of the uniform and revealed himself with blue hair. The flowing sweat drops from the heat of the hood. Before he faces Vega. "What in the world...? You're supposed to be dead! Why are you still getting in my way?!"
"Doesn't matter. Hands up! You're under arrest for unauthorized activity, kidnapping, murder for hire, and attempted murder!" Neptune listed the crimes he committed while presenting his huntsmen license. "For the record, this union isn't happening. Now hand over Weiss Schnee, and we can let this all go." Neptune said. Carlos didn't seemed offended, which got very suspicious. He then smug as he stepped away from in front of Weiss. "Alright, she may leave with you." Neptune then proceeds to take Weiss' hand to lead her to the exit. "Come on, Weiss. I'm getting you out of here." But to his shock, he reacted for when Weiss pulls out a sword from the sheath from her waist on her dress. And Neptune dodged it before he could get hit. "What the?! Whoa!" Neptune rolls away as Weiss pierced her sword to the ground. He then sees the blankness in her eyes, something is very wrong. Like she didn't recognized him. "What did you do to her?!" Demanded Neptune. That is when Carlos chuckled to see the look in his reaction.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. Her life is now under my control. There's no way she'll refuse this union now." Neptune then sees the necklace that was wrapped around her neck. Glowing green as a result. That was he was missing. "And now without further ado. Take him down, my queen!" He orders. Neptune cannot believe this'll be the second time he'll have to fight her. But this time to break her free from his control. "Yes...Master." She complied, blankly.
Author's note: Lydia is an allusion to Ops, the earth goddess in roman mythology. So I picked Ops for her middle name. Thought it would be cool to see her fierce personality in the next chapter.