A Moment I couldn't Lose
Neptune, in a form of his 4-year-old self, sees Jupiter standing in front of the water in the beach. He stood in silence as the waves have spread to shores.
"Jupiter." He calls, but Jupiter says nothing. The waves are getting higher. Splashing through Jupiter's ankles. "Jupiter." He calls again. This time, his older brother is walking to the water and his body has become lower from the shallows.
"Jupiter, wait for me! Jupiter!" As he gets closer, Neptune stumbles back as the waves are about to reach him. As Jupiter gets deeper, and deeper. Until his lower half of the body is submerged into the depth. He stops, only for the gigantic tidal wave to rush to them. The it all went black.
Neptune is lying in bed in the Vale Hospital. Ceres, now healed from the wound she suffered at the hands of Rick Argo. He is hyperventilating in his sleep. Suffering the nightmares once again. He keeps saying Jupiter's name several times. "Jupiter...Jupiter..." He breathed. Moving his head, left and right repeatedly.
Weiss stands behind Ceres, worrying for Neptune as he has woken up from the shock. She have to bribe the pilot from the military with money to fly them back to Vale. She has to face the fact that her elder sister has been unwillingly been part of the Grimm-hybrid experiment. Although she loves Winter very much, she just couldn't forgive her for choosing a career over family. Especially to the point of wrongly arresting huntsmen to save them all, but at the cost of their freedom. To more of her sadness, Neptune has taken the risk to preserve her freedom. Only to be injured in the process.
Seeing him in this state, devastates her. But more worse, seeing him suffer to have lost a loved one again. Thinking it was her fault for being the bait in her father's plans.
"Come on, buddy. Just hang on for a bit." Said Ceres, remaining calm in every heartbeat felt. Using electric statics to keep his heart in check. "Clear!" Sparking his chest to save his life. He coughs off the water he has swallowed. And sputters them into a bucket. His goggles are placed on a table to not be a headache. Weiss feels her heart stopped and pants like it was a nightmare. Blaming herself for not thinking about his own feelings after understanding his reasons for fearing the water to begin with. The last thing she sees is his sister putting one dose of anesthetics in his system to calm him down. Otherwise his condition will get worse if he keeps panicking. "It's done. He should be better in a few days. For now he just needs some rest." Informed Ceres.
The nurse and staff began to walk out of the room after Neptune sleeps steadying. Ceres follows to report to her manager for the results. Since she was more of a favorite to the superiors, they told her that her family is more than welcomed. Weiss remains behind, standing still shaking. She grasped her head in a fit of devastation. Ceres looked with worrying. Weiss is ashamed of ever being related to her criminal father. As if he were some mob boss who would try anything to get his way. Now she sees why there was a point to left Atlas. She couldn't face her own family, after the turmoil. The damage was done.
"You should get some rest. He'll come around." Assured Ceres, as she walked out the door. After the door was shut, slowly. Weiss stares at Neptune, she wishes she could talk to him, to tell him everything's okay. But that wasn't the case. He finally saw his brother again, only to lose him in the seas, once again. The world works in random ways to see how people could develop. She is free from Carlos' Vega's grasp. And Weiss should be happy about it. But putting any loved one at risk, is what keeps her guilt maintained. And for that, she bawled in tears.
Vale Police Station
Lydia walks into the interrogation room, after hearing from her youngest son about the events that happened. When she heard the name of the man, it was the name she never heard of in a long time. Being a woman, criminals don't take them seriously when interrogated by them. But Lydia proved them wrong, otherwise. Neptune manages to send her files for evidence anonymously, but she figured who sent them to her. He did inherit her sense of justice after all.
Lydia then stops by the window where a police officer is waiting for her. Behind the window, is none other than Jacques Gele, himself. Being bounded by handcuffs, seated in front of the table before him. The very man she hates since the day he nearly framed her husband for a crime Saturn never committed. Not to mention the time he almost shut down her business. She was fully aware of his relation to Weiss, but also the fact of how he uses his own flesh and blood for his own game. "Are you sure it's him?" Asked Lydia. The officer nodded. He then lets Lydia in to interrogate him, since he was denied of a lawyer to defend him. Since he was hated by the public for his crimes.
Lydia stands before him, like the warrior she is. "It's been a while, Jacques." Jacques looks up, like he was some old rival. "Do I even know you?" He scoffed. But Lydia stood her ground, listing some of the events in her head. He had this coming, being questioned roughly by a woman. But he is about to see the side of her many men have feared her for. But some things must come first before hand. "I haven't forgot the time you nearly framed my husband for the crime you committed. And after what you did to my son and your daughter. This is where it has gotten you. You have been charged with kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy with murder, and unauthorized activity regarding the huntsmen being abducted for ages."
"Like I would be answering to the likes of you. Whatever happened to your son, deserves what happened to him. And as for Weiss, having her as a daughter is a mistake. She already had what was coming. That was her punishment for not reaching my expectations." Jacques cruelly remarks. This provokes Lydia into pinning his head hard on the table. "Wait a minute, now I remember! You're Lydia Greenland!" Greenland was her maiden name before she is married, the top student in Law School. With the law degree. They have some bad history, way back at the age of 14, they were in the same school in Vale for economics class. He would bribe his classmate to help him cheat in every tests. But Lydia exposed him to the dean otherwise, after all, she is the daughter of an attorney who never lost his cases.
Jacques was furious to receive some form of punishment. Cleaning gum off the bleachers. But he wasn't done yet, he was even jealous of Lydia for being the top student, honor rolls, and getting the prized scholarships that he thought should've been his. In retaliation, he bullied her, and threatened her. But that is when Saturn came into Lydia's life, being the protective boyfriend after years of dating. In response, he once framed him for setting the bombs in Haven Academy. But was cleared of all charges due to the lack of evidence. With Lydia's father defending the then-teenaged Saturn, it was a loss for Jacques. And a win for the couple.
"That's right, Gele. And it's Lydia Vasilias now. I'm the one woman you have underestimated since the day we met. And here I thought I never saw that ridiculous smug on your face again. I have heard many things about you. How you would treat your own family like they were nothing to you. Buying trust from your business partners. How you shut other people's businesses." Lydia retorted. "And the next thing I heard is how you subjected one of my sons into an experiment along with every huntsmen all over Remnant. How does it feel? Being in prison, for all the faunus lives you have stolen in the dust mines? Framing every last person alive to keep their silence. Oh, how I long waited to prosecute you, for everything you did. You're going to have to give me the information about the Red Eye."
"You do realized I'll report you for this treatment, Woman!" Jacques threatens, but Lydia wasn't having it.
"A woman I may be, but I am more." She smirked. Slamming her fist with her palm. "Face it, you aren't buying your way out this time." Cracking her knuckles.
Pressing him hard into the table. The guards weren't stopping her, as they were amused to see Lydia beating him. Asking some questions while he wasn't answering to any of them. Now he gets the taste of his own medicine after years of mistreatment to his wife, daughters and son. Saturn, also stopping by is too enjoying the scene. Seeing his wife being a feisty type. That's how he loves about her. Unlike Jacques, Saturn is very much respectful to his family, especially towards Lydia. He too, is upset for what the former billionaire has done to make people suffer without thinking. "That's it, honey! Show him who's boss!" Cheered Saturn, he then turned to the officers behind him. "Isn't she wonderful?" They all nodded in agreement. After getting answers from Jacques through a polygraph test. All his results are nothing but lies.
Lydia was finished, and walks out of the door. Saturn was waiting for her and lets her wrap her arm around him. "What a woman." Saturn said to her. Making Lydia giggled. "I figured you'd say that. Did Ceres said something about Neptune yet?" She asks.
"She said he'll recover in a few days. In a meantime, Juno and Pluto are about to be home tomorrow. We need to check on them first. The doctors said he needed some rest after this rough hunt." Replied Saturn. "Still, I cannot believe that man. I mean, I hate that guy. But I never imagined he would put his own children through all of this. I'll bet..." He paused as soon as he sees Weiss passing by. "Hold on, is that...?" Storming into the interrogation room, upset to hear her father being put in the station. Now it is her chance to confront him once more. She is more furious than ever. Juno and Pluto are the names of Saturn and Lydia's twin children. The second oldest of the five siblings after Jupiter. and before Ceres and Neptune.
"Now do you see it? Did you even realized how anybody else feel for what you did?" Jacques said nothing to his daughter. "After what you put me, my sister, my brother, and mom through. I realized that I cannot stand seeing your face anymore. After what you almost did to Neptune, he lost his brother because of you. And Winter, she also has to suffer for the rest of her life for that stupid experiment. You have brought this upon yourself, Jacques! That's right, you lost your right to be called, "Father." I am very ashamed to be ever related to you! And for the record, I didn't get married to that snob! Now you get the taste of how of feels to be bruised up yourself! I am warning you! You better not messed with me, or my friends, ever again! And if you come after us, we will bring you down! Just like any enemy we had before! I am no longer the petty Weiss Schnee in the wealthy family anymore. I am now Weiss from Team RWBY. Being a huntress is all I am proud of. And if Grandfather were here, he would be very disappointed in you as well. You are a weak and pathetic coward." Lydia went back to the interrogation room to lead Weiss away, so that she wouldn't have to face him anymore.
"Weiss, let's go. I'll make sure he gets the punishment he deserves. I'll apply you the restraining order too." Lydia insisted and they walk away. Weiss never turned back, seeing him as a stranger now. As she said, he's no longer her father, rather a failure to atone his mistakes. Lydia looks back in disgust, glaring at him. Giving the "I am watching you" gesture. After walking out, Lydia comforted her. This confrontation have traumatized her after being sold into a debt. But in the end, the good guys won.
Vale Hospital
Neptune is sleeping calmly. It gives Weiss some relief after Lydia and Saturn have visited the hospital. They left as they are also visited by their twin son and daughter. Although they didn't like parting ways from their son, they need to return home. They give Weiss regards before they left. They even leave a small gift to Neptune. Wishing him to get better. They are also shocked to hear that Jupiter is alive, but devastated to hear that he is gone again. Wherever he is today, hopefully he'll be coming back home again.
Weiss stayed by his side, and never leaving him. And waited for him to wake up. Holding his hand. She then began to decide to have some fresh air. Opening the slide door. Releasing some wind blows from outside the balcony of the hospital. Having coffee to keep herself awake, expecting to see him awake. Not thinking about getting sleep herself. There she sees vehicles passing down the streets. It was a bright city after all. It brought back so many memories of her time in Beacon. How happy everyone else is. Before the Fall of Beacon.
Neptune then stirs awake from the chills of the wind. "Jupiter!" He shouts. He then realizes he is in the hospital. Which reminded of the time his sister, Ceres was there for him, when Jupiter wasn't. He then notices Weiss standing in the balcony. As the hair was flowing like the ocean. He sees her sad expression. He was glad she is safe from the debt she was forced to pay. But it was her father who was supposed to pay on his own. The last thing he remembers is that Jupiter was once again washed away by the oceans. He has a thought to give her company. He then notices his jacket hanging on the coatrack and pulls it off. Weiss fails to notice him awake. But he surprised her by putting a coat over her shoulders.
"You cold?" He asked. Weiss jolted in shock to see Neptune alive and well. But she kept her composure, like she usually has at times. She thought to herself, about what would he think of her. And what she is to him.
"No, not when you're here." She replies. Weiss took a deep breathe and gives herself a chance to ask him some things. "Tell me, Neptune. What am I to you?" She asks. Neptune blinked to the question. But he could tell there some vibes that is bothering her a lot. Wanting to take her mind off the debt situation. "What do you mean?" That is going to be difficult for her to talk about it. But it should help her open up, since she doesn't have a place to call home anymore. "I mean, what am I to you?" He doesn't know how to answer this. "I don't know. You're telling me, what do you think of yourself?" He asked back. Wrapping his arms around her. "Do you remember what happened?" She asks back again. Neptune then has a series of flashbacks on the second time Jupiter has disappeared. "Yeah? I remembered. We were just reunited, and now he's gone again." Neptune told her.
Weiss feels guilty for this to happen again. She then has a thought about leaving him at peace to not get him into any more trouble. She then walks out of his room. While Neptune went after her. "Hey Weiss, wait a minute. Where are you going?" He asked, as he grabbed her wrist. Repeatedly asking her what was going on. But she isn't answering. But tries to change the subject. "It was my fault your brother is gone. I don't think I could be near you anymore." She insisted. But Neptune wasn't having it, instead he pulled her in an embrace, tightly. Weiss tries to fight it. But he isn't letting her go. "Neptune, let go." She demanded.
"Stop fighting it. I won't leave you alone like this." Neptune argued. But Weiss states her reasons to fight her emotions.
"You don't understand! You know what I think?! I am nothing more than a daughter of a criminal! Who is also a liar and a cheat! You don't know what is like to be compared to one's parent! And my father is one of those criminals!" Weiss teared up. Pushing Neptune to get him to let go. But to no avail, considering how strong his grip was to console her. "Weiss, that's enough. You wanna know what I thought of you, I see you're just like everyone else. Not some pawn. A huntress, a strong woman. Even a beautiful person I have ever met. The one person who also saved my life." Neptune assured her. Even though he just recovered from the drowning accident. He is still moving at will to not let the past haunt him forever. "Neptune, just let go." Weiss keeps pushing him, but the embrace is too warm for her to let go.
"Your father is in jail now, he won't hurt you anymore." Neptune assured her. But that didn't make her feel any better. Considering of how her father have nearly have Neptune beaten to the death. How he was struck with poison by Carlos. And how he lost his brother the second time. People would compare her to Jacques as she was still linked to him for the horrible things he has done. "I'm sorry, for not taking your feelings seriously." He apologized. Making Weiss to stop and look at him in the eyes. "I never wanted to involve myself around you, because I don't want people to die because of me. Because of my semblance. And by pushing you away, I thought it went fine. When I last saw you in Argus Limits, I was relieved that you never decide to speak to me. By making you think I was a jerk to you, you never have to suffer what I already have. But after seeing the kind of man your father was, I didn't realized this was what you have suffered the most." Weiss then stops fighting his condolences. As he listen for what he has to say. And lets her arms down. They then gazed into each other's eyes. He then leans closer to her. But she knows what he was doing. And tries to stop him. "No, don't." She protested. But Neptune has his mind clear. She didn't want to make herself alone again. But does feel the need to not hurt anyone anymore.
"Come on. You can't fight it. I promised you, nobody will hurt you anymore. Not while I'm here." Neptune promises while running his palm on the back of her head. Calming her down. "You'll always be my Snow Angel." He said softly. He then presses his lips against hers. Kissing her. Feeling the soft texture of his lips. Making her wide-eyed, then closes them when a tear streamed onto her cheek. Holding this moment as the hospital hallway is dark, and too quiet. The two now understand each other's pain and sorrow. Feeling the warmth in each other's arms. And they went through all the troubles, and in the end, they fought for relief of their pasts. From now on, they won't let go of each other, no matter the cost. To do so, they will also start fresh as well.
Neptune...If this is what you want. Then please, take me away from the pain. I no longer want to bear the Schnee name. From now on, I will be just Weiss.
Author's note: I know the scene in the Vale Police Station is a bit too aggressive. But it was just some thought in my head to think of what to write. I could even imagine the scene where Lydia has some rivalry against Jacques. Oh boy do I imagined him getting the taste of his own medicine for all the crimes he committed. Also I am trying to get to the re-editing process from the previous chapters. This kissing scene between Weiss and Neptune in the end of this chapter is inspired by Saber and Shiro's moment in Fate Stay/Night. I couldn't help but re-watching this over and over again while listening "La Sola." I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a wonderful Halloween last night and have a nice month.