A Journal
There was a news conference outside Schnee Manor where reporters are barging questions at the Schnee Dust Company's heir, Whitely Schnee.
He now acknowledges his father as a liar and a criminal. After receiving documents sent to him, anonymously. But he didn't care who sent this. As long as he makes it clear that he is no longer anything like Jacques.
He grew a bit of his hair, with a bang in front of his left eye. And a blue suit that is more casual. Showing some changes in his life. Years in his youth, he did received backlash from peers and audiences for his association with a criminal father.
But he was through with it. "We now confirmed that my father, Jacques Gele has been secretly running the company with his connections to the Vega Corporation for the project that has been progressing for the past 30 years, even after his arrest. It was a shock to hear that there were multiple complaints by parents, and siblings regarding the huntsmen being abducted. I have regrets for ever following him as a guide. For now, I would have to look through the complaints that should've been taken seriously years ago." Whitely stated.
"Is this true that your father was responsible for the bombs in the dust mines to begin with?" One of the reporters asked.
"I cannot say to be certain." He replied. "As of today, there were documents containing a series of messages as stated for every last huntsmen graduate being subjected into the vaccines found in the basement of the Vega Corporation. Even a contract for the extortion of one of my sisters. Which is enough to put my father on trial."
Neptune and Weiss are on the ferry, once again to return to Mistral to see how his parents are doing to have some recuperation. Seeing the news conference like it was.
It was an appalling fact that Jacques have been secretly running the company behind the scenes, even in prison. Another scene on television shows Jacques in cuffs while being escorted to be transferred to the Vacuo Maximum Security Prison.
Along the way, he was being shouted by the hatred of the crowd whose sons, daughters, nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters where abducted, dead or alive. For the experiment they suffered.
"My daughter...Where is she?!" One protester shouts.
"My sister is dead because of you!" Another one adds. Half of the crowd have demanded to sentence Jacques to death by execution. The others oppose this, saying that the death penalty might've gone too far. Saying he should suffer through a life sentence in prison. To live and suffer the consequences of his actions. But either of those will have to depend on the jury. The Council of Remnant. They are the four generals of the four kingdoms. And Winter is one of them since her succession.
"I cannot believe I was related to that monster." Weiss sighed. Neptune takes her hand to make sure she is not too affected by the events. Her response is to lean onto his shoulder and relaxed. "I know Jacques hates huntsmen. But I never thought he would go this far."
"Just because you're his daughter, doesn't mean you're anything like him." Neptune told her. After all the cahoots they have went for, now it was a time to forget about the event and move on. With Jacques in jail, again, there was no doubt he will be watched 24/7. In case he escapes again.
"I may no longer the heiress of the company. But I am sure Grandfather will be proud that Whitely will be able to atone for what he did." Said Weiss. They rested for a few minutes. Until a shadow has blotted in front of them. "If you think this is the end. Think again."
That voice belongs to Tyler Shepard. The wolf faunus in Team ZRVT. The last time they saw him was when he was arrested. Jupiter turned himself in and capturing Carlos Vega for his crimes against other huntsmen. "Tyler?" Neptune blinked. "How did you get out?!"
"I have my ways." Recapped Tyler.
After Tyler and Jupiter's arrest.
Tyler is bounded in a ship for inmates in the Atlas military. With a guard standing next to him to keep watch. He has no idea what he was capable of.
Tyler sought his chance to get released in his own way. Standing up from his seat. The guard glances at Tyler and was about to scowl at him. "Hey, sit down!" Before the guard have smack him with his firearms. Tyler apprehend him by using his bounded arms restrain him.
He then leans to his ear hole and whispers. "You will take off the restraints. And then tell the pilot to open the hatch for an emergency landing. And if anyone asked, you were ambushed by the enemy pilot." Tyler said this to his ear, the guard stops fighting and releases Tyler from his restraints. This whispering has put the guard in a trance. Like some vampire using his hypnosis powers in the movies. As so, the guard tells the pilot to make the emergency landing. They jumped along with Tyler and landed in a snowy hill, alive.
Tyler scratched the back of his head for the for this kind of amusement. "Yeah, it was fun using my semblance. I have been in cahoots with the Atlas Military before, and I did it again." He chuckled. The way how he has the soldiers under his control, was his semblance. He names it, "Rumor." Which is useful to make people forget what they're actually doing and did what they think of what he said. He then turns back to Neptune for some information on Jupiter's whereabouts. "Anyway Neptune, since you're related to Jupiter. He wanted me to give you these."
Tyler picks through his pockets, and takes out the moon stones. White for Winter, and Red for Summer. This awes the two looking at the brilliance of the gems. It seems that Team ZRVT is fully aware of the search for the moon stone and manages to collect. "Jupiter specifically sent me to give you these. So that I could tell you that you need to return to Poseidon Island." This blinks Neptune for why he has to go back to the island.
"Why would I have to do that?" Asked Neptune.
"Because someone is about to bring up the family curse. Your curse. And since Jupiter is arrested, you'll have to break it." This shocks Neptune like a trident impaled in his brain. He never thought his family was cursed. Was it because of his bloodline?
"What do you mean my family's curse?" Neptune asked with his thumb pointed to himself. Tyler has no words for this. But he knows that there isn't much time. So he'll have to brief the explanation for the prophecy. So he passes them to Neptune.
"There's no time, you need to get to Poseidon Island and place the stones back to the Ocean Temple. Before either of them could say anything. Tyler has disappeared. Neptune then sighs, something about a curse he hadn't heard about as a child. But there is no doubt that it has something to do with Jupiter's second disappearance.
"Neptune, are you okay?" Weiss asked lovingly. Neptune is at a loss for the next sentence. Cover his hands while hunching over. Why does it seemed like Jupiter is depending on him. Normally as a little boy, whenever he asked for a favor, he would give it to him. Why not ask his two other older siblings to do the task. Juno and Pluto?
"Yeah. I just don't get it. Why me?" Neptune asked
"I wish I knew. But whatever it is. I don't think Jupiter is gone. I'm sure he's alive somewhere. If he can survive the accident, I'm sure he'll survive the tidal wave too." Weiss theorized. There's a good chance she'll go with him back to the island to help him get over his fear. She worries it will make things worse if he ever go back into the island. Neptune has been thinking about speaking to his father about this. Looking at the moon stones, he realized that he cannot let Jupiter's hard work go to waste. "Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe we should talk to my dad about this. Maybe he knows something about the curse." Said Neptune. Weiss then holds onto him, enjoying the moment on the ferry. He returns this hold.
Argus
Weiss and Neptune head for a beach house that he once visit with his family. It was near the waters of Argus. The one town Neptune was born in. It was an empty house after the Vasilias family moved out to Mistral.
The only time Neptune has ever been outside was when he bought some goggles. He missed this place where he got to see his siblings surf or swim. While he remained on land. "Where are we just now?" Asked Weiss.
"That was a house my family and I used to live. I bought it back after I left my team." Explained Neptune.
"Simple, but very nice." She complemented.
"It's better than renting an apartment. I'd be lying if none of it was familiar." Said Neptune. He wouldn't mind having anyone over. It was once a surf house that his father owned to sell surfboards before he moves on in a pawn shop. The ocean is what caught their eyes.
It was a sight for such view. Such deep blue. It was right where Neptune was thrown off the pier. Whether it was midnight, or midday, as it glows from the light above them. It glimmers like diamonds. "I've been thinking, you and me could settle there until we can figure things out." He offers. Never in Weiss' life that she thought she be in the same roof as him. But considered that she has no home to return to today, what choice does she have?
"Actually, that would be very thoughtful of you. Thank you." Weiss replied. And so, they went inside the house. It was an empty space. Luckily it was cleaned up before it was sold out. There were still beds to rest in the night.
Later at dawn, Neptune is reading a journal he found in Poseidon Island. And it has his last name written on it. Weiss is checking updates on the news about her father's sentence in prison. Neptune thought about reading it to see if it had anything to do with the the first page of the journal.
If you're reading this, then I am no longer alive. You'll probably hear the last moments of my life and realized that no one is innocent or guilty. In the end, we're all savages to think we could preserve the freedom in Poseidon Island. But instead, I have made the biggest mistake in my entire life, and that is something I remembered for. Read this, and you will understand my side of the story.
-Cascade Vasilias.
June 4th
It all began after the Great War has commenced. We were on our way to Mantle to steal the equipment to put an end to all the kingdoms so that we could defend our island. I was general to my people in Poseidon Island. Many outsiders would refer to us as the Sea People. Of course, I didn't like that title. But due to our semblances being aquatic, that is how we earned that title. Here on this island, we don't allow any outsider.
As we shipped to Mantle, along with my younger brother. We are attacked by the Kraken. A legendary Grimm that has yet to make an appearance until now. My men and I have fought against it. But our ship was no match against its grasp. So it was tarnished that night. A few others and I managed to survive. But none can replace the comrades we lost.
I was sure that I died that night. But upon hearing someone singing. I was alive. I couldn't find my comrades anywhere. But instead, I found that this beautiful voice comes from a woman. With such hair, as white as snow. Her eyes, as light as the icy waters. That's when I met her. Her name is Avalora. Turns out that she nursed me back to health. My view about the outsiders have changed. I used to think of all of them as polluters. But Avalora is different. Then I found out that she's the daughter of the last King of Atlas. Brave, beautiful, but also very stubborn when it comes to her duties as the second princess and captain of the knights.
At that moment, I was lost. But when her guards have appeared. She hid me from them before they caught me. And for that, I was thankful for what she have done for me. As they left, I told her what happened and we defeated the Kraken together. When we finally avenged my comrades. From here on, there is something. I have fallen in love with the outsider. What I know, is that Avalora is my first and last love I would ever have.
Just as Neptune keeps reading the journal. He failed to see the moon shining over the seas. Weiss then went outside and tipped the eraser on her pencil over the journal. Neptune then looks up and gazed at her.
"What are you reading?" She asked.
"Something I found in the island. This belongs to a guy with the same last name as mine. I thought this could be the answer to the family's curse." Said Neptune. Weiss looks at him lovingly. The lights in the house is still on. But the night is still young. As soon as Weiss steps backwards. He then notices that she changed into her swimsuit. Then she grabs his hand and pulls him up. He then realizes what she was doing.
"Time for your lessons, Neptune." Weiss says. His eyes popped when he hears this. His mind was on the journal which was dropped at the same spot he was sitting. "Whoa, Weiss, what are you doing?!" He tries to pull back and talking her into out of this. "Don't worry, I won't let go of you. Just follow my lead." Weiss assured him. As soon as they stepped onto the wet sand, the waves have spread to their ankles. Neptune feels the chills, but he didn't resist going into the water with her. But before he could get into the deep. Neptune then takes off his shirt, revealing his muscular appearance, leaving the rest of his clothes on the rest of his lower body. Weiss blushes at the sight of the masculinity before she shook her head to wake herself up.
"Okay, I'm ready." Then he follows her to the shallow deep as the first step of swimming. Despite the waves being rapid in the tides. It was far warm in the air. Just as the water reaches their lower part of the bodies. They stopped to proceed in coping with the events in their youth. Neptune manages to kick in the water. The only thing he need to learn is moving his arms and breathing underwater. "Okay, Neptune. Let's start this a bit slowly. First off, lay on your back to keep yourself afloat." He did as he was told, he leans back as the water touches the back of his head. He feels cold. Afraid he was about to fall back. As Weiss have told him, she won't let go of him. She holds him by the shoulders to make sure he didn't submerge completely.
As expected, he was floating on the water on his back. "That's it, you're doing it." He closes his eyes. The last thing he hears in his ears are the rumbling. It was calm. With goggles on his eyes. Breathing calmly and heard the waves, back and forth. Weiss then instructs him to moves his arms backwards. He reaches one arm back as Weiss lets him go to see how it goes. If nothing works, she'll pull him back to shore to be okay. Then he swam forward to reach out his arms again. this time it was to move his legs also. Breathing out in the air, and then turns his head back to the water as bubbles were blown from the nostrils.
Then, they got lost in the moment when Weiss has disappeared all of a sudden. Neptune looks around to see if she's around. Either she was washed away, or she drowned. He got worried as he kept floating. "Weiss?! Weiss?! Where are you?!" Then, something crept up behind him. He felt the vibe to turn around. But he was too scared to look. As if a shark was ready to eat him. But he got jumped when it was just Weiss tackling him. Only to dove into the water. Then they resurfaced back up. In each other's arms. They looked at each other, feeling the comfort. It was nonstop until it turned into laughter.
"See? You're doing it." Said Weiss.
"Wow. I cannot believe it. I'm literally touching the water." Neptune gasped softly. He then collects a portion of water in his palm. To his surprise, it was floating as a blob of water and shapes into a round sphere. Weiss watches in amazement. As Neptune pushes the water forward in to the air, it was thrown back into the seas. Weiss dove down into the seas. Neptune got worried, so he did the same. He sees Weiss swimming freely. Letting herself loose to have the joy. As she loops backwards, gracefully. Like how flexible gymnasts are as backs are bent to maintain agility. So he went straight to her. Underneath the water, there was a beautiful coral near the tides.
It was amazing to see such color in the oceans. How sea creatures have swam around to see every sea creature. He always thought the place is dark. But that darkness is only his imagination. Now, it was a dream world. They then began to goof around. Almost as if they were dancing. As Weiss gets closer to him, they pressed each other's lips. Into a passionate kiss. Locking the air. The blue-haired huntsman then wraps his arms around the huntress' waist. As the white-haired woman did the same by wrapping around his neck. It was a wonderful moment to remember.
And for some reason. He didn't feel afraid anymore for a few minutes. What they didn't realized is that they are inside a bubble of water, floating in midair as they break away from this kiss. As they finally noticed, they fell back into the sea. They resurfaced again as they breathed for air. "Sorry, I didn't know this would happened." Neptune apologized. But Weiss laughs it off, like it was nothing to be afraid of. "It's okay. Don't you see? You're embracing it." Then Neptune smiles at her. He freed her heart from this imprisoned spell. This is the side of her he wants to see. Then he splashes her. "Ah! Hey!" She exclaims.
"Gotcha!" Neptune laughs. Then Weiss splashes back two times. "Oh yeah?!" They then keep splashing, until they started chasing each other. This is a moment they will remember forever in their lives. They then ran back into shore. Playing like children. It was the feeling they have forgotten after years of training. They forgot for what it feels like to be a kid again. As Weiss is next to chase him, she tagged him again, only to knock him onto the sand. And then Neptune then pulls her within him. They laughed in joy as they faced each other again. And again, they kissed once more. Under the full moonlight, as stars began to shimmer in the dark skies.