Previously on Because Why Not?…
With high spirits after having corrective surgery, Weiss goes on a date with Ruby. During their discussion, Weiss notices Ruby distancing herself from her and finds she doesn't like it, even if her original plan had been to end their relationship after graduation. She mentions the one way to ensure her freedom, but neither of them want to go through with it.
But neither does Weiss want to get married, so she decides to do the one thing she can to make Ruby understand how much she wants to stay together.
"We are most pleased with your daughter's miraculous recovery, Mr. Schnee."
"Save the pleasantries, James. I'm a very busy man and you're wasting my time." He responded sharply.
"Right to business then. You need to call off this ball of yours. I've received reports-"
"I know what they said. Do you think I'm stupid?" Mr. Schnee laughed. "My security is more than enough to handle anything the White Fang has to throw at me."
"And what about your daughters?" James Ironwood asked after a moment. "Weiss has just recovered, and you know very well of Winter's… value to our kingdom."
"Winter and Weiss are both here, with me and my security team. And I assure you that Weiss is quite as capable of handling herself as her sister is." Mr. Schnee spoke with impatience. "Now if there's nothing else…"
"Just one more thing. A report I've received from Spring. The target this time is your youngest, but they want her alive. They also have orders to eliminate everyone in the way." James spoke quietly over the voice channel. "They've talked about a secret weapon but we've been unable to find out anything about it's nature."
"Very well, I will inform my security team of your suspicions. Good night."
Mr. Schnee ended the voice call and looked down at the large map of Remnant he had spread over his private meeting room's table. He tapped his scroll and another small projection was added to the mess of others that littered the map. This one was a large question mark that rotated above his own house in Atlas. But his attention was quickly returned to his previous contemplation of the clusters surrounding four areas of forest in each kingdom. Disappearances were a common thing on Remnant, but these four areas seemed to be dead-zones. The few vague reports suggested cloaking technology assisting grimm, but even his own company had only gained that ability two years ago. The many markers had been spawned as a result of his research looking at the past century.
And for all the patterns he'd noticed, the forest near the ice field on his property would be overrun by the spreading influence of whatever this phenomenon was within the year. And with the White Fang coming from one direction and family's old escape route in unsafe territory, there was little he could do but wait and hope his security would be sufficient.
"Are you ready yet, Ruby?"
"Almost!" She replied from the other side of the closed bathroom door.
"Seriously, I need to do my hair!" Weiss restated for the fourth time as she tapped her foot impatiently.
"I'm done. Close your eyes!" Ruby's reply came quickly as Weiss heard the door unlock.
"Just get out here already!" Weiss called as she went to open the door, but Ruby was holding it shut from the other side.
"Close your eyes!" Weiss huffed in exasperation and was about to offer yet another retort when Ruby cut her off. "Remember I wanted to surprise you? For that to work, you need to shut your eyes."
"Fine! They're shut!" Weiss snapped, her voice not as irritated as she felt at the moment, but none of that irritation was meant to be directed at Ruby.
"Great!" Ruby opened the door slowly, making sure Weiss's eyes really were shut before stepping out and planting a small kiss on her lips which were at this point untouched by makeup. "When you're done, come down to the ball. I'll be waiting."
Weiss's eyes snapped open at Ruby's words to find a line of rose petals, gently falling through the air leading to her door. She caught one on her palm before she turned to go to the assortment of makeup that lay unused in front of the mirror. A gift from one of the other rich families hoping to buy her favour, no doubt.
Weiss placed the petal down as she turned away from the makeup, simply taking her usual lipstick and eye shadow from the drawer beneath the sink. She knew she didn't need to impress anyone here tonight as they were all looking to impress her and her father. But there was one person she wanted to impress, and as she replaced her makeup back into the drawer, she pulled out a small jar of glitter. It was only as she was adding a touch of it here and there to highlight her face that she felt a little childish and wondered if she should just wipe it off.
It was as that thought crossed her mind that her scroll buzzed with a message from her father instructing her to make her appearance in the next few minutes. With not enough time to reapply all her makeup, she surrendered to her somewhat childish, in her opinion at least, look. She left her room and quickly walked to the second floor entrance to the grand ballroom where all the guests had gathered. With a deep breath, she nodded to the security guard standing beside the door and he in turn mumbled into his headset. A moment later, Weiss heard the gentle classical music in the room stop as the guard opened the door for her.
Weiss stepped from the moderately bright corridor to the sparklingly bright ballroom, taking measured steps that she'd done dozens of times before as her eyes adjusted to the brightness. Glittering dresses and jewels lit the room like it was Christmas on steroids, but she focused her eyes on the bottom of the stairs where Mr. Dunn stood waiting as her escort to the ball.
Weiss smiled as she looked farther to find Ruby standing directly in front of her, just past the older businessman. Ruby wore a sharp black suit with a red necktie that would have made her look like a handsome man if it weren't for the fact that she had curves in all the right places. Weiss felt her mouth dry as she met Ruby's eyes with her own. She hadn't told Ruby about her entire plan, but she had filled her in with what would most likely happen afterwards.
Weiss kept her eyes on Ruby as she descended the last steps, making as if to stop next to Mr. Dunn who had extended his hand in order to meet her with a kiss on her knuckles as was customary between those engaged on occasions like this. Weiss came closer and raised her arm as if she were to meet his hand. A couple of premature sighs rang out before Weiss brushed Mr. Dunn's hand aside and continued three more steps where she placed her hand on her partner's shoulder and met Ruby with a chaste kiss on her lips.
Ruby smiled and turned as she took her partner's arm in her own and led her out of the silent crowd and onto the dance floor where Weiss was to have her 'first dance with her wedding partner' according to the agenda of the ball. Weiss could see confusion and panic on the faces of most of the employees as they looked for direction from Mr. Schnee who was watching on from his elevated table on the opposite side of the room. He made a simple shrug and looked away as Weiss reached the center of the floor and turned to meet Ruby.
Music played and Weiss led her girlfriend through the simple waltz that she'd taught her. It was a clever move to have taught Ruby the male part as she twirled Weiss around the floor. Weiss was vaguely aware of other couples joining in as the song reached its climax and the confusion was put aside temporarily as the bar opened for those who didn't join the dancing.
As Ruby turned one final time, Weiss's eyes met Mr. Dunn's as he stared at her with a venom that she was happy to have avoided. She turned her attention back to Ruby who smiled happily at her as the song ended. Weiss leaned in and gave her another chaste peck, before returning to her spot at Ruby's side.
"To your father now?" Ruby asked quietly as she led the heiress off the dance floor as another song started.
"Yes, much better to get this over with now." Weiss affirmed with a quick glance back at where she'd seen Mr. Dunn. He was no longer there, so Weiss pushed the thought of him out of her mind. "If we're lucky, he might just kick us out."
"Weiss, I know you don't like this stuff, but I had fun dancing with you." Ruby spoke, her voice tickling Weiss's ear as they walked.
"Dolt." Weiss mumbled as she released Ruby's arm and took the final steps to her father's table as he waved the security guard he was talking to away. "Father, I had a feeling you'd like to speak with me."
"Yes, that I would. Ruby may join us as well." He spoke, his face the picture of indifference as he gestured toward the two chairs next to him.
Weiss took the closest one to her father and Ruby the farthest, as they waited to hear what he had to say.
"First of all, are you not aware of the agreement we have with Mr. Dunn?" He asked Weiss, his voice more patient than Ruby had heard him before.
"Yes, and it's not going to happen." Weiss replied firmly.
"Do you know what the Atlas arm of the White Fang evolved from?" Mr. Schnee asked again, patiently.
"What does this have to do-"
"Everything, Weiss. Everything is always connected." Mr. Schnee's patience broke to be replaced by impatience. Ruby noticed a small army of security guards were keeping everyone else away from the table as they had their conversation, making Ruby wonder exactly how unexpected their actions had been to Weiss's father. "The Atlas White Fang was originally several smaller groups who placed far too much importance on a variety of conservative values. Same sex relationships, interracial relationships, and faunus rights, to name a few, were the building blocks of their relationship. Over time, the influence of the White Fang in other kingdoms helped change some of their values and reinforced others. And when they turned violent, this coalition was more than happy to follow suit. Do you know why I chose for you to marry Mr. Dunn when I could have bought his entire enterprise with a single cheque?"
Weiss was silent, but Ruby felt the pieces finally click into her head. "What's the situation?"
Weiss glanced at Ruby as she realized what her father was really telling them.
"At the moment, we're all trapped here. Mr. Dunn's personal security force has been infiltrating us over the past week, all of whom are agents of the White Fang. Senior operatives at that. Your disregard for his status and betrayal by exposing your same sex relationship all in the eye of the public has insulted him and he no doubt plans to take revenge." Mr. Schnee stated simply. "The forest route is cut off as well, and there has been talk of a secret weapon the White Fang have in their possession that they plan on using for this occasion."
"Why wasn't I told of this sooner?" Weiss asked in frustration as she looked around. Everyone seemed to still be having fun, but the security guards all seemed rather tense as they faced the doors rather than the guests, their hands all resting on their sidearms.
"Would it have changed your actions?" Mr. Schnee snapped impatiently. "I think not."
Weiss looked out the large windows that covered the opposite side of the hall.
"We could have been prepared." Weiss argued. "We could have had our weapons!"
"And what good would that have done? Scared the guests, no doubt. No, the security has more than enough to handle as it is." Mr. Schnee responded angrily. "And do you really think I would leave you undefended? I sent for your weapons immediately after you came down."
Weiss exchanged a glance with Ruby, and Weiss could tell her partner was thinking.
"Mr. Schnee, you've faced this group before. Why are you afraid now?" Ruby asked quietly, making sure her voice wouldn't carry past their small group.
"Maybe you didn't realize, with your hands glued to my daughter, but we're currently hosting the majority of Remnant's elite." Mr. Schnee responded with a slight nod as he pointed out the various groups that had formed. "The mayoral cabinet of Vale, the Ministers of Vacuo, the President and representatives of Mistral, and the Governors of Atlas. Additionally we have the leaders of every major business that exists on Remnant, as well as leading members of every influential family in the world. The only thing we lack, are the few who declined invitations such as your Professors Ozpin, Port, and Oobleck who have informed me that they are currently occupied by the training of your junior hunters at Beacon, as well as General Ironwood of the Atlas's military. And the irony is not lost on me that my invitations were declined by those best suited to provide additional security."
"So, what you're saying is-" Ruby started hesitantly, hoping she was reading the situation wrong.
"Yes, Ruby." Weiss nodded grimly as she looked out over the many happy guests. "All of the world's leaders are here. If they were to be killed, the White Fang would be the only political body with leaders. And they'd be stupid to give the existing governments time to reorganize."
"But this thing is annual, right? Why would they do something now?" Ruby asked, directing her question across Weiss to her father.
"That's the million lien question, isn't it." Mr. Schnee responded as he looked down at his scroll. He pocketed it and stood from his seat, turning back to the girls for a moment. "Now, regardless of this threat, there are appearances to maintain. Go speak to the guests for now, your weapons will be waiting under this table if they're needed."
With those words, he dismissed the pair and walked away, his guards spreading out to the perimeter as he started a conversation with some businessmen and their wives.
Ruby looked to Weiss, who simply watched the large ballrooms many people move back and forth for countless reasons. All of them seemed so happy and carefree, it was almost sickening.
"Weiss? Are you okay?" Ruby asked as she carefully turned Weiss's face to her. Weiss blinked a few times as her eyes focused on her and a small smile spread across her lips.
"I'm fine. You'll be fine." Weiss nodded before closing her eyes and cupping Ruby's hand against her cheek. A moment later, she took a deep breath and stood, moving her hand to hold Ruby's. She raised it to her lips for a brief moment, taking in the blushing smile that appeared on her girlfriend's face before she lowered her hand. "Would you care to dance, Ms. Rose?"
"I thought you'd never ask, Ms. Schnee." Ruby replied as they both suppressed their giggles and headed to the dance floor.
Ruby knew they should be preparing, but she didn't even know what they were up against. There was a lot bothering her about the whole situation, and the way Mr. Schnee had responded to Weiss's actions upon her entrance to the ball with a simple disregard for it's implication. It wasn't acceptance, but he didn't outright deny Ruby his daughter as Ruby'd expected him to act. But if he wasn't going to loudly object their relationship, what was the point of her meeting with him earlier in the week? And more importantly, why was she not to inform Weiss of what they talked about?
"Weiss?" Ruby asked, breathless as she realized what was about to happen. "What would happen, and I mean exactly what, if your father was killed tonight?"
"Hmm?" Weiss thought, not expecting the question Ruby had whispered as they continued dancing to some random classical music, Ruby now much more used to the movements. "It depends… why are you asking?"
"There's something that doesn't make sense to me." Ruby answered with a hush. "Your dad talked to me earlier this week, he-"
"He what?" Weiss almost made Ruby stumble as she came to a stop. Ruby looked around quickly and found an empty corner next to the massive glass window they were near and pulled Weiss out of the dance floor.
"It doesn't matter, what's important is that he knew about this White Fang attack, but didn't cancel this ball. Why?" Ruby pressed her girlfriend. When an answer wasn't forthcoming, Ruby stole a kiss and met Weiss's eyes. "Please Weiss. You know him better than anyone here. Why would he keep the ball on, even if it meant risking his family and business?"
"He wouldn't, not unless… it was in a contract." Weiss realized as her eyes widened. "But who-?"
"It doesn't matter. What does is that-"
"But… why wouldn't he have the military here?" Weiss questioned as she turned away from Ruby and looked out the window at the endless fields of ice that led to the nearby forest. A strange prickling sensation spread through Weiss as she stared off at the blackness of the evening and realized where she'd felt it before. "Unless… unless he wanted information, and the military… they wouldn't be of any use."
Weiss pushed Ruby aside as the glass shattered, hundreds of guests screaming as they were cut by the falling shards of the massive window. In the chaos, Weiss could see the guards all rushing toward the window with their weapons drawn. Ruby picked her up and they both started making their way along the wall to the elevated table where their weapons should be. Weiss chanced a look back and found more than half the security force already decimated and the other half backing away as guests made for any exit they could reach.
Ruby pushed Myrtenaster into her hand and Weiss looked at her girlfriend, pulling her tie with one hand before smashing her lips to Ruby's.
"For luck." Weiss explained as she released Ruby and stepped away to see what they were up against. Ruby nodded and jumped on top of the nearby table to see over the chaos and confusion.
A shimmering, like a mirage on a hot summer's day, flew back and forth between security guards as they fired their weapons at empty air. The shape seemed to move like liquid silver, but slash like a hot knife as it left deep, fatal wounds on any guard unlucky enough to become it's prey.
"No…" Ruby breathed in disbelief. She recognized the feeling of watching it, the feeling of dread and hopelessness and murder that always came from visiting her mom. "WEISS!"
Weiss had joined the guards, moving between them just as fast as the creature. She couldn't explain it, but she could just make out where the creature was, and what was happening to the falling guards. The creature had four short legs, and a long, thick body. It's tail made up about half it's length, and the tip was what left deep gashes in the helpless security. Weiss closed in at breakneck speed, anticipating where the creature would be as Ruby's shout reached her ears. She ignored the terrified sound in Ruby's voice and finished her sprint. Her blade sunk into the creature with some resistance as her fire dust activated, burning it from the inside as it crashed to the ground, pulling Weiss along with it.
Silence fell for a moment as Weiss pulled her blade out of the creature and stepped back, expecting to see the smoking husk of a creature of grimm. Instead, she found herself looking into a very large, and very angry beady eye the size of her face. The creature's head didn't move as it righted itself, and stood on all fours, it's height was only barely taller than Weiss's, but it was nearly twelve feet long with its dangerous tail swishing behind it.
"Weiss, get back!" Ruby's call unfroze Weiss just as it's tail shot forward. Weiss watched as the thick scales shimmered and faded as the creature leaped back as well.
"Ruby, if it's distracted, it's easier to see!" Weiss called as she jumped over the slashing tail as it took a nearby guard out at the knees. "We can do this!"
Ruby watched in shock as Weiss once again charged the creature, this time kicking it and using a glyph to send it flying into the chandelier. As it made impact, thousands of crystal shards exploded and rained down as the creature fell in a heap, its camouflage ruined as it regained its bearings.
"NOW!"
Weiss heard a male voice and a man with a jagged table leg rushed past her and smashed one of the creature's knees. He discarded his useless weapon, instead using his aura to redirect the tail of the creature as it made to impale him. The creature let out it's first howl of pain as its tail ripped through it's broken knee and cut it clean from its body. Weiss retreated to Ruby who was still in shock from what she was seeing, and let the new hunter distract the creature for a moment.
"Ruby, what's wrong?" Weiss asked, more worried about her partner than she'd admit to herself. Even she could connect the dots.
"It's… that's what killed my mom." It wasn't a question, but Weiss could sense the doubt in her partner.
"I don't know, Ruby. We might never know, but this is just one. If there was a pack, I don't think we'd survive very long either." Weiss replied while gripping her girlfriends arms tightly. "But if this is what killed her, you need to show it that you've been training to kill it. It might be fast, Ruby. But you're semblance is speed. Move faster."
"Move faster…." Ruby repeated as she clenched her fist on her weapon. "Faster…"
"I have your back, now-" Weiss started but Ruby put her hand on her shoulder.
"I'll kill this thing. It's already crippled, but you need to get me, you, and that old guy alone with it." Ruby replied, already formulating a plan. "If your dad was right, then this thing is just forcing everyone out of the room and into the hands, or more likely guns, of the White Fang."
"Right, I'll get them to guard the guests. You get… I think that's Sir Jaune Arc Senior, Jaune's grandfather, to help us." Weiss replied with a nod to the man distracting the creature, armed with nothing but his projection of aura. "Give me one minute."
"Gotcha." Ruby nodded and disappeared in a cloud of rose petals.
Weiss quickly informed the nearest guard to leave and keep the leaders of remnant safe. It was a tall order, seeing as everyone was rushing out the doors as fast as possible, but the guards disappeared fairly quickly, leaving only the wounded and the dead alone with the three hunters.
"Alright! Get back!" Ruby ordered as she rushed and intercepted the creature's slashing tail with her scythe. A loud crash echoed as the sharp blade cut through heavy scales, but not through the entire tail. The creature swiped at Ruby as she kicked it in the head, sending it crashing to the ground. "Flash Freeze!"
Weiss rushed in as Ruby jumped back, sending a fireball at the creature as it flipped itself back onto it's feet. It screeched as Weiss's rapier pierced a gap in its scales at the same time she activated her ice dust, creating a small explosion of frost as the creature's torso was encased in ice and its scales near her attack were ripped apart from the ice. She jumped back as the elderly man slashed at the creature's tail where Ruby'd already damaged it with a table he'd picked up, cutting it clean off with an aura projected edge.
Ruby came in with a loud yell as she sliced the creature's eyes, blinding it before cutting off two of its remaining three legs. As the creature crashed to the ground, Ruby stabbed the back end of her scythe through its spinal scales, paralysing the creature as it started twitching around, helplessly.
Weiss watched as Ruby slashed and slashed, her yell not once ending as she removed every scale from the creature before she finally succeeded in biting all the way through its neck, severing its head from its body and finally emitting the acrid black smoke that signalled the death of the creature.
But Ruby kept on slashing, her scythe moving faster and faster, though the yelling had stopped. Weiss watched as the elderly man approached her, also watching Ruby slash at the slowly evaporating grimm.
"Weiss Schnee, I'd wager." He spoke, extending his hand. "She gonna be okay?"
"She'll be fine, Sir Arc." Weiss replied with a smile she knew must have looked a little worried. "This one's… personal."
"I see." He hummed to himself. The two simply stood in silence as they watched Ruby decimate what was left of its head. "I've heard you might know my grandson…"
"Yes, he's a good friend of ours." Weiss nodded, still worried about her partner.
"Ah, then that must be Ruby, is it?" He asked with a smile. "I understand now. Yes, I will take my leave then, see if your father's security can spare a blade. I hope to speak with you more later, Weiss."
"Lets get through tonight first." Weiss nodded.
He left through a nearby doorway and Weiss slowly approached Ruby, blocking her scythe with a glyph as she pulled it back.
Ruby struggled for a moment before she collapsed to her knees, her face in her hands as she released her weapon. Weiss caught it and collapsed it before placing it on the floor. She knelt next to Ruby and pulled her into a hug, simply running her hand through her partner's hair as she cried.
"You killed it Ruby." Weiss whispered shortly, as Ruby's hitching breath calmed. "It's dead."
Ruby nodded and returned Weiss's embrace as she let out a long, shaky breath. "It… it was a tough one."
"Yes, even for three of us. Just that one was tough." Weiss affirmed, handing Ruby's weapon back to her and helping her to her feet. "Let's hope that there was only one."
The sound of running footsteps echoed from the door Jaune's grandfather had left through and Weiss turned from Ruby to find an out of breath guard slide into the room.
"Let me guess…" Weiss sighed as she waved for him to say what he needed.
"Ms. Schnee, Ms. Rose, there are four more of those things blocking the foyer and what we can only guess is a small army of White Fang outside the doors!" He gasped out between his breathing.
"What have you done with the guests?" Ruby asked quickly as she checked her clip before replacing it in her weapon and putting it back on her back.
"They've been barricaded in the security offices on the second floor, but the creatures are trying to get through as we speak. If I had to guess, I'd say they're about twice the size of that thing!" He said as he caught his breath and pointed at the smoking husk behind the girls.
"Are there any other hunters here that can help?" Weiss asked as they started jogging alongside the man.
"No, there's only Sir Arc, but his aura's almost been depleted. We're also cut off from the armoury where we've stored his weapon." The guard reported as they turned a corner into a new hall.
"What about a distress call?" Weiss asked as Ruby opened her scroll to check.
"Nobody answers those, especially with these grimm." The guard reported. "Your father's been researching it lately. I thought you'd know."
"Things I don't know comprise a long list at the moment. Ruby?" Weiss asked, noticing Ruby's grin as she looked down at her scroll.
"Jaune's team as well as team CFVY are nearby on separate missions. I've sent a distress call to them with the coordinates of the roof of the security area as a drop location." Ruby replied with a grin. "We just have to hold out for half an hour for JNPR, and forty five minutes for CFVY."
"Alright, how long did the fight with that one last?" Weiss asked, turning to the guard who was wearing a watch.
"About five minutes." He replied as he turned one last corner and stopped at a closed door.
Behind it, Weiss could hear the screaming of the party guests from one direction, slightly muffled behind their barricades as well as the growling of the chameleon like grimm as they hacked away at whatever was keeping them out of the room. Weiss could also make out a dozen or so lines of red light aimed through the front doorway that was smashed open as if by a bomb, the lights belonging to high powered rifles or more likely snipers that hoped to score the hit on any Schnee they could.
"Has the White Fang ever been this organized?" Ruby asked incredulously as they backed out of the doorway and back into the hall which also led to a window and a stairway.
"Not as far as I know." Weiss replied with a frown. "They've always been more opportunistic than this. Whoever planned this, did a great job."
"Not exactly reassuring miss." The guard cut in as he made for the stairway. Weiss followed, but hesitated as she looked at the window.
"Actually, we're not coming with you. Just hold on. We'll find a way to take out those snipers and then we'll need as much help as possible keeping those creatures busy. Get as many guards to as many different places around the perimeter as you can." Weiss ordered the man as she glanced back at Ruby.
The grin on Ruby's face was more than enough for the heiress to know she'd simply voiced her leader's thoughts as they moved for the window. The guard looked on in frustration as the only two able huntresses they had jumped out into the night.