After Story II: Weiss

Four years after the Battle for Beacon

Weiss stormed down the hall of the Schnee Dust Company's headquarters, stationed in Atlas. It had been almost five years since she had last been inside this building, and she didn't leave on good terms either. "You were born to run this company!" her father had said. Weiss returned with what she would claim to be her greatest comeback ever.

"Then I'll just go to Beacon and be a Huntress instead! That's at least more interesting that running this stupid company!" Without waiting for her father's reaction, she stormed out of his office and never looked back. Granted, once he realized she was serious, be paid her tuition in full, hoping that she'd come to her senses after a semester or two.

She graduated last spring, much to her father's presumed disdain. She didn't know for sure; she hadn't seen him in that entire time.

Which brought her to the present. She waited a full year, planning her every move, plotting out how this reunion would go. She would be in control. That's how she planned for it to be. Her father would be surprised, and she wouldn't let him control her ever again. She smiled, thinking about her final retaliation against her father; the rejection of ever running this god forsaken company.

Myrtenaster rested at her waist, a display of her strength that she insisted on bringing with her today. She had her whole team's support; even Yang, who officially hadn't been a part of the team since she recovered from her injury. Ozpin offered to have her role filled, to make team RWBY a four person team again, but none of the remaining members allowed it. Yang would always be a part of team RWBY, and no one could take her place. Yang was always grateful for that, and Weiss made sure to visit the blonde every so often during their time at Beacon without her. Granted, she was usually with Ruby and Blake at those times, but occasionally she would go alone to see how she was holding up.

Standing before Weiss as she approached were two suited men, waiting nervously for her. She smiled to herself when she saw them sweating. Halting in front of them, she gave them her best, commanding glance. "Open the door," she demanded.

They looked at each other, unsure of what to do. The one on the right cleared his throat roughly before answering, "I...I, uh, can't do that, Weiss."

She glared at him. "That's Ms. Schnee to you. Now, open the door."

"I'm sorry...Miss Schnee...ma'am...but, your father gave us specific instructions; he is not to be disturbed."

She smiled. "Either you open it, or I will knock it down myself." She brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "Besides, this will be the last time I disturb him. I won't be coming back after today."

The guard was going to try and deny her once again, when a raspy voice came from inside the room. "Let her in," it said. "She'll make do on her threat. I'd like to not have the door replaced while I'm still here."

The guards nodded and stepped aside. "Good afternoon," they said to Weiss politely.

Weiss stormed through the wooden double doors, fully expecting to see her father sitting at his desk, surrounded by board officials and secretaries taking notes.

Instead, she saw her father sitting in a wheelchair, looking pale and ghostly with a tube stuck in his hand. The sight caught Weiss by surprise, and her heart sank at the image before her. "F-father?" she asked.

He looked up from his desk and met his daughter's eyes. The pale, ice blue eyes that she saw matched her own, yet they weren't full of pride and selfishness as she had seen them before; they were full of pain and regret. "It's...it's good to see you, my girl."

She approached nervously. "Father, what's...what's going on? What's wrong?"

He looked down at himself and sighed. "It seems, even the wealthy aren't immune to what ails our planet. I am sick, my child."

"Sick?" she asked. "How sick."

"Sick enough," he answered sadly. "The doctor's tell me that I won't last the year. Eight, maybe nine more months at best. Cancer is a terrible foe, Weiss. Very few can hope to beat it. I've...I've done everything I can. It's too strong for me. I'm too old, too weak. I can't beat it."

Weiss stared at her father for several minutes, trying to comprehend what she was seeing. "How long have you been sick?"

"About a year now."

Weiss slammed her fist onto the desk that stood between herself and her father. "You mean to tell me that while I was in school, studying and fighting to become a Huntress, you were diagnosed with cancer and you didn't tell me?!"

"I didn't want to worry you. You were far too busy, too preoccupied. I didn't want my health to distract you from what you wanted." He looked her up and down, smiling to himself. "You've grown in the last five years. You've become quite the young woman."

"No!" Weiss screamed angrily. "Don't you dare say that! Don't you dare presume to tell me what kind of woman I've grown into! You never cared about me! You never cared about Winter! All you cared about was the family legacy, as if this company was all that mattered!"

"Weiss..."

"The White Fang would attack and steal from us, and what would you do? You'd lie to the press, telling them that we had everything under control, and then later those same evenings you'd get drunk! You'd drink, and take out your anger on me and my sister! My little sister!" Weiss punched the desk and turned around violently. Yang and I are more alike than she ever knewΒΈ she thought to herself. "You used to beat us. You used to beat mother. I've lied to people so many times. For over ten years, I claimed that I got this scar in an accident. I fell as a child, or some other such lie. No one knows the truth. Not even my family."

Her father sighed once again. "I am your family, Weiss."

Weiss turned and stared at him. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her graduation photo with team RWBY and slammed it onto the desk in front of her father. "Not anymore, you're not. I've found a new family. A real family."

He stared at the photo before him, his eyes full of wonder. That is, until his eyes landed on a certain black haired girl. "This girl...she's a faunus."

Weiss nodded with a smile. "I thought you'd like that. She's one of the best friends I ever had. Sure, we've had our share of fights because of our positions in life; my family subjugated hers, and hers retaliated by attacking us. A vicious circle that we've overcome in the field of battle. When you risk your life next to someone, you don't care what race, sex, or religion they are, father. All that matters is that together you can come home alive. Stay alone, and you will crumble."

She expected him to be angry with her for befriending Blake. Instead, when she looked to him, she was shocked to see tears in his eyes. His lips curled into a genuine smile; something she hadn't seen from him since she was a small child. He looked up at her, and their icy blue eyes met once again. "I...am so proud of you."

Weiss, caught off guard, stammered, "W-what?"

"You never got to know me, Weiss. Not the me I used to be. Running this company, following in my father's footsteps. And his father's. And his father's father's. It's never changed. This company has been the global power behind Dust and weapons for over four hundred years. Yet we never adapted to the times. Sure, production became smoother, shipping easier; but we never truly left the dark ages, Weiss. Underpaid faunus employees, harsh work environments; I never wanted any of it back then, but when I took over, it all seemed natural. Like this was the way the world was meant to be, with humanity sitting at the throne of the world. Then the White Fang appeared; it went from being natural to being necessary for me. They killed my brother, several of your cousins. All because of me. I could have changed things, but I didn't. Didn't see the need to. But now," he looked to the IV that was stuck in his hand. "I am dying, Weiss. When a man realizes that his time is coming, he starts thinking about his life."

Weiss stared intently at her father, unsure of where this was going.

He smiled. "He starts to wonder about what he could have done better. How he could have run his company, or what could have been done to prevent such travesties." He met Weiss's eyes again. "He wonders how he could have treated his wife and daughters better."

"Father," Weiss whispered. She felt something moist on her face, and was shocked to see a tear run down her face. "What are you saying?"

"It's too late for me to apologize. Nothing I say or do will make up for what has happened between us. I can't fix the problems between us and the faunus either. I am too old, and too close to death's door." He started to cry. "I understand that you may never forgive me, Weiss. And I understand that what I am about to ask you may be out of line, but it is something that I must ask. May I?"

Weiss paused for a moment and contemplated. There's only one thing he could possibly ask of me, she realized. She nodded, willing to hear the words straight from his lips.

"Winter is far too young and inexperienced. She's only now starting university, and she hasn't seen all the things you've seen." He looked at the photo on the desk again. "She hasn't met the people you've met. You're older than your sister. Tradition says that I am only to ask this of my oldest living male relative; that would be my younger brother, of course, since I don't have a son. But, for once, I am going to break tradition. I promised you when you were a child that I would do this for you. That is why I gave you the title Heiress. So, I ask of you, Weiss, my beautiful, amazing daughter; will you, after me, become the first woman to head the Schnee Dust Company."

She stared at him with confusion. "Why?" she asked. "You know that I have no interest in running this company. In fact, I came here specifically to tell you my mind, and then leave without any remnant of an inheritance. I don't want it, and I never have."

He smiled a sad smile. "But you see, that is why you are perfect for it. You don't want the fame, or the money behind it. Five years ago you left to find yourself. Neither of us knew that this was the case at the time, but that is what happened. And in that time, you discovered who you really are. You are a Huntress, sworn to protect the peoples of Remnant. You do not discriminate, you do not subjugate; you honor and you protect everything and everyone. You hatred for this company and what it has done in the past pairs nicely with your goals and your personal code. In my stead, you can right all the wrongs that my father and his father had wrought upon the lands. No more underpaid workers. No more harsh environments. No more discrimination. Only you can do this, Weiss."

Weiss stared in awe at her father. For a quick moment, anger flooded her system. She drew Myrtenaster, raised her hand, and threw it as hard as she could, lodging the rapier into a bookcase on the other side of the room. Panting heavily, she stared at her hands deep in thought. "Why do you do this to me now?" she asked. "All this time, I used to fear you. Eventually, that fear turned to hate. I've hated you, father. I never wanted to give you the privalige of being proud of me. I became a huntress to spite you. To make you feel like I had abandoned and disappointed you. Now, I find out that you're proud of me. That you still want me to run this company. This company that I despise! What makes you think I'll agree to it!?"

He smiled at her. "I deserve you hate," he admitted. "I seek not your forgiveness. I seek not your pity. I am thinking of the future of our family. Not from the political point of view that I used to, thinking only of the company, but from a true, parent's perspective. When this company is yours, it is yours to do with as you please. You can improve it to fit the modern times, and be ever changing. You can disband it if you so choose. I do not care." Weiss was truly shocked to hear this. "Either way, Weiss, you will make me proud. Because in either case, you will have bettered the world, in spite of our family's foolish history."

She approached him and leaned against the desk. "What does Winter think about all this? Does she know that you're dying?"

He nodded. "She believes that I am doing the right thing," he admitted. "She also told me much the same as you did. Our relationship is repairing, though. I'd like to be on good terms with the both of you before I die."

Weiss stood straight and stared at her father for what felt like an eternity. "I...I need to think," she said. Turning around, she stormed out of the office.

"So, that's how it is?" Yang asked on the other side of the phone. "That's rough."

"I don't know what to do, Yang," Weiss said. "I never expected any of this. Ever. Not only is he dying, but he sounds...sorry."

Yang sighed. "Take my advice, Weiss; the only family I have is my sister and my father. Now, I know our families are different, but when that's all you have, you become attached and cling to every little good thing about them. My father was depressed and an alcoholic when Ruby's mother died. He shut down. It sounds like your father was much the same, though in a much more explosive manner."

"That's an understatement," Weiss said. "But, yeah, that's not far off."

"It took nearly losing me and Ruby for my dad to straighten up. So, here's my advice; do what you think is right, but don't ever forget about your father." She took a deep breath and paused. "He's dying, Weiss. Now may be your last chance to ever reconcile with him. Because once he's gone, it'll be too late. You may not regret it then, and maybe not for a few years to come, but eventually, you'll find yourself standing before his grave crying, wishing you could have found a middle ground with him. You're my family now too, Weiss; I don't want your heart broken for the rest of your life because of a mistake you might make today."

Weiss stood in the hallway with the phone to her ear, stunned. "You've really matured."

Yang laughed. "Being a partial cripple will make you appreciate life more." She paused again. "I wonder where Penny is right now."

Weiss looked out a nearby window. Though it was day outside, the crumbling moon was partially visible. "She's out there somewhere, watching Remnant from on high." Weiss sighed. "Thank you, Yang. I know what I need to do. I'll call you tomorrow. Same time? Or will you be at work?"

"Weiss, you can call me anytime. Whether I'm at work or not, I'll always pick up. See ya later." The phone went dead, and Weiss stood silently, waiting for herself to make a move.

She looked at her own reflection in the window, staring intently at the scar upon her face. No regrets, she thought to herself. Turning, she walked down the hall and reentered the office. Her father sat there, patiently waiting for her return. A nurse was standing with him now, changing the bag of fluids that were wired into his body. Once she was done, she politely greeted Weiss and left. The two were, once again, staring into each other's icy eyes, waiting for the other to melt and give first. "I've made my decision," Weiss said after what felt like an eternity of silence.

Her father coughed violently for a moment before returning his gaze to her. "And?"

She nodded. "I will run this company," she said at long last.

He stared at her in awe. "Run the company? Not disband it?"

She shook her head. "A friend of mine told me not to do something that I might regret. Forgiving you of the atrocities that you and this company have created is hard, and I can't do it right now." She smiled after a time. "But, I am willing to try."

"This friend of yours," her father said. "I'd very much like to meet them."

Weiss laughed. "I don't know. She's a bit rough around the edges. Crippled as she is, I'd still be afraid of her temper."

"No, I'm serious," he said. "I want to meet all of your friends." He tapped his finger onto the photo that still rested on his desk. "Especially this faunus friend of yours." He picked up the photo and stared at it happily. "What is her name?"

Weiss smiled. "Her name is Blake. She was a member of the original White Fang when she was a child, and she defected when it went rogue. She went to Beacon to prove that a faunus can help people, and to make people see her for who she was, rather than what."

He nodded. "Sounds like she's led a rough life. Let us hope that the future is much brighter."

Weiss nodded in return. "I'm sure it will be."

Six Months Later

Yang stood behind the bar in Junior's club, cleaning a glass with utmost care. She'd come to master her job at the club, to the point where Junior didn't keep tabs on her anymore. He even bragged about her to other club owners. "I've got a real good worker," he'd said. "You sons-a-bitches are gonna be green with envy when you see her work! Ha!"

Admittedly, when she heard such praise, it did make her pride swell just a bit. Even so, she was still the same Yang as ever. These last few years had been kind to her, true, but she missed the field of battle. She missed fighting Grimm with her friends. She had brought Ember Celica into the bar to be a wall decoration for the customers, but she could never use it again. She shrugged. She had a new life now, and that was all that mattered.

Melanie and Militia were seated in front of Yang, talking casually with the blonde; the three had become fast friends when she first showed up about five years ago. The club was quiet; it wasn't open yet. The music wouldn't start playing until the first customer walked through the door in about two hours. So, to pass the time, Yang had brought a small TV and set it up behind the bar for herself and the twins to use while everyone else prepared the rest of the club; Yang's ailment kept her confined to the bar when she worked.

The conversation stopped short when Militia paused and stared intently at the TV behind Yang. "Hey, isn't that your old team mate on the news?" she asked.

Yang, curious, turned to see what was up. Her jaw dropped when she read the headline.

HEAD OF SCHNEE DUST Co. DIES AFTER TWO YEAR BATTLE WITH CANCER.

There she was, looking strong as could be on the television; Weiss Schnee. Beside her was a younger girl who resembled Weiss. Yang could only assume that it was Winter, Weiss's younger sister. Weiss stepped onto a podium and began to speak.

"This morning, at 8:04 AM, my father passed away after his battle with cancer came to a close. I will not tell you of his life, for it was complicated and deeply personal to me and my sister. I will, however, tell you about what he said to me six months ago. He told me that this company would be mine to do with as I pleased. I could keep it the same, I could move it into the modern era, or I could disband it. As tempting as destroying this company is to me, I made my decision on that day; this company will not be the same, nor will it fall into disaray. Starting at 9:00 AM this morning, I, Weiss Schnee am the official head of the Schnee Dust Company. Tonight, I bury my father. Tomorrow, I rebuild his legacy. Everything that should have been, everything he wished he could have done; I will make the appropriate repairs that he dreamed of. This company should be a shining beacon of the future, not a shadow of the past!" She looked around at all the photographer's taking her picture. A few tears ran down her face. Upon realizing it, she gave a bow and said. "Thank you!" before walking off the stage.

Yang smiled, a tear streaming down her own face. She saw a stamp at the bottom of the screen; "Recorded at 1:00 PM." It was almost five in the afternoon now. "You go, girl," Yang said.

"Yang!" one of Junior's men yelled. "Some little girl is here to see you!"

Wiping her tears away, she told him to show her in. Neo entered the building and approached Yang. The two shared a brief hug before parting. "I heard about Weiss's father," Neo said. Yang had been teaching her how to speak properly these last five years. "Do you think she'll be alright?"

Yang nodded. "That woman won't be stopped now," she said. "She'll mourn today. And tomorrow, she'll create a whole new world." The blonde smiled happily at the thought. "And she doesn't have any regrets either."

Song: Something More - Soundwitch

Author's Note

I got a little sad here. Alot of what was talked about in this chapter is deeply personal to me. I wrote Weiss to have a similar relationship with her father to me. Probably didn't want to know that, but I've been getting more open about my family history in the last year, so yeah. I'm still not terribly fond of my father, but I know that someday I won't have him in my life anymore. Part of wants us to reconcile before then. I'd like to think that's the sane part of me.

But, I digress! What do you think? Did I handle this well? I honestly didn't expect this chapter to be so long, or to even have a POV swap in the end...but I wanted a way to tie up the ending, and I feel like this was the way to do it.

Let me know what you think. Leave a review or a PM or something. I'm not writing these After Story chapters in any given order, either. Next time will most likely be Blake, but I won't promise that. Neo will absolutely be the very last chapter of this though.

Till next time!