Red Roses, White Scales

Chapter 21

White Snow, White Scales

The Land of Darkness

December 28 — Snow

For a long time, I experienced only failure. But I will not quit. No matter how much injustice is in the world, I will not permit myself to surrender to it.

I am not Zero—I cannot change the world with rage and destruction! If, however, there is some way I can make it a better place, I will try with all of my strength. I will not give up. Zero never did!

Emerald Forest

"Ah goddamn, why, won't it work!?" Mikhail cursed, when another attempt to combine Aura and Mana failed." He wanted to control elements, created by his magic and tried to use his Aura, similar to Dust Control.

*Boom*

And again it failed into an explosion!

"Ah, *cough* not again!"

"You know, you should try, to stay calm." Accord said casually, while flipping a page of her book.

Mikhail glared and then sighed "I know….but I have finally the chance to become stronger. I can already form my elements, yet after some short time…shaping with Aura, makes them unstable.

Accord sighed and closed her book. The android stood up "You know, why, won't you try it, while activating your Semblance?"

"…."

Accord raised a brow "Don't tell me….you never tried it when you have your Semblance activated?"

"Okay I will try."

XXX

*BOOM*

"Wow." Mikhail gaped, when he saw, what he just did.

"Woow!" Accord adjusted her glasses.

"Wooow!"

"Woooow!

Right now, Mikhail just burned a big area of the Emerald Forest, to ashes

"A-Accord what….what did I just do?" This wasn't like Dust Control….Mikhail fueled some Fireballs with Aura and shot them.

"I-I don't know…."

Mikhail looked at his work "Incredible. Imagine what I could do, if I had my Fire-Rain or Light-Shower back."

It wasn't that easy. Mikhail could use them, in his inner world. Yet, when he tried to cast his Dragon Magic, it was somehow weaker.

"I…I think I have an explanation for this."

"What do you mean?"

"Try to use some Dragon Magic."

Mikhail shot some Water Torrents, and *Boom* *Boom* *Boom* and ripped some trees and earth off.

"Wow!"

"As I thought." Accord tapped her chin.

"What do you mean?"

Accord took a better look at the destruction and turned to Mikhail "When you use magic with your Semblance, it becomes almost….or rather similar to Real-Dragon Magic."

Mikhail nodded.

"But imagine that you could use your Aura to have a better control of it…similar to Dust-Control."

"What do you mean, and why can I use both in this form, better?"

"There is only one explanation for this…"

Mikhail tilted his head.

"New Breed."

Mikhail's eye widened, and he lost some color in his face "W-what?" He took a step back "Are you saying….that I am like the New Breed from the Book of Seeds?"

"No," She shook her head "Well not completely similar. You know the prophecy."

"Yes." Mikhail closed his eyes "One day, a child will be born. A creature created through the Bone Casket, with the power of men and dragon at the same time and yet without, their weaknesses. A weapon of dragonkind, to destroy the gods and their minions." Mikhail opened his eyes "I…I am…."

"Your Semblance made you….to something….a being between men and dragon. Born with the body and power of Remnant's humanity and armed with the soul of the most dangerous and strongest monster of Earth, the dragon.

Mikhail was shocked of this revelation….he….a being similar to the New Breed. A new being, a new species…a mix between human and dragonkind.

A being that could surpasses even gods and dragons.

Strength…..he has it now.

"Give me more Maso-Particle."

XXX

Oobleck's class

"Mr. Rose!"

"Eh, what?" Mikhail was brought out of his thoughts, when Oobleck called him out.

"Mr. Rose, it is somehow queer, that you are not listening to my class." The teacher took a sip from his mug "May I ask you why?"

Mikhail shook his head and noticed that his friends, looked at him "I am sorry, sir, I….was somehow in deep thoughts."

Oobleck nodded "I hope so young man, can you at least tell me what popular trend occurred after Great War, and is even now present?"

Mikhail nodded "The Color Naming Rule, sir."

"Precisely, and can you tell me more about it?"

He nodded "During the Great War, one side destroyed art as part of their goal of suppressing all forms of self-expression. In defiance, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after a fundamental aspect of art-color. This symbolic gesture demonstrated that neither they nor the generations to come would tolerate such oppression. The latter group eventually prevailed, and the tradition of naming children after colors continues into the present day."

"Precisely. Even today, the defiance of our forefathers burns in our heart." The zipped forward "Please read the site 45, 59 and 89. I want an essay about those."

XXX

After classes ended, Team JNPR and RWBY exited the class room.

Ruby, jumped on her brother's back and touched her cheek with his.

"What's the matter little bro?"

"A little bit….dunno. I just need some fresh air."

The rest of his team and JNPR joined them.

"Everything's fine little brother?" Yang ruffled her brother's hair and smiled cheesy at him.

"Nah, I feel a little bit cramped. Need some air."

"Then how about going to Vale?" She looked at the others "What about you guy?"

"Sure, why not." Pyrrha nodded.

"Yeah." Ren wanted, too."

"So, eating pancakes?"

The teens looked at Nora, who wanted to eat Pancakes. She didn't eat ones since yesterday, which was a record for her.

"No Nora."

"But Ren!"

"No."

Nora pouted and huffed.

"Actually," Weiss intervened "We need to prepare the Dust Project for tomorrow."

"Oh right." Yang nodded "Can you spare us some Dust for it, Ice Queen?"

Weiss' eye twitched "It's Weiss you dolt, and yes I can. But we need other components for it.

Team RWBY thought about it.

And Mikhail had suddenly an idea "I and Weiss will go to Vale, Yang, Ruby and Blake, you will prepare everything.

His team and JNPR suddenly snapped their heads towards him, especially Weiss who quirked a brow.

"What?" He shrugged and went over to Weiss putting an arm around her shoulders "Weiss knows exactly what components we need and at the same time, we can know each other better." He winked at Weiss "A date between friends."

Suddenly Weiss blushed slightly, by hearing the word date.

XXX

City of Vale

"So…"

"So what, Weiss?"

"Why did you really want to come with me to Vale?" The heiress put her fists on her waist and asked with curiosity.

Mikhail shrugged "Like I said, I wanted to spend some time, only with you."

Weiss twitched and she suddenly blushed furiously.

"Because I already did it with the others."

"Oh…." Suddenly she felt….disappointed.

Mikhail tilted his head "What's the matter, Weiss?"

The heiress regained her composure and passed Mikhail in a quicker pace.

"Wait, Weiss!"

Mikhail ran after her, and both found themselves in a busy street.

"Woah! They are already beginning with the preparation of the Vytal Festival. Awesome!"

"Yes, indeed." Weiss smiled "The preparations, the planning for such an event is arresting!"

Her leader nodded in agreement "It has something, to see his result after a long working time."

"Yes, the fruits, of the own work, are the sweetest." She turned around and saw how Mikhail beamed, seeing the preparations of the festival "You like the Vytal Festival?"

"No, I LOVE it." He nodded vigorously "I was, with my family on every, since I could remember."

"Oh, then what are you loving the most?"

Mikhail looked at Weiss "Everything! The cultures, the dances, the food and the parades." He put his hands on his head back "When I was little, I needed medical treatment for my Aura Intoxication and Semblance. I was in various places, the first Vytal Festival I ever saw, was in Atlas."

"Oh, then how did you like Atlas?"

"I like the city, because of the awesome buildings, the snow and the weapons created there. Also their sweets and ice cream are awesome."

Weiss smiled and puffed her chest in proud "Of course. Atlas is well known for their cakes and ice cream, besides their technology."

"I was also in a tour for the Schnee Dust Company."

"And how did you like it?"

Mikhail's smile vanished….."Well…I and my mother…..didn't finish it exactly."

Weiss looked worried "Why?"

Mikhail opened his mouth slightly and pointed at his canines.

Suddenly Weiss became pale "Oh….what happened." Yet she already knew.

"Well," He rubbed his head back "A dust robbery of the White Fang…made the people and the soldiers rather jumpy. They thought I am a Faunus…and that my mother was probably one, too. After they saw our IDs, they still didn't believe it. They wanted to separate my mother, for questions. I was really scared…..when others suddenly yelled and shouted at me…."

Weiss put her hands on her mouth "….I am sorry…." Weiss was now long enough in Beacon, and came to also to know, how Faunus were treated, that she lost some of her …distrust of them. Especially Velvet was really nice to her. At least, Vale was one of the Faunus friendliest cities. And even though, Mikhail was only a child….he was already pointed out as a criminal….

"Nah, don't be. Ironwoods appeared and cleared the misunderstanding." While Mikhail didn't really like that man, he was grateful for his help.

Weiss sighed in relief, but then "Wait? General Ironwoods knew your mother? How?"

"Dunno." He shrugged "I think because of Ozpin."

Weiss nodded.

"Come on Weiss, don't make that face."

Weiss scowled "What face?"

"Your usual scowling face?"

Now she narrowed her eyes "I don't scowl the entire time."

"Really?"

Now she even scowled harder.

"Okay, okay sorry." He put his hands in a defensive manner "Well at least let me escort you." Mikhail went closer to Weiss and raised his arm "If I may be so bold, Miss?"

Weiss raised a brow and smiled "Of course you can." They linked arms, and walked off, not noticing, that a pair of green eyes observed them.

XXX

"So do we have everything?" Mikhail asked Weiss, who had the last component in her hands and put it in a bag.

"Yes, this was the last."

Mikhail nodded and his stomach began to growl…..

*GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWLLLL*

Really loud.

Weiss looked with bewilderment at her leader, who was sheepishly grinning "Sorry." And rubbed his head back.

The heiress shook her head in amusement "Should we eat something?"

"And letting our team, doing more work, while we fill our stomach and taking our time?"

Weiss opened her mouth…but

"You're evil..…I have a thing for that!" Hey, he was still Yang's brother. He has a thing for bad girls….and never forget Zero…..

Her cheeks gained a pink dust and both went to their team's usual restaurant.

XXX

The waitress came to the both "What can I bring you?"

Weiss ordered first "A coffee, cream, one sugar please. Also the special vegetable plate, please"

She nodded "And you, sir?"

"I have a 3 mackerel burger, fries and a big strawberry soda, together with water."

She nodded, typed the order on the scroll.

XXX

"Ha, that was good." Mikhail leaned back on his seat, while Weiss wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Yes. We should go, before the others will go rigid."

Mikhail nodded "But I need to go to the bathroom, excuse me for a moment.

XXX

"Pfuh." The leader of Team RWBY began to wash his hands, when suddenly two red and black claws were pointed at his throat.

He could see that a girl with green eyes and dress looking at him, with neutral eyes. Yet he already noticed that she was here the entire time.

"Miltia." He smiled slightly "Sup?"

"Hi, Mike."

"Hi…." Some seconds passed "So….can you please put your claws away?"

She chuckled "Oh…I could….but I also know, that you could easily take me down."

"Then….Let me ask….why is my 'girlfriend' holding her weapon against my throat?"

"You really ask?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Miltia rolled her eyes "You don't call us, you don't write us…and here I am….seeing you flirting and happily walking with a girl…..Weiss Schnee." She pointed her claws closer to his throat "I know we had an agreement…. why didn't you tell us, that you have a girlfriend?"

"Weiss is not my girlfriend." He said casually and then sighed "She is my friend."

The girl quirked a brow "Really?"

"Really." He nodded.

"Okay." She parted from him and he sighed again.

"Well at least I should say sorry, that I didn't contact you and your sister for a while."

"You should."

"Yeah…sorry. Beacon makes it not easy to have time for friends outside the school."

Miltia pouted and crossed her arms.

"Oh come on, I said sorry. What should I do, to make it up?"

That gained her attention "Have sex with me."

Mikhail was now flabbergasted "Wait right here and right now?"

"Yes." She said it in an obvious tone.

"But Weiss is waiting…." Miltia put a finger on his lips and smiled bashfully.

"Today is a safe day for me."

He twitched "But…."

Then Mitlia grabbed her dress and moved it down, exposing her bare chest. Since it was a strapless one, it was easier. Also she didn't wear a bra.

Mikhail's mouth was agape and he smacked himself "Okay, I think Weiss could wait a little bit longer.

Miltia chuckled only to moan, when Mikhail grabbed her by her butt, kissed her passionately and carried her into the cabin.

"Oh yeah!"

*Baam*

"Yes!"

*BAAM* *BAAM* *BAAM* *BAAM* *BAAM*

"Harder!*

*BAAM* *BAAM* *BAAM* *BAAM* *BAAM* *BAAM*

"Oh god, fuck yeah Mike!"

While outside, the people around and in the restaurant asked themselves, why the building was suddenly shaking…..

XXX

After they were finished, both Mikhail and Miltia went out of the bathroom. But they were careful, so that no could see them.

"Okay you can come out." He called out, and a limping emerged from the room "You're alright?"

"Y-yeah…damn you really did me good." On her neck, was a light bite wound and some scratches, caused by Mikhail.

"Sorry for the bite….and for the limping.

She shook her head, still a little bit shaky on her legs "Don't be. You know, I like it being handled rough."

"Well…I also shot a lot into you, is it really a save day?" He was worried, since he went to Beacon; he didn't even masturbate…nor had sex with Miltia and Melanie in a long time. He was really eager….to let all of his frustration out on Miltia…well at least she had a masochistic streak.

"I also take the pill, calm down…." She leaned forward and gave him a small peck on the lips "See ya."

XXX

'Phew, that was good.' Honestly he wasn't really satisfied; he could have keep going for hours and day…but maybe another time…..Semblance…..

"What is your problem!?" Suddenly Mikhail heard Weiss shouting, he began to run, and saw, that Weiss was argumenting…..with two Faunus.

'Great…..' Now he had to take care of this mess. Mikhail rolled his eyes and went straight to the argumenting people. The customers already began to look at them and to whisper.

"My problem!?" One of the Faunus, a male deer Faunus, with horns on his head shouted "What's your problem. You and your family are cruel racist bastard!"

The other male Faunus began to shout, too. It was a boar Faunus with tusk on his chin "You are nothing but a bunch of slave drivers. You think of us Faunus nothing but animals, working for you!"

"What is going on here?" Mikhail went between the three "Weiss?"

Weiss became angrier "I have done nothing. I just sat here peacefully and suddenly they shouted and threw insults at me." She began to pant "And I am not a slave driver!"

"You are monsters, you and your family."

"No! We are not monsters!"

The boar faunus continued "My father worked in the Dust Mines. He died, because your company didn't think it necessary to make it safer." He lashed out "Your father is a…."

"Don't insult my father…Or…!"

"Oh," The deer faunus held his hands mockingly "What are you going to do? Call your father and hunt us? Like animals? You call us a bunch of monsters…." He tried to grab her but then.

"Uf!" Mikhail grabbed his hand "Let me go!?"

"No calm down." He glared at the Faunus, he tried to be calm. If he would start a fight, it wouldn't end well. First for the both, since the police was already jumpy, because of the recent actions of the White Fang, and second, if he or Weiss would do something, it wouldn't bring a good light for Beacon.

The boar faunus began to shout "Why are you protecting her!? Aren't you a Faunus yourself!?" Then he noticed "You are Mikhail Rose!"

Immediately many gazes went to him.

"Yes I am. Now calm down." He tried to calm them down; he didn't want to involve the police here."

"Why should I!?" The boar-Faunus shouted "She is a Schnee. She is a racist bitch like her slave-driver of father!"

"I am not like my father!"

"Yes you are! You and your families are nothing but murderers!" The boar one shouted "Because of you I lost so many friends and family members. You and your family don't even care about us. You just want to erase us from this world, just like the Vanguards!" He panted "Murderer!"

Weiss froze….her eyes wide open.

"Weiss!" Before Mikhail could call her out, the heiress ran away.

The deer shouted "Yeah ran away you murderer!"

"SHUT UP!" Both Faunus froze, from the massive bloodlust Mikhail emitted.

"Wha!"

"Get out, before you are making things worse."

"Why!?" The boar asked.

"Right now, the Faunus image is already damaged, because of the White Fang," He grabbed the Faunus on his neck "And you are just showing nothing but conformation to the propaganda, that the Faunus are nothing but violent persons."

"We are..."

"You just harassed a single girl, Weiss Schnee, and you two are male Faunus, two heads bigger than her and also males." He released the grip "Get out of here, before I will make you."

Both Faunus scowled "Come on Cloud," The boar said "Let's get out of here."

XXX

'I am not…like my father….' Weiss was currently at the park, sitting on a bench and crying a bit….."I am not a murderer."

"Weiss?" The heiress looked up and a worried Mikhail "I know I should not ask this….but are you alright?"

"Of course not you dolt!" She yelled "I am not…"

Great…'Mikhail…you are an asshole of the highest grade….' He was ashamed. If he wouldn't have fucked Miltia….he could have calmed them down "I am sorry Weiss….."

"You hate me, don't you?" That was unexpected.

"What?"

"I know the other reason you don't work also for us and Atlas-Military, because you hate us." She raised her head, and Mikhail could see that her eyes were red.

"Weiss…look."

She stood up and glared with teary eyes at him "Just tell me!"

Mikhail sighed and then took a more serious face "Yes. Actually I hate your company and Atlas Military. I also dislike your father and Ironwoods." He sighed "I just hate….how he and the general are doing things their way.

Weiss gasped, it hurt her…it hurt her really, and that Mikhail said such thing "Then why…?"

"Do you know, what he asked me the first thing, we met?"

She shook her head.

"He asked me if I am a Faunus."

Weiss wanted to groan…"I am…

"But it doesn't matter," He held his hand out "That doesn't mean, that I dislike you or Winter."

Mikhail knew, the moment, that Winter was different. Even though, she was arrogant, even though, she thought of herself better, he could never forget the face, when her own father asked him that question, to a boy who wasn't older than 13 years. It was a face of frustration.

"Wha…"

"Weiss look," He put his hands on her shoulders "I know…" But he was interrupted

"You…you don't hate me?" She asked…..with insecurity.

"I would never hate you." He shook his head "You are not like your father or the others. I know that you actually want to care for Faunus."

"But….."

"They are at fault. They don't trust you, only because you're a member of the Schnee family. They didn't even know you. But don't make the same mistake as them, by seeing in every Faunus an enemy."

Weiss looked down "No one…Every time I met a Faunus, they looked at me like I am some kind of monster….No one helped…."

"Weiss. You are not lonely. You don't need to go through this alone."

"What!?"

"Don't give me that look." He rolled his eyes "Look I am your friend, I would never judge you only because you came from the Schnee family. You are my friend Weiss, our all friend. Ruby's, Blake's and Yang's. Also Jaune', Pyrrha's, Nora's and Ren's."

She smiled "Thank you." He was right, even though…Weiss can be arduous and arrogant….yet they never left her or ignored her.

"And actually you forgot, Velvet's a friend, too. You see, there is a Faunus who likes you."

"Yes," She sniffed "You are right….Velvet is really nice to me." She nodded.

"So," He tilted his head "Everything's fine?"

"Yes." She confirmed.

Mikhail nodded "That's the Weiss I know and love!"

"What!?" Immediately she became a sputtering mess.

"Come on, the others are waiting!"

"Wait," She became red "What do you mean 'you love'!"

XXX

Night, Team RWBY's room

"Ah finally finished!" Yang stretched her arms up in the air, and rested on her and her sibling's beds.

"Finally." Ruby groaned and sat on the ground.

"Finished…..." Blake began took her book out, and began to read.

Mikhail clapped with his hands "Good work, girls."

Weiss stood next to him, nodded "Indeed."

Yang made a sitting position and scowled "You jerks, made us doing the most work, while you were amusing yourselves in Vale!"

"Yeah!" Ruby joined in.

But Mikhail snorted "To our defense, it's me and Weiss, who always make the most work, while you guys laze around.

"Hey!" Ruby pouted "I don't laze around!"

"Then what is, eating cookies, which I made, and looking into weapon magazines, in your eyes?"

Ruby twitched and smiled sheepishly, while rubbing her head.

"Ha, burn Rubes!" Yang smiled and pointed her finger at her sister."

"You are not better." He deadpanned.

"Hey!...….I have no excuse." She really couldn't say anything, since Mikhail made most of their work. He cleaned, cooked, gave her money, made her and Ruby's laundry and even helped with their hair.

Blake smiled mischievously only to receive an angry glare.

"W-what?"

Mikhail looked at her "You shouldn't smile, Blake. You read the entire day…..smut."

"Hey!" She fumed "It's….."

"Oh, oh, yes, there Kurogane!" Immediately she closed her Ninjas of Love, since everyone in her team knew it, so she doesn't hide it anymore, and blushed.

"I….am….now quiet."

"Aaand?" He quirked a brow.

"Less reading, more helping." She hanged her head down, in defeat.

Meanwhile Weiss mouth was wide agape; he needed only 15 seconds, to make her nutjobs of teammates quiet and docile.

"*Yawn*, I am tired, let's sleep girls, I will sing for you."

Immediately Ruby and Yang beamed and Blake was in joy, too, but she didn't it show much.

*Beep* *Beep*

All girls looked at Mikhail, who took his scroll out. He unfolded it, and suddenly looked surprised. The girls could even swear seeing, a faint blush on his face.

"I-I need to go, I will be back!" He went out…

"Wait, Mike!" Ruby pouted, she wanted to hear a song!

*Bam*

"Wow," Blake tilted her head "He….was fast."

"Yeah…." Yang and Weiss nodded.

XXX

CCT-Tower

Mikhail looked around. Normally the CCT-Tower is full at day, but at night almost or completely empty.

"How can I help you, Mr. Rose?" A hologram of a woman showed up.

"I need to make a call to the Schnee Dust Company Headquarters in Atlas."

"Of course." She tapped something in "Please head over to Terminal 5, I will patch you through." She smiled.

Mikhail nodded "Thank you very much." He walked towards the terminal and sat down.

He took a deep breath "Okay just calm down. Be cool Mikhail, you were once a dragon. A proud being with immense power. You can…..Why do I speak with myself!?" Then the monitor went on, revealing the face of a young blonde woman with shoulder length-hair and blue eyes.

"Thank you for calling the…oh Mister Rose a pleasure! I will immediately patch you through Miss Schnee."

"Thank you very much."

The screen green for a moment and then the face of a young woman was seen.

"Good afternoon, Mikhail. I am sorry to bother you to this late hour"

"G-good afternoon….Winter,"

Winter Schnee was a tall young woman, with pale skin, white hair and medium-light blue eyes. Her hair was tied up in a bun at the back of her head, with the exception of her bangs, which were brushed off to the right side of her face, and a small lock of hair that reached below her left ear.

"And no, you are not a bother."

She nodded "So I wanted to ask how my sister is doing?"

"Well," He tilted his head from left to right "She's doing fine…..a little bit arrogant."

Hearing that caused Winter to sigh "At least you can…..."

"Winter," he smiled "Don't worry, she was a bit edgy on the sides, but she is doing pretty good. Teamwork is becoming stable, she trust us…" Well he still felt guilty because of Blake's secret he kept "And I don't have problems with her. Really, I like her. She is wonderful."

Winter…. smiled at Mikhail's word "At least I know that she is in good hands."

"Don't worry, we will look after her." He gave a confirming nod.

"Good to hear. Is there anything else?"

Mikhail didn't want to lie, and he had a feeling, that Winter shouldn't be lied, that woman reminded him too much of Zero "Something happened, today."

The older sister's smile vanished "What happened?" Her voice became harsh.

"She was harassed by two Faunus."

Winter narrowed her eyes "I hope she could handle it well, did she?"

"I…." God that woman is really like Zero "Handled it….it almost became dangerous…I stepped in."

"*Sigh*….."

"Winter?"

"At least….I know that she has friends, who are taking care of her, thank you."

"No problem….and by the way." He leaned back "Even if you wouldn't have asked me, to become friends with her, I would have still tried, until she would gave in."

Winter actually chuckled a bit "Certainly. But let me ask….even if she would hunt after you with her rapier?"

"You know my answer."

"You are an idiot."

"I know that, thank you."

Both of them laughed mildly.

"By the way Mikhail?"

"Yeah?"

"Next time, I see your uncle…I will kill him."

Mikhail deadpanned "What did that dusty drunken crow, this time?"

"You are better off, not knowing."

"Would it help to say, that I am sorry and ashamed of him?"

"…..Actually…no."

"Figures."

"Good night, Mikhail."

"Good night, Winter."

The screen became black, and Mikhail stood up. He rubbed his face, tired and now frustrated "When I get my hands on him….I will fry that crow. Extra crispy.

At the same time, a crow with red eyes began to fly away….and it was in a hurry…..

Hope you like it ;)

If you have questions, pm me.

Khan