A/N: Hello everyone I am once again here with another update to season 3 of this story! As you may all know Volume 9 had already ended and man what an ending it had especially the music for it. That said, this chapter is the debut of a certain Combo you guys may be familiar with from the CSM Collection. Let us get to the start of this chapter!
And also be advised there is a lemon near the end to this chapter so you have been warned.
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ REMNANT OF DESIRES AND REMNANTS OF DESIRES: AFTER THE FALL, READ THEM BEFORE YOU START READING THIS STORY. THANK YOU.
Third Person View
'Thought'"
Greeed/Yummies
In the Schnee mansion, Willow Schnee was seated on a table outside as she was drinking some alcohol. This wasn't her only bottle nor was it her last as there are three empty bottles on the ground.
Most people who see her like this think she's a drunken mess, and they would be right. Mrs. Schnee has been like this for years now. Ever since her husband told her he married her just for the company… her life became nothing but a mess. Her son was being groomed to be like her estranged husband. Her daughters were on their own paths to get away from the manor; wanting nothing from the company.
Now, she was left here all alone with nothing but her drinks to keep her company and to help drown her sorrows. Her mind was still blaring from the livid dream when she was in the study room earlier.
A man with a grin as wide as a cat telling her to follow what she desires…
To take back what her bastard husband took from her.
She took another swig of the bottle. Her free hand pressed against her right eye, feeling her heart grip tightly in bubbling anger. Her hold on the bottle tightened before she threw it across from her.
'Take… take back what is mine…' The whispers repeated in her mind. Her heart pounded against her chest. Willow gripped her head, nearly digging her nails into her scalp to the swelling sensation that was erupting.
"Take…" She panted. Her eyes slowly flared angrily. "He ruined it… he destroyed my family…"
Again and again it was shouting at her. The whispers grew loud.
'Follow what you desire.'
Her arms slacked down, unable to fully register it. However she staggered onto her feet, dragging them across the floor and forced the door open. Her lungs inhaled as much air as she could, sweat beading down her forehead as the voices continued.
"Follow… my desire." Underneath her clothes, bandages slowly entrapped her pale skin.
The Yummy was now growing upon her desires.
Remnants of Desires: Edge of Avarice
Chapter 5: Schnee Family, Ridevendor 2.0, The Cold Combo
The sound of the Batta Candroid made me wince my sleeping eyes. I grumbled groggily and opened my eyes to see the bunk I was in. Moving myself on the edge of the bunk, I yawned and saw the hopping Candroid that displayed the time. I tapped the little robot to change it back into its can mode. It was early morning but I had to adjust as this was my first day as an official Huntsman. I looked over but noticed Ankh and Gamel weren't in their respective bunks.
Huh, I wonder where they went?
Shaking my head and save the curiosity for later, I decided to get myself ready since I would have to take missions today.
What kind of missions are available anyway? There were regular search and destroy missions, rescue, and defense of the border but it's hard to pick one that will fit me.
Especially since I haven't tried the new Medals I got from Poseidon. Come to think of it, I never had a chance to test them. Perhaps today I can test it during a mission. After taking a needed shower, I adjusted my outfit. I zipped up the jacket slightly and made sure my equipment was set.
Looking at the new Candroid in my hand, I smiled slightly. Pietro had managed to complete the new Ridevendor shortly after we came back from the abandoned mines. The process took longer than the rest but thanks to the Core Technology it was made with by Kougami, it will be helpful in future fights against Grimm and Yummies. He even asked me if he could use the schematics for the Atlesian Military due to the usefulness of having portable transportation.
Walking down the hall, I still felt surprised that I was now a Huntsman. Me and my family. Then… the question came up. No, I can't let that question bother me right now. I promised Blake to not let it bother me.
The main focus is to complete the Amity Tower, and restore worldwide communications. Seeing the entrance of the training area, I entered but I was greeted with an unexpected sight.
Ankh and Gamel were fighting against the Ace Operatives. Already the operatives looked to be near exhausted as the two Greeed were still moving with ease in combat. I ducked when a block flew past. I whistled at how much fighting was occuring.
"Does anything hurt these guys?!" Marrow exclaimed.
Ah, they never knew that only weapons powered by Cell Medals can damage the Greeed. With their normal weapons, Ankh and Gamel shrugged it off like it was nothing if they had more Cores in their body. Since Ankh had nine and Gamel six, they were practically impervious to normal weapons.
I watched before noticing Harriet using her speed to counter the Bird Greeed but his wings appeared and unleashed a wave of fire. She dodged but Gamel had her in his arms and chucked her to her hammer-wielding teammate. The two women regained their bearings but saw a charging Gamel before they could fully recover.
I winced the moment he knocked them into the air like bowling pins. That has got to hurt.
"And that settles it." Clover decided as his fellow operatives stood up after the grueling spar. Each of them were recovering from the brutal ordeal from the two Greeed, the two female operatives having to pick themselves up and groaned.
Ankh scoffed as he changed back into his human form. "Serves them right." He adjusted his jacket while Gamel happily sat on a block. "I did warn you all."
Marrow pushed his back a bit, eliciting an audible pop. "No kidding… by gods that was intense. You sure didn't hold back like you did to that Feline."
They were disturbed by the two's teamwork. With Gamel serving as the 'tank' of the duo, Ankh was the tactical mind and prowess. With Ankh's motif being three intelligent birds and a phoenix, he was extremely smart as the tactician of the group.
"Wow, you guys weren't messing around." I commented, the group finally noticed me. "Now I know where Ankh and Gamel went."
"We wanted to see how well the two fare in a fight. Well, the others are getting more than they can chew." Clover chuckled.
"Che, luck isn't everything." Ankh snorted.
"I am guessing Clover had you in a bind a few times?" I guessed.
"More like his luck's being a constant annoyance." The Bird Greeed scoffed. "I don't see how luck is a Semblance."
"Semblances are part of our souls, Ankh." I reminded him.
"Luck isn't a part of a soul. Merely a pointless superstition." He walked out of the room while Gamel scratched his head, his face scrunched in confusion.
"Superstition…? What's that?" Gamel asked.
"Basically something that's beyond credulous belief. Like ghost stories seen as superstition."
"Ohhhhh. Okay!" Gamel understood. "I'm gonna find Pyrrha! Bye OOO and friends!"
Speaking of seeing the others, I was reminded of the breakfast hour and man I am starving! I gave my partings to the Ace Ops and made my way to the mess hall. If it weren't for Penny giving my friends and I a tour when we first came to Atlas, we would have honestly been lost.
With a bit of travel, I finally found myself in the mess hall. I didn't see Ruby or the others. Well, not from my line of sight. They were probably still asleep. I wouldn't blame them given the long travel we had done to get to Mantle, fighting a pack of dubbed Sabyrs (which I came to learn from the Atlesian Operatives), recently clearing the mines, and fighting Kazari. I only woke up early due to following the mental clock.
Entering the mess hall that is the cafeteria, I got myself my needed breakfast which consisted of a few slices of pancakes with a side of scrambled eggs and bacon. To go with it was a cup of tea. With the tray of food and drink in hand, I took a seat and began to eat.
Opening the Medal Book after setting it beside the tray, I observed the Medals we have in our collection. While Ankh has his Red Cores as does Gamel with his Gray Core Medals, it gave some room to allow the booklet to hold Super TaToBa and the unknown medals. Immediately I realized I never had the chance to observe the newest additions. I recall Ankh labeled them as Seiuchi, Shirokuma, and Penguin. Penguin being obvious but I was unfamiliar with the other two. I do recall, however, that 'Shiro' means white in Japanese. So it must involve an animal of such appearance.
"Looking at the new Medals you took from Poseidon?" I lifted my head to my left, noticing Blake as she set her tray onto the table and sat beside me.
"Yeah. I'm just curious what kind of Combo this will make." I took a bite of my scrambled eggs.
"What kind of animal is engraved on those Medals? Maybe we can guess what kind of power it has from the animal."
Checking the engravings carved on the three, I studied the images in each Core Medal. "Walrus, Polar Bear, and a Penguin. Huh, animals of the polar regions."
"It looks like the Combo might be related to your Cyrokinesis Semblance." She assumed. "If it does, this place is the best spot to utilize its full power."
"Good point. Atlas's environment is much colder than other Kingdoms. Using it may help with that."
If the Combo does relate to ice, my Semblance would have good use for it as a combination. With another ice-based Combo, I wouldn't have to rely on PuToTyra unless it was an emergency. It will be useful for freezing large groups of Grimm.
"What do you plan to do?" My fiancée asked.
"Well, I might go on a mission involving Grimm that has to be eliminated along with protection of the Amity tower." I shrugged. "You can come along if you want."
"I want to, but Ruby got a mission set up for us."
Ah right. From everyone, Ruby was the most excited about taking missions as an official Huntress. I wouldn't blame Ruby for her excitement.
"But we can do one together after that."
"Alright." I accepted. "See you in the afternoon, then?"
Blake smiled, "Of course."
Willow Schnee trudged across the hall of the manor, briefly leaning against the wall and held her head. Since the night before, her mind felt such turmoil of emotions. The voice in her mind kept repeating over and over. Her anger that had been suppressed slowly rising like a thermometer.
At first when she met Jacques, she thought not only of him as handsome and charming, but he seemed like he knew how to make thing better for her family and the SDC. How wrong she was, the moment that Whitley was born, she was told the truth of it all. He only married her for the company.
She was played like a fool. Her family… crumbling by Jacques' greed.
Her daughters take their own path, her son being molded just like the bastard husband of hers, and all of them are leaving her alone with that vile scum of a man.
She remembered better times, one where her father would come to visit Winter and then later Weiss. It made her feel at ease knowing her father was still around. But after his death and Whitley's birth, it became nothing but pain and suffering for her heart. She tried to remain strong for her children, but with everything as it is now? She can't stand it anymore. She needed a distraction or numbness to stop this pain.
Seeing the portrait of her bastard husband finally sent a large wave of anger within her. The man who destroyed her family. Her birthright. He who destroyed everything!!
Her jaw clenched the longer her eyes glared at it. He did this to her. To her family. To her birthright!
Ice began to spread from beneath the outsoles of her shoes, the cold mist seeping off. Willow grasped the blistering headache that erupted in her head. She can hear the voices blaring in her mind. Upon the agonizing sensation, she finally yelled in anguish, allowing the frozen waters to erupt violently upon directing the concentrated power at the portrait. The windows of the hall shattered, the ice breaking anything in its wake, leaving fragments of debris caught in its cold wake.
Upon its eruption, it had left a hole in the wall. Giving a grand view of the city that is Atlas.
"Follow… My… desire." A feral yet angered growl seethed through her teeth.
When breakfast ended several hours, I had already explored a bit more of the academy to get a grasp of its layout. Sure Penny gave us a tour but I wanted to have a personal feel to the base. From my recollection, the top priority is Amity Tower which meant protecting supply runs from Grimm and bandits, and protecting the site itself. To include it was providing defenses for Mantle.
Though after the incident with Kazari, I was sure I am going to be put on lookout since Ankh, Gamel, and myself are the only three who can sense Core Energy. But hey, at least it's something to start with right?
Being an official Huntsman… it still felt surreal. I popped open a Batta Candroid, seeing that it was nearing noon.
… Maybe I really should find any noteworthy tasks before I get scolded for not doing any priority work connected to the Amity Tower.
Stalking to the mission room, I paused mid step and leaned over from the corner and noticed the familiar mop of snow-white hair.
Huh, she must have returned from a mission with Ruby.
"Hey, Weiss! Glad to see you again." I called out to her with a smile.
The Huntress blinked before turning her head slightly to notice my approach. "Oh, Enrique, didn't see you."
"You came back with the rest of the team?" I assumed.
"Yes, though why do we have to wake up so early…" she grumbled.
"I'm used to it." I shrugged.
"Unless it was a weekend for you." Her jab made me slump in dismay, "Don't remind me…" Given we still have to work on a weekend kinda made me upset but it's part of work. From the information, the work can last a majority of the day.
"Though it doesn't explain why you aren't with the others. You are often with them." I recalled.
"They were tasked for a different job where I wasn't suited well for the area, so I decided to come back."
"Yikes." I received a minor punch to the arm, making me laugh slightly. "Thus you are here for one suitable."
"Correct." Her eyes lingered for a moment and brows furrowed. "…At least it's better than having to hear news about… him."
Glancing at the scrolling screens, I saw some of it involved the council election. Ah right, her father was running for a spot in the Atlas Council. What a greedy prick…
The news mentioned various things regarding here and Mantle. Not much to be honest.
But what was obviously upsetting for Weiss, was how much her father was lying for certain "promises" or "deals" for the people. It's obvious he was just saying that stuff to get their votes, alongside only giving certain benefits for now before he strips them later.
He wanted nothing more than to kick Ironwood off the board. Just like-
Wait a minute. I drew close to the electronic board and was greeted with an unexpected news article. "Weiss… I think you need to see this." I called as my eyes stared at the screen.
The former heiress cocked a brow and approached my side, looking at the mission board. "Which one?" I tapped the screen to grant her a better view. It revealed an image of the Schnee manor but the article was another story.
An Attack on Schnee Manor, Willow Schnee Discovered Missing
"Guess-" I grunted when Weiss nearly shoved me but grasped the board. Her eyes were full of shock.
"What?!" she turned to me with worry and fear, "Enrique… Please, we have to investigate this. I'm worried that my father finally took things into his own hands and did something to her."
"You really think-?" Weiss only cut me off, "You don't know him as I do!"
I mentally grimaced at her fingers nearly digging into my arms, the Aura nullifying the pain. "Weiss, calm down."
"I AM CALM!" She then held her tongue the moment her ice blue eyes saw my scolding glare. She bit her cheek and slowly loosened her grip on my arms. Her limbs laxed slightly and allowed myself to channel my Aura to settle the pain in my own arms. "Sorry…"
"Take a moment to close your eyes and inhale." Weiss did as told. "Then exhale." Again she did as instructed. Opening her eyes she looked calm but retained her concern regarding her mother.
"Please Enrique… As much as my mother may have wasted away her life with her drinking… I still love and care for her. I don't want her to keep seeing her like this…." She pleaded to me with a look that truly felt heartbreaking to stare at.
Looking at the article then at her, I rubbed my neck to ease the soreness I was feeling. "Alright. I'll have to ask Ironwood since this doesn't connect with Amity Tower."
"Thank you, Enrique…" Weiss thanked with a sigh of relief.
After talking to Ironwood regarding taking part in the investigation regarding Mrs. Schnee's disappearance, he accepted my request but given it was also to help Weiss in regards to it, he accepted albeit reluctantly. I know he and Jacques don't see eye to eye especially with how things are, the matter of this situation was given to me.
I was currently walking with Weiss but the former heiress was rather behind in the pace. She held a look of discomfort and unease as we made our way to the Schnee Manor.
I simply pocketed one hand while the other rested over the pommel of one of my swords. "I… hate to ask Weiss but… about your mom, by the state your prick of a dad mentioned…"
"… She drinks. And not the casual drink either." She murmured.
Well crap. Now I feel like a complete jerk to ask that. Weiss' dad drove Mrs. Schnee to drink. How far does this man's greed ruin the lives of people around him? It frustrated me.
I took a brief inhale to calm my nerves. "Anything I should be aware of once we approach?"
"Aside from me and Winter… there's my little brother."
Hold on, she has another sibling? Winter I understood but Weiss never mentioned a brother in the picture.
"And father has done his damnedest to basically make him into a…. 'Jacques Jr'..." Weiss grimaced bitterly.
… On second thought, Jacques is on my shitlist.
Weiss's footing froze when her gaze raised slightly. Following her stare I saw the familiar Schnee Manor. It has been two years since I last came here with Ankh and Kougami to retrieve the BuraKaWani Medals.
I felt my sleeve tugged slightly and Weiss shadowed her eyes upon lowering her head. "I'm right here, okay Weiss?" I assured her.
Her hold loosened before we approached, my eyes briefly seeing a glimpse of cold mist coming from the side of the manor. My best guess from the spot of the attack. I raised my arm and knocked a few times, and waited.
It was nothing at first before the door opened slightly and it made me lower my sight albeit slightly to see a young man obviously younger than Weiss. Like her, his hair was white as snow and held ice blue eyes. He also styled his hair neatly whereas his clothes consist of a ice blue vest, a short-sleeve white dress shirt and pants that match the vest.
"Oh… Sister… Didn't expect you to be here." The boy said with a frown of annoyance.
"Whitley."
"And who's this? A servant of yours? How…. poor." He said with a tone of annoyance.
My brow twitched ever so slightly. 'Now I see what Weiss meant by Jacques Jr. guy is practically grooming him to be like him.'
"I'm a Huntsman here to investigate the attack on the manor." I corrected, biting the inside of my cheek to prevent my tone from being raised
"Oh, so another mindless soldier… How… pedestrian…." He rolled his eyes.
I glanced at Weiss who crossed her arms in disapproval and frustration. "Come on, Enrique."
"If you're here to find any clues about mother, I suggest you look elsewhere. The other soldiers who came by couldn't find anything, so I doubt you can."
His older sister rolled her eyes and marched inside while I followed behind her, glimpsing at the now named teen. Once we entered the second floor of the manor and away from hearing distance, Weiss elicited an exasperated sigh. "Sorry you had to hear those words he said to you."
"Not the first time I've gotten insults growing up, Weiss. You really think I would do something?" I snorted. It was an honest answer. Growing up, I was bullied and thus dealt with countless insults. Not the first and sure as hell won't be the last from people.
"Not to him, no. But father? Honestly I'd bring popcorn to it." Weiss snickered with enjoyment.
"Har har." I drawled sarcastically before finding the scene of the incident. Weiss shivered slightly to the cold air brushing into the hall but it wasn't from outside that made her shiver but the ice around the hole and part of the hall.
"It's colder here than it is outside or the rest of the house." She huffed out warm air.
I knelt down and planted my hand on the remnants of ice. I winced slightly to its sub zero ice before channeling my Semblance. The ice began to shrink, my mind focused on a clear glimpse of its source. It didn't feel like ice from Dust nor from the snow. It felt like it was ice that was created on a deadlier scale.
Almost similar to PuToTyra. I narrowed my eyes before Weiss tugged my arm. "Yeah Weiss?"
"This… shouldn't be here shouldn't it?" Raising two fingers, she presented something that made me grimace.
A Cell Medal.
"A medal… which meant someone was a Yummy and wanted to get back at your dad." I grunted, standing on both of my feet.
"But why take my mother?"
"Hostage or ransom, but knowing from meeting your father, I say he will not go for either-" I paused when Weiss showed a bitter look at the implications of the results. "But we'll look for her, both of us, Weiss."
Weiss brushed away a lock of her hair and nodded. "Any idea where the Yummy would go?"
I focused on the Core Medals of Ptera, Tricera, and Tyranno, allowing my eyes to gain its familiar violet hue. "I found it." The colors faded away. "Let's go."
Coming to an agreement Weiss and I departed the manor, not giving Whitley a chance to ask us and made haste to the source of Core Energy that is the Yummy. The Atlesian architecture almost made it feel like a technological utopia but that is just a sheet over its true colors hidden beneath it.
The both of us turned a corner as I felt the Core Energy increase the more we got close. "We're close! It should be just up ahead!"
Jogging a few more blocks, Weiss stopped. "Enrique, wait!" She stopped me from moving another step. She pointed ahead and noticed the person walking albeit trudging across the streets in bitterness.
"M-Mother…?!"
"That's your mom, Weiss?"
"Y-Yes but…" Not once had she ever seen her outside the manor. "She… She never left the manor… not once."
She jogged ahead and I trailed after her and when we drew close, Mrs. Schnee grunted painfully. "Mother, we were looking everywhere for you!"
"W-Weiss?" She turned to her, a frown on her face, "You're here to leave me again… aren't you?"
The former heiress stepped back slightly at the question. "Wha-What?"
I gasped when I felt the rise of Core Energy. "Weiss, get back!"
"What? But I need to help-!"
"The Yummy is coming from her!"
"I won't let you take everything from me again!!!!" She howled out. The yellow shade glimmered across the older woman's body, the bandages crawling further across her body.
"M-My mother is the host?" Weiss uttered, horrified when she noticed the bandages on her mom. She didn't expect the culprit to the incident in the Schnee manor to be her own mother. She never lashed out like this but now she knows why.
"The only Greeed we know who can do something like this…" the both of us realized who was responsible. "Kazari."
The bastard Feline must have sensed a desire in Mrs. Schnee. Now, she was a host to a feline Yummy.
Weiss's mother harshly shoved us off with a blast of ice, startling us. She clutched her chest in agony, trying to cling to her life to prevent the Yummy from manifesting itself.
"Mother, you got to snap out of it! You have to stop, please!" Weiss pleaded. She moved back as Weiss saw the ice encasing Mrs. Schnee's hands into makeshift claws.
"Leave, Weiss…" her ice blue eyes briefly shifted into the yellow color due to the Yummy. Weiss saw the claw aiming for her but I got in between, using the Tora Claws to stop it after transforming. Weiss stood back a bit in fear of what was happening.
"Don't make me do this…" Mrs. Schnee growled, her eye color changing constantly between yellow and ice blue. "I have to… take back… the birthright… to bring back the family!"
Mrs. Schnee struggled, grasping her head in agony. "To take it back ...from that… bastard!!"
More bandages appeared on her, the process starting to take its toll on her. The wave of energy pushed the both of us away from her.
Mrs. Schnee panted before trudging away. I almost face planted on the pavement when Weiss and I saw to our disbelief the woman leap to a rooftop and away from us.
There was no doubt the Yummy granted her such agile capabilities.
"Crap…"
Weiss fell to her knees, unable to comprehend the situation. Her mother was the host. The only reason a host would be chosen is when a Greeed sensed a strong desire. The only thing that came to mind about her mother was her feelings towards the company and her father himself. The days she kept drinking and drinking, the distance between them growing thinner by the days since.
"If… I just checked up on her when we arrived in Atlas… maybe… I could've saved her…." Weiss lowered her head, believing this to be her fault.
"Weiss…"
We had to brief Ironwood of the situation and to say, he wasn't happy as he paced left and right. His brows knit in discontent and his body language was full of wariness.
"Are you sure of this?"
"Yes sir. The Yummy host is Mrs. Schnee." I confirmed.
"Damn it...that Greeed still finds a way to create hosts for his own gain…"
He didn't like what happened back at the tundra when Kazari killed a squad mercilessly. While we had Ankh, Gamel, and myself along with the two teams equipped with Core Technology, it didn't change the fact that Kazari, as the scheming kaijin he is, is prowling. Waiting. Watching from the shadows to strike when the opportunity shows itself.
I glanced at Weiss who was still distraught watching her mother being a victim to a Yummy. Focusing on the general, I said, "At least we know of what caused the sudden attack in the Schnee manor. The Yummy within her."
"Yeah. I hate to say this, but the Yummy must be using her desire of having her family back to the way it was." Ironwood closed his eyes with a grimace. "I am not blind to the… conditions of it." He took a deep breath. "I want you both to locate her before it gets worse. Jacques has been demanding of what had occurred."
"I understand. If I have to ask, can you keep him in line before he tries anything drastic? He is the main cause of that desire."
Ironwood gave a small chuckle but nonetheless understood. "Rest assured, he won't try a thing. Both of you be careful in your search."
"Yes sir."
The both of us left the briefing room but I noticed Weiss didn't look alright. She hasn't been herself after returning to the academy. "Weiss? Are you alright?"
"I'm…." The former heiress chewed her lip tightly. "I'm just not sure. My own mother… She is a host to a Yummy. All because Kazari saw how my mother felt… about everything."
She felt her eyes burn, forcing her to try and wipe them away. "Gods… I feel like such a complete fool… i-if I hadn't left her I… I…"
I placed my hand on her shoulder, gently earning her attention. "We will save her, Weiss. You can count on it." I patted my chest with my free hand. "I promise. And you know when I make a promise?"
Weiss brushed away a few tears, "You keep it until it's finished."
Sending a thin smile, I brushed away the last tear, earning a small laugh from her. "You got it." I confirmed. "Come on, we still have a task right"
"R-Right…" the Huntress sniffled before she reserved herself with a nod. "Where would she go though? If… my directions are correct it didn't look like she was heading towards home. It looked like she was going away from it…"
"Given she kept repeating birthright and to bring back the family," I pondered. "It's obvious her desire revolved around the family but it sounds more deep rooted than just the company itself."
Weiss's delicate brows furrowed slightly before they were raised. "… Dust."
"Huh?" I caught Weiss' raised brows as if she realized something.
"Dust! Brothers, why didn't I realize it now!" She gritted. "Enrique, my family's birthright, it isn't just about the company. It was how it created that very birthright that brought the Schnee name!"
"The discovery of Dust." I connected the dots.
"That's what drew my father in and got him to meet with my grandfather and marry my mother. She'll want to destroy the main source of it! The mines are full of Dust! It was how the SDC started! My family's birthright!"
"Then we got our source." I then paused. If Weiss said is true then that is a good thing but the problem was regarding the mines. "Weiss, if Mistral's tundra is full of mines which is it? There's countless." I pointed out.
Weiss coughed slightly. "If I remember anything from my family's history, since we began the Dust Company by profiting through Dust-"
"Weiss, in short terms please?" I deadpanned.
"Ugh, southwest!" She groaned out, annoyed for having to shorten the explanation. "That was the mine my grandfather found and became the main source for Dust for years since!"
"Then to Mistral it is then."
Coming to Mistral honestly was a first when we originally flew her. Now it was our second (well in my case) time being here so it wasn't anything nostalgic at the moment as Weiss and I were more focused on the serious matter at hand. After arriving we had to rely on my Core Medals passive ability to detect Core Energy. Wasn't easy but we managed.
The travel was uneventful yet it gave us ample opportunity to locate Mrs. Schnee. I strided to a halt alongside Weiss and saw her mother who was limping, her hands gripping her head.
What shocked us was the ice that formed from each step she took.
"My birthright…. My birthright…" Her words kept repeating like a mantra.
"Mother! Please stop and calm down!" Weiss called out to her with worry in her voice. The former heiress slowly approached Mrs. Schnee. "You're not yourself because of what Kazari saw in you. But we can help you if you let us."
"Can't… lose…. My birthright…." Mrs. Schnee groaned out, the ice freezing the street more with each second as her desires were fueling the Yummy. Her ice blue eyes slowly became glowing yellow, her nails digging into her scalp.
"I WON'T LET HIM RUIN EVERYTHING!!!!"
Mrs. Schnee screamed as more bandages finally enveloped her until the medals took its place. Now in her place was a humanoid snow leopard as its fur was as white as snow with ice blue dots on its body. Ice served as its armor on the chest, feet, and left shoulder. The tail held a sharp end due to the icicle as were its claws.
This was the Snow Leopard Yummy.
"Crap." I grimaced. The Yummy finally manifested itself. We had to separate Mrs. Schnee from the Yummy if we were to save her.
"M-Mother…"
I slammed the buckle that is the O-Driver onto my waist before placing the King Combo into the slot mechanism. Slanting the buckle, I gripped the scanner and scanned the three medals.
"Henshin!"
TAKA!
TORA!
BATTA!
TA-TO-BA TATOBA TA-TO-BA!
The moment the armor materialized, I readied myself while Weiss gripped her rapier. From a glance, her grip on her weapon never moved nor unsheathed it but she slowly revealed the crafted weapon and prepared herself as well.
"Remember the promise I made, Weiss." I assured her.
"I know… I trust you." She reassured me with a nod.
The Snow Leopard Yummy pounced, forcing myself to glide to the right while Weiss did the same. Its claws scraped the pavement before the ice on its claws extended and threw several shards at us.
The Taka Lenses allowed me to see them, forcing me to counter them with my Semblance and force the projectiles to drop into specks. Weiss dashed forward, the Myrtenaster aimed for the kaijin's midsection. Just as I thought she would strike, for a second I thought her body language shifted and it is what allowed the Yummy to slam its knee against her gut. Her Aura flickered in the midst of the impact while rolling across the ground.
"Weiss!" I rushed to her, sliding across the concrete, my armor scraping across it. Cradling Weiss, I slammed my hand down, procuring a wall of ice to allow the icicles to impale it instead of us. "Are you alright?"
"I-I…"
"You have to get your head together! I know your mother is in that Yummy but the longer we do this, the higher the risk is!" I didn't want to sound harsh to her but given Kazari's Yummies consume the host when it reaches its peak, this was a serious matter.
"I know that! But… it's hard for me…. It's my mother in that thing… Would you be able to do the same if it was yours?" Weiss questioned me.
My lenses hid my bitter eyes. I pursed my lips apprehensively regarding her rebuttal. It was indeed a difficult question to answer. On one hand I would have done nothing more than to rescue my family if they were alive and fallen victim to a Yummy. On the other side of that coin, I would have hesitated because I would be risking the chance of hurting them.
The both of us quickly raised our heads to see the Yummy vaulting over the wall of ice I had created and bared its claws at us.
"Shit!" I held the former heiress and rolled aside, avoiding the attack that created a brief crack upon its landing.
Weiss spun her rapier, conjuring a Glyph go allow herself to move aside while I jumped over it. While it crashed into the said symbol, I used the opening to strike its torso, allowing Cell Medals to bleed out from its hide. I leapt mid-air to avoid the sweep of its leg but not the tail that wrapped my ankle and threw me into a window. "Oww…" I grunted, rolling over but coughed when I felt it crash onto my back. I winced at the claws striking across the back of my armor, the yellow crest of Tora glimmering upon the repeated damage it was receiving.
"Get off of my friend!" Weiss demanded as she sent out several glyphs before fire balls flew out of them, hitting the Yummy's hide.
The kaijin rolled, the burns of its snow white fur slowly faded and the ice that is its armor regenerated. It hissed at us both, its tail swishing left and right before it gripped the sharp glass and threw it at us.
The Huntress quickly procured her Glyph but gasped at her brief reflection. Like a mirror on the wall. The world slowed down for a moment, recalling the hardships in her family.
"Weiss!"
Her thoughts were regained to see the beast nearing with its elongated claws. Before it could impale, I used my Semblance on the ice of its body to keep it in place and threw it away from us. I staggered onto my feet and coughed to regain some air it took from me when it pinned me.
"The Yummy!" We saw it begin to flee, the distance increasing. "Oh great…"
"How can we catch up to the Yummy?" asked Weiss.
I contemplated for a second until I recalled something I have in my arsenal. My newest addition! "I have one." I grinned, presenting the special Candroid. The Candroid was black in color while bearing gold and silver accents around the edges.
Weiss pointed at the can while giving me a questionable look. "How is a can going to help us both?!"
I rolled my eyes and said, "You'll see." I popped the tab and tossed it. The can bounced a few times but it stopped itself. The both of us began to witness the small can grow in size and unfold much to our amazement. The upper front twisted before revealing the wheels while the front end of the bike was similar to the lights of the Ride Vendor but more refined. Unlike the previous Ride Vendor that was modeled after the Honda VT 750 C2B Shadow Black Spirit like in the series, this new and improved Ride Vendor was not as it looked more technological and fast; the design being similar to the sports bikes in Remnant much like Yang's Bumblebee.
Oh man… this was going to be good. I really love Atlesian tech!
"Oh...it's a Candroid, isn't it?"
"Yup." I hopped on the new Ride Vendor as Weiss sat behind me. The controls were similar but it had a new function as the dashboard was now holographic and a metal plate that looked to hold other Candroids. "Mr. Pietro helped me with this. Now, you better hang on."
"R-Right."
I revved the throttle, hearing the systems activate before the wheels spun. I grinned at the sound the engines made.
Weiss grimaced as she noticed my expression."H-Hey, don't go too fast-"
I hit the throttle and drove much to the former heiress's ire as she held on tightly. Oh man, this was awesome! The speed of the bike was faster than the previous Ride Vendor. Already I felt the wind as I moved left and right to avoid any vehicles in our way.
"Enjoying the ride, Weiss?" I quipped.
"What do you think?!"
"Take that as a yes." I yelped when she pinched my stomach.
"Just focus on the driving you dolt!"
"Whatever you say." I chuckled as I continued to drive the bike.
The drive was serving as the right method because the both of us finally noticed the Snow Leopard Yummy as it was running and jumping over any vehicles in its way.
"There it is!" Weiss pointed. "Step on it!"
"Got it." I checked the digital speedometer, seeing the number gradually increasing. The Snow Leopard Yummy noticed us on its tail (no pun intended) and scowled. It twisted its body and threw shards of ice at us from its paws.
"Crap!" I swerved the bike left and right. Weiss held on through the incoming projectiles the Yummy was throwing with each opportunity it had.
Weiss brought her weapon and created a glyph, the symbol appearing in front of us as it shielded the bike from the incoming projectiles.
"Thanks." I thanked.
"It will keep throwing us off! Any ideas to catch up to it faster?"
"Good thing this has a special function." I presented the Cheetah Candroid. Opening the panel, I insert the Candroid into the Ride Vendor 2.0.
CHEETAH!
The speed of the bike shifted into full gear as the components of the bike shifted to grant an increase in speed. The wheels gained a yellow hue while the front of the bike rotated to provide an agile form, revealing a jaw-like mouth similar to a cheetah. Now, the speedometer is increasing greatly. "I am loving this bike!!" I praised. It can assume different modes from selected Candroid are inserted combined with the Core System.
"Don't even think of letting Yang ride something like this!" Weiss yelled. She didn't want to think of the blonde bombshell's excitement and joyriding it.
"No promises!"
Finally, we were getting closer to the Snow Leopard Yummy as it was nearing the outskirts of Mantle. It attempted to throw another barrage but again, Weiss used her Glyphs to block the ice shards.
"Weiss, I'm going to need you to take the handles!"
"W-What?!" She paused, realizing what I was about to do. I was going to jump off to stop the Yummy. "Are you serious?!"
"Better this than losing the Yummy! This is a good time for you to learn how to drive the new bike before the others!" I stood on my feet, focusing on the Batta Legs' power. "On the count of three, you will grab the handles! One!" The bike was getting closer. "Two!"
"I blame you for this!"
"Three!" I jumped off the motorcycle as the green leg armor powered my jump. It was a big jump but when the Yummy turned, it only saw me much to its shock.
"Surprise~!" I used the Tora Claws and we both rolled across the now snowy grounds, tumbling and rolling. My armor and Aura protected me but I felt the scraping on my armor.
Weiss held onto the throttle, hitting the brakes as the motorcycle began to slow down before it stopped.
"I got the Yummy!" I shouted, but the kaijin kicked me off of it. It stood on its feet, now angered at the both of us. I got into my stance, both of us circling as the snow moved from our footing. I need to get a chance.
It bellowed and ran towards me, forcing me on the defensive. I used my forearm to block its attack before striking its chest. Cell Medals began to pour out from its body with each gash it suffered.
Just as I was about to deliver the kick, the Yummy launched shards of ice into my chest. I grimaced in pain but it continued with its assault, now turning the tides to its favor. Whenever I used my Semblance to stop the shards, it only uses the chance to strike my armor.
Upon its next attack, I was sent across the snow and landed on my stomach. I groaned to the pain. The Yummy was proven stronger due to its host.
It's using her powers to enhance its own. Like a snow leopard, it was using the terrain to its advantage. I paused. Wait a minute.
I quickly reached to my holder, pulling out the new Core Medals. The animals of the polar region.
If this Full Combo is related to ice, it could help me turn the fight to my favor. Seeing the incoming Yummy, I quickly brought up a wall of ice and shoved it away to give me the chance.
"Here goes nothing." I placed the three Core Medals into the O-Driver and scanned them.
SEIUCHI!
SHIROKUMA!
PENGUIN!
"SEI! SHIROGIN~! SEI! SHIROGIN~!" Was the full chime of the belt as the three symbols of the polar animals aligned and changed my TaToBa into the new Full Combo dubbed SeiShiroGin.
The helmet was a gray color with big red-orange eyes and tusks hanging from the sides. Running down the mount plate was a black color, reaching between the eyes. The helmet itself resembled the motif of a walrus.
Replacing the Tora Claws were the new set of armor that represents Shirokuma or in translation Polar Bear. Snow white gauntlets held claws at the fingertips. Unlike the Gori Bagons, the new gauntlets were more slim while the large claws moved through the movement of my fingers.
To complete the full set, the Penguin armor was a blue color, unlike the previous two new armor pieces. The leg armor was deep blue with white detailing and feet that resembled flippers. The feet themselves mixed between swim flippers and penguin feet which meant this form was perfect for swimming.
This power. It felt different than I imagined. Like the cold air has no effect on me, yet it was shrouded over my armor. The snow is waiting for its call to bring forth the blizzard on the sunny day. Looking at my claws in wonder, I flexed my fingers to the feel of the new set.
Now, what kind of full power does this combo hold? I focused on the Core Medals' power and then, I felt it. The air around me was becoming more cold as it was, and snow slowly danced around the arms. I think I know what this can do.
"Let's do this!" I thrusted my arms as a rush of snow startled the Yummy. It shielded itself from the blast of snow before the kaijin and Weiss noticed they were now in a dome that is a blizzard. The freezing cold temperatures are no longer the Yummy's advantage but my own advantage now. Weiss shivered, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to keep herself warm.
It looked like the Combo's powers were similar to Putotyra and worked well with my Semblance. Putotyra was ice and extinction, this new combo was snow-related climate. Hmm… the Cold Combo might be a good name for it.
The Yummy howled and ran towards me in an attempt to strike me but unlike it, I can easily see in the harsh snow that fell the moment the combo was active.
With it blinded, I reared my head and slammed it against the Yummy, the tusks creating a coat of energy that pierced its hide.
When it desperately clawed at me, I glided across the snow and ice with ease and used the powerful claws to strike its midsection. The brute force put in the attack literally pushed the Yummy away from me and slid across the snow on its back. It got up slightly but noticed ice building up on the area I punched it.
Seems the gauntlets act with powerful strikes while freezing anything I touch. Now that's handy.
"This armor sure has its perks." I hummed. The Penguin Feet allowed me to slide across ice and snow. While it was more for aquatic use no doubt, it was allowing the properties of the penguin to be used to slide across the frozen snow with ease. The Shirokuma gauntlets held the brute force of a polar bear. The Walrus head allowed me to see in the snow while providing piercing damage upon a headbutt.
It stood back on its feet but it was now infuriated by the predicament. With the gap now turned, it was in a bind. I had to free Weiss' mother from the Yummy. Glancing at my claws for a moment, an idea came to mind.
If the gauntlets are of a polar bear, I can pierce its body with the Walrus Tusks and rip Mrs. Schnee out of the Yummy.
I was interrupted when the Yummy roared and pounded the ground. Much to my surprise, a glyph appeared under its feet. The glyph caused the Yummy's body to glow and all of a sudden it started to strike me with lightning fast slashes before sending me flying with a powerful roundhouse kick.
"It just…" Weiss gasped. "Used my family's Semblance."
I groaned, "That must be how it was moving fast back in the city. It's using your mom's Semblance as its power."
The glyph appeared on its body again forcing me on the defensive of its speed. Using my Shirokuma gauntlets, I was going to pierce the gauntlet into its chest but I was caught off guard by a crystal blue arm that was identical to the Yummy. "The hel-" I got kicked in the face by a summoned copy of the Yummy. Lifting my head, I saw two ice-like copies of the Yummy. "Seriously?!" I failed to remember, like Weiss and Winter, the glyphs can also be used for summoning projections such as Weiss' Armor Gigas.
Just great. If it was going to play like that, time to make it even for us.
"Weiss! I am gonna need your help on this!" I insisted, blocking its claws. "I can't get your mother out of the Yummy without your help!"
Weiss nodded and gripped Myrtenaster. She took a deep breath, hardened her eyes, and prepared herself.
Summoning a glyph, she propelled herself at the Yummy and struck it with a powerful thrust, knocking it back. It swiped at her but she leaned back before she swung and slashed it across the chest. It swiped at her and she slipped away to slash it across the back. Cell Medals spilled with each strike as Weiss tried to get to her mother.
"Mother, I'm here for you!" Weiss struck the Yummy again. She had to free her from the torment. She can't run away and abandon her again! She won't make the same mistakes!!
The Yummy summoned a glacial copy of itself but I assisted Weiss as my Shirokuma claws pierced the copy's back before throwing it aside. I saw the determination and focus Weiss had. So much so, it almost felt like she was not acting as the former heiress but truly as a Huntress.
The thrust of the Myrtenaster once again caused the Yummy to stumble but when it was aimed at it again, the Yummy caught it. It was about to bend her rapier but I leaped over Weiss and smashed my fists against its head.
It staggered, swaying left and right in disorientation. It tried to regain its bearings but we were not going to let that happen. Weiss spun the barrel of her sword and casted the glyphs below my feet. I used the Penguin Feet to glide around the snow but the speed started to increase by Weiss' Semblance.
I spun around, my claws now sharp and ready to continue the plan.
"Now!" The former heiress shouted. She thrust her arm and the glyph shot me to the target like a bullet.
With the Glyph cast by Weiss, I had my claws and tusks out and swiftly pierced its body, separating Mrs. Schnee from the Yummy. The kaijin grunted, clutching its healing wound and collected its spilled Cell Medals but it was suffering from losing its host.
Now it was time to finish it. I grabbed the Scanner from the holster and scanned the Medals.
SCANNING CHARGE!
I slid across the snow as the Yummy was blinded by the weather made by the combo. My arms glowed as did my helmet before I thrusted both arms, freezing the Yummy in place similarly to what PuToTyra did. The snow shrouded my arms again but I glided through the three rings and gave a powerful punch into the kaijin. With the monster encased in ice and my punch being supplemented by the freezing air, it exploded upon impact. I skidded to a stop as the blizzard diminished, allowing the last of the snow to fall.
Weiss looked at her unconscious mother and rushed to her while I took a moment to breathe. I pushed the buckle to its original position and dismissed the armor.
At least I had no problems with the after effects since I used the previous Full Combos. The use of the Full Combos over the past year helped me a lot.
"Come on, let's get her out of the tundra." I insisted.
"Right." Weiss rubbed away her tears and we both carried her back.
Back to the Schnee manor.
The airship landed as the ramp opened, allowing myself and Weiss to carry the unconscious mother. Seeing the manor irked Weiss slightly and I don't blame her. When we approached closer, the both of us noticed Mr. Schnee.
"Mr. Schnee." I acknowledged bitterly.
"Boy…" Jacques huffed, "May I ask what he's doing here, Weiss? You know we don't allow strays in the house."
'Prick.' I scowled slightly. "We merely resolved the situation regarding your missing wife. She's safe as you can see given it took us nearly the whole day to find her."
I didn't want to bring up the real reason that she was a host.
"Oh… I didn't even know she left her room. Just put her back where you found her…" He said nonchalantly waving like he didn't care, "Oh and Weiss? Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Weiss lowered her head slightly.
The man looked down slightly and noticed what I had in my O-Driver. I knew he was eyeing this given he previously had the BuraKaWani in his possession. Too bad the ones he has now are fakes since Ankh stole the real ones two years ago.
"Tell me, where exactly did you get those?"
"... Kougami made them for me." I lied through my teeth. I wasn't going to reveal to her father of where I actually got the Core Medals. The girls alongside Team JNPR, Ironwood, Oscar, Winter, the Ace Ops, and Qrow knew the Greeed hold the Core Medals as a fragment of their soul.
He would definitely try to obtain it for himself if he finds out. I wasn't going to give him shit about anything important regarding them.
"We also rescued your wife as well from the monster who kidnapped her." I informed him. "She should be okay after a few days of rest."
"I see. Thank the brothers that the problem's settled." He scoffed.
A sharp hold pinched the back of my elbow, briefly noticing Weiss clutching the fabric of my sleeve tightly. She was hiding the emotions that was swelling within her.
"Honestly, if she did go missing, I'd hear nothing but groans and wails from everyone, especially Whitely. He's meant to be the next head of this family, not another brat. I swear, if I didn't need them I would've just remarried someone who I could control better."
I nearly winced when Weiss' grip tightened on my arm. Her arm was trembling as her eyes were further shadowed.
…. alright that's it! This guy already went too far!
"Why don't you just shut the fuck up." I growled at Jacques. Weiss gasped while Jacques was flabbergasted as was his son.
Jacques' face then contorted into a scowl, "How dare you!"
"No, how dare you!" I pointed at him accusingly. "All you do is care about the SDC when it wasn't yours to begin with. You never cared about the sake and health of your own wife. Never approve of the choices your daughters make when they have their own paths to take for their own future! You try to force them into the company so you can keep it for yourself! What you do ISN'T family!! You are only a greedy bastard who should rot in hell for the abusive prick you are!" I took a moment to breathe after venting out what I wanted to say. This guy had already pushed my buttons too much already. I knew a lot when it came to family. Jacques did not know a damn thing about it nor cared.
"Weiss was right about one thing. Her friends are her family unlike you. And when you're lying on your deathbed, all alone, you'll realize that your money won't keep you company. You'll be alone, without any family. Not even your son will be at your side because you made sure he was just like you."
I briefly noticed his fingers curled and his mustache twitched slightly but he quickly recomposed himself with a scoff. However I saw the mood in his eyes and that alone was enough. To plant the seed of doubt within him.
Glancing at the astonished Weiss then at Mrs. Schnee, my eyes hardened. Weiss' mother doesn't deserve to live through such ordeals from her husband, especially when the poor woman was practically drinking herself to death. She deserved to heal and be away from this manor.
I lifted Mrs. Schnee up and held her in a bridal carry. The CEO immediately realized what I was doing.
"Where do you think you're taking her?!" Jacque shouted angrily.
"Somewhere away from this toxic place."
"Now listen here-!" I quickly cut him off when my eyes (suddenly) gained a purple hue upon viciously glaring at him; reacting to the angered emotions that erupted. The man was startled by the change. Even Weiss didn't expect it to occur.
… deep down, neither did I.
"No, you listen. We are taking her out of here, or do you want everyone in Atlas to find out you're an abusive husband and father who drove his daughters away and drove his wife to drink?" I warned. "You're trying to get elected, aren't you? Do you think you can risk tarnishing your reputation further?"
That alone made him wary. Good. Was I trying to blackmail the man? … Maybe. Hey, if it works and gets him to back off, then I was happy to do so.
"This isn't over," Jacques threatened. "You will soon know your place, you cocky brat."
"I have fought many things before. Compared to them, you are nothing." I mocked and left the manor in contempt.
After returning to the Atlas academy, I helped Weiss as I carried Mrs. Schnee to a room thanks to Winter's help. The Atlas Specialist never expected me to bring her nor to hear from Weiss what happened. Setting the mother onto the bunk, I breathed in relief while Weiss looked at me.
"I can't believe you just went and insulted my father right to his face." Weiss shifted uncomfortably, rubbing her arm in the process. "Most people wouldn't…"
"Your father crossed the line and already pushed my buttons. I was getting tired of everything he said to you. First back at the tundra, learning more of your father and family, and then that crap he said at the manor. It has gone long enough."
"I'm sure you know this, but he won't take this lying down."
"Let him come. If he dares lay a hand on me and my family, he'll pay dearly." I said with determination. "His power will crumble once I do so." I looked at her. "I'm not afraid of him."
Weiss sighed in resignation, "Fair enough… Ankh's right about you being stubborn and reckless in your actions."
"Hey, I resent that."
The former heiress rolled her eyes but we both laughed softly. It then became quiet at first but the Huntress looked down. "You know… I see why Ruby looked up to you. Why Blake loves you so much."
I looked at her. "Despite the things that frightened you, you kept going. You ran at first but you immediately turned around to face it head on." She muttered.
The former heiress saw how the Rider kept fighting. Even during the travel to Argus and against Poseidon. He has changed a lot after he went with Blake to her home continent. He once ran from who he was and couldn't move on from the death of his family until he was able to let go of the past and embraced who he is as a human being. Something she envied.
"I, on the other hand, ran away and abandoned her. We all did…" Weiss murmured, grasping her knees tightly.
"Look, you can't blame yourself. You were a kid. It couldn't be helped. But now Winter's in the military and you're a Huntress, you can do something about it." I consoled the former heiress. "And the first step we need to do is help your mother sober up."
The Huntress looked at me. "Why would you do this? All of it to help me and my mother?"
I inhaled and looked at the floor. "Because I don't want to see something like this fall apart more than it already has. You deserve to have a proper chance to be with your mother. To make up for everything that befell upon you."
"Then...what should we do?" Weiss asked.
"Get your mom through rehab and get her therapy," I advised. "And you should just be there for her as much as you can, both you and Winter. I think you all need to heal."
The former heiress pursed her lip. She never thought I was doing this much for her. As I told her and as she said so as well, we are family. "I… I don't know what to say…"
I smiled, resting a hand on top of her head. "You don't have to. I am just doing what I can for your family." I then began to walk away. "I'll leave you to your moment."
Just when I was about to open the door, I was pushed forward slightly before eliciting a grunt from the sudden pressure. I felt Weiss hug me from behind. Her slender arms tightly wrapped around me, her head pressed against my back.
"Thank you...thank you for helping my mother." Weiss whispered before stepping back, interlacing her hands behind her back. "…Don't tell Blake I did this, okay?"
"Hey if I did, she'll scold me till the end." I chuckled. "I'll be going back to my room. Rest easy, Weiss."
I walked out and allowed the door to close behind. When I did, my smile faltered and quietly walked to my assigned room. I still couldn't believe I called out on Weiss' bastard of a father.
When I made it to my room, the door closed as I breathed some air. I hung my battle jacket by the chair, revealing my sleeveless, high neck shirt after I set my weapons aside. My head was craned down but the sudden eruption of anger made me punch the wall beside me. I was glad that I brought Weiss' mother here to the Atlas base but I was angry upon seeing the state of the Schnee family. Jacque made the family fall apart because of his greed.
I gritted my teeth at the realization of how much Weiss suffered. To finally see it with my own eyes. How long had she had to bear that? To live up to his standards? To try her best through those years? All of it? The things greed does to people…
"How did it go?" Swiveling my head, I saw Blake who noticed my frustrated state. "I'm guessing you went and told off Weiss's father right in front of him?"
"That obvious huh?" I murmured, lowering my arm from the wall.
"After seeing him for the first time, it's not hard to see why."
I frowned, feeling the increasing rise of anger at what Jacques had done, "That guy already put too much into his own family. Breaking that bond apart…" I felt angry after learning everything that happened to the Schnee family. "I wanted to punch the bastard…"
"I get what you mean. No one wants to have a family like that." She informed me. "But...all we can do is help from the sidelines. They need to heal on their own."
"I just hope that her mother sobers up. Her being a Yummy was probably something she doesn't want to experience again." I sighed, sitting on the bunk. "Even trying to kill her daughter against her will. If that guy didn't break that family apart, none of this would have happened…" My hands clenched tightly.
Did I hate the man for making Mrs. Schee end up like that? I did very much. I wanted to act out more but I couldn't do anything at the moment. And I was starting to hate it.
I suddenly felt the familiar pair of arms brought to rest against the fabric against Blake's chest. My anger was there at first but it slowly dissipated by her warmth.
"They'll be alright." Blake whispered softly. "They have each other to go back to. I'm sure Weiss will be okay. It's thanks to you that they will be restoring what was broken."
I closed my eyes and nestled against her. I really was angry at what Jacques did to his family. Blake however was right, the matters had to settle within the family. Being in Atlas brought up old wounds to some of us. Especially for Weiss. All we can do is provide support for our friend every step of the way.
Blake's fingers ran across my scalp, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. Slanting my head upward, I saw the upturned curl of my fiancée's lips.
The ravenette gently pressed her lips against me, allowing us both to savor the warmth that was injected into our hearts.
The kiss originally lasted for a moment but it only progressed as we both crawled onto the bunk together. Her body pressed into me as she did so, her hands gently gripping my shoulders and followed, finding herself laying on the bunk with myself on top.
"Enrique…" Blake mewled with a soft moan.
"It's been a while for us, hasn't it?" I smiled.
"Yeah…" she nodded but fidgeted shyly. "What would-"
"Ankh and Gamel won't be here since they are extremely busy. Same with Oscar." I was informed. "We have time to enjoy ourselves before our jobs tomorrow."
"You...really want to do it?" She asked shyly, blushing heavily.
"That is if… you want to, Blake." I smiled at my fiancée. I leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You know, things that you read from those books. I know you wanted to try something out from it. Am I wrong?"
Blake's face lit up as red as the Red Core Medals. She still hasn't forgotten that she used to read the erotic books during our stay in Beacon. "… You're not wrong." She gripped the back of my head before pulling me in for another kiss. Her other hand clawed my back but I ignored the stinging pain as the affection layered over it.
She was really beautiful.
My hands began to travel across her slender body, assisting her in removing her outfit. From unzipping her catsuit alongside the undersuit to removing her boots, leaving her only in her underclothes.
Looking at Blake's new undergarments, I chuckled. Unlike the previous ones she wore in our times of privacy, the set she had now was very mature as it made the curves of her body and mounds very noticeable to me. And might I say it looked sexy. "Seems you changed more than just your outfit. I never thought you had something like this hidden underneath, Blake."
"I-I thought it was time to change things up a bit…"
"Did you start to wear this after we got engaged?" I teased.
Blake's blush intensified and replied, "That...obvious?"
"Just a guess." I hummed. "It looks perfect on you."
Her cat ears twitched softly to my compliment. God that was adorable. The Faunus' fingers brushed across my back, allowing her nails to rake it slightly before she leaned to my neck and bit down. I grew accustomed to the similar acts she had done before in our moments of intimacy.
The purr echoed underneath her voice as she bit my shoulder affectionately.
"Seems you enjoy biting on my skin." I teased.
The pools of gold peered at me, her smile being alluring. "Can't have others get a taste of you."
A soft chortle escaped my throat but understood it as clear as day. Not the first time nor will it be the last.
"Territorial now, aren't you?" I gave a coy smile. My fiancée's cheeks flared and averted her gaze. I was right on the mark. Though I can understand why as we are now fiancée and fiancé. To be married soon enough…
It nudged my memory of our marriage being made after everything was settled. But… When exactly will it be settled? Months? Years? It started to bring unease to our fight against Salem's forces and the Greeed.
"Enrique?"
My thoughts were disrupted and I looked at the cat faunus. "Yeah, Blake?"
"Do you… remember the book I had? Ninjas of Love…?" Blake asked albeit embarrassingly.
"Yeah?" I did recall the smut book she carried and read back at Beacon. I still questioned how she managed to get her hands on a novel like that.
"Can we… do something like that?"
A long paused followed. So she wanted to do something that came from the book. Who am I to deny my fiancée's request? I grinned slightly and whispered in her ear, "Then I'll be your samurai and you'll be my ninja."
"Y-Yes…I'm your ninja." She played along with the roleplay. "My samurai…"
I kissed my fiancée, her arms wrapped around me to keep me close to her.
I felt heat spreading through my body, butterflies swarmed and my breathing grew heavy. Blake moaned softly into the kiss, intent on going further, pushing her tongue into my mouth. I reciprocated by both pushing my tongue into her mouth and grabbing ahold of her rear with one of my hands. The other limb traced along her back before wrapping fully around it, holding her in place. She crossed her legs around my waist before I nearly grit my teeth upon feeling her grind against my lower region. She was arousing me and we weren't going to stop now.
"Let me tie you up with your ribbon, Blake." I grabbed the ribbon from Gambol Shroud after sliding her arms upward to bind her wrists up like a captured ninja being slept with her captor.
An impish grin curled my features as Blake shuffled in slight embarrassment. "Seems you are in a bind, my kunoichi. Tell me, how would you 'suffer' under me?"
"You…are always hard to defeat…" she responded. Her amber eyes looked up at me but under that beautiful golden shade was her affection towards me.
"Indeed. And neither of our groups knows of our little tryst." I leaned down inch by inch through each word I spoke until our lips were just daring to touch. "For you are mine since the moment I first foiled you."
With that, our lips met and it spread that familiar warmth down our figures. With Blake's arms in my grasp with one hand and the other brushing across her soft skin, she was so beautiful. The fact the both of us have been engaged for three weeks now spoke levels of our love to each other. And both of us would admit that our moments of privacy can be very… passionate to say the least.
I felt her lips press harder in which I allowed her to savor the subtle taste, our tongues entwining with each other. When we needed air, we parted and I took in the sight of Blake's flushed red face and her soft breathing.
"Touch me…" She whispered.
A coy smile crept my lips. "Hm?" I pretended to not hear it. "What was it you said my dear kunoichi?"
"Touch my breasts…"
I grinned at her request, "As you wish."
I brushed my right hand across her abdomen, making her shudder and trace along from her midriff and upward until it reached her bra. My digits moved until it tickled her back and undid the clasp that held the bra together to reveal her breasts. Deciding to tease her, I fondled her with the said hand that undid the fabric. I watched as my fiancée moaned through the pleasure that escaped her lips.
"How cute…your flesh felt so soft…" I whispered huskily in her cat ear before nibbling it.
The action sent a jolt of rapture down her entire body. The cat ears were always the most sensitive part of her. I felt my grin grow slightly as her restrained wrists moved and hooked over my neck to ensure I remained close to the kunoichi. My kunoichi.
"I'll mark you again today."
"Then mark me, my samurai." Blake purred.
Somehow, she finally managed to undo the binds of her ribbon and helped me undress to allow the task she asked. From my sleeveless shirt, to my legwear. And briefs, leaving both of us fully exposed to the cool air.
"Who am I to accept the request from you?" I brushed against her teasingly at first, earning a brief whine from her. "Are you ready to accept me, dear ninja? I will pound you."
"Y-Yes. You captured me…so do it."
I obliged and pushed inside her, increasing the volume of her moan. Her nails raked my back but it didn't dim the pleasure we were so familiar with in the past. Her legs wrapped around my waist before I began my movements into the Faunus's insides.
To hear her moans was music to my ears and Blake was so beautiful I just couldn't look away from her after our relationship began at Beacon. Memories we both cherished since then. I remember how our first time was special but at the same time we both lacked experience. Though after that - after Beacon fell - we had found ourselves in each other's hold in intimacy.
She was really seductive…almost letting me take the lead. Seeing Blake like this, I decided to change it a bit for her since she wanted to do a few things from the books she used to read. I turned over slightly, allowing myself to rest on my side with Blake's back pressed against me and resumed my thrusts.
The ravenette gasped and covered her mouth to prevent the loud moans from escaping her.
"E-Enrique!" Her voice was muffled in lust. "Don't stop!"
"A-As you wish, my lovely cat." I grunted, my left forearm hooked under her thigh.
Our desire for each other never waned, only intensified as we moved together. Sweat dripped down our skin as we tangled in each other's embrace. Blake's head turned and our lips crashed together, our moans becoming one. We were grateful that the room was locked, as we both wanted nothing to interrupt our moment.
Our moment had to last forever. The Faunus gripped my hand tightly as we moved together, lost in the heat of the moment. Then, an idea came to me. I gently turned her to face me and shifted my position slightly amidst our thrusts, my lips finding their way to her breast.
"A-Are you licking my breasts?" Blake mewled, surprised.
I nodded, allowing her hand to brush my black hair. I didn't stop, holding her breast to increase the pleasure. Her size was perfect for me to play with.
"Enrique...hnn! Keep pushing harder!" she moaned.
We lost track of time, not caring how long we were wrapped up in each other's passion. Blake's face was flushed a deep red, her sense of smell possibly stronger than mine due to her being a Faunus. The musk in the air remained as I gritted my teeth, feeling her inner walls tightly wrap around my manhood.
"Ready for it, Blake?"
Blake gazed at me with her amber eyes, capturing me in one last kiss. "Release it inside me," she murmured breathlessly through the kiss. Our tongues intertwined, the taste of our saliva and skin lingering in our mouths. But we couldn't let it interfere with our impending climax.
My hips pounded against her, the slow build-up becoming almost unbearable. Our thrusts quickened, and finally, we reached the peak of pleasure. Our cries of ecstasy mingled together as Blake's body grew wetter and my fluids spilled inside her.
We held onto each other for a moment longer, enjoying the euphoric high before slowly coming back down to earth. I gasped for air, my heart racing while allowing ourselves to breathe.
"You were amazing, Blake." I panted heavily.
Blake nuzzled against me, and I ran my fingers through her short black hair. "Y-You too." She responded.
As we lay there, our eyes drifted up to the glass window, where the shattered moon shone brightly. "We still have time," Blake whispered, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation by her words.
"I take it there are more ideas from your book?" I asked, teasing her about her former obsession with Ninjas of Love.
The Faunus couldn't help but feel a sense of embarrassment wash over her as she knew there was no point in denying the truth about how much she had absorbed from their literature. She had committed every single detail to memory, even when she was no longer in possession of the book. "Don't make me say it," she murmured, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
I pinched her pink buds, eliciting a moan from her. "Tell me," I urged her, eager to explore all of her desires.
With a fierce determination, Blake pushed me down against the mattress of the bunk, her breath hot against my skin. "I'll show you," she promised.
Guess this was going to be a very long night for us.
CURRENT MEDALS:
Blazing: Taka (x2), Kujaku (x3), Condor (x3)
Scorching: Lion (x1), Tora (x2), Cheetah (x1)
Strongest: Kuwagata (x1), Kamakiri (x1), Batta (x1)
Legendary: Kobura (x1), Kame (x1), Wani (x1)
Water: Shachi (x2), Unagi (x1), Tako (x1)
Gravity: Sai (x3), Gorilla (x1), Zou (x2)
Invincible: Ptera (x1), Tricera (x1), Tyranno (x1)
Cold: Seiuchi (x1), Shirokuma (x1), Penguin (x1)
Ultimate King: Super Taka (x1), Super Tora (x1), Super Batta (x1)
(NEXT TIME)
Oscar tapped his drink. "I… heard from Ruby how you once lived a normal life before you got dragged into the situation with the Greeed. Did you… ever regret it? Taking the mantle and fighting as OOO?"
"... I guess you have a point." With Mantle's defenses still not well, there had to be 'holes' the Grimm could sneak through to enter the city. "I just wished it wasn't in the sewers.
"Can't or won't?" She asked, stopping me. "You help people when others can't, don't you?" I froze as her violet eyes glanced behind her, peering right into my back. "To reach out to people when they are in need of help?"
Next Time: A Huntsman's Mission, The Chance, Robyn Hill
A/N: Thus ends the chapter and the debut of SeiShiroGin the Cold Combo! Especially with our protagonist calling out on the greedy man Jacques Schnee. Only time will tell what will happen now that there is a slight change in regards to the oncoming change for Weiss and her family. I also hope you guys enjoyed the lemon as well as the development between the characters. Until then don't forget to leave a review, favorite and follow this story! See you guys next time!