Chapter 3: Snow White
A series of tragedies that led to the dark beginning.
Once upon a time in a cold, cold land there was a little girl.
Unsure of the path that lies before her.
A path of loneliness, strife, and conflict.
Yet it is a necessary path, one that might even save the world.
An unfortunate series of events send her down that road.
A violent and bloody road full of loss that she must travel.
Yet tragedy strikes soon than she thinks.
And her journey down that darken road truly begins.
"Get up." A cold voice commanded her.
She followed the voice's instruction.
"Again."
She raised her rapier once more and faced her opponent. He easily towered over her, but she couldn't be deterred. She wouldn't be deterred. There were no other options but to win. She circled her opponent, looking for an opening.
Unlike her, her opponent was not wearing any protective fencing gear. No, he had aura and was beyond petty protective gear. She needed to unlock her aura still. Every day was a constant reminder that she was weak because she didn't yet possess it. Her father made sure that she knew that fact every single day.
No matter how much she studied or trained, it wouldn't be enough until she has unlocked it. No matter how smart or how skilled she became, she was worth nothing without it. She made her first strike. She rushed forward and tried jabbing her rapier toward the man's chest. She was too slow and hit nothing. The man slashed toward the girl. She barely managed to deflect the attack with her rapier. He was better than her. He had aura! He had a semblance! He had combat training! He was a reserve huntsman and had all the skills of an actual huntsman.
The man was unleashing a flurry of strikes now. Several of the strikes struck her chest before he kicked her to the ground. She had to be better than him! She got up again and looked for an opening. There were several openings, but she knew that he left those openings open, he was fast enough to block them. She couldn't take the easy way out.
She charged the man head on. The man swung his rapier at hers. Her rapier went flying through the air before he kicked her back onto the ground. Clank! Her rapier landed a few feet away from her. She crawled her way back to the rapier.
It was pathetic. How was she supposed to be a reserve huntress if she was so weak?! This training was supposed to help her unlock her aura, not remind her how weak she was without it. She gripped her rapier and got up again. She was exhausted as she had been training for nearly an hour and she had yet to even come close to hitting him. It was absolutely infuriating. Every day she thinks she's getting better only for him to dash those hopes. She adopted an offensive stance and slowly inched toward him. She knew so many fencing techniques yet they did not help.
There was a gap between the two, caused by age and experience. Her lack of aura only widens the gap. She held out rapier in front of her, poised to strike. She swung her rapier toward his face. He blocked it and delivered a kick. She manage to duck under it and lunged forward to strike. He ducked and caught her with an uppercut, launching her into the air. She landed with a thud. She knew she would never beat him. The most she could try and do is perhaps hit him.
She groaned quietly as she staggered back up. People with aura are naturally faster and stronger than those who lack it. When combined with a training regimen, they become a formidable force. She needed to be smart about this, try and throw him off. She lunged at him again. Feinting to the left, she put all her strength into her hit. The man did not fall for her bluff and blocked her assault effortlessly. She was pushed back and nearly fell to the floor again.
He was nothing, and she was a Schnee. She should be better than this bastard. She ran up to him and swung her rapier at his head. He ducked and moved to uppercut her again. She narrowly dodged his fist and managed to kick his weapon out of his free hand. She then tried jabbing her rapier toward his side but he grabbed her weapon mid-strike. He ripped the weapon out of her hands and began punching her. She tried blocking but his punches broke right through her defenses.
He began with a strong punch to the gut that knocked the wind out of her. As she grabbed her stomach in pain, he swung with a right hook toward her face. Her fencing mask flung off her face before he finished her off with a roundhouse kick that brought her to the floor again. She was struggling to get up this time.
"Enough," an icy voice commanded to the both of them. The man looked to the source of the voice and gave a small bow.
"This session is over, Mr. Sabre. You are dismissed." Sabre gave an insincere bow and left the room to leave on his airship. She manage to stand back onto her feet and looked up. All she saw was her father's disappointed face. He didn't have to say anything, but she knew what he was thinking. She was weak, a failure, a disgrace. She was suppose to be strong. She was a Schnee. She was expected to be the best, yet she failed… why does she have to do this?
"I expect you to correct your failings the next time I see you or…" A brief pause to let it sink in. "Yes, father." She assured him… and herself.
Her father gave her a small look before he left, leaving her all alone with her thoughts. She rarely saw her father, and when she did, it was never pleasant. For once, she would like to make him proud. She knew the horrible situation he was in.
It had been going on for generations. Her lineage was a strong and noble one, they were strong leaders, worthy of all the family name. But with that power came jealousy and violence, no matter how that power was used. Her grandfather was the one who founded the company in the later half of his life. Yet, the first half of his life was one of conflict. He was a huntsman that partook in war. A revolution to some degenerates, but it was war.
Her father may be a CEO first and reserve huntsman second, but he told her that a war is still being waged. According to father, it was a war not fought openly, but in secret. And that radicals from the war that sabotaged and fought against them while the same animals from the war preach peace and unity as 'The White Fang'. And thus, all stigma from the radicals is erased and forgotten. When he first told her that, she didn't believe it.
She thought it was just a reason for her to train harder, but she just wanted to make him proud. But then the funerals started. Family members gone forever, her growing lonelier as months passed by. And it wasn't just family, her only friend was gone forever. Reality had hit the little girl after that. She understood why father was always stressed out… and why he pushed her so hard. If she was weak, she would die like… them.
He didn't want to lose her too, but it still frustrated her that power still escaped her. Schnee's were known as strong aura users, yet she still hasn't unlocked it. She knew that aura was typically unlocked at age twelve, but that doesn't matter, she was told to be better than that. A Schnee was supposed to be a beacon of perfection and strength, a light in a dark world to lead others. The company she was supposed to inherit was just that.
It was one of the most important companies in the world. It was the largest supplier of Dust, a product that can raise armies, strike down foes, and power entire kingdoms. And she was going to inherit that company, eventually. Yet she wasn't ready for that immense responsibility. She was young… and weak. Yet this is why she is being trained.
People with aura were above those who did not have aura. But with aura came mandatory training. Combat schools were formed to train those who have an unlocked aura, whether they wanted to or not. Some may join the schools without an aura to try and unlock it, and if two years go by without it unlocking, they are deemed unfit for the lifestyle. They wouldn't even be considered for something as low as the military or police. She wouldn't ever stoop to that level because that would be a betrayal of everything that she had been taught.
She had to unlock it before entering the academy. Having an aura guarantees entry, yet some try and avoid enrolling even though it is inevitable. Frankly, they should be grateful for such power. And if they were strong enough to have a semblance then they moved onto a secondary academy. The ones who couldn't have a semblance weren't allowed to move up and were 'incompletes' who either were slinking cowards that went for a normal life or actually did something with their aura by joining the military or the police.
But neither option applied to her. She was supposed to be better than that. If, no… when she gets her aura, she would be expected to start working towards finding her semblance. She was training to be a reserve huntress. It may not be as prestigious a title as an actual huntress, but it was very well regarded nevertheless.
Most students at secondary combat schools ended up becoming full huntsmen; being in reserve was rare and subtly discouraged, but those in reserve would be free to pursue their own careers. Though, they would still be expected to help out during times of crisis. Training to be a reserve huntress and preparing to inherit her father's legacy is all she has, alone with those responsibilities. Those animals took her relatives away… but… was that… even the case?
After that, father had brought the family into seclusion. They seldom left the household, save for him. He told them they weren't safe to leave, or they might end up like them. Sister hated the isolation, growing paranoid that father was lying. The others are gone forever, but she never even saw those animals in person…. Was it possible they were just a fabrication to motivate her? She pushed that thought out, father wouldn't like any doubts or hesitation. Mother… would tell her everything would be alright. But the rest of her family left her.
Mother had left long ago, leaving her nothing but memories. It wasn't all bad, she still saw her… a few times throughout the year, but there is always an air of remorse when they meet. Tomorrow was the day she was going to visit. She as always both happy and worried on those two days. It was one of the few days when she didn't have to study or train. She could actually smile and be with her family. Yet the pressure of her duty is always there.
Still, she admits it is… rather nice to spend time with her mother and sister. She never understood why mother left but what she does understand is that her older sister wanted nothing to do with the war or the company, opting instead to train to become an actual huntress. Father was furious when her sister told them her intention. She was throwing away everything, her noble position as heiress, the power, the training, the wealth, the family name.
Sister was going back to mother's so she could purse that goal. Sister wanted her to leave with her, but she couldn't. Deep down, she wanted to come with her too, but she became heiress after that. She had a responsibility to uphold. And she has to uphold it.
She watched the storm of white rage on through the window of the airship. Mother lived far away from home, and with the passing storm, father had her take an airship there. She was… giddy to say the least. Another five minutes and she'd be there. A day to be free, a day to spend time with her family… minus father of course. Her duties took up most of her time and made her cherish these rare days. There would be no snow day for them, but that didn't matter.
She enjoyed them for the company. For every single day of the year, she is alone. Not physically, but nobody actually talks to her. Tutors were just that, teachers and nothing else. And the servants… they were little more filled space, pretending that everything was okay. Father was always the only one who even remotely tries not to be like them, but even then, his burdens are too much… and it only makes it worse. She shook her head, today was her one day to be happy.
BEEP! BEEP! The small airship began flashing red. Something was wrong. Then the airship began shaking. Something was very wrong.
"What's going on!?" She shouted to the pilot.
"Something's wrong with the engine!" He shouted back.
She was scared, worried. Nothing like this had ever happened before. She clenched her fists and tried not to panic.
BOOM!
There was an explosion coming from the front of the airship while the pilot shouted loudly. Then the airship began to plummet. She began panicking and gripped the armrests of her seat and braced for impact.
CRASH!
Her whole world went black. She awoke with a throbbing pain in her head… and upside down. She didn't know how long she'd been out, but she had to get out, she knew that much. She tried to scream for help but her voice was hoarse. She had to get help… the pilot! She struggled to undo the seatbelt, panic rising in her.
THUD!
She fell on her side when the bond was undone. She groaned in pain but managed to crawl her way to the cockpit, where a horrifying sight awaited her. She saw it. The tainted smell of decay and burnt flesh. The pilot's face was practically non-existent, flesh was hanging off the pilot's face. She looked away and desperately crawled away from the cockpit.
Oh god, oh god, she felt sick to her stomach. She started vomiting all over the floor. Oh god. The gravity of the situation had hit the girl hard. She started crying, was she going to die here? She went into the fetal position and began hyperventilating. She had to be in control. She laid there for several moments, taking deep breaths and trying to remain calm. She was a Schnee. She should be better than this. She got up to her knees and continued to take deep breaths.
She pushed the thoughts of the pilot far away, she had to plan her next course of action. She tried opening the hatch in the back, but it was jammed. The best she could do was wait here. It was the only option she had left. Someone would surely notice that the ship went down. And it would be insane to go out into the freezing blizzard when she could wait here where it was warm. She went back to the fetal position.
She hated feeling helpless, yet this was all she could do. Will she ever see her family again? What would happen if she di… what will happen if no one finds her? She was suppose to be better than this. She should be calm, cool, and collected. She focused on that single thought, that she was a Schnee and she should not be filled with such weakness. She grew calmer as time went by, as she denied the reality of the situation. Every second was filled with the lie that it would be over soon or that someone will come on by. Her stomach began growling and broke the illusion that nothing was wrong. Everything was wrong.
She was going to die! Alone! She was a failure. A disgrace. She couldn't survive this. Her entire family was going to be heartbroken by this. She failed them on every level. She would break mother's heart. Her sister would never have someone to play with. Father… it would send him into a rage of despair. She wanted nothing more than to have the strength to pull through this… but she can't. She started crying as she knew that she wasn't going to be saved. She was going to end up like the pilot. She started hearing howls in the distance. And she began crying even harder.
She knew that negativity attracted Grimm. Huntsmen, reserve huntsmen included, were suppose to be fearless, was she unworthy of becoming either of them? All of her life she was taught to be strong. Yet when it came down to it, she was weak. She couldn't unlock her aura, she couldn't keep calm, and she was a disappointment. She was going to die alone and as a failure. She broke down, bawling her eyes out. She was raised to be strong, yet deep down she always felt weak. It was a betrayal to everything that she stood for. She should be better than this.
She always seemed to be missing that spark, that drive. Her sister had the drive to become a huntress, her father had the drive to ensure that his family was strong enough to survive, to lead. Even mother had the drive to do anything to keep them happy. But her? She had no drive. No real reason. She trained because her father wanted her to.
She studied because it was expected of her. She never asked for it. Yet she pushed on through because it was a responsibility passed down to her. She couldn't rejected it, but she didn't ever truly embrace it, either. She wanted to pretend that everything she was being prepared for was her own, but it wasn't. It was only because it was expected of her.
And yet, when it came down to it, she didn't want it. She never had a real reason, it was never her. It was always what she was expected to be. Whenever she was in the company of others, she was expected to be perfect and strong. But right now, her first time utterly alone, she truly knew she isn't perfect. That she isn't strong.
CREAK!
The hatch toward the back began to tear open. She buried her head into her knees and waited for the inevitable.
Trudging through the snow storm was not expected. She was out hunting when the storm hit, at least she was covered in head from toes in layers of clothes. Life on the rural parts of the kingdom was not ideal. She lived in what she called the 'in-between'. The harsh cold wilderness that filled in the void between the nice cleaner upper-class parts of the kingdom.
Faunus like her, while not outright banned from there, were more or less… made to live on the edge of society, but her, she chose to live in the outright wilderness. Most options for faunus were limited. Hard, backbreaking, and dangerous labor for cheap pay.
After the incident… she wasn't going to work in the mines. Not just for the grossly poor work conditions… it was because it brought too much heartbreak to even think about it. So she went out into the wilderness and made a tiny cabin. Completely self-sufficient. She hunted for most of her food and bought supplies by selling the skins to nearby settlements on the edge of the kingdom.
Most settlements outside kingdoms tended to fail because a group of people ended up as more trouble than it's worth. Doubt and negativity would amplify ten fold and end up attracting huge amounts of Grimm. But if it was just her, she wouldn't attract large hordes of Grimm. If she did attract any, their numbers would be small and weak.
She was no huntress but she had aura. Not skilled enough to be a huntress but experienced enough to survive. Having aura was a dangerous secret. She wasn't picked up when she was young and that had dire consequences. She was way past the age to unlock her semblance, which meant she would never become a huntress or even one in reserve… not that she wanted to. She would never be a huntress even if she did have a semblance, and being in reserve was mostly for rich spoiled kids with aura and semblance who didn't want the life of a huntsman, but wanted the fame of the title.
Which was despicable in and of itself. At the very least huntsmen provided much needed services with their skills. Even if she wanted to be a huntress, she was too old to enroll into any academy, which meant that she would most likely be forcibly encouraged to join the police force or the military or… worse. Of course public perception wasn't focused on that… it was focused on the glamor and glitz of being huntsmen. But the stories she heard of what some of the huntsmen did during the revolution were horrifying. Only a few were alive to tell the tale, and most didn't believe it. The ones who did were like her, scared and distrusting.
There was only one who… believed it and didn't let it bring her down. As she… used to say, 'a few bad apples doesn't spoil the bunch'. She wanted to believe those words so much, but… after the incident and the revelations that followed suit… she fled out here into the damn cold alone. She pushed through the storm, her vision nearly obscured. Yet that didn't matter, she could navigate through the storms much easier than humans ever would. She couldn't describe the feeling, but she could just feel where she needed to go.
Too often some poor sap would wander into the wilderness and die, but she knew the area like the back of her hand. She knew the safe paths to take and the more questionable paths to avoid. Then she felt it. Her other ears twitched underneath her beanie. Something was off, something that wasn't supposed to be here. She slowly approached where she felt the disturbance, ready for anything. As she got closer, she saw it was a crashed airship.
It was small and looked like it was designed to carry a handful of passengers. Airships like these were typically reserved for the rich. But something was wrong, airships seldom crashed. Poor bastards. She briefly considered to leave the airship, but… she couldn't. Someone might be in there, desperately calling for help.
She didn't want to be like them. She went up to the downed airship and noticed that it was flipped. The ship as a whole was largely intact, save for the cockpit. She heard soft crying coming from inside the ship, it sounded like a young girl. Now she had to act. She tried opening the hatch on the back, but it was pretty well jammed.
She cursed at her luck. She didn't use her aura unless she absolutely had to. She summoned her aura and channeled it into her arms. With renewed energy, she forced the hatch wide open. She found a small little girl with white hair sobbing into her knees. She was dressed extravagantly in clean and better clothes than she would ever have. She was expecting someone to be upper-class in the ship, but not a little girl.
"Uh… are you alright?" She called out to the crying girl.
The girl shot up quickly exclaiming, "Oh thank god!"
She ran up and hugged her savor. After a solid second, the girl quickly let go and brushed herself, embarrassed of the act.
"How long have you been here?" She asked.
"I don't know but it's been too long." The girl, voice cracking slightly.
"Are you alright? Is there anyone else here?" She asked the girl. The girl looked down.
"No." She said barely audible. She looked toward the cockpit, the pilot didn't make it. She sighed quietly. What to do… what to do.
She couldn't just leave the girl here, obviously. The best she could do is take the girl back to her cabin and wait for the storm to blow over. They were only a couple minutes away from her cabin, and they couldn't stay here in the cold.
"What's your name?"
"Weiss… It's Weiss. Yours?" The girl said slowly. The name seemed familiar, but that didn't pertain to the current situation.
"Gale. But listen Weiss, it's going to be okay." She paused, seeing the girl ease up.
"But we need to move, I've got a cabin a few minutes away. You can wait there until the storm blows over and then I'll take you to town." The girl seemed nervous and unsure before slowly nodding. She went to pick up Weiss before the girl shrieked in shock.
"What are you doing?" She demanded.
"Uh, carrying you?" Gale responded.
"I don't need to be carried!" Weiss exclaimed.
"Well, you're not exactly outfitted for the snow."
"I can do it myself." The girl seemed unsure when she said that.
"Well, when you freeze to death it won't be my problem." Weiss gave an angry huff. The girl was certainly stubborn. Gale sighed loudly before taking off her first overcoat.
"Here." She offered the girl the coat. Weiss stared at the coat.
"I… I don't need it."
"Will you stop being so damn stubborn and take the damn thing." She said annoyed.
"But..."
"No buts. Just take it. It's fine." She said reassuringly. Weiss grabbed the coat and put it on. Gale offered her hand and Weiss grabbed it slowly before they headed out into the cold.
Weiss entered the cabin with Gale, her savior. She looked around the cabin, plain and small. It was different from what she was used to. Even mother's household was larger than this. "Make yourself at home." Gale said before walking past her and went into another room. Weiss sat down at the table near the window. It was quaint, to say the least.
Still, Weiss felt at ease. Although, she felt a little guilty taking the coat. Although it was insane to refuse the coat, she should have just shrugged off the cold. No. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. She could see why her sister left, why mother left. Maybe it was to be free. She knew the reasons why her father did the things that he did, but… did she agree with them? She always followed them without reservation, but did she want to follow them? Sister certainly didn't, opting for a different path.
What about her? Did she really want to be an heiress? Maybe she could run away. She was confused on what to think. With her visits to mother and sister, they seem calm and happier than she would ever be. On those handful of days with them, she was happier than the rest of the year. There was something wrong with that.
Because all year, it was training and studying. There was always a tiny, wiggling doubt in her head. Sister always told her that her is a place with them. Perhaps… she should. She never really understood why it has to be her. She understood why father pushed her harder and harder, but why her? Sister was like her once, diligent and unquestioning. Yet something changed for her sister… was this her changing too?
Father always said that there was a war… yet… she never saw any real evidence. She did believe him when he first told her… when she was grief-stricken over the losses. But sister proclaims he lies and manipulates. She defended him… but is there truth to her sister's words? Do those anim… faunus… really hate the Schnee family?
Father certainly seemed to think so. Mother was always neutral to those topics, but… she had always taught that hate is always misplaced, and that a simple act of kindness can work miracles.. Father would disagree with that, proclaiming that strength is needed in this world, not kindness. She was frustrated with the conflicting ideals. Why was doubt flooding her mind now? Maybe… it's because there was no longer any pressure to be something she is not… for now.
She got up and started pacing. What was she to do once she returned? Go back and pretend nothing happened? Go back underneath that pressure to be something she doesn't want nor understand? She had to talk to mother… she always brought clarity. She stopped pacing and sighed loudly.
"Something wrong?" Gale called out from the other room.
"Nothing's wrong!" Weiss said a little more loudly than she intended.
"If you say so."
Weiss glanced around the room out of boredom. She spied a single frame hung on the wall. Weiss approached it slowly. There was a small caption on the frame.
'Gale Soot and Zephyr Asepsis, together forever'. Weiss felt nervous as she looked upon the photo. The photo portrayed a happy scene with two young women. One had black hair with white streaks and piercing dark gray eyes. And another with platinum blonde hair and milky light blue eyes. They were laughing together. Yet the one thing that worried her… was their ears… their animal ears. Both had white fox ears… they were faunus. Echoes of father's angry words raged throughout her head. She inhaled.
'Animals! Every single one of them!'
'Can't be trusted!'
Memories of a kind mother telling her hatred isn't healthy. She exhaled. Gale had done nothing to harm her. Maybe father lied. It always hurt to think back on those no longer here… but sister's proclamations of father's lies rang in her ear. She was going to continue cautiously. She had to think this out through logically.
Father may have prided Schnee's on being strong, but he also prided on them being level-headed. Acting rash would get her nowhere. Gale saved her… she wasn't bad… right? She heard a door creak open and out stepped Gale, no longer completely covered in snow gear. She was practically the same dark haired woman in the photo albeit older. Her eyes drifted toward Gale's fox ears.
"You know it's rude to stare, right?"
"Oh! Oh… um sorry… It's just… I haven't…" Weiss stuttered out.
"No, no… it's fine. I understand. 'Haven't seen one up close, blah blah blah'. It's fine, I don't expect the rich to have actually seen a faunus up close." That was the entire kingdom in a nutshell. Secluded humans in their fancy metropolises and faunus down below.
"Happens more than you think. So how you holding up?" Gale asked.
"Fine… I guess." Weiss replied.
"You guess? … You're not hurt from the crash are you? Because I got-"
"It's not that… it's something else." Weiss debated if she should even tell Gale. They had just met… but… she never really had any real conversation with someone outside her family.
But Gale has done nothing but help her… perhaps… she can trust her, faunus or no. Father was wrong.
"It's… difficult to explain." Weiss started.
"All ears."
"You see… I have a responsibility, a huge responsibility." Gale seemed intrigued.
"I'm… the heiress to the Schnee-" Gale's face hardened. "-Dust Company. And… I can't take it anymore."
Gale froze when Weiss Schnee told her that. Her opinion of the girl radically changed, so much so she needed to think calm thoughts before she does something rash.
"Uh… I… um. Hm. That's a hard one. I need time to think." Weiss gave her a strange look before giving a small nod. "I understand." Gale got up and went back into her room. She closed the door and began hyperventilating. Dozens of dark thoughts filled her head.
An eye for an eye. That was what she was taught… but… she swore to be better. She thought she was making strides toward that promise. She helped Weiss, a human,… but that was before she knew who she was. What was she suppose to do?! She wanted to yell out in frustration.
She wanted help… she wanted Zephyr to guide her. She wanted to hear her words again… she wanted Zephyr to tell her that she should forgive and that Weiss had nothing to do with it. But all of her thoughts about the girl were just filled with hate. The Schnees took her away. She would never see Zephyr's smile again… she wanted to honor her.
But she couldn't. Ever since her passing, she tried and tried to be like her. Zephyr was what grounded her, she was her everything and her better half. Zephyr, a member of the White Fang, preaching tolerance and equality. Her? A rambling angry radical. Yet… her first instinct after her passing, was to kill them all. But when they were together, she swore off violence and broke all contact with her more… radical acquaintances. That was a long time ago. She no longer vandalized racist's homes nor beat them to a bloody pulp.
Every day was a battle to hurt those who take pleasure in tormenting faunus. It was in a way, a war. It was kinda fruitless now that she looked back on it. Every single victory was small, while… the Schnee Dust Company continues a perpetual cycle of abuse and hate on a bigger scale. Gale and her friends were going to shift their focus on making them pay, but… she left and they continued their vendetta. Zephyr was proud of her when she broke contact with them… because they just kept on escalating, both sides. It was idyllic for awhile.
Until Zephyr thought it would be a good idea to try and change the Schnee Dust Company from the inside. She never understood why Zephyr decided to work at those damn mines, but she took the job with gusto. Until… the incident.
Three whole fucking months. She disappeared for three fucking months… and not just her… but several other faunus working in the mines. And they did nothing. They told her nothing. Hell, they didn't even tell her where the mines were! For three whole months. She raised hell trying to find her. When she found the mines, she found them collapsed. Anyone without aura would have trouble digging through with their bare hands, but her?
She pushed through until her aura's protective covering ceased and while her strength was still there, her hands were bruised and bleeding. It was a fucking hideous sight that she came across. Dead and decaying bodies thrown about. There was even signs of cannibalism… but none of the poor bastards made it, not even Zephyr. She didn't want to believe it, but… plain as day.
She gave those poor souls a proper burial. She thought it was just criminal neglect, but life isn't that kind… the truth was much, much worse. It was fucking sabotage! There were some explosives planted near the entrance of the mine. They were broken but it doesn't take a genius to find out the intention behind them. They weren't even the sticks of dynamite used for mining, they were professional and guess who fucking made them? She felt sick to her stomach knowing that they killed her. She tracked down the foreman that oversaw the mines.
She thought it was just a racist boss… but the truth was even shittier than that. After a whole day of interrogation, he gave in. The order to blow the mines came from high up. And the only ones who could even authorize that was a Schnee. At that moment, she wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, but others had tried and failed.
Her radical friends had been all but wiped out, but the war still raged on. Some vandalized, some murdered workers and friends of the company. Some even managed to kill some Schnees themselves. It had gotten to the point where the big bad CEO withdrew his family into isolation around the time his second daughter was born.
And the CEO himself was the only one who made any public appearances, and given his status as a reserve huntsman, they stayed far away from him. That happened years ago, but it still continues to this day. She so, so wanted to join in… but that wouldn't honor her. So she tried living a peaceful life away from all the violence, and for awhile it worked. But now? Weiss Schnee, heiress to the bastard company herself was in the palm of her hand.
She wanted to strangle the girl, teach them a lesson! She wanted the 'big man' himself cradle a dying loved one in his arms. She hated herself for those thoughts, but people don't change. No matter how much she or Zephyr tried to believe, people don't change. She herself couldn't change, so why should Weiss change.
She isn't a child, she's a bastard Schnee. Weiss may be showing some doubt now, but she'll revert back into the monster that they are. She took a deep breath. She could strike a devastating blow to those bastards. It doesn't matter what happens to me… Gale wasn't even truly living.
Day in, day out, constantly reminded of what she lost. She unsheathed her claws. She was one of the few lucky faunus that got the 'good' genes. These claws had served her well. She probably wasn't even going to use the claws, it just helped her to stay the course, to solidify her decision.
With what she was about to do next, she'll no doubt be hunted down and killed. At the very least, she would be with Zephyr again. Oh…
"Forgive me, Zephyr." She muttered to the empty silence. Then she left the room.
Weiss was unnerved with the way Gale entered the room. It was as if she was consumed with an intense fury. Was she wrong to tell Gale that? Her eyes wandered to Gale's hands. In place of her nails, were long claws, ready to strike. Weiss tensed up… maybe father was right. Weiss was a fool to trust this faunus. Father warned them… and yet she gave in to her doubts. She was growing more and more scared.
She got out of the chair and started backing up as Gale approached closer.
"What's wrong, Weiss?" Gale asked in a nice tone, but there was a dangerous undertone to it.
"Wha… what are you doing?" Weiss asked, trying to remain calm. But in truth, she was terrified. Gale went from nice and friendly to downright menacing.
"I'll make it quick and painless. For what it's worth, I'm sorry."
Oh shit! Weiss turned around in a frenzy to scramble out of the cabin. Gale rushed forward and manage to put her in a headlock. She squeezed the air out of Weiss. Weiss couldn't breath! She flailed helplessly as she gasped for air. She should know how to get out of this! She was taught so many ways to get out of situations like this! Yet it escaped her!
Her vision was fading and in a desperate attempt, she manage to bite Gale's arm. She bit down with all her might but it felt like she was trying to chew on metal. But she didn't stop, it was the only thing she could do.
"Just… stop… struggling! I promise… it will be quick!" Weiss stopped biting to let out a quiet plea for her to stop.
"Stop… please!" Weiss prepared to chomp down, one last time. She felt her teeth shatter as she managed to bite through.
"Argh!" Gale dropped her, with a look of surprise on her face. Weiss scramble out of the door, coughing up a storm as she ran. But as soon as she escaped the cabin, Gale with inhuman speed, shot out and manage to grab her foot. Weiss fell onto the snow as Gale began to drag her back into the cabin. Weiss was now getting desperate and began kicking Gale in a frenzy to survive. She manage to kick Gale right in the stomach and Gale let go of her foot.
Yet Gale, getting more furious, lashed out with a furious slash of her claws. Striking Weiss in the face, blood splattered on the snow as Weiss collapsed back into the cold snow. Weiss cried out as pain shot forth from her face. Gale was saying something, but she ignored her lying words. Several streaks of hot searing pain pulsated across the left side of her face.
Alongside the pain came the horrible realization that she couldn't see out of her left eye. She was always discontent with father trying to make sure she was strong and powerful, so she was ready. Mother and sister, despite their good intentions, filled her with doubt. Doubt that led her to trusting an animal, and she was going to die because of that.
Facing immediate death, she was consumed with a cold fury. Everything up to this point in her life was preparing her for this moment. To prove that she is strong enough to survive. As the cold fury enveloped her body and mind, it started taking a more tangible form. It began to seep out from inside her body to outside. The pain in the left part of her face began to fade, replaced by a cold, numb sensation. She slowly rose to her feet, eyes ablaze with hatred.
She briefly radiated a white glow. Gale, the traitor, seemed almost worried now. Weiss knew deep within her bones that her aura was unlocked. It was a new sensation that she could describe as feeling powerful… like she could take on the world. But she'd take on this back-stabbing animal! She knew aura could be channeled into her punches and kicks… but she had no experience, she instead let the cold angry feeling envelop her.
Gale adopted an aggressive stance that resembled a predator on a prowl, ready to lunge at her. There was a brief moment of uneasy tension between the two before Gale charged forward. Gale let out a wide swing which Weiss was easily able to duck over. They were on equal footing now… and Gale did not have the teachings nor the techniques Weiss had.
Weiss struck Gale in the ribs with all her might.
CRACK! Immediately her entire arm lost all feeling and became paralyzed. The price was worth it, as she could tell that she struck so hard that Gale's aura shielding broke along with her ribs. Gale fell onto her right knee and began gasping in pain.
With her non-paralyzed arm, she gave one final punch with all her strength to Gale's face. Gale crumpled onto the snow and Weiss could no longer move or feel her arms anymore. Despite the numb pain and lack of feeling in her arms, Weiss was ecstatic, relishing the adrenaline from the fight. It was as if her heart was beating for the first time ever. A cold heart that now had life coursing through it. She felt as if she could take on the world.
She felt the snow beat down on her harder, marking her skin with frost. Her aura didn't protect her from the cold. But that didn't matter, she didn't need to sit around and wait to be rescued. She was strong. She would find her way home, even in this snow storm. Clearly she couldn't stay here, she looked upon the defeated body of her betrayer.
Gale wasn't worth her time nor attention. She was weak, worthless. This animal didn't deserve a noble death, she deserved to stew in this pathetic life for the rest of her days. Weiss spat on her body before heading into the great haze of white to find her way home.
It was a horrible idea. By the time the high from the fight ended, it was too late. Despite knowing aura does nothing against the cold, she went anyway. A stupid, childish idea. Going out into the snow storm without proper winter wear, truly idiotic. And her face may have stopped bleeding, but now it felt as if part of her face was frozen.
Now she might die, even though she finally found meaning! She understood why father was always so harsh on her. She finally found her drive, the reason why she trained. She finally saw what father was trying to teach her. She now knows her role, her position. She was a Schnee, strong and cunning. Someone who stands above the chaotic crowd. Someone better than the rest. Someone who had to lead those who are weak-minded.
She was the heiress to the SDC, a position of power. The ones who helped humanity thrive. And the ones that will teach those animals their place. All of father's words were true. They can't be trusted. Going from a perfectly civil conversation to attempted murder. Clearly they couldn't be trusted to look after themselves.
If… no… when she survived this, she would train and study harder than she ever had before. She continued trudging through the harsh assault of snow. Time seemed to lose meaning after a while. She could no longer tell how long she has been walking.
She had been shivering for as long as she can remember. Her mind began to wander, unfocused and unsure. Somewhere in the back of her head, the word 'hypothermia' resonated. The word brought her worry, and so she let her mind wander far away from that thought. It was really cold… her body felt stiff with each movement she took. Her breathing started slowing down as the chilly air filled her lungs. This continued for an indescribable amount of time until she began to feel hot. It was weird for the young girl. Wasn't it suppose to be cold?
She had a feeling that it had to do something with that word… what was the word again? Her vision was still engulfed in white from the raging snow. Huh… she stopped shivering. Why was it hot again? She felt like she was being boiled alive. It was even more unbearable than the cold. It felt perfectly reasonable to start shedding her clothes in the cold snow storm, but something stopped her.
What was that word again? Hypo… something. It meant something bad… and what she was doing right now… was bad. She was confused and tired. She wanted to take a nap. She paused her trek through the snow and looked down. All these clothes seem to make her feel hotter. Didn't she have something important to do? Home… yes… home.
She clutched her chest in shock. It was as if her heart was frozen solid, she tried taking a deep breath, but she couldn't. Argh! She wanted to take a deep breath but she couldn't. She wanted to punch something… then she felt tired again. The word… it was important. Why can't she remember?! She was boiling alive, tired, and confused! Something was wrong… she felt sick. She wanted to feel better. She should find home and they can make her feel better. What else could make her feel better? She hated this… state of being.
She wanted to feel better. Wasn't she suppose to be strong or something? Oh… yeah… she had aur… aura… couldn't she heal herself or something? Does she even know how? Might as well try or something… she tried summoning that cold fury… but none came. If any did come, she couldn't feel anything with this boiling heat!
She did feel more protected though… that meant something, right? Now she just had to channel that feeling… that made sense right? She was confused and tired. She let the feeling build up inside her and fester until it felt like it was filled to the brim. Then she got knocked back onto her back after a brief implosion of white.
"Uuuugh." She moaned. She received a moment of clarity.
Oh fuck! She was suffering from hypothermia. She looked at her hands. Her skin now had a pale, ghostly white tint to it. That was probably bad, really bad. She needed to get out of the storm now! She should be close to somewhere with people, right?
The moment of mental clarity was fading fast and she was beginning to feel hot again. She decided her best option was to scream for help. She let out a cry for help at the top of her lungs before she collapsed into the snow. Then she saw a figure emerge from the white haze, completely covered in snow wear. For a second, she was worried that it was Gale.
But then she saw the figure's eyes. Worried, light-blue eyes. She knew who those eyes belong to, her sister.
"W...Winter?" She called out weakly.
"Thank god that I found you, Weiss!" Winter ran up to her and cradled her in her arms.
"Are you alright?!" Weiss nodded her head. Winter looked back and shouted, "I found her!"
"H..how?" Weiss muttered.
"Fa… Dad managed to track the general area where you crashed and got a search party together. Just rest.. you'll be alright."
And so, Weiss closed her eyes.
He looked upon the sleeping form of his youngest with a small steady beeping in the background. She seemed beaten and battered. The entire left side of her face had been bandaged, a set of claw marks hidden by the white gauze.
Too small to be a Grimm and too large to be an animal, the implications were obvious to him and he was pissed. Someone had hurt his daughter! Whoever they were, they were going to pay. Weiss has been unconscious ever since Winter found her. Winter was very adamant on helping with the search. Given that Winter knew the general area quite well, she was invaluable in finding Weiss. The doctors assured him that Weiss would recover.
But what they couldn't tell him is why she was deathly pale. It was as if all the color had been drained from her skin. He wanted answers! He wanted to know if she was going to be alright! Was she sick? Did she get some disease? A disorder? They told him nothing. The only thing that they could tell her is that her aura unlocked. Normally, that would have some cause for celebration, but he didn't want her aura unlocked like this.
And that meant dealing with them. Any other time he probably could handle them, but not now. He looked at Weiss, his pride and joy, before leaving the room. His… estranged… wife was there, clearly worried.
"Is… is Weiss going to be alright?" He nodded his head.
"Oh thank god!" She gave him a tight hug. He was hesitant to embrace the hug. While they hadn't been divorced… yet… He hates himself for letting his marriage go to ruin. Because he knew it was all his fault. He just wanted to make sure his family was strong and prepared for them. Yet in doing so, he became distant and cold with his family, only focused on business and training his daughters. His… wife proposed that they just needed some time away from each other.
He wasn't a fool, he knew what that entailed. Perhaps he deserved it after he blew up on Winter instead of supporting her decision. Should he even try and get them back? Can he change for them? He wanted to try. Then he hugged her back.
"I… don't suppose… we can talk?" He whispered.
"I… don't know. What is there to talk about?" He hoped that maybe… he can have one more chance.
"About… us." She broke off the hug. She exhaled loudly.
"I really don't know. You know I want to. But… how do I know things have changed? I want to go back. I want to see Weiss more than a handful of days. I want Weiss and Winter to be together again. I want us to be together again… but I don't know. Will things even be different? I know you just want the best for us… but how you handle the training and… Winter..."
"Then help me be better." His scroll began buzzing and he took it out.
"One moment." He told his wife.
"Typical." She muttered. He looked away from his wife and then took the call.
"Yes?"
"Sir, you have Sturm SneBier on the line."
Fuck. Sturm was the CEO of SneBier Incorporated. Second biggest Dust company out there. Her company may have better PR… but he had better profits. The only reason why that was so because she was big on faunus equality and that helped project a friendly image. While he had more land to mine Dust, her company did not. If he had to guess why she was calling it was probably because they both were looking to expand out of Dust. He has been looking to expand his Research and Development branch of the company. Both had their eyes on a small company called Immersion Labs, but naturally he was almost guaranteed to get it.
Probably going to try and sweet talk him into giving that prospect up. That or a subtle threat. They had a projected 'friendly' rivalry on the media. But it was anything but outside the media. Corporate bribery, sabotage, and espionage was abundant. It was almost like a war being waged on two fronts. And people wonder why he keeps his family isolated.
"Sir?" That broke him out of his thoughts. He looked back at his wife.
"Tell her I am busy."
"She isn't taking no for an answer." He sighed.
"Put her on." He began grinding his teeth. He doesn't want to deal with this. He might lose the one chance to get his family back. Should he get into a prolong discussion with her, fake pleasantries and all. Or should he not even bother with that. He made his choice.
"Hello..."
"Fuck off and don't call back." He closed his scroll. His wife gave him a hopeful look. Almost immediately, it began buzzing again but he ignored it.
"Just… one last chance." He begged to his wife. His wife gave him a sympathetic look.
"One last chance." She repeated. He gave her a small hug.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. You still have to talk to Winter. She hasn't forgiven you yet."
Winter sat next to the hospital bed that Weiss was resting on. She couldn't believe that this was her little sister. She seemed so… damaged. She seemed so sick. Her skin was unnaturally pale… and her face… she saw it. Despite the bandages hiding them now, it horrified her that something could hurt her little sister. She remembered the initial panic when Weiss didn't arrive.
Mother was so worried… and they had to call father. Father did everything to help find Weiss. It was nice to know he cared… sometimes. Right now, father and mother were talking. She slipped in to see Weiss. Weiss was breathing steadily. But from what she overheard, her aura was unlocked. She must have had a traumatic experience to have it unlocked. It horrified her, knowing something bad happened to her.
She didn't have the luxury of unlocking it through training. While it wasn't pleasant, it wasn't horrid. Deep down, she felt as this was her fault. She pushed away the position of heiress onto Weiss. Which put more pressure on Weiss to study harder and train harder. And that wasn't all. That was the straw that made mother leave father. Mother didn't want to, but she did.
All her fault. At least father cared enough to let them live in the vacation home. Alone and isolated. All because she wanted to be a huntress… and hated the responsibility of running a company. She sighed quietly. Maybe things will be better. She looked at the small holographic screen projected at the wall. It was broadcasting the news.
Hopefully father will make sure this stays out of the news. But… while he kept them away from the media, something might get out. The news started playing an interview with Frost SneBier about her mother's company.
Another heiress to father's 'rival' company, and she was around Weiss's age. She was smiling with shining white teeth and was straightening her platinum blonde hair. She was relishing in the attention and being all happy. She embodied all the things she hated about being heiress. The attention, the pressure, and yet she does so with a smile. It made Winter sick. Who the hell likes the attention? At least father keeps Weiss away from those media hogs.
Does nothing but add pressure to be perfect! She hated it. And she hated herself for pushing that onto Weiss. She turned the screen off just as her father entered the room.
"Winter."
"Father." There was a moment of awkward silence.
"Winter..." He started.
"Your mother and I… are going to try again."
"And?"
"Are you… okay with that?"
"I don't care." She said with a huff.
Her father sighed.
"I'm sorry for being a horrible father." He said before he left.
She was unsure what to feel about this. Can father change? Will he still allow her to be a huntress? Or force her to constantly train? She was confused on what to think. Hell, as long as her father leaves them alone, she'll take it. She hated him trying to control them, telling them how dangerous it was. The only thing that was even remotely positive about this is that she'll be with Weiss again.
She looked at Weiss. She didn't completely hate father. He did manage to help find Weiss. It's just… he takes things too far. And it's always his way or no way at all sometimes. She wished it wasn't like that. But… maybe things will be different?
She hoped things will be different. As she gazed upon her sleeping sister, she decided. She would grit her teeth and bear with father… so she won't ever have to leave Weiss again. She has to be there for her… so things like this never happened again. At that moment, Weiss's single free eye opened, revealing a lone light blue eye that stared right at her.
"Winter?" She turned to face her little sister.
"Hey, Weiss. You alright?"
"Never better." Weiss muttered. Her little sister gingerly touched the bandages covering her face.
"It hasn't healed?" She asked.
Weiss knew aura healed most wounds… but she wondering why it hasn't healed.
"It was pretty bad, the wounds got frozen and… your aura couldn't heal it. It's going to scar… and you won't be able to see out of that eye." She said slowly.
"Good."
What? "Wha..."
"It's going to be a reminder."
Okay, Weiss was worrying her now.
"Did you hit your head or something? Are you feeling alright?" This wasn't Weiss, what happened to her out there?
"Never better."
"Okay..." What happened to Weiss? What happened to the enthusiastic little sister? What happened to the girl who secretly told her she didn't want to train or study? What happened to her sister?
"Now… when do I get out? I want to start the remedial lessons for the combat academy as soon as possible. And I've got something to tell the police. An animal has got to pay."
There was one more thing that he had to do before they move back in. They were going to start moving their stuff soon, and so he had a limited time to operate. He was neglecting many of duties doing this, but this was more important.
They were still at the hospital, watching over Weiss. He made sure that they had guards watching them. Winter was still a combat student, she was still inexperienced. And his wife, was a reserve huntress. He had no doubt that she could take care of herself. Still, better safe than sorry. But he had a problem. An airship doesn't just have spontaneous engine failure. He made sure that he had access to the reports concerning this situation.
They managed to find the downed airship. According to them, there were signs of tampering with the engine. So someone thought they could hurt his daughter and get away with it?! He went down a mental list on who could had access to the airship.
The servants? No. They weren't allowed near them? The pilot? He's dead. The mechanic? He was a friend. Security? Unless they were all in it, he doubts it. So who?! He let out a sigh. He didn't want to, but if he had to… he'd do it. He went to the garage and looked around. Several airships filled the large garage. He went to the space where the downed airship used to be. He held out his hand and started gritting his teeth in preparation for the pain.
A large dark blue circle with the family symbol appearing in the middle. It starts rotating slowly. Then it began going faster and faster. Images began assaulting his head. The pain was growing as the circle began increasing in speed. Memories of the airship smashed into his head. Useless memories of an unused airship.
This particular one was only used for Weiss when she visited the rest of her family. Something important had to show up soon as the pain was nearly unbearable but he had to continue. Then a brief image of someone tampering with the engine came into his head. Immediately he put down his hand and the circle disappeared.
He collapsed onto his knees and took several deep breaths. He hated using that part of his semblance. That particular glyph was his least favorite to use. Having memories that were not his own forced into his head was not pleasant, but it was necessary. He now knew who tried to kill his daughter. He had a cruel smile on his face.
His trust was sacred and to break it… had violent consequences. He opened his scroll and made the call to him, the bastard who tried killing his daughter. Five minutes later, and he was set on meeting him. He exited the garage and waited near the entrance of his household. He entered his household.
"Mr. Schnee." He greeted with a small tone of caution in his voice.
"Mr. Sabre. I would like to discuss Weiss's next lessons. And Winter's." Sabre eased up a little.
"Mind if we discuss this in my study?"
"Sure." They walked to the study. He made sure that the thing inside his sleeve was easy to access. When they entered the study, Sabre took a look around the study.
"How is your daughter recovering?" He asked. If he didn't know better, he wouldn't have seen something was off with him.
"She's recovering just fine."
"So, Winter is moving back in? I assume you want me to train her again?" He put a hand on Sabre's shoulder.
"No, I want you to suffer." From his hand, he let out a large burst of energy from Dust into Sabre. Years ago, he decided to start infusing Dust into his body, and he had become very adept at using it. Sabre shriveled before him as he began to be covered in ice. The ice Dust had destroyed his aura shielding so he made his next move.
He let the dagger drop out of his sleeve and into his hand. He then stabbed Sabre in the throat. He twisted the knife into the wound as Sabre started choking and fell to the floor. The moment Sabre hit the floor, he summoned a gray glyph underneath the body. The glyph consumed the dead body and he felt even more drained, and felt like a small part of his soul detached and dissipated. He groaned loudly.
"Are you alright, Master Schnee?" One of his butlers called out. He opened the door and faced the butler.
"Ah Pennyworth. I need you to dispose of Mr. Sabre's airship."
"The usual place, sir?"
"Yes. Thank you." Pennyworth then went away to fulfill his task. He then locked the door. He held out his hand once more. A pure white glyph formed in the middle of his study and began rapidly spinning. Then a light blue mirror image of Sabre sprung out of the glyph.
"So cold." The ghostly image wailed quietly.
"Silence." He commanded the specter. And the specter was silenced.
"How much pain are you in?"
"Unbearable pain." The ghost replied.
"Good. Now why did you try to kill my daughter? You were paid handsomely for your lessons. So why betray me? Why my daughter?" He asked with hidden hurt in his voice.
"Told to." Was his simple reply.
"By who?"
"Didn't say."
"So why did you do it?" He asked again.
"Blackmail."
"They had blackmail on you?"
The ghost merely nodded.
"Alright, did you ever see the blackmailer in person?"
"Yes."
"Details?"
"Masks. Can't."
He wanted to yell out in frustration. The summons may retain all their memories and powers but they lacked the proper mind. They couldn't even speak more than two words.
"Did you hear any names?"
"Sturm." Wait… could it be? He didn't want to believe it. While they fought over business, murdering was a whole other level, mainly reserved when those radicals got out of hand. With a wave of his hand, the specter faded into oblivion. This was getting personal.
If Sturm thought she could murder his daughter… oh the hell she would pay. He tolerated her company's existence because he was too preoccupied dealing with those animals… but this was personal. No one hurts his family and gets away with it. A cruel smile lit his face as he began thinking of ways to hurt Sturm and her company on every level possible.
She was drinking her sorrows away. They were searching for her. Almost three whole weeks later, she has been on the run. Typical that Weiss would tell them to hunt her down. Fucking Schnee. She burned down the cabin and ran. She lost her one chance to enact justice. Now the circle of abuse would continue at the SDC. She could have ended it all. She failed everyone. She took another gulp of alcohol. It wouldn't be long until they found her.
She'll probably 'fall down the stairs' or be 'found hanging from the ceiling' in the jail. Then she realized that they probably figured out she has aura, it would be even worse. She contemplated if she should even kill herself? Would she rather live the rest of her life on the run or be thrown in a gulag and have god knows what happens to her?
Maybe after one more drink, she'll end it… be with Zephyr again. She downed the last drink. She stumbled out of the bar. Maybe… she can jump off a building… wait… her aura would protect her from the fall. She would probably have to jump off the building several times to… finish the job. Perhaps she could go out in a blaze of glory.
She felt her stomach twist. Puking in the middle of the darkened street, she realized how low she had sunk. Even if somehow she made it into the same afterlife as Zephyr, she wouldn't accept her. She spent years trying to get over her. Pushing everyone away and isolating herself didn't help. And so she had no one and she was going to die alone.
Tears started falling into the swirl of puke. She could run away to some other kingdom. Vale was undergoing massive shifts regarding faunus. But it was unstable at best. The riots made sure of that. Besides she heard of certain radicals and the police going head to head. Mistral? Who knows what the fuck was going with Mistral.
It was filled with unsavory characters, both human and faunus. At least they were non-discriminatory with the violence. Vacuo was probably her best choice. Living in the desert was the only real option. Why should she even continue trying?! She sighed. The only reason why was because she was afraid to die… no… she wanted her death to mean something.
She continued to wander down the street. She didn't care anymore. She was a failure. Life gave her an opportunity and she squandered it. She wanted a second chance. A chance to redeem herself and set things right.
"WELL?!" She drunkenly shouted out to the world. She passed out in the street after that. When she came to, she was in an interior of a car… no… limo. It was clean and looked expensive. It was clean and comfy, something she wasn't used to. And in front of her was an older looking woman with gray hair and dark blue eyes.
She looked old but radiated power.
"Hello, Miss Soot."
"Who da fuck are you?" She slurred out drunkenly. She was done playing nice. Look where that got her.
"My name is Sturm SneBier."
"So?"
"I'm here to offer you an opportunity. You see, I read your file. I know everything about your loss-" Gale shot her a glare. "-to your attempt on the heiress of the SDC. And I believe you're perfect for what I have in mind."
"And why should I listen to you?"
"The SDC… or more specifically 'the man on top' has been making it harder on my business… and personal life. He has made it clear that he won't stop escalating. I intend to end it now."
She was… slightly intrigued.
"So why me? I'm a nobody with an aura."
"That's where you're wrong. What you are… what you could be is a figurehead. While you lack… refinement, you are the most perfect one to end them. You have notoriety. You're not a mercenary. You're a faunus. An everyday faunus. Someone that can relate to you."
"What are you even asking me to do?"
"To kill everyone in that bloated castle of theirs."
Gale gave a small chuckle.
"That's suicidal. Top of the line security and two of them are in reserve. And if that wasn't enough, their little isolation has made that place impenetrable."
"You'll have help… my help."
"Excuse me, lady… you don't seem the type."
"It's true I lack an aura. But what I have is resources. Top of the line equipment to break in and do the deed so to speak."
"Then what next? Assuming I survive, what next?"
"With the death of the Schnee family, my company will take advantage of the chaos and the SDC will be no more. Faunus will rally behind your name, a figurehead for a new movement. And that means no more needless deaths or inhumane labor."
Gale took a small gulp. Was this her second chance?
"And… what about me?"
"If you do this for me, then I assure you a peaceful life with a new identity outside of Atlas. And you'll live with the knowledge that you helped make real change for the better."
Gale closed her eyes. This was a chance to do some good. Rectify her mistakes. Finish what she started.
"I'm in. But I'm no fighter. And no amount of technology will even put me on the level of a huntsman."
"Oh technology is just the first step."
"Then what's the second?"
"Tell me, Miss Soot. Do you believe in magic?"
Edited/beta'd by /u/Spartacus400. Next chapter: The Queen and her Mirror