Weiss was back in Atlas and in her family house, looking out over the front yard from a balcony that was connected to her room. Under normal circumstances, she might enjoy going home for a while. Of course, these weren't normal circumstances. For one, the only reason she used to enjoy being here was Winter. The older Schnee sister made life bearable in the estate but now of course, Winter was busier than ever before. The servants in the estate were nice but Weiss knew they were only being nice to her because she was the heiress and it just...bothered her. True, she knew people would act this way but after being around Ruby, Yang, Blake, and so many others who saw her as herself and not just the Schnee heiress it felt strange to be treated this way again. And then...there was her father. Their first conversation when they had arrived back in Atlas was nothing but Weiss being berated for her choice to even become a huntress. Weiss couldn't forget it even if she tried.
Four months ago, Weiss and her father,Albus Schnee, had returned to Atlas and landed back at their mansion. The mansion itself was what you would expect to be the house of the CEO of the biggest Dust company on Remnant. The two Schnees hadn't said a word to each other over the entire trip back but when they arrived and were indoors, Albus spoke up.
"This is one of the reasons I told you NOT to go down this path," the elder Schnee said, "It will only lead to more of these situations where you are thrust into a warzone."
"But Father-," Weiss began but was cut off.
"There are no other options here Weiss. Your path leads to you inheriting the company when I'm gone and that is final."
"Then why did you let me attend Beacon in the first place?!" the heiress shouted, completely infuriated at this point.
"I simply assumed it was a phase. If you got it out of your system then you would come to your senses and come home."
"So then why did WINTER get to become a huntress for Atlas?!"
"I assumed it was the same thing...until I learned she enlisted. Your sister and I have never seen eye so I can assume she did so just to spite me."
"Maybe because you wouldn't let her make her own choices."
"I have let her make her own choices Weiss! She chose to take our legacy and throw it to the wind for what? Glory? Honor? Yes, we know how to defend ourselves but that only came about because of the atrocities committed by those White Fang mongrels but that doesn't mean we are meant to be Huntsmen."
"Well what if Winter and I ARE meant to be Huntsmen? What if instead of being the CEO of our company, two of us ARE meant to be help Remnant not from behind some desk but out there ACTIVELY helping?"
The Schnee patriarch doesn't respond for a moment.
"This conversation is over Weiss," Albus walked off to his own private quarters as a female servant walked up to Weiss.
"Miss Schnee, if you'll follow me please. Your father wanted something more formal for you to wear for when you returned. Something special."
Weiss begrudgingly followed the servant to get her new outfit. She knew that her father wouldn't even let her wear her Huntress attire as long as she was in the mansion.
"I must also inform you that your father has,for lack of a better term, placed under house arrest. His exact words to make sure his daughter doesn't leave the mansion. He did say as long as you stay in in the mansion grounds you can go outside. Once he feels it's safe enough, you will be able to go into the city but with an escort of no less than six armed guards."
Weiss sighed, "I...understand." Mentally, Weiss was trying her best not to curse her father for being so overprotective but at the same time, she could understand it. Well...at least in this instance. Her father DOES love her and since he just saw her in what was accurately described as a warzone, facing hundreds if not thousands of bloodthirsty monsters with the sole intent of devouring anyone they come across, murderous extremists who'd like nothing more than to end her life and rogue Atlesian warbots. Going to see if your daughter is ok is just basic good parenting. Taking her away from her friends and into an entirely different kingdom...up for debate. Well not to Weiss. She despised her father for doing that.
"Ah, here we are," the servant said as she showed Weiss her new outfit. A blue, glittering, mini-skirted dress with a sweetheart neckline on top of a white, tulle petticoat with a white ribbon to be tied around the waist, and a slightly sheer, long-sleeved, blue shrug that is to be fastened at the collar with a large sapphire brooch with three pendants dangling from it. To complete the outfit were a pair of blue platform heels. Weiss couldn't lie, it was impressive.
"Do...we have sapphire earrings as well?" Weiss said, trying to make the most of this.
"Of course Miss Schnee! Allow me to get them for you."
After that, Weiss's life had nothing happen that didn't have to do with the SDC. Galas, business deals, board meetings, checking up on the Dust mines. One time, Weiss could even see what Blake meant when she mentioned the SDC's questionable business practices. A meeting with a man who looked like anything but a proper business man. Of course, she wasn't meant to be there but her father had decided that if was to learn more about the brutal task of running the company, she'd need to see how all aspects of the business were run. Including the questionable ones.
Presently, Weiss wasn't wearing her new Schnee attire or her pajamas, despite the fact it was almost midnight. No, instead she was wearing a white and blue hoodie, a blue skirt, and normal white shoes.
Hopefully this works, the heiress thought to herself as she pulled the hood over her head. She then looked over the balcony and sighed. She then vaulted over the side and fell. She quickly summoned a glyph to stop her fall. Several more appeared in front of her, forming a walkway. Judging from how fast the guards change shift, she had about five minutes to get over that wall. She changed the glyph into one that enhances speed. The heiress ran forward on the glyphs, quickly changing the last glyph into one that would give her enough momentum to jump over the wall. Weiss reached the last glyph that had turned black and jumped, easily clearing the wall and landing silently due to one last glyph.
Oh...my...Dust...FINALLY! The heiress mentally celebrated being outside of the Schnee estate. However that celebration came a bit soon as she soon realized that she hadn't planned on where to go once she was out. She grabbed her Scroll from out of her hoodie's pocket and searched for "24 hour establishments" to find something still open. The first result her Scroll produced was a cafe 30 miles from where she was. A bit of a walk to be sure but Weiss didn't care. She simply wanted to be a normal Atlesian citizen for a while and not someone who's had all her life choices made for her.
And so, the disguised heiress walked the entire way to the cafe. Of course, it wasn't exactly crowded due to the lack of tourists and people still up at this hour but Weiss didn't mind. The quiet would give her some time to think on things. She took a seat in one of the empty booths closest to a window so she could look out at the city. Soon, a waitress walked up to the booth holding a clipboard in one hand and a pen in the other.
"What can I get for you?" she asked with a polite smile.
Before Weiss could say anything, someone else spoke up from across from her. "Two iced coffees should be enough I think but make sure to give my friend here extra ice."
"Alright will that be all?"
"Hmmm...yes I think so."
"Alright, let me go get your drinks."
The waitress left Weiss and her surprise guest. She thought for sure this booth was empty. She looked up from the menu in front of her to see a man with a seemingly shaven head, though there is stubble present, along with stubble for a beard. He had brown eyes, a normal complexion, and wore a simple business suit with a yellow and blue tie.
"Let me guess, you thought the booth was empty?" the person said with a slight chuckle.
"Yes...actually. I'm sorry if it's a bother," Weiss responded politely.
"No bother at all! I do so enjoy the company from friendly strangers. Though...you are no stranger."
"I...can't say we've met before."
"Well we have but not face to face. I attended one of your concerts and I never forget a face. Or a voice in this case. If my memory serves me well enough, I believe you sang a song entitled 'Mirror, Mirror.' Original composition from what I remember. And if I may say so, you are a NATURAL singer my dear. Very talented."
"I'm flattered. You know me...but...I don't know you."
"Oh I'm just a humble business man. Not in the Dust trade I can assure you. The SDC has a monopoly on that market. I am a mere merchant of mirrors."
"Mirrors?"
"A family business. Ah! Our drinks are here."
Sure enough, the waitress returned with two iced coffees, one having extra ice. The mystery man had been the one to pay the waitress and also gave her a 20 Lien tip before she left.
"Now then," the man took a sip of his coffee, "Mm good coffee. Now then, I can tell you're looking for something. You want something that can't be bought. Am I right?"
"What makes you say that?"
"The subtle tone in your voice. The look in your eyes. Your current posture. All things point to one thing: loneliness. And as luck would have it...I know some people who would need some support right about now. From a friend."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Something TERRIBLE recently happened and I don't expect the army to release that information yet. Would send PANIC into the hearts of the people so it's all very hush-hush."
"And you would know this...how?"
"I have my sources."
"Right…"
"May I see your Scroll?"
Weiss cautiously gave the man her Scroll and watched him type in a location into the GPS function.
"There we go!" He smirked as he handed the Scroll back to the heiress.
"Atlas General Hospital?"
"Like I said, they want to keep it hush-hush. So...they made up a cover-story. A public hospital is all part of the ruse."
"And...who will I find there that needs support?"
"Oh trust me...it won't be a long hunt," the man stressed the last word to make a point.
Huntsmen, Weiss mentally concluded.
The man took one last sip of his coffee and threw the cup away.
"Well, it was a pleasure talking to you my dear. But now...I need to go collect a debt and not THAT kind of debt. I'm not some thick-headed loan shark's hired muscle. Farewell my dear," the man got up and began to leave. As he did, he began to sing a small song.
"His smile fair as spring, as towards him he draws you.
His tongue sharp and silvery, as he implores you.
Your wishes he grants, as he swears to adore you.
Gold,silver,jewels, he lays riches before you.
Dues need be repaid and he will come for you.
All to reclaim, no smile to console you.
He'll snare you in bonds, eyes glowing afire.
To gore and torment you, till the stars expire."
Weiss didn't pay any attention to the odd tune as she too finished her coffee and left for Atlas General. When she entered she discreetly checked the room listings for wounded Huntsmen and Huntresses. She found only two recent additions and the names shocked her. Flynt Coal was in room 301 on the fourth floor and Neon Katt...was in Intensive Care 3 on the fifth. She rushed to the elevator and went to check on Neon first. When she stepped out, she noticed the closest rooms were Intensive Care 14 and 15. She encountered a doctor on break who had a cup of coffee in his hand from the same caffee Weiss was just at.
"Excuse me sir? Could you direct me to Intensive Care 3 please?" the heiress quickly asked.
"Oh yes. It's down this hall, eleventh door on the left. There should be a young girl sitting outside in an orange and purple dress. Poor girl was crying her eyes out when they first wheeled that Faunus in here. Truly tragic from what I heard."
Weiss thanked him for pointing her in the right direction and she walked over to the room. Sure enough, sitting outside the room was a girl with green hair wearing a purple and orange dress. Next to her chair were two buzz-saw axes. Buzz-axes if you will. Weiss approached her, lowering her hoodie, and noticed she was sleeping. She tried to wake her by poking her shoulder and the girl soon stirred from her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open showing her different colored eyes, one yellow, one blue.
"W-wha? O-oh...right...I fell asleep an hour ago," she said groggily. She then woke up fully when she noticed who had woken her. Weiss tried to silence her reaction and she succeeded.
"Y-you're Weiss Schnee! What are you doing here?!"
"Calm down. I came to check up on Neon. You're another member of team FNKI, correct?"
"Iris. Iris Makase," the girl extended her hand which Weiss took hold of and shook.
"Forgive me...if...it's difficult...but what happened to them? I noticed Flynt was only in room 301 two floors down but…"
"I...I was told not to tell anyone about what really happened. The higher-ups are going with a...a...a gunship crash. But...screw it...you're Winter's lil' sis. I think you get to know what really happened." Weiss took a seat next to her and listened attentively as Iris began her story.
"Everything we know...came from Flynt, a soldier, and a Faunus doctor named Allison Grey. Neon's been unconscious t-the whole time. The two of them were dispatched to investigate a medical outpost that had gone dark after a storm hit. It was thought that it was White Fang or Grimm but what they found...what they found was like NOTHING we've ever encountered. When they entered the base...t-they found...b-bodies stuck to the ceiling with knives, decapitations, slit throats, and s-so...so much other carnage. T-the only reason...Doctor Grey was able to escape the massacre...was because she hid in a cryo pod."
Already, Weiss was horrified by what she was hearing.
"They had split their forces prior to finding the doc. One force to the west wing and one to the east. The one that went east, led by two captains, was completely slaughtered. The guy responsible, the ONE PERSON responsible called Flynt and gave his name and an ultimatum. His name was B-belail...and he said to surrender...or suffer living hell. Flynt didn't buy it. Figured it was just a scare tactic. He told Doctor Grey and the only soldier to survive to get out of there while they went after the maniac. When they found him...he slaughtered the rest of the men and fought against Neo and Flynt. They put up a good fight but...he forced them to retreat. Right when it seemed like they were home-free...Belail took Neon...and...and…," tears began welling up in the girl's eyes, "he broke her spine."
Weiss had to place a hand over her mouth to stop herself from gasping. She felt tears well up in her own eyes.
"And Flynt? The...BASTARD calling himself the 'Lord of Lies' broke his arm! And then...he just...he just walked off. The whole time this...monster...enjoyed himself. And...a-according to the docs...Neon's spine was broken in a way that now...when she wakes up...s-she'll be paralyzed from the waist down. She'll be devastated when she hears! Atlas has cybernetics sure but that's for amputations! Belail broke her SPINE! And what's worse, her Aura broke when he did and even when it comes back her spine will STILL be broken! Broken arms, legs, things like that...they take days,sometimes a week or two, to get fixed by Aura. A spine? It'd be like if someone cut off someone's arm! That's not getting fixed!"
Weiss slightly winced at the mention of someone's arm being cut off as she remembered what happened to Yang but she knew right now that Iris needed the support that stranger told her about. So, the heiress hugged her.
"I'm sorry, Iris."
Iris simply sobbed into the heiress's shoulder for a while, hugging the heiress back tightly.
"Neon's my BEST friend Weiss! How...how is she gonna cope with this?!" the girl managed to blurt out between sobs.
"With our help Iris."
Iris managed to smile through the tears and sniffled a bit.
"Thank you. You know," Iris said trying to lighten the mood, "I did hear something good before. Neon apparently roped you into playing Remnant: The Game with someone named Yang and her sister Ruby."
Weiss smiled at the happy memory. "Oh yes. I remember that. It was only the second time I had played but it was also the second time I lost. Yang is a master at the game believe it or not."
"Oh I'd like to see her live up to that!"
Weiss giggled a bit. Finally, after four months of being confined in that estate, she felt like an everyday Huntress-to-be again. Well, almost, given the circumstances. And of course, she had people to talk to that saw her as Weiss and not her father successor.
But now, she had something new to worry about. Her friends, her partners, out there with this...monster calling himself Belail. She needed to find them.
(A/N: First off, if anyone knows who that business man is, wonderful! Anyway, this chapter actually takes place during day 1 of team RNJR's voyage before the Hydra fight. Next week, the chapters might come out more slowly, maybe one a week now, and the first arc in Mistral will begin. Oh! And shoutout to Mediaocrity4, writer of RWBYond Vale for letting me use his OC members of team FNKI. As always, read, review, and enjoy.)