Chapter 31: The Winter Maiden is (Il)logical
Kingdom of Atlas
City of Atlas
November 15th, 80 AGW
2000 Hours
Shockwave had collected sufficient monitoring data of the Winter Maiden to get a firm grasp on who she was and by extension, how advanced her maiden powers were.
Fria was a woman was in the twilight years of her life. It would not come as a shock to anyone if she was found dead tomorrow. Her memory was becoming increasingly unreliable as the days passed, even the hours and minutes. Her physical body was frail; she could barely move her arms let alone go many places.
Because of her inability to function normally, she was effectively under the watchful eye of the military, meaning it would be a somewhat arduous task of retrieving her maiden power. The former Decepticon's two ins, Penny and Winter, while useful, were not absolute trump cards. He would have to play this game carefully.
However, he was not bothered. There were plenty of contingencies and fallbacks to resort to if his initial plans did not go smoothly. However, the chances of these being needed were low, even counting unexpected variables.
The main issue to contend with was how to obtain the power. Of course, covert measures were preferable if only for the simple fact that it would allow him to remain relatively anonymous for a time. Working for the Decepticons had garnered him an infamous reputation courtesy of the Autobots. There were uses for infamy, but there was also to be something to be said about keeping to the shadows.
Nobody worried about things that did not exist or that they were not even aware of. It was illogical to do otherwise. Few knew that the maidens were real; fewer knew about the relics that could potentially be the end of Mankind. The headmasters of the huntsman academies knew, but that was by necessity. Other than them, perhaps a few close associates of these individuals knew as well.
Although Shockwave did not have a stellar relationship with Ozpin, perhaps he could convince the man to give his tacit approval. The man was obsessed with fighting Salem and he would do whatever it took to retain powerful players. This fueled with desperation made the man surprisingly easy to manipulate.
There was one major issue: Ozpin was not James Ironwood and the latter was likely to be amenable to morally grey ideas as the former was. To the general, the scientist's endeavors would appear to be the work of a man who knew only cruel acts for the sake of his vanity or insanity or pride.
There
The Cybertronian-Faunus hybrid decided that perhaps the only thing to do was to test his theory about Ozpin's flexibility. Although he had favorable chances, he would do everything within his ability to increase his chances.
Shockwave began the call. "Ozpin, we need to talk."
"Watson, what's the nature of this call?" Ozpin sounded… unbalanced.
The scientist processed his question internally, then issued it. "I have a candidate for the next Winter Maiden in mind."
"...so that was the true purpose behind your visit to Atlas." The headmaster of Beacon Academy sounded resigned. "Dare I even ask who you have in mind?"
"One within General Ironwood's ranks." Shockwave intoned with all the indifference he had. "You have not met her personally, but I have and she is promising."
"How so?" Despite his reluctance, Ozpin seemed invested in this conversation already.
And it was easy to list off the qualifications that would appeal to the man.
Shockwave didn't miss a beat. "She is of an optimistic mindset. She is a warrior who truly believes she is fighting to defend the weak. She believes in duty above all other things. However, she is also easy to control as well. It would seem that a lack of companionship has left her wanting emotional attachments."
"I resent what you're implying." Ozpin's response was terse, with much less control than he was known for. "I'll have you know that such types are often the ones who will save the world."
Shockwave ignored the attempt to argue morality. "She is susceptible to your will. Is that not what you want? Or do you not want to win this war?"
"Losing means death for everyone." The man in the tower was tense, that much was certain. "Of course, I want to win."
The scientist could detect it. "Your illogical procrastination tells me otherwise. I have said it before, but you seem unable or unwilling to accept the lengths that must be taken. Have you truly fought a war before?"
"Many of the likes that none have ever seen." Ozpin sounded a little twitchy now. "And those experiences tell me for certain that no good has ever come from a degradation of morality."
This conversation was going nowhere and frankly, it only proved one thing: there was no future in which this illogical mess of a man was fit to lead anything or anyone. He could hide behind all the excuses he pleased; nothing would change the fact that he was not willing to commit fully to any of this.
"I do not care for morals, nor do I care what others think of me." Shockwave felt it was time to shift course. "I will proceed to secure the Winter Maiden. It would be illogical of you to interfere."
The silence on the other end was very telling.
With enough time squandered, he cut off the call. Thankfully, Ozpin was in no position to do much of anything, meaning that it was now time to enact a more direct plan of action.
Now that he paused to consider his place in this world, by directly associating with the headmaster of Beacon Academy, he had inadvertently made himself into another useful tool for someone else. It was a role he was familiar with due to his time serving Megatron and the Decepticon causes.
The main difference between the two was simple. One spoke cryptically and his methods and results were equally as nebulous. The other was direct to the point of being cruel while being able to deliver on what he said.
If Ozpin is the most rational mind that this world can offer, then perhaps this world is more illogical than I originally assessed. Shockwave's processors began a more deep train of thought. Salem is not the only person of interest that needs to be removed.
There were risks in planning to rebel against his current benefactor. For one thing, he did not know the full history of this war, only what was disclosed to him by word of mouth and a few encrypted messages. The full truth was elusive.
For now, it was time to enact his plan. Penny Polendina would be the Winter Maiden and she would be under his absolute and unbreakable control.
However, despite his desire to see progress, Shockwave did stop to ponder. Is this the most logical choice?
So far, the entirety of the world save for the headmasters and a close few was completely unaware of the truth of the nature of the Grimm and the true masters of it. Fewer still even understood that the maidens and the relics existed. If secrecy was so coveted, that could only mean one thing: these relics, in the wrong hands, were capable of causing untold amounts of destruction, damage, and chaos.
Someone with a secret of this nature most likely had something to hide that was highly disgraceful on a personal level, meaning that Ozpin had done things in things the past that would most likely call into question not only his character but also his position.
Once his business in Atlas was concluded, he would make his way to Mistral to compel Branwen to unlock the vault underneath Haven Academy. Headmaster Lionheart certainly would not object. His fear was illogical, however, it did afford the former Decepticon an easy means of controlling the man.
Shockwave was already laying the groundwork for seizing the Summer Maiden and the Relic of Knowledge because once the Winter Maiden and the Relic of Knowledge were acquired, there was no going back. He was effectively going to be making enemies on Ozpin's side, something that would affect how he continued forward.
His thoughts drifted to Amber; she was going to be a critical component of his plans and he needed her full cooperation. She would find many of his actions disagreeable, but her sense of duty for the sake of the world would override any reservations she had about the actions he was taking.
Speaking of the Fall Maiden, she and Emerald were sending him updates on his new cloning project per his instructions. Because he could not be there to monitor the status of the cloning of Cinder Fall, he substituted with daily updates.
The only part that required him to be on-site was when the personalities of the clones were created and programmed into their minds. He would be using a cortical psychic patch for all of that phase.
His basic plan mapped out, it was time to focus.
Penny was now under his control.
RWBY - - - Transformers
Atlas Academy
2030 Hours
Penny had something on her mind, something that seemed to be clawing at her processors. Being curious, she decided to dissect what she was thinking. That led her to a place that she knew perfectly well she wasn't able to access.
But she did so regardless.
There was someone of interest, someone that was very much under Atlas Military watch, but not directly a part of the armed forces. It was more of an affiliate relationship, but not in the matter of a contractor.
Regardless, the synthetic sought this individual out for one reason: she had something essential that was vital to the safety of Atlas and the entire world. As a being created to save the world, it was only natural that she become interested in power that could trump any known semblance.
Fria Rustici.
Until that very moment, the name meant nothing to her. Now it meant the entire world to her. The same could be said about her life, her powers, and where she was currently located at. The power of magic superseded anything that aura and semblances could do. That alone was enough reason to obtain it.
Penny knew where she needed to go as well and it wouldn't be hard to get where she needed to go. The problem was how to explain the fallout afterward. She wasn't even supposed to be aware of the existence of the Winter Maiden and the Relic of Creation. Only General Ironwood and a few of his most trusted were privy to that info.
The first issue was bypassing the many layers of security, which included but was not limited to surveillance cameras, motion sensors, ID scanners, human and Faunus guards, android units, and code access.
None of which was going to be an issue for Atlas's most well-kept secret weapon.
Penny merely stuck to acting normal.
Surveillance cameras? Access them and replace them with synthesized footage. As far as anyone was tracking, there was nothing unusual going on.
Motion sensors? Stop moving when they were scanning. She knew the intervals and planned around them.
ID scanners? She would use an override and then wipe her visit from the system. Her electronic warfare suites were capable.
The guards? Since she had gotten this far, they had no reason to question her. She was a classified subject herself.
The androids? Simply hack into their systems and reprogram them to ignore her. They were inferior to her, so that was no issue.
And so Penny effortlessly tore through each means of detection and defense. Even without some of her newly-acquired means of bypassing all this security, she used what she was built with first.
Now she stood in front of the door to the Winter Maiden. Without a moment to waste, she entered the room.
Unlike the spartan nature of Atlesian military installations, this room was well-decorated. This place must've been built with its occupant in mind.
And speaking of…
There she was, laying on a bed, her eyes open and staring at the wall opposite. She appeared to be deep in thought.
"Who is there?" Fria's voice was frail.
Penny smiled. "We've never met. I'm Penny Polendina."
"What a lovely name." The elderly woman spoke softly. "And what would a young lady like yourself be doing here?"
It sounded almost like resignation in her voice, like her presence was more a burden than a joy.
The synthetic decided on a direct approach. "I'm here to collect the power of the Winter Maiden."
The synthetic girl was expecting a sharp response. Fear, unease, anger, something other than the warm and even look that adorned the face of the aging Winter Maiden. If anything, the elder seemed almost at peace.
"For who?" Fria asked a question that suggested that she had an idea. "You don't sound like one of James' people… or one of Ozpin's followers."
"General Ironwood is my superior, but I'm not here on his behalf," Penny stated clearly, knowing that what was said here would stay between them. "I've come in the name of another, one who is… better than the two of them combined."
She could almost visualize him, but for the life of her, the ginger head couldn't quite put her finger on who exactly she was trying to think about. His face eluded her.
Fria narrowed her eyes slightly. "You've come to take them."
"Yes, ma'am." Penny maintained a polite disposition as Atlesian Military personnel were encouraged to do with non-military individuals. "It is for the good of all that I take it before the enemy takes it."
The Winter Maiden processed her words. "The enemy… Salem… she always was a dangerous foe. We never really did understand who she was at her core… only speculate what she wanted."
"She wants to destroy the world." The synthetic girl knew this to be a fact. "This is a plan to stop her for good. There will be no more needless death for a war that has been raging on for far too long."
Fria, serenity on her face, regarded her opposite. "No more death… if only I could believe that… Mankind has always been fond of its conflicts."
"Then I will save Mankind from itself. I will become a savior for all to rally behind." Penny began to recite her purpose. "No longer will Mankind have to fight and die. I will do so in its place."
Fria laughed, then coughed. "You say that, but do you understand what that means… to become a hero for the entire world?"
"I'll gladly face any challenge that comes my way, but one way or another, I will be taking the Winter Maiden's power." Penny became unusually grim, something that didn't sit well with her. "You don't have a choice in the matter. You will cooperate with me willingly or by force."
Preferably, if the powers were surrendered by choice, there would be less guilt to contend with in the aftermath, but if killing her in cold blood was needed, it would be done. Moral or not, there wasn't another known way.
And yet despite the threat to her life, Fria remained unchanged in her demeanor. "I know that my time is running out. I know… others will be coming, some with even less savory intentions than yourself, young lady."
"Then you understand why this must be done." Penny decided that now wasn't the time to be nice. "I'll be sure that your death isn't in vain; I will uphold my duty as the Winter Maiden with all that I have."
The two of them regarded each other quietly. The atmosphere was inscrutable.
The Winter Maiden's expression became sad, yet she smiled as well. "I'm not sure that you really do understand the pain and sacrifices and hardships that come with this job… but I suppose that every maiden will learn eventually… or die trying."
"I can't say what will become of me once I obtain the power." Her inhuman origin combined with her human personality made many things unclear. "But now's not the time to be passive. I must be proactive."
The longer that this conversation dragged on, the more the danger grew for both of them. As much as being aggressive had risks, it was either that or letting the old woman waste away and lose the power to chance.
Fria had one more question, the most important one. "The one who sent you… why did he send you? What does he intend with the maidens and the relics?"
Penny gave a blank look, then she smiled. This answer was the clearest of all.
"A more logical world is a better world."
"...logical… but for whom?"
"Everyone. A world without Salem benefits all."
Revealing the broad goal was a risk; all it would take was someone of decent intelligence to fill in the details, but this woman was about to be dead soon.
Fria closed her eyes and sighed. "Perhaps it's time for a change. Or perhaps I've grown tired of seeing all I've done amount to very little… very well. What is your name, child?"
"Penny Polendina."
"Penny Polendina...give me your hand."
The ginger head did as instructed. The hand that she felt placed in hers was predictably cold, but soft as well.
"Whatever happens next, it's all on you." Fria then guided the synthetic's hand to her throat. "I will offer no resistance. Do what you must and may the Gods guide you, Winter Maiden."
Penny didn't hesitate.
In one swift motion, she crushed the neck of the elder woman in one swift motion. Sooner or later, someone would discover what had happened, but it didn't matter. The powers would be gone and there would be no way to detect it.
The moment that Fria ceased to be, something was different about her body.
She felt cold, unlike any felt by even the coldest winters that Altas had ever seen, a strange sensation considering the fact that her body was incapable of registering the cold like a human or a Faunus.
It didn't matter.
Penny Polendina was the Winter Maiden now.
"Master Shockwave will be pleased."
Transformers - - - RWBY
November 16th, 80 AGW
0930 Hours
Winter always kept it together even when on the inside, she felt like everything was falling to pieces, but recent events had destabilized her even further.
Penny was now a corrupted asset; she could no longer be counted on to perform her duty with absolute loyalty to Atlas. She had tried many times to subtly hack into the girl's systems. Being something of an unofficial observer to the girl, the specialist had that kind of access, but she had no success. Whatever was done to her had effectively locked any and all means of outside intrusion.
Not only that, but her curiosity had gotten to her again. She had read that dossier given to her about one known as Fria Rustici. The dossier was almost abysmal in nature; while the woman was clearly very traveled and experienced in the ways of the world, her life story wasn't exactly outstanding nor unusual in any way.
Until she reached the parts detailing her magical.
As in the four maidens of legends.
Had it been any other document handed to her, Winter would have immediately dismissed it as nothing more than fantastical nonsense. There were two things that prevented her from doing just that.
Firstly, the Atlesian Military put together the dossier. All the information contained within was verified and the entire document had been officially classified top-secret. In essence, this material was highly sensitive.
And secondly, General Ironwood and his predecessors both had seals of approval and signatures verifying that not only were they aware of this information but they were actively involved with this woman as well.
Once the former Schnee heiress knew that she couldn't deny what was in this dossier, began to consider the ramifications of why all of this mattered.
If the power of the maidens was real and they were the key to unlocking relics of power greater than anything known to the general public, then that meant the huntsman academies themselves were built around a lie. They weren't built simply to create huntsmen and huntresses; they also served the purpose of being fortresses for these relics.
This conclusion led Winter to another question: since the academies were built after the Great War, what did that mean for the war itself? Was it truly fought for the reasons that the history books and scholars said?
What about the Faunus Revolution?
The events of yesterday, how many of them were constructed by the few?
How far back did this all go?
Even more concerning, what kind of enemy was so dangerous that this level of secrecy was required?
Salem. The specialist recalled this name. That's the name that Watson provided, the master of all Grimm.
In order to settle this contradiction of knowledge, she was heading to see the one person who could explain it to her.
It would be a gamble, but she saw no other way of procuring what she wanted to know without raising alarms.
The door to his office opened and she stepped in, approaching his desk until she stood in front of it.
She felt a cold sweat against her skin.
"Schnee." General Ironwood greeted her.
Normally, Winter would render the proper salute, but not this time. "Sir, I have some questions for you."
"Go on." The man gestured for her to continue.
It was now or never.
Winter charged in. "Sir… what is the real reason that the academies were built for? Training Grimm killers is all well and good, but surely we would've built more facilities to train these warriors. Why concentrate them only in four locations in the entire world?"
She saw a momentary look of surprise, not enough for most people to see, but she had worked with the man to know the difference between his composure and anything else.
"Specialist Schnee, those kinds of questions go beyond classified information, something that you are not required to know," General Ironwood said crisply as if this was a discussion about the weather. "And you do not possess the need-to-know."
That was an expected response and it would logical of her to back down, but that little crack in his calm and his refusal to divulge…
For a moment, he almost sounded like her father.
Both were treating her like a child that could not comprehend the scope of the matter at hand.
Winter decided to push her luck. "Sir, I understand that our work demands that we cannot afford leaks of critical information, but as one of your closer subordinates, I feel that my knowledge of sensitive matters is not only logical but productive to our work."
"That's not for you to decide." Her superior appeared less defensive, but he was still denying her. "Regardless of your combat prowess, your professionalism, and your character, you aren't required to know about matters that don't concern you."
She knew he was right. When she signed the dotted line, she accepted that there were some things within the military that she would never know about in any official capacity. In fact, she ought to just quit while she was ahead and chalk it up to the ravings of a madman making her think more than she ought to.
But Winter didn't. "What could be so dangerous that even telling me would be detrimental? I have always strived to ensure that I only disclose information to those with the proper clearance and need-to-know, or is this a case of time being the problem?"
"You're outstanding at keeping secrets, that much is a fact." Ironwood still maintained a facade of indifference. "Except when it comes to your family… particularly your younger sister, Weiss."
That was a low blow. It was also uncalled for.
But she couldn't deny it either.
Winter felt the need to rebuff him. "Respectfully sir, when would I have the time or the place to tell my younger sister such information? She is currently enrolled at Beacon Academy and you know as well as I do that scroll communications are not secure and that's her only means of contacting me barring potential use of the CCTS towers."
"However conventional you might appear at face value, I know for a fact that Atlas Academy doesen't teach prospective huntsmen and huntresses conventional tactics." The man stood up, placing his hands behind his back. "I'm sure that you would find a way, but that isn't what concerns me the most. What does concern me is the fact that we're even having this conversation; that means one of two things: you either came upon information on your own… or someone told you."
This was going to be the tricky part. Usually, leaks in classified information had to come from the inside, but this time, an outsider provided the information. She doubted he would take her word at this moment.
Winter did her best to school her features so as not to give away how she knew what she did.
But General Ironwood could see through her. "Someone told you."
"...it wasn't anyone within the military, nor are they from Atlas, sir." Winter felt the need to tell that much, but she hesitated on the full truth. "But… I don't even know how the information was leaked out."
"Be that as it may, you something you shouldn't." He seemed intent on punishing her. "Specialist Schnee, you are-"
Then the terminal at his desk sounded off with radio chatter. "Iron Man main, Iron Man main, this Spirit Main, over."
Strangely enough, he did not dismiss her, instead keying into the system.
"Spirit Main, this is Iron Man Main, send your traffic."
"Be advised, Winter is coming. I say again, Winter is coming, how copy?"
That phrasing prompted a very visible look of shock, then a grim expression from her superior, something the former Schnee heiress didn't miss.
"Spirit Main, what is the time of death, over."
"Iron Man Main, time of death is estimated to be yesterday at roughly 2100 lima, break."
"Cause of death appears to be a broken neck, inflicted by external pressure, break."
"No suspects detained at this time. Will take time to narrow down, break."
"Equipment malfunctions are slowing progress at this time… how copy."
"This is Iron Man Main, good copy. Any further remarks?"
"Remark is as follows. City-wide systems are searching for any and all activity that could find traces of Snowfall. We will provide more information as it comes in. Spirit Main out."
There was a moment of silence once the radio chatter ceased. It was so quiet that if a snowflake were to land on the ground, it could be heard.
"Sir?" Winter chanced to ask what she had just heard, even though she had an idea of what it might be.
"Return to your usual duties, Schnee." General Ironwood appeared in a hurry now. "We'll discuss that data breach at a later time."
"...yes sir." She stood at attention.
He left his office with rapid footsteps, leaving her there.
Winter stepped out to the view that the large window afforded her of Atlas City. To her eyes, nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary.
But the way the general and councilor walked out made it seem like something was about to destroy the city.
RWBY - - - Transformers
Mountain Glenn
Outpost Kaon
1700 Hours
Amber and Emerald, despite their point of original contact, were working well together. If there was one thing that the two of them shared in common, whatever task was before them, they would work to accomplish it to the best of their ability.
The process for which they were attempting to create the clone of Cinder Fall was done via the process known as Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, or SCNT for short. Apparently, Shael wasn't one to waste resources that came his way. Both the DNA sample and the eggs were both provided by none other than the original person.
When all was said and done, four clones had been created. For all intents and purposes, they were the prototypes. No modifications would be made to their bodies nor any of the organs within. For all intents and purposes, it would be as if Cinder Fall never died.
But there would be more of her.
"I'm still unsure about all of this." Amber let her displeasure be known. "Whatever he has planned for them can't be good."
Emerald didn't share her thoughts. "I try not to think about it too hard. That's how you stay alive and how you avoid headaches."
"Ignoring what's around you doesn't change the fact that it's there." Amber wasn't sure if she sounded like she was lecturing. "But I suppose that's not what you want to hear."
Emerald gave her a sideways glance. "I didn't say I ignored all of this. I just said I don't think about it too hard. We're cloning this women because Shockwave says her genetics are ideal for combat."
"None of this at all makes you question it?" Amber couldn't understand that line of thinking. "You're just treating this like another job?"
Emerald stopped working and sighed. "For most of my life, I've had to steal from other people to survive. It didn't matter that I did something bad; I only cared about whether or not I'd live to see the next day. I'm trying to save the world like you, just trying to survive in it. Shockwave just so happens to be someone willing to give me everything in exchange for doing some work for him. He saved your life too, didn't he? If I were you, I'd just say thank you and do my best to repay him."
Amber sighed. "I suppose."
The Fall Maiden would never be able to understand, but maybe it was a good thing she didn't. Even if she couldn't agree with the lifestyle and mindset of her fellow female companion, she could respect her life experiences and her tenacity to do whatever it took to have a future. That was more than a lot of people were willing to do.
"Is your other project on schedule," Emerald inquired.
Amber nodded. "It is, but it's much more slowgoing than this process. Cloning a long-dead species is much harder than cloning someone who has only recently died."
"I understand." Emerald didn't further the conversation.
Neither did Amber.
The two of them just continued to do their respective individual tasks.
But they had another thing in common.
Shockwave had greatly affected both their lives.
Penny is the Winter Maiden and I have plans for how to make use of that fact. I don't remember much of the events of V8; the fact that it left so little in my memory that I had to rewatch it says enough. The bait and switch between Penny and Winter and the maiden powers felt like the writers couldn't decide which one was better.
As this world gets bigger, I have to remember the countless other supporting characters, of which there are many in RWBY. To give them all three dimensions is tough considering the show is very good at giving simple motivations and simple traits. The Happy Huntresses will have their time as will Atlas as a whole (and Mantle).
Thoughts on this chapter? Reviews and feedback are always appreciated.
Thanks for reading.
"The power to question is the basis of all human progress."
Indira Gandhi
