RWBY: Team CRML

Chapter 58

Mist

"You sure about this, Arthur?" Mist asked as she and Watts approached the Schnee mansion. "I know that Schnee guy's-"

"He's smart enough to know a good deal when he sees one." Watts assured her. "Besides," the two stopped at the front door as Watts turned to look at Mist. "He won't know our true intentions." raising a fist, he knocked three times.

A few seconds passed before the door opened. A boy, a few years younger than Weiss, popped his head out from behind it. "May I help you?"

"Whitley, right?" Watts asked as he pushed his way in. "Where is your father?"

"He doesn't want to be dis-"

"I asked 'where is he' not 'what does he want'." Arthur told the boy. "I have business to discuss with the man. So, either show us to him, or I'll search this entire mansion."

"R-right this way." the boy led Mist and Watts up the stairs and down a hall, stopping at one of the doors.

Opening it, Whitley peeked inside. "Father, you...have a visitor."

"I told you I didn't want to be disturbed. Why did you let them in?" Jacques growled.

"I didn't. They... let themselves in."

Arthur grabbed the door and pulls it the rest of the way open, walking into the room with Mist as Whitley moves out of the way.

"A spitting image of you, this lad, Jacques. Creepily so, I might add." Watts said. Whitley stands in the hall, holding the door open and watching as Watts walks around Jacques' office. "He's definitely inherited your… affect."

"Arthur." Jacques said, rather shocked. Jacques takes a second to gather himself, then looks at Whitley. "Whitley, leave us. And shut the door." Whitley looks confused, then looks suspiciously at Watts.

"I said shut the door!" Jacques slams his glass down, and Whitley closes the door. Jacques turns his attention back to Watts. "I- You're supposed to be dead."

"That is what I wanted people to think. You're right. However, I've heard things about you too, Jacques. Namely, that you have an Ironwood problem." Watts said.

"That bastard is costing me more money every day with this embargo. I'd lay off every employee in Mantle if I wasn't trying to get their damn votes for this Council seat!" Jacques growled.

"What if I said you could have your cake and eat it, too?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"James Ironwood never recognized my genius. After everything I gave him, he still disgraced me. I simply wish to return the favor." Watts said.

"What's in it for me?"

"A seat on the council. All I need is your login credentials for the Atlas network. You promise to make Ironwood's life a waking nightmare, and I will guarantee you victory at the polls by giving the voters down in Mantle a little… 'digital push', if you will." Watts told him.

"I don't know..."

Arthur glanced back at Mist, nodding his head to her. "I assume you know of the boy with the Schnee family semblance?" Mist asked.

"And you are?"

"Your friend." Mist replied. "Or your enemy. Depending on you, that is."

"Do you know the boy?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. The Faunus." Jacques growled. "He's another thorn in my side. Since he's part of the Schnee bloodline, he can inherit the Schnee Dust Company."

"I could make it so that boy has an...unfortunate accident."

Jacques simply smiled at this. "I always knew you were a good scientist, Arthur... but I never knew you were such a good salesman."

A few days later

Team CRML

Inside one of the training rooms, everyone was using their new upgrades against each other to practice. As for Liam, he sat against the wall next to the entrance, using a screwdriver to adjust his mechanical arm. He had become more and more secluded these past few weeks. His nightmares were now transferring over to when he is awake, having small visions of when he was up on that tower every now and then. Each vision only lasted a few seconds before fading.

Suddenly, the door next to him opened as Chrome and Winter walked into the room. Winter walked ahead as Chrome stayed by the door. Glancing at his teammate, Liam gave a single wave before continuing to work on his arm.

"Whatchya you doing?" Chrome asked.

"Adjusting it." Liam replied. "I want it to hold more knives."

He stopped working on it, stretching his arm out in front of himself as he looked it over, satisfied. With a quick flick of his arm, a small knife shot into his hand. Twirling the blade, he folded it up before placing it back into the slot in his arm. "What's going on with you?" Liam asked his leader. "How's that one-on-one training with Winter going?"

"Fine." Chrome shrugged. "I've learned a lot about my semblance from her."

"Like what?"

"She taught me how to summon." Chrome replied. He created a glyph next to Liam, summoning a blue and white crow. The bird cocked its head at Liam before flying up and perching on his shoulder.

"Neat." Liam said as he ruffled the summon's feathers.

The bird cawed before vanishing in blue and white dust. "Winter's currently trying to teach me how to summon an Arma Gigas, the giant knight Weiss can summon."

"Nice." Liam nodded.

"What about you?" Chrome asked. "I heard from Nicci that Clover's been giving you a few training sessions."

"He has." Liam nodded in confirmation. "Guy is a helluva fighter."

"What has he taught you?"

"That he can't be beaten in card games." Liam replied with a chuckle. "He's taught me quite a bit, actually. Mainly how to be quick on my feet and twice as quick with my attacks. He even taught me how to focus my aura so I can make more copies with my semblance while using as little aura as possible."

"How many have you managed to make?" Chrome asked.

"Up to ten." Liam replied. "Even Clover had to admit he was having a hard time figuring out the real me."

"What about Qrow?" Chrome asked. "I know he and Clover are friends."

Liam immediately lost his smile. "What about him?"

"You must've run into him at least once." Chrome said. "He's your dad. You gotta at least talk-"

"I don't 'gotta' do a thing!" Liam snapped. "He made his choices! He coulda told me the truth at any time, but instead he lied. He chose to lie. Maybe if he woulda been the one to tell me about my mom, my eye. Hell, literally anything about myself, then maybe I'da forgiven him."

Chrome fell silent.

"What's going on over here?" Winter asked as she approached the two.

"Just talking about Qrow." Liam growled in reply.

"Calling your father by his first name? You two must have gotten into a pretty bad argument." Winter said.

"Yeah. I can see why a lot of people dislike the guy so much." Liam told her.

"What happened?"

"What didn't happen?" Liam said with a chuckle. "I'd tell you, but I'm sure you have more important places to be." Liam got to his feet and walked to the door. As he passed Winter, he gave a short wave. "I'll see you guys later."

As the door shut, Winter and Chrome shared a brief glance at one another. "What's up?" Chrome asked. "You looked like you want to tell me something."

"Yes." Winter clasped her hands behind her back. "I'm giving you the rest of the day. Me and Weiss need to have a talk in private, and I decided to let you have some time off from training."

"Alright. Cool. Thank you."

Winter smiled and nodded before glancing back and gesturing for Weiss. The younger Schnee sister walked over and looked to Winter before the two headed for the exit.

Now with the day to himself, Chrome glanced around the room. He wasn't entirely sure what to do.

"Up for a quick spar?" Nicci asked, approaching him.

A few minutes later

Liam

Having taken an airship down to Mantle, Liam walked the streets, thinking about what Chrome had said. "Maybe..." Liam sighed. "Maybe you're right, Chrome. I'll talk to my dad... See what he has to say."

"If I'm elected Councilman, I've made it no secret I will be opposing General Ironwood and his senseless embargo that is crippling all of Atlas." Liam glanced down the street to see a holoscreen broadcasting Jacques Schnee. "It is my belief that these measures are not only reckless, but criminal. With no shipments allowed to enter or leave leave the kingdom, I know many are suffering. And my family has been weathering the same storm as many of you." walking down the street for a better view, Liam stood in front of the screen. "Effective immediately, I am forced to shut down all nonessential SDC operations. If elected to office, I will make the changes necessary to fix what Ironwood has broken. I hope you ask yourself before the vote, can you trust anyone else to stop Ironwood? Will Robyn Hill be able to get your jobs back?"

With that, Jacques walked away as reporters began asking questions.

Within seconds, a trashcan was thrown at the screen, breaking it. The crowd cheered as Liam glanced back to see countless people destroying windows, toppling cars, and smashing bottles.

A riot had broken out because of Jacques.

End of chapter 58