Atonement II

'The struggle to atone for one's past is dependent on the strength of one's heart and the willingness of others.'

(Kingdom Hearts II OST Dance to the Death)

In the backyard of the Schnee Mansion, Weiss Schnee was panting heavily. Ever since she had decided to become a Huntress, her parents had seen fit to make sure she was ready in every way possible. First there was fencing lessons with her mother to hone her skills and training her Semblance, studying Remnant's history and geography with her father to hone her knowledge and then there was the physical training.

Though Weiss wasn't sure if it was truly training as more of test to see how long she could go before she fell over.

"You're almost there, Weiss." Her trainer spoke, standing a few feet from her with his arms crossed and facial features stoic.

Weiss grunted as she did another push-up as sweat poured down her forehead and her muscles ached. "Ninety eight….Ninety nine…One Hundred!"

She gasped as she fell face first on the ground, panting slightly. Her trainer walked forward and knelt down in front of her. She strained to life her head up and saw him holding a bottle of water out to her. She immediately took it and drank the contents in almost one gulp.

"It will be hard but you will get better each day." Her trainer spoke, his face remaining stoic as he stood up.

Weiss wasn't sure she would make it through for it wasn't just one hundred push-ups a day she was doing.

"One hundred laps around the mansion, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred push-ups, one hundred pull-ups and five hundred squats." The man instructed. "It is important to train the body to the same extent you train to use your sword and your Semblance."

But it wouldn't stop there.

Soon enough it went from one hundred to five hundred sit ups, push-ups, pull-ups and nearly eight hundred squats even as she got better at it.

Her trainer kept a record of her time and each time she made it through he would up the number a little more.

Weiss thought she was going to die.

And then came the sparring…

CLASH!

Myrtenaster clashed with her trainer's weapon, an Axe-Sword that resembled more of an axe than a sword and its name was Centurion. Weiss was fast and precise while her sparring partner was strong and despite relying on slower but more powerful attack, showed himself to extremely capable in dodging or blocking her strikes. Weiss was smart enough to dodge any attack coming her way, side-stepping, duck and even somersaulting out of the way.

She had already learned the hard way what happens when she tried to block her opponent's attacks.

Their weapons sent out sparks with each clash but her opponent kept pushing her back. Knowing she could not overpower him, Weiss opted for creativity as she held up her hand and caught the Axe-Sword in a black glyph and with a single gesture pushed the weapon back. Despite being left wide open, her opponent twisted his body and blocked Weiss' slash with a backhand. He then swung Centurion at her and Weiss somersaulted back.

A glyph appeared in the air and Weiss kicked off it, flying straight at her opponent. As she lifted her weapon up, Myrtenaster was coated in a frosty mist. Weiss swung her blade, creating a slash of ice that caught her opponent's Centurion in ice. He grunted slightly and Weiss thought she had him as she tried to deliver a stabbing motion to take his Aura out.

That was her mistake.

He let out a roar as a red and black aura surrounded him, shattering the ice and knocked Weiss of her feet.

'Damn it! I forgot his Semblance!' Weiss berated herself as she got back up. 'Stupid Weiss, how could you forget that his Semblance increases his power even as he fights?'

That's right.

Her trainer's Semblance allowed him to 'charge-up' anytime he wanted, even when he was not fighting. If he charged up enough he could become strong enough to bring the whole mansion down. As his power level increased so did his durability, power and range. Even reaching half of his maximum power was enough to reduce the damage he took to a fraction of its original value. She thought she had him because he specialized in counterattacks, making him vulnerable when his opponents are able to deflect and counter his own attacks but he knew enough of his weakness to call upon his Semblance when needed.

She got back up in time as he charged at her, swinging his Axe-Sword and releasing an Aura slash at her that she barely time to dodge. Just as she tried to attack again he grabbed her arm and threw her over his shoulder, sending her crashing into the ground and her Aura broke. She let out a grunting sound from the impact but was otherwise okay.

"You were good there, Weiss. You had your chance to finish me but you moved too quickly and you didn't make sure I was incapacitated before you attacked." The man stepped into her view as she simply stared up at the night sky. "Immobilizing my arm and weapon was a good strategy but you didn't make sure I couldn't break free in time. You either have to be faster or you have to make sure your opponent is completely frozen before you strike."

Weiss sighed but saw him offer his hand to her which she took. "I see…Thank you, Aeleus."

CLASH!

Weiss turned her head to see the other spar still happening between Winter and their other trainer.

It was amazing.

Growing up, Weiss knew Winter was considered a prodigy among the Schnee family even though their parents never played favorites with their children. Winter had graduated at the top of her class at Atlas Academy and had been hand-picked by General Ironwood himself for service in the Atlas military even though their father had initially been against it. Winter had even been made a member of the Ace-Ops, a special ops team comprised of the most elite Huntsmen in all of Atlas. Winter had undergone constant training after joining the Ace-Ops, becoming skilled to the point it was believed she was considered to be the strongest Huntress in all of Atlas.

Right after their mother of course.

And yet, Weiss could see she was having a rough time against her opponent as her sword clashed against his lance.

"It has been going as long as our fight." Aeleus said from behind her. "Winter is doing very well against Dilan."

Dilan wielded his lance, Vortex with such skill and grace she almost thought she was watching the wind. Winter was quick, precise and direct, focused on dueling and keeping her opponent off guard with her weapon in culmination with her glyphs, able to stop and change on a dime. She even used Ice Dust as missiles and Nevermore summons to try and overwhelm Dilan with their sheer numbers but even that was easier said than done.

And yet despite all of her skills and advantages, Dilan was able to keep up with her.

Just as the Nevemores flew at him, Dilan spun his lance in front of him and conjured an actual tornado that engulfed the Nevermore summons, destroying them in a matter of seconds. Dilan then aimed his lance behind him, releasing a blast of wind that propelled him straight at Winter. The elder Schnee jumped back, dodging as Dilan's lance impacted the ground where she had previously stood. Winter moved to attack Dilan just as he was picking his lance up but just as she thrust her blade forward, a gust of wind surrounded Dilan and actually blocked her strike.

Winter grunted but glance down, creating a glyph that propelled Dilan into the air. Winter then summoned glyphs all around Dilan and she immediately attempted to attack by dashing at him from each glyph, moving faster than the eye could ever hope to see.

And yet Dilan was able to keep up.

He spun in mid-air, firing air-bullets that shattered the glyphs and Winter barely dodged as one flew at her, somersaulting over it. They both landed perfectly on the ground and clashed with each other again. Winter even went as far as open the hilt of her sword, pulling out another hilt that a blade extended from, allowing Winter to wield two swords now.

Spinning his weapon in one hand Dilan knocked Winter's blade aside and attempted to slash at her with the sharp end of his lance.

Winter ducked and fell back with Dilan quickly seizing the advantage pursued her, slashing at the Specialist who blocked and moved her head back to avoid the bladed end of the staff touching her. Winter quickly went back on the attack, launching a few slashes that pushed Dilan back who then spun around and aimed the bladed end at Winter's head but she easily blocked the attack with her sword. She then pushed Dilan back with a considerable amount of strength and immediately followed by trying to knock her sparring partner down.

Dilan blocked another slash from Winter and then spun his lance to again try cutting her with the bladed end. Winter dodged and spun, launching a vertical slash that Dilan caught and parried, elbowing Winter in the face and swiping at her with his staff, managing to knock one of her swords out of her hands. Winter felt her Aura shimmer as Dilan's lance touched it and she fell back. Dilan was on the full offensive now, even jumping as he slashed at her head twice which she barely managed to block.

He tried aiming low as he spun and swung his lance at her mid-section but Winter still caught the attacks and ducked as he then again aimed at her head. Winter stepped back, catching another slash before she jumped and kicked Dilan in the face. Dilan stepped back, his Aura taking the hit and he remained composed. Winter created a glyph under her feet and she was propelled over him. Once she landed on her feet she somersaulted several back and picked up the sword that had been knocked out of her right hand.

She immediately went on the attack, actually pushing Dilan back as he hastily dodged or blocked her strikes before retaliating. Winter somersaulted back with Dilan chasing after her, spinning his lance as he slashed and missed by only mere inches. She blocked one strike and then ducked under another as Dilan charged right past her. Just as he caught her Winter fell to the ground, causing Dilan to lean forward and Winter placed both feet on his chest that she then used to kick him off her and send him flying over her head.

Winter jumped to her feet and spun around just a gust of wind slammed into her and pushed her back.

(Kingdom Hearts II OST Dance to the Death Ends)

"Not bad, Winter. Not bad at all." Dilan said, having used his Semblance to slow his fall and allow him time to straighten himself up to land perfectly on his feet. "Quick, precise and are able to adapt to any surprise coming your way. You have come a long way."

"Thank you, Dilan." Winter replied, keeping her guard up. "And your skills with your Semblance and weapon are as sharp as ever."

Weiss still found it hard to believe what Dilan's Semblance was: Wind Manipulation.

Sure she had heard of Semblances that controlled and manipulated the elements but Dilan's Semblance was perhaps the strongest she had ever seen. Together, Dilan and Aeleus were considered the top Huntsmen in Atlas outside of the Ace-Ops and it was debatable whether or not they could take on the Ace-Ops or not. Truthfully, Weiss didn't think the Ace-Ops stood a chance since Dilan and Aeleus had trained her and her siblings alongside their mother since they were young and the results spoke for themselves. The physical training had been very rough but the results were well worth it in the end and even then the two would push her and Winter even further no matter how much they have grown since the beginning.

A challenge Winter welcomed as she was determined to one day defeat both Aeleus and Dilan. She continued her training and always tried to get at least one spar with either of them whenever she returned home or was visiting Father at work. Weiss understood as she hoped one day to defeat them as well.

"I hope you had your fill today, Winter."

Both girls turned their heads to see their father, Ansem Schnee standing at the edge of the courtyard with an amused smile on his face and arms folded behind his back.

Winter sheathed her swords and faced him. "Father."

Weiss put her weapon away as well as Ansem approached them, always moving calmly with his head raised and walking in dignified way like a true noble.

Or a king.

It was a pose that both sisters had tried to imitate since they were little, always feeling inspired by the wise presence their father would project.

"I am glad to see you chose to spend some time here again, Winter." Ansem said as he stopped before both sisters. "Though we would have liked you to say hello first before you jumped into your usual duel with your uncles."

Winter blushed slightly and she managed to stutter out an apology. "I-I aplogize, Father. You and Mother seemed busy and I didn't wish to disturb you."

"Oh, it's quite all right." Ansem stated with a smile. "I am sure Aeleus and Dilan were proud to play with you while we finished up."

"P-Play?" Winter gaped and glared. "Father!"

Ansem chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "My mistake. Spar with you."

It still astounded Weiss at how easily their father could make Winter flustered despite her personality. Weiss knew that Winter was considered an 'Ice Queen' to many around Atlas, especially to her fellow Specialists.

Even if it was only their father that was capable of such a thing, the fact that he could make Winter flustered and make it through unscathed was something to be commended.

"Now then, I believe dinner is ready and I know your mother is most eager to hear from you about how you have handled working directly for General Ironwood." Ansem quickly changed the subject as he gestured to the doors. "I doubt they serve much home meals down there."

"It is acceptable." Winter glanced away as she allowed her father to lead her to the doors, followed quickly by Weiss.

Ansem shared a glance with Aeleus and Dilan as they followed, making a hidden signal that they would need to speak very soon.

Xxx

Inside a Schnee Dust Company facility, a raid by fringe White Fang members Sienna, Ilia, and Adam are engaging a squadron of Atlesian Knight-130 androids, now equipped with arm blades for melee combat. Though the Schnee Dust Company had not taken part in anti-Faunus sentiment, at least not since the current CEO had taken control it had still been connected to many people who had a direct hand in making lives for their fellow Faunus miserable. The problem was the SDC was an Atlesian company and Atlas had been stubbornly resisting the equal rights movement for the Faunus aside from the Schnee family and it was hard to keep that attitude out of their company.

At best the workers that harbored such thoughts learned to keep themselves from speaking such thoughts out loud.

But a former SDC employer had employed brutal practices such as cutting funding for safety equipment and forcing workers, especially Faunus workers to work in dangerous conditions and gone as far as to brand anyone who had spoken out. That man was later expelled from the SDC but the damage had been done and it was enough that the splinter cell of the White Fang led by Sienna Khan decided to remind the SDC that no how much things had changed, they had not forgotten.

They would never forget.

That was why there raiding this facility, specifically because it had been one facilities where Faunus abuse had been documented.

Sienna, wielding her chain dart, sent the first android slamming into a wall on her left, before the camera tracks her movements as she executed a capoeira-style meia lua de compasso kick as she sliced the second android in half at the waist. Using the momentum to spin in the air, she decapitated a third android while slashing the fourth and fifth androids once she landed back onto the ground, smiling once she finished with a T-pose.

Turning to the sixth android behind her, she push kicked it into the wall, while using the recoil to observe her surroundings, where Adam and Ilia were engaged in battle with their own androids. She decided to help her out by decapitating Ilia's android before detaching and hurling a dart filled with red fire Dust at the chest of an eighth android, as it wondered whether or not the dart would actually damage it. Sienna then smirked as the android was promptly sent flying back with its arms severed once it tried to charge towards her.

A second squadron of androids proceeded to engage, this time using their arms as triple-barrelled Gatling guns to try and keep the intruders at bay, successfully nailing a grunt with its shots and forcing Sienna and Ilia to duck behind the cover of Adam's twirling sword. Now on the offensive, Ilia zipped past the gunfire and decapitated the first android and halved the second in the waist, before finishing by electrocuting a third. Adam then proceeded to slice through the next trio, the latter finally incapacitated once Adam sheathed his sword. He then proceeded to fire his sword and stun the seventh android, before using it as a springboard while eliminating it with a round from his sheath, where he kicks the sword at the eighth android's head.

The door at the end of the hall opened up and the White Fang group expected more resistance. Oddly, no one came out. The group shared a glance before cautiously moving towards the door. Sienna and Adam rushed over the door's sides and both peeked inside, seeing only darkness.

Sienna narrowed her eyes, her night vision not picking up any kind of trap. "Stay alert."

She entered first, followed by Adam who kept a hand on the hilt of his sword, Blush. Ilia followed behind them along with the two other White Fang grunts who accompanied them. The door closed behind them and the lights came on, illuminating the rather large room they were in.

"What is this place?" Ilia asked as she looked around.

The floor was light with light hexagon patterns which traveled up the floor and along the ceiling.

"This would be a training room."

The White Fang members watched as the holographic image of a familiar man appeared before them.

"Ansem Schnee." Sienna stated stoically.

"I am glad to see you recognize me, Sienna Khan." Ansem cordially greeted back. "As well as you, Adam Taurus,"

Adam remained silent.

"And Ilia Amitola."

Ilia looked surprised that the SDC CEO knew about her.

"I regret to say I do not recognize your two companions, possibly because of their masks." Ansem even greeted the last two members who glanced at each other.

"So you knew we were coming and even looked up our names." Sienna said in a condescending tone. "I suppose I should be flattered that the all-powerful Ansem knows of us."

"I certainly know of you, Sienna but I promise I have never thought of myself as all-powerful, no matter whatever I have been in life." Ansem calmly said as he faced the leader of the White Fang splinter cell. "I have to admit, I am a bit puzzled by what you hope to achieve here."

"Isn't it obvious?" Sienna asked, placing a hand on her hip.

"I am afraid not to me."

"Hmph, I suppose I should not be surprised that you wouldn't know." Sienna said as she paced around the image. "Despite your attempts to show your company endorses peaceful relations with the Faunus you have a rather dark blemish on your record."

"If you are referring to the workings of Jacques Gele of the Diamond Dust Company, we made all records of his doings public and are even dealing with a rather large law suit to this day even though Gele was formally fired." Ansem replied.

"Still doesn't change that you let it happen under your nose." Sienna retorted.

"Miss Khan, I was not even CEO when it happened and I have worked to repair that damage." Ansem brought a hand to his chest. "However, your efforts to help mend those wounds through your own desire for justice are impeding my attempts, ironically."

"Don't trivialize the work we are doing. Even if you fired Jacques, the fact of the matter is that the SDC still has people who would want to see the Faunus in chains." Sienna snapped at the image. "This facility is the very one where Gele and those like him caused that mine to collapse, branded workers and even funded the Wild Hunt. Raiding it is us showing you that we do not forgive or forget easily, no matter your attempts to placate us, as well as use its Dust resources for taking down the Wild Hunt, whom I know many people connected with the SDC are funding."

"Allegedly connected." Ansem softly corrected. "And we are working hard to purge those elements from our company."

"Alleged is enough for me to decide that the SDC is guilty, even by association." Sienna stated. "Perhaps you can help us by giving us the names of these people."

"And what justice would they face, Miss Khan? True justice or your method of justice?" Ansem questioned.

"What's the difference?" Sienna crossed her arms.

"The people you say that are connected to me…It is true that many in Atlas are slow to change, even as the rest of the world is changing. While people like Jacques Gele would be more than happy to have the Faunus reduced to a mere slave race that is not my intention here and I would prefer to solve this matter now without any bloodshed." Ansem calmly said.

"You say that, yet you are only brave enough to speak to us from wherever you are hiding." Adam finally spoke.

"Then perhaps I can change your outlook." A female voice spoke.

The Faunus looked behind the image of Ansem, watching as a panel in the floor opened and from it rose a woman with long white hair tied in a bun and was dressed in a form fitting armor while wearing black pants with an open blue skirt and high heeled armored boots. In her hand was an elegant rapier with the sheath attached to her hip on the left side. Flanking were two muscular men, both of them dressed in dark grey uniforms with white cuffs and the Schnee symbol on the chest, belts on their waists and knee high boots. There were blue hearts on the cuffs on the gloves of the man with the auburn hair that was slicked back into rather odd, messy spikes.

The other man's jacket had two rows of golden buttons and silver highlights. His hair was styled in dreadlocks and pulled back like his counterpart. Both were also very muscular.

"Apologies but given the nature of your raid I did not want my husband to be in danger…Since I am the actual Schnee and thus the one you really want." Willow stepped forward, pointing her sword at Sienna Khan.

"Willow Schnee." Sienna Khan greeted while Adam looked ready to charge while Ilia sent a concerned look at her leader. "This truly is a surprise."

"I am sure the honor is all yours, Sienna Khan." Willow replied stoically. "While I understand you have your grievances with the company my grandfather founded and the actions performed by that slime Gele I will now allow you to waltz in here and do as you please. Normally I would skip the pleasantries but for my husband's sake I would like to offer a peaceful solution."

"And that is?" Sienna raised an eyebrow.

"Surrender. Call of your raids against the SDC and other Atlesian facilities and return to Menagerie." Willow stated. "This will be my only offer."

"And here is my answer." Sienna pulled out her chain.

(Kingdom Hearts II OST The 13th Dilemma)

Before she could attack, Adam shot past her and pulled out his sword, swinging it just as he was in striking distance of Willow…

CLASH!

Only it did not hit its target.

"Huh?" Adam's eyes widened under his mask to see his Wilt had clashed against the glaive that belonged to one of Willow's bodyguards.

Ansem sighed as his image faded away, knowing any chance to resolve this peacefully was gone. Aeleus grunted and shoved Adam back. Adam jumped back, landed on his feet and sheathed his sword as he glared at the human who stopped him striking his target. He immediately squeezed the trigger on his scabbard, Blush and fired his sword right at Aeleus who blocked with his Centurion.

The hilt of the sword impacted the glaive, bouncing off of it as Adam rushed forward and caught his sword in mid-air. The force of the strike should have sent Aeleus back but Adam was surprised to see he had barely budged. He shot at Aeleus, slashing at him but the sword was blocked by Centurion again. Aeleus was quick but careful as he blocked Adam's strikes.

Adam was expecting Aeleus to go on the attack very soon and he could use the kinetic energy that his Semblance would absorb through his sword to send it right back at this human. However Aeleus was not so easily fooled. Even as a Nobody, he was patient and tactful, preferring to bide his time and plan things accordingly rather than simply attack, taking the time to increase his power level and study his opponent's attacks before finishing them off. Just as he caught Adam's sword with his glaive again, he shoved it aside and grabbed Adam, lifted him into the air and then tossed him into the nearby wall.

Adam let out a loud cry as he slammed into the wall and slide down, managing to stand up perfectly a moment later and grit his teeth as his Aura shimmered slightly. Aeleus remained composed as he gripped Centurion with one hand, silently beckoning Adam to come at him. As this happened, Sienna moved to attack, lashing her Cerberus whip at Aeleus but a black glyph appeared in mid-air, stopping the chain before it struck Aeleus who didn't even bat an eye, keeping his gaze on Adam.

"I don't think so." Willow rushed past Aeleus as Sienna pulled her chain back. "I am your opponent, Khan!"

Sienna grunted as she jumped back from the slash aimed at her head, somersaulting through the air and whipping her chain at Willow who deflected it with her sword. Sienna went on the attack, lashing her whip multiple times at Willow who gracefully dodged them or blocked with her sword. She summoned several glyphs in front of air and from fired beams of light at Sienna who ducked, spun or back-flipped out of the way. A glyph suddenly appeared behind her and propelled her right at Willow who thrust her sword forward, striking her opponent in the chest.

Even though her Aura protected her Sienna still let out a pained cry as she was knocked and hit the ground rather hard. Sienna fired a Dust blade at Willow with a yellow Dust core, meaning it was Lightning Dust. Willow conjured a black glyph that didn't just stop the blade but fired it right back Sienna who quickly moved out of the way. Seeing she could not hope to injure her opponent from long distance Sienna rushed to close the gap between her and Willow, lashing out with her chain whip at Willow who ducked and summoned another black glyph in front her that pushed her away from Sienna, giving he more room to maneuver.

Sienna pursued her, swinging her whip that Willow dodged and twisted her body to deliver a kick to the Schnee matriarch's face but Willow easily moved her head out of the way. Sienna was becoming frustrated now because no matter how fast she moved, Willow was even more agile and dodged her attacks with the grace of a ballerina dancer. If she could land enough hits to weaken her opponent's Aura then her Semblance would kick and she could gain the advantage.

Then Willow activated her summoning glyph, summoning a barrage of miniature Nevermore Grimm and sent them at Sienna who quickly slashed them all by spinning her chain whip into a circle in front of her. Only it was a distraction as Willow summoned a line of glyphs in front of her and used Hard Light Dust in her weapon to conjure a shield in front of her as she shot forward and slammed right into Sienna as she was distracted by the Nevermore summons.

This time it was Sienna who hit the wall and slid down but she got up faster than Adam did, her teeth gritted into a snarl as she glared at Willow who stared back, not affected by the glare at all.

"Is this all the leader of the splinter faction of the White Fang has to offer?" Willow asked

Sienna snarled, finding it hard to keep her anger under control. In the meantime Ilia and the two White Fang grunts were staring in shock at how their High Leader and Adam Taurus, two of the best fighters in the White Fang were having a very hard time with their opponents. Adam had immediately attacked Aeleus again after Willow stopped Sienna from attacking him. Aeleus used his glaive to block Adam's sword and this time Aeleus was attacking, swinging his glaive and striking Adam's sword which briefly glowed red.

Ilia could see Adam was smiling and she knew it was because his opponent was unknowingly feeding his Semblance: Moonslice.

'His weapon glows when I strike it.' Aeleus thought as he and Adam clashed again. 'He is smiling and I feel his power growing. His Semblance must be from absorbing the energy from my weapon striking is. Perhaps I can confirm this theory…'

Soon enough they struck again with Aeleus' Centurion hitting Adam's Wilt and the blade flashing red again. Adam was smiling as he felt more and more energy fueling his sword and he was ready.

That was when things changed.

Aeleus suddenly switched tactics as Adam swung his sword, withdrawing his glaive in the last second. Aeleus stepped back as Adam swung his sword again. Despite his muscular frame, Aeleus was agile enough to dodge Adam's fast paced attacks and when he had a chance he didn't attack with his weapon but instead moved with surprising speed and struck Adam in the face, sending him flying back. Adam grunted as he landed on his feet, snarling at Aeleus and charged at him, moving fast enough to leave after-images in his wake.

Aeleus would continue dodging, holding his weapon back except for when using it block an attack, waiting Adam out as he attacked and he could tell Adam was getting frustrated by his inability to land a hit. His Semblance had absorbed quite a few but powerful hits but then suddenly his opponent had suddenly changed tactics and instead of eating up the energy of his attacks, Adam was suddenly expending it and he couldn't hit Aeleus or break through his defenses. Having enough, Adam's sword glowed red as he swung it down, aiming to unleash all the energy he had gathered and break through Aeleus' glaive and slice through everything behind it hopefully.

That was when Aeleus roared and swung his Centurion.

A red and black Aura exploded from him as he swung his weapon, releasing a shockwave that blasted through Adam's own attack and slammed into him, sending him crashing back into the wall and shattering his mask and revealed the SDC brand over his left eye. He hit the ground and his Aura finally broke. Ilia and the grunts with her stared in stunned silence while Sienna paused her fight with Willow to see Adam's attack fail and his opponent easily overpower them.

'He…He guessed what Adam's Semblance was.' Ilia realized, having watched the fight. 'He intentionally let Adam build up the energy with his sword and then let him attack until he got tired and frustrated! And the way he cut through Adam's own attack…Does he have a similar Semblance?'

"Are you so focused on your friends' fights that you ignore a possible opponent?"

Illia turned her head to see the other one, Dilan standing a few feet away and holding a single lance in one hand.

"Be thankful I am not one for attacking while my opponent is distracted like this." Dilan stated.

The two grunts aimed their guns at him but Dilan was already on the move. A blast of wind propelled him forward and he jumped over Ilia who barely had the chance to look as he landed behind her. His lance slashed through the gun of the grunt on the left and the other swiped out the legs of the one on the right out from underneath him. Ilia turned in time to see Dilan slam the blunt end of his lance into the grunt that was still standing, knocking him out instantly.

"So, do you wish to fight?" Dilan asked as he turned and faced Ilia. "If you lay down your weapon I will do the same."

Ilia looked back at Sienna who was still fighting Willow. "I…I can't."

"Very well." Dilan closed his eyes and nodded. "I will not demean you by asking you again. If you are prepared to fight…" He twirled his lance in his hand. "I will honor your intention."

He spun his lance again, twirling it as he spun and jumped at Ilia who jumped back. She held up her weapon and Dilan watched as she lashed it like a whip and to his surprise, the thin blade shot at him like a literal whip and he could see the electricity pulsing. He quickly stepped to the side, dodging the strike. Ilia lashed at him several more times before Dilan had enough and swung his lance, releasing a wind blast that knocked the whip aside and he charged Ilia. The chameleon Faunus retracted her whip and switched to close range combat, swinging it at Dilan who spun his lance, deflecting Ilia's strike with one end and trying to hit her with the other end.

Ilia ducked and fell back, dodging Dilan's strikes as fast as she could and attacked when she thought she saw an opening. Dilan however kept the upper hand and kicked Ilia back, knocking her a few feet back. Ilia however didn't give up as she jumped back up and looked around, trying to figure what she could use to turn this fight and maybe even Sienna's fight around. She then looked down at the ground and got an idea. She plunged her weapon into the floor and sent a surge of electricity through it.

The electricity traveled through the wires of the floor and caused the lights to short out. Sienna and Willow paused their fight and watched as the lights went out. Sienna smirked, mentally thanking Ilia for her quick thinking as Faunus, especially feline Faunus had the benefit of night vision and that would give her a distinct advantage over the Schnee. In the meantime, Ilia used her chameleon abilities to blend in with the dark as she charged at Dilan and started to slash at him.

The chameleon Faunus let out a flurry of vicious slashes on Dilan, chipping away at his Aura and just as she raised her hand to strike again, Dilan threw his arms out and released a gust of wind that knocked Ilia back. Dilan could see an outline moving before Ilia returned to her normal self and charged at her. They clashed their weapons again but Ilia only held out for about two seconds before Dilan kicked her back. Ilia tried to her ability to make herself seem invisible, blending in with the room again.

Dilan paused as he carefully looked around for Ilia and then heard a slashing sound that hit him in the back. Instead of electricity this time, ice spread along his body and immobilized him. Ilia's features returned to normal, believing she had caught Dilan. However Dilan's hand holding his weapon remained free and he slammed it into the ice, breaking free almost immediately. Realizing she needed to move fast, Ilia snuck up Dilan while he was still regaining his bearings and tried to stab him.

Only for Dilan to spun around and hit her head on with his lance, earning a scream from her as she was sent skidding across the room. Her Aura shimmered and then broke from the force of the attack and she was left panting heavily. That was when red lights lining the floor and walls came on, illuminating the room in a red glow. Realizing she didn't have the advantage of stealth anymore and with her Aura broken, Ilia didn't have a chance.

Her mask slipped off her face and she tried to crawl back as Dilan slowly approached her.

"Yield now, child." Dilan pointed his lance at the downed Faunus. "Your part in this fight is now over. Do not struggle or try to get up now."

Ilia wanted to argue but she couldn't find the strength when she saw Aeleus slowly approach. In the meantime, during the brief time of darkness in the room Sienna used this chance to go on the attack, striking at Willow as her eyes took the time to adjust, lashing out with her chain whip and hitting Willow. The Schnee matriarch summoned a glyph to give her some light but Sienna fired a Dust blade coated in Fire Dust that hit the glyph that was under Willow's feet and it exploded, knocking Willow back. Her Aura protected her but the blast weakened it…

And with that, Sienna's Semblance Grudge activated.

She moved faster and hit Willow several times before she could recover. Willow fell back, trying to regain her bearings as fast as she could. As Sienna's attacks became stronger and more aggressive Willow resorted to summoning an ice barrier around her to protect herself.

"No you don't!" Sienna shouted as she slashed through the ice wall and seemingly Willow.

SLASH!

SMASH!

However when she seemingly hit her target she noticed something was off.

She narrowed her eyes as she focused closely on what remained of Willow Schnee…

And saw she had only hit a statue of ice made to resemble the Schnee matriarch.

"See something interesting?"

Sienna looked up in time to see Willow falling towards her and the Schnee swung her down. Sienna barely had the chance to jump out of the way as Willow's sword impacted the ground where she had previously stood. Willow quickly summoned glyphs that fired projectiles at Sienna who hastily avoided them as best as she could.

'She became much faster and stronger as soon as that blast dealt a blow to my Aura.' Willow narrowed her eyes. 'Is this possibly her Semblance? Become stronger as your enemy becomes weaker?'

If so then Willow had an idea how to prove and counter it.

As Sienna charged at her, Willow gave ground, switching from offense to defense as she either dodged or blocked any attacks coming her way. Sienna was confused why the Schnee was suddenly on the defense as she believed if she could draw her into a drawn out fight and weaken her further, her Semblance would give her the advantage.

Only Willow was not taking the bait anymore.

Aside from the occasional slash from her sword or using a glyph to help keep her distance, Willow refused to fight back and resorted only to defending herself.

Even when the emergency lights came on and Sienna lost the advantage of the dark Willow did not switch back to her previous tactics. Sienna noticed that Ilia had been defeated by the human with the lance and Adam was struggling to stand up. This raid had turned out to be a massive set back and if she didn't somehow turn this around they would be captured.

She couldn't allow that.

That was when Willow summoned a time glyph under her feet along with a line of glyphs that led up to Sienna. She had timed it right as she realized that Sienna had been tiring herself out from repeatedly attacking, relying on the speed and strength supplied by her Semblance to try and win the fight. Now Willow was free to make her move.

Just before Sienna could react Willow shot forward and delivered a single thrust of her blade right at Sienna's chest, the strike sending her flying across the room and causing her to land next to Adam. She managed to stand up but her Aura broke and she was left panting and sore.

(Kingdom Hearts II OST The 13th Dilemma)

"An impressive Semblance you have there, Khan." Willow stated. "You weaken your opponent's Aura and your Semblance makes you stronger and faster."

Sienna grunted and glared at the matriarch. "So you figured it out. Perhaps I should have expected that."

"Yes, you should have." Willow said as she approached. "You overestimated your own abilities and underestimated us. Now you have one last chance to surrender peacefully or you can be dragged to jail in chains."

Sienna snarled, struggling to find a way out of this mess.

That was when she heard Adam roar and shoot at Willow with his scabbard. Willow blocked the shots but Adam then shot at the door and using what energy he had left, he slashed through it. Sienna and Ilia quickly followed him, unable to pick up their two still unconscious comrades behind as they ran as fast as they could to escape. Willow and her bodyguards ran after them but the three had a head start on them and Sienna dropped her Dust blades along with the ground as they ran.

Ilia turned and fired bolts from her Lightning Lash that hit the fallen Dust blades and caused them to explode. Willow, Dilan and Aeleus were far enough that they were not hurt but the explosions slowed them down enough to allow the White Fang splinter cell members to make their escape. Willow, Dilan and Aeleus followed the trail of destruction leading up to a hole leading outside and showing the night sky.

Sienna Khan, Adam Taurus and Ilia Amitola had escaped.

Xxx

The doors to the White Fang throne room opened and Sienna Khan staggered in, followed by Adam who had replaced his mask and a panting Ilia who was still tired out from the battle she had just gone through.

"Unbelievable…" Sienna grunted as she made her way to her throne. "That entire mission was a fiasco…"

"Willow Schnee and those two body guards were stronger than we had thought." Adam stated, stopping at the steps leading up to the throne.

"THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE!" Sienna shouted, banging her hands against the arms of her throne. "It only took three of them to force us to flee and we abandoned two of our brothers because we couldn't risk being captured!"

Ilia stepped back, feeling very fearful of Sienna's temper while Adam remain composed.

"And how did they even know we were coming? I made sure to keep our mission on a strict need to know basis from everyone outside you two and the others assigned to the mission." Sienna turned around, facing Adam and Ilia. "Were we compromised in some way?"

"You suspect a traitor?" Adam asked carefully.

"Your loyalties are not in question." Sienna sat down. "But the fact of the matter is, somehow they knew we were coming. The facility was empty of any people aside from those three and the androids we fought."

"Clearly the Schnees are more resourceful than we had anticipated." Adam stated.

"Resourceful? It is clear that despite her supposed age Willow Schnee remains one of the strongest Huntresses from Atlas." Sienna clenched a fist as she remembered the fight she had with the Schnee matriarch.

If not for Adam using the last of his strength provided by his Semblance they would have been captured.

"Ever since the White Fang was split we have had to carefully plan out every mission carefully. Vale has fostered equality for years just behind Vacuo, Mistral has only started to embrace this change while Atlas has thus far refused to change and continues to foster anti-Faunus sentiment with the so-called exception of the SDC but we can never be too sure, especially when we know some of its people have been funding the Wild Hunt group. Especially the Diamond Dust Company led by Jacques Gele." Sienna narrowed her eyes. "We have worked to show the Faunus will not be treated as slaves and that Menagerie will not be exploited by the other kingdoms like Vacuo almost was. Ghira has already limited our ability to recruit in Menagerie so we cannot afford to make mistakes like the one we have just made tonight."

"So what shall we do?" Adam asked. "If we are not strong enough-"

"Then we will simply have to become stronger." Sienna harshly cut him off. "The blame for tonight's failure does not rest with the Schnees for stopping us…But with me for underestimating them."

"High Leader?" Ilia looked surprised.

"It seems my time as High Leader has caused me to neglect my training, considering how fast Willow Schnee figured out what my Semblance is and how to turn it against me." Sienna stood up from her throne. "And her bodyguard did the same to you, Adam."

Adam clenched the hilt of his sword.

"And Ilia, you haven't figured out what your Semblance is yet, have you?" Sienna looked at Ilia who briefly glanced away before nodding. "That is why I have a mission for you."

Ilia looked at Sienna in confusion. "A mission?"

Sienna nodded. "Yes. While our influence in Menagerie is limited, I still have enough allies there to know what is going on. It has come to my attention that Ghira's daughter is joining Beacon this year, having been accepted as a student."

Adam's grip on his sword tightened again for a mere second while Ilia remain composed.

"Since we obviously must become stronger, I am assigning you to follow her." Sienna said, surprising them both.

"Follow her?" Ilia asked.

"That is right. Adam is already as skilled as a Huntsman, as am I even though it's clear perhaps we should invest some more time in our training." Sienna said, gesturing to Adam. "Beacon has a reputation for producing highly skilled Huntsmen and I want you to go there, become a student, unlock your Semblance and become strong enough to fight against any Huntsmen out there."

"High Leader, I must protest. She would be walking into a haven of humans." Adam spoke up. "I did not attend combat school to attain the skills I have now. Why send one of our best operatives when it is not necessary?"

"It became necessary when it became clear that our methods failed against two Huntsmen and a Huntress who is about a decade our senior tonight." Sienna stated stoically. "Ilia is our youngest member and is in the best position to join Beacon. She can take the knowledge of the enemy and make it our own while you and I focus on our own training and training our fellow brothers here to become stronger. It is becoming clear that most of our members are barely above being mere thugs."

Ilia was silent as she mulled her current mission over.

Joining a Huntsmen Academy.

Ilia hadn't seen herself doing that since attending the combat school in Menagerie and she especially was not sure about running into Blake again.

"There is someone in Vale who can help you sneak into Beacon." Ilia perked up as Sienna spoke again and took out her Scroll. "Someone to forge the transcripts you need."

An address was sent to Ilia's scroll and she looked it up. "A bar?"

"A bar that belongs an information broker in Vale." Sienna clarified. "I'll provide you the money needed to pay him for the false identity."

"And what happens if Ghira's daughter recognizes her?" Adam questioned. "She could report Ilia to Ozpin."

"Then Ilia can simply remind her that Ozpin and the Vale Council will be wondering why a former White Fang member has joined Beacon, especially if it's the daughter of the man who founded the White Fang himself." Sienna retorted. "Are you done questioning me, Adam?"

Adam stiffened but calmed down and bowed. "Forgive me, High Leader. This new assignment simply has me…concerned."

"Your concerns are noted, Adam." Sienna waved off Adam's excuse. "The fact is we need to start planning and being more careful. That is why I am making you leader of our group in Vale."

Adam looked surprised. "Me?"

"You are skilled enough. I will remain in command of our White Fang here in Mistral." Sienna continued. "With you in command of our branch in Vale, if Ilia runs into trouble she can contact you for support."

"Of course." Adam nodded, sounding like this promotion had appeased him…for now.

He would have to inform his…associate of this new development.

Xxx

In the following weeks, Adam would receive small updates from Ilia who had seemingly infiltrated Beacon perfectly and she had sent him the name of her new team:

Team XION

An odd name but Adam cared little for team names.

What mattered to him was the fact that Ilia's team had also met the team that Blake had been made part off:

Team RWBY

Adam would remember that name.