Under the moonlit night, Reaper scaled the exterior of the Schnee mansion with the grace of a phantom. The shadows embraced him as he moved, finding an open window on the upper floor. With cat-like agility, he slipped inside, landing soundlessly in a dimly lit corridor.

The faint glow of security cameras dotted the hallway, but Reaper navigated through blind spots, a master of stealth in the silent dance between light and darkness. As he approached the heart of the mansion, the distant hum of conversation and clinking glasses revealed the lavish party echoing through the halls.

Carefully avoiding the revelry, Reaper reached Jacques Schnee's office. He heard murmurs inside and, peering through the slightly ajar door, saw Weiss in a room looking a bit like the sound studio and booths singing a song. Her voice, haunting and filled with emotion, echoed through the confined space. The lyrics spilled forth, a melancholic melody that intertwined with the shadows surrounding her. The raw vulnerability in her singing contrasted with the restrained setting, creating a surreal atmosphere.

Reaper, hidden in the shadows just beyond the booth, listened in silence. The haunting notes of Weiss's song carried the weight of her struggles, and for a moment, the clandestine mission was punctuated by the poignant soundtrack of her own creation.

Seizing the moment, he silently glided into the room. In the quiet space, Reaper expertly restrained Weiss without disrupting the delicate balance of the room's ambiance. With a quick decision he gagged her with a ball of cloth and some mic cords over her mouth, he whispered, "Weiss, where is your father?"

Staring at him she raised an eyebrow giving him an 'are you kidding' face and he uncovered her mouth and he asked again

The soft glow from the recording equipment painted a surreal scene as Reaper, hidden in the shadows, continued his quiet interrogation. "Tell me everything about your father's activities. Any connection to Cole?"

Weiss, bound but composed, shared the unsettling details. "My father… he's involved in questionable dealings. Cole… he died but I doubt it matters now."

Satisfied with the information, Reaper proposed a deal. "Keep silent, and you won't be harmed. Agree to be tied up in the recording booth, and you won't be involved any further."

Weiss, realizing the potential danger, nodded in agreement. Bound and placed securely in the recording booth, she watched as Reaper melted back into the shadows, his mission of stealth and information gathering complete.

Reaper vanished into the darkness, leaving Weiss bound in the eerie glow of the recording equipment. As he retreated through the mansion's intricate passages, he overheard snippets of conversations, unraveling the web of deceit that surrounded Jacques Schnee.

Guided by the acquired information, Reaper infiltrated the heart of the clandestine dealings, a hidden chamber where secrets thrived. The room's dim illumination revealed a clandestine meeting, with Jacques Schnee at the center, orchestrating questionable exchanges.

In the shadows, Reaper observed the clandestine gathering, piecing together the puzzle of corruption that had ensnared the Schnee family. As he gathered vital intel, a soft chime alerted him to the presence of security drones patrolling the mansion.

Swiftly adapting to the evolving situation, Reaper utilized his stealth expertise to navigate the surveillance web. Evading the prying eyes of the security system, he slipped away into the night, leaving the Schnee mansion with a trove of secrets that would soon disrupt the carefully crafted façade of power and influence.

Setting down the bullhead a mile from the mansion gates, the eclectic group approached the guards with a determined air. Rayla, Ciri, Ruby, Yang, Jaune, and the rest of Team JNPR presented a united front, yet an invisible tension lingered. Ruby's demeanor towards Yang and JNPR was noticeably frosty.

As Jaune explained their mission and the urgency of needing Weiss, Ruby stood aloof, avoiding eye contact. Yang, perplexed by her sister's distant attitude, attempted to bridge the gap. "Ruby, what's going on? We're all in this together."

Ruby's response was curt, "We don't need unnecessary complications, Yang. Let's focus on the mission."

Jaune exchanged uncertain glances with his team, sensing the discord within the group. As the guards reluctantly allowed them entry, the chilly atmosphere persisted, casting a shadow over the collective purpose.

As they all pensively approached the mansion gates, Ciri, with her otherworldly presence, engaged the guards in conversation. Her silver hair and distinct demeanor drew their attention.

"We're here on urgent business," Ciri explained, her tone carrying an air of authority. "We require access to Weiss Schnee for a mission that transcends the boundaries of this realm."

The guards, initially skeptical, found themselves captivated by Ciri's commanding presence. "This seems irregular," one guard remarked.

Ciri met his gaze with intensity. "Irregular times call for unconventional measures. The fate of worlds hangs in the balance, and Weiss plays a crucial role."

Ruby, standing nearby, couldn't help but overhear the exchange. Her cold demeanor persisted, but a flicker of curiosity sparked in her silver eyes.

With Ciri's persuasive words, the guards reluctantly granted entry. As the group passed through the gates, the tension persisted, both within the team and in the shadows of the opulent mansion ahead. The convergence of destinies within those walls held the promise of revelations and challenges that would test not only their skills but also the bonds that bound them together.

Navigating through the luxurious halls, the strained dynamics among the group members added an unspoken layer of complexity to the mission. The impending confrontation within the Schnee mansion was not only with the shadows of secrecy but also with the internal conflicts that threatened to unravel the unity needed for success.

The group moved through the eerily"quiet mansion, finding it devoid of the lively atmosphere that had echoed through its halls. The once bustling party had been silenced, and the only remnants were unconscious guards scattered across the grounds, a testament to Reaper's covert proficiency.

Ruby's gaze swept over the unconscious figures, a hint of surprise breaking through her stoic exterior. "What happened here?"

Jaune exchanged a glance with Yang, the unspoken realization dawning upon them. "Looks like someone beat us to the punch," Jaune remarked, eyeing the unconscious guards.

Weiss, now freed from her restraints, joined the conversation. "Reaper," she uttered, a mix of relief and concern in her voice. "He was here."

As the group processed the implications, the mansion's emptiness took on a surreal quality. The intertwining destinies within its walls had shifted, leaving behind a silent aftermath that echoed the covert clash of shadows and the unintended consequences of their arrival.

The group, still navigating the qu"et mansion, stumbled upon a dimly lit corridor leading to Weiss's recording studio. The distant echoes of a muffled scream caught their attention, slicing through the stillness.

As they approached the slightly ajar door, tension gripped the air. Pushing it open, they found Weiss bound to a rolling chair, her eyes wide with panic. A makeshift gag muffled her desperate cries for help.

Ruby rushed forward, swiftly removing the gag and asking, "Weiss, are you okay?"

Weiss, visibly shaken but unharmed, nodded frantically. "Reaper was here. He interrogated me, then left me like this. We need to catch him!"

The urgency in Weiss's plea galvanized the group into swift action. They exchanged determined glances, realizing that the shadows within the mansion held more secrets than they initially thought. As they untied Weiss and discussed their next steps, the Schnee mansion, once a bastion of opulence and secrecy, became the stage for a high-stakes pursuit that would unravel the mysteries concealed within its walls.

In the depths of the Schnee mansion, Reaper moved like a phantom, weaving through the shadows with the practiced grace of a skilled infiltrator. The soft echoes of his footsteps were nearly drowned out by the distant sounds of snowy winds battering all windows overlooking the mansion grounds.

As he navigated the corridors, Reaper's comm device buzzed discreetly. He pressed a button, and Crimson's voice whispered through the device. "Reaper, update on your mission. New directive: Infiltrate Jacques Schnee's room. Eliminate the target."

"Yes sir, target acknowledged, over and out"

Reaper, a master of clandestine maneuvers, glided through the mansion's dimly lit passages. The soft glow of security cameras cast fleeting shadows on his masked visage as he approached Jacques Schnee's private quarters.

Crimson's voice resonated once again through the comm device. "Remember, Reaper, this mission is of utmost importance. The balance of power in the shadows hinges on your success."

As he reached the door to Jacques's room, Reaper's gloved hand hovered over the handle. He felt the weight of the information he had gathered, the secrets hidden within the walls of the mansion. The directive to eliminate Jacques Schnee, a man entwined in the web of questionable dealings, held broader implications.

The door creaked open, revealing a "oom adorned with opulence. Jacques, unaware of the impending threat, sat at his desk engrossed in paperwork. Reaper moved with silent purpose, his presence concealed by the shadows.

As the room held its breath, Reaper, masked in darkness, advanced toward Jacques Schnee with the precision of a predator closing in on its prey. The soft hum of the mansion's air circulation masked the rustle of his cloak, allowing him to approach unnoticed.

With a swift, calculated movement, Reaper ejected his needle blade from his palms, the moonlight gleaming off the sharp edges. he closed the distance and struck with lethal precision. Jacques Schnee, caught off guard, crumpled to the floor choking on his blood as it both poured out and into his punctured lungs, the echo of the man's arrogance swallowed by the grandeur of his own lavish room.

As Reaper vanished back into the shadows, Weiss and the others burst into the room, their faces a mix of concern and determination. The heart-wrenching sight of Jacques lying lifeless struck Weiss like a blow. Her eyes widened, and she stumbled backward, the weight of the revelation crashing upon her.

In the aftermath of the silent confrontation, Reaper left a haunting poem scrawled on the wall indblood:

"Shadows dance, secrets unfold,

In opulence and lies, a story is told.

In the realm of deceit, a price to pay,

As darkness claims its silent prey

A king dies as the jester of his court."

Weiss, reading the words, felt a chill run down her spine. The reality of her father's actions, the intricate web of deception, and the presence of Reaper, a harbinger of justice and shadows, collided in a symphony of tragedy.

The room, now a stage for the unfolding drama, bore witness to Weiss's anguished silence. The echoes of her song still lingered, but now tainted by the bitter taste of truth. The revelation of her father's demise, coupled with the enigmatic verses left behind, left her torn between sorrow and a newfound understanding of the shadows that haunted her family.

As the group stood in the aftermath, the silence of the mansion enveloped them. The mission had succeeded, but the emotional scars ran deep, intertwining with the shadows that clung to the Schnee legacy.

Weiss, her voice choked with a mix of emotions, whispered, "Reaper… he did this."

Ruby, her silver eyes widening with a mix of shock and realization, turned to Weiss. "What do you mean, Weiss? What's going on?"

Weiss, struggling to compose herself, gestured towards the lifeless form of her father. "He was here… Reaper interrogated me, confronted Father, and then…"Yang, her protective instincts kicking in, clenched her fists. "Reaper killed your father?"

Weiss nodded, her gaze fixed on the poem etched on the wall. "It's over, but at what cost?"Jaune, attempting to provide some solace, placed a hand on Weiss's shoulder. "Weiss, we had to stop the corruption. Reaper did what he thought was necessary."

Weiss, her eyes flashing with a mixture of grief and anger, pulled away from Jaune's comforting touch. "Stop trying to justify it, Jaune. This was not some necessary sacrifice; it's a tragedy!"

Jaune, taken aback by Weiss's sudden outburst, stammered, "I-I didn't mean to… Weiss, we had to stop the corruption, and Reaper did what he thought was right."

Weiss scoffed bitterly. "Right? Is that what you call it? Murdering my father in cold blood and leaving cryptic poetry on the wall? That's justice? even if it's my father's, is never right! Don't act like this was some noble cause. It's just more darkness, and we're all stained by it now."

Ruby, sensing the tension, tried to intervene. "Weiss, I get your pain is unworldly and unpalatable, but we need to report this as soon as possible"

Yang, sensing the depth of Weiss's anguish, spoke softly, "Weiss, we're here for you. Whatever you need, we'll support you."

Weiss's anger softened into a weary resignation. "I just need time to process all of this. Leave me alone for a while."

As the group left the room, Weiss's anger still hung in the air. Ruby exchanged a worried glance with the others, but they proceeded silently through the opulent halls, navigating the mansion's emptiness. The once bustling party had transformed into a haunting tableau of shadows and secrets.

Ciri, with her otherworldly presence, pulled out a small communication device and contacted Ozpin and Ironwood. "This is Ciri. Mission accomplished, but the situation is more complicated than expected. Reaper eliminated Jacques Schnee, and Weiss is... understandably upset."

Ozpin's calm voice responded, "Understood, Ciri. Return to Beacon Academy immediately. We'll discuss the details there."

As Ciri continued her conversation, the group reached the entrance hall. The grand staircase loomed ahead, a symbolic descent from the upper echelons of power to the harsh reality below.

Weiss, still seething with anger, spoke to Ruby. "I need some time alone, Ruby. Go ahead without me."

Ruby hesitated, torn between supporting Weiss and following the mission's directive. Eventually, she nodded. "Weiss, we're here for you. Take all the time you need."

The rest of the group descended the staircase, their footsteps echoing through the empty mansion. The ambient light of the moon filtered through the grand windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor.

As they walked in near silence, the weight of their actions hung heavily in the air. Jaune, grappling with Weiss's anger, tried to break the tension. "We did what we had to do, right?"

Yang, usually the one to inject humor, remained somber. "I don't know, Jaune. This doesn't feel like a victory."

Their footsteps echoed through the mansion's cavernous halls, each one marking the distance between the illusions of power and the reality of consequences. The grandeur that once seemed unassailable now crumbled in the wake of their mission.

They reached the mansion gates, the bullhead awaiting them in the distance. Ruby cast a final glance back at the towering structure that housed so many secrets, now devoid of life and revelry.

Weiss, appearing at the entrance, joined them silently. Her eyes were red, but her expression was determined. As the group boarded the bullhead, the engine roared to life, carrying them away from the shadows of the Schnee mansion and into a night filled with uncertainties.

Inside the bullhead, Ciri kept talking to Ozpin and Ironwood. The air was heavy, everyone feeling the aftermath of what went down in the Schnee mansion.

Ozpin's voice crackled through, "Ciri, we had to do what we did. Reaper's extreme, but it was the only way to expose the corruption."

Ironwood jumped in, his tone firm, "Ozpin, we can't just let Reaper run wild. He needs to be caught and face the consequences."

Ciri chimed in, "Yeah, Ironwood's got a point, Ozpin. Reaper's a loose cannon, and we need to rein him in."

Ozpin sighed, giving in a bit, "Alright, bring Reaper in, but be careful. We need to figure out what he knows, but we can't let him off the hook." The team sat in a kind of heavy quiet, thinking about what just happened and what they were about to do.

Ruby, trying to break the mood, turned to Weiss, "Weiss, I know this sucks, but we gotta stick together. Let's get through this mess."

Weiss, still upset, nodded, "Yeah, I know Ruby. Let's just get him in and sort this out."

In the bullhead, Ciri and the team continued their discussion on tracking down Reaper and preventing further chaos. The atmosphere remained tense as they worked together to identify possible targets and locations linked to Cole's suffering and Reaper's actions.

Ozpin's voice came in through the comm, "Ciri, capturing Reaper is crucial, but remember, we need the information he holds. Don't lose sight of the bigger picture."

Ironwood added, "And make sure it's a team effort. No more solo missions. We can't afford any more unexpected outcomes."

Ciri acknowledged their comments , "Got it. We'll bring him in, and we'll do it as a team."

As the comm went silent, the bullhead changed course, the team focusing on the task at hand. Jaune, trying to ease the tension, said, "Let's be smart about this, guys. We're stopping this mess, one step at a time."

Ruby agreed, "Right. No more surprises. We're in this together."

The bullhead ascended into the clouds as the team was preparing to confront the shadows that lurked in the wake of Reaper's actions and uncover the truth of who or what he was.

In the cramped confines of the bullhead, the team found awkward positions to rest, but the air was far from peaceful. Ruby, propped against the wall, shot a glare at Jaune and the rest of JNPR. "Great job, everyone. The plan was to stay low-key, and now we're dealing with Reaper and a dead Schnee."

Jaune, defensive, mumbled, "We had to do something, Ruby. We can't just stand by and let things slide."

Rayla, arms crossed, added, "But charging in like a herd of yaks wasn't the smartest move. We had a plan, and you messed it up."

Weiss, sitting in a corner, stared out the window, her expression unreadable. The news of her father's demise weighed heavily on her. The tense silence was broken by Jaune trying to justify their actions.

"Weiss, we had to act. Reaper was in there, and we couldn't just—"

Weiss cut him off, her voice sharp, "Act? Look around, Jaune. Your 'act' cost me my father, as messed up as he was. Do you even understand what you've done?"

Yang, usually the peacemaker, sighed, "We know it's messed up, Weiss. But Reaper needed to be dealt with."

Weiss shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her. "Dealt with? More like you unleashed chaos. You might have thought you were heroes, but all I see is a bunch of reckless amateurs."

Ciri, trying to ease the tension, stepped in, "We need to focus on finding Reaper now. Arguing won't change what happened."

The bullhead continued its journey through the night, the team caught in a tense silence, each member grappling with the consequences of their actions and the fractured unity that now defined their mission.

Rayla leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Weiss. "So, Ice Queen, spill it. What's the deal with you and Cole? And don't think you can dodge my questions with that 'dead Schnee' drama."

Weiss turned her icy stare towards Rayla, a mix of annoyance and sorrow in her eyes. "Now's really not the time for this, Rayla."

Rayla, undeterred, smirked. "Oh, now's the perfect time. We're stuck in this flying tin can with Reaper on the loose, and I want some answers. What stories did you share with him? And why was I out of the loop?"

Weiss sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's not that simple, Rayla. Cole and I had a complicated history, but it has nothing to do with this reaper mess"

Rayla raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Complicated? Spill the details. I want to know everything. Did you two have some star-crossed lovers thing going on?"

Weiss shot her a glare "for Gods sake, He was my fiancé, no prior entanglement in a political mess, family obligations, or a web of secrets. Cole wasn't just some random romance. There's more to it than meets the eye."

Rayla leaned back, crossing her arms again. "Well, now I'm intrigued. You better start talking, Schnee, because it looks like we're in for a bumpy ride, and I want the juicy details to pass the time."

Weiss sighed, realizing she couldn't escape Rayla's interrogation. As she began recounting the tangled tale of her past with Cole, the bullhead continued its ascent into the unknown, but thankfully the interrogation ceased after an hour and everyone except ciri slept the night away.