Secret Reports

Ansem Schnee's Report
Subject: Aura(Updated)

In my time studying the nature of the Heart both before and after the fall of Radiant Garden, during my time in the Realm of Darkness and after my rebirth in the World known as Remnant I learned a great deal on the subject of Kingdom Hearts – The Heart of All Things. Said to be the first ever Heart to beat into existence and with its first beat birthed a race of celestials who is considered the Heart's children. The second beat created an endless canvas called existence with life slowly populating it. However, due to this, the blackness of the void, later to be known as the Realm of Darkness slowly crept into the world and originally the Celestials were meant to keep order and make changes to the world.

However, they only did so much and did not seem to care for their 'mothers' creations, choosing instead to disconnect from the rest of existence and live in what is only known as the Forge of Creation.

So, Kingdom Hearts let its magic leak from its primordial light into existence through something called the lifestream, a metaphysical stream of pure energy called many things such as Mana, Mako, chi, chakra, etc. This Lifestream changed the land, making more exotic landmasses and bios for people to live on and also infected living creatures, forming more mystical wildlife with the likes of dragons, unicorns, Moogles, and so much more.

Many humans later infected and granted magical powers, later passed down their lines that gave rise to a world of fantasy, remembered as the Age of Fairy Tales. Remnant was initially seen as part of this system but my time in the Ever After before my rebirth and the knowledge I later learned from Aqua and Terra gave rise to something else:

The Ever After came into existence at the end of the Keyblade War despite Aqua's story of journeying there prior to arriving in what used to be called Daybreak Town.

Due to its existence outside of normal time and space, it is easily accessible to any point in time, both before and after the Keyblade War. From the Great Tree came the Ever After and later came the Twin Gods that would create Remnant, a world born of their magic. Despite their magic being stripped from them at the end of the First Era, I believe that the magic that holds the planet Remnant together had bonded with the people after the Twin Gods' reign in the form of Mana particles bonding with their souls that are used to call upon the power of Aura. If that is the case then my earlier findings, comparing to the spell that grants Aura from my original home are true but with a minor difference.

Even the people of this world do not know they are actually casting a weaker version of this spell when helping to awaken someone else's Aura, even having a religious chant but is not necessary:

"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality. Through this we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all, infinite in distance and unbound by death. I release your soul and by my shoulder protect thee."

Whereas the spell of Aura that leads to the use of Limit Breaks has magic in Radiant Garden and several other worlds, the souls of Remnant's people constantly power their Aura, almost as a battery that only dies when the user passes on. In a sense the soul can provide the energy needed so as long as there is a suitable amount but compared to a source of magic, it is far too small to reach the levels of the Limit Break compared to the magical warriors I have known. Despite this setback, the soul that acts both the mind and life force for living beings has shown to be able to help evolve Semblances with constant use and emotional development. Given my recent tests, I surmise that is possible if exposed to an outside source of energy, a Semblance could reach the level of Limit Break from my original world or if the Aura of Remnant is able to enhance and increase its own reserves.

There are few people whose own Aura reserves would make them powerful enough to reach such a level but only time and studying will tell for sure.

"Hot damn."

Ever since her test under Ansem where she had seemingly unlocked what he called a Limit Break, Harriet Bree hadn't quite been the same as before.

For starters, she noticed when she looked at herself in the mirror, she had abs.

Now, even before the test Bree wasn't exactly a lazy person. If anything, she could get very competitive too fast for her own good as her teammates would tell her and she worked out routinely like the rest of the Ace-Ops. Now though, after having run in a circle and soaked up all the electricity her own body had expelled as she ran, not only was her Semblance even faster but her body had been changed. She ate more than before to the point it's a surprise she hadn't gained a few pounds, her mind was constantly racing to the point she got bored enough she actually read through a dozen books she found in a matter of seconds which often gave her a headache from the information overload of memorizing the entire content and her latest change?

She was practically a model for body building now!

Now she wasn't practically all muscles like Elm, but she now looked like a professional wrestler than a runner. She almost couldn't all these changes were happening and in a short amount of time too. Dr. Polendina had been watching her closely, preforming a few check-ups a week to make sure she hadn't suffered any side-affects, well bad side-affects as the result of the test and so far, everything had come back positive.

Aside from an elevated heart rate he had noticed but so far, no cause for alarm on that front.

"This is crazy." She held up her hands and her eyes widened when they began to vibrate to the point they blurred. "Whoa!"

She stepped back and tripped, falling on her back. "Ow! What the-?"

She looked at her hands and saw they had returned to normal. Harriet stared for a good moment before she let out a sigh.

"Okay, maybe I need to figure out how to slow down a bit." She admitted, unable to believe what she had just said.

"Even after all this time it is simply astounding, Miss Bree."

Harriet sat up on the table, looking over to Pietro as he looked over his recent findings. "That's been thrown a lot around here lately, Doc."

"I know, you must be tired of hearing it all the time." Pietro admitted as he looked over at her. "Still, this breakthrough is astounding. If I am right, it's possible this Limit Break evolution is only just beginning."

"Okay, is that good? Because I'm sure my hands vibrating until I could see through them like a ghost wasn't what we had in mind." Harriet replied as she hoped off the table.

"Well, as you know, during your test your body dispelled large amounts of static electricity and then reabsorbed it all as you ran in a circle, supercharging yourself which led to the discovery of Ansem's theorized Limit Break. The dispelled static electricity was part of your Semblance, a side effect from how fast you run with your Semblance but as your body absorbed it back into you, your Aura was protecting you from feeling damage or pain." Pietro began.

"Yeah, I know that much." Harriet crossed her arms. "It supercharged pretty much everything."

"Yes, your nervous system, your metabolism, even the synapses of your brain absorbed all it. Most notably, it seems your entire was supercharged down to the molecular level." Pietro continued.

"Come again?" Harriet raised an eyebrow.

"It means, even the subatomic particles, from your skin to your cells were all supercharged. That also explains the elevated heart rate I noticed." Pietro rubbed his glasses with a cloth. "To put it simply, your body became a super charged energy conductor that didn't just enhance your Semblance but everything. The vibrations were your molecules that are still charged by the absorbed electricity."

"I just want to know if I am safe at all, Doc." Harriet stated, growing impatient. "You're saying my entire body is going to start vibrating and disappear?"

"I don't think so but given what I have learned, it's possible the absorbed electricity is showing another ability unlocked by your Limit Break. I have a theory, but would you be willing to try another test to be sure?" Pietro asked politely.

Harriet sighed and shrugged. "Fine. What do I do?"

"Walk over to the door and place your hand on it." Pietro gestured to the door.

Harriet stared at Pietro for a second before rolling her eyes and walked over to the door, placing her on it. "Like this?"

"Now, try vibrating it like before but don't stop at your hand." Pietro suggested.

Confused by the doctor's request Harriet looked at her hand and closed her eyes, trying to vibrate like before. To Pietro's shock, Harriet's hand followed her arm and the rest of her body became transparent as she fell through the door.

"WHOA!" Harriet yelped as she fell onto the floor on the other side of the door.

She lifted herself onto her knees and turned around with a stunned look on her face, staring at the door.

"I…I…" The door opened, revealing Pietro with a surprised look of his own. "I fe-fe-"

"You fell through the door." Pietro finished for her, earning a stunned and silent nod. "Right through the door."

"I…I…"

"We better tell the General and Ansem."

Secret Report

Opening File: Prosthesis

A prosthesis is a device that replaces a missing body part. Prosthetics in the world of Remnant are advanced enough to allow the wearer full control and move identically to the body parts that they replace, frequently with added abilities. Admittedly, this is perhaps one advancement that is found lacking in Radiant Garden but perhaps one day we could see if improvements can be made.

Close File

"I must admit, I find the installation you built all the way out here to be impressive, Merlot."

Dr. Merlot smiled, glancing to his side at the man who had complimented him and his hard work. "Why thank you, Arthur."

Watts glanced away, not liking the smile on Merlot's face from just one measly compliment as they walked the halls of Merlot's offshore laboratory complex. "So, you retreated when your headquarters at Mt. Glenn was destroyed."

"Regrettably but fortune favors the prepared. I had this place constructed as a fallback in case my research at Mt. Glenn failed. That accursed Bronze Knight…"

Watts noticed Merlot's mechanical hand tighten into a fist. "So, he was the one who intervened?"

"On Ozpin's behalf. He knew I would anticipate a Huntsmen team, but I didn't believe he would actually manage to locate and convince the Bronze Knight himself to look into my activities at the Mt. Glenn settlement." Merlot answered, taking a deep breath with despondent look on his face. "He noticed the holes in the security system that had been put up to keep the Grimm away and warned everyone. Next thing I knew, the people were rioting, and I had to fleet here. All my research back there went up flames with my headquarters."

"I understand you also met the Silver Knight during you time at Beacon." Watts commented as the two stepped into an elevator.

"Oh yes." Merlot nodded with a nostalgic smile in his face. "Ah, dear Aqua. So much more charming than her bronze friend."

Watts raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Oh yes, the dear was such a polite young woman when she came to Beacon with good ol' Ozpin. Though in his case it was young Ozpin at the time." Merlot chuckled. "Knowing him he pulled some strings to make sure they were both on a team. Team AEON if I recall. She was a studious type of woman, taking her classes seriously and acted like your typical straight 'A' student. In addition to all that, even when she was holding back her special 'powers' she was beyond skilled that only Ozpin stood a chance of beating her in their sparring classes. Then again, I'm sure Salem has told you enough about Miss Aqua, hasn't she?"

"Just a few bits of information." Watts held up his hand, pretending to examine his nails. "She seems to dislike her as much as she dislikes Ozpin. I admit, I saw her in passing during her time as the wife of Nicholas Schnee in Atlas and when I was a student at Atlas University but didn't pay that much attention. Unlike almost everyone else, I preferred to build my reputation using my natural talents rather than kissing the feet of the so-called elites."

"Well, neither did Ansem and from what I recall he became very close with the Schnees." Merlot remarked.

Watts scowled at the mention of Ansem's name. "Yes…Ansem."

"Don't tell me you're actually jealous of Ansem for being considered the smartest man on Remnant, are you?" Merlot snickered.

"Don't be absurd! It's not the man's intelligence I have a problem with." Watts scoffed, looking away.

"Really?" Merlot asked with an amused look on his face.

"Ansem has plenty to brag even though he rarely ever does. Despite his accomplishments with the SDC, I literally built Atlas from the ground up. I programmed the security network, I designed the environmental controls, the Paladin battle mechs that were to be the next generation defenders of the kingdom, all of that and not once did they ever offer any thanks or recognition for my hard work. Nothing at all! Ironwood ignored everything I ever did for him and the final insult was choosing that completely insane project of Pietro's over my own!" Watts ranted, his voice becoming more and more angered as he spoke. "Everyone else, even Ansem stood by and watched as I was disgraced! Him and the rest of Atlas act like a giant while standing on the backs of those made it possible! It's why I faked my death to escape and just like that, the entire kingdom has forgotten me and my contributions which will be its undoing."

Merlot chuckled suddenly, making Watts glare at him.

"And what is exactly so funny?" He asked, feeling insulted by how little the so-called fellow genius seemed to understand his anger.

"Don't you hear how petty you sound?" Merlot asked simply.

"What?!"

"A scientist should care less about the praise of his so-called peers. It is nothing but an added bonus in the back of the minds seeking greater knowledge. It's expected of ordinary people to look upon those like us with both envy and awe, striving to make use of our talents for their own ends but in the end, we use them as they use us. It was my ideas that brought Merlot Industries to the forefront of AI and genetics that later, you and Atlas picked up on." Merlot remarked, earning a more heated glare from Watts. "I could care less of the praise or criticisms of those around me, even my old friends from Beacon. Aspiring to reach greater levels of knowledge and brilliance than those who came before us is the ultimate goal. How can you even say that you expect everyone to bow down and worship you for your brilliance if you let one single misstep bring you down to the level of which you are remembered?"

"Misstep?!" Watts growled in outrage as the elevator doors opened and Merlot was the first to step out. "Did you not hear me when I said I was disgraced for all my accomplishments?!"

"So was I and my company crumbled to pieces and yet you don't see me throwing a fit." Merlot drawled. "If anything, the disgrace, and my own faking of my death has allowed me the opportunity to continue my quest for knowledge unhindered. No Ozpin or Ironwood to look over my shoulders all the way out here."

"I wouldn't expect you to understand at all, Merlot." Watts scoffed, following the man. "How can I when it's clear you couldn't understand?"

"Oh, I understand perfectly, Arthur. I just couldn't care less." Merlot chuckled. "Really, didn't you hear a word I just said? Praise is meaningless when the pursuit of any scientist is higher knowledge. Can't that be enough, Arthur?"

Watts scoffed. "What worth is knowledge without the praise for finding it?"

"Oh, I am sure you were praised, Arthur." Merlot replied, passing by a window showing a room with mechanical arms inside. "And besides, what worth is any praise when the knowledge can only be understood by you and you alone? That is why those of lesser intellect will praise or balk at the ideas of their superiors. It's a natural response and one I thought you of all people would know about. Don't tell me you built everything in Atlas just because you wanted to be praised for it?"

"Of course not! I did it because I wanted to change everything around me. To be the one who brought Atlas, all of Remnant into the new age." Watts brought a hand to his chest. "I was born to change the world."

Merlot stopped, threw his back and laughed. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Change the world?! Is that all?!"

Watts growled. "And what is so funny?!"

"Everyone seeks to change the world!" Merlot spun around, facing Watts with a smile on his face. "Politicians, soldiers and yes, even scientists! They all change the world so it can fit their point of view! Such a shallow dream, Arthur! It fits you perfectly!"

"And what is your goal, Merlot?!" Watts snapped.

"Why, to do what I have always done. Study and research on every little topic floating around across Remnant, from the Grimm, the mysteries of Dust, our genetic make-up, and maybe even Salem herself! There is no shortage of knowledge to be discovered and science takes no sides in the wars of man and gods. I work with Salem so I can study and learn more and that is all the motivation I need!" Merlot turned around. "And the world will be forever changed, no matter how little that matters to me. So go forth, Arthur and engage in your squabble with Ironwood and Ansem. So as long as it does not impede on my research, I will neither encourage nor discourage you from your current course."

Watts could only glare hatefully at the man as he continued walking for a moment before continuing to follow him.

Secret Report

Opening File: Cross-Continental Transmit System

The Cross-Continental Transmit System (CCT) is a communication technology in Remnant which allows instantaneous multimedia communication wirelessly over large distances.

The Cross-Continental Transmit System was first developed by the former kingdom of Atlas and gifted to the rest of the world after the Great War to allow the kingdoms to remain in communication. The CCTS functions wirelessly, much like radio, but is capable of transmitting a far wider variety of media, including text, visuals and audio. This evolved into an online web of information at mankind's fingertips.

The CCTS is reliant on four primary relay towers, with one located in each of the four Kingdoms. The first and largest of these towers was located in Atlas. Should any one of them be taken offline for maintenance – or fail for other reasons – the entire system also goes offline. That is a weakness I find to be unacceptable as even if the towers placed strategically in the heart of every kingdom where they can be defended, there is still the possibility of them being disabled from within.

Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to secretly begin designing a way to 'upgrade' the CCT with the knowledge of the communication system I designed in my homeland. It has taken years, given the nature of running a multi-million corporation as well as the personal task of raising a family along with obtaining the resources to create this new and improved network but work has proven to finally be bearing fruit.

Ansem put down his Scroll on his desk, satisfied with what he had read.

Cross-Continental Network:

A proposal to upgrade the Cross-Continental Transmit System (CCT) via a combination of communications technology discovered and data provided to me from my original computer. This new network would render the four relay towers used by the four Kingdoms obsolete as it will create a data space that connects all four kingdoms regardless of the towers. From it, not only communications will remain long range and instant but if integrated into other systems such as power, it can provide energy from the smallest microwave to a train.

A digital network that will exist inside the CCT and upgrade it to allow for use even if a tower is disabled for any particular reason. Of course, in order for this new system to fully work, it must be integrated into the four relay towers. The task can be easily done in Atlas since SDC technicians are allowed to preform routine maintenance on the towers. It will be slightly more difficult to do so in Mistral and Vacuo for various reasons. Vacuons are naturally distrustful of outsiders, no matter the olive branches I have offered to help them, and Mistral has its own staff to run and maintain their tower.

Vale will be easier due to the better relations and because General Ironwood is close friends with Professor Ozpin. I would have to make a few subtle…offers to both Professors Theodore and Lionheart to convince them in trusting me to have the CCT Towers of Shade and Haven upgraded.

Ansem had thoroughly examined the report several times before he was done and was pleased…

For the most part.

The hard work and effort he has put in to try and turn Remnant into a paradise similar to Radiant Garden had been an ongoing battle and it was much more difficult. Between the prejudices between Humans and Faunus, the history of distrust between the kingdoms and the constant threat of the Grimm, the natural arrogance of many Atlesians, it was exceedingly difficult to inspire the level of hope that he had in Radiant Garden.

Still, he had come very far since the days of his rebirth.

As Ansem Schnee, he was known as the kind yet brilliant CEO of the SDC, married into a wealthy family but used his money for advancing mankind into a hopeful future as well as being a kind and wise father to his children.

His children.

He could still hardly believe it.

In his past life, his years devoted to science and knowledge had led him to believe he had to cast aside the notion of nurturing a family naturally and came to believe that only his apprentices would be the closest he would ever come to having a family as his own. However, it seemed the great light had a different plan for him, and he was now using his gifts of his past life combined with fortunes of his new one to try and make the same difference here as he did in Radiant Garden. It had been a very daunting task, but he had long since accepted the additional task of becoming a father since the first day when Willow had told him of her first pregnancy. Despite the past betrayal of his apprentices, he knew he could not let fear of the past cloud his reality and worked to become the wise, aspiring role model his child and later children would need.

He knew of the middle child in his previous life, having met her future self as a broken young woman in the other world who had been as lost as he once was. He had not expected that he of all people would become her new father in this new time but having seen what she might become he strove to help and guide as a father and mentor.

Of course, his experience with raising Winter first had helped prepare him.

Ansem's lips curled into a smile at the thought of his first born. Like all youth, Winter had been eager and brash when she was young, in a way similar to how Dilan and Aeleus had been in their youth. If she had been in Radiant Garden, Winter would no doubt have become a member of the Castle Guard, perhaps even a captain. She strove to uphold the Schnee image as she grew, keeping her emotions hidden as best as she could but dropped in the presence of her family and no one else.

Ansem had his reservations about Winter joining the military in the beginning but knew she had been struggling to find her own path. Having mentored her himself, he knew she was a very knowledgeable woman but did not have the patience for running a company as large as the SDC, not that he could blame her. He simply supported her in her endeavors, reading and even keeping all her letters she sent to him and Willow and writing back to her when times had been tough in the beginning.

It didn't help that everyone knew that Winter had been born into a life of wealth and luxury.

He had been proud of her then as he was proud of her now.

And so was her mother and siblings.

Weiss on the other hand, Ansem wondered if he had been too careful with her when he found her to be the past version of the broken-down Winter Maiden in the future. A young woman who had been stripped of her home with a power she had not wanted as the last reminder of a broken family.

Her now current father or not, Ansem had no intention of seeing his new daughter become that again.

Weiss seemed to show more aptitude towards the finer details of running the SDC as he noted when he would show her around the castle that was SDC headquarters. She certainly seemed eager to learn and was driven to try and please all of her peers.

But the ones she hoped the most would praise her were her mother and father.

At the same time, Weiss had been inspired by the stories of her grandfather that she grew up being told. Nicholas would joyfully recall of his best stories for her, and they seemed to have had their impact. The path that Weiss wished to take was as both a Huntress and heiress to the SDC. Whether it was to show herself worthy of one day inheriting the company or to build her own 'castle' as Nicholas once did, it showed that Weiss had her grandfather's heart.

Whitely on the other hand…

He showed himself to be witty and insightful, having a great intellect even had a young age that Ansem had worked to guide properly. Admittedly, Whitely was not sure what path he would take as he was the youngest of the Schnee siblings. Winter had her career in the military, Weiss was training to be a huntress while Whitley didn't see himself as a fighter.

And yet, he had the most potential to succeed his father.

Ansem would bring Whitely to the SDC headquarters as he had with Winter and Weiss and the young boy had shown a great aptitude for understanding the sciences that were being studied. Specifically, the kind of science to create new forms of energy aside from Dust and thus the SDC would have a monopoly on several new energy sources that could help Remnant better advance itself and overcome the need for Dust.

He also knew Whitley was becoming an avid fan of the new sport that had sprung up called Blitzball.

Well, far be it for him to refuse his son's fascination with a sport.

Still, if Whitely wanted to try it out and he would have to prove to them, especially his mother that he understood how intense a sport it was.

Beep-Beep!

Ansem picked up his Scroll and saw that a message had been sent to him.

Mr. Schnee, it has come to our attention you wish to begin expanding contacts in Vale, looking for suitable new partners. We wish to open negotiations for investing with the SDC and we believe a profitable partnership cane from it. We look forward to hearing from you and promise that it will not be a waste of your time.

Signed: Jimmy and Carmel Vanille