Atonement VIII Part 5

Secret Report

Opening File: Immortality

Immortality, though at first seemingly simple to understand, is actually a field that has multiple potential areas.

Retroactive Immortality, where the user can die, but won't stay dead due to some form of resurrection or reincarnation.

Biological Immortality, where one is cannot die from old age, or even age beyond a certain point, yet can still be killed by physical injuries and similar methods.

Purpose-Driven Immortality, where one is immortal until they fulfil a certain purpose, as such, they lose their immortality until they either complete said purpose or refuse to continue doing it.

Spare Bodies, where one simply transfers their Heart and Soul into a brand new body.

And lastly, the rarest and most powerful of them all, Complete Immortality, where one can never die.

Two beings from Remnant, Ozma and Salem, possess variations of the second and third ones. Ozma regularly reincarnates at the end of each life into a new host body while Salem, who at first might be assumed to possess Complete Immortality, is immortal until she understands the meaning behind life and death.

Maleficent, the dark fairy of Enchanted Dominion, possess a form of the first one, as a result of her being struck by the Keyblade of Heart, which unlocked allows her to create a new body in the event her previous one dies.

Xehanort has a version of the fourth one, where he can transfer a fragment of his Heart into a new body and control it, like he did with Terra.

Glynda Goodwitch was feeling slightly grateful that James's behavior had slightly improved around her. That all includes their moments together as a family with their daughter.

Make no mistake though, she and Ironwood were not married.

Yes, they had dated, and they were together for a brief time.

Brief enough that it had led to the conception and birth of her beloved little girl Namine.

However, between the two had ended badly, most due to Ironwood being so pig-headed, refusing to admit he was wrong, barely making time for her-

Glynda had to shake her head, stopping herself from thinking all these nasty thoughts.

Whatever the man's flaws were, Glynda had seen enough of his virtues to consider a relationship, possibly something more with him for a time. They had actually broken it off before Glynda had found out she was pregnant and that had made things tense for a while. Glynda remembered being so furious with the general, believing he had not been using protection during that night…

She briefly considered aborting her pregnancy but couldn't bring herself to go through with it.

So, after briefly trying to kill the general-

(We are not exaggerating here. There was a literal murder attempt and combined with Miss Goodwitch's Semblance, Atlas Academy looked like a bomb had hit.)

Glynda chose to keep the baby and to this day, she hadn't regretted it.

Okay, she did nearly cause Beacon to collapse when she chose to give birth in Beacon's infirmary and her Semblance had run rampant, sending Ozpin and Ironwood flying in all directions while she was in labor but after that was done and when she first held her newborn daughter…

A literal angel with hair like hers and soft blue eyes…

Glynda was glad to have gone through it all. In fact, she moment she had her new child in her arms she came up with a name on the spot:

Namine Goodwitch.

After that, everything had changed.

Namine was practically raised at Beacon, educated by her mother and Beacon's staff in her early years and her father when he came to visit or when they would go to visit him.

And right now, they were spending a day in Atlas with Ironwood taking the day off…

Or at least until they return to the Schnee Manor.

A chance to take in the sites and get lunch at a good restaurant and as much as Glynda found it hard to believe, Ironwood did loosen up whenever she visited with Namine. Enough that Glynda could let go of her strict mindset and just enjoy herself. When the day was almost James and Glynda decided to head back to the Schnee Manor. Their daughter had also gone and visited with the other members in the Schnee family.

The day was almost over, and it was the final day of reworking all the security down in Mantle, replacing what had been designed by Doctor Watts and completely replaced by SDC security.

"James, Miss Goodwitch," Ansem was there to greet them at the doors with Klein. "Welcome back. I hope your day was enjoyable."

"As well as it can be here in Atlas." Glynda said honestly. "Namine and I will be returning to Vale tomorrow but before that I was hoping to speak with you on your Semblance Theory, Mr. Schnee."

"Of course. Please." Ansem gestured for them to enter to which they did. "Klein, if anyone is looking for me, I will be speaking with our guests in my office."

"Of course, sir." Klein nodded.

Ansem led them to his officer which was almost an exact replica of his office in the SDC headquarters. Once James and Glynda were seated, Ansem walked around his desk and sat down, leaning down and opening his personal cooler and brought out three Sea-Salt ice cream packages.

"As your host I would remiss if I didn't offer some refreshments." Ansem said, holding out two of the backages.

"No thank you." Glynda politely declined, as did James who brought out his own flask. "Mr. Schnee, General Ironwood shared with Professor Ozpin the progress you have made on your Limit Break theory. Needless to say, we were all surprised and impressed."

That was a bit of an understatement.

Glynda had a professional respect for Ansem Schnee, given his accomplishments and contributions to Remnant. Unlike the majority of elites in Atlas Ansem worked to make life better for everyone on Remnant. Establishing an ice trade with Vacuo while setting up windmills that helped provide energy that improved life in the desert kingdom, building an actual CCT in Menagerie much to the surprise and even outrage of certain people while providing solar panels that provided power without the need for Dust, thus making Menagerie in all but name and independent from the other kingdoms. The SDC had create two new sources of power and had a monopoly on it, changing everything about how Remnant was run forever.

And of course, under Ansem's leadership, the SDC had expanded with a series of branch divisions that reached as far as Vale.

"Oh, I merely took a gamble and it seemed to pay off." Ansem admitted, taking off the wrapper of his own treat. "Pietro has kept me informed of Miss Bree's progress which has been surprising, even for me."

"I've been making use of my own as well." Ironwood stated. "But Miss Bree's claim of falling through the door…I am not sure how far this goes."

"Truth be told, James I am not sure how far we can qualify your Semblance evolution in comparison with Miss Bree, as far a Limit Break might go." Ansem admitted to which Ironwood raised an eyebrow. "At the very least, we can agree that your accident forced a form of evolution from your Semblance."

"But my Semblance has never before increased my strength or intellect at once. I have been able to think more clearly and creatively." Ironwood pointed out.

Glynda had to pause about that.

Ironwood's Semblance, Mettle allowed him to strengthen his resolve in the most trying situations but some like Qrow it caused him tunnel vision. Now it strengthened everything, his body, his mind, and his will.

She wondered what his Limit Break might actually be if Ansem himself was not so sure.

"This is still brand new, James. If Miss Bree's are anything to go by, we can expect that there might be more to your Semblance's new abilities as well. It seems Miss Bree's Limit Break is literally speed, enhancing everything about her to go even faster. Yours seems to strengthen every aspect of yourself as well but there's no way to know for sure if it will stop just there." Ansem reasoned.

"You think both their Semblances might keep evolving?" Glynda questioned.

"It's possible." Ansem nodded. "At the very least I would suggest that both Miss Bree and General Ironwood be monitored closely for any signs that their new abilities might prove to be harmful."

Ironwood didn't like the sound of that, but he couldn't disagree either.

"Once we're sure we have an estimated limit to their new abilities we can decide whether or not we can proceed further." Ansem finished.

"You want to stall your own research?" Ironwood asked.

"Miss Bree literally fell through a door and your new abilities came from a botched test using our own simulators." Ansem pointed out. "We might be moving too fast with trying to find a Limit Break for everyone."

"That brings me to another reason for being here." Glynda cleared her throat. "Professor Ozpin wonders whether or not you can assist on helping the Huntsmen in Vale and at Beacon into gaining a Limit Break."

Ansem raised an eyebrow. "It's become very popular, hasn't it?"

Glynda knew that the main reason Ozpin was so interested in this Limit Break theory was because it was likely the best chance to overpower the Black Queen and she agreed. A chance to better prepare her students for the war against the Queen of the Grimm was too good to pass up. For his part, Ansem raised an eyebrow but didn't immediately turn down Miss Goodwitch's curiosity. As the deputy headmistress of Beacon Ansem was well aware of Miss Goodwitch's qualifications and her reputation as an observant Huntress and an instructor in combat classes.

"It is something to consider, Mr. Schnee. In fact, it would be a boon to all four kingdoms." Glynda adjusted her glasses.

"I imagine it would, but the theory is still in its infancy. Miss Bree and General Ironwood are the only ones so far to gain what might be a Limit Break. The other Ace Operatives are showing promise in their training, but it takes more than just training." Ansem remarked. "During her test, Miss Bree expelled and absorbed large amounts of static electricity that helped to help, for the lack of a better word, supercharge her nervous system and combined with her Aura protecting and healing her it seemed to have been the catalyst for evolving her Semblance to what it is now. General Ironwood on the other, experienced great emotional stress during his test and the sabotage was clearly aimed to kill him but his Semblance Mettle kept him alive, and the constant trauma apparently caused a forced evolution, literally willing him to live through it all."

Glynda glanced at Ironwood through the corner of her vision, wondering if the man had even stopped and rested before she and Namine had visited. Given what she was being told she wasn't sure if it was for Ironwood to be continuing his duties without having resting or at least having been checked and approved by doctors. She grateful he had survived but at the same time worried that this would have some sort of long-term effect on him.

"So, you think a combination of emotional stress and a way to enhance one's Aura or body triggers a Limit Break." Ironwood mused.

"It would appear so but that in no way guarantees the Semblance would evolve to the level of one." Ansem admitted.

Glynda nodded in agreement, having been an instructor long enough to know that was true.

"When I was preparing these tests, I didn't just look your skills or Semblance. The best solution to helping a person go beyond their abilities is to understand them. Pietro provided a psychological profile on everyone applying for a Limit Break test which they consented to, including General Ironwood." Ansem continued, to which Ironwood nodded. "It's a combination of physical and mental attributes that are analyzed to help these Huntsmen discover their limits and break them to acquire new abilities. Hence the name 'Limit Break'."

Glynda carefully listened to Ansem's explanation and mulled it over. "Would you be willing to try this method with people outside of Atlas? Eventually word will spread of this Limit Break theory, and everyone will be clamoring to gain one of their own."

"I would imagine a lot of people would." Ansem agreed. "I am open to the idea, so as long as it is in a controlled environment and limited only to a handful. With the potential danger it would be best that a sort of system is set up to determine whether or not it would be safe for certain people to try gaining a Limit Break."

"Agreed. That is why I suggest that the first person from Vale to be tested is me." Glynda stated, surprising both men. "As the deputy headmistress of Beacon and a combat instructor, I might be best suited to try taking this test and seeing if I could gain a Limit Break before trying with any students or any members of Beacon's staff."

Ansem raised an eyebrow. "That is…surprising to say the least, Miss Goodwitch. It would take some time to properly draw up a test in a manner that could be effective to evolve your Semblance to the level of a Limit Break, but do you understand what that would mean for you? It would involve psychological studying, that would of course be confidential, along with physical and mental testing."

"I read the reports General Ironwood submitted on his and Miss Bree's testing and so as long as they are confidential, I have no problem with that." Glynda stated.

"Glynda…" Ironwood muttered, placing a hand over hers. "Is this really what you want?"

Glynda glanced over at Ironwood and nodded. "Yes."

Ansem remained silent as he considered this.

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. Having studied these prosthetics and the Replica research of my own student Even, I believe it is possible to create an entirely new type of Prosthetic that would resemble and even mimic the functions of the body that the Replica is designed after. A Replica arm for example could be made to mimic the muscles, bones, and tissue of someone's original but missing arm down to the point that the nervous system and brain would see it as real one, allowing the patient to feel as if that arm is actually theirs.

Perhaps even Replica Eyes could be made to replace damaged or non-functional eyes, allowing anyone blind to see as much as a normal person cold.

This would be a leap in medical research and development and could possibly save many crippled lives.

Further Research to be conducted before attempting human trials.

"Roman, glad you could make it."

Roman Torchwick had to suppress the urge to wince from the tone in Lil' Miss Malachite's voice. He wondered if she was on to him taking double the amount of protection money behind her back but kept himself calm and collected.

No need to freak out just yet.

"Sorry, I'm late. I was having a bit of fun out front. After all, we are in the Entertainment District." Roman stated with a small, exaggerated bow.

It wasn't a complete lie as the main base of the Spider Syndicate was located in the Entertainment District of Mistral. The main base of operations for the Spiders was a tavern known as The Black Spider. A little on the nose but when you are running a group called the Spiders, perhaps that was the point.

"Well, I hope you remembered to mind your manners around the girls." Miss Malachite took his excuse in stride, pulling out a fan. "In the meantime, I've heard whispers and gossip of something big happening in Atlas."

"Oh yeah?" Roman raised an eyebrow.

"You know of Ansem Schnee?" Miss Malachite asked, rhetorically of course.

"Who hasn't?" Was Roman's answer while rolling his eye. "I can't tell how many times I've heard so many of the others wondering when we would break into the Schnee mansion and rob it of the billions of Lien stashed there, or the secret vault filled with jewels and gold in Ansem's office, and so and so on."

"And you haven't?" Malachite raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I have had dreams of walking into the Schnee mansion and standing at the very top of whatever pile of loot they got but it's not worth it." Roman waved his hand dismissively. "That place will no doubt be locked down to the point that it would be easier to sneak into a Huntsmen Academy and try to assassinate the headmaster. Trying to take out Ansem Schnee? That's practically a death wish, given what we heard recently."

Malachite conceded that Roman had a point. The news had reported an attempted kidnapping of Ansem Schnee that ended presumably in disaster for the would-be kidnappers, given the damage done to Mantle. It was clear that Ansem had some pretty powerful security and was not afraid to use it when necessary.

"Good of you to know but have you heard the rumors that Ansem has found a way to enhance a person's Semblance?" Malachite questioned.

Roman raised an eyebrow. "News to me."

"Well, word is it that he has found a way to enhance a Semblance into something much greater and even better, one of those people he supposedly upgraded was General Ironwood." Malachite continued, watching as Roman flinched. "So, you feel the same as I do."

"Yeah, the last thing Ironwood needs is more power." Roman muttered.

"Well, needless to say this is concerning. If Huntsmen start having these super Semblances, then things could be hard for everyone." Malachite continued.

Roman simply nodded though in his personal opinion, Semblances were overrated which was why he didn't bother to figure out what his was.

"Though on the other hand, this could be a big boon for us." Malachite admitted. "You know I pride myself on being in the know of almost everything going on in Mistral and in other kingdoms as best as possible."

"I do." Roman simply said.

"Good. Then it would come as no surprise to you that I think having the information on how to enhance one's Semblance would be very valuable, would it?" Malachite smiled.

Roman's eyes widened a bit. "You don't mean…"

"That's right, Roman honey. You are going to steal that information." Malachite pointed at her second in command. "And then we are going to sell it on the black market and become rich off of it."

Roman was silent, staring at his boss in consideration before he finally answered. "…Okay. But if I may point out one flaw in that idea."

"Which is?"

"Atlas is completely on lock down after someone already tried to nab Ansem. Meaning, as good as I am, I would have to find a way to sneak into Atlas, then sneak into the SDC or the Schnee Mansion, find the man, grab him or find where he might have the information, grab it and get out. All the while, Atlas will be on lockdown as I have said and security will make a stroll through the jungles of Anima look like a stroll in the park." Roman said, his voice becoming louder and more aggressive at the end. "…Ma'am."

"Roman, Roman, Roman." Malachite shook her head in amusement. "Do you really think I would send you on a job you had no chance of completing?"

'Yes.' Roman thought privately while shaking his head. "Not intentionally, if something was important enough."

"Good answer." Malachite said sharply. "Because it will then please you to know, that Ansem will not be in Atlas in the following week."

Roman paused upon hearing that. "…Say what?"

"He's taking a business trip to Vale which should give you enough time. You can either try grabbing the man himself and interrogate him," Malachite explained. "Or see if you can steal the information off of him some other way."

Roman took a moment to consider this.

If Ansem Schnee was going to be in Vale this could be his big break.

"You're going to be taking Chameleon and a few of the boys with you." Malachite continued.

That was workable.

"And my girls."

Crap!

"And when you get to Vale, you'll meet with my contact there." Malachite slipped a piece of paper onto the desk. "They'll know the phrase."

The phrase was a secret code between Spiders who were undercover in other Kingdoms who couldn't just show their tattoos in public.

When two Spider agents had to meet somewhere outside of Mistral and undercover one of them would say: Lil' Miss Malachite sits on a tuffet eating her curds when along comes a spider who sits down beside her and frightens Miss Malachite away.

"They'll give you all the information you need to know on Ansem's movements." Malachite said as Roman took the piece of paper. "Am I understood?"

"Yeah, boss. Perfectly understood." Roman nodded.

"And Roman, do this right and we'll be rich enough that we won't be needing extra protection money." Malachite softly said while narrowing her eyes.

Uh-oh.

So, Malachite did know of Roman's little side operation.

"Of course, boss." Roman put on his best charming smile.

Well, he had been considering a trip out of Mistral for some time and this was perhaps the best way out. He just needed to make sure whatever Malachite had planned for him didn't work.

Secret Report

Opening File: Amity Colosseum

Amity Colosseum was the location of the Vytal Festival tournament. It was an enormous levitating arena that was capable of moving vast distances, making the journey to the host Kingdom every time the festival was held in one of the four Kingdoms. Amity Colosseum was an enormous airborne colosseum with an inverted cone shape. The base of the structure was a very large Dust crystal that tapers to a point.

Thunder could be heard overhead, and work had to be done to keep the tent filling with water.

"Damn it…" Raven muttered, making sure the roof of her tent was sealed shut so water wouldn't pour on her while she was asleep.

It wouldn't do much be annoyed by the weather, especially when the motto of the tribe was 'The strong live and the weak die' but that didn't mean Raven could privately voice her frustrations, especially in the state the tribe was now in. With DiZ's threat hanging over them, the tribe was in no position to be sending out their usual raiding parties. That meant no regular supplies of food, clothing or weapons brought in by any villages they raided and not to mention that the tribe's fearsome reputation would soon take a hit and could drive potentially new followers.

And worst of all, DiZ knew Raven's secret.

"So you are a Maiden and if I am not mistaken, the long lost Spring Maiden." DiZ narrowed his eye. "To think, you chose to walk out on the conflict with Salem, only to become a Maiden. I heard the Spring Maiden fled from Haven and disappeared into wilderness some time ago. I should have realized you had found her, and I guess you killed her for her power."

Raven had no way of knowing how DiZ was monitoring the tribe but given how he had sent them all into that Datascape thing somehow, she couldn't take the risk that he was bluffing. Not when he could lock her up in there again and throw away the digital key or whatever and that was not even taking into account of DiZ informing Ozpin of her secret.

Once the holes were sealed, Raven walked over to her bed, sat on it and pulled out her Scroll, wanting a distraction.

"And in other news, a kidnapping attempt on Ansem Schnee was thwarted in Mantle earlier this week. The identity of the kidnappers remains unknown but it is clear that there was a fight in warehouse district of Mantle that led to Ansem's rescue."

Raven raised an eyebrow, surprised by something on the news network actually being interesting.

"Ansem Schnee later made a statement."

The screen then showed Ansem himself along with his wife and bodyguards in front of the Schnee mansion. "I am only grateful that no one close to me was harmed in this horrible event. I have strived only to improve life where people need help, comfort and security to make their lives both worth living and content."

Raven tuned out the rest of Ansem's speech, her eyes narrowing onto one of the bodyguards, noticing the unique weapon they were carrying.

Raven grit her teeth. "Kill them!"

The bandits shouted and charged at the trio. One of the dark coated men pulled out and giant axe-sword and slammed it into the ground, creating a massive shockwave that knocked the majority of the bandit tribe back. The other held out his hand and there was a gust of wind that lifted the six lances out of the ground. He caught one in one hand and two in the other as the rest circled around him.

That lance…

It looked similar to the weapon of one of those dark coated men that had been with DiZ that day…

Raven's eyes went wide. "That son of a bitch!"