Atonement VIII

I yearn for the days when things were so much brighter and yet curse myself for having the strength to move forward.

Willow and the rest of the Happy Huntresses were on their way to the SDC headquarters in the middle of Mantle. Many unpleasant thoughts made their way into their collective minds, but they did not expect on their way back to see some pretty unexpected scenarios. When they reached the headquarters there was a fire alarm.

"Lady Schnee!"

Willow turned to see Aeleus rushing out from the gathered crowed. "Aeleus, what has happened?"

"There was a fire alarm. One of the employees informed that Master Ansem and Lady Winter went in to investigate. That was half an hour ago. They have not returned." Aeleus answered with a concerned look on his face.

Not wasting another word, Willow immediately walked to the entrance to the headquarters with the rest of the happy huntresses following her. Willow immediately headed for the CEO's office to see…

"WINTER!"

…that Willow's daughter, Winter was pinned to the wall with ice which not only shocked the mother but also the rest of the group with her.

Even Robyn was caught off guard of the scene.

Aeleus was the last to enter and even he was caught off guard by the state Winter was in. Willow immediately used one of her glyphs combined with Fire Dust to melt the ice to free her daughter.

"Moth-Mother?" Winter shivered as she fell to her knees.

"I'm here, sweetie." Immediately the mother embraced her daughter once she was free from the ice prison. "What happened?"

Winter got back up, trying to warm herself up. "I was blindsided by an unknown assailant who pinned me to the wall with Ice Dust and they forced Father to leave with them."

This revelation surprised everyone in the room that Ansem has been abducted by an unknown figure. Winter was very upset that she was not able to do anything against the stranger that attackeded her and her father was willing to go with the man to save her.

Willow turned to the Happy Huntresses, a cold look on her face that made them all, even Aeleus and Robyn shiver. "…Will you help me find the one who attacked my daughter and took my husband?"

Shaking off the initial fright, Robyn nodded. "Of course. They couldn't have gotten far. All air traffic in Mantle is monitored and suspended when there is an emergency. We can check all the air fields first and move out from there."

May, Joanna, and Fiona seemed surprised by how fast Robyn was willing to help but nodded in agreement.

"Good but be careful and I want no bold stunts in trying to save my husband." Willow turned to Aeleus next. "Look after my daughter. I will be back."

"I'm fine, Mother." Winter immediately said, shaking off the initial shivers. "I can help."

Before Willow could even argue, Winter pulled out her scroll. "This is Specialist Winter Schnee. There has been an abduction from the SDC headquarters. I want all available units searching every corner of Mantle."

"Yes, ma'am. Who was abducted?" The operator on the other end asked.

"Ansem Schnee." Winter answered, hearing a gasp from the operator. "Deploy all available units on the ground and monitor all aerial activity. If a ship has taken off in the last hour I want to know."

"Ye-Yes, ma'am." The operator complied and Winter ended the call.

"Fionna, May, Joanna, get in touch with all our friends and tell them to be on the lookout for Ansem Schnee and anyone he might be with." Robyn turned to her fellow huntresses. "Comb through every dark corner of the city."

"Right." The three nodded and immediately left the office.

Immediately Happy Huntresses and the Atlas military stationed in Mantle began their search, branching out to every corner of Mantle they could reach, trying to find some locations that convenient location for no witnesses but were the mostly likely place to hide someone as important as Ansem.

BOOM!

All search parties froze when they heard a loud explosion. From one crisis after another they all ran over there to see what had happened. Something had blown away so fast like a rocket they did not know what it was. The sirens and ambulances went to the site along with the Happy Huntress group and Willow and Winter were there too.

When arrived, they came upon what could only be described as a war zone. Anywhere they looked there signs of battle, with storage warehouses wrecked from what looked an explosive fight.

Winter accessed her scroll. "This is Specialist Schnee. I need camera footage on level thirty one of Mantle."

"Accessing…Ma'am, all security cameras for level thirty one have been shut down."

Winter's eyes widened and then narrowed. "Who shut them down?"

"There were no authorizations, Specialist."

"Run a full history on all security systems down in Mantle. I want to know who has been accessing security." Winter put her Scroll away before the operator could reply.

Hopefully she's not too late to save her father.

"Winter!" Everyone heard a familiar voice coming from up ahead.

The owner of that voice is none other than Ansem himself running up to the group.

"Father/Ansem!" The wife and daughter embrace their beloved one who they thought to be lost and never be seen again.

"I'm all right. A machine that did not appear to Atlas related saved me. Fortunately, that robot gave me enough time to escape from my captive."

Everyone was glad to see him but Ansem was more concerned about his daughter that she was hold captive in ice. "Winter, have you been checked? You were left frozen in ice."

"I'm fine, Father." Winter immediately said.

Ansem on the other hand thought otherwise since the ambulance and authorities of Mantle came to the scene.

"You there!" He called out to one of the medical members. "Check my daughter for hypothermia."

"Father, I'm fine." Winter protested.

"Given how long I was gone after you were frozen it's very fortunate that you were not killed. Luckily that man didn't use another dust crystal to put you in deep freeze." He said sternly with yet concern for her well-being.

Winter was trying to turn down the checkup but even her mother was on her husband's side for making sure her first born daughter was all right.


"Watts did all of this?"

Ansem nodded stoically. "I learned of his possible connection before I returned to the SDC headquarters. He tampered with the holo-simulation during General Ironwood's testing and tried to torture him to death in the simulation."

To think the man who designed all the security for both of the Mantle and Atlas was this petty and low.

"Not only that, but it got me a little big suspicious about Arthur's question from earlier of 'who had planted the bomb?' before I proposed to the general for the Limit Break theory test and Arthur's project was turned down." The CEO said, which had the group's complete attention. "I do believe he was the one that planted that bomb in the bulkhead during my return to Atlas from Vacuo. Since it was Atlas equipment that it would be easy to access and sabotage by his own hands and he must have been working with Jacque to get rid of me long ago."

Everyone was shocked about this.

Dr. Arthur Watts had been thought to be a good man and a friend to Ansem. And it turned out he had also tried to get rid of Ansem for Jacque Gele to win the challenge presented to them by Nicholas Schnee and become the new owner of the dust company.

Willow was more furious about this, now knowing that man, Dr. Watts had attempted to get rid of her dearest friend who later became her beloved husband. Dr. Watts have been spying inside to get information to ruin Ansem and her family. Not only that, but he had also been trying to acquire her husband's research and ideas to make his own.

Even having the gall to kidnap her husband.

Winter, Ansem, Aeleus and the Happy Huntress all noticed Willow's demeanor become murderous, half of them even taking a step back from her. Robyn thought she looked even scarier than before when she tried to attempt is her semblance on Ansem to see if he was hiding anything while Willow was present. That action made her a bit angry at what Robyn had tried to do that to Ansem who in her eyes was the most trustworthy man you could ever know.

Now everyone was witnessing Willow's murderous aura now directed at the man that pretended to be Ansem's friend.

"Willow dear, are you..." Ansem spoke carefully toward her.

Willow had a calm vintage of her face beautiful but somehow deep down her eyes was a vengeful bloodlust for Arthur Watts.

During her time down in Mantle and even in Atlas, Robyn Hill had seen a lot of intimidating people but none of them compared Willow at this state at finding out who attempted to murder her her husband. She even noticed her teammates hauling behind her which she could not blame them for.

"That man will pay for his crimes not just for everyone in Atlas and Mantle. My family and our company." She said with a cold voice. "He's going to feel the cold that will burn him of his crimes."

That last part brought chills down to everyone's spine.

"Hey, at least your husband is safe out of harm's way. Top it all that nothing else had gone wrong especially since nothing had blown up yet. What possibly can go wrong?" May said easing off the attention.

BOOOOM!

Just as she said that there was a large explosion from a far factory in the distance and the rising smoke let everyone know there was a lot of fire.

"Perhaps you spoke too soon." Ansem said to May. "Personal advice: never ask that type of question. Ever."

May had the decency to look and feel highly embarrassed about that statement while everyone casy a deadpan look at her after seeing that explosive.


A few days later both Atlas and Mantle are more well informed about the situation. Ansem and Aeleus had noticed Dilan's absence and questioned him upon his return.

He had returned stoic but saddened as he explained what had happened.

"When I heard about the fire alarm at the SDC headquarters I left Rhodes to find young Cinder and tell her the good news." Dilan finished. "That's why I was late getting down to Mantle."

They were in Ansem's study with Aeleus standing next to Ansem, listening as Dilan told his tale.

"And when you returned you found Rhodes along with the Madame and her daughters dead." Ansem finished.

Dilan nodded.

"Why did you not come to us with this?" Aeleus questioned.

"Rhodes and I agreed that the Madame would use any influence she had to mire you and the Schnee family with baseless accusations to discredit the family name and discourage any investigations." Dilan answered truthfully. "You already were burdened with the work as Ansem Schnee, the CEO of the SDC and as your other identity to better protect this world. I didn't to believe I needed help to save a little girl, even if it took much longer than I wanted."

Ansem and Aeleus shared a look before looking back at Dilan. "What did you find?"

"The Madame seemed to part of a special secret program that is known to her and few other Atlas elite families. They visit rundown and remote orphanages in Mistral to find suitable children to 'adopt' and then put them to work." Dilan answered. "She already called Social Services and told them to ignore any inquiries about the girl she adopted. Without proper evidence she could not be removed from that hotel for her safety. When I wasn't training her with Rhodes, I was following leads in the places she visited and the people she had socialized with."

Dilan produced his Scroll for Ansem and Aeleus to see. "I managed to find a trail leading back to the orphanage in Mistral. The evidence of the program that the Madame was part was there, naming a select other few families. The matron apparently kept it as insurance to keep those families from ensuring her silence along with anyone else who knew or if they were discovered she could use the knowledge to make a deal for a lighter sentence."

Ansem and Aeleus looked over the contents before Ansem spoke. "You truly did well in following these leads, Dilan. While I still wish that you had come to me with this, I can't fault you for taking this kind of action. However, even if you are right, I would have done everything to help if I had known."

Dilan bowed his head. "Forgive me, Master. Even after all this time, I find it frustrating how different this place is from Radiant Garden. No matter how much you have done to try and make this kingdom like home."

Ansem smiled softly. "I know. It was very difficult for me in the beginning of my new life here but I had the help of people who later became my friends and later my family. It was them who made my struggles here worth it and despite how much I wish things might be different, I would not change the outcome."

Dilan raised his head and smiled softly. "I am glad you could find happiness here, Master."

"And I am glad I could share that happiness with both of you." Ansem looked to Aeleus who bowed his head softly. "We all have been given a second chance to help make things right, not just here but out there. That is why I believe it's time to correct this injustice."

"You mean…" Dilan began.

"Dilan, I want you to be the one to deliver this information to General Ironwood. It won't be hard to get an appointment with him from my end. This was your task and it must you to see this through, for your friend's sake." Ansem instructed. "And we will stop this and hopefully find the lost young woman."

Dilan nodded. "I understand, Master."

"And now…" Ansem stood up. "I think there's been enough excitement for one day. I think we should all spend some time with the rest of the family."

Aeleus and Dilan were more than happy to agree, having come to see the master's wife along with his children as family.


"Father!"

Ansem smiled as he embraced his younger daughter, Weiss as she rushed over to greet him. "Hello, Weiss."

Willow approached with a small and with her was their son, Whitely. Both children were quite happy to see not only their parents were home, but so was their elder sister.

That was not to say that Ansem was an absent parent.

In fact, unlike many other elite families that often-hired private tutors to educate their children, Ansem himself would personally school and educate his children.

That's not something most wealthy parents in Atlas would do.

When Winter announced her wish to join the Atlas Military, Ansem was hesitant but supportive and worked to help prepare her as best as possible. Dilan and Aeleus helped in her training, teaching her how to fight and they put her through Spartan training, training her to be as physically strong as the two of them.

It was hard but Winter got used to the training.

Ansem on the other hand, focused on helping Winter to improve and sharpen her mind as well as her skills. In addition to her education, Ansem would have Winter solve difficult puzzles and riddles and recite fallacies and theories. Winter was no scientist, but she would likely be considered one of the smartest people in Atlas, only behind people like her father and Pietro.

"We heard what happened down in Mantle." Weiss said with a worried look on her face. "Are you all right?"

Ansem chuckled softly, placing a hand on Weiss' shoulder. "Yes, I am fine. As is your sister."

"Oh, she knows. She was at Winter's door first to check on her." Whitely remarked with a soft chuckle.

Wiess threw a dirty look at her younger brother but Ansem and Willow merely chuckled. "Winter's room is closer to ours. Of course, it would be natural to check on her first."

"No need to get defensive, Weiss. I wasn't implying you were more worried about Winter than Father." Whitely raised both hands defensively with a sheepish smile. "Unless…I was more accurate than you want to admit."

Weiss narrowed her eyes, but Willow intervened. "Weiss, calm down. Whitely, stop riling up your sister."

Both siblings calmed down as Ansem chuckled again. "So, due to recent circumstances I am actually forced to move most of my work here. Though I think I will take a little time off."

"As you should." Willow stated, walking up to her husband. "At least until all the security in Mantle is updated."

Ansem along with the other members of his company and the military were now working to replace the security system down in Mantle that had been designed by Arthur Watts with new systems and programming. That would leave no more illegal infiltration and no other attempts at criminal activities.

Especially trafficking in Atlas and Mantle.

Of course, until then Ansem was content to spend time with his family.

"Master Ansem?"

The family turned to see Klein standing right behind them.

"Yes, Klein." Ansem greeted.

"Mr. Schnee wishes to speak with you alone for a moment, if that is not an inconvenience to Lady Willow and your children." Klein spoke respectfully.

Ansem looked surprised, sharing a look with his wife before she smiled softly. "Go speak with him, darling. We'll be down in the foyer, planning what do with our short break."

She kissed Ansem on the cheek before turning to her youngest daughter and son. "Come, you two. We should see what we can do as a family now that we have the time."

Weiss and Whitely glanced to Ansem who gave them a gentle smile and wave before following their mother. Ansem then turned around and walked down the hallway, going up another flight of stairs and at the top were a pair of doors opening to a private study that led out onto a balcony.

And waiting on the balcony was a man in a suit of armor with a red cape.

His hair was white, and he had a short beard.

Ansem walked up to him, taking the seat next to him. "Master Nicholas."

That's right.

This man was none other than Nicholas Schnee himself, still alive but still retired from CEO of the Schnee Dust Company.

"Ansem, I heard you were involved in a rather sticky mess down in Mantle." Nicholas remarked, continuing to look out across the city of Atlas.

"It was surprising, but I've learned how to handle the unexpected." Ansem admitted. "I'm just glad no one, especially Winter was harmed because of me."

Nicholas smiled softly. "Yes, I am glad as well."

"You have been starting to become a bit of a recluse, Nicholas. Do you not intent to join us downstairs? Winter is home because General Ironwood ordered her to take a leave of absence from her duties in light of recent events." Ansem remarked. "It has been sometime since the whole family was under one roof."

"The whole family…" Nicholas mumbled, pulling out a locket and opened it. "I wish that were so."

Ansem could see the picture Nicholas was staring at. "Nicholas…"

"Has there been any word of her reappearing?" Nicholas closed the locket.

"Not since the dissolvement of Team AEON. Given what happened, I fear she might have chosen to sever her connection with Ozpin and thus she cannot reappear until another heart she is connected has been born." Ansem answered stoically but with soft compassion.

"And it is hard to tell whose heart she is connected with aside from Weiss." Nicholas closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "I had hoped when Weiss was born, she would appear before us. I waited with bated breath, wondering what I might say and do if she were to appear out of thin air like a ghost that had become flesh and blood. I wonder if this was how Maria thought when she came here and saw her again, looking around the same age as her now."

Ansem waited patiently, allowing Nicholas to speak while reminiscing of days long past.

Days when things seemed so much brighter.

"She warned me what was coming, what would happen to her. She knew even back when I first began to court her and she tried to resist, wanting to spare us both the pain." Nicholas smiled softly. "But I was persistent."

"Your daughter had a few words to say on your persistence." Ansem remarked with soft chuckle that was shared by his father-in-law.

"Yes well, I am the one who taught her that a Schnee never gives up, no matter the odds." Nicholas gave his knee a light slap as he laughed. "…It wouldn't have mattered to me."

Ansem glanced to him. "What wouldn't have mattered?"

"If she decided to move on with her life, to find someone else. Even if she feared breaking the hearts of the family she was taken from, I would have supported her trying to find some new form of happiness…If only I could have been allowed to see her one last time." Nicholas confessed, closing his eyes. "One last time would have been enough for me in this lifetime."

Ansem had a sympathetic look on his face, understanding his father-in-law's words more than one would expect.

Nicholas Schnee was perhaps in many ways, born as a man with both vision and the kind heart one would find in the kind of ruler Ansem himself had aspired to be for both Radiant Garden and even here in his new life as head of the SDC.

"What do you plan to do now, Ansem?" Nicholas asked, seemingly changing the subject.

Ansem looked unsure for a moment. "Do you mean to ask how I intend to send time with the rest of the family or about this situation with Watts?"

"I know you well enough to know you suspect where Watts has gone." Nicholas said knowingly. "I don't need to question what your plans are spending time with my daughter and grandchildren. If I didn't believe you could make my daughter happy, do you think I would have given my blessing?"

"As I recall, your wife was fond of me, but she disliked the man who you considered as another candidate for a successor." Ansem pointed out but did not sound disrespectful.

Nicholas seemed to actually blush at the retort. "Yes…Perhaps my mind is starting to go on me. She always was able to sense when others were being dishonest around us."

"It was a special skill of hers." Ansem smiled.

"Oh, I know all too well." Nicholas smiled as well before frowning. "But you did not answer my question."

"I suppose the best plan I have for now is to continue to study into evolution of Semblances and see if they can reach level of a Limit Break that I am familiar with. Two candidates from Ironwood's special operative unit have shown remarkable promise but only because they were rather straight forward." Ansem answered. "Ironwood's own Semblance has shown its own form of evolution, but it was under a deep physical and mental duress. I am not yet sure if it can reach the level of Limit Break, but the signs are there. If enough Huntsmen can evolve their Semblances in a similar way, they will be much stronger and possibly be able to stand a better chance against the coming darkness."

"I remember you and my wife speaking of these theories when you were brought on as an intern at the SDC. She told you of her own experience in Semblances and how they can evolve and how hers had evolved a great deal." Nicholas recalled.

"That was from using it for a long time. I'm afraid I might be forcing a form of evolution, despite my wishful intentions." Ansem admitted solemnly. "I can only try to conduct these experiments in a manner non harmful to those who wish to try."

"And my grandchildren?" Nicholas asked. "Have they expressed interest in trying to gain a Limit Break of their own?"

"Only Winter knows as of now and yes, she has wondered if it is possible for the Schnee family Semblance to have one." Ansem answered.

"Hm…" Nicholas sighed but smiled as he stood up. "Then perhaps, it's time I begin honoring my wife's work."

Nicholas Schnee may be old now, but he was far from finished in this world.