Heir of Nothing
-Kuroyuri, 19 years Ago-
Li, Saturn, and Tamaku invited Taiyang and Summer to bring their infant children for a playdate. They brought their children, Yang, Ren, Neptune and Sage. All who are playing with building blocks. Yang crawled to Summer, who happily picks her up.
"All your children are so cute. I never imagined we have this day." Summer giggles while looking at Yang, who coos happily. An, Li's wife, smile at Summer's comment.
"It must be great joy to bring your daughter along." An said. But that was before Summer and Taiyang began a relationship. Summer shook her head as she blushed. "Huh? Oh, she's not my daughter. I was just helping Taiyang raise her while her mother was...no longer with us." Summer lied.
An figured what she meant by "no longer around." But sympathized with her because Summer is a kind soul. "Oh, I'm really sorry. It's just that seeing you and and Taiyang. I thought you were together-together." An said. "But I see how much Yang is fond of you more than ever."
"I know. But I'm not her mother. I think she should be with her real mother. Don't get me wrong, I love Yang. But I just wish she didn't have to face the fact that her mother left. And Taiyang. I think there was more to us than just being friends and teammates."
An takes a look at Taiyang when he sees Summer. She can tell how lovestruck he was with Summer as well. But they remained secretive about their feelings. An smiled and tried to encourage Summer to tell him how she feels.
"You should tell him of how you feel." An told her.
"I can't."
"Is there a reason why?" An said as she picked up her son, Lie, and gently holds him.
"He's the father of a child. And I am just a friend to him. I like him, but I don't think he feels the same way since the mother of his child left. I don't want to take any of that away from him. An, was I being selfish for loving someone you thought it was impossible to love?" Asked Summer.
"We all can be selfish. But we cannot be certain until it happens. Sometimes we just have to say something and see for ourselves. My husband left his clan because his father was against our relationship and he arranged for him to marry an heiress to another clan. But Li chose me and left his household. I was ready to let him go because of his loyalty to the clan. But he decided to let go of a title and be with me. I felt bad for him, but I am also happy to be with him." An looked at her husband, Li, and smiled at each other, lovingly.
"I could see why you two love each other very much, An." Summer said.
"You should speak to Taiyang. Because time can run fast like the river and you might not get that chance again. Sometimes it's okay to be selfish, but you should speak out of your feelings for him. You may not be his first, but he is your first love." An encouraged Summer to think about it. Summer knew An was right.
Back at home. Summer was checking out some list of groceries she has to buy. Taiyang was about to head to work. "Summer, I'm about to head out. I'll see you later." But before Taiyang leaves. Summer stops him for a moment.
"Tai, can we talk?" Asked Summer. They looked at each other in silence. As Taiyang was about to listen to Summer for what she is about to say.
-Atlas Academy, Present-
Neptune was handcuffed after the incident. Standing in front of Ironwood who tries to understand his actions. As before, he may mean well, but he doesn't take breaking the law lightly. He eyed on the young man, sternly. Neptune's expression was blank. Now knowing Weiss got into trouble as well, but was glad she was spared from arrest. He didn't expect a student from Haven Academy to be breaking into the borders. Mercury was taken into custody after the incident at the afterparty.
"We have Mercury Black into custody. But Zeos Vasilias has escaped. And you are one of the three to have broke into Schnee Manor. What was the purpose of this?" Ironwood puts down his scroll to record the details.
"I did broke into the manor. But I didn't planned the attack at the afterparty. I only came here by choice. And I didn't know Mercury was there." Neptune started talking to at least give a few details of what he had found out. "I was concerned for the fact that the bombing in the mines of Solitas was premeditated. It could've been planned by Jacques. Or rather someone who was with him. I know it sounds crazy, but I saw a list of huntsmen and huntresses being hunted by mercenaries, my father was one of them. Only he evaded that. More importantly. I was concern for Weiss' safety."
"How did you come to know of this?" Ironwood ask. Neptune did not want to give Weiss away, and he decided to lie. He has to keep his heartbeat in check to not let a word out. "I found out through my mother's case files. She was a prosecutor against Jacques' activities. General, I understand there's nothing neither you and me cannot do. But he was not whom he seems to be. Then there was a woman with him, wearing a vile of poison hidden in a safe behind Jacques' portrait." Neptune told him.
"What does the woman looked like?"
"White hair, red eyes, serpent red dress. I don't know, something about her seemed off. And she must be allied with both Zeos and Mercury." Ironwood's eyes widened. "I think you are onto something."
"Wait, you believe me?"
"Not saying I don't. But rather uncertain. As far as I am concern. Looking back, I should've taken Miss Xiao Long's words into consideration after I saw Mercury's weaponized Prosthetics." Ironwood takes out a file with a picture of the same woman Neptune described. Her name was Eitel Schnee.
"To think Eitel Schnee had died. I would've guessed she would be capable of faking her own death."
"She's a relative to the Schnee Family?" Neptune asked.
"She's the first daughter of Nicholas Schnee. Her status as an heiress was removed after an attempt of murder on her sister, Willow. Rumor has it that she used dark magic, though I found it hard to believe." That would make her Weiss' aunt that she never knew of, and not in a good way.
"Anything else you want to add?" Asked Ironwood.
Neptune wasn't sure if he can bring up his older brother, Jupiter. Since he has yet to show up. What if he doesn't believe him? Can he still look into this? "My older brother, Jupiter, I believe him to be alive and behind all of this."
"So he is alive." Ironwood said while sighing after seeing a series of texts that Zeos had been sent. Though Jupiter's name wasn't on the contacts list, Ironwood and Winter recognized his expression through texts. He knew of Neptune's troublemaking brother since his youth. And this isn't the first time he had caused a rampage in Atlas. "I am sorry you have to hear this, Mr. Vasilias. But this isn't the first time he had made death threats, heists, and terrorisms." Ironwood figured that Neptune had no idea that his brother's crimes were that bad. Since he only knew him of robbing dusts stores.
Neptune hung his head down in shame. He knew his brother sometimes steal, and thought he was making trouble. But now knew how far he had gone. All the more reason his brother tore their family apart. All the fights his father and brother had, the stress that has been brought to their mother. And their elder sisters not wanting anything to do with Jupiter and never spoke of his name.
Now what will his parents think of them if he faces them the next time? "I will have to look into this for now. I understand your reasons, but by law, we have no choice but to sent you back to Mistral, since you weren't behind the attack in the manor." Ironwood's mind was set.
Neptune was in despair. Not because he was about to get sent to Mistral. But because he will not be able to get Weiss out of the manor she calls a prison. Meaning the possibility of a lockdown in the manor. What her father will do to her. At that moment, his worst fears, it made him realize how much Neptune loves her.
But with his brother around, it was too dangerous. Thinking his brother would come after her. He knew he had to find his brother, confront him, and stop him at all costs. He now knows Jupiter cannot get away with this. With Zeos escaping, how was he supposed to stop him? Neptune sure what he will do now, he was already caught. "Wait!" Behind him, Weiss was standing near the doorway. She was already taken back from her father, but he was surprised to have snuck put again.
"Zeos and Mercury were with the Black Vipers, it wasn't just them. Before I went back to the manor, Mercury dropped his scroll and there were a list of huntsmen and huntresses, all their names were crossed red." Weiss showed Ironwood the scroll Mercury dropped from the battle and hands it to him. "Neptune did nothing but helped find the traitors who helped with the invasion in Vale. I was the one who asked him to come." Weiss admits. Though Ironwood feared this might cause any danger to both of Mantle and Atlas.
Even with Weiss admitting the truth, Ironwood's mind was set, with the younger brother present in Atlas, it would cause a panic should word get out. "As well-meaning as you and the young man are, Miss Schnee. The decision was already set. I'm afraid I will have to bring word to your sister about this. But the case of the mining accident will have to be opened again." Weiss knew there was nothing she can do as of now. But thought about saying goodbye to Neptune, since he won't return for her due to the charges.
"Then I need a word with Neptune. Alone." Weiss requested. Ironwood knew the two know each other at least during each semester. So he will let them have a moment alone for a few minutes. "10 minutes is all I can give the both of you." Ironwood sighs in defeat. Leaving the office while he starts to process.
Weiss and Neptune looked deeply into each other's eyes, the heartbeat from the anxieties they had endured for long. Neptune wants nothing more than to tell Weiss what he wants her to know. He didn't want to let her go like he had back in Vale. But in Weiss' case, she had to go with her father because of the impending doom if she didn't. Feeling a deep end of shame that Neptune failed to free her from her father, or to protect her from both Jupiter and Zeos.
"I've messed up, Weiss. I promised to get you out of here. Back in Vale, I failed to stop your father from taking you back. And now because of me, I caused you nothing but pain. And now you're stuck here because of me. I'm sorry I failed you." Just as Neptune teared up. Weiss wipes the tear off his face and gave him a somberly smile. "No, you've tried. I had to go back because I didn't have choice. I found out your mother's law firm was shut down years ago. And your father being targeted by mercenaries. I can't let him hurt your family. Don't be sad, Neptune. If you can find me, I will find you too. Seeing you again, is all that is worth. I was the one who should be sorry, I was the one who asked you to come and..."
Weiss looked down as tears began to well-up. But Neptune doesn't care for what happened. All he just wanted was to see her again too, even for the last. He lifted his handcuffed wrists and takes her into his arms for an embrace. "No, it's alright. I wanted to see you too." Weiss hugs him tightly as if her life depends on it. "But the cost of it..."
"At least Father can let you go."
"No, Weiss. There has to be another way. I-I don't want to leave you alone again!" Neptune protested. Not wanting to leave her alone with her monster of a father. Weiss shook her head and lightly touched his cheek again. Then the both of them lean their faces closer. Embracing each other much more tighter than before.
Finally, their lips touched. Not wanting to let each other go. Their auras glowed brighter as their emotions react to this love. And that love is all they can give to each other.
But before they can say anything else. Two soldiers arrive to take Neptune to depart him back to Mistral. Pulling him away from Weiss. Their hands are still holding onto each other until they slipped away. But not before Neptune gives the lily paperweight to her.
Neptune took one last glance at Weiss before he was dragged out. "I love you! And you're better the way you are! Your life is yours!" Neptune declared to Weiss. She looked at the paperweight and noticed how lovely it was made for her. She held it tightly to her chest, as if it were the only thing left from him. And sobbed quietly as she was left alone. Knowing how much he loves her above all else. Blaming herself for asking him to come.
-Schnee Manor-
Jacques was beyond furious. For the fact that Weiss let in a boy, and he was disguised as a servant, breaking into the vault behind the portrait.
On top of it, Weiss and Neptune causing a scene in the afterparty. Tarnishing the image he had instigated for so many years. And he considers having his son as his new heir.
"Letting in a lawyer's son in the manor! Using your semblance to ruin the image of the Schnee! Even failure to capture the criminal after the attack!" Weiss sat on her bed while listening to her father ranting. On the one hand, she felt the shame, not because of the image, but because of the harm caused by her actions.
"Father..." But before Weiss can say anything, Jacques cuts her off.
"Do you have any idea how us Schnees were supposed to bring down our enemies, including those spies that tried to demoralize us?!"
"Neptune isn't the enemy! If anything, you should've thought of that before you conspired with that woman!" Jacques stopped and stared at her in shock. He thought he hid the affair so well.
"How did you-?"
"You think I wouldn't find out? And neither could Mother? You're terrible at hiding it. And above all, I already knew you used the poison that woman gave you to bring Grandfather to his demise." Weiss concluded, staring at him with nothing but hate.
"Poison?! What are you talking about?!"
"Don't play like you don't know! You're the one who ruined the family name, you're only married to that name! And it wasn't yours to begin with, it's mine!" Weiss shouted at him, it added fuel to the fire the minute Jacques smacked Weiss by the cheek. "Ah!" She gasped. She held her own cheek by the palm and froze in shock.
"You affiliating with a lawyer's son would have created a defamation to the company. Do you have any idea how much trouble that boy's mother had caused me?" Weiss didn't flinch. "I had been sued by unsatisfied buyers when they hired that prosecutor!"
It brought back flashbacks of her parents fighting. "It appears your time in Beacon had changed you to a very troublesome girl. I'm afraid that from now on, you have my undivided attention. Starting tonight, I will lock down the manor with you and everyone else inside."
"No, you can't do that! And what if everyone asked why the heiress of SDC had been absent by the time Beacon had been repaired?" Weiss retorted. Jacques had other ideas.
"No, you are no longer the heiress. Since you have disgraced the family name. Your inheritance will go to your brother. Now is the time for you to wake up to reality." Jacques coldly stated. Weiss was stunned to hear this. Now she will be locked up even if she is old enough to leave the place. Jacques was too corrupted to wake up from his delusion. "You are not to leave the manor until I can decide for your future."
Then he walked out of the bedroom door and noticed Whitley outside bowing him to him. He didn't give Weiss a glance. Weiss noticed something suspicious about her brother. He was acting supportive of his sister until he was given the status as the new heir.
Weiss resorted to confront her brother. Walking towards the door as she approaches her brother. "Whitely!" Weiss called out. Whitley stops to turned to her. His eyes seemed cold as their father.
"You knew Neptune was in the manor all along, didn't you?"
"Why, sister. I just happened to give you the support you needed to drop your guard and composure, and cause a commotion. That fellow, Zeos was kind enough to send me an anonymous tip. Serves the lawyer's son right for messing with the Schnee."
"And you give word of this to Father? Why exactly?" Asked Weiss.
"Simple, sister. This was revenge for leaving me like a burden of a stone. You and Winter are all going to pay. For I am the last heir." Weiss was left stunned. Her own brother betraying her out of nowhere.
Weiss was the back in her room, sobbing like it was over for her. Now she is a nobody to everyone. First Neptune got sent back to Mistral, now her father removed her rights as an heiress was removed and now she will be stuck in the manor.
But the she stops the minute she opens her mirror draw and looks at the paperweight lily Neptune had given her. She sniffed as she wiped her tears away. Hearing how Neptune tells her that her life is hers alone to decide. Weiss cannot wait any longer to call for assistance to escape and thought she has to do this on her own.
"Neptune was right. I need to decide on what to do with my own life. Starting with getting out of this mansion." Weiss said to herself as she walks over to the windows and closed the curtains. She was thinking to sneak out and meet up with him in Mistral. She takes out her suitcase under her bed with the Myrtenaster inside.
She then holds her rapier upfront as she begins her practice on her glyphs before she gets started on leaving the manor.
"As of today. I am the heir of Nothing. Forgive me, Grandfather." Weiss told herself. Apologizing to her grandfather even if he is no longer around. She then sees a picture frame of herself as a child and her grandfather. Schnee Manor is no longer her home. It is a shell of a prison she has to escape from.
Somewhere in the seas of Solitas Neptune was seated in the third floor of the battleship. Where he was locked in a room and his right wrist handcuffed to a pipe. With the curtain closed against the window, he didn't have to worry about looking at the water. But that didn't matter anymore.
Just as his thoughts were filling his mind too much, he had fallen asleep, no matter how much he has to sit up, or how cold the floor and walls are.
Two soldiers are standing near the door behind it, and holding their firearms. His weapon was confiscated. He felt emotionally numb, with nothing else to do. What else can he expect? How was he going to explain that to his father? Or his headmaster? He was sure he'd be punished with either jail, or expulsion from Haven.
But hopefully he can face his brother for when he gets back, if he's ever alive.
It was just too quiet being in the bottom floor. And the sounds of the deep ocean was just too much to hear. The eerie muffle of the water. Neptune breathed slowly trying to keep his fear out of the way. But it did not help. He cannot stand the sound of the ocean. Then he hears an explosion.
"What the?" Neptune gasped. "What is going on here?" He questioned. It got quiet again.
-Anima-
Ren had woken up from his sleep, then Nora rose up and yawned. Probably dreaming of pancakes. Then Sage and Scarlet woke up from their sleeping bags. Sage had already put out the fire since Jaune and Ruby had been on watch together, but didn't wake any of them up for the next person to be on shift.
"Morning." Nora said, rubbing her eyes.
"Was anyone on watch last night?" Sage asked. Then he takes out a photo of his sister, Rouge. It brought him good luck to see the face of his sister. Even if she isn't around, he knew he would have to find her one day. "How you doing, Rouge?" Scarlet said to his sister's photo.
"Were Jaune and Ruby up all night?" Asked Ren. Then he notices two figures sitting near a tree. Turns out it was Jaune and Ruby who had fallen asleep from the nightmares they can't get rid of. But seemed to have subsided for now. Ruby's head was on Jaune's shoulder. While Jaune's back was on a tree trunk.
"Okay. Guess I'll have to wake them up." Ren said as he tried to shake Jaune's shoulder. Nora joins him. "Huh, didn't see that coming." Ren then gently shakes Jaune awake. Sage and Scarlet noticed. "Well I'll be..." Scarlet smirks at the scene, crossing his arms.
"What?" Nora asked, her eyebrow was raised. Just as Sage predicted, Jaune and Ruby's friendship seemed to be an unbreakable bond despite being in separate teams in Beacon. Wondering if the vision in the future might come true. But this is something he will have to think later on.
"Jaune, Ruby, wake up." Ren said to them. Jaune and Ruby slowly opening their eyes. Feeling tired at first after their conversation the other night. But then realizing what was happening. Jaune and Ruby frantically separate themselves. "Ahh!" Ruby screamed.
"Ahh!" Jaune screamed as they get up. They screamed while pointing fingers at each other. Later the two calmed down and continued their travels.
"Jaune, I'm sorry about this. Last night's conversation was actually a great talk. Maybe we both got tired." Ruby apologized, embarrassed for getting too close. Blushing at the sight of Jaune, but no, she cannot think of anything selfish.
"No, I'm sorry Ruby. I mean the talk was good. I felt a bit better since last night. Let's just agreed that what happened in the morning was awkward." The two just laughed it off like it was just a coincidence. Ruby and Jaune cannot help but look back at this and just found it funny.
"Oh, man. It was kinda funny. But, yeah, that was awkward."
"But still, thanks, Ruby. If it wasn't for you, I would still be lost." Jaune admits. Ruby smiled at that compliment. For some reason, Ruby sees Jaune in a different light, but decided not to be selfish about her feelings. This is something she will have to wait in a few years to say the least. Ruby knew Pyrrha has feelings for him, and decided to respect her. If she can go back in time and take her place in a battle against Cinder, Pyrrha would still be here and lived happily with Jaune.
Still, she wonders why she is confused, even if it's because of his way of looking in the bright side of things and how they allowed each other to speak freely of their frustrations and struggles. And the funny thing of how they called each other nicknames like Crater Face (Ruby), and Vomit Boy (Jaune). Thought they took the nicknames lightly, as a sign of friendship.
-Island of Patch-
Yang was still bedridden after her outburst with her father. First she found out she has a twin. Then her father remained silent until she brought it up. She felt like shouting at him after years of sadness and hurt because Taiyang won't be able to tell his daughters about his grief and struggle.
Yang had second thoughts about her father not being able to talk. Even pushed away the friends he has in his younger years. Before, she can't be a kid anymore and look after Ruby, her only sister and the remnant of Summer, her mother, not by blood, but by love and warmth.
And her mother deprived her twin for a chance of having a father and sister to be there for her. Why take her twin and leave the other? Was she with her time or not at all? What will her twin think of her when she meets her in person.
She then looks at a photograph on the nightstand with herself, Ruby, Weiss and Blake. Alongside Team JNPR. She finds herself in a blank world without her friends and sister. She decided it was time she has a talk with her family about it. She heard a knock on the door. This prompted Yang to sit up as she felt too tired. So she stood from her bed and opens her bedroom door.
Taiyang was waiting for her to come out, patiently. The feelings of shame and regret might have gotten through to him. "Sweetheart, can we talk?" Asked Taiyang. Yang wanted to hear more, so she agreed.
Author's note: Seeing near the end of Volume 9, I see the similarities between Summer and Taiyang, and Jaune and Ruby for the way they mirror each other. It's like seeing the Sun and Moon. From the beginning. I had a feeling that Lancaster was supposed to be written.
But that would have to be up to what might come in Volume 10. But I wasn't planning to rush things up, until I thought of how to let it develope in later volume fanfics.
I hope you all enjoy this fanfic. As much as I enjoyed everyone else's. The next one will come with Yang having a talk with her father.
Meanwhile, we get another flashback of Summer Alongside Taiyang, Saturn, Li Ren, And Tamaku gathering around to let their children have a playdate as babies. Two years before Ruby was born. There we get an insight of the conversation between An Ren and Summer about Summer's feelings for Taiyang as An advised her on how to tell Taiyang of it.