AN: In the last post of 'Survival' I had someone in a review ask when I'd write a story focused on someone besides Jaune. I still like using Jaune as my main protagonist for RWBY fics that aren't crossovers, but I decided to toss this idea into the ring and see how you all reacted. So, this is for you 'Austin', a Whitley Schnee focused first look.

With the Power of an Avalanche (first look)

-Whitley-

Face set in the stoic mask he'd had to perfect to survive in the Schnee manor, Whitley reached his father's office where he knocked at the door.

"Enter." The bored voice of his father wasn't a surprise as Whitley obeyed, closing the door behind him as he approached the desk, waiting respectfully for his father to allow him to speak. Upon getting the gesture to go ahead, Whitely pulled out the Beacon acceptance letter he'd received, handing it over to his father.

"So, it looks like your efforts paid off." Jacques Schnee read through the letter that confirmed Whitley was welcome to attend the initiation test at Beacon Academy. At the same time as Weiss no less.

"I gave you my word father." Whitely nodded, remembering back to the long hours spent figuring out his semblance n his own. Calculating and experimenting with new ways to use dust. His Father didn't care for anything besides money. His mother hadn't been sober in years. Weiss and Winter had never been there for him. So, he'd had to learn how to help himself, how to play the game against even his own kin.

It was a simple matter to get to his father and convince the man to have Whitley's aura unlocked. The White fang already hated the family, and the company had many enemies. An extra layer of security would be beneficial.

Getting training on how to fight started as 'learning to protect myself should I get attacked by the Fang' and eventually evolved in how he portrayed it to his father. He pointed out how Weiss and Winter learned the Huntsman arts just to defy him as, to them, it was the opposite of the corporate and high society world his father favored. Whitley pointed out how his Grandfather had been both businessman and Huntsman. How Whitley could earn respect that way and curry favor with customers who see someone using the same products they pushed. Using Huntsman training and license to support the company. There was of course more to it, but Jacques Schnee didn't need to know that.

"So, you did." Jacques Schnee closed the letter and tossed it back to Whitely, "So you did. Your…experiment has gone well enough to be viable for this exam?"

"Oh yes father." Whitley couldn't keep the glimpse of self-pride from his voice as he nodded, "Admittedly this current prototype is primarily tailored to work for me and the family Semblance, but it does have applications that others could still use." And that had been a trying experience. With Weiss despising him and Winter only seeming to care about Weiss, he'd had nobody to help train him in how to actually use the family semblance. Still, he'd made progress with it and his skill. In all honesty he looked forward to seeing Weiss' reaction when she learned that her younger brother had managed to get into Beacon at the same time as her. Spite was a hell of a motivator.

"Do try to find yourself a useful team there at least Whitley." Jacques turned his chair around in dismissal, waving his hand for Whitley to go, "Good help his so hard to find these days and I'm tired of having to rely on Ironwood's lackeys to protect our mines."

Keeping his calm mask up, Whitley nodded and left the office respectfully, only allowing his frustration to show once he was back in his room.

"Fucking bastard." Whitley scowled as he worked to get his bag packed. He'd spent years planning for this and had even managed to purchase a small home in Vale for him to use, passing it off as a company expense for any business trips in the area, technically true if one argued it.

Getting to the last box, Whitley paused before flipping it open. Inside lay the huntsman gear he'd worked so hard to get and make.

Armor not that dissimilar from the type of presence Nicholas Schnee gave off.

A Hammer, admittedly one handed rather than his Grandfather's massive two-handed maul.

And a Gauntlet of shining white metal. The purest dust crystals he could find placed at the Knuckles and the pack of the hand.

"Oh…this is going to be fun."

AN: So yeah, this Whitley is going to Beacon during the canon timeline. I plan for Jaune to become his best friend but I'm torn on pairings or the rest of the team, so suggestions are open for that. But I will confirm that even with Jaune there, it will be primarily Whitely focused as he uses Huntsman prowess and PR maneuvering.