"Come with me, Henry. You too, Peach."
Those were the only words that came out of Winter Schnee before she insisted that Jekyll and Peach follow. Jekyll only shrugged which meant that it was something that only Winter knew. Considering that it is Winter and Jekyll, it is either some kind of Maiden-Servant business or something relating to the election.
Speaking of the election, Jacques Schnee was making gains all over Atlas. Robyn's focus on Mantle made it her stronghold but that was waning. Robyn was too focused on huntsmen and huntresses, on the protection of the people that she was neglecting everything else. Economy, health, business and employment, all of it was being snatched up by Jacques Schnee. Even Robyn's main platform had a weak spot that Jacques paraded around whenever he could: Jack the Ripper.
As part of his campaign, Jacques had been forced to give his blessing to Winter and Jekyll. Not only did Jack genuinely cling to the two, their engagement had been made official without any official date. On one hand, that had warded off any potential suitors as Winter is already attached to someone else. On the other, that meant that the other two Schnees are fair game.
Already, a few were daring enough to send a few towards Weiss' direction. Peach gulped at the thought. Those same few who dared suddenly stopped, each one speaking of some kind of ghost that haunted their days. The only relief Peach had was that none of them went missing. They couldn't tell when it began, but they knew for certain that Phantom of the Opera has returned to Atlas.
Nitocris' scarabs have yet to fully replicate that lair. The Phantom's lair beneath the opera house was proving to be a marvelously terrifying genius of architecture and planning. The scarabs had yet to find any dead ends. They managed to find a water system, clean water. But neither could trace it to any existing system of Atlas; too many intersections complicated any connections.
Whitley may be safe for now. But he wasn't safe from any age. If Jekyll's retellings of Winter's sudden protectiveness of Whitley had been of any indication, Jacques was open to different ages for Whitley. Thank the brothers that Jack was there for the most part, protecting her little uncle. It helped a lot that Jack's a Servant. Though Whitley doesn't know that fact, Jack could almost strike fear into the hearts of others. Peach only knew this since Jack assumed that she was one of those older suitors and she knew for a fact that it was Jekyll with her that time and not Hyde. Thumbelina Peach is no cougar preying on the young, thank you very much.
Atlas Academy had one thing that Beacon Academy should envy. The laboratories were all high-tech and the latest of anything. Even Beacon's own, though still new and within the requirements as put out by Vale's department of education, had a slight age to it that felt like fossils when compared to the massive and plentiful tools that Atlas has at their disposal.
"We are not stealing anything, Peach." Jekyll had been leaning close to his ear. He was offering a handkerchief. "Also you're drooling. I didn't know it goes this far."
Peach didn't take the handkerchief. She had her coat's sleeves to wipe it off. She reeled back in shock; she couldn't have drooled that much, did she? Besides, Atlas has a lot of them. They shouldn't mind at all if one of them went missing; Peach just needed bigger pockets.
The only hint she received was that they were brought to Atlas Academy and met with both Ironwood and Ozpin who had been waiting for them. Specifically, they were brought to what can only be described as the Vault of Atlas. That familiar image brought memories for Peach's partner. She could see the sudden increase in tension. She pinched Hyde's arm, reverting him back into Jekyll.
"I can assure you, doctor Jekyll," Ironwood said. "The circumstances for this one is not that of Amber's. But there is another reason for our being here."
"You've expressed that you are not the strongest one due to your being limited to being a huntsman-level," Ozpin added. "I make no promises of it working here. But I've come to experience many things that I thought impossible. I will tell you of the rules as they come."
Unlike Beacon, Atlas' Vault was an open-spaced platform. The rock formations had elements of ice in them. From what could be seen, a few of those still had some dried roots.
"I had to check for myself," said Ironwood. "With Phantom's lair being as expansive as it currently is, I had to make sure that the Vault is protected. There is none but there is a chance that those many paths would reach here. We do not know if Salem still intends to obtain it but I am not about to leave that to chance."
"Intend to obtain what?" Jekyll asked.
Peach raised an eyebrow. "You don't know the Relics?"
"How do you know this?" There was a hint of frustration there.
"How did you not? The Vaults were not meant for the Maidens to be stored at, if that's what you're thinking. They're meant to house these Relics. There are four, corresponding to each one."
"That's why you've been insisted on Amber's transfer," Jekyll said.
"How did you just figure it out now? I could have sworn Mulberry or Greene would have mentioned it passing."
"I thought it was just power." He looked away. "Forgive me if I was more focused on something else."
Ozpin nodded. "Amber, as the Fall Maiden, gains access to the Relic of Choice. It is a crown that allows one to see a multitude of different possibilities. Though I myself have ensured that Amber's particular Relic was elsewhere, it is only because I intended to ensure that Salem never gets all four."
"And for Atlas?"
"Atlas may advertise itself as a marvel of engineering," Ironwood answered. "But while that is indeed true, it wasn't because of genius minds or prodigy engineers that made it possible. It is because our Relic that continuously powers its ability to stay afloat: The Relic of Creation."
"You mentioned rules. I'm guessing it is one that I should know how to navigate?"
"Ambrosius, the spirit of the Relic, can only create one thing at a time. To have something created is to destroy the previous creation."
"Already, I'm beginning to question why you brought me here, general. Atlas is the previous creation."
"You also need to be detailed enough with your plans." Ironwood made no argument against it. "This is where the miracle part comes in. Oz?"
Ozpin nodded and pulled out his scroll. "I've read through your dissertation; profound piece of academia, I might say. Ambrosius' creations cannot be used to destroy. But since what I believe that could be done here is that you simply change this Spirit Origin of yours. It is not an act of creation and should therefore not break any of those rules; it is much closer to modification."
"You're going to hide behind the wording of, what I can only assume to be, a divinely-made entity, Ozpin." Jekyll rested his chin on his thumb while his index finger rubbed his lips back and forth. "I may be a lawyer, but I am uncertain if I could somehow find a loophole to a divinely-ordained law."
"Ambrosius is no god," Ozpin replied. "He is a creation of one."
"The rules laid down are still of divine origin." Jekyll insisted. He took a deep breath. "Why is Peach and Winter here, then?"
"Good question," Peach said. She really had no idea what her involvement was to be here. She could guess Winter's.
It was Ironwood who answered. "Only the Winter Maiden can open the Vault. Should you wish to take your chance here, talk to Winter. As for Peach, it is my belief that you will need a second opinion on this matter. Having more than one mind should be able to do something."
"This isn't exactly my field, general," Peach replied. "I'm a professor of Botany—that actually does sound better—not a professor of Aura Studies."
"How would one even come up with the schematics for this?" Jekyll asked. "For something like Atlas, surely you had some schematics in mind?"
"That is admittedly where James and I fall short." Ozpin bowed in humble shame. "Had I known this would have been possible, I might have done something about my situation sooner. Though, even if I did, I don't think I would be allowed such a privilege."
The platform made their final stop. The path to the Relic was a wide and straight one. There was a chasm that led to further down. Peach could fly down there if she wanted. She couldn't see the bottom but had a feeling that might lead to Mantle. Ozpin, Winter, and Jekyll went ahead while she and Ironwood stayed behind.
"Can you see anything down there?" Ironwood asked.
Peach shook her head. "I could fly if you want. But don't expect much in the way of vision. Faunus eyes may allow us to see better in the dark but most faunus' animal traits have it as part of the package. I'm a swan faunus. If it were underwater, I can help you on that front. Not so much here."
"I can provide a flashlight if you wish." Ironwood actually came prepared.
"It will be hours, but I think I can manage." Peach took it. She stretched her wings. "You're looking for any openings that could lead to the Vault?"
"Any end of the Phantom's lair would be appreciated. It alleviates Nitocris' burdens if nothing else."
Peach couldn't help but chuckle. "Everybody gets a Servant companion. I wonder when I will get mine?"
"Jekyll is your work colleague."
"Point still stands, and I have to share the guy with two others." Peach fluttered her way off the walkable path. "You might want to put some rails here, general. Worse comes to worst and it might be a good guy that gets thrown off here."
Rocks and dirt dictated the landscape. Without the flashlight, Peach was sure that she would have hit something the further down she descended. When she had reached that point where her wings would get caught in something, she wondered how much land separated her and Mantle below.
The layers of soil showed the age of this piece of land. The differences in color as the land went through changes before being lifted into the high heavens showcased its history. Peach half-imagined if there were any fossils here that she could excavate and bring back to the surface. Rotted roots and other things poked out as if begging to be pulled and Peach had half a mind to do just that. What if these were extinct?
Not only were some of these quite old, some were images that Peach could vaguely recognize from her textbooks. There was history down here and one that happens to line up with her field of specialty. What took her attention most of all was that there were signs of life trying to thrive down here. Little creatures here and there scurrying about as they are adapting to their new environment. Atlas was only recently raised to the skies, relative to the history of Remnant's creation. Some had to be dying while others were surviving just enough.
If the waters of Phantom's lair ever passed by here, Peach would know. But the soil was dried out. No moisture could be detected which would have been a sure sign of water. Whatever critters that remained here either migrated somewhere else or learned to thrive down here.
Peach continued her flight even as those above her had to have long since finished. Not like there was much for them to talk about, Peach was taking her time here both to ascertain Phantom's lairs and hoping to find something she could bring back. She was sadly disappointed. There wasn't any plant-life here that she could take back.
As a swan faunus, she could fly for hours. But the heavier weight of herself, her clothes, and her weapon, meant that she couldn't fly as long as actual swans. If she were migrating during the seasons, she would have been left behind and the elements would have devoured her.
She gave one last look to the chasm that was the bottom of the Vault before returning to the rest. She had been wrong. Jekyll was questioning Ozpin and Ironwood, exacting every piece of information that he could about this Relic.
Peach noticed the slight hopeful expression of Winter. She shook her head. Winter still had ways to go before she would accept that beansprout was also the big bad wolf. Peach chuckled internally.
But Jekyll? Peach had never seen him be this frustrated without slipping into Hyde. This was a matter solely for the mind and not one for the heart, or something like that. Peach wasn't a poet but some students do have hobbies and she had experience a few oddballs that have expressed themselves in the arts before.
"Is doctor Polendina available?" Jekyll asked. "If there is anyone whom I could trust to aid in this endeavor, it would be him. If nothing else, perhaps he could point me towards others."
"I suggest that you limit the latter, doctor," Ironwood said. "There is no need for Ozpin nor me to emphasize the need of secrecy."
"General." Jekyll shook his head. "With Phantom's actions and Vlad's involvement, I do not believe that Salem will remain a secret for long. My advice to you both is to prepare for that eventuality, if not nip it in the bud early on and inform the public."
Jekyll looked like he was having a standoff with Ironwood and Ozpin. Peach stood behind Jekyll. She may not be much on the height department but if swans could get aggressive, so too could she. Peach would rather that they do not come to that at all but with these Servants in the mix, things could be forced out into the public.
Ozpin placed a hand on Ironwood's shoulder. "Let it be, James. Jekyll has a point. We must prepare for that eventuality." He nodded once. "Yes, even the immortality of Salem. It may be inevitable. But perhaps, we could contain her if nothing else."
He was the first to move towards the platform.
"Come." Ozpin motioned for them to follow. "We not only have a dance to prepare but also an election to attend to."
Ironwood was the first to follow. Jekyll did the same with Winter following behind. But Peach reached out and held Winter's arms.
"So," Peach asked, keeping her voice as low so that only Winter could hear. "What choice will you make?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You may be his fiancée, Winter. But I am his partner. And you saw for yourself what choice I would make if it came down to it, Snow Queen."
"Jekyll and Hyde are two separate individuals, Peach." Winter's eyes narrowed. "You of all people should know that."
"Beansprout is beansprout, whether that is the green bean or the mean bean. You of all people should come to accept it. I won't accept anyone less for that partner."
"You are not his mother."
"No. But I'm not about to entrust him to someone who isn't willing to take him as he is. You already know of Jack's case. Tell me: could you accept Jack the Ripper?"
"Jack is an innocent child. She's innocent of the crimes that this historical figure committed."
Peach only smiled. "Is she though? She was born out of it."
"Winter," Jekyll called out. "Peach. They're waiting."
Winter moved past Jekyll, leaving behind a satisfied Peach; she saw Winter pause and look at the man. But Winter shook her head before anything had even come to her mind, leaving behind a confused Jekyll.
"Is it something I should know about?" Jekyll asked. "Or is it just you girls?"
"Depends." Peach shrugged. "You find anything of your world that connects us both?"
"I know of an author who might have a few words with you both. I cannot promise if those words are kind or demanding for royalties. I don't think copyright is going to stop that man."
Peach was the last to step on the platform. Her eyes drifted towards Winter who only stared at the back of Jekyll. Winter bit her lip as she was deciding on something; she shook her head at the end of it.
The platform made its stop and they parted into two groups. Winter went after Jekyll and Peach.
"I was thinking if we could perhaps match our colors?" Winter asked. "You, me, and Jack?"
"I would love that," Jekyll replied, not knowing any better. "It certainly takes my mind away from such things."
She caught Winter's pupils going towards her. Peach only raised one eyebrow but she nodded once.
Peach was left alone there. She blew the strands of hair that covered her eyes away. She shook her head and shrugged.
"Well," she thought out loud. "I'm still a tourist, all things considered. Might as well do some sightseeing."
She already warmed up her wings. The benefit of being a winged faunus is that she could fly over the crowds.
/-/
"Mother?" How many times had Jack said that by now? Winter had been lost with the latest revelation and opportunity that she hadn't been mentally present right now.
"I suppose that white would be the likely color we would be going with." Jekyll must have known that for his looked towards her with concern as he spoke, attempting to get Jack's attention elsewhere.
The employees there had to have noticed it. Not only was the one assisting them staring at Winter, others nearby also had similar expressions. It didn't help that she was a Schnee; some eyes were not that of curiosity but that of mistrust.
"Maybe some blue?" Jekyll asked no one. "We could use a bit more color."
Winter still slipped back out of it even after they went with their purchases. It didn't matter to her right now that she was seen this publicly with Jekyll and Jack. Not only should they be seen in public but they should be in each other's presence. Only Jacques Schnee would have issue with this and he was going to have words with Winter as soon as she returned home.
"You know," said Jekyll. "I feel like that I have done something wrong to warrant the silent treatment."
"Huh, what?" Winter was jolted back.
"Mother." Jack placed her hand on Winter's. "Is something wrong?"
Winter looked to Jack. She could still only see the little child. "Nothing, Jack." She addressed Jekyll. "I know we're doing this both for the dance and for the distraction."
"Ah." Jekyll understood. "We can't exactly speak out here in the open about that now can we?"
"But are you excited?" Winter thought that it was best to address it sooner than later.
"With the caveats that Oz presented, I am not so sure how to first tackle it. These aren't exactly schematics for a robot."
"But that should be a relief, right? You don't have to worry about yourself losing to Hyde?"
"I wouldn't say that. It would be accurate to say that I would have better control. But that beastly form is indeed more powerful than what I am."
"But you won't be losing to it as you do now?"
"No." Jekyll shook his head.
Winter sighed relief.
"But, that does mean that in order for me to get there, I would have to deliberately create the elixir. Not an easy feat and not one I could carry on huntsman missions."
"That's alright, you've done it before, haven't you?"
"I did," Jekyll said. "Only that one had Merlot's additions to them. I'll consider the unintended field testing to be a success and I'll be forever grateful that I wasn't the test subject." He chuckled darkly at the thought. "It might have turned out worse for me had I actually drank it."
Later, when the three had managed to find someplace private, they resumed their conversation. They were in some park, away from most people, behind a tree. This was a common enough rendezvous for those looking to be away from privy eyes and ears. They still had to be careful but were safer here. Jack, exhausted from the day, chose to sleep with her head on Winter's lap and feet on Jekyll's. There was a bubble growing from her nose.
"Do you intend to take it soon?" Winter asked first.
"I first need to come up with the schematics. I'll need Pietro's second opinion on the matter. I didn't think I would be able to do that at all, let alone so soon."
"But I do think that it would be a good thing. Without the threat of Hyde, you don't have to constantly battle him in your mind. You do battle Hyde in your mind, right?"
"I wouldn't call it a battle; it's the same for anyone else. But I suppose I do have to, don't I?"
"You sound rather nonchalant about it."
"Do I?" Jekyll snickered. "I guess when you've come to accepting the terms, it is difficult to accept the new ones." He shook his head. "This Relic of Creation is one thing and could change a lot. If it wasn't for those rules, I would have already done so."
The rules stated that the new creation results in the previous creation being unmade. For Atlas, the mechanisms that allowed it to stay in the air would result in the flying kingdom to fall, dooming both Atlas and Mantle.
"And after?" Winter asked. "Do you have any plans when it succeeds? After this, after Salem's… containment?"
"If I'm being honest." Jekyll was looking at the falling leaves. "I'm not quite sure. After Salem, I had just assumed that it would be my life's work; I would be focused on trying to find some means of becoming a proper Servant again. But I also thought that I would never get there."
"Never get there?"
Jekyll nodded. "Without the Relic, there was always that risk of something going wrong. I've learned enough that things could get wrong in the worst ways possible. Perhaps I could return to who I had been or perhaps I would split myself further."
Jack's snoring disturbed them both.
"There's also this little specialist." Jekyll messed Jack's hair. She looked so happy when he did that. A little drool was beginning to pool in the corners of Jack's mouth. "I can't exactly let you do all the work in raising Jack. I'll be here every holiday."
"I'm sure Jack would appreciate it." Winter nodded once.
Silence reigned between them. The only sounds that could be heard were the rustling of leaves and branches, Jack's snoring, distant children playing, soft barks of dogs and hisses of cats, and the faint sounds of vehicles passing by.
Little beams of light slipped passed those branches. Not insects thrived here though it certainly would have welcomed them. The colder season was near. Atlas being elevated also made it difficult for many critters to be up here; the altitudes simply denied them this. There were slow efforts of introducing the little critters to aid in the ecosystem.
Winter shook her head. Now wasn't the time to be distracted.
"Winter?" Jekyll asked.
She looked to him. She took a deep breath and took her chance.
"Jekyll," she began. "About this engagement of ours. Do you really wish for this to be the case? Remove Jack, remove father, did you ever consider that this could happen to you?"
He leaned back against the tree trunk. "I did think about it a few times. But I never thought of myself as being worthy of it."
"Because Hyde might one day take over?"
"That I am Hyde," he corrected. "Even if I do become a proper Servant again, Hyde will always be there at the back of my mind. No. Hyde is the back of my mind. Why do you ask?"
Winter bit her lip. "I was wondering if you would want for this to be genuine."
AN: You know, with Peach's official name making her an allusion to Thumbelina (and my additions with the Ugly Duckling on her faunus heritage, and the Steadfast Tin Soldier on her weapon), two of the women in Jekyll's life are based on HC Andersen's works: "Thumbelina" Peach and Winter "Snow Queen" Schnee.