A/N: Might vanish for a day or two. I have a few family matters to attend to.
My nephew was born recently, so I need to see him. Cute little bugger.
I'll also be taking brief a vacation in November. Thought I'd let you all know in advance.
I'm sure you can guess who's in this chapter, judging by the title.
Health seems to be on the seesaw for now; some days are on the upswing, others on the downswing.
Yesterday...yeah, that was a bad one. Reading through feedback/working on my notes helps take the pain away these days.
With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future ahead and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch lest it poison my mind; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.
No questions this time around. There's work to be done~!
Alright, I think I've kept you waiting long enough. As ever, Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story in the future.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
"That's what it comes down to, in the end. Mettle. Not just of the heart and mind, but of the soul.
You always were willing to make sacrifices. To do what others couldn't.
And on that note...how have you been?
~?
Mettle
James hated whistling.
It wasn't the act itself that riled him so, but what so often preceded said whistle that always made him anxious. Be it the impending impact of a high artillery shell about to detonate on his position, the whine of a dust drill striking a vein, or a haunting melody, it always chilled him to the core; because he knew what it meant. What it signified.
Right now, he was dealing with the latter.
He heard it now, a low lullaby echoing through his office door.
Someone was waiting for him within.
Gloved fingers wrapped around the handle. He contemplated letting it go; just walking away and not dealing with this today. Maybe it would be better to go home, crawl into his bunk and pretend this never happened.
"James Ironwood!" A familiar, almost paternal voice snapped at him. "You get in here right now, or I will tan your hide!"
...no, there was no point in running. He'd learned that by now. He opened the door.
James knew evil. As a captain -and soon to be general!- he fought against it every day. In a perfect world a good soldier should be stop wrongdoing wherever they found it. Good would be good, and evil was evil. But the world wasn't black and white, and Remnant was far from perfect. Power corrupts, and absolute power almost absolutely. He'd seen many a comrade promoted to command, only to watch them go bad, or break beneath the burdens of leadership. Once again the world wasn't black and white. All too often there were shades of grey. James hated grey; almost as much as he loathed whistling.
And his current guest was very much in the "grey" category.
Sure enough, there He was, sitting behind his desk like he owned the damn thing.
"James." he ended his whistling with a pleased hum. "So nice to see you again. You look pale. Have you lost weight?"
There was no use fighting or trying to cast him out. His predecessor had tried. It hadn't ended well for him. "Must you do that every time?"
Winter's grandfather granted him a wry grin. "Does it make you anxious?"
The man before him was neither good nor evil.
He simply was.
"It does, Nicholas." The man always smiled a little when he said that, as though it were some grand cosmic joke. James had yet to discover the punchline and he prayed he never did. Mantle and Altas owed much to this man, more than they would ever known, though he seldom stayed in either these days. He'd been content to pass down the mantle of the SDC to the next generation while he did his own work. James could respect that...
.
..
...so why was here?!
"Sir, I thought we agreed that you were going to stay away."
"Nicholas" tutted softly, mildly amused by his formality. "You don't have to call me that, son."
James slid into the seat opposite him with a sigh. He did. He really did. He had learned long ago to conceal such things from the public; the truth of his birth was something that absolutely mustn't be revealed. Should the world ever learn that Nicholas -Naruto!- Schnee controlled virtually all of Atlas from the shadows, that he effectively had family in the military as well as the SDC and an iron grip on Solitas itself...well, the world wouldn't be able to do anything to dislodge him, but they didn't know that and so would still try. It would be an annoyance.
Mother would've laughed at such things, but Mother wasn't here; she had been dead for a very long time.
Still, he was happy to see him; even if he couldn't show it. "Why. Are you. Here?"
"I hear your students have been bullying my granddaughter-your niece." Nicholas planted both elbows on his desk and leaned forward, fixing him with a gimlet stare. "I take exception to that."
Balls. He should've know why he'd come. "I can't officially endorse anything you do, of course. I have a reputation to maintain and can't be seen showing favoritism."
"I'm well aware." Father clicked his tongue softly. "I'm not asking you to do anything here. Just turn a blind eye."
"Then do as you will." he paused, considering. "But if I may ask-
"Make it quick." Father made to stand. "I'm not in the best of moods. I came here as a courtesy."
"Please don't kill all of them." James feared his plea would fall on deaf ears even as he said it. "We need every soldier we have for the war to come, sir."
His sire grumbled under his breath and briefly covered his eyes with one hand. "Told you not to call me that. You'll make me feel old."
"Sorry, sir." the ghost of a smile touched his face. "Not sorry."
"Brat." Father blinked suddenly, as though just recalling something. "I got you a gift by the way. Its in your desk drawer."
James cocked a brow and regarded the large, slightly open drawer in question. "...dare I ask what?"
A rare smile softened Naruto's face. "Its a surprise~!"
Oh, dear."
Father...wasn't the best with gifts. Sometimes they were extraordinary -he'd built him a battlecruiser for his sixteenth birthday- and yet at others...well. Father's heart was always in it, he couldn't deny that. Hopefully this time the gift wouldn't be quite so...startling?
.
..
...who was he kidding?
"Go on," Naruto nudged him. "Take a look. You'll love it."
He opened the drawer. A missile of black-and-white rocketed upward to strike him head on. Instinct took over and he caught it. Mistakes were made. The moment he did the object started squirming and making happy noises. A wet tongue licked Ironwood's cheek, followed by a wet snout. His eyes bulged.
"You got me a puppy?!"
He turned back to look, but Father was already gone, having taken the chance to run.
Which left him with this...creature in his arms. Belatedly, he recognized the breed. It was a corgi, and an energetic one at that. His eyes strayed to the blue collar around the pup's neck. Someone had wound a note into the collar, and there beside it, he glimpsed a name etched into the metal plate.
"This is Zwei's brother, Drei. If anyone needs a comfort animal, its you."
Best regards,
~Dad.
James tutted softly and pulled the little pup closer, quietly delighting in the comfort it provided.
Belatedly, he pitied Winter's bullies. The poor fools who had tormented Winter would learn that lesson the hard way. Never mess with a Schnee; well, not unless you had your affairs in order. And if you didn't, run hard, run fast, and pray for a swift Death...if Death was feeling merciful. He suspected Naruto -Nicholas!- wouldn't be. For you see, there was another unspoken rule when dealing with a Schnee.
Fuck about and find out.
(.0.0.0.)
The silent girl tapped her foot.
She wasn't happy. No sir, not at all.
Because you see, he was late. Late, late, late!
He'd promised to swing by the station and pick her up at the airport, yet there was no sign of him. Nope. None at all. And it was damn cold here! Sure, maybe it was her fault for not packing warmer clothes, but still! How was she to know Mantle was this cold?! She'd never been before! No one had told her! Not her fault! Glaring at her watch only made her all the more frustrated; it made her want to shout, to rant and rage...
.
..
...but she couldn't do that. No. Nay. Never. She absolutely must not do that; Grampa had been terribly clear on that last bit. Illusions were all well and good, but she couldn't speak until she gained control of her Voice. A single misspoken word could kills dozens. Hundreds, if she wasn't careful. She'd been born with this gift -this curse- and she must master it. Failure to do so made her as much a danger to herself as others. She'd learned that lesson the hard way. Hence why she'd come all the way out here in the middle of cold, freezing nowhere, waiting for someone who still hadn't show up...!
"Trivia! There you are!"
The girl once known as Trivia Vannile jumped and whirled in midair, knowing that voice all too well; the moment she did she saw him, striding through the crowd at speed. Blue eyes met her mismatched orbs and crinkled as he granted her a smile. In a matter of moments he was upon her. A hand descended to ruffle her hair.
"Sorry I'm late; had to visit an old friend."
Neo held out her arms, hopped in place once, donned a fearsome pout.
She didn't dare speak, but that didn't stop her from mouthing the words "Grampa! Up!" at him until he complied. He swept her up into his arms and she latched on for dear life. Phooey on mama and papa. She was glad they were dead. Grampa was the best. Grampa loved her. Grampa understood.
And when Grandpa grinned, well, Trivia leaned in to listen like a good girl.
"Say, you wanna help me get some payback for your cousin?"
Her head bobbed eagerly.
(.0.0.0.)
Samantha Green was a good student.
That wasn't her opinion; it was a damn fact. Just ask anyone in Atlas academy. She had worked hard to get were she was; nearly killed herself to make her name known. She'd come up from nothing. Best grades, best combat scores, best recommendations. Captain Ironwood himself had taken interest in her career. There was even talk of her joining the Specialists after she graduated. Everything was coming up roses. She had it on lock. Not by any fancy name or a stupid title, but through bloody hard work. She'd make Mom proud, make things easier for her and the kids.
And then the Schnee ruined everything.
She came out of nowhere one day; bumped up several grades, a year younger than everyone else, yet she outshone everyone. Even her. All eyes fell upon this newcomer; this girl, this CHILD who surpassed everyone in class. Suddenly, no one cared about a tough-as-nails girl from Mantle with a family to provide for. They only had eyes for her; for this prodigy, this stick-thin freak who made them all look like failures. The higher-ups only cared about her.
Only Winter Schnee.
Just like that, Samantha's hope of rising through the ranks fizzled, and her future with it.
So, yeah, she bullied her. She couldn't help herself. She just made her so angry...it wasn't fair!
Even her semblance reflected her disposition these days; in the beginning, she could create explosions with her aura, blast whatever she touched to rubble. For awhile, she'd been content with that...until her semblance had evolved. Now she could mark multiple her target and detonate them at a distance, sometimes hours later. She could make anything into a bomb these days.
Some said it was only a matter of time until she blew herself up. Maybe so. It was an absurdly broken ability, and a dangerous one, a gift that taxed the very limits of her body and aura. But she'd worked hard at it. She'd earned it. Not that prissy Schnee- Maybe so, but tomorrow she was going to show that SCHNEE bitch who was boss in the ring and for all-
A whistle broke through her thoughts.
Samantha jolted upright on her coat, eyes bulging.
A man in black stood in the corner, a hood tugged over his face. He held a clipboard in hand.
"Samantha Green?"
She blinked, terribly startled. "yes...?
"Good." He read off her dossier with almost casual disinterest. "Olive skin, black hair, green eyes. Oldest of four siblings with a fifth on the way. Father was a huntsman; died to Grimm. Your mother runs a little dust shop in Mantle, correct?" the man tutted softly as she balked, whiskered cheeks dimpling in the shadows of his cowl. "You've certainly come from humble beginnings."
Samantha didn't mass the lack of insignia on his personage. This man wasn't an instructor, or even an officer-which meant she owed him no deference.
Good. She was about to kick his ass. "Who the hell're you?"
"Sorry to crash the party." he smiled at her then; it was all teeth. "I thought we'd have a little chat. "I understand you've been associating with a miss Winter Schnee. I'm here to take you to-
Panic bleated in he brain. Take?! He was a kidnapper! He must be with the white Fang! She should've known!
"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE!"
"Now wait just a second-
Her eyes flashed.
Samantha most certainly did not; she jolted upright with frantic speed, lurched in, and slapped both hands against his Ribs. Then she flared her semblance and detonated his aura. Her would-be-kidnapper barely had time to blink, then he was gone; his body went up in fire and smoke. The sheer heat forced Samantha back half a step, gasping for air.
Ha! Served him right! Damn kidnapper!
"I'm sorry," she scoffed into the smoke, "Did that hurt? Sure looked like it did-ack?!
A clawed hand burst out of the black smoke, found their throat, and RIPPED them into the air. Her semblance sputtered and died.
...sorry." an angry hiss rasped in her ear as five firm fingers dug into her windpipe. Quite suddenly Samantha found herself face to face with fearsome red eyes staring out of a singed face. Somehow his hood remained in place, though it too had been badly burn. "Does it hurt?" his grip began to tighten on her throat, choking the life out of her lungs. "Looks like it DOES."
Panic gave way to horror. "NonononowaiwaitwaitwaitSorry!" She babbled out the words. "I'm sorry! I'll do whatever you want!"
Her kidnapper leaned in with a growl, considering her as one might an ant. Tears welled up in Samantha eyes as her aura fizzled and died. Her life flashed before; every instant that led to this moment. She couldn't even bring herself to fight back, such was the absolute strength of her opponent. Her worlds began to blur grey at the edge.
"Please...don't...kill me... I don't wanna die...
.
..
...he dropped her.
She landed hard on her rear.
He flung up his arms. "Why did I play with my food?! There's no fun in killing you now...
Samantha gulped, daring to hope. "D-Does that mean I get to live...?"
"...!" He stared at for a long moment. "Want a job?"
Samantha whimpered. Who're you...?"
He tugged back his hood.
Wait. That face.
"Schnee," her mind blubbered.
But not just any Schnee. This was THE Schnee.
"M-Mister Nicolas Schnee?!" A whimper escaped her lips. "Why are you here?!"
"Ah, so you do know me." His head bobbed. "Good, good. That simplifies things. You're in quite a bit of trouble, miss Green."
Something deep inside her folded. "M'sorry...
"You should be." he leaned down to loom over her. ""My granddaughter could fold you like a pretzel; Hell, she could feed you your own heart; the only reason she hasn't is her kindness. I, however, lack that. You've upset her, meaning you've upset me. One word from me and your mother will be run out of business. However will she care for your siblings then?
She crumbled like a house of cards. "I'm sorry! Please, sir! I won't do it again!"
"Good." he leaned back, standing tall once more. "I forgive you."
"Y-You do?" she hiccuped a little, not quite comprehending it. Was this a trick? "Just like that...?"
"You were the first of ten on my list." he tapped one finger to her forehead. "And brimming with potential. As such, I'm prepared to put this unpleasantness behind us and see you fast-tracked into the Specialists." Those words had her heart soaring. "Better yet, I'm prepared to make a generous donation to your mother's shop and offer her a place in the SDC."
"What's the catch?" Samantha was a Mantle girl through and through, she knew when something was too good to be true. "Why offer this to me? You were about to kill me a second ago...!
And he would've gotten away with it, too. No one messed with Nicholas Schnee. Why hadn't she thought of that?!
"Because you see, Winter needs a friend, Samantha." Nicholas steepled his fingers and looked at her. "You're going to be that friend. If she makes more, that's grand. But this misguided bullying of yours stops here. Now. Today. If I hear so much as a whiff of it, I won't need to kill you; because you'll wish you were dead."
He leaned in.
"I'll break your arms, followed shortly thereafter by your legs, and throw you outside for the Grimm. Do you understand?
Her head bobbed frantically, setting her dark tresses swaying.
"Sensational!" he beamed. Now, then...shake my hand."
Samantha dithered, uncertain.
Nicholas grinned at her.
"C'mon now, won't you shake a poor grandfather's hand?"
(.0.0.0.)
That night, nine students vanished into thin air.
They were the ringleaders, the instigators, the bullies, boys and girls who took perverse pleasure in putting down a child one year their junior for no reason other than they could. A girl who had, by rights, done them no harm, yet one they tormented her all he same. She did not retaliate and so they continue to to harass her, feeling themselves free from consequences.
They were not.
Death came in the dead of night for them.
Samantha Green spoke quickly enough to save herself and struck a bargain to survive.
The rest did not.
Death entered their dorms, and one by one, they ceased to be. Like little lights going out in the night. No one ever heard from them again. No bodies were found come morning. No one even remembered their names. Not their mothers or brothers, their fathers or sisters. When asked of them, they could no longer recall their names, only a vague sensation of loss.
James Ironwood knew. He knew what had transpired, and said a silent prayer for their souls.
It was as though everything about them had been torn from history.
Like they'd simply ceased to exist.
As if they had been...erased.
A/N: *whistles*
Aaaaand scene. Hop you enjoyed it.
Last Wish references abound, hope you enjoyed 'em!
How many grandkids/kids, you ask? The answer is YES. Not all the cast, but yes.
Its heavily implied that Naruto's is a grandfather in this story, aka Nicholas Schnee. Also a stone-cold killer wielding the infamous weapons of Death himself. Strangely enough, it fits when you look into Nicholas' backstory. They're a lot alike.
Aaaand there we go. Hope you enjoyed it.
Soooo? Should this be a story? Yay or nay? Need to hear from you here.
Hoe someone, somewhere, enjoyed this. I just don't know anymore these days.
So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...Review...Would You Kindly?
Hope you enjoy the previews~!
(Previews!)
"Sooo...did she scream?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Who?"
"Goodwitch. Who else? Always took her for a screamer...
Qrow did not fear death. Maybe that was his semblance. Or his upbringing. They said anyone who came near Nicholas-sorry, Naruto-was destined for death. A bad end, if you would, that sort of thing. If that were true he would've died ong ago. Bad luck and death went hand in hand. He didn't fear the old man anymore than he feared his crappy luck.
"Diddya at least hold hands?"
"We did. Felt nice to be old-fashioned for once. Is there a reason you're here to torment me."
"Ruby's getting her scythe today." his smirk became a shit-eating grin. "Figured you'd wanna be there."
He was right.
..."I knew you were my favorite son-in-law.
Adam crashed through a tree. His sword skewered the bark inches from his face.
"Pick it up."
"Be nice to each other. You both want to be Hunters, after all. Might as well get along.
"Yes, grampa.
"Okay, grandpa."
Ruby waited until he left the room. Then she grinned. "He's kinda scary, huh?"
The blond boy nodded. "Yeah...
"Well, duh." Ruby tilted her head. "Scary is what grampa does. He only kills bad people, though. Don't worry!"
Jaune gulped. "That...is not encouraging. Wait. Did you say grampa?"
"Yeah, why...?"
"I have a cousin!?"
"I have a cousin, too?!"
"You know, I'm not a cat person. Never have been. Just can't help it." Run along, kitty-kat." the hooded figure made a shooing motion. "Monsters come out at night.
Blake grimaced. "Who are you?"
His smile took on a bemused edge. His head tilted to the left, just a little, exposing tawny blond hair. "Ask Sun."
"Ah...hey gramps. I promise this isn't what it looks like."
"No? Looks to me like you're hunting White Fang...
"Sorrysorrysorrypleasdon'tbreakmyeverything-
...without me! How could you?!"
Death walked among them. Amber couldn't think of any other word for it. It was all she could do to hold her wound shut, to watch him wade in. They couldn't touch him. Three to one and none of them came close; not even once. Steel flashed, sickles danced and they were the ones to fall back, bleeding badly.
"Three against one, hmm?" he tilted his head beneath the hood, grinning as an arrow whistled past his cheek. "Now that's unfair...
His sickle flicked out. One of their attackers pitched back, headless.
"Oops." he smiled thinly." Two, now. Better, but not quite."
A lazy swipe took another head. Someone yelped.
"And then there was one...
He'd fallen behind.
The realization shammed
Pietroa Polendina was a scientist at heart. His kind pushed boundaries all the time. So he'd made a deal
"Hello, Pietro. I'd like an update on the Project."
Speak of him and he shall appear!
"Don't DO that, Nicholas! You nearly gave me a heart attack!
He didn't know what Nicholas Schnee was, only that he was very, very old, and didn't look a day over thirty. He'd found records of him dating back...well, far further than they should. He'd burned them at his request. No one should know such things.
"How's our progam?"
"S-See for yourself, sir. She's still just code at the moment; I'm working on her body, but she's very aware!"
A series of green letters raced across the computer's black screen.
"Hello~! I am Penny. Pleased to meet you!"
EDIT: Thanks for reading! Hope you have a sensational day~!