5

20 days after the Fall of Beacon - Atlas - Schnee Manor

"Pardon?" Weiss Schnee had a disbelieving look on her face, and why shouldn't she? She stared at the hologram that General Ironwood showed her. In it she could clearly see her partner at the Vale checkpoint, presenting her I.D. but it was the two criminals by her side that her eyes were locked onto.

"Your partner, Miss Rose, was sighted traveling with the wanted criminals, Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black." The General didn't seem surprised by her reaction.

"There has to be some kind of mistake."

"Her family said much the same." The General pocketed his scroll, "They were under the impression she was being coerced to help them. Nevertheless Vale had to issue a warrant for her arrest."

"W-" Weiss bit back her raised voice, it wouldn't do to be uncouth just outside of her father's study, "Why would they do such a thing? She's clearly innocent."

"And I believe that. But considering what happened I have no say in Vale's policy right now. I was lucky to have found out about this at all. Miss Xiao-Long asked me to inform you, since the two of you were close."

Yang. Her heart ached for her teammate, the vision of her laying on the ground, cradling what used to be her right arm was etched into her mind. Weiss felt tears threatening to brim up and overwhelm her. Ironwood must have noticed because his stern visage softened and graced her with a small smile.

"Please don't worry, Miss Schnee. I have my top scientist working on a prosthetic for your teammate. I'm sure she will be fine."

"I'm sure she will be, eventually." Weiss relented. As worried as she was about her friend, the news about Ruby took precedence. She wanted to race after the dolt and drag her back after a stern lecture about stranger danger. Feeling herself getting worked up, she took a deep breath, calming herself and fixing the general with a genial smile they both knew was fabricated.

A thought came to her, it was a long shot but could allow her to leave the mansion with her father's blessing.

"General, there is one thing." His brow raised in anticipation, "Should I be able to secure Father's permission, I would like to present the prosthetic to Yang myself."

The older man studied her for a moment before a knowing smile peeked out from the stern veneer, "Assuming you are able to, I would love to accommodate your wish, Miss Schnee. Good Evening." With a small bow that Weiss returned with a curtsy, the General headed down the halls with his hands clasped behind his back.

Weiss couldn't wait and knocked on the door to her father's study, only entering when he allowed her. It wouldn't do to anger him at the moment, she needed his cooperation. Though she wasn't confined to the Manor he'd know the moment she left and with no way to secure passage out of Atlas that wasn't able to be influenced by her father, she had to get him to allow her to leave. Once far enough away he could no longer influence her, especially without the CCT towers it would take until she was supposed to be back for him to realize anything had gone wrong.

It was a desperate gambit but she needed her team. She needed to see Yang. Blake had run off to who knows where and with her partner missing, potentially as a hostage, she needed the powerhouse of team RWBY. Perhaps the blond needed her too, it was the thought that drew her to action. Weiss hadn't gotten anywhere in life by being passive and she refused to let someone like her father stand in her way. She was a Schnee, they took control of their lives with both hands.

It was time for Weiss to act like the huntress she was supposed to be.

"Father." She greeted demurely.

Jacques sat in his plush leather chair, a painting of her grandfather, Nicholas Schnee, framed behind him, "Weiss." He returned as he studied the news on the monitor before him. She waited patiently for him to stop reading and face her, he sat back in his chair with his fingers steepled before him, "This is a disaster. Beacon has fallen, Vale almost with it and it was partly caused by our dust, even stolen it's a bad image. James was just informing me of sanctions Vale has put on imported dust."

That was bad news but it had potential for her. She could tell what he was leaning towards before he even said it.

"We need to do something. Something to show that it was out of the SDC's control. My own daughter was on the front lines defending the school." As Jacques sat in thought, Weiss preempted him.

"I have a suggestion, Father." She continued when he motioned for her to do so, "My teammate was severely injured in the attack. She lost her arm. The General told me he was having a prosthetic crafted. I was wondering if you would let me present it to her, on behalf of the SDC and Atlas."

Her father rubbed a hand on his chin, "I see where you're going with that. We can't let Atlas take all the glory for helping the victims of the attack." Weiss resisted the urge to roll her eyes, "We can use this. Yes, an excellent suggestion Weiss. We can make it a photo op, have an article drawn up and distribute it among Atlas and Mantle. When you return we can hold a charity ball to raise funds for Vale as well, using the article to parade it around. Assuming the General will be okay with letting you do this?"

"I already broached the subject with him, Father. He agreed as long as you did." For the first time in a long while a smile sprouted on Jacques' face. Once upon a time she would have done anything to have him smile like that at her but now it just made her feel cold. It wasn't filled with love but rather of fulfilled expectations.

"Excellent, Weiss. I am glad to see you being proactive in your role as heiress."

"Thank you Father." Weiss dipped her head lightly.

"Once the item is ready, we will arrange the event. With the CCT network inoperative I'll have to send the photographers with you. I'll hammer out the details with James."

"Very well Father. If there is nothing else I will leave you to your work, I don't wish to keep you."

"No there's nothing else right now." Jacques shooed her with one hand, "I'd like you to sing at the ball but that can be discussed after your return."

Weiss curtsied as she back out of his study, closing the door with a soft click. Once it was firmly shut she couldn't help the small giggle that escaped her throat. Covering her hand with one hand she looked to see if any of the staff had noticed, her eyes landing on Klein.

"Well I was going to see if you wanted a warm refreshment," The family butler held the tray laden with coffee up, "But it seems as if something went well. It's unusual to see you in such good cheer after a conversation with your father."

Klein had been the head butler for the Schnee family since before Jacques had inherited the company from Nicholas. The man was as close to a father figure as she'd ever had.

"Father gave me permission to fly to Vale." A satisfied smirk won the battle and planted itself firmly on her face when she saw his shocked expression, "The short of it is that my teammate needs a prosthetic and I'm going to be the one to deliver it."

Weiss carefully took the steaming cup from the tray and took a sip, delighting in the thick, warm taste traveling down her throat. He had always made the best coffee, it was because of him that she loved it so much.

"That's wonderful news! I know you've been so very worried about your teammates." He followed her as she started down the hallway, cup held in both hands as she relished the warmth.

"It is, isn't it." Stopping, she looked up and down the hallway as she turned to her faithful friend, her only ally in the cold place that was her home, "Yang needs my help. Ruby needs my help. I'm not going to stand by as my team is torn apart. I'm going to bring us back together if I have to handcuff us all together."

"That's quite the fire in your eyes." Klein's eyes were red, his voice gravelly.

"Father has underestimated me for the last time Klein. I am a Schnee, and what a Schnee wants, a Schnee gets." Weiss stood a little taller.

"Ah, my little Snowflake. All grown up." Klein wiped at his now blue eyes with his handkerchief.

As they resumed walking Weiss looked at him out of the side of her eyes, "I'm going to need some favors from you Klein."

"I'm behind you all the way, my dear."

23 days after the Fall of Beacon - Unknown - Ebony Keep

Cinder sat in the massive wooden seat that bordered that large table in the ebony keep that Salem occupied. Eery light filtered in from the blood red sky, the shattered moon hanging low on the horizon and visible through the large, arched windows decorating the room. The table itself was carved from the same deep purple crystal that dotted the desolate landscape outside.

The other individuals occupied the seats around the crystal surface, to her right sat a man perched upon his seat, chestnut hair braided down his back as he crouched with his hands before him looking like the madman he was. Tyrian Callows wore leather bracers that matched his boots and a white top that splayed open underneath a leather harness that display the numerous scars adorning his chest.

Opposite of her sat Arthur Watts, and individual she hated, who even now was smiling out from under his black mustache at her with a leery expression. He seemed to be over the moon at the news her disciples had left her. The man wore a double breasted vest underneath a long tailed coat. Why he wore fingerless gloves with the ensemble was beyond her.

At least Hazel Rainart had better sense, even if it was much more simple. A black shirt and cargo pants underneath a green and grey trench coat. Simple and effective, just like the man himself. Cinder wasn't above saying that she respected Hazel the most, but then Watts and Tyrian didn't exactly set the bar very high.

"Your underlings abandoned you, not a very good look, Cinder." Watts smirked.

Cinder's face hesitated for a second before twisting into a snarl. It had taken her a long time to get used to the body but lately her connection to it had been weaker, ever since that silver eyed girl had attacked her with that light.

"They aren't necessary Watts. I achieved the objective, that's all that matters." Her fist impacted the table and she heard a telltale giggle from Tyrian to the side. He was probably hoping for bloodshed.

The large, wooden double doors creaked and groaned as they opened, slowly revealing the last, and most important, figure to their meeting. She appeared to glide forward in her jet black robes that contrasted her paper white skin with dark veins tracing their way through her arms and face. Burning red irises set in pools of tar black eyes surveyed the room.

Salem, Queen of the Grimm, sat at the head of the table on her amethyst throne, her posture and bearing that of royalty and giving off an oppressive pressure.

"Cinder is right, Watts. The results are what matter here. There is no need to taunt her over the disloyalty of her proteges." Salem held one hand out towards Cinder, "She's performed admirably."

"As you say, Mistress." Watts dipped his head and Cinder smirked at him in victory before her head whipped back to Salem.

"So tell me, my child, why did Mercury and Emerald betray you?"

"I am unsure, Mistress." Cinder explained, "My memories of the time are hazy. The silver eyed girl-"

"Silver eyed girl?" Salem's attention was grabbed instantly, her intense gaze focused solely on her, "Explain."

"Ruby Rose. A silver eyed girl. Back at the Beacon Tower, as I slew Ozpin's new maiden, she did something. There was a flash and everything after that is a blank. The next thing I remember, I woke up a few days later outside of Beacon and those two were gone."

"I see." Salem fell into a thoughtful silence, the fingers of one hand tracing a pattern on the crystal table, no one dared interrupt her thoughts, "So another has appeared."

"We've dealt with them before." Hazel spoke up with his arms crossed over his barrel like chest.

"Indeed we have, but our darling Cinder is in a… unique situation. The power of the silver eyes could very well mean her destruction."

"Like a puppet with its strings cut." Watts commented.

"Quite." The queen cut her eyes at the man, "Tyrian. Your current task can wait. This Rose girl may prove to be a problem. Find and eliminate her."

The man with the braid giggled and clapped his hands together, "Yes my Queen!"

"Mistress, are you sure the girl will even be a hindrance?" Arthur objected.

"You dare question-!" Tyrian began but was cut off when Salem raised her hand.

"Watts." The man in question gulped as an invisible pressure weighed down on everyone, "I do not underestimate my foes. Any problem, no matter how small, must be dealt with."

"I understand, Mistress." The pressure lightened and all present breathed easier.

Even as a Grimm, Cinder could sense the unfathomable power that her creator exuded. It was glorious, truly something to behold and took her breath away every time she witnessed it.

You're both monsters, you know that?

Silence wench, you should be so lucky as to be a tool in Her plans.

The voice of the host went silent as commanded though not out of respect for the Grimm possessing the body. It felt frustrated at not being in control enough to suppress the consciousness of the real Cinder anymore.

No, I am the real one now.

We shall see how long that lasts.

It scowled at her voice in its head. She'd been incessant ever since Beacon, ever since that silver-eyed girl had used her didn't want to disappoint her mistress with the knowledge that the girl had made her weak. She would regain control eventually. Until such a day, she could feel the host's consciousness from a distance, like a candle in the night at the edge of its vision.

Still, it was worried about the gaps in its memory. Those could pose a problem in the future and Salem had just aired her opinion on problems. For now it was best if its mistress did not know of the issue.

From across the gap in their minds it could hear the echoing, smug laughter of the host.

28 days after the Fall of Beacon - Kingsport

"Sir! You dropped this!" Ruby Rose handed back a leather wallet to a man who gruffly thanked her before moving on. The girl waved to him, smiling until he turned around and the smile fell a moment later as she met the eyes of one of her traveling companions, Emerald Sustrai.

"What?" Emerald asked of the small girl.

"You know what." Ruby pouted before looking around and lowering her voice, "You can't just steal things like that."

"I mean, I could if you didn't literally hand them back."

It was the wrong thing to say as the young woman growled at her. To say that the last few weeks had been troublesome would have been an understatement. It had been a nightmare. Arc had a glare plastered permanently on his face and always brought up the rear, one hand on his sword and an eye on them. Emerald was chafing under their watch and if it wasn't for Cinder she would have ditched the group after the first day.

"I meant we don't need the lien. We can get to Haven just fine without resorting to something like that." Ruby amended.

Emerald raised an eyebrow, "You guys have money but Merc and I aren't exactly swimming in it."

"If we need lien we can take huntsman work. We're hunters, we can help villages on the way."

Emerald huffed but dropped it, there was no point arguing against the girl. If they stopped to help every village on the way they'd never make it to Haven on time to save Cinder but she doubted they could actually convince the girl to leave anyone in distress and unfortunately the girl was the key to the whole thing. The whole situation resulted in a massive migraine for her.

The average person on the street wouldn't recognize them and news was spreading slowly across Sanus, anyways. The guards were pretty much all they had to worry about and with Emerald's semblance they could pass through the gate without trouble. The town of Kingsport was big, as it was a port town. The streets were cobbled at the least though few vehicles were seen. There was an airship area that handled some freight as well as the occasional large convoy that left through the main gates, often times with the Schnee Dust Corporation logo emblazoned on the side.

"We don't have the time to help everyone on the way Ruby." Emerald started walking down the street towards the port area. They needed to start scouting out the way they could cross over to Anima. There were often ships traveling to and from Kikeshi on the other side of the strait between Anima and Sanus, if they needed to they could stow away. It was the most probable solution given how the official channels would have them recognized if they tried to board a ship the normal way.

"We can try." Ruby kept pace with her, pulling her hood close about her face. Huntsmen and Huntresses stood out by nature, all of them idiosyncratic. As such trying to blend in actually made them more conspicuous so the criminal pair blended in by not trying to. If you didn't look like you had something to hide, most people never spared you a glance.

"Just remember what the goal is, stopping Cinder at Haven. We can't do that if we aren't there. Do you really want a bunch of innocents to die while you're helping an old lady cross the street?" Emerald retorted.

"I get that, I do. But if there's someone I can save in front of me I'm not just going to abandon them!"

"Uh, guys?"

"I can't believe someone as naive as you exists. You're not the only one who can save people but you are the only one who can save Cinder."

"Guys!"

"What?!" Both girls whirled on the source of the voice, Mercury had stopped by a notice board on the side of the street. He stood still and silent, pointing at the board itself.

Sharing a brief look, Emerald and Ruby walked over to see what had caught his attention. The other three stood as silent observers, Jaune's hand still on the hilt of Crocea Mors but his gaze nervously flicking towards Ruby. They could see why a moment later.

On the board stood three posters, among other flyers and information, prominently displaying three different faces. The first two held pictures of Emerald and Mercury as well as a description of the pair and a warning that they had aura and were extremely dangerous. The third held the same warning but held the innocent looking face of Ruby Rose.

"Me?" Ruby muttered, face aghast, "But how?"

"Congratulations, Rose." Mercury put his hands behind his head and smirked, "You're an official criminal now."

A/N: A day late but this chapter was difficult to plan, for me. I had no idea where I wanted to go right after Ansel. Luckily I had some help figuring it out, shout out to my Discord channel buddies for the help. So yeah I think I mentioned it before but this is essentially an AU where the villains are just a bit different. Cinder isn't mangled like canon and her relationship with Em and Merc, and how long they've known each other, is different too.

I will say that I am pretty satisfied with the chapter, Weiss doesn't get as much love as I feel she should, she is one of my favorites, and she's taking a much more aggressive approach this time around.