"How do you plead, Mr. Walden Schnee?""

"... guilty your honor."

Most people imagine the head of the Schnee family to be that of a man with an imposing presence. Not just in in stature or position, but also physically and mentally. A man who could submit even world leaders with the weight of his stare. He was a well known fighter in his youth, and his own children grew up on stories of their father being a slayer of all manner of Grimm, from the lowest of Beowulf pups to Goliaths the size of a small building. In his prime he was a man of immense physical strength, wielding a greatsword as big as a fully grown man. This was of course before his days as CEO of the Schnee Dust Company, a role he was destined to take as his own father and grandfather before him. He may have hung up his sword and armor for the life behind a desk signing papers and presiding over meetings, but this did not diminish the presence of a man who had slain just as many competing corporations as he has Ursas.

This was, in short, the man Weiss had known all his life. To see him bound by handcuffs in a orange-yellow prison suite bordered by Atlas security droids, his head hung low by the weight of his family's shame, his once chiselled face covered in a scraggy beard, simply broke Weiss' heart.

But it had to be done. The entire family agreed to it. To make amends for nearly a century's worth of abuse and essential slavery. Like his father and grandfather before him, he had known since he was in his teens that the family conglomerate had risen to the top on the backs of beaten and broken Faunus. Even in an era where Faunus rights had risen in a world dominated by humanity, the company still hid in the shadows not only the past but its present use of Faunus labor. Weiss had fully realized the extent on which her family's company rode on the tide of Faunus slavery, despite all attempts by Blake to open her eyes. When she finally did, on her last year at Beacon, she took it upon herself to right the wrongs of her family in whatever way she could while she worked as the head of the SDCs Grimm Security Division.

She could not have predicted that in doing so, it would render the Schnee name nearly worthless and almost penniless. Even more so how her father, for all the talk he had of making the family company even bigger than before, had almost wholeheartedly agree that some things must be done. To do the right thing, though it may destroy everything.

Weiss sat in the front row of the courtroom with her sister to her right. Behind her sat Blake, eyes hidden behind sunglasses in an attempt to hide the guilt she too had felt. While today, the much celebrated trial that brought the SDC to its knees, was a victory for oppressed Faunus everywhere, she could not help but bear the guilt in bringing down the family of one of her closest friends. She placed her hand on Weiss' shoulder, who in return placed her hand over the young Faunus'. On the other seats sat corporate representatives of the SDC, labor union leaders of Faunus workers, and the claimants of the civil and criminal trial that was unfolding in central courthouse of the Atlas capital.

Blake could clearly remember the look on Weiss' face when the two of them had finally seen the documents detailing how, for a little more than a century, the SDC had hidden in its ledgers the facts that Faunus workers were given the more dangerous and strenuous tasks in Dust refinement, and were paid practically half of a human laborer. How they hid the multitude of cases of workplace related accidents and deaths with promises of monetary compensation that was not always delivered. When they couldn't deliver, force was often the answer.

The court room was alive with chatter as her father pleaded guilty to the charges of violating the Faunus Slavery Act. Even though it was already well known that he would plead guilty, the sight of head of the SDC admitting to the company and family's crime was still unbelievable to most. Hearing her father admit to them was like a dagger through her heart, a dagger she herself had helped thrust. The same dagger she felt she thrust into her father's heart when she confronted him with with the centuries old truths that the family had been hiding. She had prepared herself for a lashing, a beating, even perhaps a banishment from the family. She held her ground to the surprise of her father unravelling to her boxes and boxes of documents pertaining to what she faced him with, much more than even she knew, hidden in a secret room behind a bookcase in his study. At that time she too could not wrap her head around her father's revelation of how he, as a youth, wanted to become a Hunter to escape the reality that the head of the family must face. Something his conscience could not live with.

But he did return, knowing full well what he would one day have to do so that his family would not live its life of a legacy of tragedy.

The somewhat oppressive atmosphere weighing down on her, Weiss looked outside the window. Fully expecting crowds of Faunus to be chanting and celebrating the fall of the Schnee empire, she was greeted by the sight of both human and Faunus holding a vigil, all of them thankful for the peace that reigned in a trial that was predicted to be a hotbed of violence. This was, in part, due to her father's insistence that he take all the blame for the family's history of misdeeds, as well as his open acceptance that the family must do anything and everything it can so that it can find a way to atone for all those years. This was done in an open door meeting a few weeks before the trial began, a meeting that not only shocked the board of directors but also the Faunus representatives in attendance. He was, in fact, just about to get on his knees to grovel for forgiveness when an elderly Faunus stopped him. To them, what he was doing was more than enough, even though the criminal liability could not be avoided.

"I see. No objections from the prosecution and the defense?"

"None your honor."

"Well then, in accordance to the Faunus Slavery Act agreed upon by the nations of Remnant, Mr. Walden Schnee you are hereby sentenced to 8 years in the Atlas Central Security Prison, to be served immediately. Furthermore in accordance to the deal agreed upon by the defendant and the plaintiffs in your outstanding civil case, the Schnee Dust Company is hereby dissolved into its separate regional entities and operations to be owned wholly the human and Faunus worker unions serving for them. 90% of the liquid and all personal physical assets of the family are to be distributed equally to all plaintiffs with outstanding civil and work-related claims. The remaining 10%, which is itself still a sizeable amount, will remaining in the family's holdings, but will remain frozen and only accessible to the family upon the defendant's release."

All in all the SDC was now essentially history. The remaining 10% that remained for the family was still substantial in the sense that it would allow them to maintain a life of relative luxury, keep most of their furniture, with enough to start a new company that could still be a major player in the local Atlas business scene. All of this, of course, when their father gets out in five years.

"Court is adjourned."

The moment the mallet struck the gavel, the Atlas droids began escorting her father and the rest of the family out the door of the chambers and through the literal sea of reporters from every corner of Remnant. Lights flashed everywhere with reporters trying to stick their microphones in front of each family member, to get exclusives on perhaps the biggest scandal to hit Remnant in years. Blake followed closely behind, her head hung low to avoid getting attention. Eventually the droids managed to run the reporters out of the hall, giving the family.a few minutes respite from the chaos to say their goodbyes.

"Weiss. Winter. This would be it, it seems. The end of the Schnee family legacy."

"It... no it isn't father. The Schnees owned up to their sins, their own and their ancestors before them. We... we have nothing to be ashamed of. Right, Weiss?

"Huh? Yeah. You're right. It just doesn't feel right... that you have to bear this burden alone. 8 years? That's a long time!"

"Weiss... I'd rather rot in prison for a hundred years than let any of you join me in it for a single day. Winter... I assume the preparations are in order?"

"Yes father. The repossession has already begun with the accountants making sure that everything will be properly and completely transferred in ownership. Mother... she'll come to live with me. Gen. Ironwood, despite everything, says he'll do everything he can for us while you're away."

"I see. James was... despite that gruff militaristic attitude, he was still soft in the inside. Weiss... are you sure you won't change your mind?"

Walden Schnee looked at his daughter, who tried to hide her downcast eyes from his fatherly gaze. Despite knowing that it was a face she won't be able to see for a while, she could not bare to look him in the eye.

"I'm sorry father but... I need to get away from it all. At least for a while. You said so yourself that... it was time for each of us to make our own way in the world, now that the Schnee name means next to nothing."

"What do you intend to do sister?"

"I... don't really know yet. I'm thinking it's time to start my career as a huntress. Where to do that, well, I'm not yet sure."

Weiss had barely finished her sentence when the droids nudged her father. It was time to get into the prison car.

"Well then... daughters. I'll be seeing you when they allow visitors. Goodbye..."

The droids opened up the door to the court room driveway, with both the cheers and jeers of the crowd echoing into the hall. Walden Schnee gave his daughters a warm smile, a smile he rarely showed them growing up, as the droids pushed his head into the car. Within seconds, the car was away. Both sisters stood there in silence as the crowd and the reporters quickly thinned out.

"Winter... say goodbye to mother for me."

"Hmm? You're not going back?"

"No. Most of my things were packed already. The only thing I'll see there is a mother who blames me for this and an empty house that's about to be sold anyway."

Weiss turned around and looked back at Blake, who was quietly sitting on a bench and generally trying to be invisible. She put her hand on her shoulder and signalled for them to leave. Weiss took a wig from Blake's bag and put it on, as they were going to take public transportation and she wanted to be incognito.

"Well sister... I'll be going. I'll... give you a call when I get to wherever it is I'm going."

With a wave of a hand, the two girls headed to the bus stop and boarded the bus towards the hotel Blake was staying in. Weiss had dropped off her things there before heading to the courthouse.

"Weiss... I'm sorry. For pushing you into this."

"None of this is your fault. With or without my help my father would have done this eventually. I just... sped it up is all."

"So... what's your plan?"

"Like I said, no idea. I do plan to be a huntress again, but I've been out of the game since graduation, so I'm still not sure about where to start. And no, you're the only one I can really trust to make sure our money goes to the right people, so you can't come with me until it's all done."

"Yeah I know. Weiss... you need to call her."

"..."

"Weiss... she's your best friend. At one time... more than that. I'm sure she'd be willing to help, no questions asked."

"... The past is past, Blake. No reason to open old wounds. Remember... I'm the one of created those wounds in the first place, not only because my mother would have disapproved, but also to keep her from being involved in what happened today."

"That was 5 years ago. You know... nothing wrong with starting from where you left off."

"I... don't know Blake. Really. I don't know..."

The bus had just arrived at the hotel, where an unmarked Schnee company car was waiting with Weiss' baggage in the trunk. Getting down from the bus, Weiss and Blake immediately got in to evade anyone who could be following them.

"Well... you'd better decide quick. You have a one way ticket to anywhere you want to go. Start a new life, if you want. Still... I really suggest that you go to her. At least until you've gotten used to being on your own two feet."

The ride to the airport was just a ten minute drive. Weiss and Blake unloaded two roller bags onto the gateway.

"Blake... thanks for everything. Keep me updated okay? Like I said, you're the only Faunus I trust to make this go through and make this go right. Well then... bye..."

As Weiss turned around to leave, Blake reached in to the trunk for a dark elongated case which she tossed to Weiss.

"Weiss, think fast!"

Despite not having been a huntress for 5 years, her reflexes were still as sharp as ever. Inside the case was one thing that would allow her to be at her best as a Huntress.

"Myrtenaster? How-"

"Pulled a few favors. Weiss without Myrtenaster doesn't make for a good Huntress."

As she placed Myrtenaster in her bag, Blake waved goodbye and made a phone-call gesture to her. Weiss smiled softly as she disappeared into the doorway. Inside the terminal was a mass sea of humanity, either checking in for their flights or watching the news of the Schnee dynasty collapse on the screens mounted on the walls. Weiss kept her head low to avoid attention as she looked at the different flight heading out.

"... maybe... maybe I should."

Weiss approached the ticket counter that was informed of her arrival, and bought a ticket for the island of Patch. The flight was about to leave so Weiss rushed to the gate, almost missing her flight. There was barely any passengers inside the modified Bullhead, just her and what looked like a few Hunters. In the silence of the aircraft, she quickly fell asleep, tired from the emotional torment of that day. The flight itself was only 5 hours, and just as soon as she closed her eyes Patch became visible the moment she opened it. An island that was mostly rural, with a few towns scattered about, with the area around Signal Academy being the most populated. The plane had already began to land in the Patch airport by the time she was fully awake.

It was perhaps more of an airfield than an actual airport. A small assortment of buildings that served as hangars for aircraft and a small receiving area. The small runway had weeds and grass growing between the cracks of the concrete. The branches of a few trees hung precariously close over the runway itself. Yang had talked a lot about how her family lived out in the boonies, but Weiss never pictured it to be like this. She was herself used to having a large welcoming party whenever she and her family arrived anywhere, but not now, and not any more. She woefully lugged her baggage alone towards the road and called for a taxi.

"Number 7, Abethon Road please."

"Abethon road? That's all the way to the edge of town. You new here miss...?

"Schn... Schneider. I'm visiting a friend."

"Mostly hunters living down that way. Your friend a hunter?"

"Yeah... Yes she is..."

Realizing that Weiss didn't really want to talk, the kindly old taxi driver drove them on their way with a hurried pace, as the sun was about to set. Weiss stared out the window, trying to admire the view in an effort to push the day's events to the back of her mind. Patch was itself a world away from the highly urbanized city life she was used to back in Atlas and in Vale. This was, quite literally, a rural island with old-style houses and buildings scattered about. The roads were wide and lined with trees and other flowering shrubbery. The terrain was itself hilly with the roads traversing up, down and sideways snaking along the uneven land. There were very few structures higher than a tall tree, with the sole exception of Signal Academy which they passed by, a walled off complex not unlike Beacon but only smaller in size, maybe around half she thought. It was slightly snowing this time of year, or most of the year Yang used to say, and the ground was covered in a mix of fluffy snow and greed blades of grass. Weiss greatly admired the fresh setting she was in, as she was used to being in the city all the time.

As the taxi reached the outskirts of the town, the already sparse human-made landscape became even sparser, with houses being fewer and farther in-between. The road started to get bumpy, with potholes here and there, as Weiss realized she wasn't going to get any more sleep than she already had on the flight in. She had been in the taxi for about half an hour as the car reached a small congregation of houses jutting out from the side of the main road, with a sign saying "Abethon Road" by the entrance.

The taxi eventually reached a house near the end of the road. It was a cottage that was actually larger than the ones around it, with a small but discernable 2nd floor. The roof was lined with red-orange tiles with a few tiles missing here and there. To the side of the house was a small open garage with a partially gutted motorcycle lying on its side, its engine block on a wooden table in the back. The front lawn was well manicured and maintained, the exact opposite of the lawns of its neighbors. Grey-white smoke came out from the chimney carrying with it a faint smell of freshly baked cookies.

"Well at least she can actually bake them herself now..."

The normally confident Weiss Schnee was all sorts of nervous as she forced herself to the front door. It took even more courage for her to actually press the doorbell. This was, after all, the house of the best friend she hasn't seen in nearly five years. The friend that, at some point, became more than friends with her in their final year at Beacon. The relationship she had to give up in an effort so shield her from the secret world she, as a Schnee, would have to unravel. To protect her from the scandals and the politics of it all. But now here she was, with nowhere else to go, standing on the front porch of the woman she loved but had to leave behind.

What seemed like an eternity was only barely 5 seconds as, in mere moments, the front door opened. Standing in front of Weiss was a young woman 2 years her junior wearing a red dress with an purple apron, her skirt with frilly hems reaching up to her knees, her hair in a messy bunch inside a hairnet, with cookie dough on her face.

"... Weiss?"

"Hi... Ruby."

Authors Notes:

I am generally not a fan of White Rose. I'm more of Lancaster through and through as evidenced by my... uh... first work in this section. I left the ending to the opener open and vague because I have yet to decide where I want to take it. If you decide to review this then if you can maybe drop an opinion or something as to how you think the story should go since chapter 2 will take a while as I iron out the details and general direction the story will take.