After restocking their supplies at the last village they were at, Higanbana, Team RNJR and Setsuna continued down their path towards the Kingdom of Mistral. This time, Jaune had the map and was leading the group, with Nora by his side, while Ruby, Setsuna and Ren slightly hung back.

Nora: "Another day, another adventure!"

Ruby: "What's on the agenda today?"

Jaune: "Walking."

Nora: "With the side of...?"

Ren: "Walking." The argent eyed girl sighed as Setsuna looked at her with concern.

Setsuna: "Are you okay, Ruby?"

Ruby: "Yeah... It's just... Haven's a lot farther away than I thought..." Ren gradually came to her and Setsuna's side, while raising an eyebrow.

Ren: "Ruby? How long did you think this journey was going to take?" The scythe-wielder suddenly got flustered and began to walk a bit faster now.

Ruby: "I-I don't know! I grew up in a small area, I've never been this far away from home!"

Jaune: "Right but... how long?"

Ruby: "Maybe like... uh... two weeks?" In an instant, Jaune and Setsuna both looked at her in complete and utter disbelief.

Jaune and Setsuna: "What!?"

Ruby: "Okay fine! Three or something! Look, whatever..." She looked down at her feet as they continued to walk before she began to look up, with her becoming a bit confused. She then pointed forwards. "Hey, what's that?" The others stopped and looked at what she was pointing at.

Setsuna: "Is that... a village?"

Jaune: "That's strange... I didn't think we'd be hitting another village for a few days..." he said as he looked at the map while Nora ran up ahead and got up on a rock, trying to get a better look.

Nora: "Are those buildings... damaged??"

Jaune: "We should search for survivors!"

They all instantly began to rush towards the Village, with Jaune tossing the Map aside. Setsuna noticed this however and quickly ran back, jumping up and catching the map just before it could blow away. She sighed in relief, rolled it up and tucked it into her backpack.

Setsuna: "Akito always tells Setsuna to 'never lose your map'." She repeated to herself as she quickly caught up with her friends. They all looked around, trying to search for anyone or anything in the vicinity.

Ruby: "Anything!?"

Nora: "Nothing over here!"

Jaune: "No one over here either." Setsuna just shook her head with a slight huff.

Ren: "It almost seems like... the town was abandoned..."

Nora: "Hey, I think I found something!" They quickly went to join the hammer-wielder's side. Nora stood in front of a sign, which seemed to display the name of the village. "Oniyuri? Never heard of it."

Jaune: "Me neither."

Ren: "I have." Everyone looked at him. "You might think of it as Anima's Mountain Glenn, had it never been completed. Years ago, the richest members of Mistral were unhappy with how the Kingdom was being run. Frustrated with the council, they pooled their resources together to build their own city, with their own laws. They hoped that one day, it could maybe even become its own Kingdom. Many thought it would be the future... I know my parents did..." He walked over to the sign, placing a hand on top of it.

Ruby: "What happened...?"

Ren: "What always happens..." he answered as he swiped some of the dust off of the sign, revealing dark claw markings.

Jaune: "The Grimm..."

Ren: "Not just any one..." he added on, clenching his fists. Setsuna and Ruby exchanged concerned looks.

Setsuna: "Just... one?" She questioned, her voice sounding a bit nervous and concerned. Nora was staring at Ren, the concern on her face evident as Jaune began to slowly walk away.

Jaune: "Come on. Let's just get through here. This place gives me the creeps..."

With the grave atmosphere, the group began to depart, all silent. While Setsuna and Ruby were trying to figure out what kind of singular Grimm could force an entire village to evacuate, Ren and Nora already knew the answer. It was written all over their faces, just from how silent they had gotten.

Setsuna's thoughts: "One... Grimm..." The arctic wolf went into deep thought before suddenly an image flashed through her mind, followed by loud, horrific groaning and screeching noises, causing her eyes to widen. "It... can't be... right?"

>Chapter 36: Tipping Point<

Schnee Manor...
Atlas...

The charity concert for those suffering from the Fall of Beacon was currently being held at the Schnee Manor. Of course, many showed up to watch the beautiful performance that was going to be done by the Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company herself, Weiss Schnee. The audience watched in awed silence as the white-haired female concluded her performance with this final song.

♫I'm not your pet, not another thing you own... I was not born guilty of your crimes. Your riches and your influence can hold me anymore, I won't be possessed, burdened by a royal test! I will not surrender, This Life is Mine!♫

The audience instantly began to clap for the Heiress' wonderful performance, however, as Weiss looked around her, she didn't feel a sense of happiness or accomplishment. She then glanced upwards, spotting her father seated, watching silently with her younger brother, Whitley, who was clapping, by his side. Then for some particular reason, Weiss could feel a particular pair of eyes on her. She looked around in the crowd and glanced up to one of the upper levels, just barely spotting what looked like a snowflake that fell downwards towards her. She opened her palm as it fell into her hand and gently melted, but just looking at the snowflake itself gave her a familiar sense of relief.

Weiss' thoughts: "Was that...?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After the concert was over, everyone had moved into the grand dining hall to continue the party. Weiss was positioned next to her father, alongside her brother as he was chatting with a couple of other rich citizens, wine glasses in their hands.

Jacques: "That's precisely my point. We offer Faunus the exact same wages given to the rest of our mining shaft. Their argument's completely invalid right out the gate." Weiss knew that was a lie, evident by how she slightly cringed, remembering seeing Akito's S.C.D scar.

Man: "Well, I think the bigger issue is our society as a whole."

Jacques: "What, you mean Atlas?"

Choosing to tune out the entire conversation, Weiss looked around at the party, a bored expression plastered on her face before her eyes slowly widened upon spotting something. It was a large painting of Beacon Academy. Just staring at the painting drew many wonderful memories from the heiress' memory and was enough to draw her towards it. However, she flinched, feeling her father grab her arm. He leaned over to her and kept his voice low.

Jacques: "Where are you going?"

Weiss: "I'm... just a little thirsty."

Jacques: "Sweetheart, we have people for that." he raised his hand, about to wave a waiter over to them, but Weiss quickly stopped him.

Weiss: "What? No, I can get it. I'll be right back, I promise." Jacques just silently eyed her before turning his attention back to the conversation, allowing Weiss to slip away silently.

Jacques: "I'm sorry, I tuned out for a second but sounds like I'm the good guy again?" They all began to laugh.

Finally managing to get away from her father, Weiss silently approached the painting of her former school, a place she was able to call her home away from home. Beacon Academy, with a plaque in front of it stating, "SHOW THE WORLD WE CARE. All proceeds go to the Kingdom of Vale". 

Just staring at it flooded her brain with many memories, all including the friends she made. Her own Team, Akito, Setsuna, Ace, Team JNPR, Team MYLC, Penny and more. There were ups and downs, as always; heck she nearly ended up driving away the three Faunus she shared a dorm with, but now, she could comfortably consider them close friends, even Akito, despite the two of them always bickering with each other. But as she looked back on those times, she realized how much fun she was having and how much she truly enjoyed being around others that aren't the rich people of Atlas or her own family for that matter. And now... she could never go back there, because it was all gone.

???: "It truly is a shame..." Startled, the heiress looked to her right, spotting some old man dressed nicely, 'smiling' gently at the painting. "Beacon was truly one of a kind, as were all the people there."

Weiss: "It... really was." She looked back at the painting, but couldn't help but feel a sense of danger from the man beside her.

???: "I could tell my dear daughter truly loved this place. I've never seen her so happy to socialize with others before. And now, she's who knows where, doing Oum knows what." Weiss fell a bit silent. She was a bit surprised to randomly learn that this man had a daughter that went to Beacon and that is now missing. But despite him sounding sad, she couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't being all that truthful. "But, I'm not worried. My dear, precious daughter is one of a kind. After all, she is my strongest specimen."

Weiss' thoughts: "...What?" She was startled to hear this but the man just looked at her and smiled before turning away.

???: "Thank you for listening to me, dear." He gave a small bow. "If you do ever run into my daughter again, please relay my message to her, that I, Shou Tucker, her father, am very proud of her."

With the heiress left in a startled silence, the man turned and made himself scarce. Just his mere presence alone put her on edge. He felt so unsettling and creepy to her, it sent chills down her spine. She was more confused by who he was talking about but did make note that he said to her 'if you do ever run into my daughter again' which meant that she had at least met whoever he was talking about.

Weiss' thoughts: "Shou... Tucker..." His name remained in her head for a while before she was brought out of her train of thought, by a male's voice from her left.

???: "It's beautiful. You two match." A young man said, leaning against the railing separating them from the painting, all the while his eyes were fully trained on Weiss. The Heiress sighed and crossed her arms.

Weiss: "Yes, it's a lovely painting."

Guy: "So, that was my attempt at breaking the ice... How am I doing so far?"

Weiss: *sigh* "You are leaving a lot to be desired."

Guy: "Well, I've always appreciated honesty." he held out a hand to her as he introduced himself. "Henry Marigold." Weiss finally glanced at him before reluctantly accepting his hand shake,

Weiss: "Weiss Schnee."

Henry: "I know, I saw your performance, obviously." He found himself faltering slightly but decided to keep up his advancements. "You were wonderful! And I promise I'm not just saying that cause you're pretty." With a small eye roll, Weiss looked back at the painting. "Honesty, remember? So, you thinking about buying it?"

Weiss: "No... I don't think so."

Henry: "Yeah, kinda pricey for a painting." She raised an eyebrow at him in irritation.

Weiss: "It's to raise money."

Henry: "Oh really? For what?" At that, the heiress' expression became more appalled by the young man's audacity.

Weiss: "For what!?"

Henry: "I'll admit, I only come to these things for the food and drinks." He took a drink from a passing by waiter. "And the extraordinary company, of course. So what, is it another Mantle fundraiser or something?" She slowly turned to face him, her fists balled up tightly as she could feel the anger building up within her.

Weiss: "Get. Out."

Henry: "What?"

Weiss: "Get out, or I will have security escort you out."

Henry: "But I haven't done any–"

Weiss: "Leave!" He just stared at him, shock crossing his face, before scoffing.

Henry: "Pfft, whatever."

With that, Henry took his leave, but not before shaking his head. Weiss huffed, annoyed at his tone before she turned back to the painting, her somber expression slowly returning. However, she wouldn't even have a minute to mourn before her ears caught the sound of some loud woman's voice.

Rich Woman: "But really, does it come as any surprise, what happened to Vale?" Weiss turned around and spotted the culprit, who had an expression of arrogance. "It was a long time coming if you ask me."

Man: "Honey..."

Woman: "What? You said the same thing last night. If they're so arrogant to think they can get by without proper Kingdom defense, then I say good riddance." With the rage and irritation building up more within, Weiss couldn't keep it together anymore. Without hesitation, she blurted out at the top of her lungs.

Weiss: "SHUT UP!" Everyone instantly went quiet, their attention now on the Heiress as Jacques narrowed his eyes in worry.

Jacques: "Weiss..."

Weiss: "You don't have a clue! NONE of you do!"

Woman: "Excuse me!?"

Weiss: "You're all just standing around talking about nothing! Worrying about your hair, your money... your stupid problems that DON'T mean anything!" Jacques quickly walked over to her side and grabbed her arm.

Jacques: "Weiss, that's enough!"

Weiss: "Let go of me!" She protested, while trying to pry her arm away from him.

Jacques: "You're embarrassing the family!"

Weiss: "I said LET GO!"

She finally succeeded at prying herself from her father's grip, resulting in her falling over onto her right side. Just as she hit the ground however, her Semblance activated on its own, creating a unique Glyph right next to her. There were many gasps of shock, as Weiss starred in completely and utter surprise at what she did. She managed to summon a Boarbatusk; more specifically, it was the one she fought during the first class she had with Port.

Snarling, the Boarbatusk roared aggressively at the woman and instantly began to charge straight at her, causing her to scream in fear and terror.

Woman: "PLEASE, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

The summoned beast however had no plans in stopping its attack as it leaped into the air, ready to ram the woman onto the floor. However, it was stopped as a black blur sped past, a slicing noise being heard, followed by a pained squeal from the Boarbatusk. Weiss looked up in surprise to see her summoned Boarbatusk completely sliced in half and disintegrating, and standing in front of her on one knee, was none other than Akira of Team MYLC, his Harvester Scythe resting on his shoulder. Not far behind him was General Ironwood, who had a hand on one of his Due Process revolvers.

Weiss: "A...Akira...?" The blue-eyed male stared at her with his usual expressionless face before he offered a hand to her, his expression slightly softening.

Akira: "Are you hurt, Weiss?"

Weiss: "O-Oh..." She faintly blushed as she gently took his hand, allowing him to assist her back onto her feet. "N-No, no, I'm fine. Thank you..."

Woman: "Arrest her!" Akira dryly looked at the woman, who was pointing directly at Weiss, while looking at the General with a frantic expression. "What are you waiting for!? She's insane! She should be locked up!"

Weiss said nothing and just slightly hid behind Akira, squeezing his hand and looking away with a look of guilt on her face. The raven-haired male said nothing as he looked at her but then slowly narrowed his eyes back at the woman.

Akira: "That's rich coming from the hag belittling those who lost their lives." The woman looked at him, insulted by his words.

Woman: "Excuse me!? I have half the mind to–"

Ironwood: "That's enough." She froze and looked at the General, who didn't look very amused. "Besides, Weiss is the only one making sense around here." He then looked at Jacques. "Thanks for the party, Jacques. Akira, we're leaving." The male just silently nodded as Ironwood began to make his exit. Akira then looked back at Weiss, who couldn't look him in the eye.

Akira: "Don't feel bad for telling the truth, Weiss." The heiress slowly looked at him, his expression softening once again. "I've got to go now. I'll see you soon." Weiss hesitated.

For some reason, she couldn't bring herself to let go but, in the end, she knew she had to. Gradually, she released her grip on his hand, while staring at him with somber eyes before nodding. With him returning the nod, Akira turned and walked after the General, while holstering Harbinger. Weiss watched him go, with her wanting to reach out to him and follow, but her feet were rooted to the ground. She was stuck in her spot by her father's seething glare.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After the party, Weiss was immediately sent to her room, my seething father in toe. He paced back and forth as Weiss just silently watched while seated on her bead.

Jacques: "Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable! Do you have any idea what your stunt cost us?"

Weiss: "I-"

Jaques: "And don't think I'm just talking about Lien here! Our reputation! Our... Our...!" He sighed heavily and held his head. Weiss remained silent for a while, looking down at her lap before she suddenly spoke up.

Weiss: "I want to leave." He snapped his head towards her.

Jacques: "I beg your pardon?"

Weiss: "I said, I want to leave. I don't want to stay here anymore. I don't want to stay in Atlas anymore!"

Jacques: "Young lady, I don't give a damn about what you want! This isn't about you. This is about the Schnee family name and your apparent insistence on dragging it through the mud!" Instantly, she stood up and faced him directly, a hand on her chest..

Weiss: "I have done nothing but fight to uphold the honor of my family name, a name YOU married into!" She exclaimed as she pointed at him and jabbed her index finger forwards to emphasize her point.

*SLAP*

In an instant, Weiss recoiled in pain and shock as her father immediately slapped her across the face for speaking up against him. The Heiress was shocked, rubbing the side of her face as she never expected for her father to go this far.

Jacques: "This behavior of yours is incredibly disappointing... You couldn't possibly understand the lengths I've gone to in order to keep this family where it is. You think running off like your sister is going to make the Schnee name stronger you're wrong. Siding with her only divides us."

Weiss: "I'm not siding with anyone. I'm doing what I feel is right, and that does NOT include wasting my time up here with these clueless people in Atlas." Jacques turned his back to her and began to walk towards the door. "The Schnee family legacy isn't yours to leave. It's mine." She placed her hand to her chest. "And I'll do it as a Huntress." The man slowly came to a stop, his hands behind his back.

Jacques: "No... you won't." He slowly turned and faced her before approaching her again. "You're not leaving Atlas. You're not to leave the manor grounds unless I specifically allow it. You are going to remain here, out of sight and out of trouble, until you and I come to an agreement on your future."

Weiss: "What!?"

Jacques: "Your presupposition that you can simply have whatever it is you want is a clear sign of our failure as parents. But from now on, I'll be giving you the full attention you require, starting by keeping you where I can see you." He turned around and began to walk back to the door, leaving Weiss flabbergasted by what he just said to her.

Weiss: "You can't just keep me from leaving!"

Jacques: "I can, and the staff here will make sure of it."

Weiss: "So now I'm just your prisoner!?"

Jacques: "You are my daughter. You're a child, and children are grounded when they misbehave."

Weiss: "This is only going to make things worse Father. People will ask questions! They'll want to know why the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company is suddenly nowhere to be found!"

Jacques: "Which is why you are no longer heiress to the Schnee Dust Company." Weiss fell silent, her eyes widened from his words as she slightly stumbled backwards.

Weiss: "Excuse me?"

Jacques: "Clearly the trauma you endured at the Fall of Beacon was too much for you. Which is why you've 'generously' revoked your claim to the company and its earnings and passed it on to your brother, Whitley." The now former heiress just silently stared at him in disbelief as he glared at me one last time to emphasize his point. "It's time to wake up and face reality."

He turned to leave, however as he opened the door and exited the room, it was revealed that Whitley was there all along, listening with a smug smile plastered on his face. He turned and began to waltz away, but Weiss quickly caught up with him.

Weiss: "Whitley!?" He turned around and looked at her, still smiling.

Whitley: "Yes sister?" She stomped up to him and crossed her arms.

Weiss: "Did you know about this?"

Whitley: "About what?"

Weiss: "You never liked Winter. You never liked me. But you've been nothing but supportive since the moment I came back."

Whitley: "If being kind to my big sister is some sort of crime, then I suppose, I'm guilty." Slowly the realization settled as Weiss' eyes widened, a look of pure hurt and betrayal being plastered over her face.

Weiss: "You wanted this to happen." The Heir continued to smile at his older sister before slowly narrowing his eyes, giving her a similar glare to what her father did.

Whitley: "It's foolish not to do as Father asks."

Weiss: "I can't believe you..."

Whitley: "Don't worry, Weiss. The Schnee family name is in good hands."

With that, he turned around and began to leave. Weiss just watched, silent and completely in utter shock and betrayal. It didn't even feel like she was in a home anymore... rather, now she felt like she was in a prison. With tears streaming down her face, she ran back into her room, closing the door behind her before she collapsed onto her bed to begin sobbing. As she did however, she heard a subtle knock on her window, slightly startling her. When she looked up however, her eyes widened as she wasn't expecting to see...

Weiss: "A-Akira...!?" The male had his arms crossed as he stared at her through the window, before slightly gesturing towards her to open it. Quickly stammering to her feet, while wiping away her tears, the ex-heiress quickly rushed over and opened the window, allowing the male access inside.

Akira: "I was starting to think you'd leave me out there to freeze to de–"

He was cut off suddenly by the white-haired girl lunging at him, burying her face into his chest. While Akira was caught off guard and was about to ask her what she was doing, upon hearing the sniffles and cries coming from her, he decided not to. He simply stood there, a hand gently patting her on the back, becoming her emotional support pillar.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Akira: "Are you feeling better now?"

Weiss: "Yes... Thank you..." the ex-heiress sat on her bed, while Akira remained standing, leaning against the window with his arms crossed. After crying her eyes out and venting all of her emotions to Akira, Weiss told him about the argument she had with her father and the whole thing about her being revoked the rights to the company. There was silence for the moment before it suddenly broke. "Akira...?"

Akira: "Yeah?"

Weiss: "Tell me... What would you do in my situation?" She asked, looking at the raven-haired male who remained silent for a while before he sighed and answered.

Akira: "Show him he can't control me." He said before looking towards the ex-heiress, who had a confused expression on her face. "You've been through more traumatic experiences than that old fucker's been through Weiss. That's just a fact because I know that Jacques has never had to get down and dirty like you, me or the others have. And you've built up a resolve because of those experiences." He walked over to her and sat down next to her on her bed. He turned to look at her and placed a surprisingly gentle hand on her shoulder, while looking her in the eyes.

Akira: "I'd say, show him that resolve. Show him what makes you Weiss Schnee and not his little pet." The white-haired female was taken by surprise by the male's words, not expecting to hear such a thing from him... yet she found it comforting. A smile formed on her face as she placed a hand on top of his.

Weiss: "Thank you, Akira." What she wasn't expecting however... was to see a smile form onto the male's face as well. Upon seeing it, caused her eyes to widen and for her cheeks to turn pink, as she felt her heart beginning to beat faster and faster. *thoughts* "C-Cute..."

Akira: "No problem, Weiss." She blinked before quickly snapping herself out of her little daydreaming. "So, what's your plan now?"

Weiss: "Um..."

She thought for a moment, with her gradually glancing around her spacious room before her eyes landed on the one painting she had in her room. It was of a large suit of armor, the exact same one that was possessed by a Geist Grimm that she was forced to challenge, in order to prove to her father that she was ready to leave for Beacon; The Arma Gigas. A calculating smile formed on her lips.

Weiss: "Can you help me move my furniture around? I believe its time I stop moping and do something." She didn't even need to explain as Akira seemed to understand and nodded. Together, the two began to push some of her furniture out of the way, including her bed. Doing so left an open space next to the window, large enough for things to not get in the way. Akira watched as Weiss then walked over to her bedside table, where a rectangular silver case was. Opening it revealed her beloved weapon, Myrtenaster and all of its dust cartridges.

With a confident grin, she held up Myrtenaster, its blade shining within the moonlight before she turned and looked at Akira, who merely smiled and gave a supporting thumbs up.

Yes... Now it was time. It was time that she worked on escaping this icy hell that was her own home.

______________________________________

Next Chapter: Punishment