Atlas...
Schnee Manor...

The Kingdom of Atlas, located in the continent of Solitas, was as quiet and 'peaceful' as ever. Thanks to the Hard-Light Dust Barriers that surrounded the Kingdom, no Grimm could get in, nor would the extreme cold temperatures of the continent prove to be detrimental to the citizens. Aside from Atlas Academy, which also doubles as Atlas' Military compound, another very noticeable and quite infamous location within Atlas was none other than the home of the Schnee family, known as the Schnee Manor.

Watching the multiple Atlesian airships fly past, through her room window was the Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company herself, Weiss Schnee.

After the Fall of Beacon, she was essentially escorted back to Atlas immediately, due to her father not wanting her to get caught up within that mess. But even then, Weiss' demeanor ever since returning was... much different compared to before she left for Beacon. She was a lot more... somber and quiet and was mostly cooped up in her own room rather than trying to spend time with her own family. This was most likely the effect of trauma from the event that happened at Beacon but not only that, but there was a much deeper emotion she was feeling...

Loneliness.

Despite all of the conflict and mishaps Weiss ended up getting into during her time at Beacon with her friends, she did genuinely enjoy those moments. Such as the legendary food fight, the secret missions she'd do alongside Teams RWBY and WOLF and the school dance. It felt like she made genuine friends that she could talk to... but now, she is back to being stuck far north in Remnant, far away from everyone. Back to being alone, in this big house with her mother, who barely was even in her life due to her alcoholism, her father and her younger brother, two people she didn't see as very good people. Quite annoying to her actually...

A gentle knock on her door took her out of her thoughts as she turned to look towards it.

Weiss: "Yes?" It gently swung open, to reveal possibly the only person within the manor that she could consider a genuine friend. Her butler, Klein Sieben.

(Klein Seiben)

Klein: "Pardon the interruption Ms. Schnee but your father wishes to speak with you." Ah, her father... The man that runs the S.D.C and after hearing of all the torture Akito went through in the mines, she knew that he was the reason why the entire world's reception of her Grandfather's Company had taken such a sharp downfall. She lightly sighed.

Weiss: "Thank you, Klein."

With her mentally preparing herself, she stood up from her chair and proceeded to exit her room, towards her father's chambers where she would be expecting to be... royally disappointed.

>Chapter 32: Trapped and Remembrance<

https://youtu.be/feEYNF5MwPw

(Play the OST above cause why not.)

The Schnee Manor was massive and now that she thought about it, maybe too big for Weiss' taste. Sure, they were a luxurious family, and they need the space for when they host parties and for the multiple staff there such as Klein and her Cake Butler, but even then, is such a big mansion needed for such a small family while those living in poverty in the city of Mantle below struggle to even get proper property to live in?

Of course, she knew it was excessive but even then, the people of Atlas, no less her own father would care. She continued on her way as she was walking down the hallway that led to her father's office. But as she was on this... rather long and dragged-out path, she was slightly surprised to see her younger brother, Whitley Schnee, seemingly waiting for her.

(Whitley Schnee)

Whitley: "Good afternoon, sister. A pleasure to see you out of your room for a change." She slightly rolled her eyes.

Weiss: "Hello, Whitley. You're in a cheery mood today."

Whitley: "Klein made crepes for breakfast." There was a brief silence as Weiss stared at her brother before sighing.

Weiss: "What do you want?"

Whitley: "I heard Father shouting with someone in his study earlier. Why am I not surprised..."

Weiss: "Mother?"

Whitley: "No, she's already drinking in the garden." Hearing that didn't surprise the Heiress but even then... It still frustrated her. "I think it was a man... I just wanted to warn you. I heard he asked to speak to you."

Weiss: "I'll be fine..."

Whitley: "I know you will. You're strong, light Winter!" Hearing his sudden praises for not only herself but for their older sister, Winter Schnee caused the heiress to get slightly suspicious of her own brother.

Weiss: "You... never liked Winter."

Whitley: "True. But you can't deny her resolve." She tilted her head slightly as she continued to stare at him. Was this really the same younger brother she knew?

Weiss: "You seem... different."

Whitley: "And you've been gone. I'll have you know that I didn't stop growing while you were away at Beacon." He turned his back to her and began to take his leave. "Anyway, good luck with Father."

Weiss watched him go, her head lowering the moment he had mentioned that she was away from home and at Beacon for multiple semesters, and during that time, the only contact she had with any family was with Winter when she had visited during the Vytal Festival Tournament. A soft sigh exited her lips as she turned around.

Weiss: "Thank you..."

After that encounter, Weiss had finally managed to arrive in front of her father's office. As she stopped in front of his door however, she was greeted with exactly what her brother described, the sound of her father's voice arguing with another man, who sounded a lot like...

Weiss' thoughts: "Is that... General Ironwood's voice?" However, she was more surprised to notice that someone was standing right outside of the door, as if guarding it. She recognized that mess of blonde hair anywhere, along with those bright blue eyes and those fake horns on her head.

Weiss: "Maya??" She whispered loudly. The youngest Arc looked towards her and smiled brightly as she instantly tackled the Heiress, nearly knocking her over.

Maya: "Weiss!!! I'm so happy to see you again~!" She exclaimed in a hushed yet excited tone. The white-haired female was surprised by this sudden gesture but managed to smile and return the embrace.

Weiss: "What are you doing here?" She questioned as the hug parted.

Maya: "The General asked me and Akira to accompany him here to talk to your father." The heiress was more surprised to learn that not only Maya herself, but Akira was also here.

Weiss "Akira's here?"

Maya: "Yep!" She nodded happily. "I think he's walking around the place, but he's here. He said that he couldn't stand hearing your father's voice, so decided to wander about." Weiss sighed but couldn't blame him.

Weiss: "I can relate to that..." She shook her head. "What about Lapis and Saria? Are they here too?"

Maya: "Oh, no, they're back at the Academy still. Saria really did NOT want to come here, mostly due to... well..." She merely gestured towards her head, which Weiss instantly picked up on. She was obviously referring to the fact that Saria was a Faunus with Fox Ears and the fact that the Schnees... well mainly her father wasn't the kindest to Faunus, she didn't want to deal with that.

Weiss: "I see..."

Maya: "Yeah, so she's staying back, and Lapis is keeping her company." The heiress lets out a small hum as she gave a small, yet saddened nod. "But that aside, were you summoned here or something?"

Weiss: "Ah... yes, my father called me here. But it sounds like it might be a... bad time?"

Maya: "Hmm... Probably, but you should still be able to enter his office. It is your house after all, and the general will understand." She said, giving a friendly thumbs up. The Heiress hummed but nodded as she approached the door, her ears instantly picking up the argument that was happening inside.

Jacques: "I'm not talking about the good of my company, I'm talking about the good of Atlas! Our entire Kingdom!"

Ironwood: "That's a load of garbage and you know it."

Jacques: "I beg your pardon!?" Slowly, she began to open the door. As guessed, Ironwood was the one that her father, Jacques Schnee was arguing with.

However, the moment her eyes landed on her father's face, she suddenly remembered the heated argument she and Akito had back in the day when they first met and just after Blake had run away. She remembered the S.D.C Logo that was burned into his arm and how he described the torture he was put through in those mines and the fact that he kept mentioning her father in particular. It made her slightly clench her fists, but she was remaining calm to the best of her ability.

(Jacques Schnee)

Ironwood: "Jacques, will you just hear me out?" The man in question slammed his liquor glass on the glass coffee table before leaning back in his seat.

Jacques: "You are a trusted friend and ally to this family, James. But what you're suggesting is absurd." He said as he slammed his fist onto the armrest of his chair.

Ironwood: "You are blowing it out of proportion."

Jacques: "The council will never agree to it!" he exclaimed while standing up suddenly. The general stared at him before he too began to stand.

Ironwood: "You forget, I hold two seats on the council."

Jacques: "Your Dust embargo has already cost me millions. I can promise you; I have not forgotten!"

Ironwood: "So this IS about you!" As Weiss entered the room, the sound of the door closing caught the attention of the two men, who instantly looked towards her in slight surprise. "Ms. Schnee. My apologies, I should have been gone by now." he said, giving her an apologetic bow.

Weiss: "I-It's okay."

Ironwood: "We'll continue this at another time, Jacques."

Jacques: "Indeed. Klein can show you out."

Ironwood: "Hmph, don't worry, I know the way." He dismissed as he began to walk towards the door. The Heiress stepped out of his way as the door opened, revealing Maya, with a slightly surprised expression. He turned and glanced at the white-haired man. "Until next time, Jacques." he then looked at Weiss "Please know, you'll always have a home at Atlas Academy, Ms. Schnee. We'll be back in session before you know it. Maya, let's go."

Maya: "Right!" With the blonde saluting, she began to march away joyfully as the man followed behind her, her pleased hums being heard as they got further and further away.

Jacques: "Did you forget your manners while you were away?" the young female tensed up slightly but lightly sighed as she shook her head and turned to face him

Weiss: "...No Father, I'm sorry." She apologized. The man made his way to his main desk and sat down, his chair swiveling around so that his back faced his daughter while she began to approach.

Jacques: "Can you believe there are still people in the world that blame Atlas for what happened to Beacon? To Vale?"

Weiss: "Well, they weren't there."

Jacques: "It's a wonder Ironwood wasn't stripped of his rank. I suppose the council trusts him. For better or worse."

Weiss: "I trust him." The man hummed and spun his chair around so that he'd face her.

Jacques: "Thanks to him, Atlas is forbidden from exporting Dust to other Kingdoms! 'A precautionary measure' as he puts it, until we're certain no one is going to declare war." The heiress continued to stare at him, while gripping onto her left arm, more out of a state of self-comfort than anything. "How anyone could possibly find that to be sound logic is beyond me. Which is why the Schnee Dust Company will be holding a charity concert in the coming weeks. We need to show the people of Remnant that we are on their side, that we are all victims of the Fall of Beacon." Weiss was taken by surprise by this sudden news, but knowing her father, there had to be some ulterior motive to this.

Weiss: "That's... wonderful news...!" She said while putting on a fake smile.

Jacques: "I know. And I think it would make a lot of people happy if you performed at the event."

Weiss: "Excuse me?"

Jacques: "Many forget that you were there. My own daughter-a Schnee-on the grounds defending another Kingdom! We need to remind them, and we need to show them that the Schnee family is just as strong as ever."

Weiss: "Are you asking me if I'd like to sing, or telling me?" She didn't know why she asked that question. She already knew what the answer was after all... but... maybe she was just hoping that she'd be wrong for once...

Jacques: "I think it would make a lot of people happy." Unfortunately for her, she was proven to be right... She sighed lightly.

Weiss: "I'll start practicing..." She relented, much to her father's happiness as he grinned.

Jacques: "That's my girl."

After her 'wonderful' meeting with her father, Weiss exited his office, not feeling any more ecstatic. In fact, she just felt more disappointed than anything but what was she expecting to happen? For him to sit her down and have a heart to heart, comforting talk with her like any normal father would with their child? Of course not. Her father was Jacques Schnee after all, a man all about business and money. Not relationships and bonds.

Klein: "Hot coffee Ms. Schnee?" She was a bit surprised to see her butler standing before her, a tray in hand with a hot cup of coffee prepared for her. "I always find that he keeps his study dreadfully cold."

Weiss: "Thank you Klein." She gave a small, yet slightly forced smile and accepted the warm beverage before blowing on it gently and taking a small sip. It seemed like the man noticed her rather frustrated mood and decided to try his hand at cheering her up.

Klein: "You know what I think?" She looked at him, only to see his eyes suddenly turn red as his personally switched. "I think it's to balance out all his hot air!" He began to cackle while the Heiress looked quite shocked but soon began to let out quiet giggles.

Weiss: "Klein!" her giggling continued, with her doing everything she could to hold them in but that would prove to be futile as he suddenly sneezed as his eyes turned blue.

Klein: "My... My apologies madam." He sneezed again, causing her to giggle again. He then looked back at her, his eyes turning back to brown. "Ahh, there's my happy little Snowflake."

Weiss realized what he was doing. It was obvious. He wanted to cheer her up and... his attempts worked as the giggles that were coming from here were more lighthearted and happy. She looked at him, with the most genuine grin she's had ever since she came back to Atlas.

Weiss: "Thank you Klein."

Even when most of the time, things are miserable for her in her home, Weiss could always count on Klein to cheer her up, the only person in this house that she could consider a real friend... a real family member.

>>Meanwhile<<

Standing outside of the Schnee Manor, underneath the monument that projected the Schnee emblem was none other than Akira. He just silently stood there, his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the emblem, then back at the manor. 

Ironwood: "Akira, we're leaving." The man's voice called out to him as both him and Maya were walking towards him. Akira didn't respond for a moment, staring at the Manor with the sad face of a particular Schnee briefly flashing in his mind. He closed his eyes and shrugged with a small sigh.

Akira: "Yeah, yeah, I hear you."

Anima...

Ruby found herself in a space of nothingness. She vividly remembered setting up camp with the rest of Team RNJR along with Setsuna before knocking out for the night. But... this hasn't been the first time she ended up in this space... And just like the first time she did, she began to hear a voice... The voice of someone who never made it out of Beacon... Pyrrha Nikos.

Pyrrha: "Jaune!" She called his name as there was the sound of a sword being unsheathed "Jaune! JAUNE!"

Slowly, Ruby began to open her eyes, finding herself to be in the middle of a forest, where they had set up the campsite. She slowly sat up, seeing a sleeping Ren and Nora, but Jaune's sleeping bag was empty. Hearing a bit of rustling next to her, she turned her head and saw that Setsuna was also waking up, her wolf ears twitching as they kept picking up on the faint sounds...

Pyrrha: "Jaune!"

Ruby was slightly startled and looked at Setsuna, who shrugged but looked towards a specific direction as it seemed like the voice was coming from there. The two shared a light nod before standing up and following the noise quietly, while avoiding waking the others. As they got closer and closer, they came to a small opening, where they were surprised to see Jaune, standing there with his Cores Mors in hand and on a small log was his scroll, which was playing a video with Pyrrha on it.

Pyrrha: "Alright Jaune, just like we practiced. Follow these instructions. Shield Up." He raised his shield... "Keep your grip tight." He tightened his grip on his sword.... "Don't forget to keep your front foot forward. Ready? Go!" With a yell, he thrusts his sword forwards. "Again!" He did another slash, this time it being a horizontal one. "And again!" He did a final third downwards slash before panting heavily. "Okay. Now assuming you aren't cheating... we can take a break."

He stood up straight and lowered his head. The two girls that were watching from behind the trees, looking at the Scroll as they noticed that Pyrrha's expression seemed to soften quite a bit.

Pyrrha: "I know this can be frustrating..." Jaune looked towards the recording, silently. "...and it can feel like so much effort to progress such as a small amount. But... I want you to know that I'm proud of you. I've never met someone so determined to better themself. You've grown so much since we started training. And I know this is just the beginning." Suddenly however, she paused as she began to glance off to the side, a faint blush forming on her cheeks as she suddenly began to stutter on her own words.

Pyrrha: "Jaune... I... I..." There was a brief silence before she sighed and smiled. "I want you to know that I'm just happy to be a part of your life. I'll always be here for you, Jaune." There was a brief silence before a second voice was heard in the video, taking both Ruby and especially Setsuna by surprise... It was... Akito's voice.

Akito: "Fucking hell, Cherryblossom. That was your chance to finally say it." The redhead looked away sheepishly while rubbing her arm.

Pyrrha: "I-I'm sorry..." Akito sighed from off screen.

Akito: "No, it's alright. Besides... This alone is enough. I'm sure he'll appreciate this gift." The spartan's face brightened up as she smiled much more sweetly and lightly laughed.

Pyrrha: "Yeah... You're right, Akito. Thanks again."

Akito: "Anytime." His voice said in a soft tone before suddenly, the entire video began to rewind and loop back to the very beginning.

Pyrrha: "Alright Jaune, just like we practiced. Follow these instructions. Shield Up. Keep your grip tight. Don't forget to keep your front foot forward."

With a small sigh, Jaune quickly went back into stance. Ruby's expression displayed sadness as she watched her friend train so hard. However, when she looked at Setsuna, she was more surprised to find that... the arctic-wolf Faunus had tears running down her eyes. Hearing Pyrrha's voice again already was enough to bring her to tears... but hearing Akito's voice again, it caused her dam to break. She touched the white-haired female's shoulder, causing her to look at her through her tear-filled eyes. With nothing to say, the two began to head back to the campgrounds, with Ruby supporting the emotionally scarred Faunus, as they left Jaune to his training and moment of remembrance.

Pyrrha: "Ready? Go!" She said just as Jaune thrusts his sword forwards again, with a yell.

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Next Chapter: Of Runaways and Stowaways