Save the world? Fuck that, I want to make money! (RWBY SI) ch 41

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With all the chaos that had been happening, it was deemed best for the family that the funeral had been a private affair inside the Schnee Manor. The last thing the family needed was people protesting or even desecrating his ruins in one final act of spite. It was deemed prudent then that Jacques Schnee's remains would be cremated and the ashes scattered at home. There was a certain irony to that as Jacques Schnee made it his life's mission to mine dust and here he was, turned into it. 

Winter had already made her peace with her father's death. She wouldn't sugar coat the fact that her father was responsible for the suffering of countless faunus, corrupting the strands that held Atlas together, and was monstrous even to his own family. The man was terrible in each and everyway. In time, the scars he had left behind would heal. She took a moment to glance at her family's reactions and smiled mirthlessly as Weiss put on a brave face, trying her best to look strong even as Klein opened the urn and spread the ashes into the wind. But cracks were showing, the way her pale cheeks were puffed and her eyes watered slightly. Jacques Schnee was a cold man but he was still her father. She had a right to be emotional. Whitley was far too young to understand what was going on and had fallen asleep halfway through the ceremony. And her mother?

Her mother put on the face of a wife in mourning, as what was expected her. But even Winter could tell that her tears were half-hearted at best. 

She blinked, feeling a pressure in her hand. Looking down, Winter's expression softened as she saw Weiss grasping on to her, her eyes red with tears. Winter squeezed her hand against her sisters own, offering her support and warmth as they both watched their father's ashes floating away. 

The ceremony was over as quickly as it begun, their mother the first to retreat back into the Manor, Klein in tow carrying a sleeping Whitley in his hands. Only Winter and Weiss remained. 

"What now?" sniffed Weiss. 

"Mother is going to be the CEO of our company, little sister. She has good people around her. We will be alright," Winter cooed softly. Truth be told, she was surprised at the steel her mother had displayed. She...she was never like that for as long as Winter had remembered. For all her life, Winter had known her mother to be as soft as a cotton ball and as malleable as gold. Pretty to look at and even softer to the touch, never displaying any ambition or drive. It became even worse the more her father planted his tendrils into the company, her whole personality devolving to drinking wine and neglecting her children. 

What had changed, Winter wondered. 

"I'm cold. And sleepy," Weiss complained. She had been vigilant and dutiful through the wake and burial. Watching over her father's urn, staring at the vessel which held his ashes. There had been a couple days open where they allowed closed friends and officials to pay their respects and offer condolences. To Winter, Weiss's sorrow was not a surprise either. The more their father neglected them, the more Weiss yearned for his attention. Their mother...she just simply wasn't there. 

"Let's get you back to bed then," WInter nodded.

"Can you carry me, Winter?" Weiss asked softly, her eyes threatening to shut down. 

Winter smiled a little. "Of course," 

And so, Winter turned her back against her father's vanishing ashes and with her sister sleeping in her arms, Winter joined her family back into the Manor. It was still a little busy, the servants cleaning up chairs and other paraphernalia of the wake. They offered quiet bows as Winter passed though she was sure that those bows were more for Weiss rather than her. She had after all turned away from her position and went to join the military. Sure, their mother was the CEO now of the company but her position was temporary. Weiss was going to be the next CEO, in time. 

Her heels clicked against the hallways, beautiful and gilded much like everything else in the manor. Despite the wealth, it was cold and lifeless, a cage for the birds. There was gold but there was no shine, no life that made it worth it and alive. Winter would have went mad a long time ago if she had fully allowed herself to be subjected to such a life. Joining the military wasn't just a means for her to get away from her family but it also fulfilled her. It fed her purpose, serving Atlas. Something that her father never fully grasped or understood. No matter, he was dead now. 

WInter then arrived before a grand oak door, the room where she and Weiss once shared. Since her departure, it had become Weiss's room now. Slightly bending over to open it, the door opened without much protest and Winter stepped in. Her eyes were beholden to a sight that was just as she remembered, a luxurious bedroom for two sisters. Their beds were in the same corners as she remembered them to be, a crystal chandelier at the ceiling that provided light and a stone fireplace that provided warmth to them. The floor was carpeted, an import from Vacuo. Instead of the beautiful criss-crossing designs that Vacuo was famous for, the design on the carpet was that of the Schnee snowflake. All in all, a room with items worth the GDP of a small nation. 

The room aside, Winter walked up and slowly deposited Weiss's sleeping form on her bed. Mission completed, Winter turned for the fireplace and deposited new wood into it. Sure, they might have abilities that controlled ice but even they still felt cold. Winter gave Weiss one more look, making sure she was okay, before she left the room. She stood alone in the hallway, sighing. She had already made arrangements for her things to be sent back to her room at HQ. She had more than enough time with her family now and it was time to get back to work. 

Before that, she needed to go and say goodbye to her mother. 

And so, she walked, knowing already where to find her. 

Her father's office was just as she remembered it to be; cold and sterile. Despite the books and the couches that tried to make it look homey, her father's presence just made it appear a den of apathy. There was a new occupant now, that of her mother standing before the massive painting of her father. The painting was of him in his younger years, where he still had his jet black hair. It was not really had to see why her mother had fallen for such a man. In his youth, he was rather handsome. He looked kinder too, less the monster he would become. Or was he already that and just hid it behind a soft face?

It didn't matter now. The damage was done and he was already dead. 

Winter halted in her steps, glancing up to her mother's turned back. Typical in all their interactions. Even through the wake, WIllow did not say anything to her. But still, she was her mother. 

"I need to return to the army now, mother," Winter informed her, her voice steady. "General Ironwood had sent me a memo regarding an important mission we are about to undergo and my presence is sorely needed." 

Willow remained unmoving, still staring at her father's picture. Winter closed her eyes, fighting back the urge to sigh. Instead, she continued to speak. "I will take my leave now," she said, turning on her heel-

"Winter, wait," Willow suddenly spoke, her voice soft but to Winter was that of a thunderclap. Winter paused, not expecting her mother to speak up like that. She turned fully back to face her mother. Willow suddenly looked hesitant, as if she had mad a grievous mistake. But then, she shook her head and pushed on. 

"How long are you going to be away? To where?" Willow asked, her questions surprising Winter. It felt strange hearing such concerning questions from someone that had, in her view, surrendered herself to the bottle. 

"I cannot say, not even to you. Operational Security is important," Winter explained. Truth be told, she was to return immediately back to base and gear up for an expedition. 

"I...I see," Willow whispered, glancing down. For a moment, there was silence until Willow spoke up again. "You...you be careful. And keep in touch with Weiss, if you can."

"I shall, mother," Winter nodded, a sense of unease coursing through her. This had never happened before. Where was this woman when they needed her the most? Her mother glanced away, feeling the awkwardness of the situation. But something inside of her eyes spoke something to Winter, a fire that would not be quenched. 

"I...I know I have not been the best mother," Willow began to speak. Her voice was heavy, an admittance to her failure. Winter's eyes widened immediately, her heart going still. Willow smiled but it was sad, that of a woman realizing that she had been the worst to her own children. To Willow, she needed to give this confession for her children's sake. She stood forward, her confidence rising with every word. 

"I know that I have not cared for you, or Weiss, or Whitley. I...I have failed you and your siblings as a mother when I did not protect you against you father. I knew that I should have tried harder. If I had only just stood up, if only I had just done something, we would not be like this," Willow breathed in, letting out a breath of frustration and emotion. Her hands balled into a fist as the full force of her heart left her chest and soul. 

"But...I didn't. And now...the SDC is going to be split, our name is cursed and reviled. There is so much that Weiss will inherit both from your father and me...and I am sorry," Willow choked, turning away. It was too much for her now, the dam had burst. She shook where she stood, the emotion too much for her to bear. 

"I am sorry!" Willow cried and cried, choking out her admission through choking tears. "I am so sorry!" 

Winter's lips quivered, she shook as well, unexpected emotion springing from her heart. She...she wanted to be angry. Indeed, a part of her would always dislike her mother for her neglect. But to hear her cry and admit her sin...it felt like a balm to her pain. Winter turned away, unable to look at her own mother. 

​Willow took in a few breaths, her hand wiping away at the tears on her eyes and cheeks. She looked like an absolute mess. "I...I am not asking for your forgiveness. I will not blame you if you can't. I...I just want you to know that I will not be the woman you knew to Weiss and to Whitley. They....they will need a mother. I promise you, I will be the mother to them that I couldn't be for you." 

Winter swallowed the lump in her throat. She turned her back. "Do so," she managed to choke out before she walked out. 

She barely left the room before the tears in her eyes left her like a torrent of rushing water. 

Much later, the streets of Atlas was just as she remembered it to be, tall and glorious. Even despite the fact that Atlas had returned to the earth, it still felt as if it was at the sky with how its spires pierced the heavens. She had decided to take the long way route back to HQ travelling through train. She could have called for a car and even got herself driven but she felt the need to be alone, after what had happened earlier. 

She had never seen that side of her mother before, so contrite and remorseful. After getting through the emotions and composing herself, Winter could look back into what had happened with a clear head. The first question in her mind was why? Why had her mother done that? She first believed that she was drunk and was letting her inner thoughts out but ever since she had arrived back at the Manor, she hadn't seen her mother touch a bottle of wine. Sure she had seen her drink a few times before but that was grape juice, the same thing they were serving to guests. 

So, drunkenness was not it. 

Was it an attempt at manipulation? But where would such a thing even go? What would her mother benefit from doing that? Besides, she knew that her mother wouldn't be capable of such a thing. 

Perhaps she was really telling the truth and was legitimately sorry for her sorry excuse of being a parent. Assuming that was the case, Winter...honestly had no idea how to feel on that. It was so quick and unexpected that she wasn't prepared for such a thing. 

Now...what to do about it? 

If her mother was really telling the truth and promising to be a mother to her younger siblings....Winter wasn't going to begrudge her for that. She did not need to be mothered or babied, she was a fully grown woman now. If anyone needed attention, it was Weiss and Whitley. Could she ever forgive her for the neglect? Perhaps not. Would she allow her mother to prove her words? She would. 

She sighed, glancing outside the train's windows. Things were slowly returning to normal now, the memory of Brown's assassination having been past news now. The world moves on with all things. It was not a constant stagnating force, no, the world goes to the future and one must be with it lest they be left behind. Winter was determined to go forward with that, to be with Atlas as it rises ever and ever higher. She may have lost a father and her position as heiress but she also gained new things too, a life in the military and a boyfriend.

She flushed. 

She had failed to tell Weiss about such a thing. She would have went wild at that. She did not say so because it felt inappropriate to tell at a solemn time. Perhaps later, when things had calmed down and she finally got to spend more time with Alexander. Thinking about him made Winter guilty, knowing that she had only sent a few messages to him through the funeral. Alexander had told him he understood of course and would wait for her to come back but still, Winter could not help it. A part of her had whispered that perhaps he had turned to others out of loneliness but Winter dismissed such thoughts. Alexander had poor taste in jokes and humor, was irritating at times, and made Winter want to smack him in the face for being such an egotistical man but he was loyal, and brave, and patient. It was also a bonus that his interests were also her interests too, particularly with their world views.

She would have to get back to him as soon as possible. 

It was then that the train's PA system began to speak. They were arriving soon and WInter had to get ready to leave. She sighed, standing up in her Specialist's Uniform and made ready to depart the train. As the train began to slow, Winter suddenly noticed how everyone in the train suddenly began buzzing with activity. Puzzled, she glanced around to see that people were actively tuning into their scrolls as a familiar figure spoke.

Blinking, Winter paused as she took out her own scroll to glance at what General Ironwood was talking about. 

"There comes a time when men must realize that to advance forward into the future, there must be sacrifices for the greater good of all," Ironwood spoke before a crowd of reporters, each one looking on in rapt attention as he spoke. "It is with this that I call on the Council to agree to a reorganization of our system of government for a stronger Atlas as well as to render permanent Atlas down on Solitas."

At that, Winter raised her eyebrows in surprise. Reorganizing the government was no surprise to her, considering the abysmal nature of Council rule. But to permanently restore Atlas down with Mantle?

Already, she was doing the numbers in her head. She knew what this meant for both their cities. Admittedly, the reporters also caught on to that too. 

"General! General! We are uniting Atlas permanently with Mantle? What does this mean for Atlas?" A reporter quickly asked. 

"The restrictions that we have placed on both our cities have made Atlas weaker, not stronger," Ironwood explained. "By returning our two cities into one, Atlas will be stronger than ever, coupled with the reforms in mind for government. Henceforth, I call the Council to vote for the lifting of our separation between our cities." 

"And when will this be started?" 

Ïronwood blinked, muttering a phrase that would change fate forever. "Effective now, immediately." 

Winter paused watching the video as the train began to halt. The doors opened and she sensed a rush of energy in the air. Putting her scroll aside, she rushed out of the train to see that people in the station were rushing and moving rapidly. Following the crowd, she rushed out of the station to find that a long line had formed. The station she was in was close by to a barrier gate that would have led into Mantle and outside, crowds had started to form, all chanting to be let in or let out. The guards at the barrier gate all glanced at each other nervously, wondering what to do. The more they dallied, the more people began to crowd.

Shaking her head, Winter rushed up to the barrier gate, barking orders. "Where is your commanding officer?" she yelled. 

"Trying to find orders, ma'm!" their sergeant yelled out, spying the epaulets on her uniform. 

​"Orders? I thought General Ironwood said that unification would begin immediately?" Winter asked in confusion, thinking back to his press release. 

"We have not been informed about that, ma'm!" the sergeant replied, the soldiers around watching the crowds appearing in fear. Winter glanced around, noting the chants of the crowds to be allowed to go. If they did nothing here, the crowds would no doubt turn violent at being denied. Winter had no idea what General Ironwood wanted, only knowing that there was to be a vote of reunification. But it would seem that the people had decided already. Excitement was brewing in the air. 

​Again, Winter would find herself living through another historical moment. 

And so, she decided on the best course of action to do. Turning to the sergeant, she gave her orders. "Open the gates! Tell your men to lower the arms." 

The sergeant looked at her as if she was crazy. But orders were orders. Unbeknownst to Winter, similar scenes were happening all over the border gates between Atlas and Mantle, soldiers suddenly finding large crowds gathering from both Atlas and Mantle's side. When Atlas was lifted to the sky, it did not just separate two cities but families as well. Indeed, many who worked in Atlas had families in Mantle too. The businesses which had left the lower city had both workers and elites in both ends. But now, every family had heard and seen General Ironwood's broadcast. And they all heard and seen the word, unification. 

As soon as Atlas had returned to the ground, many had taken the opportunity to travel between the cities. Indeed, many were in the midst of doing that when Ironwood made his proclamation. Those that weren't rushed out of their homes, Atlesian and Mantlese flags held in their arms, rejoicing as once again they were united. But a significant minority carried a new flag, one that was born from humanity coming together in a time of pain and sorrow. 

Black, Red, and Gold. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt9yJ-XjISo

From his tower in Vale, Ozpin watched the festivities with hope he had not felt in a thousand years. It may have rubbed salt on his efforts but he was willing to look past that, knowing that this had brought a kingdom closer together. 

In the darkness of the Grimmlands, Salem watched with a seething Watts standing at her side. And for the first time in a thousand years, Salem frowned.

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A/N: Solitas is united biatches. Time for the Reunited Kingdom of Atlas and Mantle. 

Cope and seethe, Salem. 

Also, would anyone be down to make a German Flag but with the Atlas symbol on it?