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Fractal Chaos - Chapter 4
🕑 Added 2023-10-25 07:29:23 +0000 UTCAt the request of the commissioner, this one was posted without the week-long wait for non Patrons.
This chapter will also be the first one for FC that's multi-chapter. The next one will deal with the end of Saboteur Weiss and give Jaune more focus.
By the way, I created a discord server to discuss my various RWBY fics. Check it out if you're interested: discord.gg/azheudXk8b
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Chapter 4: Mirror, Mirror
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Barely an hour back in their dimension and they'd already gotten arrested.
Weiss let out a long-suffering breath and leaned back on her seat, arms crossed. She'd actually been in a good mood for once. The couple she and Jaune switched with - an alternate version of Blake and Yang, as she was told later - had been in a rather favorable spot. Outside the walls close to a village with not a Grimm in sight. No bandits and other ruffians either for them to deal with.
It was almost relaxing, really. Once she and Jaune had gotten their bearings, they spent the next few hours just availing themselves of the village's amenities. While Weiss was hardly someone who liked it rough, it was admittedly a nice change of pace from the clinical environments of Atlas and the rustic charm was downright soothing compared to having to deal with dimensional counterparts that dropped in with hardly any warning.
Jaune himself had proven to be pleasant company. Since reuniting, they hadn't had much time to talk by themselves, and their impromptu trip had provided them the chance to do just that. He had definitely changed a lot since the Fall of Beacon. They all had, of course, but perhaps none more so than Jaune. Back then he'd been so lackadaisical and had to be carried by the rest of his team. He was as far away as could be from the image of the knight he projected.
Now that was no longer the case. Apart from some minor (and understandable) motion sickness from suddenly being plopped in another dimension, he'd carried himself rather well. Granted there weren't any Grimm to fight, but still. Their short trip was downright pleasant.
So of course when they were sent back they were immediately arrested and taken to thise small, clinical room that smelled like metal.
"Explain to me again why we're here?" Weiss groaned.
"Because Blake's counterpart was a terrorist and and mine was a simp," Yang replied tiredly.
"That's one way to put it." Blake sighed.
"I mean...it's not the worst we've had to deal with," Jaune offered weakly.
"You showed up from a world where you married Neo. I'm pretty sure you're biased." Yang laughed. Weiss frowned and looked away subtly. The thought of a world where Jaune ended up with Neo, of all people, made her angry for reasons she couldn't quite explain. She was a criminal who was complicit in the Fall of Beacon and was at least partially responsible for all their problems now, but it was more than that. It was...
The crackling of energy drew their attention. Yang looked down at the sudden sphere covering her and groaned, "Seriously? We just got rid of terrorist Blake! This is way too fast!"
"Uh...good luck, Yang!" Jaune shouted.
"It's just a few hours. You'll be back soon," Blake assured her.
Weiss didn't get the chance for her own words of encouragement before the room was engulfed in a flash. Weiss looked away for just a moment and when she looked back she was met with her reflection. Different in some ways - she still had her side ponytail over Weiss' now far more elaborate braid and wore a nightgown in lieu of day clothes - but in the end, she was unmistakably Weiss.
"What...?" Her counterpart looked around in confusion. She didn't have a scar, Weiss noted, "What is-"
"Calm down, we'll explain everything," Blake said quickly, "First things first, you're in another dimension."
Her counterpart - Schwartz, Weiss reminded herself - looked at Blake like she grew a second head, which was an appropriate response to being told that other dimensions existed, "What are you talking about, Blake? Is this some kind of joke? Cause I can assure you, after today's events the last thing I need is..." She trailed off and her eyes widened when she saw Jaune, "Jaune?! What happened to your hair?! It looks awful!"
"Oh, come on!" Jaune threw his hands up.
"It's...not that bad," Weiss defended weakly. She'd heard from Nora that the style was rather popular with certain demographics down at Mantle, though she personally didn't see the appeal.
Schwartz looked at her when she spoke up and blinked, "...Well now, as if this day couldn't get any odder," she said in a surprisingly calm tone.
"You get used to it. Or well, maybe you don't have to." Weiss sighed, "Could you tell us who you were transported with and where you were before you were taken here? Whoever they are, they're most likely with the rest of our friends. Also, whoever you both were switched with will be wherever you were last, so hopefully, it wasn't some Grimm-infested pit or somewhere else equally unpleasant."
"No, thankfully not." Schwartz wrinkled her nose, "I was taken from my room...assuming you didn't already know that." Her eyes narrowed, "As much as I want to trust you all, especially since Blake and 'Jaune' are here, you understand that I can't take everything you say at face value."
"Of course. What could we do to ease your mind?" Weiss asked sympathetically.
"Hm...you claim to be another version of me, so prove it. For all I know, you could simply be someone wearing a very realistic mask."
"Think I have just the thing. In your world, do the Schnees still possess Glyphs?" Schwartz nodded, "Alright."
Weiss pooled her Aura into her Semblance and summoned a boarbatusk. The summoned Grimm bowed its head and slowly walked towards Schwartz non-threateningly, "Hm..." Her counterpart reached a hand out and touched the translucent summon's head. It didn't react, "...This could still be an illusion, but if it is one, then it's quite intricate."
"It's not an illusion," Blake said, "Listen, you don't have to tell us anything and we're not going to keep you here. Once we get you back with whoever you were with..."
"Jaune." Schwartz looked at him.
"Jaune? Alright." Blake nodded, "Once we get you back to Jaune and find out who he was switched with, all we have to do is wait before the switch happens again and you're both back in your own dimension."
The door opened with a hiss and General Ironwood stepped inside with Winter following him. Schwartz's eyes widened slightly when she saw Winter, "Ah, this must be Ms. Schnee's counterpart," the general said, arms folded behind his back, "This is the first time I've seen this 'switching' in action. Who was taken?"
"Yang, but it's alright. She says that there's not any danger," Jaune replied.
"Could we leave now?" Blake huffed.
"Yes, though unfortunately, you'll have to-"
"Where is she?" An all-too-familiar voice asked. A chill ran down Weiss' spine as Father...Jacques stepped into the room. It was silly. The man had never picked up a weapon in his life nor was his Aura awakened. She could probably slap him in the face and snap his neck if she so wished. And yet despite that, she still found herself freezing up like she was a kid again. Not fear - she didn't fear Jacques Schnee. Instead, it was akin to being caught with her hand in the caviar plate
She almost didn't notice when Jaune reached out and held her hand.
Jacques stopped his no-doubt vitriolic rant and just...looked at her. She wasn't foolish enough to think it was relief. There was no love lost between the two of them and father wasn't the sentimental type. She was sure he'd written her off once
"Weiss..." Jacques' eyes narrowed and he opened his mouth to say something, likely some bitter comment about how she'd come crawling back on her hands and knees. Instead, he caught sight of Schwartz and, for the second time in her life, he looked at a complete loss for words. In any other situation, she would've found the sight of him completely flabbergasted to be hilarious.
"...Okay, I believe you. I doubt Father would play along if this was some trick" Schwartz said. She crossed her arms and regarded Jacques with a cool gaze, somehow managing to look dignified despite being in her nightclothes and barefoot, "Father."
"...What in the hell is going on here, James?" Jacques rounded on the General. Winter made a valiant showing of looking at the nearby wall like it was the most interesting thing in the world, "I knew you were crazy. First this Dust embargo, then I hear about some Faunus trying to assassinate me, and now this? Did you...clone my daughter? Or is this another one of those machines you have 'protecting' Mantle?"
"This has nothing to do with me, Jacques, though I doubt you believe me." The General's tone was even, though Weiss could tell he wasn't happy to be having this conversation, "And no, Ms. Schnee's counterpart is in no way a robot or a clone. Think of her more as an unexpected guest. She'll be leaving to return to her home in due time but until then, she will be staying here."
"Perhaps I shouldn't ask. I'd rather not lose any more of my time and sanity than I already have," Jacques grunted, looking at the two Weisses before his eyes shifted over to Blake, "I'd heard a report of a Faunus trying to assassinate me. Can I presume this is the one?"
"I was the one who saved your life, and I'm already regretting it," Blake snarled.
"Hmph. A likely story."
"Do-"
"Don't talk to her that way," Schwartz said, cutting Weiss off. Everyone turned to look at her in surprise.
"I won't be talked down to by some...copy or whatever you may be." Jacques shook his head and turned back to the General, "The election results are coming out later, James. Just be sure there won't be any more incidents like this. I'd hate to think you were trying to ensure I couldn't be voted in properly."
"I'll do my best." The General's smile was paper-thin.
Jacques gave them all one last look over before he left. Winter waited till the door was closed before she released a soft breath, "I see politics hasn't changed him in any way." Her eyes softened when she looked at her and Schwartz, "My apologies for everything that's happened. If I had my way, none of you would be here, but Jacques has enough pull that we couldn't just ignore his demand, more's the pity."
"Father is still the CEO of the SDC?" Schwartz asked.
"Yes, and judging by your lack of surprise, I assume he isn't different in your dimension?"
"I can't make a true judgment call since this is the first time I met him, but his behavior was...familiar." Schwartz crossed her arms, "What was that he said about an election?"
"Jacques is currently running for a seat on the council," General Ironwood said. Schwartz blinked, "I assume he's not doing the same in your point of origin?"
"No. Father doesn't see the point in politics. He much prefers the world of business and 'nobility'."
"Hm. Is there no Dust embargo in your dimension as well?"
"What? No. I expect Father would be far more irate if there was."
"Bit of a longshot here, but does that mean Beacon hasn't fallen back in your world either?"
"Beacon? You mean the Huntsmen school?" The way she said it indicated a lack of familiarity. Weiss' chest tightened, "Last I checked, no. Beacon's still going strong, though I wouldn't be able to guarantee that from experience. I've never been there myself."
"You...didn't attend Beacon?" Weiss asked softly. How did she and Jaune know each other then, she wondered.
"No, though you did, judging by your tone." Schwartz shook her head, "Perhaps we could continue this conversation at another time? I feel it's best if we reunite with Jaune and explain everything to him first. Also, I need a change of clothes." She wiggled her bare toes.
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True to her word, Jaune ended up being the one who'd come with her, having switched with Ren. Nora was none too pleased at not being with him when she was taken, though there wasn't much she could do about it. It wasn't as if they had any choice when it came to the insanity of the situation.
Right now, all of them were taking a trip back down to Mantle to question Penny and Dr. Polendina about why this switch had occurred so quickly. It gave them some time to talk to their counterparts.
"So Jaune-Jaune and his entire family swore loyalty to yours?" Nora asked. She was still unhappy being left behind, though being able to question Schwartz and Florentius (which, in Weiss' humble opinion, was a rather regal name) had fixed her mood somewhat.
"You could say that." Florentius nodded. He and Schwartz had changed into some spare clothes she and Jaune had to...mixed results. Schwartz looked resplendent in her old songbird dress and heels, though she'd made some comments about the length of the skirt. By contrast, Florentius looked distinctly uncomfortable and out of place in Jaune's old Pumpkin Pete hoodie and a pair of ratty jeans and sneakers. They really needed to get that boy to a tailor one of these days.
"I personally find it a rather archaic tradition, but Jaune's family has a strict code of honor," Schwartz said.
"So weird..." Ruby mumbled, "You...really don't know me or Yang?"
"Unfortunately not." Schwartz gave her a small smile, "I never went to Beacon or any other Huntsman school, so we never would've met."
"But somehow we still know each other?" Blake raised a brow.
"Well, you are the daughter of the chieftain of Menagerie. Father still had to appear in meetings with him, if only to give the appearance that he was listening. It's not that odd that we'd become acquainted." Schwartz laughed softly, "Of course, the press back home has convinced themselves we're bitter rivals and hate one another. The truth couldn't be further than that. We're friends; best friends, at least in my opinion. It's amazing what the so-called reporters will convince themselves of in the name of publicity."
"Perhaps you should keep your distance from her when we return, my lady," Florentius hummed. The formal language looked somewhat silly considering his current attire.
"I will not. She has nothing to do with what happened." Schwartz's gaze hardened, "And how many times must I tell you? Call me Weiss when we're not around father's sycophants."
"You trust our new acquaintances a bit too quickly, I think." He frowned.
"If they wished us harm they would've done so when we were separated and confused," Schwartz replied, "While our trip here was unexpected, let us take it as a chance to conduct ourselves without needing to worry about being watched."
"Best friends, huh?" Blake smiled at the thought. She and Blake were friends as well, though obviously, the bond between partners marked her and Yang as closer.
"I still can't believe that you stayed in Atlas," Weiss mumbled, "Didn't you feel smothered there?"
"Only every day, but sometimes you have to swallow the bitter pill." Schwartz smiled wryly, "That's not to say that I wasn't tempted to openly rebel, of course. If fate had gone a different way, I expect that I might have fought for the right to leave Atlas and attend Beacon as you did. Who knows? Perhaps I'll end up in the same place at a later point in time. Nothing is set, after all."
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Blake asked suddenly. Weiss was about to ask what she meant by that when the Faunus' eyes narrowed at Florentius, "You've been giving him the side-eye since you saw me. If you have a problem, just say so."
"It's nothing."
"Doesn't look like nothing. Spill it."
"He's just worried," Schwartz said quickly, "I was...dealing with a difficult situation shortly before we were taken here."
"You were kidnapped." Florentius growled, "The White Fang almost killed you and you're still trying to downplay it."
"White Fang..." Blake muttered.
"Yes. Them and their deranged leader, Adam Taurus." Blake winced. Weiss had only ever heard of Adam secondhand, though she knew he was responsible for the loss of Yang's arm and nearly killing her and Blake both shortly before they arrived in Atlas, "So you'll forgive me if I'm not so keen on trusting so easily."
"Blake helped you find me, Jaune, don't forget," Schwartz said. Her tone was clipped, though she wasn't quite angry just yet, "And I doubt the even White Fang would and could follow us to a whole different dimension."
"Adam's dead." Blake looked right at Florentius, "Trust me when I say he's not coming back for Weiss or anyone."
"All the same, I'll keep up my guard."
The rest of the flight was painfully quiet after that. For all that Jaune's counterpart talked caution and care, none of them missed the fact that he only ever seemed to focus on Blake; particularly her ears. He disliked Faunus, that much was clear. Jaune looked extremely uncomfortable at the idea of any version of him holding such views. She didn't know what to say, she she simply scooted closer to him in solidarity.
They stepped off the ship and made their way to Professor Polendina's lab. Schwartz walked slowly and looked around with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, "Never been to Mantle?" Weiss asked.
"I have, but only under very controlled circumstances. Father needs goodwill as much as anyone and who better to garner that than his heir cutting some ribbon in front of a new soup kitchen?" She scoffed, "Not that he'd ever actually allow me to meet the people we were supposedly helping. He'd always find someone marketable. Some children whose parents were given a bribe to make them smile for the cameras. Not that I can truly blame them for accepting given the circumstances here."
"Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I'd hoped that there would be a dimension where father..."
"Isn't a horrible excuse for a human being?" Schwartz laughed bitterly, "Perhaps there is, but not in mine and not in yours."
"They arrived in Dr. Polendina's lab soon after. She always felt uncomfortable coming here. It wasn't due to Professor Polendina or Penny - they were quite nice people - but rather that the lab reminded her of that old science fiction horror movie that Winter sneaked in to let her watch when she was younger. She always kept expecting some deranged monstrosity to come out of that door any second now.
"Salutations!" Penny came out of the door to greet them with a big smile.
"Hey, Penny!" Ruby waved and gestured to the two new arrivals, "It's Jaune and Weiss' counterparts this time, and they switched with Yang and Ren. We were hoping to ask-"
"Why did the switch come so suddenly? Yes, that must've been confusing." She led them inside, "When Blake and Yang informed us of the actions of Blake's counterpart, Father and I did some quick adjustments to the temporal device in the hopes that we could force a switch quicker. It was a risk, but we thought it was an understandable one, given the circumstances."
"And none too soon, I think," Professor Polendina said, stepping out with his customized transporter, "From what we heard from James, things had gotten quite hectic."
"We had it handled," Blake sighed, "So is that why the switch came on so quickly?"
"Indeed!" Penny nodded, We were able to force a switch before your counterpart could do anything, but that caused the next switch to come at an accelerated timeframe."
"So what do we do now?" Jaune asked, "Can you fix it up again and send these two back?" He gestured to their counterparts.
"Unfortunately not." Penny frowned and shook her head, "The adjustments we made had some...complications. The temporal device has stalled temporarily."
"Wait, doesn't that mean it's fixed?" Nora asked, "Get Yang and Ren back then 'stall' it again permanently. Boom, no more dimension stuff!"
"It is not that easy, Friend Nora." Penny shook her head again, "The device may have stalled right now, but it is still gathering temporal energy. If we were to leave it in this state permanently, the results would be far more dire than the semi-controlled switches that have been occurring recently. Right now it is confined to only two people switching whenever the energy is released. Any more than that and it's possible entire kingdoms may be swapped.
"Whole kingdoms? Please tell me you're joking!" Weiss yelled.
"It will take a lot of energy to get to that point, but the possibility isn't zero," Professor Polendina said, "Which is why we'll be doing our best to fix the machine and find ways for it to disperse its energy in a less intrusive manner. With enough time, I'm sure the switches can change targets so that it will swap small, unimportant objects rather than anyone in your group."
"So when can we get back home?" Florentius crossed his arms. It was clear the answers weren't making him happy.
"We'll need to do some more scanning and fixes, but it shouldn't take more than a few days."
"A few days? Yang and Ren are still over there!" Blake complained.
"This isn't as simple as turning it off and on again. If we make a mistake, your two friends may be transported to yet another dimension where we can't retrieve them again." That got them to quiet down. So far things had been...well, not easy, but relatively controlled. Switches took hours but they always came back properly. The last thing they needed was anything messing up the paths.
"So all we have to do is wait, correct?" Schwartz asked.
"Yes. Penny and I shall do our best to at least return to the state the device was in before today. In a few days, both you and Mr. Arc should be back where you belong."
"Fine. If there's one thing we do have, it's time. I just hope that this Yang and Ren aren't blamed for kidnapping us. The estate isn't in a very charitable mood given what just occured."
"Uh...Yang can take care of herself," Ruby awkwardly shuffled on her feet. Weiss couldn't tell if she was worried for Yang or whoever decided to try and restrain her without her consent, "Um...sorry about all this! We really weren't expecting this to happen!" she said to Schwartz and Florentius.
"It's fine. I guess we'll think of this as an impromptu vacation." Schwartz forced a small laugh, "Of course, we'll need a place to stay while we're here."
"There should be rooms up in Atlas Academy, or we can put you up to a hotel? Least we can do considering this is our fault," Jaune said.
"The Atlas dorms will do. No need to make a fuss." Schwartz hummed, "While we're here, I'm interested in exploring the similarities and differences between our two dimensions."
"I can guide you both, if you wish. Atlas is my home, after," Weiss said.
"I'll come with," Jaune added quickly.
"Splendid. I'm sure we'll be in good hands." Schwartz smiled.
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They went their separate ways after that. Blake went back to the academy to get some much-needed sleep while Ruby and Nora stayed behind on the lab to try and help Penny and Dr. Polendina with their experiments, leaving the four of them to explore Mantle.
Despite her words, Weiss wasn't the best tour guide. While she'd walked Mantle's streets now that she was a full Huntress, most of her missions involved hunting Grimm in the Solitas tundra or helping guard the shipments to Amity.
Jaune actually had to take over as their guide since he'd spent a decent length of time guarding the streets. It was sweet how so many of the parents and children recognized him and how quick they were to greet him.
"Hey, Jaune!"
"Oh, hey! Uh...another casserole? Thanks!"
Yes...how sweet.
Weiss kept a thin, plastic smile on her face as yet another single mother, this one wearing a red jacket, pushed a covered casserole into Jaune's arms. The older woman - just how old, Weiss didn't know, but surely too old for her gestures to Jaune to be considered proper - smiled and giggled like a lovestruck teenager and Weiss had to resist the urge to toss snow at her face. Only because of how improper she was acting, of course.
"Your Jaune seems...popular." Schwartz giggled under her breath.
"Yes, quite." Weiss crossed her arms and glared at Jaune and casserole woman both.
"Maybe you could stand to be more helpful around the neighborhood. Then you'll be far more popular," Schwartz joked to his counterpart.
"I'll pass."
Jaune finished talking to the casserole woman (Weiss refused to learn her name) and went back to guiding them, except now he was forced to carry around a rapidly cooling tray of casserole in his hands. She'd not so subtly suggested that maybe he should toss the thing in the garbage, but he refused. To do so would be to spit on all the hard work of the casserole woman and he couldn't do that.
Ugh, him and his stubborn sense of honor.
"I have to say, this is hardly how I expected this day would end," Schwartz said. The two of them were lagging behind while Jaune and Florentius led the way.
"We're sorry again for all of this."
"Don't be. This is more fun than I've had in ages."
"We haven't really done anything but walk around..."
"And yet I feel less stifled than I've had in years," Schwartz replied coolly, "I've made many sacrifices to keep my role as the heiress, my freedom being the first on that list. Even my free time is regulated, outside of my occasional sparring sessions. As sad as it sounds, this is more freedom than I've had in years."
"...How do you put up with it?" Weiss asked softly.
"I think of my goals and they make the day-to-day more simple."
"Is that it? I don't know if I could stomach living as Father's puppet."
"You told me your story, about how you went to Beacon and how you were disinherited after its Fall." Weiss' fist clenched. It wasn't a pleasant tale, but it helped foster a sense of trust, "Do you regret it? Going to Beacon?"
"No. Sometimes a part of me wonders whether I should've just stayed and bore Father's controlling nature if it meant being able to keep my position as heiress, but then I think of Ruby, Yang, Blake, Jaune, and everyone else. I don't have access to the Schnee fortune anymore - I don't have anything besides my name - but the thought of not being here with them...it's not something I could even consider."
"I don't blame you, but sacrifices have to be made for the greater good." The way Schwartz said it...it was as if she'd memorized the line from years of repetition, "I feel the same way sometimes. There are times I just want to forget about everything. No family name, no company...just myself and the sword at my hip. It would be a simpler life, and a far less stringent one."
"Do you think the Schnee name could still be redeemed?" Just a year ago, her answer to that would've been a resounding "Yes". Now, she wasn't quite so sure. She'd honestly thought that she could turn it around once she took her father's place. How naive. It wasn't just him. It was the board of directors and every other individual and family that benefited from the SDC's greed. Father was just one head among that hydra."
"Not in the way you think." Schwartz stopped to look at one of Jacques' campaign posters. The fact that he'd shamelessly plastered them all over Mantle despite everything he'd done was enough to make her laugh, "The SDC is diseased. Back then, I did entertain the notion of redeeming the company with myself at the helm, but I realized long ago that was a fool's notion. The company is corrupt to its very roots. The only way to save it is to destroy it entirely."
Weiss was surprised at how little the declaration shocked her. Did she agree? Perhaps not. The SDC did have good people, despite it all, but they were powerless and unable to affect change. Destroying the company entirely - the company that their beloved grandfather created - was extreme, but would grandfather have even disagreed if he saw what Jacques had turned it in into? A ceaseless wheel that served no purpose than to line the pockets of the greedy and corrupt?
"Are you sure that's what you want?" Weiss asked softly.
"Yes." Schwartz nodded and began walking again, "Jaune's tried for years to convince me otherwise, but there is no other option. The SDC has to fall, that's the only way to save those they so callously stomp under their bootheels. And if I have to play the role of the perfect heiress to do that, then I'll act the part."
"But what happens after the SDC falls? There will always be companies willing to fill in the void."
"Perhaps, but what other option is there?" Schwartz asked back, "I won't pretend the SDC falling will solve all of the problems they created, and I'm sure many will be hurt in the process, but what other choice is there? It's corrupt to be redeemed and too big to be cut down by anything other than its complete annihilation. Right now, it continues to sink its claws in everything. If it isn't toppled soon, then it'll be too late."
Weiss didn't say anything. What could she say? It sounded insane - like the words of a radical - but Schwartz wasn't wrong. The Dust embargo had limited the SDC's power, but even then it was a temporary hindrance at best. How much stronger were they in a world where Beacon didn't fall, she wondered. How many innocent people did they step over in pursuit of more and more money than they could ever spend in multiple lifetimes?
"I'm not sure I agree," Weiss said eventually, "I...I still want to believe that the SDC can be redeemed. Grandfather started it with good intentions."
"He also hurt people," Schwartz replied softly, "Grandfather and the Mistral Trading Company showed no hesitation in exploiting Vacuo and ensuring that they would hate Altesians, and our family specifically, for the rest of their days. He is a far better man than Father could ever hope to be, but he's not without his sins."
"Hm..."
Jaune looked back and called out, "Hey, we're thinking of watching a movie! You two in?"
"...Sure." Weiss forced a smile.
"I don't see why not." Schwartz shrugged.
Weiss barely paid attention to the film as the hours passed. It shamed her to admit it, but her plans with regard to the SDC had been put completely on hold till today. It made sense, she told herself. Salem was a far bigger threat than anything Father could come up with and they had more important things to worry about. Still, she couldn't stop the bubbling guilt in her gut.
Her scroll rang as soon as they stepped outside. Weiss tapped the screen and blinked at the message she received. Her mouth parted in both surprise and confusion and she pinched her wrist to make sure that she wasn't dreaming.
"What's the matter?" Schwartz asked.
"I...Father won the election. He's on the council."
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Like I said, this is the first multi-chapter segment. The next chapter will end this so we can jump to the next switch, those being a version of team RWBY that are Pennybots in their own dimension.
Question:
1. The commissioner has final say on who comes next, but I'm curious all the same on who you guys wanna see next:
- Dimension where team RWBY are Pennybots and Penny led a benevolent revolution to create a utopia for all Humans and Faunus.
- Dimension where Ren and Nora are bandits raised by the Branwen clan.
- Dimension where Cinder was adopted by Ironwood and became the heroic Winter Maiden.
- Dimension where Neo works for Ozpin as a teacher at Beacon.
- Dimension where team RWBY are the Maidens and Blake is the Worst Girl (An Arc for Every Season).
- Dimension where Ruby and Neo are the sole survivors of a post-apocalyptic Remnant and will do anything to not be sent back.
