MANFREEED!

A tale of the Von Carstein remnants in Remnant

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the material here except my own OC's like the Wight king Ruprecht von Failure

Warning: Rated B+ for Blood, Breasts, Beasts and Best Boi Vlad. Follows the Total War: Warhammer 2 Mortal empires with Vlad. I may or may have not given vampires wings.

A.N: Finally, we're here! To the part where it all comes together! Before you ask, yes I did plan this in advance

Chapter 6: Team RWBY- Present day, 90 years after the Great War

Blake Belladonna was running. With a bag of her only possessions on her back, the Cat Faunus sped through the forests, after her betrayal of the White Fang, having left Adam to the tender mercies of whatever SDC forces remained. A part of her wished that he'd perish in the struggle, leaving behind only the memories for her mentor and one-time lover. Deep in the girl's heart she regretted leaving him, but Blake had long before known that she couldn't stay with the monster he had become.

With her breath heaving, the girl jumped past tree branches, over fallen trunks and boulders, intent on reaching the city before sundown. While the Fang had been mostly prepared to fight humans, the Grimm were a problem enough so that the people would be briefed about them, but most thought that they never would have to deal with these beasts on their own, especially when they had Faunii like Adam Taurus serving as the hammer of their forces. She knew that enough of the monsters plagued the deepest recesses of the forest and Blake knew just why the Train tracks were so far above the trees.

Through her yellow eyes, the Faunus saw the sun starting to descend from the sky, tinging the already red forest in orange colours and darker shadows.

She needed to press on, regardless what awaited her, Blake had her gear with her, but she didn't wish to leave her fate to chance, with Grimm on and about. So the heiress of the White Fang ran and ran, until she came upon a strange sight, still miles away from the city.

The trees had been felled in strange fashion, seeming much more like a work of a blade than those of woodcutting machines. What was even stranger that this place was not even close to the standard foresting sites used by Vale Forest Foundation. Looking around the girl approached the trees and as soon as she crouched, her sense of smell was assaulted by odour of freshly spilled blood. Grimacing visibly, the girl shook her head, wondering just had become of the owner of the blood and what was

Looking around she now noticed that she had overlooked some of the details in favour of the fallen trees, such being scorch marks on the ground further away from her and tracks as if something had been dragged away from the location deeper into the woods. Drawing Gambol Shroud in the pistol form, Blake decided to investigate, regardless of chastising herself of her choices.

Curiosity killed the cat, for such a racist saying it was too true sometimes.

The leaves slowly crumbled beneath her feet and despite the dread she felt of possibly facing Grimm or some other beast, the Faunus pressed forward. Her ears listened for the tiniest hint of movement a sound in the darkness. Thankfully she was near the city, where the Grimm population was much lower than on the outskirts, pursing her lips, she was reluctant to admit to herself, but Shcnees had done well in clearing out the place of any Grimm.

However, all of their success was made on the backs of the poor downtrodden Faunii.

As she crept further and further, the tracks still remained. On the ground, she noticed that additional tracks led further, footprints of something large and on four feet. This was strange as Grimm rarely dragged their prey further, deciding to devour and maim on the spot, leaving only the gruesome remains for someone else to find. Scholars had theorized that this was an instinctive tactic for them to terrify and make inhabitants of Remnant to feel negative emotions and thus amplify their own forces. Of course, most of acclaimed of professors and huntsmen of the Grimm denied this fact, citing that the beasts did as beasts were to do and left their corpses there.

Something was shining through the woods and Blake's light sensitive eyes immediately caught onto the flickering orange that could not have been nothing else than a campfire. Why was the campfire here? Who was using it? What had happened to the blood trail? These and many more questions haunted the Cat Faunus and still on her guard, she crept forward, past the bushes, toward the source of fire. All civilized beings knew that fire was dangerous, but in wilderness there was nothing more comfortable than a safe haven from the ills of the world and greeting a face much like her own.

Parting the last of bushes, the girl stepped into the clearing housing the campfire, but was surprised that instead of a tent or other equipment that could have belonged to huntsmen or different adventurer, a stagecoach wrought of silver and black ebony lied next to it, while a small table had been set next to it.

"Do not be afraid girl" a voice behind her said and Blake in her catlike nature, fled into the clearing with a brilliant backflip, just to see who had managed to sneak up on her. Managing to stand up, she came face to face with a white-haired maid, who surprisingly had kept her uniform clear in this forest. Yet there was something off about the maid. Her piercing blue eyes-for one, made her almost mistake the woman for a Schnee, but while being roughly the same age as herself, the way she acted was way too stiff for a teenager.

"Who are you?" Blake had her sights aimed at the strange maid, who unhurriedly advanced into the clearing, pushing the black-haired girl further back.

"Emanuelle Rhatep, at your service" she bowed and looked her straight into the eye "And who might you be, weary traveller?" there was a slightly shrill quality about her voice that broke her beauty and while Blake knew it was a bad idea to reveal this stranger her name.

"Blake Beladonna" she nodded her head, yet didn't let go of her weapon, which the other girl noticed giving her a small tight-lipped smile.

"My lady, why do you continue to aim your weapon at me? I am, but a mere maid guiding my mistress on her journey to Vale"

"Yet why would you use this carriage instead of a bulkhead or a train?" the Faunus called the maid's bluff, but lowered her weapon, opting it to keep it, lest something went south. Emanuelle, as she introduced herself, sighed in pity, pointing her head in the direction of the carriage.

"Lady Isabella is very sensitive to electronics and due to her semblance, it makes them deadly to her. There are few other ways to travel with this level of comfort. We were just readying up for the supper, would you mind joining us?"

There was a glint in her eyes and Blake didn't find it odd that the once alive forest was now completely silent, like before a storm.

In Vale, the central tower of Beacon, Headmaster was reading over a paper concerning couple of worrying news. In these past twenty years, rumours had steadily been spreading through Vacuo and Mistral. Mostly odd whispers and gossip of travellers, but all spoke of bat-like creatures towering above Berringels that snatched cattle from farms and with the increased disappearance of travellers in the Kindom of Vacuo, it was eyebrows raising and strange as the creatures or the missing persons were happening at the same time, most likely coming from the same area.

Maps sprung on the holographic display around him, showing all possible sightings and all of the vanished travellers, the red dots slowly started to coalescence to a one great circle, which was just from where these rumours were coming from.

Vacuo, more specifically Ironpass Mountains. This name left a bad taste on his tongue, another window popped up with another pdf file, titled "Jolene Vert: Bloodhound of Vacuo" while it was not the nicest literature about the biography of the celebrated general, it paid inordinate amounts of attention to Von Carstein, going as far as even saying that he was a reason why she had even left Mountpass alive. While the author mentioned was academically discredited and barred from most publishing houses across Remnant, Ozpin suspected that Jolene Vert had taken offense to it.

Interesting part of the book, dismissed as a conspiracy by everyone claimed that Vlad von Carstein was using the woman as a puppet to integrate himself with Vacuo, to use it as a springboard for his political career, citing the questionably brutal warfare the Bloodhound waged and how often, despite having no formal military title, the strange Count always seemed to be a part of the military meetings. This bode badly for him, now that with almost 100% certainty the headmaster knew that Vlad von Carstein was a powerful piece, maybe even a participant in the game between him and Salem.

Grabbing the mug of coffee on the table, Ozma took a hearty swig, only realizing with distaste that due to his indecisiveness the coffee had gone cold.

A ping alerted him to a call addressed to him, showing an icon of a white tower.

"Yes, James?" he spoke aloud, minimizing his current research to give full attention to the cyborg.

"Ozpin, you are aware of that Crimson Path recently got permission from the Queen of Vacuo to found it's first church?"

Now that was another unwelcome thought. Just scant few years ago a new trend in cults had spilled over remnant. The Crimson Path, a self-described religion of spiritual cleansing had become popular in Mistral and Vacuo. Citing reason that too many blood had been spilt for their wars, these madmen preached about sacrificing their blood of their own free will to heal the wounds dealt to the world. It was ridiculous, but sadly the common masses were too easily led by smoke and mirrors. He would know as he had partaken in the same sinister scheming in his first millennia of immortality.

"I was aware of them. This does sound rather Grimm, doesn't it?" he let out a dry laugh and continued to drink his coffee, knowing that James didn't find his little joke hilarious. He had told the black haired man to relax time and time again, but apart from his dourness, no fault could be found in James Ironwood.

"I won't let them into Atlas and I suggest you do the same, Ozpin, if this cult will spread we may suffer the Colourless once more"

Now Ozpin drew a sharp breath, the Colourless or the Old Guard of Mantle had caused the Great War with the same fervour as themselves, citing emotion as all the ills of society. Yet it would be hard to limit them, free expression and the boom of cultural development that followed after wasn't without its drawback.

"James, as much as I want to agree with you, the freedom of speech and religion is a serious thing. After all it was why the war was waged, the rest of Remnant won't take kindly for someone to barr a religion, especially from Atlas. Even more so from an Ironwood"

The general went silent and Ozpin kicked himself, after all this time and he had never learned to truly understand his comrades.

"While you can't act against them outright, you can always send someone to investigate and wait till they slip up, old friend." He offered encouraging words, knowing that Ironwood fared much worse, due to Schnees and other industrialists holding much stranglehold on Atlas, not to mention Robyn Hill, who, despite her anarchistic tendencies was gaining support and fast.

"I'll have my best men and women on the case" he said, and Ozpin cringed, the poor man was not meant for much multitasking. Gently coughing, the headmaster set to correct his trail of thought

"Do not forget about the Queen and her pawns. We must be as vigilant as always, old friend."

"Understood, Ozpin." He needed not to see the man, to know that the Atlesian had nodded "Please do keep an eye on , Jacques couldn't shut up about it today."

"No worries, I'll do just that. But lets speak later, for tomorrow is the application ceremony and there is a lot of paperwork to be done"

"As you wish, sir. Goodbye" Oh how he sometimes hated the formality of militarism, but some things couldn't be helped and the Wizard would do everything in his power not to let Salem succeed, but sometimes doubt slipped into his heart that he may be to stop the woman he once had loved.

As the shattered moon shone from the night sky, the oldest man on Remnant continued to pour over the mysterious existence of Vlad von Carstein.

It was early in the morning, when the private jet from Atlas landed in Vale National Airport. With Atlesian Knights and SDC security patrolling the hangars, while customs officers and local policemen merely pretended that there was nothing to see, even if all was going accordingly to the plan and having been sufficiently briefed by the Council. After all, it was extremely bad for a country to antagonize such an important man, as Jacques Schnee who held near and almost complete monopoly on Dust, now that Vacuo had parted from most of their reserves.

Descending from the plane was not some stuffy executive or an enforcer to deal with the dust robberies, but a young girl, no older than seventeen, with hair white as snow and blue eyes like the ocean on a calm day. The aura of command surrounded her or maybe those were just her servants with suitcases upon suitcases.

This was Weiss Schnee, the heiress of the richest company in the history of Remnant, an accomplished fencer and a onetime popstar with the hit single "Baby it's cold outside". Unhurriedly and gracefully she stepped across the red carpet to the plane, while followed by her entourage of bodyguards and butlers. With consummate care they deposited their charge's suitcases and bags, all white with red accents, into the bullhead.

She nodded quietly, as if thanking her servants and along two of them, she climbed inside the vehicle, taking her seat between the bodyguards, as per her training. Still if one would have paid attention, Weiss Schnee was beaming with joy, despite her demure demeanour. Finally she was out of Winter's shadow, finally she was free to become huntress like grandpa!

Beware Beacon! Weiss would show them what it meant to become a real huntress!

The reality was a bit different to her as soon as the white haired girl had boarded the bullhead onto the Huntsmen Academy, she was assaulted by the crowded space and the sheer nosiness of the other applicants. While some were boorish and brash, she found most of the other students tolerable.

Not one for mingling with strangers and unnecessary small talk, she found a nice cosy alcove, wherein to rest for a bit. Drawing the SDC Dust primer, Weiss started to read, not that she did it out of any love for the volatile crystals that was her family's lifeblood, but that long since she had even suggested to her father the possibility to attend Beacon the primer had been a calming read.

"Greetings, would you mind if I sat here?" a voice beside her asked and the heiress was about to offer a witty retort, but instead found herself momentarily stunned at the girl who had appeared beside her.

She was not much taller, but the interloper bore a striking resemblance to herself. White hair, pale skin and blue eyes, if the girl wouldn't have differed from her in…other aspects, Weiss would have thought she was a very elaborate copycat.

"Not really, but please be quiet" she told the older girl, who offered her a disarming smile and sat down across her. The stranger wore a knee long black skirt with dark leggings and combat boots, while her upper half was covered by a long-sleeved black blouse with puffy sleeves as well as a pinstripe waistcoat of black white and crimson. With great annoyance Weiss awaited the inevitable small talk with the other girl, who, much to her surprise had opened her own book, a great leather-bound tome.

So, the two girls sat in silence, but the more they sat the Schnee heiress couldn't take it and sneak glances at the other white-haired reader. This was supposed to be a single small glance, but her alcove partner was rather peculiar in her fashion and so the first small look became several because for such an attractive girl, she wore a lot of jewellery. Gold and ruby ring on her ring finger, while another elaborate brooch served as the pin for her cravat. Though Weiss had to admit the pieces looked good even with long white hair done into a tight bun, adorned with more golden hairpieces.

"I hope you know that it is impolite to stare, right?" with some amusement the other girl had spoken and the fencer flinched at the blunder she had committed, her etiquette teacher must be drinking herself silly, Weiss thought with chagrin, almost missing the outstretched hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry" she excused herself and reached for the outstretched hand. The other girl had closed her book and smiled as they shook each-other's hand

"Weiss Schnee" her companion's smile didn't change, maybe it was some trick of light, but her ring seemed to glow in shade as they floated through a cloud. This was just the trick of light, she supposed

"It's a pleasure to meet you Weiss" the girl released her hand and then she introduced herself

"Bella Drak in your service" her accent was definitely foreign "If you are wondering about my peculiar accent, it's because I hail from Vacuo"

For a Vacuoan, the girl seemed quite reserved, maybe she was a daughter of lesser nobility, while Atlas had dismantled such an unfair system, Weiss could see the perks of aristocracy. At the very least the calm and collected girl sitting across would be a bearable company, maybe even a friend.

"Say, what is that book about you're reading?"

A.N. Well Shitty Kitty, gets what she deserves and what hubby would Vlad be if he let his waifu out of sight without some adequate protection :D

So here's a more plot filled chapter, but my Malekith fic takes the front row for now. I'm sorry about that as RWBY has let me down considerably these past seasons.

Hoping you all stay safe in this shitty Nurgle given plague, be happy and I'll see you next time. Oh, by the way, please leave a comment if you had something to say! -Spook