Chapter 10: Winter Maiden

~Third POV~

There are four Maidens in existence at any time, each corresponding to one of the four seasons - Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.

The power of the Maidens is magic and is independent of Dust use and distinct from a Semblance. It is not powered by Aura, and a Maiden does not need Aura to use her powers even the Maidens are still able to use their Semblance.

The Maidens are able to use any elemental power they choose, not being limited to their season, and some Maidens simply prefer certain elements over others. Amber is the first to show this ability in the show, when she uses lightning, fire, wind and ice during her fight in "Beginning of the End".

Cinder Fall prefers to use fire but also uses ice to freeze Raven in "Vault of the Spring Maiden", wind to levitate and presumably fly, as seen during her fight against Neopolitan in "The Coming Storm and as well as earth to create a giant flaming rock sword while fighting Raven in "Downfall".

The Maidens are only able to use elemental magic, as they were not given anything else when they first received the powers.

When Maidens use their powers, their eyes become surrounded by a fiery glow that matches their Aura color.

Maidens are capable of conjuring weapons comprised of the elements and even have some control over the Grimm through their Maiden powers, being able to influence their behavior as they like.

…

…

~Zack POV~

We both enter inside the medical facility a hospital with at least two floors, with long narrow hallways that are lined with security cameras. Amongst the various rooms included a large area with various computers, attended by the facility's staff.

*Zzzt*

With one quick use of my [Machina] I basically made the whole area become completely dark with no way to turn on electricity. The people took notice of this as the staff were alerted accordingly.

Time to use the sleeping gas.

*Thud*

*Thud*

Knocking them out using my sleeping gas was simple enough just them inhaling it and be brought down but now the main issue comes as I told to Penny in a serious tone, "We must act quickly. It's only a matter of time before the people begin to suspect something wrong before reinforcements arrived."

Penny nodded her head at this as we both didn't waste anytime and hurry along our way out of the first floor to the higher ones. Going off by my scroll of the room number finding the room we used the elevator I managed to pick one by going by patient numbers as I remember Fria room marked as 920.

After that I found Fria inside the Aura Transfer Machine as I smiled at this.

Winter Maiden and free power up means of getting soul based items and powers?

Sign me up but the machine is also a big plus for me.

But another purpose for this was the fact I needed to get my hands on the Aura Transfer Machin containing Fria the current Winter Maiden.

The Kingdom of Atlas had been performing serious scientific research into the nature and composition of Aura.

Their research yielded experimental technology that was capable of "capturing" Aura from a person and transferring it to something or someone else. Such technology even led to the creation of Penny, the first synthetic person to generate an Aura.

The existence of this technology was highly classified, but many of those who did know of it viewed it as ethically immoral and wrong.

Regardless, this technology was intended to play a key part in preventing the Fall Maiden power of Amber, whose power is linked to Aura, from falling into the hands of Cinder by unnaturally transferring the powers to Pyrrha.

It was stated that if the plan was successful, it might have unknown effects on Pyrrha's psyche and personal identity, merging them with that of Amber. Cinder preempted the plan by killing Amber before the transfer could be completed.

Later, Fria, the former Winter Maiden, was kept in a classified facility which held an Aura Transfer Machine until her passing time, with the goal to transfer the powers to Winter Schnee to which it should be ready or at least experimental at best.

Sadly though for the time being I'm in need some of power for the time being at least a deterrent against foes stronger than me for the current time being.

…

…

Once we got out from the elevator door, we finally saw the prize ticket seeing this whole part of the building being completely isolated with only Atlesian Knights that were stationed in front of her door.

Fria was kept in an isolated room so she could not see anyone other than Winter Schnee to prevent the risk that her Maiden powers be transferred to anyone else.

The room itself is mostly empty, with a small cabinet area with a sink beside it and a bed where Fria lies. There is a large easel with a painting on her bedside, indicating she is an artist, and she has several paintings hung on the wall. One of the room's walls serves as a one-way mirror, allowing others to observe the Maiden in secrecy. The floor of the room is translucent.

Seeing this we both quickly glance seeing Fria is inside her pod as we both nodded our heads at this as we went ahead inside after controlling of the androids as we enter inside the place as Fria looked asleep…

Now for the peace of resistance.

*BEEP*

*BEEP*

Alarms are ringing around in the room to give Fria a sense of urgency for her to transfer her powers as the pods opens up seeing her groggy eyes appear as I explain the situation to her in a calm manner not wearing my disguise, "Miss Fria. I'm afraid the time has come to transfer the powers of the Winter Maiden has come. The Queen forces are coming as we speak and General Ironwood candidate has died protecting this place we need you to transfer the Winter Maiden to Penny this urgency! We cannot lose the time we have!"

Before Penny could act, I stopped her as Fria began to open her eyes quite forgetful of somethings as she began to speak, "I'm sorry… my memory is a bit fuzzy but… if its to make sure that what the General wants…"

Fria glances at Penny with a smile as she puts her hand over hers as she began to freeze up surprising me how much she's willing to sacrifice her life, "Please do your best as you can young lady and boy. I would like to think that my sacrifice was put into good hands."

*Swoosh*

Like that Fria froze herself to death as the aura of hers transferred to Penny as I felt a ping of regret in my heart seeing this. I know what I needed to do was get a weapon but… sometimes the human heart and emotions are a fickle thing to comprehend.

I already I was determined to get strong and be able to do as I please but sometimes I have to remember I'm human not a cold hearted bastard.

Such a thing I need but….

When Fria finally died Penny looked at her sadly as she glances at her hand probably feeling sad for the first time experiencing death of someone so committed to her cause.

Honestly I was the same with her as I felt like a complete piece of shit but for now I have to do what I need to do…

The process only took a few seconds but more like hours to me as I can still see Penny stumble a bit after the whole process but the boost of it all was worth to see as Penny's eyes expressed a blue light glow from them.

Wobblily at first as I caught her as she was having a hard time standing up from the whole process as I gave Penny some lighthearted talks, "Penny! How are you and are you really ok? I mean that was a really eventful way to get your Winter Maiden powers but are you alright no injuries of the sorts?"

Penny began to get her bearings together again as she responded to me quite sadly, "Ugh… I'm fine Zack but her… is it possible that we can help this world… not for Atlas but to help honor the previous Winter Maiden words?"

Seeing the light blue flames of her eyes I know it had work for the fact that Penny became a Winter Maiden.

But her question seems genuinely she wants to preserve the memory of Fria but also for the fact she wants to help save Remnant. Smirking a bit I previously thought to abandon this world once I get what I wanted but sometimes life has a funny way of changings one's needs at times to them.

Since Fria did help us out getting Penny an upgrade at the very least, I should at least help this dying world if at all possible, "Sigh… very well Penny. She did basically help me out getting you magic powers. It's the best I return the favor but only a 100-fold. Only the very best for those that helped us, right?"

Penny smiled at this happily taking the deal.

For now though I'm weak but even I have soft spots for girls and old ladies because I already lost my parents but at the very least, they told me to always return the favors when people help us.

Guess I'm going to need to find a way to help rejuvenate this world.

Although the partial soul inside of Penny originally came from a man, Penny physically appears female and views herself as female, and thus proved to still be a viable candidate for inheriting Maiden powers as she is her own individual.

But Aura is simply used as a power in this world and are tied to each other there doesn't have to always be a female in the story as a male can also have this power. Penny proved that fact as she originally had Pietro aura within her.

That was when Penny began to shake her head as she began to answer my response with her reply in a friendly manner helping her get up again, "Hahaha… no not really Zack. I'm completely fine and also thanks for going along with my… I guess selfish request."

Shrugging off her request as I already agreed to do it, I began to reply to Penny with an innocent smirk as I put on my mask, "Nah. What are friends for if they can't help each other out? At the very least though you have my back and I have yours. Now we just have to think of a way to help out this dying world first."

"Multiverse travel?"

"Multiverse travel!"

"Hahaha! Yeah, I figured as much."

Hearing Penny laugh at our back-and-forth answer joke despite being our literal first encounter as strangers she treats me as an actual person. Its honestly really refreshing actually seeing her like this really makes her more human…

*BANG*

That was when more groups of Atlas soldiers began to come down to this floor room as I began to get my bearings together as I then see a very piss off man coming towards this place as me and Penny situated our spot to get away.

Said man happens to be Ironwood as he shown to be well dressed and clean, much like Ozpin. He wore a white overcoat, with a gray undercoat, black sweater, a red necktie and a white glove on his right hand. His suit pants shared the same color as his overcoat and were tucked into silver boots accented in gray.

Hiding his entire right side that is cybernetic.

His hair was black, with some gray areas, while his eyebrows were solid black. He had a strip of silver metal above his right eyebrow, a neurotransmitter that helped him operate the robotic parts of his body something I can abuse fully on the sad old tinman as he looked much annoyed of my presence.

Readying our escape soon enough Ironwood then had enough of my shit as Penny got close to the wall next to me as he demanded from me with clear confidence but with a hint of rage as he spoke to me, "Now then criminal… you have only one chance to explain what the hell you did and what happened to Atlas project Penny. And maybe then you might get a swift and silent jail cell just for you…"

*SWOOSH*

Before he could respond Penny certainly showed the initiative showing how bad it was to threaten me as her eyes shined bright green as she threatens the General freezing the soldiers under his command, "NO! It's you who will leave from us General Ironwood! After coming to my conclusions, I believe my friends words are right that you treat me as a weapon of mass destruction and attacking him! I HAVE ENOUGH!!!"

*SWOOSH*

The cold air from Penny only grew colder as I had I feel the sheer cold even with my aura active I talked to Penny to ditch this place for good, "Say Penny how about we bounce from this place soon. Plus, I prefer not to die in an ice cube please so would you do the honors my lady?"

Penny smiles at this as she began to conjure up more swords in forms of ice as she began to point at the wall making Ironwood worry at this as it was time to leave.

*CRACK*

Using her powers of the Winter Maiden she cracked open the wall as we float our way to escape as the Bullhead came just in time as I called earlier to arrive. Yup totally ripping this part off when Ruby and crew left in the same manner.

I gave Ironwood the middle finger as we left and taking his Aura Transfer Machin from the medical bay with Penny strength. He could only yell curses as we escape from this place of Atlas seeing a Bullhead of this world.

But not before I gave him my last insurance policy in a form of a email to him to make sure he doesn't attack or place bounties on us. After all it would be really bad for him if the people were to figure out Salem existence and the P.E.N.N.Y. project as it would question the faith of Atlas to its neighbors.

At least we have a ride to escape now the next course is clear what to do next… that is to locate a certain crazy scientist on a disclosed island for a base and a place to call home for the remaining time being.