~ Prologue: Sunrise ~
"Ruby and I grew up in Patch. An island just off the coast of Vale. Our parents were Huntsmen. Our dad taught at Signal, and our mom would take on missions around the Kingdom. Her name was Summer Rose. And she was like... supermom. Baker of cookies and slayer of giant monsters. And then, one day she left for a mission and never come back..."
~ RWBY: Zero ~
The sun rose on a perfectly normal day on the island of Patch. It was a rather large island, just off to the west of Vale, the central kingdom of Remnant. In a modest house near the coastline housed the Rose-Xiao Long family. Summer Rose was preparing herself in the room she and her husband, Taiyang Xiao Long, used. She got dressed in the black and red corset, black skirt and the white cloak with hood that she always wears when out on a mission.
She looked in the mirror, seeing her reflection stare back at her. Those silver eyes, pale complexion and black and red hair. These were all things that she saw in her daughter. When she saw the resemblance, she knew that little Ruby was going to grow up to be like her.
Let's just hope her choice in partners isn't as bad as mine.
Summer giggled to herself before opening the cupboard near her and took out her weapon. A longsword that she was quite proficient in using. Attaching it to her belt, she walked down the stairs. The rest of the family was there, waiting for her. Taiyang with his blonde hair and lilac eyes. He was smiling, just like always. The young Yang Xiao Long. She took more after her father with her golden hair and similar lilac eyes.
This was to be expected. After all, Yang was only Summer's step-daughter. Though Yang herself wasn't aware of this fact. She did plan on telling her eventually but she wasn't quite sure when or where it would happen. It was a work-in-progress.
And finally, Summer's daughter, Ruby Rose. This young girl had brought so much happiness in her life, as well as that of the Xiao Long's. Yang absolutely adores her. As did Taiyang.
"I wonder what old Ozpin wants with ya now?" Taiyang wondered, stroking his chin. "Somehow, I don't think this is a social call."
"No doubt," Summer agreed. "Who knows what Ozpin is thinking however. We tried for four years and we still couldn't get inside his head."
"True, true." Taiyang laughed a little. "So, how long do you think you'll be gone?"
"If it is what I suspect it is, then I shouldn't be any more than a few weeks. A month at worst," she told him before kneeling down so she was at Yang's level. "Take care of your little sister now." Yang nodded excitedly.
"Of course!" she yelled. "No Grimm will come near her when I'm around!"
"Hehe, that's my girl." Summer ruffled Yang's hair affectionately. Yang didn't take too kindly to it though.
"Mooooooom!" she yelled as she tried to fix it.
Smiling, Summer then turned her attention to Ruby, who looked at her with innocent eyes.
"...I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?" she spoke warmly. Ruby nodded silently in response. Summer extended her arms out a little and little Ruby ran into Summer's embrace without a second thought. "...I love you, Ruby."
Letting go and standing up, she looked towards Taiyang one last time.
"Be careful," he said worriedly. Summer leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I will," she replied, brought her hood over her head, and made her way out the door. Following the coastline, she would eventually make her way to the docks, where she would charter a ferry to Vale. From there, she would need to take an airship to reach Beacon Academy – her destination. As she stared out at the sea, watching the calm waves, her thoughts went back to her family.
Maybe we should all take a vacation to Vale at some point. Ruby and Yang will love it there, I'm sure.
~ RWBY: Zero ~
Stepping out of that airship onto the Beacon Academy grounds was like stepping into a time machine for Summer. She remembered when she first stepped off that airship and saw the size of the building for the first time. She was absolutely floored by it, and a little overwhelmed. It more resembled a modern castle to her than a school building. She quickly got used to it once she started her training there however.
Seeing the building once again after so long brought a smile to Summer's face. She stared at it for a few seconds before she started walking. She passed by many students who either stared at her curiously, or just went about their business. Summer didn't pay either group any mind and continued to make her way into Beacon. Walking up to the front desk, the female receptionist there greeted her politely.
"Hello, how may I help you?" she asked.
"Summer Rose," Summer replied. "Professor Ozpin is expecting me."
"One moment please." The receptionist picked up the phone beside her and dialled a number. Summer looked around the hall in the meantime. The sight stirring up some fond memories for the Huntress.
This place really hasn't changed all that much. It's kind of amazing really... I like it. The classic look suits Beacon.
"Just take that elevator there and go straight up to the top floor," the receptionist said, bringing Summer's attention back to her. She followed the direction the finger was pointing towards and saw the elevator she spoke of.
"Thank you," Summer said and began walking in that direction.
"Have a nice day," the receptionist called out before getting back to work.
Summer got onto the elevator and pressed the button which would take her to the top floor – Ozpin's office. For the briefest of moments, the sudden urge to push every button crossed Summer's mind, but she quickly shook her head and removed any and all desire to do that. Amusing as it may have been.
Don't even think about it. You're a Huntress, for goodness sake!
The elevator eventually stopped, and slowly slid open, revealing Ozpin's office. The only two occupants of this room were near the desk at the far end. The headmaster of Beacon, Professor Ozpin, and his aide, Professor Glynda Goodwitch.
Ozpin was always a mysterious man. His light complexion and sharp facial features gave the impression that he knew what you were thinking about. Though there wasn't any basis for it, that was just what Summer always thought. Silver hair and brown eyes gave a small indication of his age, but those who would assume that he was weak because of it would have been making a grave error. Ozpin was the headmaster of Beacon for a reason.
Green was a predominant colour in Ozpin's attire, with a dark green scarf and green undershirt, along with an unzipped black suit over a buttoned vest, and also shaded glass spectacles. Though she couldn't see it because he was sitting down, Summer knew that he also wore black trouser shoes and long, dark-green pants.
His attire hadn't changed that much since she left Beacon. And always accompanying him was his signature mug, bearing the Beacon Academy emblem. Summer believed that she hadn't once seen him without that mug.
I wonder how much coffee he actually drinks in a day... and I'm not brave enough to ask.
Glynda Goodwitch was a far more easier person to pin down in comparison. Light-blonde hair that was tied back in a bun with a curl handing down the right side of her face. Bright green eyes that were covered by the thin ovular glasses she wore. Teal hanging earrings, along with a small bead identical to the ones on the earrings on her collar.
She wore a white long-sleeved suit and puffy sleeves, a black business suit and lighter black-brown stockings. Black boots with black heels, and the most striking part of her attire was her cape that was purple on the inside and black on the outside.
Her appearance truly suited her name and gave off the impression that she truly was a witch. Students of Beacon in Summer's time had another five-letter word that they would use to describe her that rhymed with witch, due to her stern nature as a teacher. It was a word that Summer would not repeat however.
Summer remembered these two rather well. They were there when she started her training at Beacon and they were there when she graduated and set out on her own. She walked towards them with confidence.
"Summer Rose," Ozpin greeted her with a nod. "It's been too long."
"It has. How long has it been now? Nine years?"
"Yes, roughly."
Summer sat down on the chair opposite Ozpin, having a feeling that she'll be there for a while.
"Would you like some coffee?" Ozpin asked, lifting his mug, but Summer shook her head.
"The way you take it? No way. It's way too bitter," Summer protested with a short laugh.
"Then I'll cut right to the chase," Ozpin stood up, taking his mug with him, and walked towards the window. Staring out at the world from one of the highest points of Remnant. "We are in an era of peace. Ever since the Faunus Rights Revolution, there hasn't been any large-scale conflict in the land of Remnant. The only enemies that we face is that of the Grimm, and we of Beacon train the best of the best to become Hunters and Huntresses, and go out to face this threat."
"Um, yeah, this is stuff that we were taught in history," Summer said confusedly. "Why tell me this?"
"Because, Summer, history has an odd tendency to repeat itself." Ozpin went back to his desk and sat down on his chair. "The peace we have built, the walls we have built. Eventually, they will crumble, and the flames of war will flare up once again... And that's why I've called you here."
"Me?"
"To help stop the chaos that is to come. Glynda?"
Summer turned her head to look at Goodwitch, who pressed a few buttons on her personal tablet, a Scroll. A large holographic screen appeared in between Ozpin and Summer, showing a map of Remnant.
"You'll be heading to Mistral," Goodwitch told her as a small dull, flashing light appeared on the land to the east of Vale. "To a small village just to the east of the coastline. There has been an unusually high concentration of Grimm in the area. Far beyond what is normal. It has been brought to our attention and Professor Ozpin has deemed it prudent to investigate it."
"Your mission is to investigate the reasons why the Grimm are concentrated in that area, and to put a stop to it if necessary," Ozpin explained clearly what Summer's goals were to her. "Oddly enough, the Grimm aren't attacking any of the villages in the area. They just... watch. This is highly unusual."
"Feel sorry for those villagers though," Summer said, nodding her head. "Guess you can say they have a very 'grimm' problem."
No response. All Summer received was very dull, unamused looks. Realising that her joke had fallen flat, she put a hand behind her head and rubbed her neck, feeling slightly embarrassed that she was joking in a clearly serious meeting.
"...Alright. So that's the atmosphere we're going with here. I see." She added a nervous giggle at the end before Ozpin cleared his throat.
"So, are there any questions?" he asked.
Summer looked at Ozpin with suspicion. His tone made it sound like that her accepting this mission was an ironclad fact. Thinking over it now, Summer noticed that that same tone was ever present throughout their entire conversation.
"Questions? I haven't even accepted this mission yet," she pointed out. Ozpin placed his mug on the table and met her look of suspicion with a neutral stare.
"You accepted it the moment you agreed to meet me. I'm sure you already knew this though."
He was right. Summer knew what she would be getting into the moment she agreed to go to Beacon and talk to Ozpin personally. Yet, she couldn't help but feel that there was something she was missing. Knowing where this would lead her, she leaned back against the chair.
"...What kind of Grimm can I expect to meet out there?" she asked.
"So far, it seems to be run-of-the-mill Beowolves. Should prove no challenge to an experienced Huntress like yourself. There are reported sightings of a Nevermore however. Regardless, I would exercise caution. The situation has a lot of unknowns, so don't expect the Grimm to act like they usually do."
"Got it. Is this a solo mission?" Summer asked. Truth be told, she would rather be a part of a team than be on her own. She knew that it wouldn't be that easy however, given the unique circumstances of this mission.
"Yes," Ozpin replied, nodding his head. "One Huntress appearing somewhere isn't unnatural, but four might start making the villagers ask questions. This is to be a simple recon mission. You're free to take whatever action you deem necessary to accomplish it."
'Whatever I deem necessary'...? This isn't just a simple reconnaissance op, is it...? Damn, I'm starting to get a bad feeling about all of this.
"...Where should I start?" Summer pushed back her concerns and asked the questions she needed to.
"For now, start with the village to the south of the docks once you arrive," Goodwitch responded this time, pointing out the village on the map. "There are pockets of Grimm all over Mistral, but the highest concentration of them is situated around the village of Monsoon. That should be your first port of call."
"Understood. When do I leave?"
"Within the hour. An airship has already been prepared for you."
Summer filed away all the information she had learned and stood up.
"I'll be taking my leave then." She began to walk towards the elevator.
"How is the family, Summer?" Ozpin's question made her stop and turn around one more time. When the question registered in her mind, she smiled.
"They've been great," she said. "Yang has been a handful. Taiyang is... well, he's Taiyang. I'm sure you already know what he's like. And Ruby's the most adorable child you'll ever meet."
Ozpin was silent. He drank out of his coffee mug and sat it down on the table. He rested his hands on the table, one on top of the other, and gave Summer a sympathetic look.
"...I'm sorry to hear about Raven," he said kindly. "I can't imagine what reasons she had for disappearing like this."
Summer's smile faded at the mention of her name. Team STRQ, pronounced 'Stark', was her team back when she was a student of Beacon. There was her, the team leader, Taiyang, Qrow Branwen, and—
...Raven.
Raven Branwen. Qrow's sister. The final stone that made up Team STRQ. And Yang's real mother. She disappeared soon after Yang was born, and hadn't been seen since. Nobody had been able to find her, nor understand the reasons she had for disappearing off the face of Remnant.
Realising that she was getting distracted by her trip down memory lane, Summer shook her head.
"Thank you, Professor," she said sincerely. "I'm sure she'll turn up someday..." She turned back around and continued her walk to the elevator. Entering the elevator and pushing the button that leads to the ground floor, Summer leaned against the metal back of the small cube and sighed.
...What did I just agree to?
An hour had passed and Summer was in the airship, waiting for it to take off. That nervousness she felt while leaving Ozpin's office didn't leave her. As soon as she left for Mistral, Summer thought to herself, she would be able to relax a little more. She looked out the window. She hadn't been to Mistral since her time at Beacon. Most of her missions were centred around the Kingdoms of Vale and Vacuo, to the west, with the occasional trip to Atlas, up to the north.
Summer couldn't help but wonder if Mistral had changed at all since the last time she was there.
I can't imagine it changing all that much, aside from the sudden increase in Grimm... As soon as you touch down, head straight for Monsoon. No side trips like last time.
The airship lifted off from the dock and the noise of the engines signalled that they were on their way eastward. Summer took a deep breath and exhaled.
She didn't know what to expect from this mission, and it made her nervous and excited at the same time. This weird mixture of emotions manifested in a small smile that she let out as she watched the clouds move by her.
I haven't felt like this in a long time... Let's see what comes of it.
~ Author's Note ~
Hello, fellow RWBY fans, and welcome to an interpretation that will probably be quickly proven non-canon, hehe. This is what I believe happened on Summer Rose's final mission. Since the show hasn't given an explanation so far, I thought I would fill in the blanks.
To be honest, I had the idea to do this for a long time, and I was planning to do this in tribute to Monty Oum back when he passed away, but my lack of confidence in the idea at the time prevented me from doing so. I thought it was finally time to start this however.
If you aren't familiar with the way I work with fan fictions, which I'm going to assume is the majority of you, then I usually include a sort of soundtrack for certain stories. This one is one of them, and you can find it on my profile page under the Soundtracks section. Just to give a sort of idea of what I'm listening to while writing certain scenes. You can find the link to the playlist on my profile page right now.
In any case, I hope you've enjoyed this little taste of what's been floating around my mind for some time now and I hope you have a great day.
Next Time – Chapter I: The Village of Monsoon