A Memory of Summer
(Present)
It was a late summer night, Beacon was just about to begin classes once more. Qrow Branwen walked to the top of a hill on the island of Patch. The moon of Remnant hung over him in the sky. Rose petals fluttered in the breeze as Qrow reached the headstone that sat on the hill.
Are you welcoming me Summer ? A faint smile touching the man's lips. Qrow dressed in all black as he usually kneeled down in front the grave. A Rose symbol was carved into it with the inscription Thus kindly I scatter.
"Summer," he said softly "I wish I came to visit more often but sometimes I find it difficult even after all these year to accept that you're gone." Qrow's thoughts drifted to that night. The last time he saw Summer alive and the last time in years that he saw his twin. The crimson blood staining her snow white cloak. Summer's smile as she faded away into the next life. Qrow ran his hands over the smooth stone.
"Ruby and Yang are starting at Beacon soon" Qrow told him, "You'd be proud of them, Ruby showed them how talented she is" He smiled thinking about his nieces. "They are both amazing young women." There was a quiet that passed over the hilltop, the grimms seemed to keep their distance. As though they sensed, that he was the Reaper of Remnant. Qrow was never fond of that title, his friends would often tease him about it. However, now there were few that knew he was indeed the reaper. Save for his young partner.
"I think you'd like him" He said aloud, "He can be headstrong and reckless like Tai but also brilliant and loyal." Qrow moved his hand standing up.
"Beacon is starting a new year," He said "I wonder what the children will make of there years at the academy" He looked up at the shattered moon of Remnant. A cool summer breeze ruffling his salt and pepper hair, and clothes.
"Will it be anything like the years, we sent there as kids" Qrow pondered. "What do you think Summer?"
I
Raven Branwen sat at one of the lunch tables of the Beacon Academy cafeteria. It was a normal quiet day at the academy. Raven savored the peace, the rest of Team QRST was off somewhere undoubtedly being lively and loud. she loved her team but, being able to enjoy time to herself was nice as well. Spread out before her on the table were books and notes. Some were about the Cult of Remnant and experiments on Grimms. In only a short year from now, Raven and the rest of her peers were going to graduate to become true hunters and huntresses.
"Good afternoon, Ra" a booming, cheerful, voice greeted. Raven sighed as Taiyang Xiao Long took a seat down besides her. The bench groaning under his massive weight.
"Hey, Tai." Raven said closing her notebook, looking at her partner with crimson eyes. He smiled at her, Taiyang was a towering young man, built like a truck. He had a muscular build with a board chest. Taiyang's hair was a dark golden color that was always messy. His violet eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched her.
"Yes, Tai ?" She asked resting her chin on her fist.
"Just enjoying your lovely annoyed face." He teased grinning affectively at her. Raven shook her head, smiling a fraction at him.
"You're a child," She said, Taiyang laughed a wonderful sound that pulsed in her veins. "So what have you've been doing ?"
"Training, squaring off against anyone daring enough to take me on" He boasted, resting his head on his hands, to get on eye level with Raven.
"You're a brunt." She said, "Where are Summer and my brother ?"
"They're off on a special partner mission" Taiyang said leaning back, stretching out his arms. "Qrow said that they'd be back sometime after noon." Raven nodded sitting up.
"I'm going to go get some training in" She said standing up. Taiyang looked up at her.
"Want some company ?" He asked, Raven smiled brushing her black hair over her shoulder.
"Only if you can keep up Tai" She said walking on ahead. She heard his loud footsteps following after her.
II
Qrow stood quietly in the forest, he was good with stealth. It was something he was often told, that he could become a living shadow. The opposite could be said about his partner. Summer Rose was literately cloaked in white, but more than that she existed in light. Summer blazed with life that Qrow never doubted drew Grimm to her. Such is why she stood in a cleaning, her white cloak billowing out around her. Summer's auburn hair tied back in a braid. She looked so peaceful there, her blade resting loosing in one of her hands. Summer's aura flowed around her with a brilliant shine. Qrow heard the Grimm's growls and the crunch of the dirt under their claws. He guessed there were six or seven of them nearing them. Qrow raised his hands for Summer. She glance at him, nodding with a faint smile. The first Grimm broke the tree line, it's white bone mask, appearing from the shade. It was large Ursa, growing at Summer. Qrow pulled his scythe out. He leapt from his hiding place, his short black cloak flowing out around him like wings. He sliced though the Grimm's neck in one clean slice. It's head tumbling to the ground. Three more Ursa breaking through the tree line, Summer whirled at them. Cutting through the first grim, with a deadly grace. She ducked out the way of another's claws, before she stabbed it in the heart. Slashing open it's chest, blood spattered towards her but none touched her cloak. Qrow bisected the third Grimm, landing besides his partner. More Grimm appeared, now one more Ursa and two Beowolves.
"Together ?" Summer asked in her musical voice. Qrow nodded with a sharp grin. They quickly dispatched the Grimm with a fierce precision in their attacks. Qrow turned to face Summer, when another Grimm appeared behind her.
"Summer!" He yelled, Summer leaped backwards into the air. The Grimm's claw missing her boots by mere centimeters. She twisted in the air, bringing down her sword on the Grimm's head. Slicing it down the middle.
"Well done." Qrow said walking over to Summer, She grinned at him, sheathing her sword.
"That should have been the last of them" She said. Qrow nodded, checking his scroll, "The report said that there were not likely to be more than ten of them."
"We should head back to the Bullhead" Summer said. The pair head towards the bullhead, where their professor was awaiting there return.
III
"What do you think Raven and Tai are up to ?" Summer asked breezily, as they neared the bullhead.
"Killing each other or being couple like" Qrow said.
"I'd say their probably making out" Summer said nonchalantly.
Qrow shuddered slightly at the thought of his twin and best friend locking lips. Summer chuckled noticing his discomfort.
"Sorry" She said smiling innocently. Qrow grinned ever so slightly at her.
"It's fine," He said running a gloved hand through his black hair, "I'm happy they're finally no longer passive aggressively flirty at one another like the past few years."
"It's nice to see them both so happy" Summer mused looking up at the sky, her silver eyes reflecting the blue of the sky. Qrow nodded spotting the bullhead with his crimson eyes.
"Professor Rosland" Summer called, there was no reply from their Professor. The partners exchanged a look, and hurried to the bullhead, they knew something was amiss. There an eerie silence around the craft, and Qrow noticed claw marks on the metal hull.
"Grimm," Summer muttered worry in her eyes.
"Maybe" He replied walking towards the bullhead. The glass to the cockpit was shattered, but Summer saw someone inside.
"Check the pilot" Qrow said in a calm commanding voice. Summer nodded heading to the cockpit. Qrow unfolded his black scythe, inching towards the bullhead main body to search for Professor Rosland.
"Professor ?" He whispered at her entered the bullhead. A low moan sounded from the corner. He hurried to them, and saw the bleeding form of Professor Rosland.
"Mr. Branwen" She greeted, her face pain stricken.
"What happened ?" He asked kneeling down besides her.
"A Grimm," she choked, "It wasn't like any Grimm I've ever seen before." Professor Roseland's face was pale and speckled with blood. Qrow scanned for wounds, their was was a nasty set of cuts across her gut. Blood oozed out of them, and coated her shaking fingers. Professor Rosland's aura flicked trying to help her wounds heal. Qrow bit the inside of his cheek, he needed to get the professor to a doctor.
"Summer" He called hearing her footsteps, she was carrying the pilot on her back, her hood strained with spots of the man's blood.
"I bandaged his head wounds" She said laying him down gently, "Luckily it was a shallow cut" Summer's eyes flickered to their Professoers wounds. Her silver eyes swirling with worry. She walked over, pulling out the remaining gauze from her belt.
"Here let me" Summer said being careful to wrapped up Professor Rosland's wounds.
"You two need to contact, Beacon" She ordered the two students. Summer nodded, she pulled out her scroll.
"I'll call Raven, and tell her what's going on" She told Qrow. He nodded walking to the other side of the bullhead. Scanning the tree line for the mystery Grimm. His hands gripped his scythe tightly, whatever had attacked the professor was nothing like the other Grimms they'd faced.
"Raven" He heard Summer greet his twin behind him. His pulse sped up as he heard something thud on top the roof. Qrow took a step forward raising his weapon. Something sprung down from the roof right at Qrow.
IV
Raven stretched her arms out behind her head. Taiyang laid down besides her on the grass. Sweat gleamed on his brow, and his chest rose and fell heavily. They had gone a few rounds with each other. Raven had come out victorious in the last few rounds. She untied her hair, shaking it out and letting it cascade down her back.
"That was exhilarating," Taiyang breathed out, his fingers interwinding with Raven's. She smiled, as he brought her hand to his lips, "We should do this again"
"Or something even more fun" She said wickedly, Taiyang's violet's eyes blazed passionately.
"I'd like that" He growled lowly. Raven lowed her head to kiss him, when she heard the familiar chime of her scroll.
"Don't answer" He said.
"I have to lumber boy" She said, pecking him on the tip of his nose. Raven fished her scroll out, and answered.
"Hello,?"
"Raven" Summer greeted, her friend's voice sounded tried.
"How did the mission go ?" Raven said, trying to ignore Taiyang's rubbing her palm with his thumb.
"Fine" Summer replied distantly, "But listen something went wrong, an unknown Grimm attacked Professor Rosland and the pilot of the bullhead." Raven's sense kicked into focus.
"Are you and Qrow alright ?" She asked, her tone shifting to something more urgent. Taiyang sat up hearing the change.
"We're fine" Summer said "But I need you get a us reinforcements"
"Of course" Raven said, "Have you seen this Grimm ?"
"Not,-" Raven heard a yelp of pain over the line, "Qrow !"
She heard Summer cry, their were bangs and crashes, before the line cut out.
"Summer!" Raven called, launching onto her feet. Taiyang sprung up next to her, he was alert and ready for action.
"What's going on ?"
"Our team's in danger" Raven said, "We need to go get help"
V
Summer heard the claws rasping over the bullhead's roof, as she spoke to Raven. She turned, sword in her free hand, to face Qrow. It was just in time to see a large Grimm jump down at him. It pushed him to ground, it's long sharp fangs, snapping at Qrow's face.
"Qrow!" She cried stabbing the Grimm, it's tail sweeping under her feet knocking her off balance. Sending her scroll falling from her hand. Qrow managed to kick the Grimm off him, raising to his feet. He slashed his scythe at it. It dodged with an very ungrimm like motion. It reared it's head back, something sprayed from it's fangs at Qrow's face. He yelled in pain clenching at his eyes.
"NO" Summer slashed at the grim, catching it in the shoulder. It roared in an inhuman cry, darting away. Summer let out a shaking breath, turning to check on Qrow and the others.
"Qrow ?" she asked softly, He was still clenching at his eyes.
"It stings" he said in a clipped tone. Summer checked the others, the pilot laid unharmed on the floor.
"I'm fine Ms. Rose" Professor Rosland said, "Tend to your leader"
Summer nodded finding a bottle of water.
"I'm going to flush your eyes" she told Qrow kneeling down beside him. He nodded letting her pour water. The cool liquid washed away the sting in his crimson eyes. Qrow blinked opening his eyes, he look around. His blood went cold, he could barely see at all. Summer was a blur of white and red before him.
"I can't see right" He said biting down a string of curses, "This is not good"
"No, it's not" Professor Rosland said "Summer did you get a good look at that Grimm ?"
"Kind of ," She said keeping a hand on Qrow's shoulder, "It stood like a human, but it's skin and teeth was like a snake's"
Summer whipped her head around to face the professor, "You don't think this was venom" glancing back to Qrow's eyes.
"We can only hope that's not the case" She replied.
"I don't feel that bad" Qrow added, taking Summer's hand to stand up. "I think I may know what that thing was."
"Really ?" Summer asked,
"Yeah, it sounds like one of those Grimm experiments the cult of Remnants have been conducting" He said recalling his twin discussing them weeks earlier. The sound of them had been as terrifying as the Grimm that had just attacked them.
"I've heard of those as well" Professor Rosland said her voice strained, "Horrible abominations they are"
"It sounds like that thing will not be easy to take down" Summer said, "Qrow do you think you can fight ?"
Qrow blinked his eyes, but the world was just as blurry as before.
"My eyes are still useless" He admitted resting on his scythe, Summer dropped her hands but kept watch on her partner.
"I'll go out and track that Grimm, bid us some time before help arrives" Summer said, she trusted Raven to get them the help that they needed. Neither Raven nor Taiyang were one to abandon a friend.
"It's too dangerous" Qrow said stubbornly stepping forward carefully. Summer smiled even though she knew Qrow couldn't see it.
"Someone needs to stay behind and look after the pilot and Professor Rosland" She said, looking over the two wounded people. The professor's eyes were almost closed and they face was growing pale. "I'm the only one whose not wounded Qrow" He scowled, his eyes narrowed.
"That Grimm isn't normal, Summer" He said a slight pleading edge in his voice. Summer placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll be fine," She said, "I can't just wait here and allow that Grimm the chance to harm any of you anymore"
Qrow sighed, "Just swear to me that you're coming back alive"
"I promise" Summer said "I'll always come back"
VI
Summer followed the tracks on the dirt, drops of blood spread out around them. She hated leaving Qrow all by himself, but the Grimm had proved it's deadliness in close quarters. She glanced back at the bullhead, Qrow had been more off balance than she was used to her partner being. He was normally calm with a quiet confidence that put team QRST at ease. It was different from Taiyang's boastfulness and pride, or Raven's overwhelming presence in battle. Qrow seemed almost scared after the Grimm attack. She couldn't blame him, that thing, had been dangerous in a way other Grimm hadn't. Even after all the Grimms she had faced in her life. The Grimm were always drawn to her since she young. Summer hadn't ever imagined being anything but a huntress. It also meant that She had lost some measure of fear towards Grimm. Yet, this mutant monster that had perhaps blinded her partner stirred something deep inside her. The brushes ruffled behind her, and a hissing sound filled the air. Summer spun around her sword clashing with the Grimm's razor sharp claws. The Grimm bared it's teeth at her, Summer loosed her grip on her sword, ducking away as the Grimm spat venom at her. Summer drew her dagger, stabbing it into the Grimm's thigh. It roared in pain, it's tail whipping at her. She raised her arms to block it, the tail slammed into her arms. Summer was thrown to the ground, her arm pulsing with pain. She forced herself up, blades at the ready, as the Grimm lunged at her. Summer, met it in a fury of blades and claws tearing, slashing at each other. She managed to slice through it's tail in a clean motion. It howled and for a moment she swore that it sounded like that of a human. Something in Summer twisted at the heart-wrenching noise. The Grimm snapped from it's pain, dark eyes, hidden behind a white bone mask landed on her. Hatred and agony in it's glaze, as it launched at her. Summer barely raised her sword in time as the thing landed on her, pushing her to the ground.
VII
Taiyang hated feeling useless, he always wanted to help out others whenever he could. He felt like a caged animal sitting in the bullhead waiting to reach the forest where Qrow and Summer were. They were never reckless or over confident like others often called Taiyang. Raven had smacked him in the arm, scolding him enough times for him to know those words by heart. Taiyang tapped his foot restlessly on the steel floor. Watching the map, as they neared. Raven stood by the doors, hand holding into the handle from the ceiling. She practically radiated impatience and worry for their teammates.
"We're almost there" He said trying to force a lightness to his tone. Raven nodded curtly, resting her free hand on the hilt of her katana. "I'm sure Qrow and Summer are fine,"
"There is always a chance of something going wrong" She replied.
"Yeah, maybe" Taiyang said bowing his head, "But still they never make fatal mistakes"
"Anyone can make a mistake" Raven snapped at him. Taiyang flinched at her words.
"I'm sorry" She whispered looking away.
"It's fine," He said "I'm worried about them too"
"I know that, Tai" Raven said walking over to him, "But the thought of losing either of them is killing me a little bit"
Taiyang raised his head, "I understand, but we'll be in time"
Raven's lips quivered like a smile was almost ready to crack through her worried mask.
"Summer Rose and Qrow Branwen are just too stubborn to die" She said recalling something had come to believe from the years of being on a team with Summer and growing up with her twin.
"We're almost there" The pilot called to there, Professor Port nodded rising up from his seat. The medics that had come along readied themselves.
"Ready, my students" Port said.
"Yes" They answered together.
VIII
The sky was beginning to darken and still Summer had not returned. Qrow had heard the horrible sounds of roaring in the distance. It burned him up on the inside to not be fit to aid Summer against that monster. Professor Rosland was looking worse by the second, even as he lent some of his aura to her. There was also no sign of the reinforcement that he knew his team was bringing. Qrow let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his night black hair.
"Summer where are you" He asked quietly.
"Behind you" She whispered into his ear, Qrow spun around feeling disoriented for a moment as his vision was filled by white and red.
"Are you okay ?"
"I'm fine" She said grabbing his hands to help steady him. Qrow felt something warm and slippery on her hands. Blood.
"It's not mine" Summer said before he ask, "The Grimm is dead" Her voice dropped a little as she spoke.
"Did something happen ?" Qrow asked narrowing his eyes, wishing them to focus so he could see her face clearly.
"No, it's just, that Grimm, it felt different somehow" Summer said. Qrow opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of a bullhead filled the air, making the tree tops sway. Summer helped guide Qrow outside to see the bullhead over head.
"Qrow, Summer!" Raven and Taiyang called from the open door of the craft.
"Hey !" Summer called wavering her hands at them. Qrow sagged with relief as they landed. The medic rushing out to inspect the students.
Summer shooed them away, telling them to look at Professor Rosland. Taiyang wrapped her up in a bear hug.
"Good to see you're alright" He said cheerfully. Summer laughed happily.
"You too, Lumber Jack" she said. He let her go, still grinning broadly. Raven was hugging her brother they spoke softy to one another.
"I'm glad you're both alright" Raven said turning to face Summer.
"We've been through worse" She grinned, her best friend shook her head, pulling away from her brother. Raven hugged Summer.
"I'd really be happy if you two didn't get into trouble so much these days" She said "Leave that to me and Tai"
"Alright" Summer said, laughing as Taiyang picked up Qrow in a hug.
"Tai," Qrow warned, but he still smiled patting his friend's back. Summer looked up into the darkening sky, as they made their way to the bullhead.
IX
"Look up." the nurse asked Qrow, as he sat on the edge of an infirmary bed. Team QRST had been ushered into the infirmary the moment they touched down on Beacon's campus. Professor Rosland and the pilot went to a hospital in Vale for treatment. The nurse squeezed a few eyedrops into Qrow's crimson's eyes. He blinked tipping his head forward.
"Keep your eyes closed," The nurse said dabbing his eyes with a clean cloth.
"Are his eyes going to be alright ?" Summer asked, she stood next to Raven, watching the nurse work on Qrow. Taiyang sat on another bed near them.
"There won't be any permanent damage to them" The nurse said "Qrow, you should be able to see normally again by tomorrow." Qrow sighed in relief.
"Thanks goodness" Summer breathed out.
"Best news we've had all day" Qrow said. Raven and Taiyang smiled at each other.
"What about you Summer" The nurse asked, "Did you received any wounds"
"I'm fine" Summer replied.
Raven glanced at her friend running her eyes up and down her body. She paused on her side, her cloak was strained with blood from the fight but she saw past that. Summer had her arms crossed hiding how her black shirt clung to her side, as if soaked with water.
"Really ?" Raven asked nudging Summer in the side carefully. She yelped, gritting her teeth in pain stepping away from Raven.
"Raven" Qrow scolded from the bed.
"Summer's hurt" His twin replied eyeing her friend critically.
"Show us" Taiyang asked, Summer sighed
"It's just a scratch" She said pushing her shirt up, it more so peeled off her bloody skin. It revealed a nasty set of claw wounds on her skin, the skin was an angry red color.
"Oh man" Taiyang breathed. Raven bit the inside of her cheek.
"That's not a scratch Summer" she said, the nurse rushed over gauze and disinfectants in hand.
"Sit" She ordered, getting to work on Summer's wounds.
"How did that happen?" Raven demanded watching like a concern mother.
"The Grimm got the jump on me in the forest after I got distracted," Summer recalled, she heard the monster's scream that sounded almost human.
"Why didn't you say anything" Qrow asked, looking angrily at her.
"I wanted to make sure you and the others were alright first" She said softly.
"I swear Summer, you have no sense of self preservation do you ?" Raven said, Summer smiled weakly.
"I was going to get it patched up later" She said. The rest of Team QRST sighed wearily.
X
"One day you'll learn to care about your own well being" Summer sat on top of the roof of the dorms, watching as Raven walked over to her. She smiled.
"One day" She echoed, her side ached only slightly from the Grimm's attack, now it was cleaned and bandaged.
Raven sat besides her, "Qrow has cooled off by the way" She said. Summer nodded looking up at the broken moon of Remnant.
"I don't mean to," She said aloud, "Put others well being before my own"
"Yet, you do every time" Raven noted.
"Force of habit" Summer said "It's been this way ever since I was a kid, ever since my sister and mom died."
Raven pulled her knees up to her chest, "That wasn't your fault though"
"I'm aware," Summer said "I just can't bear the thought of others dying when I can stop it from happening"
"I know what's it like to lose someone" She said, "Losing our parent, left me and Qrow on our own"
Summer looked at her friend, silver eyes full of sympathy.
"That's why I can't bear the thought of losing someone else I love" Raven said.
"I know the feeling" Summer said smiling.
"True, but see you are among those loved ones" Raven said smiling as well, "So I forbid you from being such a selfless moron"
"Are you saying I'm forbidden from dying" She said, amusement in her voice.
"Yes, Summer Rose, you are not allowed to get yourself killed as long as we're friends" Raven declared.
"Do I get a say in this"
"Absolutely, Not" Taiyang added in his booming voice, as he walked towards them hands in his jeans pocket. Qrow walked besides his partner, his vision was still blurry but it got better.
"As team leader, I say that as long as we four are together as a team, as friends, as family we have each other backs like always, but we also never hid what hurts us or scares or anything" Qrow announced.
"Here, here brother" Raven said.
"I like how that sounds." Summer said fondly.
"Agreed" Taiyang said cheerfully, sat down besides Raven, taking her hand in his own.
"Then it's a pact" Qrow said smiling sitting down carefully between his sister and Summer. The four of them watching the starry sky above.
Small note - Some stuff like the mutant Grimm and Cult of Remnant are ideas I brought over from my other fic Team ANGL. Otherwise I hope you enjoy this short look at how I imagine Qrow and Summer's team to have been like.