Umbra was in a deep slumber as Summer slept next to him, using the Grimm like a pillow and blanket since he removed his armor which Summer wanted, so how could he object to her?
It's been two weeks since Umbra left beacon and the Beowulf knew Qrow was looking for them. Summer didn't want to leave Umbra or get separated from him, she wanted to make sure that he was ok. And from the looks of it she was right. He need her more than ever. Especially since Salem was trying to take back control of him.
Summer woke up to the sound of soft whimpering. She looked at Umbra and saw his body shaking and twitching while a black mist left his mouth and eyes. Summer scooted closer to Umbra and set his head on her lap while she leaned on top of his head. Umbra instantly calmed down and leaned closer to Summer's stomach wanting to be closer to her warm body. His body stopped shaking and the mist disappeared without a trace.
"Don't worry Umbra I'm here for you" Summer whispered closing her eyes and falling back asleep on top of the Grimm head.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
Umbra yawned and opened his eyes slowly. He felt refreshed which was a surprise to him since he has been getting nightmares recently. They were extremely blurry but he could feel the emotions in them.
Regret, sorrow, guilt, and Rage are the most common emotions he felt in them. And everytime his body also felt different in each nightmare. He would feel smaller, sometimes he would feel bigger then normal. But the one thing he could see were burned into his brain was a bunch of different colored eyes that belong to humans.
They only word that he heard in his head was "Maiden" and "Failure" but at the end of the nightmare he would feel a unbearable pain somewhere on his body before he woke up sweating and tears traveling down his mask. Umbra wanted to tell Summer about his nightmares but he didn't want to worry her about it.
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Umbra looked at the rising sun as he felt that he was laying his head down on something soft and warm. He glanced down and realized his head was resting on Summers lap while the Huntress has her upper body laying down on his head with a pleasant smile on her face. Umbra yawned and felt that his throat was pretty dry and he felt a bit peckish as well. Umbra wanted to move but Summer made it a bit difficult and he like the warmth Summer gave off.
The Grimm silently groaned as his stomach growled at him. Umbra silently and slowly moved. He gently lifted Summer with his paws and held her like a child. He carefully walked towards Summers bag which was a bit difficult since he never walked on two feet and gently lowered Summer to the cool grass floor.
Summer groaned at the lack of warmth and tried to grab for Umbra which caused the Grimm to smirk but sadly he was hungry and thirsty. Umbra looked through the bookbag and found nothing to eat for himself. The Beowulf groaned and sniffed the air. After a few seconds Umbra dashed into the forest leaving a sleeping huntress behind.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
Summer opened her eyes and winced at the morning sun. Summer closed her eyes and tried to find her new favorite pillow but couldn't find it anywhere. Summer shot up realizing she was alone at camp. The huntress looked around for any sign of the Grimm.
"Umbra?" Summer called out as the forest went silent for a few seconds before it returned to normal. The silver eyed women glanced around before feeling something was behind her. Spinning around with her weapons ready she suddenly deadpanned and shook her head. "Umbra! what did I say about running off like that?" Summer said towards the Grimm who now had a dead cow in his mouth.
The Grimm rolled his eyes which made Summer glared at him for a second before she sighed.
"Sorry, I'm just worried about you" The huntress said as Umbra put down the cow and nodded his head. He walked up to Summer and rubbed his head against her side. Summer gently wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a firm hug. "Now... let's eat that cow you brought in." Summer said as Umbra was already eating most of the cow, leaving Summer the rest. Summer got 4 giant stakes and started to cook one of them.
Umbra looked at the food being cooked and silently huffed. He liked meat, which was obvious, but after staying with Summer and her family for so long, he has grown to love cooked meat since it tastes way better then raw meat, plus when Summer added some seasonings... Umbra just couldn't look at raw meat the same way he always did. Umbra swallowed another piece of the cow and licked his claws, cleaning off any of the blood on them. He looked down at himself and saw his fur and armor were extremely dirty and his fur was caked in blood thanks to his meal. Umbra looked at the last bit of his food and quickly ate it before walking into the forest.
Summer already ate her stake and stored the other ones away. She saw Umbra heading into the forest, so she quickly packed everything and followed him. Umbra has been acting strange lately ever since the first week has passed, he has been more tensed and on guard. Summer wishes there was a way to help him but what can a huntress do for a Grimm?
Summer pushed past a branch and saw a large lake with Umbra drinking from the water. Summer reached into her bag and grabbed a large canteen. She stood beside Umbra and refilled her her canteen. Umbra took another gulp of water but instead of swallowing it. He rinsed his mouth and spit in onto the grass. Summer finished refilling her bottle and yelped when Umbra suddenly plunged into the pond which cause some of the cold water to hit her.
"Umbra!" Summer said as the Grimm poked his head out of the water. Summer saw the look in his eyes and quickly threw her bag aside. Not even a second later a wave of water splashed against her.
Summer sat up and saw Umbra laughing at her which caused the huntress to stand up and take off her clothes, which caused Umbra to stop laughing and stare. Summer gently took off her cloak and threw it towards her bookbag before she went for her top. Umbra quickly turned away with a red tint across his mask. Umbra dunks his head into the cool water to try and ease his nerves.
The Grimm suddenly heard another thing drop behind him. Umbra was stiff when he heard Summer take a few steps back before running forward.
Suddenly a blur landed next to him causing a explosion of water to splash against his face. Umbra sputters as Summer popped out of the water with a large smile on her face.
Umbra didn't know if he was relieved or sad that Summer had a bikini with her. Umbra had a full minute to admire Summers beauty before she suddenly splashed him with a handful of water. The Grimm simply deadpanned at her. He knew what she was doing and appreciated it.
Umbra lifted his whole body out of the water and Summer realized she screwed up. She looked up at her impending doom and could only let out one word that would forever go down in history to those that dare challenged Umbra In a splashing contest.
"Meep" Summer was suddenly barried in water as Umbra came back down causing all the water around him to be shot in the air practically turning it into a large wave.
The BeoWulf came back up from the water and had a large shit eating grin on his face if it was possible. Umbra saw Summer pop out from the water and cough out some water and looked at Umbra who stopped smiling and only stared. "Well played Umbra even th- why does it feel so breezy?" She watched as Umbra's mask turned a deep red and looked away before pointing at her.
The huntress froze and looked down to see she was as bare as the day she was born. She then slowly looked around and saw her top floating on the water and her bottoms were a bit distant away.
Summer's face took a cheery tiny as she quickly covered herself with her arms. Umbra couldn't even look at Summer as she frantically grabbed her bikini. "Umbra, we never saw or spoke of this" Summer said as the Grimm could only nod his head as the Image of Summer naked continued to replay in his head. He heard a lot of splashing as Summer got out of the pond and realized she never had a towel.
Meanwhile Umbra was quietly cleaning his armor and fur before getting out of the pond to dry himself off. He saw Summer rubbing her arm while back in her bikini again. "Umbra can you come here please" Summer said looking down at the ground.
The Grimm looked at Summer and tilt his head at her before getting closer causing Summer to smile before it fell. "I don't have a towel so I was wondering if you wanted to relaxe in the sun to dry off." Umbra stared at her before his mind kick started again and he nodded slowly.
Summer smiled at Umbra as he grabbed her clothes and bag before leading her somewhere which surprised the Huntress.
At they walked through the forest Summer felt a bit anxious to get dry and put on a fresh set of clothes. When the duo hit a clearing Summer gasped at the sight. It was flat with flowers that scattered the area but the sun felt great against her skin. Umbra continued to walk before he sat down on the floor. Summer followed his example and sat down beside the Grimm enjoying the sun that shined against her skin.
Summer closed her eyes and sighed before a gentle breeze blew by which got Summer to realize she is still in her bikini. She looked at Umbra who was more focused on the sun. She quickly slipped off her bikini and put on a bra and panties before she slipped on a shirt and long pants which hugged her legs and some boots before resting against Umbra again who had his eyes closed as his breathing came at a even pace showing that he was sleeping. Summer decided to follow his example even though they been awake for only a few hours. The huntress lays down on the warm grass before she jumped when Umbra reached over and brought Summer closer to his chest which he had no armor on. Summer quietly giggles and closed her eyes as she felt Umbra's soft and dry fur.
The huntress yawned and felt her eyes getting heavy and after a few more seconds she fell asleep into a peaceful dream.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
Umbra slowly opened his eyes and looked down at Summer sleeping before looking at the night sky. Umbra was wondering what was happening at Beacon but shook his head when faces flashed in his head. The Beowulf missed the others but he couldn't control himself. The only reason he is still here instead of running away, it was because of Summer who is the reason he hasn't turned rabid.
Was it because of her silver eyes? Umbra didn't know how Summer kept him feeling so calm, the same with Ruby and Yang who saved him back in initiation, the Grimm remembered a rush of power flow through him when the two sisters hugged him at his last breath.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
But before he faded away he felt a strong connection and followed it. Umbra was a little surprised when It was from Yang and Ruby but Umbra concentrated and saw one glowing orb in each sister.
Yang had a orb of yellow and orange as bright as the sun which fitted her perfectly since it also gave off a lot of warmth but inside the orb was a ball of rage and power.
Then there was Ruby who had an orb of red and grey which swirled in random directions at a fast pace. And when Umbra looked at that one he felt more energetic and had the feeling he could run around the entire world.
Umbra reached out to both of them and watched as the orb warp in a way of regection to him. Umbra looked down at himself to see an orb in him. But his orb was a black hole with a white ring around it. The orb felt empty like it was never there. Umbra felt cold just by looking at it. He looked at the sisters orbs and reached out again.
"Please, lend me your power to help those I love" Umbra said to the orbs but the Grimm swore he saw the orb warp a bit. "Please I don't want to leave them, not yet, I love them to much to leave" Umbra said as the orb warped much more strongly. Suddenly a stream of energy from both of the orbs raced towards him entering his chest. His orb then had a yellow and red outline on his orb.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
Umbra snapped his eyes open and took a deep breath from the memory.
Umbra figured it out when he tried to use his powers again after the initiation, but nothing came out. It was like the connection from Ruby and Yang were to far away so he had to be a certain distance away to use his powers.
But after a few months at Beacon he started to feel more connections which lead to Team JNPR, Omega, Blake and Weiss. Umbra tried to look for ways to activate this ability, but with the same result, nothing.
Umbra got up and covered Summer with her cloak and walked a few feet away. The Grimm closed his eyes and tried again but this time he felt another connection and this was close by. The Grimm glanced at where Summer was and allowed the flow of energy into his body.
The reaction was quick... and painful. A flash of silver flew around the Grimm before incasing him into a ball. Umbra held back a howl of pain as he felt his body shift and grow, Umbra wanted nothing more then to give in to the pain but held strong.
After a few more seconds the pain didn't stop but whatever happened he felt different somehow. Umbra stood up and couldn't hold back a growl of pain as Umbra tried to move. His whole body felt sore after the transformation, but for some reason when he tried to change back he couldn't, the flow of power from Summer just vanished. Umbra quickly spun around and silently whimpered as he limped towards the hill.
As he climbed the hill he was practically dragging himself. When the Grimm reached the top, Umbra was greatly relieved to see Summer was fine and quietly sleeping. But why did she look smaller?
Umbra slowly glanced down at himself and was surprised that he grew some inches and looked at big as a normal Alpha Beowulf, maybe even bigger. Looking at his claws and saw they looked extremely sharp. Next was his armor which looked dense enough to rival a Deathstalkers armor. Another thing was Umbra felt more powerful then he ever felt before. Umbra couldn't get a good look at his body so he didn't have a full image of what he looked like.
The Beowulf suddenly felt a wave of fatigue hit him and Umbra hit the ground with a very heavy thud. Umbra was looking directly at Summer not noticing a qrow was watching them from a tree.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
Umbra shot up from the ground causing some rose pedals to launch in the air. The Beowulf sighed and looked down at himself, but frowned when he sees that he didn't turn back to normal he was still the same before he passed out. Umbra looked around and saw Summer near the hill looking around.
Umbra got to his paws and started walking towards the huntress. Said huntress looked in his direction and jumped at his appearance.
"Hey Summer" Umbra said as the huntress ran up to him and started to look over his body. "Uh, Summer?"
"What happened to you?" Summer questioned as she felt his fur, relieved it was still soft as always. She then looked at the smooth but much more dense armor on him. "Can I see you paw?" Umbra didn't question her, and raised his paw showing Summer his extra sharp claws which can probably cut through steel. "This strange now you look like any normal Alpha Grimm but with much armor that is more dense and claws that look sharp enough to cut through a bullhead" Summer muttered as she looked over his claws.
"Remember when I told you I can gain powers when I bonded with someone" The Alpha said which received a nod. "What happened was I tapped into our bond and this happened, but the problem is I can't change back" Umbra said while Summer put up a thinking pose. "I believe I can still make my armor disappear but my body will stay the same" Summer finally snapped her fingers and a smile pressed against her face.
"You evolved!" Summer shouted causing the Grimm to wince a bit. "Every Grimm goes through it after they lived for a certain amount of time, they become stronger, faster and smarter" Summer said before she suddenly groaned "uh oh I'm starting to sound like Peter" Umbra chuckled and nudged Summer with his snout.
"Ok I think I get what you mean but it happened when I tapped into our bond, does that mean anything?" Summer paused and shrugged. "It's ok I can figure it out with enough time" Umbra yawned. Summer smiled and started to pull the Grimm towards the tree on the hill.
"Come on sleepy head you been thinking to much, I have too I believe we deserve some sleep... and have you thought it over" Summer said with a worried voice.
"Yes... I want to return but only if your with me, we both know I can't control it without you. It would always trys and take control and I don't want that" Umbra said while Summer hugged him.
"I promise, now go to sleep" Summer said while Umbra got rid of his armor so Summer can sleep against him. "Hhhmmm your fur feels so much softer" Summer said as she got closer to the Grimm hugging his side. Umbra shook his head and layed down before closing his eyes letting sleep reach him.
Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
Umbra opened his eyes and looked around a little dazed and disoriented. The Grimm yawned and stretched his body a bit before looking around and spotting Summer quietly snoring against the tree.
The Alpha snorts and looks down at himself seeing his new body. Umbra looked his armor and admires how strong and dense they are before looking at claws. He then looked at the rest of his body and saw armor covering almost his entire body. Umbra reached up and gently touched his mask before looking at Summer again.
Umbra suddenly heard something behind him causing the Grimm to spin around and face someone very familiar.
"Umbra" The voice of Qrow said as the Grimm watched the Hunter and his layed back appearance. "I been looking for both you and Summer, before you run away in fear, I been told what happened" Umbra suddenly had a guilty look. "And I'm not mad, but I'm also glad you alive" Qrow said pat the Grimm on the head. "Also you look a bit different, did you grow... oh I see what happened, you evolved... I'm slightly glad I stayed awake long enough for one of ports lectures about Grimm evolution" Qrow mumbled which got an eye roll from the glowing silver eyed Grimm.
"Ugh Qrow?" Summer said sleepily which caused both males to look and see Summer stand up and wobble over to them. Qrow chuckled while the Grimm smirked. "What are you doing here" Summer yawned while stretching her body causing both males to stare at her figure before they looked at each other in a silent agreement at what they should do.
Qrow quickly slapped Umbra upside the head while Umbra grabbed a nearby branch and whacked Qrow with it. As Summer finished stretching she saw both Qrow and Umbra standing side by side with straight faces. She raised an eyebrow before shrugging.
"Summer we're all worried sick about you, I want you and Umbra to return home. I been calling Ruby every day and she has never been the same" Umbra stiffened and lowered his head while Summer looked at Umbra knowing that he just wanted to head back comfort his little rose.
"I know and we already decided that we will return" Summer said while Umbra was still not to sure about it. "But I will have to stay near Umbra and it for reason that both with to keep secret" Summer said as Qrow only nodded and turned around.
"It's a long walk to Beacon so I hope your ready" Qrow said as Summer didn't say anything, only looking at Umbra who was nervously moving around.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
A few days have passed as the trio saw saw Beacon in the distance. Umbra felt his eyes getting wet when he got closer, he couldn't bear himself to look at Ruby. Cause he knew if he stared into her silver eyes he would only break down.
The Grimm felt a soft hand brush the tears away and he knew it was Summer trying to cheer him up.
"Don't be scared Umbra, Ruby and Yang have missed you dearly, I know when they will be have to have you back." Summer said soothingly which caused Umbra to relaxe a bit before he rubbed his head up against Summer causing a flash of their aruas to appear, but now Umbra's arua was all white but there was still faint traces of black in it.
'I hope your right' Umbra thought before straightening himself out and walking with a bit more confidence in his step.
*Line Break Line break Line break Line break*
The second Umbra and the two hunters walked into Beacon he could see the suprise from everyone's face. Then some of those suprised turned into anger and hatred. But Umbra brushed them aside like it was trash.
He looked around and then started to feel something wrap around his neck causing him to look down and see his scarf dangling from his neck.
"You dropped that, so I decided to return it to you" Qrow said in a layed back voice as he took a swig from his flask. Summer only shook her head as the three continued down the hall. But then Umbra started to hear the students talk.
"Is that Umbra?" One questioned.
"He looks so different." Another said.
"How is it alive, we watched it fall off the cliff" the last one said angrily as his partner beside him nodded their head.
Umbra closed his eyes and took a deep breath as the anger around him were coming at him nonstop. After a few minutes the anger vanished and the Grimm took a shakey breath. He heard someone gasped and opened his eyes and all he saw was a pink and orange blur.
"UMBRA! YOU'RE ALIVE" Nora cheered as she warped her arms around the Grimm's neck until he couldn't breath. Umbra tried to pull the very strong girl off but sadly it seems the girl was much stronger then she looked. Umbra then started to hear the usual happy girl, sniffling and her grip to loosen around his neck allowing oxygen to enter his lungs. "Umbra nothing has been the same without you" Nora said sadly as she let Umbra go. "Omega was never the same after the accident, the team has been falling apart. Jean tried to keep us all together but it wasn't working, Omega started to sleeping outside and whenever a teacher or student comes by he would growl at them" Umbra watched as tears started to travel down her face while the two hunters and Grimm listened closely.
Nora took a deep breath and continued. "But that's not the worst part, when Jean tried to comfort him... he snapped" Umbra's eyes widen at what Nora said. "He bit down on her arm but luckily she had her arua up" Jean told us everything but at the end she said this: I saw his widen in shock and he let my arm go, before I could tell him to not panic he ran off somewhere" Nora stopped talking as Umbra took in everything before he growled angrily and slammed his paw on the floor.
He was angry at himself, he caused this if he didn't attack Ruby none of this would have happened. Umbra's ears flattened as he lowered his head in shame. "Umbra." Said Grimm looked up at Nora who wiped her tears away. "It's not you fault, we all just couldn't accept your death and we split up for a bit wanting to let it pass but it only got worse, please all I ask is for you to bring us all together again Team Ruby needs you, we need you." Nora said before giving the Grimm on last hug.
Umbra nodded his head and rubbed his head against Nora before walking down the hall again with Summer and Qrow. After a while Qrow left to go talk with Ozpina.
So now it was just Summer and Umbra. They both stood outside the door to Team RWBY's room and Umbra remembers what he promised Nora so he wasn't backing down... not now. Umbra looked at Summer and nodded. Summer walked up to the door and knocked three times...
It was silently no noise was made inside only the sound of Umbra shuffling a bit. Suddenly the door opened and Umbra's heart broke at what he saw. Summer could only cover her mouth in shock as a few tears left her eyes.
It was Ruby but it wasn't the Ruby they remembered. The Ruby Umbra knew always had a smile on her face and her silver eyes shining brightly. But all he saw was a girl that has lost someone dear to her.
This Ruby had puffy silver eyes with bags under them and her smooth red and black hair was messy and untamed. Her clothes were only her sleep wear. She smelled like she hasn't took a shower in days. Her skin looked more pale then usual and she looked like she hasn't eaten in a week. Umbra couldn't believe it, he stared at the girl who was always beside him with a smile on her face, now broken with nothing to lose.
Ruby and Umbra had a stare down before the Young girl broke down crying. Umbra and Summer were quick to bring the small girl into a hug. The Grimm felt small and weak arms wrap around his neck which only made him feel more awful.
"Umbra... your here" Ruby sobbed while Summer felt her own tears falling down her face at seeing her daughter at such a pitiful state. "I thought you were gone" Ruby hiccuped. Umbra only shook his head and tightened his grip a bit telling her he was here and not her imagination.
"Sweety what happened to you" Summer said as she made Ruby face her. Ruby only looked down at the floor. Umbra nudged her arm causing the small her girl to look up at her mom.
"After the first week everyone has been different, no one talked during lunch they only ate and left without a word. Yang has been more aggressive to everyone. Blake is starting to keep more to herself and stay quiet. And Weiss is starting ignore everyone. JNPR stopped walking together and separate and do their own things... it was chaos. I didn't for a week and only stayed in my bed" Ruby said as Umbra lowered his head before he was hugged once again by the small red head. "But your here, that mean things will get better... right?" Ruby said as her eyes were filled with hope.
Umbra nodded without hesitation Ruby finally smiled and this caused Umbra to feel something to flow into his soul. Ruby suddenly vanished and the door to room closed. Both Grimm and huntress heard movement and before they knew it, Ruby was standing infront of them with her usual clothes on.
Umbra heard a loud growl and knew for a fact who it was. Without warning Umbra grabbed Ruby and pulled her towards him. He gave Ruby a quick lick to the face before gesturing towards his back. Ruby's face was a bit red but she didn't complain and hopped on. Summer pouted which caused Umbra to roll his eyes and nod his head. Summer smiled and hopped on Umbra's back right behind her daughter.
Umbra started walking and after a while he made it to the cafeteria. He pushed the door open with the Duo still on his back. He looked around and finally spotted someone, Weiss. Said female looked up and her eyes widened when they locked eyes. She looked on his back and saw Ruby happily hugging the Grimms neck from behind. He then looked ahead and walked towards where all the food was. Both Ruby and Summer slid of. He saw Ruby's eyes widen as her mouth started to water.
Ruby rushed ahead and grabbed so much food and sat down. Many people were amazed to see the small prodigy back on her feet but they were more amazed when they saw her eating more food then Nora. Summer grabbed a tray of food and sat beside her daughter while Umbra looked at a lunch lady who nodded her head understanding him. She then brought out a slab of raw meat and set it down next to Ruby.
The Grimm didn't waste time on being polite and started to rip the meat apart, while he was doing that Ruby glanced down at him making sure he was real and not some figment of her imagination. Ruby reached over and touched Umbra's ears which caused the Grimm to pause before he scooted closer for Ruby to pet him. Ruby smiled and pulled away before happily eating her food. Summer watched this with a smile on her face before going back to eating her food.
Umbra has returned to Beacon, but his job has only started. He need to bring everyone back together, they were all broken in some way and Umbra was there to help them out of their darkness.
AN: Holy shit! I am seriously good smacked, a hundred people following this book... that is amazing. I don't know what to say, but I will say this, thank you for giving me the support I need to continue this book. So I hope to see all you guys in the next chapter.*The Author waves as the booktitle appeared and flashed a silver glow before it dissapeared a minute later*
