Chapter 2

February 24th, 80 AGW, Grimmlands

Summer sprinted through the dark tunnels that, possibly, ran all across the continent. One thing that was a benefit for her new body is that she didn't need to eat, drink, or sleep. This means that she didn't need to rest, and only focus on running. She did have to double back a couple times when she got lost.

Summer knew that going above ground was a risk, especially if Salem was aware that she escaped. However, after the third backtracking, she felt she had no choice. Either continue to get lost, and eventually get caught. Or go uptop, potentially exposing herself. Finding an exit upward, she could see the sky once more. Once again, everything was black and white. However, with the sky now looking darker, she guessed it might be nighttime.

Taking a look at the surroundings, she saw a massive stone arch, hundreds of feet high and several hundred feet across. Summer mentally smiled. This rock formation was a place they camped out at on the third night, during her failed assault. Meaning that she was much closer that she had anticipated, covering half the distance. She remembered the night well. Despite losing three members by then,the others were happy. The idea of finally killing Salem, of striking a crippling blow to the Grimm. Summer stood at the top of the archway, looking over the Grimmlands when Velox ca~

'Velox!' Summer mentally gasped, 'Was...was he still alive? Did she just leave another person for dead? Or, worse, did he become like her?'

Summer considered going back, but shook her head. Even if Salem didn't know she had escaped, trying to get Velox out of there would be too much of a risk. And, if he was turned into another hybrid, there would be no chance of saving him. Unlike her, Velox didn't have any friends or family, only those he lost and continued to fight for. There was no one connected to him in the present day. She only broke free because of her daughter. There'd be no chance with Velox.

She continued to run east, hoping that she could reach the coastline. Honestly, though, she could do without her back being in pain.

Ozpin sipped a drink from his coffee mug. It was midday at Beacon Academy, and he looked down from the tower, watching as the students milled about their day. With the end of the current school year approaching, the start of the next would soon be upon them. He had already gone through the list of applicants who would be coming to Beacon. Several of them certainly...piqued his interest. Chief among them being Mistral's own Pyrrha Nikos. However, with the reputation that Beacon has been receiving these past few years, it makes sense why a world-class fighter like her would want to learn at Beacon. Not to say that the past year's students weren't wonderful. Team CFVY were rising stars amongst the first years, their skills almost being that of third years. If this year's teams were any sign, the next year's groups would be even more skilled.

One of the elevators DINGED, prompting him to turn around. In his office were his deputy headmistress, Glynda Goodwitch, as well as Qrow Branwen, one of his best agents. Taiyang had called him late last night, saying that he had information concerning Salem. While he wouldn't discuss what they were, his voice clearly showed fear and rage. The concern on Qrow's face meant that Tai most likely told him the information, but Qrow wouldn't say what it was either. The fact that Qrow hadn't touched his canteen was also a note of concern. If Qrow wasn't willing to take his drinks, then he's being serious about this.

"Come in."

The elevator opened, Taiyang entering with a rapid pace. He had the eyes of a man who wouldn't let the world stop him.

"Taiyang," Ozpin exclaimed, "I hope you've been doing well. How are your children?"

"Doing fine," Tai replied sternly, "Told them I would be gone for a few hours, and I almost considered getting someone to watch over them."

"Tai," Glynda said soothingly, "Your children are much older now. They can look after themselves."

"It's not that I expect them to get into trouble, Glynda. Now, I expect trouble to come for them."

Ozpin sighed in relief. When he heard from Tai, he instinctively was concerned Ruby was possibly attacked by Salem. However, it seems Miss Rose hasn't had such an ordeal.

A screen popped up, revealing General James Ironwood.

"Sorry," the general commented, "Am I late?"

"No, James. We were just starting."

Qrow narrowed his eyes, "And why's he here?"

"I was already planning on discussing certain things with James." Ozpin replied.

"When Ozpin told me Taiyang had information concerning Salem, I decided to move the time when I'd have my talks with Ozpin."

Before Qrow could scoff, Tai continued. "Good, the more people we can get involved, the better. Is your line secured?"

"Yes. This is my personal quarters."

"And what is it we're getting involved with?" Ozpin inquired.

"I received a message last night. From someone trying to escape Salem."

"What?" Glynda exclaimed.

"Did they give a name? A location to extract them?"

"No. The text was rapid. They didn't give a location, simply that they were attempting to escape."

"If they were laying a trap," Glynda commented, "They did a horrible job of it."

"I agree," Ozpin replied, "Do you still have the contact number?"

"No, it was deleted, per the prisoner's instructions. She said that one of Salem's agents owns the Scroll she was using, and didn't want a reply to tip them off."

'Her?' Ozpin thought. If it was only texts, how does Tai know it's a woman? James could be seen typing at his desk.

"If this is true, then we can send reconnaissance ships to scout the edge of the Grimmlands. Should be easy to find someone."

"That…," Tai retorted, "Won't be as easy as you think."

James stopped typing, looking back up. Tai placed his Scroll on Ozpin's desk, and sent a picture to the general. "This is a screenshot of the message. I modified it to show the 'hidden' message."

On both Ozpin and James's desks, a holoimage of the message came up. Ozpin's eyes widened in shock, while Glynda dropped her arms, and James's jaw dropped.

"T-T-This person," Glynda stuttered, "Salem turned them into-into a Grimm?!"

"Yeah," Qrow replied, "And I thought I saw the worst she could make. If she's making human-Grimm hybrids, we're all in trouble. Who knows how many other people have disappeared over the years and been turned into abominations."

"If it's true." Ozpin countered. He wasn't wanting to deny it, but the Grimm are pure destruction. A hybrid shouldn't be possible. The innate darkness of the Grimm would overwhelm a person.

'So, Salem, how did you do it?!'

"It is."

"How can you be certain, Tai?" Glynda rebuffed.

"Because the message was backwards."

'Huh?'

"Forgive me, Tai, but, what do you mean."

"The message was a backward sentence."

Glynda groaned. She remembered all the years Summer Rose used that kind of speech, calling it secret codes, when it wasn't a code at all!

"And how does that prove it?" Ozpin inquired.

"Because my daughter received the text."

The others, minus Qrow, got nervous.

"Wait, does Salem know about Ruby Rose?!" Glynda exclaimed.

"No, let me explain. Last night, Ruby received the text from our mysterious prisoner, with explicit instructions to deliver a copied form of the text to me, then delete the contact info to make sure her trail isn't discovered."

'He keeps referring to the prisoner as a 'she', but how does he know that.'

"The thing is, the prisoner didn't call 'Ruby'. The first text was simply 'Who is this?'. This means they were calling the number."

Ozpin's eyes widened in realization. A prisoner of Salem. Backwards 'code' talk. Using Ruby Rose's Scroll number. Asking for Tai.

"Her Scroll number?" Glynda replied, confused, "Who had that Scroll number before Ruby?"

"Summer Rose." Ozpin answered. Glynda and James looked shocked. Everyone assumed Summer Rose died years ago. She left home and never came back. Ozpin assumed that Salem had gotten to her, and it seems he was right.

'But why keep her alive?' Ozpin thought, 'Could...could the silver eyes make it so you could create a Grimm hybrid?'

"Summer Rose...alive?" Glynda squeaked out, almost like the words were foreign to her. However, everyone there could see the signs. Summer's old number, and the stupid 'Code'. James was the first to recover.

"I'll be getting a task force set up," James exclaimed, "We're bringing Summer home!"

"For once, Jimmy," Qrow replied, "I agree with you."

"Wait." Ozpin calmly rebuffed. Glynda and James looked shocked, while Tai and Qrow looked enraged. "We can't afford to act recklessly."

"WAIT!?" Tai roared, "My wife has been gone for twelve years! My girls had to grow up without a mother! Yang was only five when Summer left! Ruby was only three! If we didn't have pictures of Summer, she wouldn't even remember her FACE! Summer's been suffering for twelve years, and YOU TELL ME TO WAIT!?"

"Took the word's right out of my mouth." Qrow commented.

Ozpin understood their anger as he stood from his desk.

"If this is truly Summer, then why didn't Raven attempt to save her?"

Qrow scoffed, "Because she's a heartless bitch, is why,"

"Perhaps. However, you'd think that, after all these years, she'd tell you that Summer was alive, at the very least. So...why not? I'm not saying we don't do anything. All I'm suggesting is that we need to be patient. If this is true, then we don't know if Summer actually escaped. We need to wait until another sign comes. If we mess this up, then we lose more than just Summer."

"I...hate to say this," Glynda added, "But he's right. We'd need all the armies on Remnant to breach deep into the Grimmlands, and we don't have the resources for such an endeavor."

"You can't be serious, here? We have to do something!"

"And we will, James. First, if she escaped, what would be the most likely place she would attempt to cross the ocean?"

"That's easy," Glynda answered, "The Tail of Bahamut, closest landmass between the Grimmlands and Sanus."

"Then I want scouts patrolling the waters there. Not too many, we don't want to start making people concerned. James, have your people patrol the water around Hel's wings, the closest part of the Grimmlands to Solitas. I'll contact Theodore in Shade to have people watch the closest parts between Vacuo and the Grimmlands. We need another sign from Summer. However, while we wait, James, I want you to pick your best operative."

"For what?" Qrow inquired.

"When we discover if Summer is truly alive, we'll need a team to track her down. If she has been turned into a Grimm, she'll most likely avoid cities. We'll need a team to track her before Salem can recapture her. They'll also need to be very skilled. A Grimm hybrid will no doubt be dangerous, and the agents tracking her will be just as dangerous. You'll work alongside them, Qrow."

Normally, Qrow would object about working with Atlesians, but, considering Tai was in the room, and this was about Summer, he decided to keep his mouth shut. Instead, he did the next best thing.

"James, whoever you pick better be the world's luckiest, cause, with my track record, they won't last long if they aren't."

James nodded, "Of course. If it'll make you feel more comfortable, I can run the names of these people for you before choosing."

"That would be nice."

"Once we have spotted Summer," Tai exclaimed, "And our team is assembled, we'll go after her."

"Not you, Tai." Ozpin countered.

"What?" Tai growled.

"If she's alive, and has escaped Salem, she'll no doubt come looking for her. Another reason we can't mobilize a large search party. It'll give Salem indications on where to look. As for why you can't go, it's clear: Your children. This mission will no doubt be dangerous. If it fails, the team may end up being wiped out. I don't think your children would want to lose their father, even if it meant getting their mother back."

Tai clenched his fists, the palms starting to redden as his nails dug into the skin. Ozpin was right. If this went south, he could end up leaving Ruby and Yang alone in the world. He felt a hand on his shoulder, which turned out to be Glynda.

"We'll get her back." She said softly. Tai could only nod at that. Qrow then smacked his shoulder.

"Come on, Tai. You'll need a drink, and I know a bar that can take the edge off."

Glynda pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ozpin, could you clear my schedule. After all this, I think I may need a drink."

Qrow gave a half-hearted smirk, "Well, the deputy he~" Before he could get another word out, Glynda used her Semblance to cause Qrow's hand to smack him in the face.

"Don't." Glynda warned as she, Taiyang and Qrow entered the elevator, heading down.

Ozpin put both hands on his face as he leaned back. Salem turning silver eyed warriors into Grimm? Just when he thought he knew the worst she could do, she somehow managed to top herself.

"This is bad, Oz."

"...I know."

"If she's been turning silver eyed warriors, or, just, anyone born with silver eyes, into these Grimm hybrids."

"I know!" Ozpin yelled, surprising. It was rare for Ozpin to get angry.

"Oz?"

Ozpin rubbed his forehead, wiping the sweat away. "James. This stays between us. Understood?"

James nodded.

"It's my fault that Summer left on that mission. Years ago, she asked me just what Salem was. I told her that she was the queen of the Grimm, the oldest Grimm in all of history."

"Yes. That's what you told us."

"That...wasn't entirely true."

James narrowed his eyes. With no word from him, Ozpin continued.

"Simply put, she was once human. However, in her madness, she turned herself into a Grimm. This is the failure that the Gods punished me for. I couldn't stop Salem from turning herself into a Grimm."

James looked enraged.

"Why?" He said simply. It wasn't a question of 'Why did Salem turn herself into a Grimm?'. No, the question was more personal.

Why didn't you tell us?

"Much like the Maidens, it was something our group knew about. However, time and time again, great warriors would end up confronting her, hoping to bring out her 'humanity', only to be snuffed out. I didn't want any more lives lost on what was a hopeless endeavor. However, it seems, by not telling them, a new problem has emerged. Summer believed that Salem was just another Grimm, and was susceptible to the silver eyes."

"Which led to her final mission," James rubbed his forehead, which had become sweaty, "I'm not angry at you. Actually, that's a lie, I'm furious that you kept something like this from us. But, I can understand why. If Salem can't be redeemed, then making her as villainous as you can, discouraging anyone from trying to 'save' her, was probably the safest move you could do."

Ozpin sighed, "Thank you for understanding my reasons, James."

James sighed, "Anyways, it seems we'll have to discuss the Vytal Festival some other time. Maybe when it's getting closer?"

"That would be nice. After all, it's still half a year away. No need to get into too much details."

James nodded, the holoimage disappearing. If Ozpin wasn't the headmaster of Beacon Academy, he would've gotten himself a drink. Instead, he leaned forward, hands on his face and leaning on his elbows on the desk. He didn't know what was harder for him.

The idea of fighting Summer Rose if they fail to save her.

Or Ruby and Yang's reaction to their mother if they do save her.

Animan Wilderness

Deep within the wilderness of Anima, a large encampment could be seen. Around fifty people all milled about inside it's log walls. A large wooden gate blocked the only way into the camp.

The Branwen Tribe. A group of bandits lead by the infamous Raven Branwen. After Raven returned to the tribe, their strength in the coming decade began to grow. However, with that strength came increased danger. With the way they lived, the average age for the Tribe was around twenty to thirty, with some exceptions.

However, today there would be no raiding of pillaging.

A group of bandits began approaching the main tent. Outside the tent, a woman with light blue eyes and short, dark brown hair stood guard over the entrance. Vernal, Raven's second in command. The group of bandits consisted of five unremarkable individuals, but the sixth was a skinny man with dirty blonde hair and gray eyes. Shay D. Mann, one of the longest living members of the tribe. Despite his appearance, he was older than Raven, but his combat abilities were subpar. The only thing he was good at was finding a way to survive, as well as scouting targets, hence why he's still around.

"Shay?" Vernal called out, the group stopping, "What's the next target?"

"Convoy to the southwest."

"How many?"

"Thirteen."

Vernal grimaced, "Damn. Well, keep an eye on it. Let's hope it's still there tomorrow."

Shay nodded, but one of the others stepped forward.

"Why? It's right there."

"Something like this requires a lot of people. Which means it needs the boss's approval."

"So, let's go ask her." He went to move forward, but Shay grabbed his arm.

"Woah," Shay exclaimed, "Are you crazy?"

"What? What did I say?"

Vernal raised an eyebrow, "You're new here, aren't you?"

"Yeah, only been here a couple weeks."

Shay facepalmed while the others sigh or looked annoyed.

"What?"

"Every year," Vernal stated, "On this day, the boss stays in her tent, and orders not to be disturbed unless the camp is under attack."

"Why?"

Vernal took a step forward menacingly, prompting everyone to step back.

"Trust me when I say this. If she tells you, then it's only because you won't live to tell others."

They heard glass shatter from inside the tent. While Vernal wanted to check to make sure Raven was alright, she knew better than to disobey the chief.

Inside said tent, a broken wine bottle laid on the floor, it's contents soaking through the wooden floor. A small table was in the center of the tent, with more bottles, some unopened, some on their sides, clearly empty. On the desk, a woman with jet black hair had her head against the table. Lifting it up, sunken eyes, the iris being blood red, blinked lazily as she took a swig from another bottle.

This was the one time of the year she would allow herself to be weak. She could never show it to the tribe, as it would break the image she had put up.

'You fucking idiot.'

February 24th. The day she lost her connection to Summer Rose. The only person to only see her as a friend. Even when she left to lead the Tribe, she never stopped seeing her as only a friend. Which hurt all the more when she couldn't talk her down.

Raven, please.

Summer, don't be an idiot. Salem can't be killed! Don't waste your life. Think about your daughter.

...I am, Raven. Which is why I can't sit by any longer.

…

I'm not like you, Rae. I'm not strong enough to let things go.

"You were the strongest of us all." Raven mumbled meekly as tears fell down her face, "And she killed you so easily."

When she discovered just what Salem truly was, she needed time to clear her head, figure out what to do. That was why she left Yang with Tai. Despite the Tribe also being family, she wasn't going to let anyone other than the father or mother raise her daughter. However, by the time she could think straight, and she came back, she saw how happy Yang was with Tai and Summer. Coming into Yang's life now would only bring complications, even more when Ruby Rose was born.

Then Summer came to her, claiming that she was assembling a team to kill Salem. Raven pleaded with her to reconsider, but failed. However, even if she wouldn't join Summer's doomed mission, she wasn't going to abandon her. Summer was Yang's best chance at happiness. So she kept her mental bond with Summer active, waiting every second. The moment things felt bad, she'd teleport in and drag Summer out of there. Even if she had to do it by force. Of course, she didn't tell Summer that part. She was too prideful to admit that. She felt her enter the Grimmlands.

Then she felt the connection sever. There were no rising emotions, no signs of being in danger. Just...gone. Salem killed her without Summer even noticing. At that point, Raven broke. If the strongest of them couldn't even attack Salem, let alone defeat her, what hope was left. And, now, there was another reason she couldn't come back to Tai and Yang. If she did now, it would only bring more pain. The most she could do is simply watch from a distance.

For all the strength she liked to propagate, she could find only weakness in herself.

Raven started going through the people she Linked with.

Her brother Qrow, who foolishly still believes in Ozpin.

Vernal, her second in command. Raven guessed that, had she raised Yang herself, she might've ended up like Vernal. Maybe that was why she Linked with her.

Her ex-husband, Tai, who dutifully watches over Yang and Summer's daughter.

Yang, who will soon be heading to Beacon, to become another one of Ozpin's pawns.

Summer, who currently flees across the Grimmlands.

…

'Wait? WHAT!?'

Raven thought she was going insane. Everytime she thought of Summer's Link, it would be severed. If the bond was broken, it meant that one of the two was dead, and since Raven could still feel her heart beating, that meant Summer had to have died.

'So why am I feeling her connection NOW?'

Raven's mind went into overdrive, trying to rationalize what she felt. She stood up, trying to come up with a logical conclusion, but finding none. Could she still have teleported to her? No, she tried before in the past, with no portal. Did she get resurrected by Salem, or something? No, it would be a different person, so she'd have to reLink the bond.

Eventually, a thought did come up.

'What if Salem put a barrier around her fortress?'

This made sense. Salem might've put a detection barrier around her fortress in case someone tried to sneak in to spy on her. This barrier might also have prevented any form of communications. While Kindred Link was mainly a teleportation, it also was a form of mental communication. If one of her Linked pulled, she'd sense it.

'But, what if it's mutual. You need to sense them to be able to teleport to them. And, if that connection is blocked, it doesn't mean they're dead!'

Standing up, she picked up Omen and headed behind her tent. Without hesitation, and as the last piece of evidence needed to see if Summer was alive, she swung the sword down. This was her practice whenever she wanted to open a portal. Despite everything, she hoped that a portal wouldn't show up. She was hoping that all of this was just part of her drunken stupor, some cruel hallucinations.

'Don't give me hope.'

A red and black vertical vortex opened up.

Raven fell to her knees, tears coming down her face.

'Summer's alive!' Raven, without a second thought, ran back into the tent, grabbed her scabbard, and back outside. She sprinted at the portal...only to be sent flying back.

"What?" Raven thought as she skidded across the dirt. Looking at the portal, she noticed some differences with it. The portal's rings were uneven, jittering. The black and red lightning emanating from it also wasn't normal.

Overall, the portal looked...unstable. Whatever condition Summer was in, it obviously put new rules regarding her own Semblance.

Raven couldn't tell if she should be terrified or happy. Summer was alive. But, if she was going to save her, she'd have to talk with her brother Qrow. Which means getting Ozpin involved, which means dragging herself back into that war.

A war she was too afraid to continue fighting.

Author's Notes: Very little in terms of Summer's journey. Mainly focusing on everyone's reactions to Summer being alive.

James, Tai and Qrow all want to launch a massive man-hunt to find Summer, but Ozpin halts them, understanding that they'll need a sign of which way Summer is going, or else they may end up tipping Salem off. Glynda understands that they wouldn't have the resources to convince the kingdoms of such an endeavor, especially if it turned out that Summer was actually dead. Now, Ironwood will be getting a team together to work with Qrow to track down Summer once a sign of her is found.

Meanwhile, in Anima, we see how Raven discovered that Summer was alive. Concept art of her tent showed wine bottles near her bed, so I decided to play off that. I'll be trying to go for a more sympathetic Raven. Also, seems like her portals isn't working like it should. Wonder why? (Sly grin 'We know why'). And, if she wants to get her back, she'll have to reenter the war she swore she never wanted to come back to.

Anyways, leave a review, fav/follow, and I'll see you all next time.