"SALEM!" The voice echoed around the cavernous room. The grey, skinned woman looked up from her throne. She smirked as she saw two women standing by the doors. Her advisors rose to confront the intrusion, only for Salem to lift a hand to wave them off.
The blonde child in her lap began squirming. "Mama!" She called, and both Raven and Summer tensed up to go to the small child. Salem smiled as she watched the two women bristle.
"Ladies." Salem stood with the child. "No need for hostilities." She set the child down on the table. The child rose unsteadily and began twaddling towards her mother.
"What do you want, Salem?" Raven asked as she stood at the ready, hand on her katana.
"Simple." She waved her hand, dismissing the people around her. They walk past the two women with only looks. The two women watched them intently, ready for any surprise attack.
Silence reigned as they were left alone. "I want you to follow me." The silence was heavy; the words seemed to hang in the air, oppressive, and threatening.
Summer swallowed, opening her mouth to retaliate, but Raven beat her to it. "You kidnapped my child to get…" Her eyes were burning as she struggled with the words she wanted to say.
"An audience, if you will." Raven bristled, and the only thing stopping her lunging was Summer's hand on her arm.
"What do you want?" She growled the words. Yang paused in her waddle down the massive table, looking at her mother, concerned about the talks aimed at her. Summer saw this and collected the blonde child. She spoke reassurances to her as she returned to Raven's side.
"It's simple. I want you to work for me." She looked between them, not clarifying which woman as it was clear she wanted both.
Summer shifted, her grip on Yang tightening. Her thoughts went back to the baby in her crib, protected by Tai and Qrow.
"I am aware of your child, Summer." Raven took a half step forward in preparation to defend her partner. "I am not asking you to join me right now." That made both of them pause. "I would not rip a mother away from her child." Raven snorted.
"I will offer you a choice. Both of you." She looked between them. "You may join me and protect your children; I will not come after them or send anyone after them. Or, you could fight, and I will have them take your place when they are older. You have time to consider." She smiled at them, looking pleased.
Raven and Summer looked between each other, a silent conversation passing between them. Summer began to back up, holding Yang and her double-sided battle-ax, Bladed Rose. Raven followed her after a moment, they both watched Salem intently, but as soon as they were out of the room, they raced for the way they entered. No one tried to stop them; They hadn't even seen anyone. Also, outside, the Grimm paid them no mind.
Raven opened a portal to Taiyang, escaping the scarlet landscape and returning to what was supposed to be safe. The portal snapped closed behind them, and even with the outlands so far away, there was no safety to be felt.
"Raven, Summer." Qrow stepped out as he looked at them but got bunted to the ground as Tai raced out to meet his partner and child.
"Daddy!" Yang called with a massive smile as she reached for the blond man. Summer handed her over with a soft breath and looked at Raven. The dark-haired woman looked troubled as she watched Tai and Yang.
"Raven." Her voice was soft, and red eyes swung to her.
"What happened?" Qrow's husky voice made everyone look at him. He looked between his sister and team leader, dusky red eyes filled with emotion his voice didn't show.
"Later." Summer said and swept past the three to see her daughter, to confirm she was there, she was safe. Raven watched her go, a look on her face.
Summer swept into Ruby's room, her child sitting up in her cot. A massive smile swept over her face as she saw her mama, and she lifted her arms. A matching smile grew on Summer's face as she lifted her gently.
"Oh, my little Rosebud." She held her gently but with a bit of desperation. She went back out to her team. "We have to talk." Her voice was grim as she looked between the three. Raven nodded in agreement as Yang was passed to her, a rare, tender look crossed over her face.
"Later tonight." She said, still looking at Yang. "Right now, we're going to spend time with the girls." She went and sat down on the grass, keeping Yang in her lap. The ordinarily boisterous girl didn't seem to mind as she remained cuddled up to her mother, happy that she was so near.
Summer joined her with Ruby; the toddler was aware of the tension that had filled the house the past day. Still, with her mother smiling down at her, it didn't matter.
Qrow and Tai shared a look before they sat down with them and just let them bask in the sun while holding their respective daughter.
The sun sank far too fast to Summer, and soon they were forced inside by the encroaching chill. Qrow had gone inside to start dinner, and they sat down as a family to eat. It was a strained meal for the adults, and the children felt it.
Summer put the girls to bed, giving each a kiss on the forehead. She returned to a grim silence and sucked in a deep breath. Tai and Qrow looked at her while Raven looked at the table. She sat down reluctantly, her hands folding before her.
"Sum…" Qrow spoke first before heavy grey eyes swung to look at him, making him hesitate. "Are you okay?" He asked, changing his question.
"No." Her response was simply, the word hanging in the tension-filled air.
Raven's hand landed on her shoulder, lightly squeezing, but it still made her jump. "Salem wanted an audience…" She trailed off, taking a deep breath before she shook her head. "She wants us to join her."
"What?" Qrow leaned forward, looking at them intently. Tai, too, leaned forward, frowning slightly.
"She wants us to join her." Summer spoke up, staring at the mahogany table. "Otherwise, she'd take Ruby and Yang in our stead."
"Over my dead body." Raven spat the words, drawing surprised looks from two out of three. Summer nodded in simple agreement.
"We can't fight her."
"Why not?" Tai spoke up as he looked at Summer, startled at her defeatist attitude.
"She won't give up; I could see it in her smile. She set Yang down and let her come to us, she's confident about this, and the fact she even got Yang in the first place says that she can carry out her threat." Her voice was even as she spoke, eyes closing as the words left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"So, what do we do?" Qrow asked after a moment of silence.
"I don't know." Summer's words felt final. There was nothing they could do.
Silence reigned again as they sat thinking.
"I'll go."
"What?" Tai looked at Raven, confused by her words.
"I'll…" She gritted her teeth and took a breath to steady herself. "I'll go, I'll join Salem."
"Rae!"
"Raven!"
Three voices called out together as they stared at her. She didn't look at any of them; her gaze focused solely on the table.
"She wants both of us." Summer's voice made her look up, and Raven took a breath to center herself.
"I can buy you some time. Maybe you'll think of something." She stopped her voice from dying in her throat as she sat there. "I know you'll look after Yang to the best of your extent."
"Raven!" She tried to protest, but Raven held up a hand to stall her.
"You heard her, Sum. She said she wouldn't tear our kids away from us, just yet, at least."
"You believe her?"
"She has no reason to lie." Raven looked up, and she looked tired. "She's already proven that she could take the girls any time she wants." She looked at Summer before she looked back down.
Tai and Qrow shared a look as they watched Summer look at the table as well, and silence hung in the air.
"So… you're leaving?" Tai's voice was soft in the silence that question left.
"There isn't any other choice." She took a deep breath as she sat there, her head hanging.
"We're going to bed."
"What?" Everyone looked to the voice, startled, Qrow standing up as he looked at them.
"You heard me. We're going to bed; you've had a massive day. Bring the girls." They blinked at him as he headed for the room with the enormous bed.
Summer and Raven shared a look but stood to follow his orders. They came out with the sleeping children to find the kitchen empty. They headed for the master room. They found Qrow setting the bed up for them.
"Right, kids in the middle, you two are the second middle, and Tai and I are the out. Now, get in."
"Qrow-"
"Shut up, Raven, and get in the bed." She huffed as she was commanded about. Summer let out a soft laugh, and Raven instantly softened before she shook her head and moved to join her commonly bubbly teammate.
Yang and Ruby were carefully placed beside each other, and Summer laid down to wrap her arms around them.
Raven watched and soon joined her, wrapping around the two children. She felt Tai move in behind her, his warmth a surprising comfort. She watched as Qrow cuddled up behind Summer.
One night of ordinary before everything changed. One night She could allow herself that, right?
The house was a lot more subdued than it usually was. Yang could tell it felt off, wrong. It felt like when Raven had left.
Tai and Qrow were trying to be healthy but were failing dismally. The seven-year-old wasn't as foolish as they thought.
Ruby was sticking close by as well. The five-year-old was getting the same vibes as Yang. It didn't help either of them that Summer was packing.
Not much; her cloak, Bladed Rose, some rations, her first aid kit. Everything she needed for a hunting trip.
"Mama." Summer stopped moving, her entire body freezing before turning to look at the two children she'd been raising.
"Ruby, Yang." She smiled at them, but it held less radiance than it usually did. She crouched down, allowing the two to run into her arms. Yang's grip was incredibly tight.
"You're leaving." It wasn't a question, and the distress in her voice broke Summer's heart.
"I'll be back. I promise." She smiled at them. Neither looked convinced.
It was with a heavy heart that she finished packing and said farewells to her team and children.
Leaving was one of the hardest things she'd ever done. Vanishing into the forest didn't make it any more comfortable, but she was now allowed to cry.
The house was grey, tinted blue. It was gloomy and dark. Summer had left three years ago; she'd never returned.
Yang was ten now. She'd taken over raising Ruby. Tai tried to help, of course, but his two partners had left, and he hadn't been able to do anything to help them. It weighed heavily on him.
Qrow was commonly out doing hunter work or teaching at Signal. He was as absent as Tai was.
Yang was not happy, and she knew Ruby was the same. It was why they decided to run away. It was dumb and impulsive, but the need to escape the grey, the oppressive household was too strong to deny, even if it was just for a little while.
The forest was bright, at least. It was quiet and green, with no grey to be seen. It was lighter, and the oppressive weight was removed, making it easier to breathe.
Ruby smiled widely, lighting the forest up even more. Birds fluttered and chirped around them, creating a soothing sound of life.
This wasn't the first time they'd walked in the forest; they had gone multiple times when they were younger in a vain attempt to find Summer. They even had a treehouse they were planning to run away to.
They were silent as they trekked through the green. The treehouse came into view soon enough, and both girls shared a small smile.
They climbed into the tree, their safe hiding spot. It was just as they'd left it, aside from a bird's nest in the corner. Yang smiled as she saw it and gestured for Ruby to come to have a look with her.
There were no eggs in the nest or birds, but it was still lovely to look at. Their attention was returned to the outside world by a growl.
They both crept to the entrance and saw nothing, but they could hear rustling nearby. The two shared a nervous look before looking back out.
They'd been warned many times about the Grimm, that the dangerous beasts were drawn to negativity and could quickly devour them.
They watched a rather unusual Beowolf step out of the woods. It was large and was also blood red instead of black.
Its nose was to the ground, and it was sniffing before it looked up at them. Yang sucked in a breath as it began walking towards them, rising onto its back legs.
"Ruby, get back." Yang tried to push her little sister back as the Beowolf reached the bottom of the tree. It didn't try to climb up but instead opened its mouth and sneezed at them.
"Gross Beowolf bogies." Ruby began to giggle and crept back to the edge. The Beowolf was still below them, looking up at the two girls.
"Hey, Yang, what if this is from mum?" She got a look like she was crazy.
"Ruby… Summer wouldn't control Beowolves even if she could." Ruby looked down, slowly losing her smile.
"Yeah…" The Beowolf watched them and snuffled, almost in concern. Ruby looked at it and reached up to quietly wipe her eyes.
The Beowolf huffed and whined as it saw, now it tried to move up the tree. Yang gasped and pulled Ruby back with her.
"Ruby, stop crying; it's trying to come up here." She looked scared, and in turn, scared Ruby.
There was the sound of scrabbling claws, and both girls turned in horror as it crested the lip of the treehouse.
The two girls quickly backed up to the back wall. The Beowolf looked between them and slowly began to approach.
As it got closer, the two girls began to panic until Ruby let out a fearful scream. The Beowolf snapped forward and scooped both of them up.
Yang had closed her eyes as she'd watched it lunge, thinking they were done for. Her eyes hesitantly opened, curious as to why no pain and a furry warmth was surrounding her. She blinked as she came face to face with a red snout.
The Beowolf was holding them. She blinked as she was cradled in the red wolf's arms. "Ruby…?"
"Yes, Yang?"
"Are we dead?"
"Noooo…?" Her lavender gaze swept to Ruby's hesitant tone. She found silver looking back at her. "Maybe…?"
She shook her head slightly, blonde hair swinging with the movement. She yelped before she couldn't help but giggle as the wolf nuzzled her.
"This is weird. Why is this Beowolf holding and nuzzling us?" Ruby looked between Yang and the Beowolf.
Yang had no response, but the Beowolf turned sharply, its head sniffing the air and ears flicking before it turned back, setting them down gently before it bolted away.
They stared at each other before they heard yelling. "Yang! Ruby?" Tai was screaming for them, and they shared a quick look before they scrambled out of the treehouse to go to him and keep their secret spot secret.
They kept the red Beowolf a secret and began heading out with the express purpose of finding it. It was easy to find sometimes; other times, no matter how much they searched, they couldn't find it.
The times they did, it would be gentle and cuddle up to them, give them licks, and in a sense, made them feel safe.
Ruby was very quick to warm up to the red Beowolf, and that seemed to please it. She'd even given it a name. Rosso.
It only sometimes responded to the name, much to Ruby's dismay. Yang found it mildly amusing each time Ruby would call for the Beowolf and not get a response.
It was during one of these meetings that things changed.
They'd just met up with Rosso, and they were still heading to the treehouse. The two would sit there for as long as they could get away with. Sooner or later, they'd have to leave before Tai or Qrow came looking for them.
It was different, though, because when they reached the treehouse, instead of Rosso climbing up with them, it picked them up and continued walking.
"Wait. What?" Yang looked confused as she was carried off; Ruby was mirroring her confusion.
"Rosso…? Where are we going?" The Beowolf turned to her and gave her a gentle nuzzle in response but didn't stop.
Yang began to squirm, but Rosso was a lot stronger than a ten-year-old, even if her semblance increased her strength.
Ruby looked around as they were taken more in-depth into the forest, her budding semblance of no help in this situation. Mainly because she was still wild with it, and it came and went as it pleased.
"Rosso?" It was ignoring them again, taking such a winding path that they were nearly instantly lost.
Ruby was gripping Yang's arm; despite their rising unease, neither wanted to hurt the Beowolf to escape. As it was, even if they survived, now they were utterly lost.
It didn't matter when a grey portal opened before them, the crack was deafening, and even Rosso growled softly, yet it didn't stop. It continued walking right through the grey vortex.
On the other side, a woman stood smirking. Her hair was a straw blonde, and her brown eyes were flat and dead. Both girls cringed away from her.
Rosso growled, and her expression went from smug to annoyed, but she stood aside and let the Beowolf continue. Once the woman was out of the way, the girls took notice of their new surroundings.
The sky was crimson, the ground was either red or black, and the shattered moon hung in the air, seeming to glare down at everything beneath it.
Rosso kept walking, past pools of inky blackness that Grimm seemed to be busy crawling out of. No one and nothing paid them any mind.
Yang looked around, her mouth hanging open while Ruby had her eyes squeezed shut and held onto Yang as tightly as possible.
"Rouge?" A voice called that they both recognized. The Beowolf stiffened before it turned almost guiltily. "What are you- Ruby? Yang?" They froze as they stared into silver eyes.
"Mum?" Yang spoke first before Ruby exploded from Rouge's arms and slammed into the white-cloaked woman with a gleeful shout.
"Mum!" The cry was so many emotions rolled into one.
Summer stared at the two girls, her mouth agape. She was happy to see them but also horrified; the fact they were here meant they couldn't go back; even if Anise opened a portal to send them back, there was a high chance they wouldn't go without her at least. She couldn't go with them to leave them again. It didn't matter; she couldn't go back anyway.
She slowly wrapped her arms around her daughter. Rouge set Yang down, and the blonde raced over to join them. She pulled them close, her eyes closing and a smile gracing her lips.
"My little Rosebuds." She crouched down and pulled them in, feeling their thin arms around her neck. She could feel tears welling up. Their arms were different from when she'd last been hugged. Yang's were more muscular, getting bulky. Ruby's were also lean, steadily gaining strength.
"I have missed you so much." Ruby's voice broke Summer's heart. Her grip tightened on both of them.
"Where have you been?" Yang had the same emotion, the desperate need; it nearly made Summer flinch.
"I…" She croaked, unable to explain to the two girls held in her arms.
"She was with me." The voice was calm and smooth, and Summer jerked upright.
"Salem." She turned to report to the Grimm woman but found a hand lifted.
"I did not bring them here." She looked at the children in Summer's arms.
"What are they doing here?" Summer's tone was dangerous as she looked at Salem. The Grimm woman shrugged.
"It is clear that they wanted their mother. Who am I to deny them?" She smiled slightly as the two children peaked at her. They were curious but also cautious.
"You may do what you wish while they are here, but making them go back will be harder than you may think." She turned and began to walk away, her gown swishing around her ankles.
"Mum…?" Ruby spoke softly, hesitating as she looked at Summer. Summer looked back and swallowed. "Are you going to send us back?"
She opened her mouth and stopped. She looked torn as she glanced between them. "Your father will be devastated." At last, she spoke, and a look of guilt went between the two before they looked back at her.
Her eyes made it nearly impossible to try to send them back. Even if she could get Anise to agree, getting them to let go would be downright impossible.
She sighed as she walked inside the massive fortress with them. Their eyes widened as they were carried through the castle to Summer's room. Rouge on her heels.
She walked up to a tower, climbing what seemed like endless stairs until she reached what both girls assumed to be her room.
"Mum…? Why did you leave?" Summer paused and sighed heavily. Her shoulders would have fallen if she hadn't been holding her children.
"I left to protect you, both of you." She looked at Yang meaningfully as she went to open her mouth. "The same can be said of Raven. She left first so that we could spend some time together." Ruby's expression scrunched up at the implication, her hands tightened in Summer's cloak, and she took a deep breath.
Summer sat on her bed, putting the two girls down. She felt Ruby wiggle around, getting under her cloak and nuzzling into her side like when she was a toddler. Summer swallowed around the lump in her throat. "Neither of us wanted to leave you."
Yang hesitantly began to move to sit against her other side, and Summer pulled her in firmly.
"My little Rosebuds, I never wanted to hurt you, yet I have." Her voice was melancholy as she held them close. She could feel Ruby melting against her side.
As she spoke, Summer could feel the poison in her body dimming her emotions. She could also feel her instincts fighting back, demanding she protect her children.
It was tearing her in two different directions, and she was left floundering for what to do. She couldn't give them back to Tai and Qrow. It would end in a bloodbath. They wouldn't understand; she couldn't leave them here. They'd be poisoned too.
Who was she kidding? It was already too late. The clock was counting down to when.
Ruby asked her something; shaking her head, she smiled weakly at her beloved daughters and tried to make out like everything was fine.
If only it was.
Salem had some exploring to do. She'd never seen the ichor overridden before. Still, she could guess that maternal instincts could be strong enough to overpower it, even if it was only temporary.
She looked at Rouge, the Beowolf walking the empty plateau and watching packs learn and hunt together. She could feel its longing, but it didn't belong with them. It had a more important purpose.
She watched it raise its head and howl to the shattered moon. Other Beowolves turned and looked but otherwise ignored it.
"I do too." She spoke to herself, pausing at the window before she turned to head further into the library.
"Lady Salem." Ruby and Yang bowed as the woman entered the room. Currently, they were the only ones waiting. Watts, Tyrian, Raven, and Summer all entered behind Salem.
The ceremony to ensure loyalty required a few delicate touches. As of today, they would be tied to a Grimm.
Both Summer's and Raven's Grimm were present. The Beowolf, Rouge, and the Ravager, Diana. They stood to the side of the room, watching with their burning red eyes.
The ceremony was done with everyone. Tyrian had a Death Stalker, Watts had a Geist, and Anise had a Blind Worm.
The two young girls stood waiting at the dais' foot, awaiting Salem to begin, their heads bowed to her and would not raise until she told them to.
Her captains took their positions at the table, watching in silence. Summer was biting her lip nervously while Raven sat across from her, looking stone-faced.
Salem's eyes swept over them; the air was solemn, respectful. If the pair survived then they could celebrate with their mothers. If not, she'd have to tighten her hold on them.
"Are you ready?" The question was addressed to the children before her. She watched them share a look before determined silver and lavender turned to her.
"Yes," Yang spoke while Ruby nodded firmly. She nodded back to them and turned to the raised altar.
She walked forward, taking a chalice that was filled with swirling black ichor. She reached up to a small vial, she added a drop and swirled the cup.
She turned to the two girls, looking them over intently before she held out the chalice. "Rise."
They looked up at her, hesitating before Yang stepped forward, taking the plunge. Salem held the chalice out; she hesitated before she grabbed it and took a massive gulp.
Instantly she gagged, nearly dropping the chalice, but Ruby lunged forward and caught it. She didn't drink as she was watching Yang fall to her knees.
"Do not hesitate, Ruby. You must drink too." Salem's voice made her jolt, and she swallowed as she watched Yang retch. She looked at Summer's worried expression and Raven's guarded one. She looked back to Salem's expecting gaze and then at Yang.
She took a deep breath and took two quick swallows. The black ichor was nearly solid, a bit like eggs but with a more pungent smell of decay and rot.
The chalice clattered as it was dropped, Ruby dropping beside her elder sibling. Her insides felt like the ichor was coating them, her heart felt limp as she fell on her face.
Salem looked down at them, listening to their struggles before she turned and watched the pool roll. Slowly something began to rise.
Salem slowly began to smile as she watched a yellow Teryx start to climb from the pit. The small Grimm would be forever attached to the human and would grow with their power.
She watched in a bit of surprise as instead of another red Beowolf as she'd expected, a red Wyvern began climbing out. It's new screeches filling the air in a way the Teryx had no chance of competing with. She turned back to the two girls, both lying still.
Her eyes were drawn to their mothers, sitting tense at the table. She lifted her hand, and both of them raced over to check on them.
Turning them over revealed the paling of their skin. It was a lot more noticeable on Yang than on Ruby. It would pass with the ichor. Ruby was out; Yang was barely holding on, groaning faintly as her eyes were pressed closed. Both were covered in sweat, and Ruby was twitching, a grimace on her face.
"They'll live," Salem said simply, stepping around them to leave. The Wyvern and Teryx made their way to their masters.
Summer sighed as she went to pick up Ruby while Raven grabbed Yang and dragged them to the room they would share, for the time being, leaving them to sleep with their new Grimm.
Yang woke slowly. Her body was wrong, but that was okay. It didn't really matter. She lay in a bed, listening to Ruby's soft breathing, something chirping softly, and something lying on her chest.
Slowly she began to get up, gold translucent bat-like wings clung to her front, four clawed legs were also hooked onto her shirt, and she didn't feel the urge to push it off looking down at it. A white bone mask looked back at her.
She pursed her lips slightly, looking into intelligent red eyes. "Aurum." It cocked its head at the single word, and there was a curious chirp from across the room. She turned and looked at Ruby and her Wyvern.
Ruby was beginning to stir as Yang watched impassively. Her red wyvern chirped, its bat wings folded along its arms as it stood over her sister's prone form, possessive.
Ruby groaned as she awakened and looked around. "Yang?"
"You're awake. Good." Yang nodded, trying to be happy that they weren't dead, although she felt strangely hollow.
Ruby groaned as she sat up, the wyvern's claws hooking on her shoulders. She reached up and ran her hand down its back, getting a happy chirp in response.
"Tanwen…?" Ruby hesitated but got another happy chirp. She looked back at Yang and her Teryx. "Are we… going to be okay?"
Yang paused as she looked at her, carefully considering her words before she nodded. "Of course, we will be. We have mum." She nodded and smiled slowly. "Come on, let's wash and get settled."
Ruby jumped up with a wide grin before heading to the door with Tanwen, Yang a few steps behind her with Aurum.
Big thank you to my Beta readers Scooter and Zenlord22.
Okay, that's that.
One thing, Ruby's outfit, is going to be Ruby Bloodrose. As seen on Notdevault's youtube channel, as seen in the MMD Conqueror.
I know Ruby and Yang are both little red riding hood and Goldilocks, but in every evil fic, they have Beowolves or Ursa, and I want to shake things up a little.
SFR is on hiatus.