Let it be known...whether I am either Summer Rose or Summer Shepard. I hate politics.

Summer had just spent the last three hours filling in my report and submitting it to the Vale Defense Committee on my engagement with Atlas's best. To say they weren't happy would be an understatement. The VDF General, a General Walter Worth that has never met before, was livid at how Atlas was trying to stage an illegal operation in his Kingdom's preverbal backdoor. General Worth then mobilize the entire VDF for emergency deployment in case Atlas did something else. She liked this guy. Worth was the only one the Council besides Ozpin that didn't want the Atlas military here with such a force. Calling in an attempt at an invasion of Vale, which Summer could see from his perspective. Kind of like if the Alliance wanted to do a show of force over Palivan before the Reaper War, she knew the Turians would not think kindly of that.

After the Bullheads dispatched from Beacon picked up Summer, her fellow professors, and arrested the Atlas soldiers and Operatives, Summer was summoned to Vale. She soon linked up with Ozpin, Goodwitch, and Qrow while walking into the VDF headquarters building to confront the Vale council on Ironwood's actions. Her old teammate informed her of Ozpin's threat to the Atlas General if he doesn't leave the Kingdom's air space within the hour. Summer was a bit surprised by the Headmaster's actions in threatening Ironwood. Thus the reason why he's the leader of a small secret gentleman's club dedicated to preserving the future of Remnant.

Currently, Ozpin was having a private discussion with the Vale council while Summer was retelling her story of how she took down Ironwood's elite men to Qrow and Glynda. Beacon's Headmistress nodded along with a slight smile at the tactics I used while Qrow was smiling like a maniac at how I destroyed "Jimmy's" men.

"Oh, man..." Qrow was on the verge of laughing his ass off. "...Summer, you are ruthless. I wish I was there to see it in person."

"It would certainly put things in perspective," Glynda said before her expression turned into a thoughtful one. "We could your engagement viewed as a positive for a lesson when faced with multiple opponents. I'll have Oobleck save a copy of the footage and review it later."

Qrow rolled his eyes at his college. "Way to turn something fun into a lesson Plan, Glynda." Before his expression changed into a serious one. "So what's going to be the consequences for this? Politics like this wasn't my most vital subject back in school."

The mood shift as she looked at the doors to where Ozpin was having his meeting with the Vale Council. "Bad," Summer answered truthfully. Having seen and participated such this. "A military leader conducting an illegal op in a foreign nation is not good. Having your mission assets captured during the mission is worse. Then adding that it was during the final preparation for the world's most significant event that promotes peace and unity is equal to political suicide." She gazed back at her fellow Huntsmen. "At best..."

"And worse?" Qrow asked.

The Alliance Commander looked around to see if they were any eyedroppers before looking back at the two. "If the political suicide doesn't fall through, then we're talking about grounds for war."

Summer's answer did not sit well with the two. They waited another half hour in silence before the doors opened and saw Ozpin walking through with an unreadable face.

"What's the verdict, Oz?" Qrow asked the old Wizard.

The Headmaster didn't say anything other than motioning his hand for them to follow. Summer, Glynda, and Qrow followed in step behind the Headmaster till they took a Bullhead to Beacon and later traveling up the elevator to the Headmaster's office. When Ozpin sat down at his desk, the old man sighed and showed other a glimpse of his current age. The three that stood in attendants waited for the man to answer what was all on their minds.

"That meeting could have gone better," Ozpin spoke at last.

"What happened, Oz?" Summer asked first. "You look like crap."

Her blunt attitude brought a small smile to his face. "Dealing with the Council like this is not easy. Especially with events like the Vytal Festival around the corner."

Goodwitch stepped forward. "What of the Council?" She asked. "What is going to happen to James?" The four glanced outside at the now retreating dots of most Ironwood's fleet as they retreat from Vale's air space. Leaving only a few ships in the air.

"Some on the Council did not like how the General was massing his forces over the Kingdome. When provided evidence of him assaulting our Huntsman while on Grimm clearing missions on Vale's and Beacon's remote forests, some reactions were unpleasant." Ozpin looked back at the professors and spy. "Me being one of them. With Councilwomen Larhonda and General Worth backing up the decision. With a majority vote of 3 approves out of five votes, we ordered Ironwood to immediately pull his forces out of Vale and return to Atlas. When General Ironwood protested, be calming, he was protecting Vale's interests. After that, we would not hear a word more. They brought in the Atlas Council to order James back to not start any further conflict with this action. Even though holding two chair's of the Council, he was still outvoted. Ironwood is now forced to send both himself and his fleet back to their home Kingdom. Leaving only the security forces' promised for the Vytal Festival."

The N7 Huntress looked at the three ships that station near Beacon. In Alliance fleet size, two would be counted as light frigates while the third would bearly reach a heavy destroyer. What kind of firepower they have would not be much for anything other than patrol work.

"What are your thoughts on what's going to happen to Ironwood, You know, when he gets back to Atlas?" Asked Summer.

Ozpin hummed at her question before answering. "His position of holding two chairs on the Atlas Council will be put into question. As the head of the military in Atlas and the Headmaster of the Academy. He'll likely lose control of the military and be replaced by one of his subordinates, but I wouldn't be opposed to James losing the academy seat. I've noticed fewer Huntsman coming out of Atlas and more in their military than any other."

"Would certainly be an improvement that I would get behind with," Qrow raised his flask.

Summer raised an eyebrow at Qrow when he took a swig. "Looking to take his job then, Qrow?" She said, making the drunker inhale his drink and started choking. Amusing the three that watched.

"Hell no! I only just got by being a teacher at Signal. No way am I doing the Headmaster job. You can have that job, Summer!" Qrow points at her.

This brought Summer in a thinking pose. "Me? Headmistress of Atlas academy? Well, I would certainly bring a sense of dignity to the office." That made Qrow snort at the image.

"You go nuts after the first month of paperwork they have you go through."

"I'll take that bet."

Glynda rolled her eyes at the dialogue between her colleges before moving on with the day's next topic. "What of the students from Atlas and the men from Summer's assault?" She asked her boss.

"The students from Atlas will be allowed to stay for the Festival as to will the Men that Ironwood sent to take Miss Rose in," Ozpin told them. Qrow wanted to protest, but the Headmaster stopped him. "I positioned to avoid further conflict by stating them as more security for when the Festival starts but would be heavily monitored by our own people."

"Like parole..." Summer thought aloud. "Working off your punishment."

The Headmaster nodded. "Exactly."

"So I'm guessing the Festival is still going forward?"

The Headmaster nodded. "This event has ruffled some feathers on both Council's, and no doubt Mistral and Vacuo will hear of this soon. The Festival will be pushed back and now be held at the end of the semester." He explained.

"Guess that's it then," Qrow said. "Just can't help yourself in causing trouble, can you, Sum?" He asked/teased.

The woman just shrugs nonchalantly. "It's a gift."

The drunker snorts. "Like mother like daughter."

I recent that." Summer dismissed. Then looks back at the Headmaster. "So back to work?"

"Yes," Ozpin said. "Amber's attackers are still out there, and half the Fall Maiden's power is still missing. Speaking of which, what current information can you provide, Qrow?" The Headmaster asked his spy.

"I haven't as much time as I wanted, but I do have a lead on where their destination is." Qrow dropped on them. Making the others pay close attention.

"Where, Qrow?" Ozpin asked.

"Here, Oz... The ones who attacked Amber. They'll be coming here."


"And there they go," Yang said.

Team RWBY was in the library when they got word that the Atlas ships were pulling out. They, along with other teams from the four academies, stood outside to watch them fly off.

"Wonder what made them leave?" Ruby questioned.

"Weiss, have you heard anything?" Blake asked their friend.

The Atlas resident. "No, Winter told me when I met with her last few days ago that the fleet was going to be the security for the Festival."

"That's odd," Ruby commented.

"Something must have happened for them to be recalled like this," Weiss declared. "A whole Atlas fleet leaving like this is not normal."

"Maybe they need to go help someone take out a big pack of Grimm?" Ruby offered a scenario.

"Must be some big pack..." Yang said as she watched the last of the ships disappear out of sight. "Whelp, that's that."

The team broke off and headed back to their dorm. The RWY of the team spent the rest of the afternoon conversed on several topics concerning school, clubs, homework, and the sisters' mother. Except for Blake, who she kept to herself and stare intentionally into her scroll, looking at any news concerning the White Fang. After a while, Blake had had enough and went to leave the dorm.

"Stop!"

All conversation ceased when Weiss pointed at their fellow silent teammate. They all turn to see Weiss literally pointing at Blake.

Blake's hand retracts from the doorknob. "Lately, you've been quiet, antisocial, and moody!"

"Uh, have you met Blake?" Yang remarks.

"Which I get is kind of your thing." Weiss creates air quotes. "But you've been doing it more than usual! Which, quite frankly, is unacceptable! You made a promise to me, to all of us, that you would let us know if something was wrong!"

"So, Blake Belladonna." Weiss's tone suddenly shifts as she flips through the air. "What is wrong!?" She points her finger at Blake's face. If one's perspective zoomed out so only her upper half can be seen. It would make things very dramatic.

Weiss is then revealed to be balancing precariously on a chair's back feet. Ruby, Yang, and Blake stare openly at the unusual situation.

Realizing her situation's ridiculousness, Weiss quickly puts the chair away and tiptoes to stand near the girls.

"I just… I having trouble understanding how everyone can be so calm." Blake explains.

"Are you talking about the Atlas fleet that just left, or are you're still thinking about Torchwick?" Ruby asks as she approaches Blake.

"Torchwick, the White Fang, all of it! Something big is happening, and no one is doing anything about it!" Blake complains.

"Ozpin told us not to worry," Yang says. "Between the police and the Huntsmen, I'm sure they can handle it."

"Well...I'm not!" Blake says back. "They don't know the White Fang like I do!"

Weiss looks around at everyone's expressions. "Okay, between blowing up nightclubs, stopping thieves, and fighting for freedom, I'm sure the three of you think that you're all ready to go out and apprehend these ne'er-do-wells!"

"Uh, who?" Ruby asks in a confused voice.

"But let me once again be the voice of reason." Weiss continues. "We're students! We're not ready to handle this sort of situation!"

"Well yeah, but..." Ruby tries to object.

"We're not ready!" Weiss stresses.

"And we may never be ready!" Blake yells to them. "Our enemies aren't just going to sit around and wait for graduation day." She points toward the door. "They're out there, somewhere, planning their next move, and none of us know what it is, but it's coming! Whether we're ready or not!"

"Okay," Ruby interjects. "All in favor of becoming the youngest Huntresses to single-handedly taking down a corrupt organization conspiring against the Kingdom of Vale... say aye."

"Yes!" Yang pumps her fist enthusiastically and points at Blake. "I love it when you're feisty!"

"Well, I suppose it could be fun," Weiss admits.

"None of you said aye!" Ruby looks sad.

The dorm room's door swung open behind Blake catching her and the rest of the girls off guard. An onyx armored figure with a white cape stood at the door.

"Aye..." Summer Rose said with an unreadable face.

"Mom!" The Sister's shouted in surprise at the sudden entrance of the Rose Matriarch. "What are you doing here?" Yang trying not to panic.

"I work here, Yang," Summer replies to her stepchild. "Plus, do I need a reason to visit my daughters after a long day of work?" She turns back and closes the door behind her.

"Now then." A commanding Aura laced her voice as she stared down at the first-year team. Making the four girls spines all tingling with a sense of dread in their bellies. "Sit..." She snapped her fingers and points at Weiss's bed.

A moment later, all four girls rushed and sat quietly on the Schnee's bed. Ruby was looking down, twiddling with her thumbs. Weiss saw up straight like she was at a formal event. Blake sat with her hand walled up on her legs with her cat ears twitching under her bow. And Yang tried to smile and look like everything was alright and failing.

Summer went over and planted herself on Blake's bead as she sat across from them.

"Okay..." Summer started.

An awkward silence filled the room.

...

No one spoke.

...

"...Yeah." Summer nodded.

Now the girls looked at the women in confusion. Ruby looked at Yang for answers only to get a shrug of her shoulders in response.

"Alright...I approve." Summer declared, confusing them even more.

"Of what?" Blake said, almost afraid to ask.

"That your stalling to think up an excuse." Summer bluntly replied, making the girls wince.

"Sorry, Mom. We're just surprised. How much did you hear?" Yang says.

"Oh, I heard everything. The door is thinner than you think." The Commander let out a sigh. "Girls, listen."

"The four of you are all training to fight Grimm. The monsters that lay outside the walls of the four kingdoms. The conversation you all just had was something four of you have no training or experience in." Summer began before she leveled a glare at the only Faunus in the room. Making the teen back up at the hostility.

"Blake. You say we don't know the White Fang as you do? Then help us in do our job by telling us what we're not getting. Otherwise, don't bring yourself down by not acting and expect a pity party when everything is done the way you don't like." Summer made sure she had eye contact with Blake.

"Which can result in the worst scenario you can think of."

None of them could think of the proper comeback to say to that. Summer's words were harsh to Blake as she looked down. She feels Yang's hand resting on her shoulder in comfort as her eye's flashed red. Weiss looked away with disappointment while Ruby felt like she was on the edge of tears.

"So when are you knuckleheads planning on going out?"

"What?" That question snapped their four heads back at the woman. While Summer rolled her eyes at their antics.

"Look, I get it," Summer says in trying to level with them. "This is something that's been bothering some of you and will continue to do so if not solved adequately by yourselves. Thus it would affect your grades at school. As a Professor of the said school of a vital subject, I can have you suffering. So, if you are going to do this, I will treat this as an on-the-job assignment for class."

"Seriously!" Yang said as she and the others in disbelief.

"Of course, I'll have to come along for supervision." Summer shrugged. "You know, supervise. Can't let you all paint the town red." She was then enveloped in a hug by her youngest. "Except for this cookie addict that wears her namesake all the time."

"Thanks, Mom!" Ruby said before breaking the hug.

"Thank you, Miss Rose," Blake said gratefully.

Summer huffed. "Don't thank me yet, Belladonna. If I'm allowing this? We'll do this my way. Understand, team RWBY?" She pressed. Then got four heads nodding. "I can't hear you?!"

"Yes, ma'am!" RWBY responded. Ruby and Yang did proper salutes.

"That's better. The first thing I want from all of you is a briefing. I want to know your objectives, locations, and how-to. We'll have it set in either one of the classrooms or during my office hours. Are we clear?"

"Crystal, Mom," Ruby replies.

"Good." Summer moves for the door and leaves.

The girls sighed from the tension. Yang opened her mouth to comment on the event they had only to get cut off by Summer's head sticks back in.

"No, this doesn't excuse you out of your current homework assignment, Yang."

The blond sputtered. "I wasn't going to say that!" Summer raised a brow.

"I've seen your records, Yang. You're like your father back in school when it comes to homework. Miss Schnee, Miss Belladonna, make sure Yang and Ruby get it done."

"What! Why me?" Ruby whined.

"Because I'm your mother," Summer smirked playfully. "See you all in my class."

The door closed again, and for a full minute, the four girls stared at it to see if Summer would pop back. When the minute time elapsed, they sighed.

Blake spoke first. "Ruby, Yang, your mother is scary."

"Yep," the sisters replied.


Walking into her office, Summer walked over and almost flopped in her chair. She sinks into the leather and mellows over the day's events.

"What a day... Atlas gets trigger happy and caused an internal problem with me at the center of it. Then I overhear my daughter's team planning some secret mission to discover the purpose behind a string of robberies hosted by a former equal rights group?" Summer sighs in frustration but couldn't fight the growing smile on her face. "Damn...she really is my daughter."

She couldn't feel more proud of her kids. Taking the initiative to help solve their friend's problems. Weiss and Blake are lucky to have Yang and Ruby on their team. Taiyang and Qrow did a great job in raising them. She activates her Omni-tool and pulls out the audio file to hear the girls' conversation before she dropped in unannounced.

"Gotta thank Miranda for giving me those listening devise schematics and Goto for that programmable VI." She felt a bit bad for spying on her kids, but it paid off. She was going to get in trouble if they found the bug she planted under Weiss's bed frame. Summer turned off her Omni-tool and pinches her nose.

"What a day..."