Tic-Toc
How quickly humanity forgets its past. How in just Twelve thousand they can throw away their history.
I raised my sword Eleven times for the people, steadfast against impossible odds.
Each time I succeeded they would praise me, hail me.
But no matter what, there was always One more battle waiting for me.
I saw Ten and more kingdoms rise and fall, spilling my blood for each and every one of them.
I do not blame humanity for its failings anymore. After all, you took this path Two times already.
But where you had the guidance and power to strive before, you are alone and broken now.
Much I sacrificed, Nine lives as remembrance to this day, monuments of heroism that shine as beacons of hope. But when one of them was in danger, you abandoned me.
Terror and darkness flew over your broken world and you failed to stop it.
But still, I raised my sword, ready to fight. I broke my oath for you, and took the relics I should protec so that the Three of us had the power to stop the coming ruin.
Tic-Toc
But all it took you were Eight moments to take the only thing I held dear once more, your fear blinding you to the truth. And once again an innocent girl had to pay the price.
I held her as her blood seeped through my fingers, as it did when I held my Fourchildren so very long ago.
I remember my love feeling into hate and darkness, unable to face what unforgivable act we had committed. Only my sense of duty kept me from following her and fighting against this world and its creators.
Not while you still need me.
So I walked for seven years. Or was it Seven lives? It made no difference, time had stopped to matter along everything else except my duty, my mission to mend this world.
I did not rest, did not stop. Every body, every soul was used like a tool,
Fivewhole lives burned away by magic as I worked them until they fell apart around me.
It all seemed impossible. Who would judge me for giving up on my mission after everything I have given already? But I could not stop, because, despite everything, I still love this world.
So I move on and endure, leaving countless lives behind me.
Six thousand lives I sacrificed already.
And I will sacrifice as many more as I need to see my mission fulfilled.
Tic-Toc
"...tic-to-"
"Mister Zumao, the opening session is about to begin. You will have the floor after the council officially welcomes the people of Kuroyuri as part of Patch. I will wait for you at the Scarlet Hall entrance to go over some last-minute preparations so please make sure to finish up soon."
"Thank you, Damian. I will be out in a minute." Ozma sighed, taking another drag from his smoke. An annoying vice he had to pick up from his newest incarnation. Leaning over the railing of the balcony, he let his gaze wander over the skyline of Patch. But he could not enjoy the view as his thoughts swirled around in his head unrelentingly. The echoes of his past lives were especially persistent today, all clamoring to make their voices heard.
He had no desire to deal with them, not with so little time left. Pushing himself away from the railing, he adjusted his suit before putting his cigarette back into his mouth. The voices and emotions in his mind were silenced by a violent force of magic.
National Assembly Building, Island of Patch
00:00 of September 4, 68 post-Great War year
The calm of the night was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of multiple airships.
Ozma watched them fly past the Assembly Hall as sirens howled in the distance. It seemed like this night would be even more hectic than he expected. But saving the population of an entire town from certain death and welcoming them into your home the same night would do that. Though it certainly made his job harder tonight.
He had little sway in the political landscape of Patch at the moment. His visits as Vales Minister of Foreign affairs had given him little opportunity to use his centuries of experience to make nice with the locals so far. Even getting the opportunity today had taken considerable effort, far more than he expected.
Not that it mattered. He had worked with far less and came out as the clear victor many times. And today would be no different, even with some unfortunate complications.
He knew that the brothers left humanity behind, but in these moments he wondered if maybe they still looked out for him. Being reincarnated into Ozuma, or Zumao as he was known, had been a shock. He was by far the oldest host he ever had and it took time to adjust to the many quirks that came with slipping into a life that was so well established. But it also came with the advantage of not having to work to reach a position of sufficient power to continue his plans.
He once thought Beacon was the final step to unite humanity, but Salem once again struck when his guard was down. Now his greatest dream stood abandoned, a cesspool of nightmares and death and a constant reminder of his failure. And while the thought of his Academy being reduced to this state made his blood boil, seeing Glynda carry on in his stead made him smile as his heart-
Another burst of magic squashed the rising feelings of affection. Strong emotions always bleed through for a few lifetimes, but his life as Ozpin clung to him like tar no matter how many times he shut it out.
He rubbed his fingers over his nose as the sudden void his spell created subdued, cigarette forgotten for a moment. He could not keep using his magic like this forever. But just for tonight, he would endure, he could not let Ozpin's emotions distract him. Once everything was in motion he could look for a more permanent solution for the soul inside him that would not accept its fate.
Smoke filled his lungs once more. Nothing would stop him from seeing his plans come to pass. If he needed to pretend to smoke these vile sticks, so be it.
If he needed to force his past lives into silence, that too would be a pain he carried gladly.
Resting one hand on the balcony railing, he peered down. The entire capital glowed before him as he watched people move below to prepare for the imminent assembly. Would Patch have grown like this if it had stayed as part of Vale, he wondered. But thanks to the selfishness of the people, he would never know.
In a single action, Patch and Argus had set his plans back millennia. His efforts to centralize power into the four kingdoms had worked perfectly, the war he fought as Ozymandias established Atlas, Mistral, Vale, and Vacuo as the sole powers on the four continents.
Yet why was he alone able to see the truth?
Four Kingdoms, each part of a greater whole.
Four academies to train the protectors of tomorrow.
Four huntsmen, working together as one.
Four relics, to represent humanity's virtues.
This was how the world should be, how the brothers envisioned it! Yet, despite everything he did, the peace he sacrificed countless lives for was shattered as fast as it was created.
And now Remnant was more divided than ever.
After his death as the king of Vale, until he would be reborn into the young man known as Ozpin, he had little chance to make sure his work would continue. The first boy he awoke in was a feeble thing. A heart as big as any he had ever seen, but cursed with a body too weak to ever share it with anyone. He was dead before the merge could even truly start.
The second was a liar and a scoundrel that, despite everything, still had hope for a better life. But the company the young man kept did not share that hope, and even with his best efforts, he was dead in a gutter not long after Ozma awoke in him. Not that he cared, their lives meant little to him.
Only their inability to act during this time bothered the everlasting man.
Thankfully, he was about to establish a system that would allow him to act as needed, no matter what worthless lives he would have to inhabit in the future. The perfect setup to unite the people of the four kingdoms in a place no rule could reach them:
The very heavens themselves.
Taking one last drag, he threw the bud of his smoke over the edge, watching the small glimmer flicker and die as it fell. Until his gaze noticed a familiar group of people waiting around a car in front of the Assembly Hall. One of them looked up, silver eyes staring directly at him. He couldn't stop the frown on his face as he realized who had arrived.
Of course, they would be here. This was their home after all.
But not even his greatest students could change what was about to start today.
He would drag this world to salvation kicking and screaming if needed.
And STRQ would not stop him again.
" Yawn… do we have to wait much longer?"
"I told you not to stay up all night tinkering. But you had to work on your little secret project anyway. And when I told you to take a nap before we had to go you said you were ' fine '."
"You want me to open the car, let you lie down for a little before we have to go in?"
"No Tai, this is her own fault. Don't try to help her."
Rouge Avenue, National Assembly Building, Island of Patch
00:05 of September 4, 68 post-Great War year
Summer lifted her head, eyes focused on her wife. Raven stared back with a bored look, rather unimpressed at Summers' attempt to intimidate her. After a few moments and yet another yawn from the team leader, she finally gave up and plopped down on the hood of their family car.
She didn't move for a moment, groaning as the cool September breeze ruffled her hair. "You're evil, Rae-Rae." Sticking her tongue out at her wife, which earned her an eye roll, Summer pushed herself up to turn to her husband, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Tai-Tai, at least someone here understands my suffering." The quiet scoff behind her was promptly ignored. "But I'm good. Maybe just let me rest my head on yours for a bit? Pretty please?" Raven slapped her hand over her face at Summers shameless flirting, groaning loudly as Tai picked their wife up without hesitation.
"Already starting with the PDA I see." Qrow came up from behind the car, carrying the coffee he got. He took a sip before shaking his head, pulling a flask out of his vest to add to his drink. Until he looked up to see the two piercing red eyes of his sister, making him put his flask back into his vest slowly. Taking another quick sip of his still non-alcoholic coffee, he continued. "Anyway, why did you stay up all night Summer? The only times you do that is when you break another one of your weapons or get an idea for a new one that you just need to make no matter what. You know Sapphire will murder you if you change your weapon before the line of action figures they made of you are done."
"Ok first off!" Suddenly wide awake, Summer shot up to point at Qrow, making Tai barely able to hold on to her as she leaned forward. "I told them they needed to add interchangeable weapons to my action figures but they shot me down because they don't know what they are doing. Second, Sapphire loves me and would totally side with me on this if she wasn't so busy." Summer did not notice the look shared between her team when she mentioned how their guild liaison felt about her.
"And third! I was up all night trying to get the shotgun gauntlets Yang wants to work. Are you saying that making sure our girl is happy is more important than a stupid assembly where we never even do anything is more important?"
The twins rolled their eyes, with Raven holding out her hand to her brother who tried to get his flask out again. "So did you make it work?" Qrow didn't look at Summer as he talked, trying to keep his drink away from his sister who simply opened a portal beneath him, catching his flask as he dropped to the ground beside her. "Ow! Dammit Rae, was that necessary?"
"Yes, considering this is your third today." Raven held the flask in front of her brother's face, sacking it to show it was half empty.
Showing his sister's hand aside, Qrow picked himself up, taking the coffee she caught alongside his flask without acknowledging her. "Anyway, how did it go? Did you at least manage to finish the gauntlet or will you go straight back downstairs once we're home? Because I've been thinking about something like a gauntlet to expand my arsenal."
Raven gave her brother an unamused look. "Really Qrow? Shotgun gauntlets? You already have a shotgun in Harbinger, don't start adding more weapons just because your dumb sword is already overloaded."
"Don't you call Harbinger dumb! Also, for your information, it's not just a shotgun, it's a sawed-off four-barrel custom shotgun. But that's not the point. Maria told me that a reaper must always be able to fight, even without his weapon. And as her number one student and successor-"
Summer couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Mom has never taught you anything aside from giving you weird advice when you wouldn't stop bothering her."
"...As her number one student and successor, I thought the best way would be to have a backup." He ignored Summer and Tais laughed as he talked, turning away from them to look at the Assembly Hall. "But seriously, how much longer until it starts? We could have just waited for Ghira and Kali at home with how long we are standing here."
"It is taking longer than usual. I'm gonna see if I can find someone and ask what's going on." Tai moved to put Summer down on the hood of their car before kissing her hair gently. "You gonna manage without me Sum?"
His wife gave him a big smile as she nodded, pointing towards one of the balconies above them. "One of the employees just finished smoking and went inside, so I think they are almost ready," Summer explained, swinging her legs back and forth. "Didn't recognize him though, must be a new hire."
"Summer, can you stop acting like you now everyone that works here-"
"Hey Summer! We've made sure to save your family the usual seats, out of Maria's sight." Two men in uniforms walked past the team, carrying a large box.
"Damian, Metzer! Thank you so much, guys. And Metzer, please be careful with that, you know what your wife said about carrying too much after your operation." Summer waved after the two men as they laughed naturally at her scolding, all while Raven watched the scene with a growl.
Pointing a finger at her wife she said. "You got lucky, don't pretend otherwise." Turning around, she didn't see the glint in Summers' eye as she focused on her.
Without warning, Raven suddenly found a weight slam into her from behind, dropping her to the floor.
"Summer, what the-ah!"
Her angry shout was interrupted as Summer started tickling her, Raven completely powerless to stop the small woman from assuring her victory in their little argument. Qrow watched the whole spectacle with a bored look, finishing his coffee and checking his scroll for the time.
"I see the foreplay has already started. If I had known you two were about to be busy I would have gone with your big blond oaf of a husband when I saw him."
The two stopped dead in their tracks, Summer still biting down on Raven's shoulder while her wife was pulling on her hair. "Torchwick! Neo! You two made it. Oh, is that a new suit?" Summer looked at the two, getting up as if nothing happened, holding a hand out to her wife.
Raven took it without complaint, letting Summer help her up before smacking her over the head. "How many times have I told you, no fighting in public places!"
Summer rubbed her head. "I wouldn't call this 'fighting'-"
"And you." Not even giving Summer a chance to make excuses, she turned to the two new arrivals. Despite everything the two have witnessed over their long career on the shadier side of the law, the sudden tone and look Raven gave them made them stand straight. "I left our daughters with you Neo. Where are they?"
Neo tried to get her Scroll out of her jacket, fumbling with it for a moment before starting to type. " [I left them with Junior. The four seemed to be doing fine and I thought they would have more fun at the ice cream shop than with me.]" Neo had spent many years cultivating the image of a ruthless and cold woman. But even she wasn't crazy enough to dismiss Raven when she was worried about her kids.
"You want me to believe you didn't just try to make Junior do your work-"
"Relax RaeRae, I'm sure it's fine. Those four are tough, they can look after each other for one night" Summer gave Raven a quick kiss before turning to Roman, completely unaware of the fire being visible in the distance, suspiciously close to where their children would be right now. "So what brings you here guys? You normally avoid these things like the plague"
Torchwich shrugged. "I wish I could tell you that my dear, but I have no clue. My father was very insistent on us being here tonight but even I wasn't able to get anything out of the old man. Why, he didn't even have the courtesy to return any of my calls, does he not realize how hard it is to get a good suit on such short notice?"
"Is that a Damina suit? How did you get your hands on one of those? They wouldn't even let me in their shop when I tried to get one the last time we were in Mistral." Qrow leaned in, trying to inspect Torckwick's suit more closely before dodging the cane coming for his face.
"Personal space, Qrow." Torchwick made an imaginary line on the floor before dusting off his suit. "As I said, this was all on very short notice. This thing isn't even for me, the drycleaning before I get it to one of my clients is gonna cost me a fortune."
"How's that going? I heard the Remnant Military Coalition has recently started cracking down on smuggling. And let's be honest, that's what you are doing, no matter how you like to try to spin it as a 'legitimate business' ." Raven kept a close eye on Roman as she spoke, noticing an unusual conflict in the criminal through Kindred Link.
Back in the Tribe, Raven believed Kindred Link to be nothing more than a lifeline to the only person that wouldn't stab her in the back if it meant surviving another day. A way to protect the only ally she ever had.
At times it felt more like a weakness to her. A power reliable on someone else that allowed her to feel their pain even from great distances. Only after they made it to Beacon and met Summer and Taiyang did Raven start to realize the potential of her semblance. There was strength to be found in the bonds she made over the years, even if it took her a long time to realize that.
And while the ability to create portals required a deeper bond than mere friendship, her connection to the people around her still gave her insight into their emotions. A fact Roman was very much aware of and used to his advantage more than once.
Just like right now.
The smirk he sent her way was as condescending as it was amused. "Always having to play the mother hen, don't you Raven? Oh, how the mighty have fallen. But since you asked-"
She couldn't make a run for it, Summer had an iron grip on her, knowing full well what Torchwick had planned before she did. The traitor. Maybe she could use a portal to Tai? She could just say she wanted to see him. Her husband would buy it without question, no matter how little sense it made.
"Vytal and its Coalition can fu-OW! Neo! None of your brats are around." The small teacher looked up at him with an angry expression but made no other move. "I know what you told me about cursing in front of the children but what does that have-" She raised an eyebrow, leaning back and folding her arms over her chest. "I don't! I'm the most charismatic man on this island, you think I forget to watch my language if you don't keep me from cursing everywhere?"
Summer and Raven watched the argument, unsure if they should interject. "You think we should leave?" Summer whispered into her wife's ear, not wanting to interrupt the two in front of them.
"No no, you aren't going anywhere!" Torchwick pointed a finger at them, still focused on Neo. "This conversation is over. I am the Pumpkin Prince and I curse when and where I please, end of discussion." He turned around with a huff, having said his piece. His small companion stared at him for a moment before smiling, moving closer to give him a light pad on the back.
"Now, as I was saying. These… fools from the Coalition do not scare me. The problem is a new group making waves in the underworld. They suddenly appeared out of nowhere, taking over businesses all over the world. Of course, when they tried the same with me we made it clear what we think about their idea of a 'business merger' . They changed tactics since then, trying to drive me away by stealing my customers. They are investing large amounts of money into it too, working at a loss just to beat my prices."
Roman had started pacing during his triad. "And what a name they go by. 'White Rabbit' ! What is this, a fairy tale? Taking a silly name and making it feared is MY thing. And these brutes do not have what it takes to pull it off." Neo had been standing to the side, nodding along to everything Roman said.
With a dramatic sigh, he returned to her side. "But, I am already planning how to deal with them. They will rue the day they tried to cross Roman Torchwick and Neopolitan!"
Qrow had stopped playing with his Scroll during Torchwick's monologue, standing beside his sister and Summer as the man finished. The three shared a look, a silent agreement that they would not get involved with these 'White Rabbit' people if they could help it.
As over the top as their criminal friend liked to be, if these people gave Roman trouble they were not to be taken lightly.
Just as Summer was about to say something to move the conversation away from criminal enterprises, she noticed Tai returning, accompanied by two familiar faces. Jumping a little as she waved, she yelled. "TAI! You found Ghira and Kali!"
Torchwick turned around, noticing his favored lawyer and his wife. If he also noticed their defeated look as Tai tried to cheer them up, he did not show it. "Ghira, a pleasure as always. I was hoping to see you tonight. I hope you like my newest welcome back gift since you send back the last two."
Ghira stopped for a moment, letting Tai take Kali to try to calm her down. "Torchwick." He growled the name before taking a breath. While the two may not get along, Torchwick was the reason he and Blake made it back home. And his involvement with the White Fang had stopped the moment they kidnapped him.
Still, seeing the man and knowing what other involvements he had with the organization made it hard for him to completely forgive him. Still, he could be cordial with him, for now at least. "Roman, it's good to see you. But I told you, stop sending me gifts. I know you had nothing to do with my capture and I do not blame you for it."
"Oh, I know you don't hold a grudge, at least not because of that. That's not your style." Torchwick tapped the grip of his cane against Ghiras chest. "This right here is far too big for you to be angry at me. Which is why Cho took you. And that infuriating gentle heart and demeanor of yours should understand that you are being very rude. So please, just take the stupid gift."
Ghira was taken aback by Torchwick's sudden outburst. It took him a moment to realize what the thief truly meant, causing him to chuckle. "I see. Brothers forbid I disrespect the great Roman Torchwick."
"Are you mocking me? This feels like you're mocking me."
With the crisis between the two averted, Qrow stepped beside Neo, asking for tips to make his students like him as much as her own liked her. The woman pointedly ignored him, filing her nails. Not wanting to see her brother make a fool of himself yet again, Raven took Summer and dragged her off to their husband and Kali, who had an arm around the smaller Faunus.
She faltered for a moment. Even without the feeling, her semblance was giving off it was clear that something had Kali distraught. Should she join Tai in a hug? Give some comforting words? Maybe it would be best to just ask who needed to meet Omen, skip all the emotional stuff and get right to the problem-solving.
Summer decided for her, embracing the woman in a tight hug the moment she got in range. "What's wrong Kali? Did something happen?" She looked over Kali's shoulder at her husband.
Tai scratched the back of his head as Kali muttered into Summer's shoulder. "It looks like the translator for South Vacuo fell suddenly ill so Grant asked Kali to take over for tonight-
"I haven't translated anything in years! And now Grant expects me to do it on National TV! With no prep time, a script, anything !" Kali grabbed Summer by her cloak, shaking the stunned huntress. "And do you know why Grant asked me? Because YOU had to talk to your mother about how I helped you translate your apology letters to the people of Gossan when you almost broke one of their walls!"
Summer was starting to get dizzy from being shaken by the angry cat, desperately trying to pry her hands off her. Tais' gentle reminder that Summer promised to write her own letters from now on fell on deaf ears. She looked to Raven for help, but her wife only shook her head. The traitor.
Maybe she could flee into the sea? No, Kali loved swimming, which Summer always found weird. Maybe a small fire as a distraction? No one needed those flower beds in front of the building. No, she heard no less than three fire trucks drive by in the last few minutes, she couldn't risk anything important catching fire.
But suddenly, the shaking stopped. Kali's iron grip loosened as she took a deep breath, straightening Summer's cloak before putting her hands on her shoulder. "But, I know how you can make it up to me." The smile she gave her made Summers' blood run cold. "Tonight, after the assembly, you will take me to the Silk Wharf."
"What?! Kali, that's the most exclusive restaurant on Patch. They have a waiting list as long as a Goliath! How do you expect me to get a table for six in a few hours?''
Kalis' smile never wavered, but the grip on Summers' shoulders became uncomfortably tight. "Are you saying the great Summer can't even take her good friend out to eat? After everything I did for you? After what you did to me ?" She leaned in close, with Summer sinking as far into her cloak as she could. "Besides," She whispered. "Who said anything about six people? This is for me."
Summer stared at her friend, terrified. With an audible gulp, she slowly nodded her head. "I… I see what I can do. I'm sure there are some favors I can call in."
"If you go without us you are sleeping on the couch. And this will come out of your tinkering budget." Raven had her scroll out, checking what the whole thing would cost them.
"I think you terrified her enough, my love." Ghira pried Kali off Summer gently before taking her in his arms.
"A fine dinner after this boring assembly? Great Idea Red! Neo, cancel our plans, we are invited to a feast tonight." Torchwick clapped his hands together as Neo typed on her scroll, mouth watering at the thought of what she would order.
Summer could feel her wallet emptying as she stood there, typing on her scroll to talk to the owner of the Silk Wharf. Who was of course more than happy to make an exception for her. She never hated her fame more than right now.
In the middle of her call, the signal for the start of the Assembly came, giving Summer the excuse to end the third monologue about how honored they will be to have her and her family visit their humble restaurant. ' At least we don't have to worry about seats ' There was always something positive to focus on, even if her unexpected fame made it hard sometimes. Now all she had to do was try to not fall asleep during the opening and then take a nap during another boring and uneventful eveni-
"SUMMER! WAIT"
Just as they were about to enter, a shout behind them caught their attention. A car had driven up to the front of the Assembly Hall, coming to a halt with a loud screech. A man jumped out of it before the car had fully stopped, running up, sweating and out of breath. Behind him, two men exited the car at a much more subdued speed, both clearly of Mistralian descent.
Qrow quickly recognized Li Ren, his personal consultant in Mistral, which meant that the old man at his side could be none other than his father and the leader of Kuroyuri, Hong Li.. Both spouted multiple bandages over their body, clearly applied in haste, most likely on their flight to Patch.
Sebastian, who was still shouting Summer's name as he made his way upstairs, was no better off.
Before Summer could get a word out to question what was going on, he had made it up the stairs and grabbed her shoulders. "Summer!" He looked at her with an intensity that she hadn't seen from him in… decades, really. "Thank god I found you before the Assembly started, I was not looking forward to interrupting my father to look for you."
"Sebs, what the hell are you doing here? You should be in the hospital-"
"There's no time for that!" His shout was accompanied by a strong shake, making Summer's head bob back and forth. Why was everyone shaking her today? "The only thing keeping me up right now is adrenaline and denial of what I just went through. If I sit down to get looked at by a doctor I'm going to have a panic attack. But that's not important, we saw him, Summer!"
"Him? Who do you-"
"Rhodes, Summer! He was in Kuroyuri during the extraction and saved our lives! I swear it's true, I talked to him myself!"
His revelation was met by stunned silence.
Rhodes Glasc, the man who taught them everything that made their team as famous as it was today. The Iron fortress, the best huntsman Remnant has known in decades. When his expedition into the Land of Darkness was considered lost, the four of them were halfway to the next bullhead before Ozpin stopped them.
When rumors of his reappearance first surfaced, the four tried anything to find him, but with no success. And every new rumor since then sounded worse. He had been well known for his ability to not only stand against the strongest Grimm but also his caring nature when taking care of those he saved. But what little they managed to gather, that part of him had become rarer as time passed.
Now, the few people who managed to talk with him mentioned how distant and cold the man felt.
Raven, Tai, and Qrow moved closer. "Sebastian, are you sure?" Tai could barely get the words out, choking at the thought that their old mentor may finally be in reach again.
"Of course I'm sure! I've been friends with Rhodes for years, we've been classmates, do you think I wouldn't recognize him?" Seeing that the four were still skeptical, he pointed behind him. "Fine, if you don't believe me, ask Li. He was with me the whole time."
Behind him, Li and Qrow approached the four, while Ghira and Kali helped guide Hong into the building, the mayor of Kuroyuri repeating that he needed to talk to Grant before the Assembly started. "Despite the circumstances, it is an honor to finally meet the legendary Team STRQ in person." Li attempted a deep bow in greeting before wincing, one hand clutching his stomach for a moment. "Sebastian speaks the truth. Rhodes protected us from the Nuckeleevee and its spawns before covering our retreat. Without him, we would not be here now."
"HA! I knew the old man wouldn't just die somewhere." Qrow shouted in joy, punching Tais arm who was wiping tears from his eyes at the news that their old mentor was truly still alive and well. Summer meanwhile had jumped into her wife's arm with a joyous shout, with Raven clinging to her unable to speak for a moment.
Sebastian meanwhile turned to Li. "Why didn't you tell them that I fought the Nuckeleeve myself? That was the whole lead into my plan, we talked about this on the drive here!"
The team stopped their celebration when they heard Sebastian's claim. Li bowed again, this time careful to not aggravate his wounds further. "I am sorry Sebastian. It is true, he stood bravely against the monster that raised our homes, risking his life to protect our people. I did not expect such courage from a huntsman that hasn't trained in decades-"
"Hey!"
"But it has been an honor to fight beside him. Clover and Harriet can attest to it if you do not believe me."
"Listen, I know Rhodes' return is important. But..." Sebastian had turned around, looking out over Patch as he spoke. "When I faced that thing, I have never been more scared. But as I stood there, my heart feeling like it would beat out of my chest at any moment, I remembered why people risk everything to fight the Grimm. For the first time in years, I felt truly alive! And it made me realize something."
He walked up to Summer, giving her his best smile. She returned it in kind, leaning forward to envelop him in a hug. "I know I never got a chance to get to know her, but I'm sure mom would be proud of you."
Sebastian pulled back a little, wiping some tears from his eyes as he nodded. "I hope so. And that's what I meant. Summer, I need to ask you something." Summer cocked her head in confusion. "There is something you, we, need to do. Something we should have done years ago. And I was reminded today how short life can be, for any of us. And I don't want to die with regrets. I want to leave my mark on Patch, something that will make this kingdom the best it can be for our children. So I think it's time that we finish what mom and dad started, even if the council is against it. It's time for the Rose clan to truly return but I can't do it without you Summer. Will you help me?"
Summer recoiled from Sebastian as if he hit her, looking at him in disbelief. She shook her head almost automatically, stepping back. Sebastian had expected such a reaction but did not let up. "Look, I know it's sudden. And I know I'm not really in the best state to make such a big decision. And the drink the medic forced on me before I managed to make a break for it to get a car probably didn't help, but I know that this is the right thing to do. I have never been more sure of anything in my life Summer!"
"But their mission, their plan, we don't even know what Patchwork is supposed to be! And besides, you know my mother is the leader of the Rose clan, I can't even-"
"Listen, Summer. I know I'm not a world-renowned huntress like you. And I know my political career hasn't been the most successful either. But I have seen you grow up to become one of the greatest heroes of Patch, no! One of the greatest heroes that the world has ever known. You are ready for this. And after what I faced today, you know I'm right."
Sebastian spoke with confidence and conviction that Summer had never heard from the man before. "I knew you would have doubts, so I contacted Ironwood on the way here. He can't go on camera during a live Assembly and especially not in regards to Clan politics, but he supports my idea. He already prepared the documents needed to bring the Patchwork project back." Summers' head snapped up in surprise. "If you truly don't think you are ready, I will take them with me today and do everything in my power to lay the groundwork to get it approved, but I will not give up on it! But I also know that I can not do this without you. This is the legacy the Rose clan left behind and it is our duty to continue it."
Summer stepped back, arms clasped tightly around herself. She had never felt this unsure of herself before. She was a huntress, a slayer of monsters, what did she know about continuing the work of her family? She gazed back at her husband and wife, hoping the two would decide for her.
All she got was a sad but encouraging smile from Tai and a single resolute nod from Raven. They knew she needed to do this herself. She wanted to be angry at them but deep down she knew she couldn't run away from this anymore.
And she knew it too.
She trembled as old memories surfaced. She had no recollection of her biological family, all she remembers is flames and heat. The fire that killed every member of the Rose clan except her.
Where most would have seen these memories as a burden, she took them and made them fuel for the way she followed in life. A fire that guided her on every step, always pushing her forward to help and protect the people of Remnant.
And despite her doubt, despite her fear, that same fire pushed her forward once more. Driving her to pick up the role her parents left her and continue their work.
Mind made up, she realized her team had formed around her, ready to follow her into this battle without question. "You guys…" She looked at them, tears in her eye. She quickly wiped them away before turning to Sebastian. "Sebs, I…" She choked on the words for a moment. "You're right. For the future of Patch, for our children, for everyone on this Island, we have to do this. It's time to finish what our parents started."
Sebastian's smile was as wide as Summer's, both having a newly lit fire in their eyes. "James already has someone to bring everything over. I check the documents during the Assembly and once the Q&A starts we will take the stage-"
"So that everything will burn!"
"And from the ashes of their complacency!"
"Be reborn again, like a summer ros-"
"No."
The two stopped in their tracks, looking to the side to see Raven giving them her patented 'disapproving mother' look. "You will not say that in front of national TV."
"What? Why?! It sounds AMAZING!" Summer stomped her feet at her wife's inability to see the genius behind her and Sebastian's idea.
"It sounds like a five-year-old trying to sound deep and mature. And I will not suffer that kind of embarrassment tonight. Tai, Qrow, back me up on this."
Summer turned to the two, her best puppy dog face on display. Both men seemed to falter until Raven cleared her throat, causing them to look away. "Listen Sum, honey. How do I say this…" Tai scratched his head, trying to agree with Raven without hurting his wife's feelings.
Qrow had no such reservation. "It sounds worse than the time Yang and Ruby wrote their own episode of 'The Huntsman'."
Summer stared at them in shock. Which was quickly replaced by anger as she stomped her foot on the ground again, pouting. "THENIHATEYOUANDWE'REGOINGTOBRINGPATCHWORKBACKOURSELVES! Come on Sebastian, we will make it all be reborn like a rose ourselves!"
She grabbed Sebastian by the arm and dragged him past her team, sticking her tongue out as she did. Sebastian's pleas to be more careful with his injuries were ignored. With one final betrayed look at her team, she slammed the doors of the Assembly Hall shut with a bang.
Tai looked at the closed door with guilt while Raven rolled her eyes before taking his hands and following their wife, reassuring him that Summer was just being childish again.
Which left Qrow and Li outside. "I do not wish to overstep, but Summer and Sebastian spoke as if they were siblings. Surely that must be a mistake?"
"It's not something most people know, don't worry." Qrow laughed, leading Li inside. "I will give you the basic story during the opening ceremony."