Hello everyone, a quick message!
I might be starting an audio story channel on YouTube soon. I'm in the works on the equipment needed. I'll be specializing in Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and etc. Also, a poll has been opened on my page. Simply click my name, and bam! You are there! The poll is blind and will close in three months' time!


Qrow watched the storm pass over him. He saw that he was on Patch Island, Summer's home. He noted that people walking around him were displayed as silhouettes of various colors. Four stood out, a golden man, with a ruby red woman. She had a yellow girl following behind her, while a red one sat on the golden man's shoulders. Qrow walked toward them, waving his hand to greet them. They suddenly disappeared, turning to dust in front of him. The sun, which had been hanging in the sky turned black.

Grimm began flooding the area, surrounding him. He reaches down, getting his weapon, and making it morph into a scythe. However, he saw something strange, black lines on all the Grimm. They traced back to a singular source, and that source was nearing him. She emerged from the Grimm. Her hair tied in ornate buns, ghostlike hands holding a black sword. She smirked, her black lips curling. Her demonic eyes, blackened with fiery red irises that glowed. She looked upon Qrow, but he then that she too had had something on her. A chain, chained to her neck, this chain apparently had no end. The master of the chain unseeable, she then roared a command.

The Grimm charged, coming closer towards him. He readied himself, watching as death approached him. A crash of thunder, and all Grimm disappeared. It was not a silver light that made them go away. Instead, now standing in front of Qrow, free of chains was a young man. Unlike the silhouette people, he was visible. He stood in front of the wicked witch. His eyes ablaze with the same flame, but an aura of orange flowing around him. The apparition of a giant fox, with nine tails, appeared behind him. He had crimson hair, which flowed to his shoulders, spiked at the ends. His power was overflowing, and in his presence the owner of the chain became present.

A dark shadow, pulling at the leash, The Wicked Witch assumed a battle stance. Qrow could not believe his eyes as the young man did the same, except he had no weapons. Flames erupted, winds howled, and the ghost behind him roared to life with the storm he gathered. However, in that very moment, Qrow watched as a black chain clamped around the young man's neck. The shadow smirking as the chain on the witch disappeared.

It was surreal, the young man struck down the witch. Only to pick up her blade, and reform the Grimm. Qrow was confused but watched as the young man's hair turn snow white. He did not have long to think as the young man stabbed through him. The blade infecting him as well. He screamed out in pain, looking down.

In the puddle of water, he saw that he was he chained to the shadow being as well. Black veins traveling from the chain around his neck, and into his body.


Qrow shot up, breathing hard. He looked at his hands, no traces of the black veins. He sighed, wiping sweat off his forehead. That dream seemed real, just like it had before. Reaching over for a bottle of water, he guzzled it down as soon as he took hold of it. He heard some crashing, and yelling. Gripping the empty bottle, he heard footsteps coming to the door. It slammed open, revealing Amethyst holding a rifle.

"We've got big fuckin' contacts!" Amethyst yelled as she got her rifle.

Qrow grabbed his shirt, slipping it on, "What's going on?"

"Don't know, our ground penetrating radar picked up something heading our way!" She told him, pulling the charging pin back on her rifle.

Qrow nodded, transforming his weapon into its gun form. He caught up from the bed, following her out of the room. He noted that the crew was scrambling. The swivel mortar was being loaded, moved to aim at a big plume of sand heading their way. The gauss turret tower was being prepared. Summer had her sword still sheathed, but her hand was resting on it. She walked over to him and looked him over.

"Looks like you had a night," Summer chided lightly as she looked at Amethyst. "What do think is making that signature?"

"Either it's a Titan, or a massive horde." Amethyst answered, watching as a drones flew over them. "We'll know when Crowsnest Protocol is completed."

Summer nodded, watching as Kuma lifted two rocket launchers up from a crate. He tossed one to a young crewman, who flipped the sight up. She noted that he tossed the other to another crewmember, a teenager. The giant faunus man lifted up a massive warhammer. He sighed, walking over to Summer, who was impressed. He smirked, looking at the dust cloud in the distance heading for them.

"I used to be a Huntsmen in my youth, meet my hammer, Thor." Kuma stated, holding the massive hammer out.

"No kidding, I thought you were just a sailor?" Summer inquired.

Kuma smirked, "I am, I didn't graduate fully…dropped out when I found out my wife was pregnant."

"Aww," She blushed, rubbing the back of her head. "Are you out of practice?"

He shook his head, replying, "Nope…remember them Sand Pirates I was talking about?"

Qrow went to take it out of the man's hand, only to fall to the ground. It was then he noted that the weapon had gravity dust built into it. Specifically, it was meant to increase the weight. Kuma smirked, gingerly picking the hammer up with one hand. He laid it over his shoulder, nodding at Amethyst, and then walked toward where the men were gathered. The Captain grabbed her rifle, watching as one of the drones came flying back. She heard her scroll beep and opened it up. A live feed of a massive horde of Jackal were heading towards them. Their tendrils whipping around their backs, and Beowolves were among their number.

"Oh damn," Amethyst cursed as she looked at the feed before shouting, "Jackal horde!"

"What's a Jackal horde?" Qrow inquired, as he readies his weapon.

Amethyst grimaces as she spoke, "One of the worst things to happen. Jackals are like Beowolves, except they got tendrils they can lash and grab with. They travel in large hordes, usually hunting people like us."

"Oh crap," Summer realized as she looked at her. "You mean it's capable of taking out this LST?"

"If it were a few of them, no, but a horde of dozens would dominate us. This horde right here has a couple hundred!" Amethyst stated, checking her ammo. "They're fast fuckers as well."

"How long?" Qrow inquired.

Amethyst growled as she walked away, "Thirty minutes if we are lucky. They will be in mortar range in five, but they're not stupid enough to keep bunched together when the shells fly."

Summer watched her walk away, and then grabbed Qrow, looking him in the eyes. Both understood each other without needing to say a word, nodding, they both began to pull out their scrolls. It was a ritual before a huge battle for them, just in case. They wrote final goodbyes, and then smiled as both handed each other's scroll to one another. It was simple, if one of them fell, you simply hit send. The only other person to know of this ritual was Taiyang, her husband.

"I'll take fifty," Summer stated as she held hand out.

Qrow chuckled, "I'll take sixty-five, short stack!"

Both grabbed each other's arm in, and then let go to walk to available battle stations!


The Desert Rose stood still. They would not be able to outrun the horde anyway. The swivel mortar began to bark. Loud poofs of air flooded the deck for each shot, the two crewmen loading a shell within seconds of one being fired. Captain Amethyst looked through her binoculars, watching the explosions of the Shredder Mortars. She saw several Jackals, and a couple of Beowolves getting shredded to pieces by the shrapnel. She bit her lip as the others dropped around the same area.

At least fifteen Grimm were killed, but she bit her lip. They were not within range of the gauss turrets yet! She watched as a pack of Jackals led by an Alpha Beowolf began to split off. She had a sniper perched on top of the command tower. An anti-material rifle, twenty-millimeter rounds would begin barking in any moment. She placed a hand on her earwig, began barking orders.

"Swivel Mortar Crew, keep firing shredder rounds into the main pack! Burgess, use that deadeye of yours and kill their alphas!" She ordered while examining the horde.

"Yes captain, preparing another barrage!" The mortar crew replied.

"Captain, I'm ready to begin…" A calm voice stated.

Amethyst took a deep breath, and then smiled as she looked up at the command tower's roof. Burgess, a thin man with a white beard, and golden eyes began to load the first round of his rifle. He pulled the charging pin back, aiming down the sights. He smirked as he caught sight of the splitting trope. He targeted the Alpha Beowolf. The command tower's ceiling shook as he squeezed the trigger to his anti-material rifle. Captain Amethyst turned, watching as the lead Beowolf of the trope suddenly found its head vaporized.

She got ready to hear the barking of her gauss turrets. They would be approaching the ten-minute marker, and range of the turrets. Although outside of their normal effective range, the bunched-up targets would be devastated. She observed something that made her worry a little, one of the mortars rounds ended up missing the middle of the group. They were speeding up, and although the next barrage took out at the very least twenty of the Grimm, that was still very long odds.

Qrow readied his weapon's gun mode, loading some green tipped rounds into the chamber. He observed as various crewman not mounting a weapon had bolt action rifles. There was just basic ammunition on board, and he had the only dust rounds. Cursing a little, he aimed down the sights, waiting for them cross into range. Amethyst got down from her perch, loading her automatic rifle, she noted the dust rounds he was loading.

"What's your plan with concussive Wind Dust rounds?" She inquired, genuinely curious.

Qrow replies with a smirk, "I am going to stop a few of them in their tracks when they hit the range you want everyone with a rifle firing. May help us cut them down easier if they are not moving."

"Maybe," She agreed while checking her underbarrel shotgun, "We'll know soon enough."

As if on cue, they her the three gauss turrets roaring to life! They barked, pelting the horde which were now only ten minutes away. She looked at Qrow, smiling before kissing him on the cheek. Qrow looked confused but noticed that she was biting her lip.

"For what its worth," She began while looking at the approaching horde, "Thanks for the fun."

Summer was on the deck with Kuma, hearing the turrets bark. She gripped her sword, readying to lash out with it. She looked at Kuma, and he nodded. They both watched as scores of the horde were cut down, if not dead, at least injured. The large man walked toward the side of the land ship. He put his hand on a quivering youth and smiled.

"Steady, son, when you aim breathe in. Hold your breath, and when you find your mark, you exhale and squeeze." Kuma encouraged the young crewmember.

The young man nodded, steadying his aim, "Sir…they're coming into our range."

"Good lad," Kuma stated as he readied Thor, "Closer now and they'll be in striking distance of my hammer."

Kuma held his free hand up, and then dropped it while screaming an order, "Fire!"

Rifles barked, in unison, but were only delayed when their wielders needed to adjust aim. Summer watched as they got closer, only to see massive plumes of dust explode from the horde. A mortar landing amongst those who fell. Shredder rounds destroying those not quick enough to recover. Her silver eyes glanced across the field, noting that the horde had significantly broken up. However, there was still around sixty.

"Too close for the mortars," Kuma observed.

Summer nods in agreement, replying, "What now?"

"Now we meet them," The large man stated.

He got on the rail of the ship, dropping down into the sand. He gripped his hammer Thor and watched as Summer dropped next to him. Qrow came down next to her, watching as the half of the group split off. They were facing down the gangly versions of Beowolves, their tendrils lashing about their heads. Kuma moved first, roaring as he charged his aura into his hammer. Slamming it down, sideways, a wall of earth moved toward the Grimm. Summer's eyes shined with excitement as the wall of earth exploded into spikes. These cut down several of the creatures,

"Okay, that's cool!" Summer stated excitedly as she readied herself.

Qrow turned his weapon into its scythe mode, "You ready big guy?"

Kuma laughs out, gripping his hammer tight, "Let's go!"

Summer sprang forward first, dashing over the moved sand, daftly navigating the obstacles in front of her. She flipped forward, coming into view of an Alpha Beowolf. She gripped her blade while still upside down, twisting midair to slice the head of the demonic wolf off. She landed with a slide as a Jackal launched itself at her. She somersaulted while slashing her sword outward. Lunar Moon rang the air with noise as it cut several lacerations into the attacking Jackal. She spun on landing, the sword glowing as she sidestepped to the right. She spun around, crashing her sword down, bisecting the Grimm vertically.

A Jackal launched its tendrils at her from behind, only to get intercepted by Qrow, who spun his scythe around. The scythe slashed all of the tendrils, and then fueled aura into the weapon. He grabbed the scythe with both hands, cutting laterally in front of him. A wave of red energy flowed from the blade, slicing apart several Jackals in its wake.

"Harbinger got an upgrade I see," Summer pointed out as she stabbed the chest of a Beowolf that tried to sneak attack her.

She jumped up, kicking the wolf demon away, landing on the ground with her back to Qrow's. Kuma roared as he flew over both of them from a jump, he crashed down right on top of two Alpha Beowolves. Smashing them into the ground, he then reared back and knocked a Jackal away into several others. Kuma then grabbed an approached Beowolf by its neck, snapping it with a twist of his large hand. He tossed the dissolving body away as he threw the large hammer into an approaching Alpha Beowolf, breaking it half with its armor shattering. He then balled his fist up, punching right through a Jackal with a roar!

"I'm thinking that his semblance is super strength," Summer said as she ran with Qrow.

Qrow laughed, "You think?!"

Kuma leapt up onto a large Beowolf, tearing its head off with his bare hands. Landing with a roll, he grunted from a small pain in his chest. A crack rang out as a Alpha Beowolf sneaking up on him suddenly found its head disappeared. The large faunus smirked, looking up at the top of the command tower. Burgess waved, and then turned around to start firing on the other side of the LST. Kuma bared is teeth at the approaching group of Jackals. A white cloaked blur suddenly dashed past him, sliding on the sand!

Summer dashed forward, spearing a Jackal with her sword, flinging off with momentum alone. She turned midair, beheading a couple more in a quick succession of slashes while keeping herself mostly in the air between bounds. Qrow was right behind her, cutting the heads off four more of the monsters. He dodged tendrils being launched by one nearby, and Kuma stepped in. He grabbed them midair, using them to fling the gangly creature into the air before picking up his hammer. Thor crashed into the creature, breaking it apart with shear force. The trio walked together as the Grimm stopped, taking steps back.

Kuma smirked, bringing the hammer down, causing earth to flow once again. Several spikes emerged up, skewering Beowolves and Jackals alike up. He roared out, smiling, and then collapsed down onto one knee. He gripped his chest a little, breathing hard. He barely reacted in time to a Beowolf crashing into him. He gripped the neck of the beast as it dug into his, his aura barely allowing the teeth of the beast to scratch his skin. He got up, dropping Thor to rip the beast in half. He then fell down to his knees, breathing hard, coughing up spittle. He found it harder to breathe. Qrow took notice of this and looked at Summer. She nodded, walking over to him as Qrow stood guard over them, slashing at any Grimm coming. Summer knelt down next to him, noting his labored breathing.

"What's wrong, did something get you?" She asked.

Kuma grunted, "Damn it all…I forgot heart medication in the ship."

"Wait, what?!" Summer exclaimed as she grabbed him, pulling him up.

Qrow overheard him, and replied, "Are serious right now?! You mean to tell you had a heart condition and decided to start swinging?!"

Kuma smirked, pridefully pushing out his chest while in pain before roaring, "I don't run from danger! I am the danger!"

All of the Grimm in the area stopped moving, backing away from the man's declaration. A tall Jackal growled, snapping his jaws at them, only to have his head disappear. Kuma looked up, seeing Burgess standing there, flicking off the Grimm as he pulled the charging pin back to load another round. Kuma nodded, suddenly feeling a newer wave of pain!

He started coughing, "Gah, never my heart is saying I'm in danger!"

Summer shouted up to the ship, "Gangway!"

The ship's crew lowered the gangway down, a few of the crew rushing forward. Only to get followed by a Jackal getting up into the ship. Qrow couldn't move fast enough as it tackled Amethyst. She unloaded her magazine into it, killing it before it could bite into her neck. She got up, pushing the dissolving body off of her. Qrow sighed in relief, but then heard something. He turned around, looking on as other Grimm began to move away. Confused at first, the huntsmen readied himself as the sands began to shift.

The sands burst open, up into the air, revealing a large lizard. It roared as its scales shimmered, rattling no different to a rattlesnake. It slammed its front paw down, scooping up several Grimm, and eating them. It screamed out as it gained plated armor over vital areas, and several tendril dreadlocks across its head with barbed tips. Amethyst could only watch as the thing crashed into The Desert Rose. At first nothing happened, but then the might ship began to tilt up.

The beast itself stood as large as the LST. Qrow watched as it continued lifting, exposing the tracks. He began to think, running toward the gangway with Summer with Kuma in tow. The massive beast screeched, several crewmen getting picked off by the tendrils, and thrown into its gaping maw.

"It's trying to tip us, fire!" Amethyst screamed, firing her rifle at its eyes. "Burgess!"

She managed to get one, stopping the beast from tipping over her ship. However, she looked back at Qrow who had just boarded. This beast was too massive for any small arms fire. It seemed the two had the same idea and ran over to follow them. Several of the crew covering as they fired at the beast.

Burgess turned around after feeling ship still off track, seeing several of the horde's packs coming back around for an attack. He began firing at the leaders, cursing he had brace himself on his back. Summer moved Kuma as she ran full force with Qrow onto the ship, he grabbed the swivel mortar, ripping it up. He looked over at Amethyst, and she ran towards the shells. Summer was struggling with Kuma, unaware the creature spotted her, and immediately took interest.

The giant lizard roared out, and the barbed tendrils suddenly extended out. The barbs leaked a purple fluid, and it felt something commanding them to focus all on the woman with silver eyes. It hissed, launching them forward. Their whistled through the air, as if they were bolts from a ballista! Kuma noticed, and then reacted as he would for any of his crew. Stopping Summer, he threw her out of the way as the tendrils impacted him all at once. While some bounced off his aura, most scratched him, and then it happened…several broke through. They speared him, poking out of the opposite sides of his body!

Time seemed to slow down, he stood there, gripping the tendril as he fell to a knee. The bear staring down the massive beast. Blood seeped from the wounds, most not hitting vital areas, but one was going right through his clavicle. If it wasn't for his arms being built like tree trunks, he'd lost that limb outright. He breathed hard, gripping at the beast's tendrils harder. He thought of his sons back in Vacuo, and then smiled softly. He yanked hard, ripping off the tendrils of the beast's head!

Without their support holding him up, he fell forward. Summer caught him, shock welling up in her face. The big man smiled brightly, and then reached into his pocket. Purple veins began to spread over him, but before they reached his chest, he handed her a picture of his two sons. He nodded at her as he saw tear rolling down her face, and then gave one last raspy sigh.

Just then, several Grimm from the packs spilled over the ship. She gripped the picture from the man's hand. Qrow barely managed to defend Amethyst from several errand tendrils. However, Summer Rose felt her heart beating faster. She felt anger, anger at a friend dying, dying because she wasn't paying attention! She felt power flow through her, her eyes glowing silver as she roared. A blanket of white light filling the ship, while that giant beast of Grimm stood against it. It was forced back, with the tendrils falling off into white dust. It's smaller brethren, unblessed with its size, disintegrated!

The huntress stood up, gripping her sword as power flowed down it. She saw the massive Grimm rearing up for another attack. She merely raised her hand up, and then flowed that same power out again! A loud boom echoed as her silver light blasted into the creature, ripping its left claw apart! Qrow stood there, mouth agape, and then he snapped out of it. They got the mortar ready. Amethyst looked at him, questions laced across her face, but couldn't argue with the results as several more Grimm caught in the light just turned to dust!

'Kuma…' Summer thought as she began charging up her light again, 'I'm sorry…'

She blasted the right claw off the beast! Echoing booms filled the air as she used the energy in her sword to send waves of light out, slashing at the tendrils that came towards her in defense of their owner! The silver-eyed woman glowed she slashed upward with her sword. A large wave of white light cut through part of the beast's head! She was breathing hard, with blood dripping from her nose as she fell to a knee.

Qrow got down on his knees, stabilizing the mortar as Amethyst loaded the shell. The massive began to jump up from its back legs, attempting to crush them all. The shell flew out, aimed right into the maw. The beast's head was shredded to pieces as its body rained back dust around the remaining crew. He dropped the mortar, running over to Summer, who was passed out. He held her gently, wiping the blood off her face.

Amethyst walked over to Kuma, looking at the man, and then frowned. He had a smile on his face, and then closed his eyes. She stood there, biting her lip, before wiping a tear away. The young sailor from before was openly sobbing as he looked at Kuma's body. Burgess looked away, shaking his head. He threw his rifle down, cursing loudly, and then came down.


Qrow watched as the crew gathered around Kuma.

Kuma's body was wrapped in a white linen clothe. He was laid on one of the storage room tables. His body was adorned with all manner of trinkets from various parts of the crew. Qrow walked up to the fallen warrior, taking one of his bullets out of Harbinger, placing it on the man's chest.

'Till our last breath, we stand guard, ever vigilant against the nightmare…' He sighed out as he walked to stand next to Summer.

Summer walked forward, placing her hand on his chest, 'I shall never forget you.'

She walked away, watching as several other came up to pay silent respects. Amethyst was the last one, and she handed him her necklace. She lit several candles around the body with a lighter, and then stood in front of the body. She waited until all eyes were on her, and she stood tall, proudly addressing her crew with a stiff upper chin.

"Today we lost many, but none more than Kuma. Kuma stood with us since day one of our voyage here on The Desert Rose. While many have fallen, none will stand here and say Kuma fell with his back turned to the enemy! He is a man to be admired, a man to be adorned with treasures of his people, and man to use as an example of sacrifice! Duty, Honor, and Sacrifice! These three, simple words, adhere to a lifelong mission. Kuma Fireheart stood for these, and upon our arrival to Vacuo City, we shall grant him a funeral pyre! While he may become ash, his ash will instill into our next generation, the nutrients of these words that he lived by! I, captain Amethyst Estella, stand in salute!" She turned to the body, giving the man a raised fist salute.

The crow roared, giving the body the same salute!

They began to disperse, with Summer still standing there. She watched as Amethyst approached her and waited for the tongue lashing of a lifetime. Instead, the woman held her hand out, and gave her a small broken smile.

"You fought well, Summer Rose, Kuma chose to sacrifice himself. Do not let this be your fault," She stated to her, looking into her silver eyes. "What power you displayed out there, I'll just say it was a semblance and move on…however, you're a miracle to us."

"Kuma died because I wasn't paying attention…" She replied to the captain.

Amethyst shook her head, "You were trying to save him, but Kuma never liked being saved…always too proud."

Summer handed her Kuma's photograph, and Amethyst sighed.

"Did he tell you he was going to go home to his children?" Amethyst questioned.

"Yes," Summer answered honestly, "What happens to his children now?"

"Nothing," the purple haired woman replied, "They died during a Grimm raid several years ago while abroad this ship…"

Summer was confused, and looked at her, "Then why did he say he was going to see them?"

Amethyst bit her lip, "Kuma kept saying that he had been seeing them at port…"

She then realized what the captain was saying and looked at the man. Her eyes caught some type of movement, sitting at the back of the room. She could make out the outline of a large man, and then saw him nodding at her. She smiled and sighed. She looked at the crew as they began to clean up and smiled.

'Kuma…just keep watch over us for one last day…'