Chapter 9: A Rousing Start

"I will stop you Salem."

Summer stood in a blood stain colored room; there all she could see on the other side of the room was a bleached colored woman wearing a black robe, and her black braided hair. Summer couldn't see her face in good detail but whatever she saw struck fear into Summer's heart.

"You won't."

Summer awoke in a cold sweat, the memories had shot adrenaline into her, causing her to violently shake awake. Though waking up had blurred what exactly happened at the castle years ago, it was painful to remember it all. She turned to the clock on the computer. 7:00 Am. She struggled to get up and slowly changed into the set of clothes she had basically bought last night from the White Fang. She needed to buy a ticket for the Festival, but first, she needed to visit From Dust Till Dawn, this gun isn't going to fill itself!

Slowly she crept down through the near abandoned quay, making note of all of the White Fang members watching her from the shadows as she walked. It did seem a little concerning that they were all tracking her.

She soon made her way over a barrier and into the city proper. The city looked so different compared to the night before! The hustle and bustle of the city contrasted to the silent streets the night before. Summer made her way to the store, opening the door to From Dust Till Dawn with a cheery smile over her face. She could see the store had clearly had a remodel or two since she was last inside; the first thing catching her attention was the new dust machines on the left wall. She looked at them; a simple device to get dust out by a lever. No doubt someone's kid has thought they were candy before with how they were displayed.

Summer turned her attention away from the dust machines and towards the magazine racks in the back, she knew what she was looking for should still be in production. There it was! Weapons Magazine, the finest weapons archive out there, perfect for her to start with for forging a new weapon! She read the front cover's info for what's inside, her curiosity a little peaked. 'Featuring: Crescent Rose, and Miló and Akoúo̱, two of Beacon's current best transforming weapons!' Crescent Rose? That sounds a little lame, perhaps it'll look cool though. But Miló and Akoúo̱? Now those sound really cool, they better be as cool looking as they sound!

Next to it, Summer noticed a special copy of Weapons Magazine: '40th Vytal Festival Special Issue: The History of Transforming Weapons'. Summer was shocked to say the least to see herself on the cover; as the corner read: "Including modernized diagrams of deceased twice winner of the Tournament: Beacon Team STRQ's Summer Rose's Apple Slice and Summer Solstice.' That caused Summer to frown, it was a little demeaning to call her deceased but they didn't know. 'Wow, a little rude to say the least, I thought Huntresses lost on missions were labeled as MIA, not KIA. And what do they mean by 'modernized'!' she thought to herself. She grabbed both of the magazines before turning back to use the dust machine. Grabbing her dust she turned to the man at the counter and paid for it all with the lien she had.

She smiled as she walked downtown; pulling into the bus station and buying a ticket to Beacon. She slowly watched as the bus pulled out onto the expressway and towards Beacon, sure the airbus was faster; but she trusted the buses to still get her to Beacon. The bus eventually pulled off onto an exit and Summer could only stare out into the golden trees. She missed Qrow, all this did was remind her of when she had confessed to him years ago and when he was finally allowed to return to Beacon. They had been on a bus like this basking in the sun as the bus rolled to its destination, but now? No. Qrow's likely moved on. There's no way he's lasted thirteen years by himself could there? Her hands felt cold on the seat as she tried to stare at the lake until that too disappeared, replaced by the tunnel marking the start of Beacon Academy's Campus.

Summer stepped out onto the campus. As much as she missed Qrow; this place still looked as if she had left the day before. The buses let out at a small intermodal station within the cliff itself. She walked over a bridge in the cavern to the window overlooking the lake. The scenery around the lake all looked beautiful as if a field of reds, yellows, and golden-browns headed towards the city of Vale itself, and in the distance she could make out the silhouette of Patch far out to sea. It brought a smile to her face as she turned around; to head up the stairs leading topside and to the Arena.

As she walked by the main campus; she was unaware that cameras had caught onto her. A familiar face was in his office with his cocoa when a notification popped up. Warning: Ruby Rose spotted in two locations. The cameras moved to reveal Ruby sitting by the chickens with Jaune chatting away and feeding them and Ruby also walking towards the Arena in a completely different outfit. The man stood there sipping his mug, slowly putting it down onto his desk before moving his glasses to focus on the two Rubys. "Interesting."

Summer watched keenly as the screens shifted to show the contestants teams before spinning. "And it seems Beacon's very own team RWBY will be.." Port stopped talking to let the other result come in. "Beacon's very own team RWBY will be next on the field fighting Haven's team ARBN! Will Teams RWBY and ARBN…" Summer zoned out taking a look at the images on screen. Leading RWBY was what seemed to be her own reflection! Well one if she taped down her ears again at the very least! She bit her lip as she realized Ruby had been dragged forward, Ozpin had a lot of explaining to do. She turned to look at the others, next to Ruby was a white haired woman, labeled as Weiss Schnee. Summer remembered that name; they had been a dust company in Atlas that… had a record to say the least. She turned to the final two members and beamed. On the screen rounding out the team were the names 'Blake Belladonna' and 'Yang Xiao Long'. She took a sigh of relief to see not only was Yang on Ruby's team but Blake was with them both!

"Begin!" Oobleck's voice rang clear as Yang made the first move, a punch directly into one of her opponents as the rest of RWBY took to fighting. Summer was watching Ruby and Yang the most; trying to see what moves they had learned from Taiyang or Qrow. However; it really seemed to be clean cut. Yang took a lot in and fought hard like Taiyang, however, even with her being a brawler and not a sword wielder, she could tell some of Raven's own natural talents had bled into the blonde bombshell. Ruby on the other hand was nimble and more agile. Based on the sounds from the arena, it seemed she was a sniper. Just like her mother… and looking at the weapon in action, just like Qrow with that huge scythe, guess he did get to win that bet afterall.

As the teams started fighting, Summer's attention was turned to the screens as Port started to speak. "Hello! It seems that we have another astonishing bout ahead of us! Wouldn't you agree, Professor?"

Oobleck's voice took over the microphone, clearly annoyed. "Doctor. And yes Peter, I think it's safe to say this match may be the closest we've seen of the four-on-four round of the tournament!" Summer started to zone out of listening to the rules of the tournament, she had heard it plenty of times training years ago for this. Eventually Oobleck's words piqued her interest. "The tournament is divided into three distinctive rounds; teams, doubles, and singles. Age and school year are irrelevant! In this tournament, your only attribute being tested... is skill." Summer rolled her eyes at those words spoken by her former classmate, but knew they were true.

Port's next words nearly put Summer to sleep, she never expected to hear them from him. "Correct! The winners of this battle will elect two of their members to represent them in the doubles round, followed by the winners of that round choosing one member to advance once again. The remaining combatants will then fight their way through the final bracket in the hope of achieving victory for their kingdom!" A yawn formed over Summer's mouth as she drifted to focus instead on RWBY, who were slowly chipping away at ABRN's auras. First Blake knocked out the one on a hoverboard; and eventually Yang with the help of the rest of the team knocked the other three in one swing. "And that's the match! Team RWBY is victorious!"

Summer joined the crowds cheering on RWBY, she felt proud that her daughters were able to win their first match; the question now was who was going to go compete in the next match.

For STRQ the first match in Atlas was a tough fight to say the least. Qrow looked at his teammates and smiled as they took on a team from Shade. Summer kept herself to herself and using the rock cliffs, set up a sniper's nest while the others fought in the ruins of a building. The goal was simple; round the other team up to either of two positions; Summer or Taiyang. Summer would hail down a storm of ice dust, and Taiyang would punch them out of the arena. Raven and Qrow were rounding up the members, making sure to dodge Summer, though Qrow had lost part of his arm to an ice bullet already.

It was all worth it as Summer was able to pick off the aura of the other teams. With the victory under their belt; they went to celebrate at the festival grounds, making sure to drag Oobleck's team along the way, though they could tell they weren't as happy.

Summer had paid for everyone's food and drinks, but as she returned, Qrow couldn't help but frown at the shattered remnants of the team in front of him. It was heartbreaking to learn that while he had been rushed to the hospital, Oobleck's team had lost a member at the fall of Mountain Glenn. Gretchen Rainart was like; their Summer. The glue holding her team from falling apart. But from what they said; she had made it her choice to come, even after having an early child. The firecracker of their team and her, had gotten a little too close one night it seemed during the second year and well…

Qrow just watched as the baby squirmed in it's father's arms. It clearly missed it's mother, even if it was too young to understand. It tormented Qrow, the thought of losing a loved one… losing Summer. She was STRQ's glue; and he wanted to stay with her if things went south-.

"Qrow? You ok birdbrain?" Summer had risen up between him and Oobleck's scarfed teammate and his daughter. "You've been zoning out for a few minutes now, your bratwurst is getting cold! You know they don't taste good frozen." Summer moved in to kiss him. "Well, did that help sweetie?"

Qrow just tried to smile. "T-thanks, just thinking about who is going to the next round."

Summer beammed, as if she had been waiting for that. "Well as the leader of this team; I already chose!"

"You what!?" Qrow shivered a little as Raven shouted from right behind Qrow.

"Yep!" Summer said, moving her head to face Raven directly. "As I won the last tournament; I'm wanting to go as far as I can with this one! Meaning I'll be going to the doubles round! Though; I have not decided which of you is joining me."

Raven scoffed. "You know I'm the best member after yourself, Summer."

Summer sighed. "Yes Rave, I know you are… Qrow, Tai, either of you contesting her?"

"Hmmm?!" Tai muffled out as he was eating his bratwurst, after a gulp he smiled before talking. "I have no issues with that."

Qrow just starred before nodding. "I agree with Tai on this; I don't want my semblance rubbing more than it does naturally."

Summer frowned at the mention of Qrow's semblance, he had kept it to himself until a few nights ago, that he caused bad luck. "Right then…" Summer said with a bit of sorrow. "Me and Rave will go on then." She smirked as she grabbed Qrow's bratwurst and bit into it.

"Hey!" Qrow shouted. "That's mine!"

"And I said it was getting cold, birdbrain!" Summer was teasing at this point, it only made Qrow smile. Sure she was a brat, but she's his brat. Maybe that's why she stole his bratwurst.

Oobleck just chuckled as heads turned to face the team next to them still. "I'm glad you guys are able to be having fun now. Lightens up the mood here."

Summer giggles. "Well;-"

"I repeat! Team BRNT to the Arena!" a voice rang out from the sound system.

Summer frowned at the sudden interruption, "Guess it's time for you three to go show that you still can win!"

Oobleck smiled weakly. "Ye-yeah let's go BRNT!"

His scarfed teammate walked up to Summer, clearly a little nervous. "H-hey Summer, mind watching my little berry while I go fight?"

Summer nodded. "Sure! I'll be glad to."

The teammate smiled and caught up with his team, as STRQ followed, this was not a match they were just going to miss!

Summer sat as Beacon team JNPR finally made their way to the arena. They had been called nearly fifthteen minutes ago! What; were they down at the fairgrounds?! Summer could only watch them pile in; clearly they had done that, and well they were not the first team to do that. Time in the fairgrounds really flies by; she would know from her own experiences.

Port's voice was finally on the isound system again. "3..2..1.. Begin!" The buzzer began and the teams clashed. But Summer couldn't help but think, did JNPR even have a strategy? They seem disconnected, more so than BRNT did without a member. All of them were getting shot by team BRNZ's sniper. It seemed like easy pickings down there for the sniper. Summer's eyes were eventually caught by the strawberry blonde haired woman on JNPR as she was playing with lightning.

"Oh-ho! Looks like one of my favorite students, Nora Valkyrie, is charging up to use her Semblance!" Port's words made Summer hone in more on the woman, what could her semblance be? Oobleck answered that for Summer. "Yes, Ms. Valkyrie's Semblance lets her produce, as well as channel, electrical energy straight to her muscles! This allows her to jump explosively into the air, wield her mighty hammer, or in this case, absorb Nolan's attacks and send the young man flying!" Wow Oobleck, really taking the wind out of it by explaining it before she can do it!

Summer watched in awe though as Ms. Valkyrie shot the dude across the arena with an almighty swing. Her eyes darted to the rest of her team, before drifting slightly away to see RWBY sitting a few rows ahead of herself, in the Huntsman seats though.

"Yeah! Go get 'em, Jaune!" a voice from down below screamed, Summer could guess who it was simply by how similar it was to her own. Ruby; her own daughter; not even knowing her mother was alive and behind her.

Finally with the sound of explosions, Summer's eyes drifted back to the arena itself. It seemed JNPR had taken care of the sniper with those grenades. It's best to get the enemy sniper out of the way first! Common Sense people! Something JNPR didn't have as they seem to be discussing team attacks on the arena floor?! After a few moments of arguing, they finally had Ms. Valkyrie hit team BRNZ out of the arena. So much for a climatic finale.

"And with that, it appears Team JNPR wins by knockout, literally! ...Can someone go make sure they're okay?" Port eventually stated over the sound system. Summer watched as the stage was reset and the next teams were being announced. NDGO from Shade and Haven's SSSN? 'Ehhh Summer thought to herself. 'I'll pass and read my magazines.'

The sounds of the buzzer caught Summer off guard; she was a page away from seeing just what Crescent Rose was! She looked up to see the NDGO's members smoking in the water and their auras depleted. It didn't take a second thought once she saw the trident of the SSSN member to realize lightning had been involved.

"Our final match of the day has wrapped up folks! Team SSSN from Haven will be advancing to the doubles round! Oobleck my friend; what would you call that match?"

The sound system heard a slight snicker from Oobleck. "I would say; it was quite shocking to say the least."

"Ayyyy!" Yang's voice was heard below, clearly she had Tai's sense of puns.

"I was looking for an 'well earned', Doctor. What you said was stupid." Summer just giggled at Port's words.

"Awww that was so close though!" Ruby shouted from the Huntsman Deck, did Tai and Qrow never teach the girls volume control?

After the monkey faunus did a double finger gun towards the group, Oobleck came back onto the sound system. "That concludes the matches for today. Please leave the Coliseum IN A CALM AND ORDERLY FASHION!" Ringing, so much ringing. Summer slowly got up and started to make her way out of the stadium. Summer had started to get lost in thought until she was bumped. There running past her was Ruby and Weiss, clearly trying to get to the Airbus, and fast.

Summer sighed, never a dull moment at Beacon it seemed. She was able to catch the same Airbus as them, but luckily it was packed so she made sure neither of them were able to see her. Eventually she sat down on a bench when a bird came up to her. She watched it as it stared at her. It was a raven, and it wasn't just looking for a snack or bread, no, it was watching her. Seems Summer was not the only mother to be watching from afar.

"You know; I had an excuse." Summer said to the raven. "Saving the world is a risk, one I paid for; as a huntress." Summer then felt a shiver down her back. "Is it me or are the winds getting colder?" With that the raven pecked her. "Oh so it is you." Summer giggled. "Even with years missing out on your lives I can tell when-" Raven squawked. "Hmmm!" Summer turned to where Raven had turned towards. "Oh I see." There standing and clearly reeking of alcohol from afar, was a taller gentleman walking up behind what clearly looked like updated Atlesian Knights following Weiss Schnee and her V.I.P.

Summer watched with glee as the robot was destroyed, while she didn't like him doing that; he still had the strength he showed as a young adult. He must have a reason to catch someone's attention though, right?

"Hey!" He was clearly staring at Weiss Schnee and her V.I.P. Through that voice! It charmed Summer within seconds, it was the Qrow Branwen. "Yeeaaah. I'm talking to you both, Ice Queens."

"Halt!" The older white haired woman exclaimed as Weiss Schnee started walking towards Qrow.

"Just who do you think you are? Do you know who you are even talking to?!" Weiss was annoying it seemed.

Qrow responded by shoving her a little and shushing her. "Not you." Qrow then fully shoved her out of the way much to Weiss's shoutings. "You." Raven took this as the time to get out the area and with a squawk she flew past Qrow, causing him to turn for a second. Time worn eyes met for a moment before he turned back to the person he was picking a fight with. Summer could swear a smirk was growing on his face, as if a boost of confidence. "I saw that gaudy ship of yours in town. I guess you're here, too. Winter Schnee."

Winter, the elder sister tensed up, as she started to glare towards Qrow. "I'm standing right before you."

"It seems that way."

"You know you just destroyed Atlas Military property."

Qrow could only chuckle at that as he stepped back to take a better look at his damage, as if for a show, his face gained a shocked expression. "Oh. Oh! I'm sorry then! See.." His shocked expression twisted back into a glare focused at Winter. "I mistook it for that sentient garbage you threw down to my wi-" Summer picked up on the word he had been trying to say and beamed. "-Mantle to build and then later 'Protect'!" Qrow flashed his rings, to all out a sniper's eye they all looked the same, as fighting rings, but one stood out to Summer, the ring she had given him. "Along with the rest of Atlas' useless contraptions."

Summer only stared at the man, her face lit up and beaming, a wave of relief had come over her with the fact Qrow still believed he was married to her, however Winter was not pleased. "I don't have time for your immature games, Qrow." She started walking forward, as if getting ready to strike.

"Y-you both know each other?!" Weiss's voice perked up, she was still near Qrow it seemed.

Qrow just smirked and gave a thumbs up. "Yep! We go long back. Took her on a huntsman mission during one of her Vytal Festivals as I was in Haven at the time. Through. You Atlas Specialists think you're on top of the world with how special you think you are."

Winter gritted her teeth at that remark. "It's in the title."

"Then let me inform you of what you really are. Sellouts. Just like your boss."

"I don't know what you think you're implying Qrow. But I have heard enough."

Qrow only stared, before speaking. "Oh I heard, too. I heard ol' Ironwood finally turned his back on Ozpin."

"Ozpin?" Weiss said puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Qrow chuckled as Winter spoke up from the other side of the pathway. "Weiss, it's time for you to go."

"What?"

Qrow smirked. "Well then, best to listen to your big sister, Weiss. She'll protect you; like all big sisters do! Oh wait!" Qrow chuckled. "All big sisters do is mess you up big time. Trust me, I have a big sister who I would kill to have her semblance over my own."

"Oh please. Winter would never do that, she protects me!"

Qrow only snorted. "She'll protect you all right." He turned to face Winter directly. "Just like Atlas is going to protect all of us, huh?"

Winter finally had enough of it. "If you won't hold your tongue," Winter, red faced from anger, pulled out her sword ready to strike. "-then I will gladly remove it for you!"

"Oh alright then." Summer watched as Qrow slicked his hair back between words. She swore Qrow had a glint in his eyes, his words firm as he spoke. "Come take it."