The final days of spring. Two months after Oscar lost his soul.
Raven laid in a pool of red. She had just fought against a swarm of Wyvern Grimm. She had defeated them all, but she remained heavily damaged.
Raven: This is certainly the worst case scenario... dying at the place it all started...
She looks up at the destroyed Beacon academy. Raven then remembered her time with team STRQ
Flashback: 25 years ago
A young Raven stood on the stage with 3 others next to her. There was a less musky looking Qrow with no facial hair, a younger Tai with fully contrast blonde hair, and a young summer in a white hood.
Ozpin walked up to the stage and smiled at the team.
Ozpin: May I just congratulate you 4 on passing the entrance exams. You have officially broken the record of finding the relics and defeating the grimm in 15 minutes! A feat not to be forgotten.
Taiyang: Ah well you know me! Always in charge *flexes muscles*
Qrow: Actually it was her! *points to summer* Who lead us and was in charge.
Taiyang: Man why you gotta steal my thunder! *groans*
Ozpin: *chuckles slightly* Of course. You all played your part. What was most outstanding was your teamwork. Summer, you coordinated you team with excellency and precision.
Summer: *smiles*
Ozpin: Taiyang, while you didn't initially choose to listen to others ideas, you proved to be useful and cooperative when needed.
Taiyang: *proudly puts hands on hip*
Ozpin: Raven. You're knowledge on each of the grimm and they're weaknesses were the key to survival. You are a very smart girl.
Raven: *looks up at Ozpin*
Ozpin: And Qrow. You showed obedience to summers instructions when needed and encouraged your sister and Taiyang to follow. With her instructions, you single handedly defeated 10 full grown beowolves. You my boy, have potential.
Qrow: *looks at Ozpin with shock and hope*
Ozpin: You 4 have shown to work together effectively and efficiently. I am happy to announce you will be working together for your time at beacon. I here dub you *presses button so hologram pops up* Team S-T-R-Q.
Hologram shows a white S, yellow T, red R and a black Q*
Ozpin: With these letters formed together, you 4, are team STARK. With summer as your leader.
Flash forward by an hour
Raven: I guess this is our dorm...
Taiyang: *rushes in* Coool!
Tai then jumped on the bed closest to door.
Taiyang: So comfy *burry's head into pillow*
Summer: It feels, cozy to say the least. *sits on bed parallel to the foot of Tai's bed*
Qrow: Beats the beds at home *claims bed beside summer*
Raven: *goes to bed next to Tai*
Tai: So what do we do first?!
Summer: We should get to know each other better. Perhaps introductions?
Qrow: Works with me.
Summer: I'll go first. My name is Summer Rose. I'm 17 and am from Vacuo. I like cookies and milk!
Taiyang: Names Taiyang, feel free to call me Tai! I'm 17 and am from Vale actually. I live on a little island called patch. Im the resident alpha male. I like cute, quiet and feisty girls~ *winks at Raven*
Raven: *rolls eyes* Might as well go with it... my name is Raven Branwen, I'm 17 and am from Mistral. I like strawberries and prefer when boys leave me alone... *glares at Tai*
Qrow: Guess I'm last. Names Qrow.. with a Q. I'm 17 and from mistral, but you probably already guessed that since she's my sister *points at Raven with thumb*. I like the Grimm Reaper. They we're my inspiration.
Summer: Is that why you wield a Scythe.
Qrow: Yeah. I loved the stories of how they would cut down grimm of any size with one slash.
Summer: *smiles at him*
Raven: So this is us... for the next 3 years.
Flash forward 3 months
Team STRQ we're fighting Grimm in Mountain Glenn.
Taiyang manhandled a Goliath and punched it with his gauntlet causing the grimm to fade.
Qrow with Harbringer in sword mode cut through a deathstalker. Suddenly! A griffon swooped down and attempted to attack Qrow from the back.
Qrow faced the grimm and covered his body.
BANG!
Qrow looked up to see what had happened
Summer had shot the griffon. She gave a thumbs up to him.
Qrow: Thanks partner!
Summer: *reloads* Anytime partner.
Raven fought a herd of beowolves with little effort. Everything seemed fine until Nevermore came down.
Raven thinking she could handle it fought the nevermore, but it proved to strong. The nevermore knocked her back and away from her weapon.
Raven terrified backed up into a wall.
The nevermore screeched in her face.
Raven thought it was over as she closed her eyes. But then! Taiyang appeared using his bare hands prying the mouth of the nevermore
Raven: What are you doing! Get out of here! You'll die!
Taiyang: Ghh! *gets on knee* I can't leave my partner behind.
Taiyang continued to struggle until the Grimm managed to slash his chest.
Tai losing his group fell in front of Raven.
Raven: TAI! *holds him up*
Qrow: RAVEN! *runs towards her Harbringer know in scythe mode*
Qrow jumped on the nevermore but was easily overpowered.
Raven held Tai close as she cowered away.
Summer seeing her teammates defeated and at near death felt her eyes burn up.
Summer: NOOOO! *activates silver eyes as the area illuminates with silver*
Two hours later.
Taiyang in hospital.
Taiyang: Ow... *groans as he lays on a bed, chest bandaged up*
Raven: *enters arm rubbing shoulder*
Taiyang: Hey there!
Raven: *stays silent and looks away*
Taiyang: Glad you're okay. Summer and you're brother already came wishing me full recovery. Doctor says I should be out in a week.
Raven: I'm sorry...
Taiyang: What for?
Raven: I was weak... and you got hurt because of me...
Taiyang: Raven... you don't need to be sorry for that...
Raven: *looks down*
Taiyang: Raven. I'm always gonna be here. I'll always have your back. You are my partner. Protecting you is my job. Like how you tried protecting me from the nevermore.
Raven: *blushes slightly* J-just get well soon. *exists*
Taiyang: Well that was a fast mood change.
2 years later
Raven: I don't understand why we have to be at this dance summer!
Summer: C'mon Raven! It's our last year! We're graduating so we have to make as many memories as possible!
Raven: You know I don't like to dance though. I can't even Dance to begin with.
Summer: Everyone can dance! Look, even Qrow is doing it! *points to Qrow dancing*
Raven:...
Summer: Look, I'm gonna go join him. Just try having fun.
Summer leaves Raven to go join Qrow.
Raven then moves to the balcony outside where she is alone.
Or was until-
Taiyang: Thought I'd find you out here.
Raven: *turns her head* I thought you had a date tonight.
Taiyang: I did, but she just wanted me to look more popular.
Raven: Sounds rough.. *turns back to face out towards Vale*
Taiyang: *joins her* You know. It's not everyday you get to go to a dance with friends. Pretty soon we'll be on our own.
Raven: I've always been on my own.
Taiyang raised his eye brow as he stared at her.
Raven: *sigh* Me and and Qrow, have always been on our own...
Taiyang: Don't you have a Tribe though?
Raven: We... had a tribe.
Taiyang: What happened?
Raven: We left... they wanted us to lead but we left. Qrow and I always did want a simple life...
Taiyang: And becoming a huntsmen is your idea of a simple life? *chuckles*
Raven: *glares*
Taiyang: Sorry Sorry. I shouldn't have laughed. You and Qrow have had a hard life.
Raven: *faces away*
Taiyang: Tell you what! I'll leave you to gloom here as much as you want, iiiif you come dance with me.
Raven: I can't dance...
Taiyang: Oh come on! Everyone can dance!
Raven: Summer said the same words to me.
Taiyang: Well she isn't wrong. C'mon *offers his hand* We only live once.
Raven was hesitant but eventually accepted.
Tai lead her into the dance hall. It was time for the slow dance.
Tai put his hands on her hips. Raven stood there with her arms hanging.
Tai whispering: You're supposed to put you hands on shoulders
Raven: Oh right
Raven does as told.
Tai moves his his hips around and gestures Raven to do the same.
Raven looking away does the same.
Taiyang: *offers to twirl her*
Raven attempts to twirl but trips on heels
Taiyang: *catches her as they end up in a dipped position*
Raven: *giggles a little*
Taiyang: *chuckles*
The two continue to dance for the next few minutes.
Watching in the background Summer and Qrow stared at the two.
Summer: Think we did good work
Qrow: Totally *fist bumps her*
2.5 years later
In the emergency room. Raven was giving birth.
Raven: *huffing and puffing while groaning*
Nurse: You're doing great Ms. Xio-Long!
Raven: *keeps groaning*
Taiyang comes in
Taiyang: Raven I'm here! *grabs her hand*
Raven: GHHHH! *squeezes his hand so hard you could hear it crack*
Taiyang: Y-you're really strong *winces*
Nurse: Ms. Xio long! I see a head!
Summer and Qrow through the window
Summer: It looks really painful...
Qrow: I think Tai is the one in real pain
Raven: GHHHHHHHH! *squeezes and groans louder*
Taiyang: *gets on one knee*
Nurse: Almost there Ms. Xio-Long!
Summer: C'mon Raven...
Qrow: Black hair-Black hair- Black haiiirr!
Raven: *does one final push while screaming*
After a few seconds the room was engulfed what a loud cry.
The nurse wrapped the baby in a cloth.
Nurse: Congratulations. It's a baby girl. *Hands them the baby*
Raven: *smiling in pain holds Yang* She's beautiful...
Tai: She has your face *Strokes her cheek*
Raven: She has you're eyes.. and *is shocked when she sees a stroke of Blonde hair* Somehow already your hair...
Summer and Qrow walk in
Summer: *gasps extremely loud* She's so cuuute!!
Everyone in the room shushes her
Summer: *giggles* Sorry...
Qrow: Ah man. She's a blonde...
Raven: We're you seriously hoping she would be a black haired?
Qrow: Well yeah. Who wouldn't want to look like this~
Everyone chuckles.
Summer: So. What's her name.
Raven: I'm not the best at naming...
Taiyang: I was thinking... Yang?
Raven: Yang... Yang... I like it *smiles at Yang*
Yang smiles and coo's
Taiyang and Qrow: Welcome to the world
Raven and Summer: Yang.
Present day
Yang: MOM!
Yang runs over towards her mother
Raven: *turns head to face Yang* Yang..
Yang gets on knees as she stares at her dying mother.
Yang: Hold on mom! You're gonna be okay-
Raven: *weakly moves her hand to Yangs cheek*
Yang: *crys and winces at the touch*
Raven: *smiles* You're so beautiful Yang.
Yang: *keeps crying*
Raven: Why did I leave... I lost so much precious time *starts to tear up* I'm a terrible mother.
Yang: Mom...
Raven: Yang. I am so proud of how strong you have become. You have become stronger than I ever was. You went back to you're sister when she needed you. I know you needed me *Cries harder* So many times. And I wasn't there. And... And... I'm so sorry Yang.
Yang: Mom stop talking! You need to conserve your energy!
Raven: I should have never left. I should've stayed with you and Tai! I should've supported Qrow. I should've been a better step mom to Ruby.
Yang: Stop! *cries harder*
Raven: I have made so many mistakes... But making you with your father. Is the one move in my life I will never regret.
Yang: Mom... *keeps crying*
Raven: Yang. Listen to me.
Yang eyes full of tears, stares at Raven
Raven: I want you to take over the Branwen tribe... but don't lead it like I did. I want you to lead our tribe to a more righteous group. One that helps, rather than takes.
Yang: Mom I-
Raven: *activates her maiden eyes* Yang.. I know you can do it *starts to close eyes slightly as she thinks of Summer and Qrow* You have so many people around to support you. Don't make the same mistake I did and push them away...
Yang: *holds Ravens hand*
Raven: *Thinks of Vernal* So many people relied on me like you. And I let them down. *Think of Taiyang* But there we're those that never gave up on me.
Raven began to glow less as Yang glowed more.
Raven: Yang. As I leave please remember one thing...
Yang: *sniff* What?
Raven smiling lovingly at Yang: I always loved you.
Ravens body the. Became lifeless as her body stoped glowing and her arm fell.
Yang screamed in pain and Agony as her eyes glowed Yellow while flaming.
Raven Branwen.
Mother of Yang Xio-Long
Wife of Taiyang Xio-Long
Brother of Qrow Branwen
And leader of the Branwen Tribe.
Is dead
On the Island of Patch, we see Taiyang tending to his Garden.
Taiyang then turned his head as he felt a drop of Rain fall on him.
Taiyang: Ran huh? This is the end of spring... Spring was-
"Raven's favourite Season"