Summer stalked purposefully through the streets of Atlas, irritated at how long her mission had been taking. She yearned for the days when she could simply wander through any given forest, ridding the world of any grimm she found. These cloak and dagger machinations Ozpin sent her on nowadays tried her patience. Still, she understood why they were necessary.
It had been five years since Salem had resurfaced, taking Raven in the process. In that time, not so much of a whisper had been heard from traditional sources. Qrow would occasionally gleam impressions or even thoughts from his sister, but never enough to provide a meaningful lead. Qrow's inability to help Raven had proven to be a constant source of frustration for her friend; He had even begun to drink as of late.
Still though, Ozpin's stories suggested that Salem was not simply laying low. Somewhere, the witch was plotting. And if the witch was making moves, that meant she could be found. That was what had lead Summer all the way to Atlas, whispers of a change in the grimy underbelly of the capital city. People had said that the majority of the crime bosses in the city had disappeared, with an unknown picking up the reigns. It wasn't much, but anything this unusual was worth investigating.
Summer had interrogated, beguiled, and sleuthed her way to absolutely nothing in the three days she had been at Atlas. Perhaps the rumors had in fact just been rumors. She was going to pursue one last lead before calling the mission off and returning home; Yang and Ruby didn't see her enough as it was. One of her interrogations had revealed a name, a lowlife unnaturally in the know in all things criminal. Perhaps he could shed light on the situation.
Arriving at her destination, Summer briefly considered simply kicking the door down. It would certainly cut down on the bullshit, but intimidation wasn't really her tactic of choice. She rapped sharply three times on the door with a closed fist, and waited patiently for a response.
"What you want?" came a gruff voice as the door creaked open slightly.
" Hi," Summer said brightly, "Just looking for some information. I was told to come here and ask for someone named Ridge."
The door swung open, revealing an oddly stringy man who did not match his voice in the slightest. A too large shirt hung limply from his frame, dirt smeared irreversibly into the weave. A small, rat-like face stared at Summer expectantly.
"Information isn't free, lady," Summer produced a wad of lien in response. Ridge eyed the money and then glanced furtively down the street for a moment before nodding his assent.
"What do you want to know?"
"I've heard rumors of a struggle for power in the less refined areas of Atlas. I want to know about this supposed new challenger."
Ridge's face lost color as Summer proceeded with her inquiry. Stepping quickly back, he attempted to close the door. However, the door proved immovable in the grip of the very persistent woman in front of him.
"What's the problem?" Summer asked, oozing fake concern.
"Somethings aren't worth any amount of money, lady. I got nothin for ya, and if you're smart you'll just drop this," Ridge attempted to close the door once again but Summer once again refused his efforts.
"How about you just point me in the right direction?"
"No thanks, I don't need that bitch coming after me when she eventually wrings a name outta ya. Now get the hell out of my doorway before I make you regret it."
Summer's smile dropped immediately to an angry frown. One hand keeping a firm grip on the door, the other pulled out from behind her cloak to reveal an angry red gauntlet. Faster than Ridge could react, he found himself slammed against the back wall of his home. The gauntlet landed a powerful impact next to his head, steam hissing from the armor as it decompressed from the impact.
"You have five seconds."
Ridge looked wildly around the room before lowering his head in defeat.
Summer considered contacting Qrow, but thought better of it. Ridge hadn't known much, just that a woman had recently been picking apart the underground of Atlas and seemed to operate out of the docks. The last thing she needed was Qrow jumping to conclusions before they could learn anything.
Summer settled onto a rooftop near the docks, ready to begin her surveillance. She was still unsure what she was looking for, and expected that surveillance would add another few days to this already too long mission. She hoped it was worth it. Forlornly, Summer began to survey the area around her.
Hours passed without so much as a hint of anything interesting. Summer was considering stretching her legs for a moment when a commotion finally caught her attention. Two burly workers walked with a stringy man between them toward a poorly lit warehouse. Summer nimbly traversed the rooftops between her and the group. Upon closer inspection, Summer realized that the third individual was none other than a squirming Ridge. Summer's interest doubled, hoping that the criminal would lead her to her goal. Sticking to the rooftops, Summer waited until the group entered the building before continuing.
Summer swung silently over the three men who appeared to be waiting for something. Sat amongst the rafters, Summer waited with them. Minutes passed before a soft gonging noise sounded in the depths of the building. This seemed to be what the group was waiting for, as one of the burly men quickly nudged Ridge. The stringy criminal glared angrily back before focusing on the darkness in front of him.
"Ma'am, I came to inform you that there is someone looking for you."
Ridge waited expectantly, but not so much as a whisper came as a reply."
"Uh...right. She was asking around about ya and found her way to me."
"..."
"I didn't tell her nuthin' but I thought you should know."
"Do not lie to me," rang a voice from the darkness with an air of authority that made the hair on the back of Summer's neck stand on end. Worse still, it was a voice she recognized.
"I-I… I was weak ma'am. She was strong. I had to give her something. But I've come to correct the mistake. Perhaps you could even use this to your advantage! Ambush an annoying fly before they can gain any traction."
"Enough, it is of no matter. I appreciate your honesty, Ridge."
Ridge hung his head and heaved a relieved sigh. He never saw the distinctive red shape emerge from the darkness, swinging a blood red katana is it approached. Ridge's upper torso fell in a lopsided slant, his face not even having time to register surprise.
"But I cannot have disloyalty," Raven finished, "Take care of this."
The two men beside the bloody mess quickly scooped up the two chunks and hurried out of the building. Raven stood quietly as the creeping puddle of blood approached her feet. Summer held her breath as her old friend stood motionless for nearly a minute before whirling around on her heel. In one smooth motion, Raven carved a portal into the air in front of her. Summer acted immediately, she refused to let Raven escape again. Dropping softly to the ground, she began her attack.
Qrow sat moping at the bar, his fifth shot staring back at him in indifference. Answering the blinkless stare, Qrow threw back the shot and called for another. A skimpily clad bar tender made her way over to the man, giving reason for Qrow to give a small smile. Silently, she placed a bottle of whiskey and a shot glass in front of him. Nodding in thanks as she walked away, Qrow poured another.
"Summer"
Qrow froze, the single word echoing disjointedly in his skull. The thought felt alien, unaccompanied by a visual or context. Qrow immediately knew what had occured, and began to focus his mind. His sister's mind was breaking through its heavy shroud of magic, a rare moment indeed. Concentrating fiercly, Qrow willed their connection to strengthen itself, hoping to pull more impressions through the connection.
An image flashed for the briefest moment in his mind. A dark, volumous room seemed to stretch into darkness. Weak light permeated the nearby area, illuminating a figure in a white cape a dozen yards away. A dark chain extended menacingly towards him, tracing back to the figure in white. At the end nearest Qrow, three curved blades formed a massive three pronged hook. With a jolt, Qrow was pulled from the image.
Qrow clambered out of his seat, taking off in a sprint without bothering to pay his tab. Raven had not been merely thinking of Summer; against all odds his teammate had found his sister. And that meant he had to find Ozpin.
Raven miraculously dodged Summer's first attack, but was forced to move away from her portal. She looked expectantly towards her assailant, even though she knew who the weapon belonged too,
"Summer."
Her former teammate stood expectantly a dozen yards away from Raven, waiting to see her reaction. Deep within her mind, the true Raven smiled. Summer looked powerful, but then again she always had. Summer had been the only person that Raven had ever been afraid to face in a fight; this was perhaps the first time she had looked forward to it. Retiarius retracted quickly back to Summer, returning to its housing in her gauntlet. Raven had always loved that weapon. An enormous three pronged hook comprised of nearly indestructible blades was connected by a similarly strong chain to Summer via her gauntlet. The gauntlet itself hissed with steam as it worked. A powerful launcher on the underarm held a half dozen bolas. A dust cartridge on the side could imbue the chain and hook with any number of effects. It was the only weapon Raven had been jealous of, a perfect weapon for a trapper. The perfect weapon to fight Raven.
No words were wasted, the two friends simultaneously beginning the attack. Raven rushed forward, narrowly dodging Retiarius as she went. Striking with a powerful thrust from her katana, Raven watched in satisfaction as the blade glanced harmlessly off of Summer's gauntlet.
"End this quickly, Summer."
Raven had never fully understood the situation she was in. No matter how she struggled and thrashed inside her own head, her body always seemed to move of its own accord. For the last five years, she had felt an oppressive force inside her head. Anger and malice that were not her own drove her forward, her own thoughts struggling to make her body so much as twitch. Over the years her frustration had built; Raven had watched herself disappear every time so much as a hint of her team had appeared. She knew that if they could only find her, they could help. Now they finally had that chance.
Summer struck Raven viciously across the jaw with her gauntlet, sending the young woman flying. As she raced helplessly through the air, Raven felt a strong impact about her ankles as a Bola wound tightly around them. Transitioning smoothly, Raven felt the rope slip away as she transformed. The bird however had little opportunity for escape; Summer's hook found her entirely in prepared as she turned, pulling Raven powerfully towards her assailant. Raven had no time to react as her weaker, semblanced form came into contact with Summer's bare hand. A powerful jolt traveled down her spine as her aura began to rapidly dissipate. Spastic ally returning to her natural state, Raven struggled from Summer's grasp, scrambling for distance once she did.
Raven was for once ecstatic at the gulf in ability that existed between her and Summer. Retiarius was an amazing to be sure, but it lacked offensive power. While Summer could certainly use it to effortlessly eviscerate grimm, it was in truth not her primary weapon. In fights against skilled and powerful opponents, Retiarius shone as a means of impediment. Once an enemy found themselves slowed or otherwise incapacitated, Summer would truly begin the attack. Retiarius was very much a weapon built for a maiden.
Raven refocused her attention on Summer, whose eyes had begun to glow with an otherworldly fire. Magical energy crackled around the warrior, her hair floating softly amongst the energy. With a flick of her wrist Summer launched Retiarius into the darkness, the flickering chain only a suggestion of where it had gone. As Raven resumed the onslaught, she briefly wondered why her body had not yet retreated. This thought was quickly lost as Summer's gauntlet met her chin. Before Raven could recover, Retiarius returned from the inky blackness. Catching Raven on the upper shoulder, the massive hook grated and caught on her aura. Still reeling from the initial blow, Raven managed to regain a sense of up and down at the same time as she returned to Summer. She barely managed to force her katana in the way of the magical strike, the blade crumbling to dust under the pressure. Once again, Raven managed to worm herself away from Summer's grip. Breathing heavily, Raven happily realized that the outcome of the fight was quickly becoming apparent.
"Well this has certainly been enlightening girls, but I believe it is time to end this," A voice cut through the darkness. Raven's heart sank as Salem calmly entered the arena. Her fingers trembled slightly around the hilt of her blade as her master effortlessly deflected Retiarius as Summer sent it towards her.
"Run, Summer!"
The thought was meaningless though. Faster than Raven could perceive, Summer and Salem engaged in a flurry of blows. As quickly as it had started the fight ended with Summer suspended helplessly an arm's length away from her new enemy. Throughout, Raven had been unable to move.
"You are truly impressive specimen, girl," Salem cooed, "A warrior stronger than my Raven is rare indeed, and that is without even being a maiden. You will truly be a useful addition."
Salem placed her hand gently, almost lovingly, on Summer's forehead. A look of concentration overtook the witch. A similar overtook Summer, the two maintaining a fierce eye contact.
"Submit," growled Salem, a touch of confusion coloring her anger.
"Like. Hell."
Silver light burst forth from Summer's eyes, the power briefly lighting the entire building. Salem staggered back, her arms falling limply to her sides. To Raven, it looked as if her master was having difficulty even moving. Summer however, did not have this problem. Her speed seemed to have doubled, blows raining down on the seemingly defenseless witch. Salem staggered away, barely fending off a series of vicious blows from Summer. Slowly Raven's hand began to move.
Raven watched in apprehension as her sheath began to spin under her bodies command, stopping at a blade that made her blood run cold. Fashioned from an unknown form of Dust, the blade had been a gift from Salem a mere month after Raven's capture. No words had been exchanged with the blade, it had merely been added to her holster. Raven had never seen the blade used, and the thought of its implications terrified her.
Summer sensed Raven's approach without ever seeing her. In the split second she had before Raven's attack resumed, she had to make a decision. Turning her attention to Raven would leave Salem an opening, something she couldn't risk. Summer accepted the fact that she would have to absorb to blow; her aura was still strong enough to protect her. Angling her body accordingly, Summer attempted to have the blow glance off her back with minimal damage.
Raven watched in horror as her sword touched Summer's aura. Rather than deflecting off the powerful force, the gleaming blade seemed to part it like butter. The sword continued onward, finally stopping after it burst out of Summer's chest. Summer looked as if the strings holding her up had been cut, her hands falling limply to her sides. The fire in her friend's eyes quickly faded away, breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"SUMMER!"
Qrow nearly fell to his knees as the mental shout rolled over him. Looking around wildly in confusion, Qrow recentered his attention on Ozpin. His mentor stood still, his eyes closed in concentration. Glyphs weaved around the man as he muttered softly, searching for his pupil.
"Ozpin," Qrow croaked, his mouth oddly dry, "something's happening. We need to get there now."
"I understand Qrow," Ozpin replied, his eyes still shut, "I am working as quickly as I can."
Qrow resumed his pacing, glancing irritatedly at Ozpin as he worked. Minutes passed without a word. Qrow had just resolved himself to demanding urgency when Ozpin spoke.
"I've found them."
Ozpin immediately brought his hands forward. With a crack, a shimmering green portal opened in front of Qrow.
"Go. I wish I could accompany you, but I cannot allow the possibility of being near Salem."
"I understand sir, thank you," With that Qrow leapt through the portal, worried to what he would find on the other side.
Raven had to cover her eyes as light spewed violently from Summer's body. Her sword splintered with a resounding crack as the force continued to flow around it. As the blade crumbled to dust, Summer used the last of her strength to stare disbelievingly into her friend's eyes.
"Summer…"
As the powerful light spewed from her friend's body, it began to curl its way rapidly towards Raven. The light hit like a physical force, worming its way into Raven's brain. The invasion made her want to vomit as a foreign entity grabbed hold of her conscience. Eventually the pain and confusion stopped, leaving an unfamiliar glow inside Raven.
"Well that's certainly convenient," Salem said approvingly, " That will save me a lot of trouble later on. Come Raven, we have wasted enough time here."
Salem turned to walk away, making it thirty feet before she realised that her thrall was not following. Turning back, she saw Raven staring at her hands in confusion.
"Child, let us go."
Raven looked back at her master this time, revealing ethereal flames pouring from her eyes. Salem watched in fascination as Raven wrapped her hand purposefully around the hilt of her sword.
"YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Raven dashed forward, white blade extended to meet her former captor. To her credit, Raven was almost fast enough to catch Salem off guard. Almost. Raven jerked to a halt as Salem raised her hand to tentatively catch the blade. The witch's face twitched with anger and concentration as she held her former thrall in front of her. Several minutes passed, tears leaking from Raven's furious eyes as she stared Salem down. Eventually Salem smiled.
"Looks like you are just determined to be a problem, Darling. No matter, you still aren't strong enough," Salem released her hold and Raven dropped back onto her own limbs. Slowly, the fire in Raven's eyes began to die.
"What's happening?!" Raven raged, once again forced into her own mind. Slowly, she felt the last bit of warmth Summer had left her begin to draw further and further aways to the far corners of her subconscious. Raven sheathed her sword, falling back into line behind Salem. The witch grinned smugly as she opened a portal. As the pair walked through, a brief commotion caught Raven's attention. A Lanky man sprinted in the distance, rapidly approaching the slumped body behind her.
"I'm sorry."
"I don't know how Raven did it," Qrow finished, tears leaking from his eyes. That day was still fresh in his mind, "but she managed to beat Summer. Somehow though, even in death Summer managed to help Raven. You saw the light in Raven's eyes, the power of a maiden. For the briefest of moments, she could control her own mind. And I have to believe that there is hope for your mother, even if she doesn't see it."
Yang sat motionless, tears that matched her Uncle's staining her face. Regardless of blood, Summer had been her mother. To finally know the circumstances of her death was heartbreaking. Focusing herself, Yang forced herself to ask the questions that needed answering.
"Who is Salem?" She whispered. To have never heard of a woman with this much influence on her life was unthinkable. "And why didn't Ozpin help you?" Anger began to color her voice. She knew realistically that he could have made no difference, but the cowardice he displayed was infuriating. While Summer had face Salem alon, Ozpin had sat idly by.
"Neither of those are my story to tell. However, I will say one thing. Ozpin is a good man; I can see the judgment in your eyes. I can guarantee you that Ozpin made the right decision, and while you cannot understand it now he was thinking of the rest of us."
Yang contemplated silently. Qrow had finally told her the truth, holding nothing back in the process. If he said That Ozpin had done the right thing, she believed him.
"Fine. I still don't understand why Mom would want me to hate her. It just doesn't make sense," If possible, Qrow's face grew even more melancholy.
"I didn't understand it either until now. I trusted that my sister still had a plan. Ever since that day, her thoughts have grown steadily quieter and angrier. I thought that anger was directed at Salem, but that hatred withered into indifference a long time ago," Qrow stared sadly at his niece before continuing, " She wants you strong enough to kill her."