Roman ended up staying that night and they had a mini celebration for their engagement but Summer wasn't going to stay. She waited for everyone to fall asleep before she got up. She packed a small bag and headed for the weapon lockers. She grabbed her sword and disappeared into the night.
The next morning it wasn't unusual for Summer to be gone to breakfast and class first. It was when Qrow went to his first class when he saw Summer never showed up. He messaged his sister, Taiyang, Glynda and even Roman when he didn't want too. His could feel his scroll buzzing for a straight five minutes before it stopped finally.
This wasn't going to be a good day.
By lunch time she still wasn't around.
"I think she went ahead to the safehouse alone," Roman said.
"Where is that safehouse?" Raven hissed.
"I don't know."
"She probably went to the woods. Summer likes it there," Taiyang said.
"Thats where I found her last time," Roman said trying not to look at Qrow.
Roman looked over at Raven who looked more worried than pissed for once. He wondered if she was trying to keep them safe.
"I think we should leave her alone," Roman said.
Raven sighed, "Agreed. Lily won't enter the area for another two days."
Glynda came over and sat down.
"What are we doing?" she asked.
"We are doing nothing. Neo does want to join in."
"I'm fine with that," Raven said, "She's pretty clever. She's not physically strong but she is swift."
"I haven't noticed," Glynda said looking unconvinced.
"Then take her outside and have a go. It's like fighting a ballerina."
Roman busted up laughing. It's a wonder how anyone could laugh right now.
"You think we are doing the right thing by staying quiet?" Glynda asked and everyone stared at her.
"If you don't want too, you don't have too," Qrow said, "She's our team leader. We won't abandon her. You can stay if you want."
Raven raised her eyebrows mildly shocked. I didn't expect that. I guess his royalty is stronger than I thought. Bad move on the girlfriend though.
"Well..."
"You have time to think about it."
Glynda was speechless. Qrow had been by her side for a few weeks now. She wondered why he would still follow his ex like he did to some suicide mission. She was on board and she could create plans that would work but she had no idea they would go through with it.
"Raven, I don't want you to hurt yourself this time. I want to show you what I can do," Qrow said staring his sister.
"You think you're a man now?" she teased.
"I do actually."
He's serious. It's about time.
"I won't stand behind you though, I want to walk by your side as equals," Raven said, "I know you know what you're doing now."
He grinned proudly and Taiyang patted his shoulder, "No backing down!"
Qrow held his hand making his sister roll her eyes but she placed her hand on top if his. Then Taiyang and then Roman. A small girlish hand popped out from Taiyang and Raven- it was Neo. She smiled giving Raven a wink. Glynda rolled her eyes but she had a smile on her face. She placed her hand on too of theirs.
"This is for the peace of Vale."
"Peace for us."
"Peace for Summer."
"For the future!"
"For humanity."
X
X
-Two Mornings Later-
"Summer has been seen around town but not too often. I think she wanted to make it known she was in town instead of Beacon," Roman said sitting down at the table.
Everyone was quiet and just nodded to his words. Raven had confirmed that Lily would appear by noon to two in the afternoon. It wasn't going to easy skipping class since they took different ones in the morning to afternoon. The only way was at lunchtime outside.
Neo tapped Roman's shoulder.
"Yea?"
[Is she going to bring Grimm with her?]
"No," Raven answered. Neo made a shocked face.
"I had decided to educate myself and learn sign language so I could take to you myself. I knew someone but for someone so small and cute... You use some foul words."
Neo turned bright pink. Most of her foul words were about Glynda and her tidy personality.
"And you."
Raven grabbed the front of Roman's shirt, "Don't get yourself killed, please."
"I'll do my best to stay alive."
Everyone headed for their classes expect Raven and Taiyang. They had been pretty quiet between themselves since Summer left. Raven wasn't sure how to feel about her only family running out into battle without a second thought but this was their fate. Taiyang went to stand up but she grabbed his hand quickly.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Her face turned red, almost matching her eyes.
"W-when... This is all over. After we graduate I want to marry you. That day and no later."
Taiyang's blue eyes widened in surprise.
"Are you serious?"
"Very. I know if we can make it past this shit, being married is no problem. We already seen each other at our worst and I can't wait any longer than that. I love you more than anything. I refuse to take no for an answer."
Taiyang grinned and kissed her lips firmly.
"Let's do this beautiful."
X
X
Summer sat by a few trees on the outskirts of Vale downtown. It was around one when she felt the wind starting to pick up.
She's here.
"How polite of you to wait for me. I thought I would have to destroy half of Beacon before I found you."
She shook her head, "No. I knew you would show up."
Raven leaned in and whispered, "Be waiting. Noon and two. Two days"
Summer stared at her. The had been celebrating Roman and hers engagement... Then it clicked what she meant.
"Are you sure?"
"I won't tell a soul. I can pretend pretty well."
"Thank you."
"How is that?" Lily asked eyeing her suspiciously.
"I have my ways. So what are you after this time?"
"I'm after you."
"Why don't we just go after Salem together?" Summer asked. The blonde witch glared at her intensely.
"You think I'm here to play games with you?"
"I'm not playing."
"What changed with you lately?"
Summer pulled some grass from the ground and let fall between her fingers.
"You don't want immortality do you?" Summer asked quietly.
Lily stood there stunned. She never said anything to anyone about her true intentions. Were they too obvious? No... Salem never figured it out yet. If she had she never let on... She tip toes around me too much.
"You don't have anything to say?"
"Stupid girl!"
"Not really. You were after my Mom for her maiden powers. Not physically after her but that power. She didn't want to give it up did she?"
"Your mother... She has the blonde sister in that village."
Summer nodded.
"Do you have the maiden power?"
She shook her head.
"What are you after exactly?" Summer asked quietly.
"Like you would understand-
"I do."
The silver eyed huntress stood up.
"What are you trying to get at?" the blonde witch asked.
"You want to resurrect Eva."
"How-
"Doesn't matter."
Lily backed up a few steps.
"Don't tell me you're rattled already?"
Summer could see a mixture of fear, anger and frustration on her face.
"Does it work? Can you really bring back the dead? Or is it just something to try?"
"I did bring back the dead. Of my family after I killed them for killing Evalyn. I did bring them back but they were more like zombies than a person. I didn't have the kind of power to bring back an actual person. I could back animals with barely an sacrifice to my own life force."
Summer nodded, "You know what your aura type is?"
"No."
"You're between life and death. Between me and my Mom. You're a healer. You can go either way where I could only bring up roses and vines. My Mom destroyed things with a single touch. If you need power you can have my silver eyed power."
Lily's jaw almost hit the ground.
"I want to live the rest of my life out with the people I love. You sought after me because of my silver eyes. You probably stole the vision of many others in attempts to bring a person back. No one else is like me. I want you to be happy."
Raven and the others were nearby listening. Everyone had the same thought- what the fuck? Even Raven couldn't predict this. She had no idea Summer had thought about such stuff. Where did she come up with everything coming out of her mouth?
"If I had a way to bring my Mom back I would. I know she had a lot of regrets and I want her to know it was OK. That won't happen but I want to give you the chance for happiness. Even if you both lice only a year or two hundred together... At least you're together right?"
"How do I know you aren't lying?" Lily asked.
Summer smiled sadly, "I am shunned. Because I am so different than others. It was horrible what your family did to you only because you loved someone different from what they wanted. I understand why you hurt."
Tears rolled down Lily's pale cheeks.
"Give me your hand."
Summer held it out and Lily pulled her close and placed her hands around her waist. They were engulfed in a bright light. Raven screamed charging in at them. Taiyang couldn't catch her in time when a sudden force exploded, knocking down trees and surrounding buildings.
Summer and Lily stood there like nothing had happened. Summer's eyes were a pale yellow color now. Her vision was unaffected but she felt so different. She was normal. She saw her friends standing there grief stricken but she gave them a big smile.
"You can still see?" Lily whispered waving a hand in front of her face. She gasped loudly seeing the sunlight colored eyes staring back at her.
"How did you know that would work?!" Raven screamed at her angrily, "Why would you be so stupid?!"
"An old man gave up his magic and power to four maidens. I thought maybe I could do the same. After all... We are made up of Dust."
"I have to leave now."
Summer smiled at Lily, "Go ahead. Tell Eva I said hi."
"I trusted you to do one thing and here you are trying to run off with the trump card I need."
Roman's green eyes went from Summer to the white woman with red eyes.
"What do you want?" Lily hissed.
Raven pulled out a sword stepping in front of her defenseless friend.
"I have my own plans and I warned you not to cross me. I will kill you."
"Back off Salem because I will kill you myself. You know I can."
The deadly looking woman laughed and shrugged her shoulders, "You think I care? Your battle experience is far below me and you are just a small child with stupid dreams."
Lily bit her lip and looked back at Summer. The small girl looked unaffected by Salem's presence like she expected her to come along too. Unlike her, her friends were rattled to their core.
Summer took off running and jumped into the air. Small vines shot out of the ground and thrust her higher into the air. Lily frowned wondering how she was still able to manipulate her semblance.
"You dare challenge me small child?" Salem screamed angrily.
"It won't be a challenge when I'm better than you."
More vines came crawling out the ground surrounding Salem like live snakes ready to strike.
Maybe Summer had too much power backed up for her to control it right... The vines are smaller and more controlled than the larger ones she had. Her silver eyes were a special... Like an add on.
Raven tapped her chin. She looked at Lily who seemed conflicted. Of course that scary bitch would come along to make sure the witch finished her job right. This isn't what she had saw at all. Raven glanced at Qrow who had the look in his face like he knew this was his fault.
"Well... Let's assist our leader," Taiyang said interrupting her thoughts.
He pulled on his gloved and winked at Raven charging in.
"Wait for me!" she called.
Qrow chased after his sister next then New was right behind them with her umbrella in hand.