More or less Salem didn't expect all team STRQ to attack at once. She never paid any attention to the students or even half of the huntsmen in the world of Remnant. No one had ever come close to matching her in power except the maidens and Lily. Team STRQ was a force to be reckoned with.
Roman stayed behind because well... Raven threatened to bring him back to life and kill him herself. Glynda looked terrified herself watching the scene before her unfold. Lily stayed out of the way afraid to get hit because if she did she would have to use her power and use the power Summer just gave her.
"Are you that afraid?" Roman asked and the green eyed blonde shot him a dirty look.
"I didn't ask for this."
"You're right. You didn't and yet you told Summer herself she was the only one strong enough to battle Lily and Salem herself. She didn't ask for this life either but she's taking it more gracefully than anyone else is. Qrow and Raven were thrown in too without a say in it but they're willing to risk it all. Wouldn't you want to go out there and support your man? I was told to stay still but I'd be more than happy to step if called upon."
Glynda pulled out her riding crop and slapped his arm hard enough to draw blood. He yelped.
"Don't lecture me. Jerk."
"More than happy to help," he said through biting his lip.
Glynda marched out there, her wide hips swinging side to side.
Taiyang had damaged most of the ground already making Glynda's job a lot easier. She swung her riding crop and big chunks of rock hovered into the air. Once she got a clear shot, the rocks disappeared at the speed of light slamming into Salem with massive force. The Grimm of the Queen was embedded into the ground.
Summer, Qrow, Raven and Taiyang turned around to stare at the witch. The color melted away from Qrow's face just thinking about what she had done. She looked scary when she was angry. She stood beside of her boyfriend and stared into his red eyes.
"Let's get this over with. I'm missing my classes."
His lips twitched forming into an awkward smile.
"You think you can do that again?" Summer asked.
"Of course. What do you have in mind?" Glynda asked.
Summer grinned and grabbed her hand, "Hang on."
Vines shot out of the ground from under their feet sending them flying into the air. Glynda screamed, clinging to Summer for dear life. Roman was hiding snickering like a little kid. He remembered when Summer did the same thing to him. A sad smile appeared on his lips.
Salem pulled herself out if the ground when vines shot up out of the ground. She already knew was about to happen and she braced herself. Small rocks shot at her like bullets but she protected. Summer almost expected it and told her friend to fire again. No matter how much aura one had, it would fail eventually.
"Are you sure about this?" Glynda asked and Summer nodded.
Raven appeared behind Salem and thrust two swords into her abdomen. The wicked woman turned slightly to stare at her in shock and anger. Raven pulled the sword back out and glared at her menacingly. Within a second the ground turned black and Grimm started to raise from the broken up earth.
Seers surrounded Raven but she didn't budge. She wasn't all that great at using dual weapons but she had practiced enough to be somewhat decent. She could hear Qrow screaming her name but she ignored it. She dragged her sword around at her feet and she dropped out of existence confusing the Grimm.
She reappeared by Neo who flashed her a cocky smile.
"I know you're good with illusions... Wanna make Salem shit herself?"
Neo nodded and Raven whispered into her ear. Glynda held onto Summer as they forced out of the sky by the Seer Grimm who cut their vine tower in half. Tentacles flew at them at all angles but Glynda deflected then all as they landed onto another vine platform. Glynda twisted her ankle and cried out falling down to one knee.
"Are you ok?!" Summer cried.
Glynda didn't answer her. Suddenly the sky turned dark. It was black and red. There was some weird red light coming from every direction. Summer could've swore it was Raven's but there were too many. She always only ever did just one.
Multiple Ravens appeared in ever portal hole. Summer's jaw dropped but Glynda recovered looking relieved. She knee already it was Neo because she had flown something that multiple times. She had no idea she could do something to that magnitude.
it was clear Salem was severely shocked and fear flickered in her eyes as forty Ravens came at her in different directions but they stopped. She whipped around to see two Ravens still moving. One was slightly smaller than the other but they both had two swords. The smaller one attacked first hitting Salem's aura barrier.
She didn't just stop there. She landed multiple blows quickly making it hard for Salem to defend herself. Salem screamed out in frustration and it wasn't a human scream. It made everyone's blood run cold. Lily shuddered... Salem was cornered and she was going to do something psycho soon.
The woman wouldn't go out like that.
Roman watched Raven kicked the woman in the face, making her stumble several feet back before thrusting her swords into her again. Suddenly everything happened so fast. Seers flew at Lily and started chasing her. Summer carried Glynda out of the way by her boyfriend.
Neo returned back to her original pink and brown but then it faded. Her eyes turned white just like her hair. It looked like she was albino. Roman rushed out to the battle field to retrieve his fallen friend. He wasn't shocked to see her like that but everyone else was.
Neo had explained once she became to exhausted, she would turn white. The ability to change her appearance was her semblance. She referred to herself as a blank piece of canvas. She was a work of art waiting to happen whenever she pleased.
"Is she OK?!" Raven yelled as Roman grabbed the small girl.
"She's just tired."
Roman headed back to the safe spot they had set up for them.
"Neo! Neo are you OK?!" he cried.
She nodded slightly.
"Go ahead and take a nap."
Neo nodded again and closed her eerie white eyes.
Salem can't be beat with stab wounds.
Summer jumped looking around. She realized Lily was in her head again.
She won't go down so easily. I honestly don't know how to beat her but it would have to be something drastic. I am not a good fighter and I won't pretend to be.
"What do you think we should do?" Summer asked aloud, making Roman stare at her.
I don't know. Salem has been alive a long, long time. You might have to force her to keep bringing out Grimm. She makes then herself using the souls of the dead.
"That's why you wanted to work with her."
Yea. I... Regret my decision to work with her already but I wasn't thinking straight.
"It's OK."
I think the maidens were created to fight Salem but once she figured out she could get the power herself, she started hunting them and wanted me to help her. I wanted the maiden power myself.
"We don't have any maiden powers."
That's why I went after the winter maiden first. Go help your friends. Even if you make her retreat at least it buys you guys some time. Maybe ten or fifteen years before you have to do anything again.
Summer looked over at Roman. She wanted more time with him than that. She wanted a lot more things with him that than.
Don't waste time if you want all that with him. Get out there and fight. If you really need me I'll come out. I owe you that much.
Tears formed in Summer's eyes as she glanced at Roman.
"Summer-
She took off running back into battle.
X
X
"Miss Swan!"
Claire looked up to see one of the guards of the village rushing in, slamming the door into the wall.
"Yes?"
"There's word that a large amount of Seer Grimm are in Vale. Also Salem has appeared!"
Claire made a face, "Any word on who's fighting her?"
The man shook his head, "We wanted to alert you because your niece lives there."
"Understood."
Claire rose from her seat and walked around the kitchen table.
"Get me a bullhead. Now."
It was suicide to run in there when she knew that Lily and Salem were after her but she couldn't leave Summer to deal with her and her sister's problem. It had to be dealt with now. She glared at herself in the mirror. She had one person to chew out once she dealt with the Queen of the Grimm.
She pulled on her black boats and then her trench coat. She wasn't as good as Airis but she was going to fight. She wasn't quite as proud to be a maiden like Airis was. She held herself well and up to the highest standard but Claire was lazy and unmotivated.
The two of them admired each other but it was more of a sister thing. But when the occasion rose, Airis would lay back when needed and Claire would stand up. Stand up just like she was now to do what was needed. She needed to protect the end of her family's bloodline.
She pulled on a black beanie and picked up a black metal sniper rifle with regular rounds. She pulled open her door and marched outside. A few men were out there to greet her as she made her way into the bullhead. Airis would've never left her village but Claire would in a heart beat for someone else if they needed her.
Claire jumped in and it took off immediately.
X
X
Things weren't looking good for them anymore. Raven had been stabbed five times by a few Seers. Qrow had pulled his shoulder out of place from swinging around his heavy scythe. Summer luckily knew how to pop it back but Taiyang did it as she explained how too.
"We are losing!" Raven yelled fighting off some Seers as Salem watched them dwindle in their forces.
Summer looked over at Lily who watched silently without any intention to move.
"Lemme borrow a sword," Summer said.
Raven stared at those odd yellow eyes. It just didn't fit her friend. They didn't match her friendly personality.
"Um... Really? We need help from that bitch over there!" Raven yelled pointing in Lily's direction.
Summer bit her lip.
Despite the fact she can handle her power now, it's still hard to fight against this woman. She just reeks of evil. We aren't going to make it through this unless we get some help or someone does something.
"We can heal Glynda's ankle..." Qrow said.
Raven gave him a tired look.
"What?! At least her and Summer got somewhere. We can fight the Grimm and they can go after Salem."
"I second that plan," Taiyang said.
"Agreed," Summer said.
"Excuse me-
"Raven, I'm team leader and what I say goes," Summer said firmly.
Raven's mouth snapped shut and she looked away.
"Tai, you care to heal Glynda?" Qrow asked, almost pleading.
"Nah, I think you have it Qrow."
"Now I have to object-
Qrow took off running towards his girlfriend. Much to his surprise Roman had succeeded in helping her half way through. He was sweaty and tired looking but he seemed happy that he managed to help in some way. Qrow saw that Neo had some color returning to her white hair and she was sleeping peacefully.
"What are you doing?" Glynda asked.
"We need you."
"I haven't done much of anything."
"Quit being modest."
Her pale face turned pink and she looked away.
After ten minutes of straight fighting endless amounts of Seers, the battle returned to their favor when rocks and large trees knocked then into the ground. Some of them hit Salem too, making her angry. Glynda took her spot by Summer who flashed her a confident smile.
"Protect me."
Summer nodded
"Nah, I think you have it Qrow."
"Now I have to object-
Qrow took off running towards his girlfriend. Much to his surprise Roman had succeeded in helping her half way through. He was sweaty and tired looking but he seemed happy that he managed to help in some way. Qrow saw that Neo had some color returning to her white hair and she was sleeping peacefully.
"What are you doing?" Glynda asked.
"We need you."
"I haven't done much of anything."
"Quit being modest."
Her pale face turned pink and she looked away.
After ten minutes of straight fighting endless amounts of Seers, the battle returned to their favor when rocks and large trees knocked then into the ground. Some of them hit Salem too, making her angry. Glynda took her spot by Summer who flashed her a confident smile.
"Protect me."
Summer nodded.
Vines came out of the ground again swatting away Grimm like flies. Salem grew tired of this after a few minutes and directly went after Neo and Roman. She moved a lot faster than anyone thought but Summer was faster.
A giant vine ball formed around her friend and boyfriend then a giant one came out of the ground blocking Salem's attack then slammed her into the ground like a bug. It was like the woman was invincible. She ripped through the plant and stood up her eyes glowing with anger. Summer swallowed hard.
Raven is already out. Neo is out... She almost killed herself with that performance... Taiyang seems to be holding out well. Qrow is getting tired from his heavy weapon. Glynda is doing what she can too but all the Grimm count isn't going down.
Without warning a gunshot filled the air and hit the ground where Salem was standing. Ice shot up into the air freezing her to the ground. Salem looked around wildly trying to figure out where the attack came from when another one rang through the air hitting her in the left leg.
Ice shot out again, freezing her blood too. She screamed inhumanly making Summer cover her ears. Who is that?!
It looks like the Winter Maiden is here.
Summer whipped around trying to see her but Aunt Claire was hidden well. Three more shots hit Salem. The look on her face said she was severely pissed and she actually looked worried. The sky started to darkened quickly and ice icicles rained from the sky.
Summer quickly covered her and her teammates and even Lily. Everyone was shocked as black, tentacle like things came out from under her long black dress and started protecting her from the ice falling from the sky. Lily made a disgusted face but she wasn't surprised. Salem didn't even seem human anyways.
Salem broke free and headed for team STRQ at an inhuman pace. One tentacle slammed into Raven's body sending her flying thirty feet away. Taiyang was taken out next but Summer managed to catch him and save Qrow. Glynda blocked her shot and retreated.
The Seer Grimm around them waited by for their Queen's command. Several more shots rang out narrowly missing Salem. Raven was struggling to get up. She knew she had broken ribs. She coughed up some blood while her vision blurred.
Qrow ran to her side as Taiyang ran back to Summer's side again. The twins both felt like things weren't going to end well. He was already blaming his semblance. Honestly, things couldn't get any worse.
"Claire is here..." Raven whispered.
"What?"
"That's where all that ice came from..."
"What the hell are we going to do?!" Glynda hissed.
Roman looked mildly surprised to hear her talk like that but who could keep calm under all this pressure? A few more shots rang through the air then hit Salem again. A few more hit her tentacles so she couldn't harm anyone else but it didn't matter.
A few more crawled out from. Under her black, long dress. Summer screamed angrily. She was getting exhausted too quickly. She was damned with the enormous amount of aura in her body. The one time she could use it she gave it up not knowing Salem would show up.
"What's wrong little girl?! Gave up all that power to someone who won't help you? What do you have to show for it now?"
Roman pushed his way through the vine ball headed towards them. Salem was way to close to his fiancee for his comfort and he needed to get in between them now.
"I did it without expecting anything back. Lily Spelltime went her whole life helping everyone until Eva died. I think it's time someone paid her back for what she had done for human kind. She could've turned a blind eye to everyone but she didn't. I admire that."
"She is a monster. Just like me. Doesn't make her special."
"I'm a monster too but there's a difference between you and us. Despite being shunned and hated by others, we stood up for what we thought was right. She wanted someone she loved back and I see nothing wrong with that."
"The both of you are saps."
Shlunk
Summer's face turned pale. She heard screaming. Screaming from Raven and Roman. It sounded like Roman was closer but it was so far away. She looked down seeing a black tentacle going through her body. It pulled out and blood spilled onto the ground.
"ARGHHHHH!" Roman screamed and he reached out.
A giant fire ball hurled at Salem burning her face, arms and chest. The tentacles went crazy she screeched grabbing her face. One of them lashed out and sliced Roman's shoulder all the way to his left side, spraying blood. He dropped to his knees staring at Summer's lifeless body.
"S-Summer..."
Claire had dropped her sniper rifle staring dumbfounded into the short distance in front of her. Even though Summer was down, she couldn't bring herself to move. It was like she watched her sister fall all over again. Tears formed in her eyes, dropping fast.
Raven tried crawling to her friend screaming but her brother held her back trying to fight off his own tears.
Roman looked up at Salem who's skin was crawling with black veins. Some of the skin on her face was melted off and she looked like a Grimm more than a person at that point. She took off in the blink of an eye. The Seers disappeared as well leaving the Beacon students there with causalities.
Lily marched out of her hiding place down to her fallen friend. She had snot running down her lip and chin with tears. In all her life she didn't have many people she trusted but she trusted Summer. Summer gave up a power when it clearly could've saved her even if she didn't have much control over it.
"Get away from her!" Claire screamed.
Taiyang placed a hand on her shoulder.
"She's on our side."
"What?!" she hissed.
Claire looked at Taiyang to see his blue eyes were filled with sorrowful tears. Lily cracked her fingers and placed her hands in the cut of Roman's body. He groaned in pain and stared at her like she was nuts. The giant cut started to seal up quickly.
"S-s-summer-
"Shush. I'll get to her. Just lay back."
Roman coughed up some blood. He could hear footsteps. He could hear Raven cussing up a storm between cries. After a few minutes he was completely healed except the scar on his body where he was sliced.
"Well Summer... It seems your gift wasn't meant to bring Evalyn back... It was to fix hundreds of years worth of hate. You fixed me even if the end result wasn't what I wanted in beginning. I want to thank you."
Lily cut open both her wrist with a small knife she had in her pocket. She looked up to see the pale, albino girl in the Goodwitch's arms. The small girl was still out of it but she looked relieved to see Roman was OK.
"I never knew why they fought constantly. I had no interest in their bullshit to be honest," Lily said.
"I feel the same," Glynda whispered.
"The witch's code is to help others. Ironically... So... Here I go."