Previously, on The Defenders of Remnant...

"I know this information is important to get to everyone, but we still have a couple days."

"Yeah, and that's a couple days Kingpin has to work on this new collider. Shouldn't we be working to stop them sooner?"

"Look, Blake, I'm not thinking they're on the same page as me right now," Peter said.

"What are you talking about?' Blake asked.

Peter sighed. "The day of the nightclub incident, Jessica came to the lab, getting onto me for wanting to stay here when this all blows over. Something tells me they're not all too happy about it. If I bring it to them, something tells me no matter what, it'll be brought up and I'm just not looking forward to that."

"You need to talk it out with them then. If you leave this tension between the lot of you all the way up to when they go home, I don't think they'll be leaving as friends."

"Mason. We lost the coordinates, so I had to figure out where he was on my own."

"And?" Cinder raised an eyebrow.

"The abandoned Merlot Industries tower, back in Glenn. He was working in secret right under our noses, and we gave him the perfect cover by moving the operation there!"

"Well, if you're so sure, then we know where he is," Cinder said. "We can make a move on the intended meeting date tomorrow."

"No, we need to go now!" Anthony snapped.

"Our enemy has the coordinates as well. They will likely go on the intended date to ensure this new collider of theirs is active. If we go at the same time, then their conflict will give us enough time to not only kill Mason, but destroy the collider in the process," Cinder pointed out.

"Spector," Taskmaster greeted coldly. "Or should I say Steven? Jake?"

"Get the hell out of my way," Marc growled.

"Guess it won't matter. You'll be dead soon enough," Taskmaster said before pulling his hilt off his belt and flipping the switch to extend the orange blade. Marc quickly grabs three moon darts from his belt and throws them, but two of them missed Taskmaster entirely, while he simply sliced the third away with his weapon.

"Dammit…" Marc cursed under his breath. His balance was off, and his vision was going in and out of blurriness again.

"You're off your game," Taskmaster said. "I'd say it's your age finally catching up to you, but I'm sure the pierced artery isn't helping things."

"This isn't over…" Marc said as he began to approach to continue the battle, but then his knees buckled under him and he collapsed to the floor, unable to pick himself back up.

"I'm afraid it is. You spent a good minute wailing on me back there. But the amount of effort and oxygen you put into doing so hastened the process. Your body has given up on you. You're barely conscious. Barely alive. And now it's time for me to speed this up to the end." Taskmaster drew his sword again and stood over Marc. He hauled him up onto his knees, but somehow, somehow Marc had enough strength to throw another punch. This one shattered the right-hand side of his orange visor, leaving an opening where his eye peeked through.

"I'm not done yet…!" Marc exclaimed.

Taskmaster wheeled back, lifted Marc up, and then, before Marc could fully process it, the orange blade of his sword was run through him. Marc tried to speak, let out a sound, but his throat only made guttural noises.

Blood dripped from the other end of the blade as it peeked out of his back. The room that was once filled with the crashing sounds of violence, suddenly fell into silence.

"Here's the thing about rabid animals… they get put down."

"Marc! By the gods…"

"Ra…ven…." Marc rasped.

"May you find peace, Marc Spector…" She oddly found herself with a catch in her throat.

She slowly stood back up and took a few steps outside to see where she left Tuksen tied up, only to find the enhanced faunus with an arrow in his head.

She let out a blood curdling scream that fell on no ears but those of the dead.

The Defenders of Remnant

Chapter 34: The Calm Before...

Raven solemnly looked over at the tarp that covered his body. She didn't know what to do, and brought Marc's body back to the village. She had Vernal cover it, hide it from sight. Raven was never an easy woman to disturb. She was raised by a violent bandit tribe; blood, gore and dead bodies never turned her stomach.

This did. She had no clue why. Maybe she was getting soft. Maybe she let Marc feel too close. He got under her skin, made her question the past fifteen years of her life, and turned her world upside down.

And then he died. He died in vain. The very target he worked so hard to get her help to hunt down was killed as well, presumably by Marc's attacker, who had to have watched her return to the bookstore and find Marc's body, then kill Tuksen when she left him outside. It had all been for nothing. And now his wife, his child, they would never see him again.

Or would they even want to…? Raven thought to herself. When Marc said she and him were similar, she had always dismissed it. Now that the mirror that he was was gone, she now realizes there may have been some truth to that. They were both warriors who had taken a solitary, violent path, using the powers of gods to reap what their enemies sowed. But they had also cut themselves off from everything. From friends, family, life. For all they knew, both of their families had hated them for their choices, but both still stuck by those choices.

Marlene and Deatrice would never see Marc again. Those two names Raven committed to memory. She had no clue why, almost as if she felt responsible. In a way, she did. Perhaps if she had been faster in catching Tuksen, or if she hadn't left in the first place, Marc would still be alive.

But why did she care? She didn't have friends, she abandoned her family. So why did Marc matter?

It was because he understood. He knew. For once in so many years, someone knew what she wanted, what she thought, what she felt. It was like she had a real friend again. She hadn't had that since…

Raven sighed with a heavy heart and stood up. She was about to turn when she felt a familiar presence. "Go away," She snarled.

You act as if you are the only one mourning Marc Spector, Khonshu evenly replied.

"Because I am," Raven snapped. "None of his friends know yet, and I can't imagine how Marlene would feel. And you," She turned to see the figure of Khonshu sitting on the ground across the table from her, "You never cared. To you, he was just a tool. You're not sad, you're disappointed."

A fair statement, Khonshu chuckled. But Marc was a special tool. And with him gone, one just as remarkable needs to take his place.

"You can't be serious… it's been hours and you're already looking for his replacement?!"

Not looking, Khonshu corrected. Found.

"What? Me?!" Raven exclaimed. "What makes you think I'll be your next Moon Knight?"

Because you enjoy brutalizing and killing. You don't have the same limits Marc inflicted upon himself, Khonshu explained. And now you are vengeful, the exact emotion a fist of vengeance needs.

"You're insane," Raven snarled. "You ruined Marc Spector's life, turned his existence into your own sick game!"

I saved Marc Spector's life, you insolent whelp! Khonshu boomed. He stood up and his form grew, towering over Raven. His voice shook the ground below her. He was nothing but a dying mercenary in the desert! I gave him a new purpose! I gave him a second chance at life! He went from a man full of darkness and regret-!

"To a man full of darkness and regret!" Raven cut off the lunar god, not caring now what stood before her. "Except the choice he wished he could take back afterwards was accepting your curse!"

'Curse'? Khonshu repeated before letting out a hearty laugh. My 'curse' gave Marc the ability to do as he wished, and he used it to protect the travelers of the night, to make an albeit feeble attempt at redeeming himself.

"Feeble? The only thing feeble is your attempt to make me your weapon. Well, here's some news for you: I will never work for you, I will never serve you, I will never worship you, and I certainly will never let you take advantage of me like you did with him," Raven exclaimed. Khonshu let out a low growl of anger.

"When you first arrived, I feared the possibility you brought, another in-the-flesh god on Remnant," Raven continued. "But you are no god, Khonshu. You are no force of vengeance. You aren't to be feared. You are nothing but a cowardly, despicable pile of dusty bones left to be forgotten in the sands of time!"

You dare-! Khonshu started.

"Marc Spector didn't trust you, so I don't trust you!. I don't need you in order to hold power, to accomplish my goals! I already have a god's power!" Raven cried as the edges of her eyes held a flaming aura. "I renounce you, false god!"

Raven Branwen! Khonshu exclaimed before starting to reach for her.

"Now be gone!" Raven let out a burst of energy and flame that incinerated the spot where Khonshu stood, as well as burned a hole straight through her tent and out into the camp, razing the grass and scorching the earth. The area billowed with smoke, but when it cleared, Khonshu was nowhere to be seen. She knew she didn't kill him; the god was never on Remnant in the first place. More than likely, that burst of energy purged his magic from her system. But it was cathartic either way.

She saw her tribe members staring at the scene, and at her, with Vernal being the closest to her tent. Raven took a breath, and the aura of the Spring Maiden faded away. She took a few strides out of her tent, and Vernal rushed to her side.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Have everyone start packing up, we're moving camp," Raven said as she continued to walk away.

"And where will you be?" Vernal questioned.

"Facing the past," Raven answered, before her form turned into that of a black-feathered bird, which took flight and flew away from the tribe's encampment.

"What?!" Peter exclaimed.

"I said, you're staying here," Matt repeated.

"You can't bench me!"

"Actually, I can. It's only been two weeks since we saved you from the White Fang, and your injuries aren't healed. You may be in better shape than Jessica right now, but that's just a matter of comparison, neither of you are in the shape for this," Matt said sternly. "Luke, Danny and I will go, arrest Fisk, and shut the collider down. If we can stop them before they activate it, we have a surefire way home when this is all over."

"You have a better chance of doing that if I come with you!" Peter replied.

"No. You will stay here, monitor Jessica's condition, and keep yourself safe."

"That's not fair!" Peter threw his arms up.

"This isn't about what's fair, Peter!" Matt yelled back. "This is about keeping you alive! If you go out to that collider with us tonight, you will die! And if you so desperately want to stay here on Remnant, to start a new life, I don't think getting yourself killed gets you going!"

"Wait, is that what this is about?" Peter said in disbelief. "You're so worried about me wanting to stay?"

Matt let out a calming breath before evening his tone. "Personally, I don't care what life you choose, because it's your life to live. But if that's really what you want, Peter, there are too many things that could go wrong at the collider that could take that choice away from you. Kingpin and Tinkerer are there, and we can only assume that Taskmaster and the woman in red have worked around the clock to find the location as well. Our enemies will be there, enemies that have already hospitalized Jessica. Not to mention if the collider fails like it did back in Brooklyn, pulls us in and takes us away, there is a high likelihood you will never see Teams RWBY or JNPR again."

Peter then calmed himself down as well. Matt was right. No matter which way things went, all it would take is one slip-up on anyone's part, and he wouldn't even have the chance to tell Remnant goodbye.

"Do you care about them? Your new friends?" Matt asked.

Peter was caught off guard by the question, but gave a small nod in response. "I do."

"Then I think it's important you stay behind in case the worst happens," Matt suggested with a small smile. He reached up to his face and pulled his red tinted sunglasses off his face and set them on his desk to his side, then looked back up and faced Peter's general direction with his naked eyes. "Peter, this is the happiest I've seen you in almost two years now, metaphorically speaking of course." Matt chuckled at the phrase of 'seeing' it happen, and Peter joined in on the small laugh, bringing a smile to his own face. "I just don't want you to lose everything you've worked so hard to build here."

"But Matt, I care about you guys too! Just because Ruby, Blake, Weiss, Yang and all them are my new friends doesn't mean I've forgotten the old ones," Peter said.

"I never said you did." Matt smiled and slowly started to walk around his empty classroom, his footsteps echoing in the expansive lecture hall. "A wise man I know once said that if you want to hear God, you have to listen more carefully, because he speaks in whispers, his acts are subtle and indirect. Yes, you can suffer, lose things and people, but there's always a reason behind it. Sacrifice is never meaningless."

"What are you getting at Matt?" Peter asked.

Matt stopped walking around and turned towards Peter again. "Your Aunt was Christian. Did she ever tell you the Story of Job?"

"If she did, I don't remember it. I was always more into science like my dad than religion," Peter answered.

"I won't bore you with it word for word, but let's skim it over," Matt said before he continued circling his classroom. "Job was a devout follower of God, a man of outstanding piety. Satan, wanting to tear such a religious man down, believed he would lose faith in God if he lost everything. And so Satan took away his wealth of possessions, but Job refused to blame the God he followed. So then Satan took it a step further and robbed him of his family. Still, Job's faith remained. So then Satan took away his health. But even on his deathbed, Job refused to curse God. And so, Satan's effort to tear down one of the Lord's most devout followers failed. Job lost everything, all for a test of faith.

But after Job stuck through it, kept his iron will and faith strong through so much suffering, God responded. In return for his belief, despite his whole world crumbling down, God not only restored what he lost, but gave Job twice of what he had before. His health, his wealth, and his family."

"That was the short version?" Peter remarked.

"You see where I'm going with this?" Matt asked.

"You think I'm Job. How?" Peter asked, but the blind Catholic only responded with another question, albeit rhetorical.

"Did you know the original Hebrew translation of the word 'Satan' means 'adversaries'? It was the Theologians that redefined the word to mean an identifiable singular force, likely in an attempt to flock more people to the church. But in reality, Satan isn't a singular be-all end-all evil: he's a representation of the worst in people. He could be anyone in the world." When Matt reached this point, he stopped circling again and moved to stand before Peter. "You are Job, Peter, because you faced Satan down, and won."

"How did I win? Matt, he killed everyone I called family, and I gave in and killed him! Norman Osborne won!"

"Did he?" Matt questioned. "If he won, and broke you, tore down everything you were supposed to be, then why did you put on the mask that night? Why, for the first time in over a year, did you become Spider-Man again and go in to help us stop Kingpin?"

"I-I don't know!" Peter answered. "I really couldn't tell you."

"Then let's continue. Solely on the night er arrived, you and Blake fought Taskmaster, then you helped Spector and I fight off Torchwick and save Ruby, and you're the one that proposed we align ourselves with Ozpin to stop Fisk," Matt pointed out. "From there, there's been no turning back for you. You've been a hero to everyone in this city, and all of Remnant knows it. You've gathered a large group of friends, friends who would lay down their lives for you if they needed, friends who have your back in everything, from the web-swinging to the everyday assignment from Professor Port.

These are people you've only known for not even six months, and yet they hold you as close as we do, if not even closer. We're not a replacement for everyone you've lost already, Peter, and neither are they. That much is true. But they fill that hole in you the best they can. They may very well be your new family. That's what makes you Job, Peter; you've gone through hell, but no matter how much hope you'd lost, some small part of you kept on believing that you can do good for people. That faith didn't die with Osborne; it lives with you, and now you've shared it with them. You've had faith in suffering, and your reward is right in front of you."

"Remnant… my second chance…" Peter figured out.

Matt smiled and nodded. "What you do with that reward is ultimately up to you."

"It's up to me to take the next step," Peter said, remembering familiar words from Ozpin all the way back to his first day at Beacon. "Thank you, Matt. I think I'm finally starting to get it now."

"You only have one thing left to do if you truly want to move on," Matt said.

"And that is?" Peter questioned.

"Let go of the past. Let go of fear. You're still traumatized by what happened over a year ago, I get that, it's not easy, and you don't want things to repeat themselves. But your greatest enemy now, stopping you from taking that final leap, is your own fear. I know you're strong enough to beat it. You're the best of us, Peter, and once you take that leap, you learn to forgive yourself… you can become a man without fear, and show this world what a real hero is like."

Peter laughed a bit. "Thanks, Matt. I'll… I'll work on it."

"Nothing happens overnight, but, well, you know you have plenty of people around to help," Matt assured him with a full smile before slipping his glasses back on. "You should go on, now. I'm sure you'll want to spend more time with Weiss and Blake before the tournament takes up all their time here soon."

"Right," Peter nodded, giving his friend one last smile before climbing the steps up and exiting the classroom.

Danny sat alone in the center of a large balcony placed along the height of one of Beacon's tallest towers, legs crossed and shirtless as he meditated. He noticed no one usually came to this particular spot, and with the peaceful quiet mixed with the wide view of the city, he figured it would be a nice spot to enjoy the quiet and seclude himself from the rest of the world. He was due for a break from it all anyway, before they went down to the collider tonight. Tonight could very well decide their fate on Remnant; will they be able to go home, or will they be stranded here for the rest of their lives? Only time would tell.

His peace, however, was unexpectedly disturbed by a visitor. "Daniel?" Weiss said to get his attention. Danny opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder to see the heiress waiting at the balcony entrance. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all," Danny said with a smile. "But 'Danny' is just fine."

"Sorry. Danny," Weiss corrected herself.

"What's up?" Danny asked.

"Well," Weiss stepped towards him, but didn't fully approach him. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"That favor being?"

"I was wondering if you would be willing to teach me how to fight," Weiss answered.

"You're a huntress, I thought you already knew how to fight," Danny said.

"No, I don't mean like that. I mean in hand-to-hand combat."

"Why the sudden interest?" Danny asked.

"Well… in our past few battles, I've fallen short when my weapon wouldn't cut it, and I can't help but feel like I might have stood a better chance if I didn't only rely on Myrtenaster. When we fought Venom, I was the first out. And then on the train, when it was just me against the Lizard, my weapon was useless, even with my semblance. I feel like I need another way of doing things if my Huntress training fails me."

"So you want the best martial artist you know to teach you. A bit capricious, no?"

Weiss's face flushed red. "W-Well, I-"

"Calm down, I'm just giving you a hard time. Come here, sit with me," Danny said. Weiss nodded and moved in front of Danny, sitting across from him. It was here that she noticed the black dragon marking in his skin.

"I thought that was just part of your costume," Weiss said.

Danny shakes his head. "No. Well, yes, it's on my suit, but the marking is real. Permanent. It is the mark of the Iron Fist, a sign of whoever carries the mantle, and the energy of Shou Lou."

"I see…" Weiss simply said, staring at the black marking on his torso.

"Weiss."

"S-Sorry!" Weiss's face flushed red again and she nervously looked away. Danny couldn't help but smirk a little.

"So, you believe relying too heavily on your weapon has led to your past failures?" Danny asked. Weiss gave a defeated nod in response. "Well, while that may be a contributing factor, and learning to fight without Myrtenaster could help you in the long run, look at those two opponents you brought up again. Venom, especially attached to someone like Cardin, is a large and tough foe to fight no matter how skilled you are. With a symbiote, someone's durability, speed, and reflexes are all enhanced. Someone like Venom is tough for anyone to beat. So you can't beat yourself up over that one. Even then, look at Lizard. If he worked anything like ours did back on Earth, he's an adversary to someone like Peter for a reason. Tough scales, regenerative abilities; If anything, your weapon is a better choice for that than hand-to-hand."

"Uh… fair points…" Weiss relented with a sigh. "I'm sorry, I-I've wasted your time." Weiss started to move to get up but Danny stopped her.

"Hold up. I didn't say we were done."

"But I thought-" Weiss started.

"Here. Sit back down." Weiss did as asked, unsure of where this was going. "Over reliance on one technique is a very real concern, and if you have that concern, I think it's best we deal with it now, just in case."

"Okay then… what do we do?" Weiss asked.

"Well, first we analyze your technique," Danny answered. "A weapon isn't simply a tool. In combat, it is an extension of your body and abilities. All Huntresses craft their weapons to suit their semblances and other abilities, right?"

"Right," Weiss nodded.

"Well, as a trained Huntress, you've already learned and mastered that extension of yourself, but you haven't trained that base to fight on its own. It's a useful skill to have when fighting more… conventional opponents. So if you find yourself against some White Fang again, you'll find better use for hand-to-hand there than against enemies like what Lizard was. If you want to make an easy transition from weapon-based combat to a more direct approach, it's best if your hand-to-hand style lines up well with your weapon style. In weapon combat, you generally go a flowy, regal direction, right?"

Weiss nods. "Each move I usually use is fluid. Transitioning between attacks is easier when it's all encompassing in one long string of movement."

"Sometimes, combat is even faster that way. There's a friend of mine back on Earth named Shang-Chi who uses a similar technique from time to time, it was his mothers. Is there anything you do to build on this technique?"

"Well, when simple sword or Dust attacks don't do it, I implement my glyphs to either speed myself up or slow my opponents down. It aids me and my teammates," Weiss said.

"It seems to me your techniques are best suited for battlefield control and wearing a stronger opponent down. Perfect in a team dynamic, just okay in any other situation," Danny broke down.

"Like the one-on-ones in the Vytal Festival," Weiss added.

"That's one example, sure. And even if you don't represent Team RWBY in the one-on-ones, you should probably get a better idea of it. Now your Dust and powers can still certainly overwhelm someone in singular combat, especially from a range, but because Myrtenaster is a rapier, it's not going to suit well if it comes to close combat with a tank or bruiser kind of fighter, like Yang or Nora. Your glyphs could keep you out of reach, but if you really want to control the fight from all ranges, you need to learn to play at those levels as well."

"Which is exactly why I'm here. So this conversation so far has been… what?" Weiss questioned.

"An analysis of what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how to adapt them to what I'm going to teach you," Danny explained.

"So what do we start with then? Attacking without my weapon?"

"No," Danny answered, "We start with having a full sense of your body."

"What does that mean?"

"Just, close your eyes," Danny told her. Weiss let out a sign and did as asked. She also crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knees. "Good. Now, just focus on inside you, your soul, it's energy. Let everything else fade away until only you remain."

Weiss took a deep breath and tried to do as asked, reaching inside to feel her very essence that formed… her. Soon enough, the chirping of the birds, the audible gusts of wind, the feeling of the sun on her skin, it all slowly started to fade away. She felt the energy of her soul go through her entire body, then realized what it was: she was feeling the fluctuation of her aura, its barrier forming and reforming over her body. It was a sensation she couldn't describe perfectly.

"Can you feel it? Your soul?" Danny asked.

"Yes, I can…" Weiss answered. "I… can feel it forming and reforming my aura and its energy."

"For you, it's your aura. For me, it's my chi, essential energies that are parts of both of us."

"So, what do we do now?"

"Give you a full sense of your immediate surroundings. Gradually let the world around you fade back in, as if they're building blocks being added to your existence, like the world is building back around you, but don't open your eyes. Let your soul see for you." Weiss followed the instructions. She opened herself back up gradually. Soon, the birds, the wind and the sun all came back into existence with her.

"I… I feel it all. It's all the same like before, but… still different," Weiss described.

"It's because you're more aware of it all. I don't expect you to be as aware as someone with more mystical abilities like me, since chi and aura are still very different things, but now you have a higher level of awareness than before."

"It certainly feels different, but.. in a good way." Weiss said, before suddenly her body moved in an instant, bringing up her arm to block a punch thrown by Danny, using the edge of her arm to push against Danny's forearm, making his attack miss. Weiss's eyes shot open and she stared at Danny's fist just next to her head now. "You… you tried to attack me!" She exclaimed in surprise and anger.

"But you redirected it, almost on instinct. You barely noticed until it happened. A mix of your baser reflexes, new level of awareness and Huntress training ensured you acted just in time."

"You could've actually struck me!"

"You have your aura, you would've been fine," Danny waved her off.

"You could've been a little easier about this!" Weiss frowned.

"That was me going easy," Danny said.

"Hmph!" Weiss crossed her arms.

"You did good though. You're already learning, but I think years of actual combat training helped. I was just a little boy when I learned these kinds of techniques," Danny said as he stood up and put his hand out to her. Weiss sighed but took it with a small smile, and Danny pulled her up to her feet. "I recommend practicing that at different places for a few days, and we'll train more after your team's first round in the Vytal Festival."

"If we even make it past the first round," Weiss said.

"You will," Danny assured her. "I have faith in you four. You're the most badass teenage fighters I've seen since Peter Parker. Even if I didn't teach you anything, you keep up with even some pro heroes back home."

"Thanks," Weiss said with a smile. "That makes me feel a little better about things, I guess."

"Well, that's one reason I've been fighting Matt to let you and Blake come with us tonight."

"Wait, really?" Weiss asked.

"Of course," Danny answered. "This is your world too. You should be allowed to try and save it."

"Why doesn't Matt want us along?"

"He's worried about what could go wrong. After all, attacking a collider of Kingpin's is what brought us here in the first place, and the last thing you guys need is to be stranded on another world yourselves."

"I concur," Ozpin said as he appeared in the balcony's entryway.

"Professor! What are you doing here?" Weiss asked.

"I was hoping to speak to Mr. Rand, but it seems he agrees with me on the matter already. If Wilson Fisk is indeed ready to activate another collider, then there needs to be many skilled hands on deck to ensure our planet doesn't mirror our moon's appearance," Ozpin said. "But we must also show discretion, so only those in on our secret can be called upon. No teachers, no Atlas personnel. So that leaves only teams RWBY and JNPR to aid you in taking control of the collider. Speaking of which," Ozpin turned to Danny. "I have not seen Mr. Spector in some time. Do you know where he is?"

"No, we don't," Danny replied. "He hasn't been in contact since the plaza attack. He tends to work alone. All we know is he won't be joining us at the collider."

"Then I suggest taking the young Huntsmen and Huntresses with you, at the very least Miss Schnee and Miss Belladonna."

"Well, it's not me that needs to be convinced," Danny said.

Ozpin smirked a bit and sipped from his mug. "Not to worry. I'm sure if your word doesn't sway Mister Murdock, Peter Parker's will."

The sun was beginning to set on the island of Patch, and the Xiao Long household had quieted down for the night. Raven had watched as Ruby, Yang and Tai went inside after the sun got low enough. She had come here to speak to Tai, but she didn't expect the kids to be here. She wasn't ready to face anyone else. Not yet, at least. Besides, Tai wasn't her only person of interest. She waited for a bit longer, until after the sun was gone for the night and the moon's light shone on the wading blades of grass. No, she would wait to speak with Tai. Someone else needed her attention.

In her bird form, she took flight from the tree she was perched in and flew away from the Xiao Long homestead, and made her way to an open cliff facing the large open sea, the Sea of Souls as it was called. A fitting place to leave a tombstone looking over. Raven changed form as she got close to the ground, landing gently against the lush green grass that surrounded a singular marked grave. On the face of the headstone was a carving of a rosebud, and carved at the bottom was Summer Rose. Below that read, Thus Kindly I Scatter. Raven sighed solemnly and looked away.

"Hey, Summer…" She opened nervously. She hadn't been here since the day Summer was buried. She didn't even feel like she had a right to be here. "I…" Raven fell short of words, then sighed heavily. "I don't know what to say. Things have been turned upside down for me lately, and everything I've made myself to think has been brought into question. And I just… I just don't know what to do… I have a feeling you would, though. You were our leader for a reason, after all. You brought us through the darkest of times. And even after I parted ways with Tai, with my brother, you… you never stopped being my friend. You were…"

Tears welled in her eyes, and she tried to wipe them away, but one single tear started sliding down her cheek. "You were like a sister to me…" She wiped away the single tear and fought to keep more from falling. She took a second to compose herself before continuing. "I loved Tai… and I loved you. And when I had to leave, you… you made sure he wasn't alone. You loved him as much as I did, gave him another daughter. You gave Yang the type of mother I could never be, gave Tai the kind of commitment I could never give. You were better at that life than me. You did everything I couldn't. So why…"

Raven balled her fists and looked down at her feet. "So why did it have to be you…?" The tears returned, and this time she couldn't stop them. They rolled down her cheeks and hit the ground with soft splats. Raven dropped to her knees and gently placed a hand on Summer's gravestone. "I was there on that mission too, dammit, so why did it have to be you…? It should have been me… It should have been me…"

Raven wept over Summer's grave for a long while, before finally tearing herself away and standing back up on her feet. Raven finally fully composed herself, wiping her eyes and clearing her throat. "I… I miss you, Summer… I wish you were here… Goodbye…" Raven then walked into the woods, hoping to find somewhere to rest and wait things out until she could get Tai alone.

Night had fallen over Beacon, and it was time for the Defenders, what was left of them anyway, to head out to the Collider in Mountain Glenn. Ozpin had requisitioned a bullhead just for them, and Daredevil, Iron Fist and Luke Cage were already aboard. "Pilot, go ahead and take off," Matt ordered him.

"Can't, sir. I've been ordered by Professor Ozpin to wait for the rest of the passengers," The pilot said.

"What 'rest of the passengers'?" Matt questioned.

"He means us," Peter answered, drawing the other three's attention to see Peter in his now full repaired Advanced Suit, followed by Blake and Weiss.

Matt let out an annoyed sigh. "I thought we discussed this already."

"We did. And I decided that if this is going to be my new home, I'm gonna put myself on the line to defend it," Peter simply replied.

"And this is our home too," Blake added. "We have a right to defend it."

"You're students. You need authorization for this mission," Matt countered.

"And they have it," Danny said. "From me, and from Ozpin." Matt let out an annoyed sigh.

"We're going, whether you like it or not," Weiss said sternly as she hopped into a spot next to Matt, taking her place in the bullhead's cabin. Peter and Blake also took their places next to each other. "Pilot, bring us to Merlot Industries!"

"Yes, ma'am," The pilot replied before the bullhead door slid shut and its engines fired back up. After charging up for a few moments, the ship launched into the air, making way for its heading where Fisk and the Tinkerer were waiting.

"I still don't agree with this. If things go wrong-" Matt started to say.

"With all due respect, Daredevil?" Blake said, avoiding saying Matt's name lest the pilot hear, "It isn't your choice to make."