Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners.
Before Ruby Gave Her Speech
"Qrow, listen to me! I don't think it's a good idea for you to-"
"No. He deserves everything for what's coming to him." Qrow said to Glynda as he went into the elevator and pressed the button, and before Glynda could do anything, the elevator doors closed and then the elevator went up.
Glynda let out a sigh, closing her eyes. "Dammit Oz…" She mumbled under her breath.
BGM: Generic Elevator Music
Qrow tapped his foot impatiently as the elevator traveled to Ozpin's office. The more he waited, the angrier he got. He let out a small scowl. He knew about Salem… but yet, he was never told the true extent of Salem's true agenda, or the fact she couldn't be killed.
And this just made him angrier.
"Rrrrgh…" Qrow growled, still tapping his foot impatiently.
He didn't know what was worse… Ozpin not telling him anything or this damned generic elevator music annoying the hell out of him.
Ding!
End BGM
Qrow walked out of the elevator, glaring at Ozpin who was at his desk. "Ah, Qrow." Ozpin smiled as he walked around his desk. "Finally, a friendly face. Surely, you have time to talk while this whole situation blows over?" He asked, but his smile slowly disappeared as Qrow stared him down. "…Qrow?"
"How long have you kept this from everyone…" He growled. "You expect us to fight your war and watch everyone die?!" He yelled as he started running to Ozpin. "YOU BASTAAAARD!"
Ozpin's eyes widened. "Qrow, this is just a big misunder-"
"RAAAAAAAH!" Qrow yelled, throwing a heavy punch to his face.
"Mmmph!" Ozpin grunted, taking a step back from the punch.
"So you mean to tell me I've been working with you in some shady business?!" Qrow growled. "I was only aware of the Maiden project, I had no idea that you were having us fight your divorce!"
"It's not a divorce between me and Salem!"
"Oh yeah, then what do you call this then? A lover's quarrel? Couple's counseling?! Either way I look at it, Oz… it's not good! And you mean to tell me that witch can't die?!"
"She can't die but that doesn't mean she can't be defeated. An acquaintance once told me that."
"Ugh… hell with it!" Qrow walked away.
"Qrow, listen to me, I did this for a reason!"
Qrow said nothing as he held his arm up high and flipped him off while his back was still turned to him and then went into the elevator. "Go to hell." He said, hitting a button and then going down the elevator.
Down below…
"Qrow… please tell me you're going easy on him…" Glynda hoped.
"Hey. Where is he?" A voice asked as Glynda turned around to see Summer, causing her to gasp.
"No way…"
"Where. Is he?" Summer demanded. "You know very well who I'm referring to, Glynda."
"He's… in his office." Glynda said and with a nod, Summer started hovering off the ground before she flew through the ceiling. "Oh no…"
Back in Ozpin's office…
"Well, this can't get any worse… can it?" Ozpin sighed.
"Ozpin!" Glynda would speak up on the intercom.
"Yes, Glynda?"
"Someone is coming to see you. They haven't spoken to you in a while."
"Is it Hazel again?"
"No… it's…"
"Hello, Ozpin."
Ozpin let out a gasp. "That voice…" He would turn his head and see Summer standing behind him. "Summer?!" He said in surprise… and then Summer grabbed him by the collar and shoved him into a wall. "Nngh!"
"We need to talk."
"I... I thought you were dead, but you're…"
"No, I'm very much dead."
"Then how… how is it that you're holding on to me? You're a ghost."
"And you should have died thousands of years ago, but I guess you're still standing. So what does that tell you about me?"
"Mmph… touche…" He said with a hint of snark, but with a look of remorse on his face.
"When you sent me on that mission… did you actually expect me to live? Did you expect me to survive against that bitch?"
"I was hoping that a skilled silver eyed warrior like you would have at least finally put an end to Salem once and for all."
"Well guess that plan didn't work out so well, did it?" Summer still gave him a cold hard glare. "No matter how many times I turned that bitch to stone… she just kept coming back. I tried everything… cutting off her head, her limbs… impaling her… making that statue crumble to bits… but nothing worked! She just kept coming back! I was fighting a losing battle… and she didn't even bat an eye! All she could do was wear me out… and now I've heard from Eggman that she can't be killed…"
"Just because someone can't be killed doesn't mean they can't be defeated."
"THEN HOW DO YOU DEFEAT SALEM THEN?!" Summer yelled. "Because clearly, every tactic I tried against her went up in smoke!" She said as she would drop him before she walked over to the window, looking outside to see the chaos.
"Summer…"
"When we first met, your first words were that I had silver eyes." She said. "Back then, I thought it just meant that I had more combat prowess than others. Instead, what happens when one of my teammates was about to be killed by a Deathstalker? That's when my true power came out… and that's when you explained to me that Silver Eyed Warriors aren't only just very effective in combat, but also hope against mankind… hope for the future."
"I wasn't technically wrong."
"Even so… I wasn't the first silver eyed warrior to face Salem. I was just another casualty of her war… and now my daughter has been dragged into your mess…" She said, clenching her fists as she pounded the glass in frustration. "And she's going to-"
Immediately, the glass started to crack and then completely shattered. Glass started raining down on Summer who just looked completely surprised while Ozpin looked absolutely annoyed.
"-Break… a… window…?" Summer blinked.
"Seriously? Again?" Ozpin mumbled.
"Okay… I know I can be strong but I'm not that strong…" Summer said. "…Where was I?"
"You were mentioning something about Ruby."
"Oh, right. My daughter has been dragged into your mess… and now she's more likely going to die by the hands of Salem because what did you say to her when you first met?" She glared.
"You have silver eyes."
"Exactly. To you, she's just another statistic… hoping that she's the one who will destroy Salem for good. My daughter didn't become a huntress FOR THIS!" She yelled, swinging her arm to try to pound the window again in frustration, but she hit the air instead. "Mmmph…" She tried to reach for anything solid but she grabbed nothing. "Okay, how fragile was this window?"
"Summer, she's not a statistic."
"Oh, so she's just a pawn in your war just like all the other silver eyed warriors… just like everyone else? Because I've reason to believe you've dragged everyone in your war with Salem… a woman who can't be killed, if you can even CALL HER THAT!"
"Okay, look… I didn't deserve hiding the truth from anyone, but what would you do in my shoes? I've been told by the gods to unite humanity against Salem, which was more difficult than I thought it'd be and at one point, Jinn told me that Salem couldn't be killed. So honestly, I'm up against a wall here." He let out a sigh. "Summer… you didn't deserve to die."
"Oh, no shit! I didn't deserve all of this and neither did my family! Because of YOU, Tai got depressed, Yang went off to find Raven and had no such luck… and then there's Ruby Rose who you had also filled her head with optimistic junk and look what happens. She's in a war against her dark clone, she sacrificed her life against this Chaos Kin, nearly died against Hades, her dark clone constantly comes back just to torment her AND constantly gets stronger. Ruby gets stronger too, but Dark Ruby… she's like five steps ahead of her! I mean, what's next, she comes across a dark forboding heart and she becomes one with chaos or something… because chances are, that's probably going to happen!"
"Summer, breathe…" Ozpin said. "I truly regret all of this… and I'm deeply sorry for what I've done."
Summer let out a low growl. "Apologies won't bring me and everyone else back in your war." She said as she turned around, her back turned to him. "Raven was right about you… and I was too blind to see it."
"Summer, wait!" Ozpin tried to reach out for her as she walked toward the elevator. "Summer!" He called out to her, but Summer ignored him as she phazed through the elevator and pressed a button as the elevator went down.
BGM: Generic Elevator Music
"…They seriously need better music." She said, summoning a giant machete and then stabbing the speakers.
End BGM
Summer let out a sigh, sliding down against the wall and sat on the elevator, pressing the back of her head against the wall, flashing back to her argument with Raven.
BGM: Scent of Silence (Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories)
"It's either kill or be killed, Summer!"
"What if it was Yang who was the Spring Maiden that you found years ago?! Would you have shown "mercy" to her if she was "weak"!"
"Of course I would!"
"…So you admit that you would kill your own daughter for power."
"N-No. I didn't-"
Summer took a deep breath, a tear escaping her eyes. "Stupid… she was right, there's nothing I can do with my… "hope" crap…" She mumbled.
"Don't bother. You've clearly shown what you really are. Don't expect any help for when Salem eventually finds you."
"I… I owe her an apology…" She said to herself, thinking back to the bags under her eyes. "…But I don't think she can bare to look me into the eye after what I've said to her… nor do I think I have it in me…" She said, as more tears ran down her cheeks.
Ding!
Summer slowly rose, wiping her tears as she walked out of the elevator, then flashing back to her conversation with Yang.
"It's not like I'm still a little girl, twiddling my thumbs and asking my dad "When's mom coming home" or "when is mom coming back" or anything. No, who needs her? She wasn't there teaching me how to do hand to hand… but hey, I learned, didn't I? Learned from my old man! I got pretty damn good at it too!"
"Yeah, you sure did."
"Got through my first day without her, I learned how to ride a bike, learned how to control my semblance, learned how to fight without her… I had several good birthdays without her and she didn't even bother sending me a card once! So you know what? TO HELL WITH HER! …I didn't need her then and I don't need her now."
Summer stopped walking, looking down at the ground. "If only I could have cheered Yang up right then and there… because of me, Yang sees Raven as a total stranger…" She closed her eyes. "I don't think there's any hope left…"
End BGM
More tears fell as she wiped her eyes with her arm as she opened her eyes and walked out, her hands in her pockets… and then a loud gunshot was heard, startling her. "Huh?!"
"ALRIGHT, THAT'S ENOUGH!"
"Ruby…?" Summer wondered.
"Yeah, it's bad out there right now and on top of that, crap has hit the fan big time! But we shouldn't be blaming each other OR the professors who kept us in the dark! Ozpin may not have deserved to keep us all in the dark with Salem, or the relics or his own origins… but he once told me he's made many more mistakes that he's done in the past. Wouldn't we have made the same choices if we were in his position? The fact is that we can't change the past no matter how badly we want to, so stop trying to argue like idiots on television! You're all better than that, especially those who think looting is a good idea during a crisis such as this!"
"She…" Summer whispered, putting her hand over her mouth.
"Can't you see that Salem wants us freaking out like this, people?! This is how she's gonna win! So what if she can't be killed, that doesn't mean we can't beat her! Even immortals get tired! We can argue about whatever we want, but that's not gonna change ANYTHING if Salem is out there, watching us crumble to nothing! Now are we going to sit here and let Salem win or are we just gonna stick it to her? When she comes… and we know she will… we'll be ready for her! We're huntsman and huntresses. We are BETTER THAN THIS! Don't you agree?!"
Summer stood there in surprise. "Ruby…" She whispered. Oh please… please someone stand with her.
"I'm with her!" Yang said, raising her hand.
It's a start… Summer thought as she would slowly raise her hand.
"And so am I!"
What?! Summer thought in surprise as she saw Coco approaching Ruby.
"Yeah, it sucks that this Salem hag can't be killed, but you know what? To hell with that! We can't go about our day moping and pinning the blame on others! That's not who we are! We're better than this! We can worry about Salem another day but right now… we need to put our petty differences aside and give that Salem bitch the middle finger!"
Coco raised Ruby's arm up. "I stand with Ruby!"
"So do we!" Velvet said as VFY approached them.
Summer would then look up to see a heavenly light, seeing Palutena and Pit descending to the ground. "We stand with her too!" Pit would say as Summer would then witness Rosalina and Ibuki teleporting in.
"So do we!" Rosalina said.
"We may not be huntresses… nor do we originate from this world." Ibuki said but she raised her guitar up in the air. "BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE AREN'T AS ONE IN THIS WORLD! Humans! Faunus! Angels! Pokemon! It doesn't matter who we are, but we breathe as one! Ibuki knows uniting everyone isn't going to happen automatically overnight… but you know what? THIS IS A START AND IBUKI IS PROUD OF IT!"
BGM: Departure to the Front Lines (Naruto Shippuden) (Start at 1:29)
Summer felt a wave of emotions surge through her… like a second chance of hope just came to her. Tears swelled in her eyes as she quickly wiped them away and smiled proudly. "That's my girl…" She said, her voice breaking and watching Ruby raise her scythe up high.
"We are NOT going to fall to Salem!" She declared as everyone cheered.
End BGM
"Truly a remarkable girl, isn't she?" A voice asked as Summer turned her head to see Ozpin.
"Yeah… she is." Summer said, turning her head to Ruby. "I can definitely see myself in her." She said.
"I can as well…"
Summer looked at Ozpin. "…Look, about earlier-"
"I deserved that. You were frustrated with me and… well, I can't really blame you for saying that. I can definitely see where Ruby gets her frustrations from."
Summer blushed. "Um… she didn't get it from me…"
Ozpin chuckled. "While I can't take back all the fancy things I've put into your head, nor can you take back what you said… I think the best we can do is move forward. Yes… Salem is a dangerous woman, but if we can figure out a way to defeat her for good, then she'll be out of our hair. Plus, worrying about her is what Salem would want."
"Yeah…"
"Plus, I think these kids need some extra… oomph." He said. "Ruby can only do so much."
Summer let out a gasp. "What are you saying?!"
"Perhaps these kids should learn a thing or two from an experienced huntress. Give them tips, perhaps they could try something new. After all, Salem is a one woman army… so perhaps we could try to lift their spirits up." Ozpin turned to her. "Consider this me extending an olive branch."
"…How are you going to round all these kids up?"
"Oh, I might have an idea."
One gathering of an assembly later…
"First, let me begin by saying I am deeply sorry for all of this trouble." Ozpin said as he was on the stage. "You do not deserve me as your headmaster after the truth came out, but Ruby Rose has a point. I may not have deserved to hide my past, or the relics… or even Salem for that matter. I have made more mistakes than any man, woman or child has made. You may not see me as your headmaster anymore… and for that, I do not blame you.
However, we cannot change the past… because that is how we grow. If we change the past, then what is the point of growing as a person? We all have to move on… we all have to keep moving forward. For that to happen, we all need to be as one… which frankly, I bit off more than I could chew with that. However, Ruby had brought hope to all of us again, and as I am seeing her in the audience, we thank you."
"Uh… aheheheh…" Ruby rubbed the back of her head.
"How do we win against Salem though?" A student asked. "You faced her once, so maybe you could give some advice?"
"Unfortunately, I do not have the best advice I could give you. That said… I know someone who possibly can." He said. "A huntress from long ago… from a legendary team." He stepped out of the way, as Summer approached the microphone with her hood over her head… until she took off her hood.
"Whoa! Is that Ruby from another universe?"
"Daaaaamn Ruby, you're hot!"
Ruby blushed. "That's not me!"
Summer giggled. "Thank you for the compliments, but I'm not Ruby Rose… I am her mother, Summer Rose… the leader of Team STRQ."
"Team STRQ?!"
"Summer Rose?! As in THE legendary huntress from the legendary Team STRQ?!"
"I thought she was dead!"
"Her death was greatly exaggerated, by the looks of it!"
"No, I'm pretty much dead." Summer said. "Ozpin, if you would." She requested, summoning a bladed weapon and tossed it to him. Ozpin hesitated, but with a nod from Summer, Ozpin would swing the blade repeatedly. Everyone would be seeing it go through her, and to fully convince them she was a ghost, she sunk through the stage and then popped back up.
"She's a ghost?!"
"I didn't know Beacon was haunted!"
"Yes… I'm dead for real. You can thank Salem for that." Summer said. "I didn't come back for unfinished business though, I came back for something else… a little more personal." She added, looking at Ruby and winked at her, causing Ruby to smile.
"Salem killed you?!"
"Wait, tell us… how bad was Salem? Was she as wicked as we think she is?"
Summer let out a sad sigh. "Yes… Salem is as hideous as you think. Ozpin sent me out on a mission to dispose of her… hoping I would have been the key to this nightmare… however, I was in way over my head…"
"Hah… hah…" Summer panted, staring at the Salem statue before her. "How long… how long is this gonna end…" She said exhaustedly, hoping that this was enough to end her, but then Salem broke out of her prison. "No…!"
"This is ever so dull." Salem said, extending her hand and impaling Summer in the gut.
"Nnngh!" Summer grunted, her aura finally breaking as she fell on her knees, coughing out blood as she looked at Salem approaching her, grabbing her by the throat and shoving her into a wall.
"I wonder how long you will last…" She said. "Tell me, where are the maidens? The relics?"
"Rrgh… go to hell!" She spat, spitting blood on her cheek.
Salem didn't even flinch, smirking at Summer as she fired a laser directly at her chest. "Nnngh..." Summer grunted, trying her best to fight through the pain. "AAAAAAAAAAH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" She screamed after holding on for a long thirty seconds.
Salem pulled away as Summer stumbled, panting a bit. "Tell me where I can find the relics, girl."
"I... I would rather die than telling you anything!"
"That can be arranged." Salem said as she fired another laser.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" She screamed, the laser burning through her skin as Salem relentlessly fired the laser at her. Salem pulled her arms away again as Summer fell on her hands and knees, pained tears running through her cheeks.
"One last chance, girl."
"Bite... me...!" Summer grunted as Salem let out a snarl, but she heard something as she turned to a Grimm Pool as a Beowolf crawled out of it.
"Hmm..." Salem mused. "Perhaps I can actually do something else with your silver eyes..."
Summer's eyes widened as Salem grabbed her by the cloak and started to drag her toward it.
No... no! I do not want my family to experience destroying my Grimm-like body... She thought to herself as she pulled out her weapon. Forgive me, Tai... She thought, a tear escaping her eye.
"I love you..." She whispered.
Salem turned her head, looking down. "What are you-" She would see Summer impaling herself in the chest. "No!" She yelled as Summer's body went limp.
Salem trembled with rage and threw Summer's body toward the wall, letting out a frustrated scream as a few Grimm approached Salem.
"Dispose of the body. I need another silver eyed warrior." Salem ordered as she walked off.
"She... she will do anything in her power to destroy you." Summer said. "She's strong, she's wicked... and she tortures. I do not wish to have anyone go through with that. In fact, I hoped that no one would've known about Salem... unfortunately, thanks to circumstances, now everyone knows about her."
She sat down on the edge of the stage, looking defeated. "I wish I can help you defeat Salem... I know my daughter said that she can be defeated, but that's next to impossible... because she can regenerate any limb she loses or her entire body. I wish I can be as hopeful as her... as I had used to be, but Salem is not to be trifled with."
"Couldn't you have asked for backup?" One student asked. "You went alone!"
"Because it was my mission and mine alone. My husband retired from being a huntsman, so I took on jobs... and then I received that mission. Since my team had disbanded, only I was able to go on this mission... and I was way in over my head."
She closed her eyes. "Could it be possible to take her on as a team, probably... but I don't think it's that simple. I wish I had the answer to this problem..."
"Then teach us how to fight!" A voice spoke up as Summer would turn to see Jaune approaching her. "We already know how to fight, but maybe you can teach us what you know. We're like... leagues behind you, Summer! You're the leader of Team STRQ! Please... teach us a thing or two."
"I'm with Jaune!" A voice said as Pyrrha approached her. "I may only be a skilled warrior and somewhat of a celebrity to some people, not to mention I was at the top of my class in Argus... I can only do so much. I may be some Amazonian Warrior who is untouchable to some... but again, I can only do so much. Please Summer... just show us some of your skills."
"Yeah! We want to learn from the best!" Another student exclaimed.
"We want to figure out how to defeat Salem!"
"Please, teach us!"
Summer frowned. "Guys... I'm just one person. I may have a lot of tricks and skills, but-"
"She's not the only one who has tricks up her sleeve!" A voice called out as they turned to see Qrow walking into the room.
"Uncle Qrow?!" Ruby said in surprise.
"You're welcome~" Yang smiled, flashing her scroll with a wink.
"Is that Qrow Branwen?!"
"No way! He was Summer's teammate!"
"He was part of STRQ!"
Qrow stepped onto the stage, grabbing the mic. "Yeah, Salem killed little miss red head here, but that doesn't mean we can't avenge those who Salem had killed. Now I'm not gonna go and fill your heads with revenge because that's a hell of a poison, but I am saying we can make a stand. We can stand up to her!"
Qrow pulled his out to Summer, smiling at her. "Together."
"If you're going to teach these kiddos a few things, mind if I join in?" A voice spoke up as Tai walked in.
"Is that Taiyang Xiao Long?!"
"Duuuude, i've heard he teaches at Signal!"
"Another member of Team STRQ?!"
Tai stepped onto the stage. "Salem might be out there, but Team STRQ might be able to teach you kids a thing or two! Prepare yourselves for the real world... and when the time comes, Salem as well!"
He then looked down at his wife. "What say you, honey? Think we can teach 'em a few things?"
"It'll give us old farts something to do for a while." Qrow chuckled.
Summer looked at her teammates, tearing up before wiping her tears as she stood up. "Yeah!" She said, taking the mic. "Alright, you guys want us to teach you a few things? Then we'll show you what makes us a legendary team!"
Everyone cheered and clapped for all of them, as even Ozpin couldn't help but smile at this, all of them unaware of Raven and Akechi hiding in the shadows.
"I think that's your cue." Akechi said.
"No... not yet." Raven said. "However, whenever another huge event happens... I'll be joining my team. I'll be ready."
Akechi smiled. "Right."
Raven would look into the crowd, seeing Yang amongst them. I just hope I'll be ready to face her... She thought.
A few days later, over at what's left of the Winter Star Festival...
Raven and Akechi came running in, the former's weapon at the ready, only to see the place deserted along with massive amounts of Phazon.
"We're too late..." Akechi said.
Raven looked up at the sky, barely making out a comet as Star Bits rained down. "Hmm..."
"What do you see?"
Raven spotted a telescope on the ground as she picked it up and trained her gaze into outer space, seeing a comet being followed by space ships.
"Raven?"
"I have a sneaking suspicion the party went to space."
"What makes you say that?"
"Just a hunch." Raven said. "Get ready."
"Are you sure we can survive in space? It's going to be treacherous."
"True, but that's not stopped me before. Come on, Akechi... we're going on an intergalactic field trip."
RoosterTeeth can turn Summer into a horrid abomination all they want, but in this universe, I refuse to turn someone beautiful into something ugly. So really, this is just another middle finger to RT.
Ibuki: Screw the canon?
Screw the canon.