They would enter the passenger train car, and the old man started up the train, shoveling in coal into the furnace, pulling a lever to go forwards.
"So, this is what old time trains were like…" Ruby says, looking around. She would jump slightly as the old man honked the train horn, and began to move the train forwards.
Summer would be pretty giddy about this. "Riding in old fashioned things makes me feel so nostalgic and homey!"
Ruby didn't exactly share her enthusiasm for old fashion stuff like this train, but she was at least glad that she has the chance of spending time with her mother like this when there is no fighting. A break is what she needed after the tough fight they had. They would see that they were getting farther from the castle, and were steadily approaching the factory in the distance… It would take some time for them to arrive, but they at least have time to chat.
Summer would focus on Ruby as they approached closer. "I see Qrow taught you well."
"Oh! Uuuuh..." Ruby chuckles a bit. "Well… He is the coolest. Like you."
The mother was flattered by the compliment, "He can be cool. Even if he tries a bit too hard."
"Really?" The daughter would be confused by that comment while Summer chuckles.
"This has been an interesting experience. Then again, it is not over yet." The veteran lets out.
"You seem to do very well, even without your team."
The young huntress would again be caught off guard with her words. "Oh… Well… I sometimes wished they were with me, Mom."
She pats her daughter's head. "You're doing good. Trust me." They then notice the factory getting closer. Summer has her worries deep inside, but that's because her daughter is with her. She will work even harder for this one, she thought to herself. After a few hours of traveling, the train would stop at a station that was still a ways from the factory. Soon the old man would open the caboose car door and hobble inside,
"Can't go any further- less I want to stir the locals; and less you wish to be swarmed by the bunch and have this train here be destroyed… This is as far as I'll go, it's about a 30 minute walk from 'ere. I do wish you luck, ladies." The old man said.
Summer waves to the old man. "Thank you very much, sir."
Ruby would wave nervously. "Um… Thank you, sir."
"Oh- one more thing, strangers…" He walks up to them, "Don't go gamblin' there… You can lose ya life very easily… And beware of the large muscular figures there, they'll stop at nothin' to get somethin' to gamble… Don't bother the miners if you see them too." The old man warned.
"Thank you again." Summer said, and the old man chuckled,
"The pleasure is all mine. Pleasure doing business, strangers. I'll be here when you get back." He said, going to his post near the train, leaving Summer and Ruby to themselves.
Summer points to Ruby. "Now Ruby. What he said is right. No gambling."
Ruby slouches a bit. "I'm not Qrow, mom." She pouts.
After a long while of walking, they reach the entrance. It looked tattered and old, and they could see they were in the outer part. Many miners slowly trudged by, hauling tools and carts of gold. The air smelt of gas and smoke, and it was a bit foggy. Distant chatter could be heard from the casinos in the far distance. Summer and Ruby looked at the depressing scene, some of the miners even being kids. Every miner looked the same, gray skin with glowing white eyes, with a depressed expression.
Ruby was so sad seeing this. "This place..."
Summer also expresses sadness as well. "Let's go, Ruby." She knows they wouldn't get anywhere lingering on this. They have a job to do.
They would walk through the area, and would arrive in the "town" part, where casinos and other gambling places covered the streets. Gambling hotels, bars, clubs, all those bad places were here… Ruby and Summer noticed a difference in how the "people" looked too. They looked more lavish and clean. The streets were routinely cleaned it seems, and so were the buildings. They would see the rich folk mistreat and look down on the servants who were the same miners. They would also see someone getting stripped of their lavish things,
"Pl-please! This can't be true! I must have more money!" The person said, being dragged away, "Don't turn me into the Broke! I can pay you back! Please!" The person begged, but his pleas fell to deaf ears as they entered a vehicle and drove away. More bouncer looking guards roamed the area, and Summer and Ruby fled for cover as to not be spotted.
As they hide, they realize how miserable things are, "Mom. We have to do something!"
Summer sighs. "I wish we could. But we have to focus on our mission. If we're lucky, we can solve this if we take out this place's boss."
As they snuck about, they now understood why Gifre was called "Gifre the Terrible"… With everything they were seeing, all those posh stuck up assholes… The huntresses were disgusted. The mother-daughter duo would soon reach the large entrance of the factory, deducing the Lord of Greed must be there at the top… More of the 'Broke' shuffled in and out, hauling loads of gold bars and gold ore.
Summer would then get an idea. She and Ruby rush to where the gold ore hauls were, and hid under the gold as it will guide them deeper to the lord. At least she hopes so.
They would peek and see that they were being led into the factory, and being led past many bouncer-like guards. The factory was huge in size. Many conveyor belts spewed from many holes in the walls, barely any lights were provided, making seeing things hard. Ruby tried to stifle a cough, as the air was bad from the smoke of the ovens that baked the gold. Gold coins and bars flowed from the conveyor belts, and led away to a different location.
"Cmon! Get a move on, peasants!" A loud voice rang, and they looked to see a fat man with lots of gold on his persons speaking harshly on a mic,
"I want my gold statue TODAY! So, CHOP-CHOP! OR NO RATIONS FOR A WEEK!" He demanded, before walking away to another sector of the factory.
Summer would deduce that he might be who they are looking for, or at least knows the lord. So she would plan on a form of attack. She decided she was going to rely on Ruby's own remarkable speed to make this work. She would wait until they are alone long enough to get out and into the shadows. Ruby would quickly catch on and would help Summer make a mad dash for many hiding spots of this very busy factory full of machinery.
They'd notice large vats full of molten lava being lifted around the factory, pouring into even larger vats full of gold, which they assumed was to melt it down. Soon they would begin to ascend, going catwalk to catwalk… They'd sneak behind guards and knock them out silently as they crept. Soon they would catch sight of the fat man walking, and a group of provocative looking women joined him, and seductively spoke to him, and the man smiled, and would lead him away to an elevator leading even higher…They knew the elevator shaft could be their one way ticket up.
Summer thought of replicating this, seeing how both her and Ruby might be good enough looking. "Ruby, follow my lead." She said with determination. They would traverse up the shaft, using the utility ladder, then breaking into the elevator from the ceiling once the elevator's original inhabitants left.
They tail the group, until they entered a big room booming with music and booze was everywhere. Fat and large men littered the area as Ruby and Summer stuck to the shadows. They were even more disgusted with the Lord of Greed than ever, along with all the other men in the room, as provocative women were everywhere. They would notice the man would sit with his group at a far corner of the room, as he watched a pole dancer.
Summer would not like this one bit, so she looks around to see where those ladies are coming from. Summer finds a door that the girls are coming and going from, and points Ruby to it. She speeds towards it once they knew no one was watching. "Calm down, and let me handle the rest." She whispers to her daughter.
They enter, and traverse through a couple of halls that are lined with doors… Some of the doors emit sounds that were rather lewd to Ruby's ears. They would then find a door that was labeled "changing room", and they would silently enter. It was quiet, except there were two of the women getting ready. Summer and Ruby would slowly creep up.
Just then both Summer and Ruby grab them from behind and neck chop them both. "Trust me, this is for the best." They then take their clothes and lock them in a locker as they are unconscious.
Ruby would look at the clothes. They both wore tight bunny outfits that were black and red. The red was shiny, and covered most of the body, while the black covered the rest of the skin in a translucent material, which only covered their legs, "I don't know about this..."
Summer would try to put them on. "Trust me on this."
Little would be placed where their clothes and weapons are,
"Keep our stuff safe, Little!" Ruby said, to which Little saluted,
"You can count on me…! Although… You two look weird." Little stated, and Ruby sighed, also hating it.
Eventually they leave the room and walk towards the lord with their new clothing. Summer waves with a smile, while Ruby awkwardly waves. She really does not like the clothes she is wearing… She also doesn't seem to like the idea of not having her weapon on her… She tugs at the strings on the thin fabric on her curves; it was very uncomfortable. What was more uncomfortable was the heels. They approached the Lord of Greed, Summer instructing Ruby to act more seductive. They made each strut more dramatic, and the Lord would soon catch notice… Specifically on Ruby.
"Ah so these must be the new girls you were talking about…" The man said, licking his lips, as the male receptionist blankly nodded as he wrote on his clipboard.
"This is Denice and Trish." The male receptionist said, first putting a hand on Ruby, then Summer. The man would rise and circle the girls, eyeing them like a piece of meat. Ruby felt so uncomfortable in the moment, and really wanted to punch this man in the face… He would get close to Ruby's neck from behind, taking a whiff, and making Ruby slightly shiver in disgust, but she would do her best to keep herself composed. Summer internally was raging internally that the lord was getting even close to her daughter, but stood aside.
"This one smells fresh… I can smell that she is fresh…" He goes close to Ruby's ear, "I love 'em when they're fresh…" He says, and Ruby could smell the alcohol from his breath, and it took everything to not cringe with disgust.
Ruby would try to speak. "Thanks… I'm… Um… I wear a lot of… Roses...?" She lets out super awkwardly. Also trying to cover her nose from the strong alcohol smell.
"Mmm… I think I want some time with this one…" The man says licking his lips and smiling. His teeth were all gold, but a bit stained.
"And the other, sir?"
"Just give her to my son. She looks old anyways, he loves them old." He says, waving the receptionist off. Summer would be very offended, but stayed neutral.
"Very well, sir… This way, Trish." The receptionist said, leading Summer away. Summer had a plan to take out the lord's son, and grab her weapon from the room, then find Ruby, and end the Lord of Greed… She just needed to be patient.
Ruby would be led away, as the group the Lord of Greed was originally dispersed elsewhere. The man and Ruby would take a door that led to a hall with another lift in the end. Once they take the lift, the elevator doors open to reveal a large penthouse. Ruby would look around at all the fancy things,
"Go ahead and wait in the room… We'll have a lot to do. I'll make us a drink." The Lord of Greed said, pointing to where the bedroom was for Ruby. Ruby would nod, and would go towards the bedroom area of the penthouse… She had to make up a plan in order to take him out.
Summer was led into a room, and the male receptionist closed the door behind her. It was a small room, and a man sat up on the bed, with a woman on the floor, who looked severely beaten, "Get out of here, bitch." The man demanded, and the woman quickly got up and ran off. The woman darted past, opening and closing the door behind her quickly, leaving Summer with the man. He looked slightly buff… But Summer knew she could take him on. The man got up, and he was pretty tall. He wore a beater, and was in his underwear,
"Mmm… So you must be one of the new girls, huh? Guess my father really doesn't like letting go of the younger ones…" He gets close and looks at Summer's behind,
"Mmm… As old as you seem, you got yourself some nice… Assets…" He smirks, "Maybe you'll last a lot longer than the rest…" He would smirk devilishly, hunger in his eyes.
"Thank you." She said in an almost confusing tone. "Not sure about that old part though." Letting out a smile.
"Well then…" He is behind her, and he puts his hands on her shoulders, "Let's begin." With this, Summer thought this was the perfect time to take him down.
She would then stomp his feet, making him yelp in pain, then she would move up behind him then break his neck. "There!" Remembering some hand to hand techniques she went through years ago, her unexpected strength she built up over the years, and her use of her large ax. The son fell limp to the floor, and Summer felt satisfied for this kill, feeling she did something right for society… She would casually walk out, so as to not look suspicious. She blended in with the other girls, and after some time, got into the dressing room. She quickly got her weapon, and looked at Ruby's and Her's discarded clothing, considering bringing it with her, but decided there was no time. Who knows what the creep is going to do to her daughter. She would grab her weapon and Ruby's, and would go to the door. Little ran up to Summer's shoulder,
"W-Where's Ruby?" She asked, and Summer replied with,
"She's in danger, but we're gonna save her." She did see where they went when they took her, so it will be easy.
Back with Ruby, she looked at the window looking down at the depressing scene below. The lord would come in with two wine glasses. He would hand her one, and he would sit.
"It's a rare sight nowadays to find some fresh meat nowadays… And it's not everyday a lady catches my sight…" The fat man said.
She blushes in embarrassment, but writhes in disgust inside, "Um… Me? A lady? Uuuuuh..." She was also creeped out by his staring. She does not like this at all. She nervously drinks the wine… It tasted funny to her, but she brushed it aside. The man would drink his too, eyeing her,
"Y'know… I think I'll have so much fun ravaging that glorious young body of yours…" He said, and Ruby had enough, and was about to say something, but she felt her body go numb, and she fell over on the bed. The man laughed,
"You think I'm stupid? I knew you and that other hag were after me this whole time! Word catches on fast, you know… And with that witch and her little dolls gone… Barely any competition, soon I'll have you and your mother killed, and the demon will truly bring me his tidings! Ooooh, how wonderful it will be~" The man said, then he would tower over Ruby's numb form, as she looked up in horror, "The poison will stay in effect for a while.. The only cure there is, is in the kitchen on the counter… And with you… I think I should have my fill before deciding to-'' He would be cut off, as his head was cut clean through. The head would tumble to the floor, and dark ooze spewed from the body, as the body fell limp. Summer looked to Ruby with a concerned look, and was scared,
"Ruby! Ruby, are you ok?!" She said, as she held up her daughter.
Ruby was shaking hard, feeling her body going cold. Despite that, she managed to raise her finger. "K-Ki-Kitch...en… Counter..."
Summer wasn't sure what she meant but if it's that important that Ruby had to exert all of her energy to point to it, then she checks it. She see's what looks like a syringe. "Oh!" She quickly picks it up, then sticks the antidote on Ruby. Ruby wouldn't feel anything for a small moment, but soon she could move her limbs again, albeit she felt stiff, it was gradually getting better.
Summer helps her daughter. "Are you okay? Did he touch you?!" Showing worry in her tone.
Ruby breaths in and out, but then smiles. "I'm fine… Thank you Mom..."
The building would shake, and the body of the lord would fling out of the window, into a growing pile of gold. The shapeless gold form would shape itself in the form of a giant golem monster. A large roar would be heard, that broke all the glass in the area. A club made of gold would form in its hands, and the ogre would swing at the penthouse.
(Battle Theme: VS. Thardus - Metroid Prime OST [Extended] v=tkjxD0-9EO4)
Summer stiffens, "That's not good…" She says, then hands Ruby her weapon, "Go go go!" Summer says, and they quickly exit the penthouse, which is destroyed shortly after. Ruby stumbles a bit, still feeling a bit stiff, but she keeps up with Summer, as chaos erupted within with people screaming, as the building was being torn apart by the golden giant amalgamation that looked for the duo.
"That does not look like a nice monster!" Little quipped, looking up.
Summer brings out her scythe and is ready to battle it. "We have to stop it!"
Little panics. "How exactly?! It's huge!"
Summer then turns to Ruby. "The bigger they are…"
The daughter catches on and smirks. "… The harder they fall!"
The beast roars, using psychic abilities to hurl large portions of gold at the building. Summer scatters around to get closer while Ruby dodges with her semblance backing her up, distracting the golden giant. The golem flails his arms around to hit the young huntress, which Ruby keeps on dodging no matter what the beast did.
Ruby would then land on its arm and speeds her way close and begins speed blitzing all over the giant's face, causing it to stumble back. Summer reaches for its back and climbs her way up. She then swings down the scythe towards the back of its head, causing it to stop on its tracks before it could lay its hands on Ruby.
Summer would notice a large crane that was nearby, that was near the gold statue that was presumably what the Lord of Greed was talking about when they first got there. She looked towards the golem, and to the crane, which had a very large head attached. If she could get control of the crane, and get the golem close, she can deal heavy damage by slamming the large head into it.
Just then the golem begins to furiously shake to get Summer off of it. She would pull out and shout at Ruby. "Hold it off a bit longer!" She dives down to the crane while Ruby would begin going into Heavy mode to shoot straight to the golden giant's face.
Summer would quickly climb the crane, and would go to the controls. She would look at the controls with confusion, as she didn't know much about operating it.
"Okay… I don't know what to do with this. Um…" She pressed as many buttons as she could to see what works. She presses the power button, and it hums on. She then starts pulling levers, which she accidentally bumps the head into the statue, tipping the statue onto its back, but luckily still keeping the head intact.
"Hurry, Mom!" Ruby yelled out, as she was trying all her best to distract the giant gold golem.
Summer then knows what to do. "Okay! Here!" She then swings the crane around to hit the golem with tons of force.
The golem would be hit square in the chest, and sent to another section of the factory. It crashed inside the building, and all around, the large vats being carried around full of magma began to rock side to side. The golem was disoriented, and Ruby came in… She would notice the large amounts of the hot magma, and saw they were being carried around by chains. The vats seemed to loom above the golem, as it struggled to come back to its senses.
"Mom! Over here!" She tells Summer to carry the vat over the disoriented golem. "There!" She knows Summer's gonna struggle with pouring the lava, so she goes the more simpler approach. She throws her ax, and cuts the chains holding the vat as the lava begins to drop down the giant. Once the chains are broken, the vats would drop on the golem, pouring the hot liquid all over it. The golem screamed out, desperate to try to fling off the liquid, but to no avail. It would flail for a while, as its body began to melt. It would reach for Ruby, but would fall short, and would make one final cry, before it dissolved into a molten mess.
The leader of Team RWBY sighs in relief. Summer would run in to hug her child, "Whoa!"
"Ruby! That was brIlliant!" Summer said with pride. Just then switches to scolding. "And super dangerous!" Then back to pride, "I couldn't be any more prouder."
Ruby was a bit weirded out, but also accepted her words, "Heh… I have the best Mom so… Yeah." They would hug each other, Summer brimming with pride, until they both saw a large crowd behind them that formed. They all smiled at them, before they slowly faded into white particles. The sky would then grow bright again, and the factory and casinos would stop, and run cold. Ruby looks up in awe, while Summer merely smiles. The veteran huntress knew that better days are coming for these people and gave them all an assuring smile. They walked out, as things seemed a bit quiet around the area.
"What happens to the creatures once we defeat all the lords?" Ruby asks,
"Perhaps they will turn back into normal creatures, and put things back to normal in the Everafter." Summer theorized, and Ruby would nod.
They reach the train station where they left, and saw the old man waiting patiently,
"I see you've returned in one piece… I assume you wish for a ride to the final lord?"
Summer nods. "Yes please. We are just about done, Ruby." Ruby feels a bit more at ease, even if she has a feeling that things will be tougher.
They get onto the train, and they begin to go forwards. Ruby would take a look at the scenery they were leaving, and smiled that they were succeeding in bringing back the light to this world.
"Look, the light of this world is coming back!" She states. "It feels good to make a difference here."
Summer pats her child's head. "That's my kid for you."
Ruby giggles a bit. "Aw, you make me blush, mom..."
Summer would look towards their next destination. "We're almost done. And with it, the source of all of our problems..."
They pass through forests and other abandoned or ruined structures. They caught a view of the once Great Tree, it looked dead and dark. Ruby shivered by just looking at it.
"Wh-What is that?" She asked, clearly shaken.
The mother would keep a stern look at it. "We'll find out eventually." From the looks of it, she has a good idea on what is going on.
"It's the Great Tree! That Nightmare guy destroyed it on his way here, and put a barrier around it… It's the source of power for Everafter…" Little said, with a sad tone.
"The source." Summer understands exactly what this could mean. "Then we know what to do."
"Well we still need to destroy the final lord in order to reach the tree…" Ruby said, in thought. "How tough could the final lord be though?"
"Don't get careless. We're almost done, which could mean things will only get tougher. After all… There is a chance Nightmare is there..." She says in a serious tone.
Ruby nods, and Little looks at them with worry. Soon they would see a burning city in the distance, and look on with shock.
"Mom, look!" Ruby would shout and point at the city. Summer looks more closely, anxious to jump in to see closely.
The train creaks and rocks slightly. Something big was outside. Summer would look outside to see what it was, however she knows she has to fight as she grips on her weapon.
They move to the front, and see a giant wyvern flying above. It would make a shrieking noise, and would slam down on the train, hoping to derail it.