A dark night had settled across the World of remnant, the broken moon having that extra glow to it. A small island to the West of Vale by the name of patch, a place where Grimm attacks are almost non-existent. Home to two hunters of the most famous team to ever graduate Beacon academy. Or at least, it used to, only recently has Patch received the terrible news that the leader of team STRQ has fallen in battle. Summer Rose, Wife of Taiyang Xiaolong and mother to two children, Ruby Rose and Yang Xiaolong.

For one night and one night only, the three remaining members of team STRQ came together to mourn the loss of their strongest and most fearless leader. Atop a cliff side lay a grave that was engraved with Summer's emblem and the words 'Thus Kindly I Scatter'.

Five people stood, staring in silence at the grave in front of them. Taiyang and his two daughters, Qrow Branwen, the alcoholic and self-proclaimed 'Fun Uncle', and then his sister, Raven Branwen. She hadn't been seen since the birth of Yang due to her returning to her Tribe to take the role of leader. And yet, even so, she returned once more in honour of her leader, someone she could confidently call her equal.

But none seemed to take the death of summer the hardest compared to her daughter, Ruby Rose. Her young mind couldn't handle it at all, the passing of her mother was unexpected and sudden. So with a heavy heart and a face streaming with tears, she attempted to get out of her father's hold. Landing on the ground with a slight thud, she immediately set off into the forest. Qrow took a sip from his flask before turning in the direction Ruby left in. "I'll go after her." He spoke out with a dead sigh.

Walking into the forest, it didn't take him long to catch up to the girl, although, instead of grabbing her he decided to let her run for a bit, to let her calm down after everything that had happened. He knew all of the negative energy she was giving off wasn't a good thing, but he was Qrow Branwen. He could take on a few Grimm if they appeared. But what he couldn't handle, was the small girl suddenly turning into a flurry of rose petals and disappearing from his view

His drunken mind took a while to fully settle on the situation. His eyes widening in alarm as he instantly sobered up. Jumping down to where she disappeared from, he picked up a stray petal before darting off and following the trail.

Ruby had been a swirl of roses for a while now without even realising, and she seemed to finally run out of energy. Slowly walking over and falling next to a tree, she sat down with a quiet thud and pulled her knees up to her chest. Her lip quivered for just a second before crying out in pain and anguish. Tears streaming down her face with not a single sign of stopping. All these painful emotions being too much for her young heart, so she just tried to let it all out.

Yet fate had different plans. Her crying had brought attention, one she did not need, nor ever want. Her wails of despair managing to overpower the sounds of a low growl from behind where she sat. But when a large claw smashed onto the ground next to her, she froze. Managing to look over in complete terror when a white, wolf like maw managed to peak through.

Despite the fear almost making her lock up, she sprung to her feet and immediately attempted to back up. But her foot got caught on a root that was sticking out of the ground, she tripped backwards and was forced to watch as the creature in front of her slowly trailed forward. As if it knew… as if it knew exactly how weak and defenceless she was at this moment.

Then with a final growl, it brought it's claw back, ready for the first and only swipe that was needed to kill her. Yet it stopped, deciding to focus more on the shout coming from the surrounding forest rather than the whimpering girl below it. "RUBY!" The shouting getting closer making her look out in slight relief and hope.

Seeing her chance, she scrambled backwards and to her feet once more before calling back. "UNCLE QROWW!" The monster's attention back on her as she tried to run. The sight of the drunkard in the distance as well, running towards her, her arm outstretched to his figure, his arm clutching the handle of his weapon and a look of pure horror on his face.

The monsters claw just seconds away from connecting to the unsuspecting girl that could only look at her uncle in relief and happiness. But he knew… despite his extensive training… despite his years as a huntsman under his belt… despite everything that he was capable of… he was going to lose her too.

That young girl that held just as much brightness as his oh so fearless leader.

Those same silver eyes that looked to him with nothing but hope and gratitude.

Those same silver eyes that were seconds from going dull.

And she was none the wiser.

And from the trees leapt a shadow. Not a ray of hope. Not some other worldly power. And not some shining knight.

A creature of something darker.

It's body connecting with the Dark wolf. The claws just barely grazing the sides of Ruby's head, a few strands of black and red hair falling to the floor and a small trail of blooding dripping down her cheek. As the large wolf finally connected with the floor, a creature stood before it.

A slim quadrupedal body with six limbs. Two that seemed to be resting on its shoulders with tattered cloth like wings. Pitch black scales littered its body, and horns that sprouted up from its head with a soft, almost pulsating purple glow in each crevasse.

It stood before the monster, a growl escaping its jaws as it seemed to size it up. But Qrow couldn't care about that right now, his attention being turned to the small girl that had just run into his arms. "Uncle Qrow! I was so scared!" She cried out, clutching his shirt with tears staining his clothes as he held her close.

"It's alright now kid. Just hold on." He picked her up from the ground before getting a decent distance from the two creatures, yet he didn't fully run. Instead, he decided to watch the fight. This new creature obviously had some sort of grudge with the monsters, it was the only explanation. Or if not that then it had just decided to protect Ruby, but he couldn't figure out why.

Then with a roar that shook the tree Qrow was stood on, the creature suddenly unfurled the tattered wings as they swayed in the wind. Jumping off the ground, its wings violently beating to keep afloat. The creature seemed to collect a purple mist around its jaw before quickly shooting a ball of it towards the annoyed wolf. It connected with no trouble, in fact, it even push the monster back onto the ground as the mist seemed to condense in on itself.

And then explode.

A ball of heat and smoke suddenly appearing and heavily injuring the dark wolf. And then to top it all off, the creature dove towards the slowly dissolving monster before crashing into a cloud of dust.

In a shocked silence, Qrow quietly jumped down to the ground. Moving towards the clouded area with caution in every step, he looked down confused as Ruby reached out for a random purple shimmer that was in the air.

Then he stopped, the dust clearing out giving him a semi clear view of the creature. The same purple mist from before, leaking from its mouth as it turned its head to face their general direction. A curious look took over Qrow's face as he tested something, taking a small step to the right, nothing, the creature making no sign to adjust.

However when he took a large step to the left, the creature's head followed. But Qrow couldn't help but feel that it wasn't look at him, more like, the general direction of him, as if it couldn't actually see him, but still knew he was there.

Putting Ruby down on the ground, in what he meant as a way to get her to stand behind him, instead was used as a way for her to dash towards the creature of unknown origin. "No Rubes!" Qrow called out in alarm. Yet she either didn't hear or just flat out ignored him as she stopped in front of the new creature. A look of pure wonder on her face as she stared at the scaley head of this thing.

"Ruby get back here." Qrow called out once more. But when she turned to look at him, he almost swore when he saw the look of mischief plastered on her face. "Ruby, No!" He called again. Groaning in annoyance when she nodded rapidly. Turning back to the patient and expecting creature, she held out a hand. One filled with pure innocence as she brought it closer to the creatures snout.

Then with a sigh filled with wonder and astonishment, she laid a hand on the creature's head. Her soft hand tracing carefully along the side as its horns slowly retracted into the top of its head. And then, much to the shock of the seasoned huntsman, the creature leaned forward as well. It's head calmly leaning against her as it sat down and embraced in whatever it is, this was.

"You're the coolest thing I've ever seen." Ruby managed to breath out, her voice filled with nothing but honesty and amazement. Raising her spare hand up to her face, she wiped the stray tears that were still in her eyes. Wrapping the creature in the softest hug she could managed as a single sob escaped her.

"Thank you."