The Mask

While Summer wouldn't need a month's worth of sleep, when she did go to sleep on Scarlet's bed, she didn't wake up for three days straight. During that time, either Scarlet or Ursis would constantly keep an eye on her during the day, to make sure that one of her daughters was always there when she woke up. However, it'd take them another four days to reach Patch, cutting through Vale in the meantime.

During those three days, an important discussion had to be done.

"I'm going to need to tell Ozpin something." Qrow declared, sitting in a kitchen with Scarlet, Beauty and Oak."

"He's right," Oak replied, "Summer disappears for almost a year trying to find us, only to suddenly do a 180? He'll suspect something if we don't give him something."

"So the question is," Beauty adds, "What can we tell him without revealing anything to him?"

Scarlet rubbed her mask in thought, "I…may have an idea. But it's going to depend on how well mom can sell it."

Qrow shook his head, smirking, "Still can't believe it's you, Ruby. I mean, sure, time travelers, I can easily swallow, but the fact that both of my nieces are amongst them?"

"Shush!" Scarlet declared, "I don't want Neo or Cinder hearing us."

"Sorry, sorry. But…even if we can't find a good excuse for Ozpin, you need to talk to those kids of yours about…your relations to Summer. Because, otherwise, family gatherings are going to be awkward."

"I know. I'm hoping to hash out a cover story with mom when she wakes up."

Qrow smirked, "Oh, you lambast me, but you still call Summer you know what."

Scarlet spluttered while Beauty and Oak chuckled.

As the Ketos was spotted approaching Vale, Qrow finally reported back to Ozpin, saying that ROWSE had found Summer a day's away from Ketos, unconscious and infected by a Nightmare Grimm (no need to inform him that Ketos actually was infiltrated).

And so, here Summer and Qrow stood, in Ozpin's office, as the man looked at her like he nearly lost a child.

"Summer…what could possess you to go this far?"

"..."

"Summer?"

"...I lost."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow.

"I told you, a year ago, that I was going to Mistral to help Lionheart find the mole."

"Yes. It turned out that Lionheart himself was the mole."

"That…wasn't entirely true."

Ozpin leaned forward, "Go on."

"I wanted to know who ROWSE were, so…I went into the Vault."

Ozpin's eyes widened, "Summer, did you-"

"No…because ROWSE was waiting for me. They were trying to get into the Vault. When they saw me, a fight broke out…and I tore down the mountain trying to defeat them.

"And I lost. Me, STRQ's leader, and a veteran Maiden, lost. The only reason they didn't get the Lamp after they knocked me out was because that kid of their's, Cinder, got grabbed by Lionheart."

Ozpin nodded, "Yes, the suspect did bear a striking resemblance to the girl from the Glass Unicorn. And this is what made you obsessed with them."

Summer nodded.

"Why?"

"Because if I couldn't handle five teenagers and a newly made Maiden, then how could I possibly handle Salem. What if it wasn't ROWSE, but Salem's cult? What if it wasn't in the Vault, but at my own home? If I can't beat them, then how can I protect my family, Ozpin!?"

Silence permeated the room. Ozpin slowly stood up, and walked around his desk towards Summer. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Summer…this feeling you're having…it's completely normal. I've had it time and time again."

Summer scowled, "Yes, the only difference is you get a do over button if you screw up."

Ozpin flinched, his hand coming off her as Qrow looked shocked at her, "Summer?!"

Summer blinked, surprised at her words. "I'm…I'm sorry, Ozpin."

"No, you're correct. It's both a luxury and a curse that I can afford failures like that. However…I'm not the only one who pays the price. What if you had died to the Nightmare? What would happen to Tai? To your daughters?"

Summer looked to the side, unwilling to answer that, to which Ozpin sighed.

"Why don't you take some time off. You haven't seen your family in almost a year. I'm sure they'll appreciate an extended leave of absence."

Summer sighed, "Alright. Seeing my girls again would be good."

Ozpin smiled, "When you're ready, just contact me."

The two Huntsmen went into the elevator, heading down. When they exited Beacon, Qrow finally spoke.

"Think he bought it?"

"Doesn't hurt that I insulted him."

"Yeah, what was that, by the way? That wasn't part of the plan."

"I honestly don't know. Maybe it's because he failed my daughters in their timeline, but…I just felt so angry when he said that."

"I still don't like lying to him, but I know the truth would…just cause more trouble than it's worth. Speaking of trouble, how did the talk with Ruby's kids go?"

"First off, it's Scarlet, and…well…"

"She's what?!" Cinder exclaimed.

"Cinder, Neo," Scarlet repeated, "This…is my mother."

The previous day, Scarlet and Summer took Cinder and Neo into one of their rooms, wishing to explain why Summer had been so fixated on finding Ketos.

"I'm sorry, how is she your mother?"

Scarlet merely tilted her head, "How is it that I'm your mother?" I mean, I'm only eighteen, and you're full grown teenagers, roughly."

Neo signed, Yeah, but that's because you saved us. Neo's eyes widened, Wait, is this something similar.

Summer nodded, "Yes. When I had just graduated Beacon, I found Scarlet and Ursis, all alone, barely surviving. They didn't trust me, so the best I could do was simply give them supplies to survive."

"Over time," Scarlet added, "We grew to trust her, and even saw her as a mother. Got to meet Taiyang, though, he wasn't her husband at the time."

"But, then," Cinder interrupted, "What happened?"

The two looked at each other. "We…had a disagreement."

Scarlet scoffed, "That's one way of putting it. I won't get into details, girls, mainly because it's too…"

"Personal."

"Thanks, mom. But, at the end of it, me and Ursis ran away. That was years ago."

"So," Cinder stated, "How did Summer find out you were her missing daughter?"

"Do you remember Haven, a year ago?"

"Yes, when Summer ripped off your-" Cinder and Neo's eyes widened, as well as Summer flinching.

"Yeah," Summer rubbed the back of her head, "By the way, seriously, Scarlet? You never bothered to change the first part of your code name? At least Ursis renamed herself completely!"

"Well, it tricked you, didn't it?"

Summer playfully shoved her daughter.

"Wait, so, your actual name is Scarlet Rose."

"I was never officially adopted into her family, but, in essence, yes."

"So, her bra-" Cinder stopped herself, "Her kids, that we met on Atlas, those would be my-"

"Your aunts, yes." Summer answered.

"So, that also makes Summer your grandmother."

"But she tried to keep me with the Madame!"

"Yes, when I had no evidence that the Madame had done anything wrong. Did I believe that she was a good person, no. However, until it can be proven, in the eyes of the law, Scarlet was the bad guy."

"While I wouldn't have worded it that way, she's right. The moment proof was given that the Madame had committed a crime, Summer immediately let us go. If the same thing happened with Neo's former parents-"

"Then I would've done the same thing…Although, if I had known that Scarlet was my Scarlet, I wouldn't have gotten involved at all."

Cinder and Neo sat there in silence. They didn't like how Summer had hurt their adoptive mother, but…knowing that she's their now adoptive grandmother…

Neo signed, What happens now?

"We'll be seeing them tomorrow, when I go back home to Patch," Summer scrunched her face for a moment before returning to the conversation, "However, I don't want you to mention this to them just yet. It'll be…harder to explain to them."

Scarlet had whipped her head in surprise, but Cinder and Neo nodded in understanding.

"Alright, now, while she won't admit it, my daughter seems to need my attention, so I'll let you two think about what you've learned today."

Scarlet and Summer stood up, but Cinder still had one question.

"Why did you help raise Scarlet?"

Summer smiled, "Two reasons. One, it's the right thing to do. And, two…has Scarlet told you about her eyes?"

"Yes."

Summer's eyes widened, but she nodded. She trusted Scarlet. Sure, she might not like these girls knowing about the eyes, and presumably about Salem, but she trusted her.

"Then you have your answer."

With that, the two left the room.

"Mom, why aren't we going to tell…" She got quieter, "Our younger selves."

"Because of Ozpin. I'm going to be trying to convince him that I wanted to beat you so badly it nearly killed me. If I tell Ruby and Yang you're my missing daughter, they'd want you and Ursis to be officially adopted."

"Which will tip Ozpin off that something isn't right. I…"

Summer placed a hand on Scarlet's shoulder.

"I know you'd want it to be official. So do I. But, that'll just make the day it comes all the sweeter."

Scarlet smiled, and the two hugged.

Ketos stopped along the shoreline of Patch, an airship leaving one of the landing pads so it could land in the town. As they landed, Summer was the first off-

"Mommy!"

And was immediately tackled by two of the world's most lovely children.

"Oof!" Summer laughed, "Ruby, Yang. Don't hug me too hard, girls."

"You've been gone for sooo long, though." Yang retorted.

"Wemshyu, Mmmy." Ruby added, her face in her mother's hips, to which Summer merely chuckled, only for a third person to join the hug.

"Welcome home, Sweetie." Taiyang muttered.

Summer's eyes began to water, as she hugged her family. Tai heard someone step off the airship, looking up, he saw Scarlet and Ursis and a familiar bird flying out of the ship, no doubt going to hide somewhere before revealing himself. Taiyang gave almost a knowing look, and the two nodded, confirming his thoughts. He then noticed Summer's skin.

"Sums, have you been eating well?"

"Eating, yes. Sleeping? No."

"Well, when we get back home, you're going…" His words began to be drowned out as a memory came back to Summer. Of Atlas.

Of how she had invited ROWSE to dinner, but Scarlet had to leave, losing her appetite. She had long wondered why, but, in context, it all made sense.

It was with Atlas ingredients. While still good, they weren't her ingredients, what she'd get on Patch or Vale. And Scarlet was worried that that meal was going to be the last meal Summer would ever cook her! Some second rate Patch dish, with Atlas ingredients, compared to the premium Patch-

"Tai." Summer simply said, stopping him.

"Yes?"

"We're making dinner."

"Well, I think you should rest-"

"No, we're making dinner now." Her eyes briefly shifted to the side, not turning her head, but indicating wher he should look. Taiyang looked back at Scarlet and Ursis, and smiled, understanding.

"Then dinner it is."

Summer turned to the two. "I know it didn't work out well last time, but…would you like to have dinner with us tonight?"

Ursis hesitantly looked at Scarlet.

Scarlet smiled. "I'd love to."

Scarlet and Ursis booked a hotel room for the night, wanting Summer and Tai all the time they'd need to make dinner. Hours later, they stood infront of the Xiao Long/Rose Homestead.

"Home…" Ursis muttered, "I…I thought I'd never see it again. Not this close, at least."

"It's…" Scarlet shivered.

"Are you…going to be alright? Going in there?"

Scarlet smiled. "This time? Of course."

The two knocked on the door, and Ruby opened it.

"You're here!" Ruby cried out, "Mom, Miss Reaper and Miss Splendor are here!"

"Okay, Ruby," Summer chuckled, still in the kitchen, "Don't hog the door, let them in."

Ruby ran back inside, with Scarlet and Ursis following behind her. They looked around their old house, taking in memories long past. Yang and Ruby were in the living room, playing a video game.

"Do you wanna play?"

"No, no, I'm good."

"Well, I do," Ursis exclaimed, "Give me a controller."

Ursis got a third controller, and started playing with Ruby and Yang. What was funny was seeing Ursis beating Yang at every turn.

"No fair! How did you even know you could do that in this game?"

"Guess I'm just that skilled."

'Or, the ultimate guide for Road Brawlers 3 would come out in a year or two, showing you all the tricks, so you're using insider knowledge.' Scarlet thought, chuckling as Ruby watched as Yang's winning streak was completely demolished.

Or, since she's losing to her future self, does that still count as a win, since it's herself, or-She decided to stop before she got a headache.

Scarlet was about to head upstairs…to her old room that she shared with Yang, when Taiyang came into the living room.

"Dinner's ready!"

Ruby and Yang cheered, running into the kitchen. Scarlet could smell her cooking. Not the close resemblance back in Atlas, HER cooking. Taiyang saw that Scarlet was about to go upstairs, and simply nodded.

"We can wait a minute, if you want." He approached her. Scarlet looked up to the stairs…then shook her head.

"Another day."

Taiyang placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course, big Ruby."

Scarlet smiled, "It's Scarlet, now…but thanks, dad."

The trio entered the room, and took their seats at the table. While Ruby and Yang quickly dug in, Summer, Tai and Ursis took a slight glance at Scarlet, who looked at her plate. She took her fork, and brought the food to her mouth.

'It's her cooking.' She nearly cried, but knew that Ruby and Yang would question what was wrong, so she simply smiled, which told the others she loved it. It seemed Summer was about to share in the tears, as her eyes watered as well.

Later on, as most of the table was getting seconds, they began to discuss.

"So, Ursis!" Yang exclaimed, "What's a cool fight you got in?"

"Well…there was the time I beat up an entire bar."

"You did what?" Taiyang exclaimed, to which Scarlet chuckled.

"Ursis, you terrified the owner so badly, that anytime you come near that place, all the guards pull out their weapons after they lock the front door."

"What did you do?!"

"I grabbed the owner by the place no man should be grabbed, punched him across the room, then beat up everyone there."

While Taiyang looked horrified, Summer nearly choked on her drink from the laughter.

"Why were you there?"

At Yang's words, Ursis stopped, and looked down, upset. Yang flinched.

"If it's a secret, then…"

"No, no, you're alright. I just…don't like talking about her much anymore."

"Her?"

"My…my mother."

Taiyang and Summer froze, looking at each other.

"Your mother?" Summer said, clearly knowing which mother she was talking about.

"She…ran away from home when I was little. I was trying to find her."

"Why?" Ruby asked.

"She…didn't like having a family."

Ruby puffed her cheeks, "Well, she's stupid."

Scarlet nearly cackled, but restrained it to a chuckle.

"Yes, yes she is." Ursis agreed.

The rest of the evening was filled with moments like that, until Summer and Tai put the two sisters down for bed. When the two came back down, Scarlet and Ursis were waiting at the front door.

"So," Summer said, "You had somewhere to show us."

"Just a place off the beaten path," Scarlet began.

"Where no one will bother us," Ursis finished.

The four left the house, locking it behind them as the moon was high. Outside, they saw a crow on a branch. Tai motioned his head to the house, and the crow nodded.

"Qrow will keep an eye on the girls. I told them that he might visit, but he'd be 'late'. Figured you didn't want his Semblance messing up a good moment."

"Would've been nice," Ursis retorted, "But I understand."

The group walked through the forest, reaching a cliffside. Scarlet approached it, kneeling down.

"This…this is where we buried you."

Summer's breath hitched.

"We never found your body. I would come here, often, just to…to talk to you."

Summer approached her, "And I'll be here, now. To listen to everything you need."

Taiyang joined in, "We'll all be here. For both of you."

The four got into a group hug, to which Scarlet and Ursis teared up.

"But…" Taiyang declared as they broke up, "I need to see how my training has worked on you, Yang."

Ursis took off her mask.

"Really, dad? Here?"

Taiyang took some steps back, getting into a stance. Ursis rolled her eyes, and got into an opposing stance.

"We might want to give them a minute," Summer muttered, "They might be at this for a while."

Scarlet and Summer sat on the cliff's edge while Taiyang and Ursis began to duel.

Summer sighed, "So, is Y-Ursis like this?"

"She used to be hot headed, but…her arm…"

Summer scowled, "It never even occurred to me…Who did?"

Scarlet huffed, "Someone we hope will never become a monster. I mean, I already stopped two monsters from being born."

"Cinder and Neo."

"Yeah. Honestly, I didn't expect to connect with them so easily. It's…weird."

"You get that from me. I'd adopt a young Raven if it meant she'd turn out better."

"That's a terrifying tought."

The two giggled, but Summer frowned, looking at Scarlet's mask.

"Scarlet…does it hurt?"

"Does what?"

"What I did to you, back at the Vault."

Scarlet narrowed her eyes in confusion, then realized what she meant. "No. The pain stopped after a week or two."

"...May…May I see it?"

Scarlet turned to her, a slight shake in her bones.

"I…I don't know if…"

"Even if that mask is who you are. Does that mean that, if it comes off, you aren't Scarlet?"

Scarlet didn't say a word as Summer slowly, softly, touched the mask.

"Are you not my daughter without the mask?"

Scarlet still said nothing as Summer gently gripped the sides of the mask, and gently pulled back. There was a little resistance, but she heard the quiet snapping of branches as the mask came off.

Summer's eyes widened in both awe and horror.

Awe at the beauty in Scarlet's multicolored eyes…and horror at the bramble scars. There were small ones all along the edges of her face, but three big ones took her attention. One going from the top right of her forehead to the left eye. One going from the top left of her forehead down the side of her face, and a third going from her right cheek up to the right side of her lips.

"Oh…" Summer cried, "My sweet Scarlet. I'm so sorry. If I had known…I never would've taken the mask off."

Scarlet merely smiled, crying, "If you hadn't, then we'd never have reconnected. For something like that, a scar or two is worth the price."

Mother and daughter touched their foreheads, leaning into each other. A slight boom caught their attention, and they turned back. Turns out the duel between father and daughter went some distance, and they were starting to get serious, as they were now using their weapons rather than just hands and feet.

"Oh, dear. Should we…stop them?"

"Later," Summer chuckled, "I want you to tell me about your story."

"My story?" Scarlet nervously replied, "All of it?"

"All of it. The good…and the bad."

The two looked out over the cliff, the cracked moon shining down on them.

"Well, it started when I was fifteen. I was at a Dust shop, looking at some of the newest weapon models…"

Author's Notes: And that's the end of Act 1 of Where She is Need Most. Don't worry, I have three sequel plans in mind.

1) WSINM: Cinnamon Spice...Obviously this one is my version of Cinnamon Spice. However, that one will only have one chapter (the prologue) until Cipher can complete his version of it, so that I can plan around certain events.

2) WSINM: Team RWBY...this is a semi-reaction fic, where Scarlet tells Summer stories about the original timeline.

3) An unnamed third story...this takes place between Act 1 and Cinnamon Spice, and is more of an anthology series, detailing certain events. One of them being Summer acting on the knowledge that Snow clearly loves Scarlet.

There will be one more chapter in this, but it's a bonus chapter. The contents of it is an extended version of the Trio vs Ruby Horde battle, as I did have more ideas for it, but didn't want to bloat it.

I once again have to thank CipherWrites for making the original story that this fanfic is inspired from. It was a joy to write this, and I hope he continues his own story for a long time.

As always, leave a review, fav/follow, go read Cipher's stories, and I'll see you all next time.