Chapter 3: Arc 1: Traitor in the Mist p2
A/N: Hopefully this trend continues because I have an interest in writing again.
This chapter is dedicated to Raven's and Summer relationship that would mirror Ruby and Akame in the future.
I'm certain Ruby is capable of killing people if they're pure evil like Cinder as of recent volumes. But killing Cinder is a no-brainer.
Although, I still have a pet-peeve with how in Vol 2 they didn't touch on team RWBY tossing White Fang members off a speeding train and onto Grimm. They straight up killed people, no matter how you look at it.
Unlike Ruby, It wouldn't take much reason for Akame to start killing people if they present a clear and immediate threat to those she loves.
I want to write a long chapter but decided on speed over quantity for this one. I still need to resolve a few plot points for this story arc and each chapter is just closing them out.
A single soul can alter the world around them in unexpected ways.
The Spring Maiden would have met the Branwen Tribe at a later date, an even more broken child. As she no longer has a will to live. She found relief knowing the women she trusted the most have finally freed her.
The most faithful bandit would have met her end by a power-hungry maiden. She died knowing her role is completed. Yet, as she looked upon Raven's face one last time, She wished she could have done more.
The twins are insignificant. Whether they live or die during the fall of Beacon doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. They were mere bouncers in their father's nightclub enjoying a mundane life with the occasional bar fights.
Now their path will cross and each of their destiny is rewritten. Sadly, Death and hardship still follow Akame as it will claim those she loves. Whether it's a direct result of her actions or her mere presence.
The little girls look up at their savior. A monster who's more frightening than the monsters that kidnapped them.
She wordlessly slices the rope binding them together and opens a portal.
"Go to your mother, She's worried sick," Raven spoke with her back turned," You don't want to see what's going to happen next."
The twins got up but not before the bravest of the two thank the former huntress.
"Thank you miss," Melanie, the bravest sister, quivered.
"Learn to defend yourself next time instead of being a burden," Raven lectures," Tell your mother I won't be doing this a second time."
As the twins walked into the portal, they were quickly embraced by their mother.
Meanwhile, Raven stares in disgust at the last remaining henchmen.
She wasn't disgusted by the men's actions to kidnap defenseless little girls. She considers it a wake up call to those pampered princesses to rely on their own strength instead of the strength of others like their spineless mother.
She was angry with how easy it was to take down three of Salem's men. Raven was mentally scratching her head at how these three imbeciles could get in Salem's good grace. Whenever Raven fought against one of Salem's lackeys, It was always one of the toughest fights of her life.
The surviving man was young and dressed like a common street rat. He kept a smile on his face as he slowly slipped into unconsciousness.
"Why did you fall so easily," Raven sneered.
"Because, Our Goddess came to observe," He coughed before finally succumbing to his wounds.
The bandit leader immediately decides to forgo beheading them for the reward money. There is nothing in the world that is worth facing her.
"Stop."
Raven froze.
She felt the presence of Grimm. But it wasn't the animalistic growls of the standard Beowulf's or Ursus.
She saw a single orb with thin tentacles lazily dragging on the ground.
Humans like moans haunt the air as footsteps of bipedal creatures prowl through the forest.
"For a woman preaching strength," the orb said," It would be ironic if you die without a fight."
Raven can't speak. She can't move. She can't even stand as her legs give out from underneath her.
'I don't want to die here. I don't want to die like this,' She mentally screamed yet another part of her wants to give up,'It's useless. Useless to continue living. I don't want to do anything anymore. There is no future. We can't fight her.'
"I came here with a proposal," Salem requested," I allow you to carry on with your lifestyle if you answer my question. Why does Ozpin take a keen interest in your daughter? The child with a strange soul?"
By sheer willpower, Raven apathy evaporated and she lunged at the voice. Only to fall face-first into the ground, her willpower disappearing once again.
"I will not involve her in your war!" Raven hissed," Neither will I."
"On the contrary, it is only a passing interest. I don't care what your people do so long as you stay out of my way. These pillagings and destruction of human lives are merely helping my cause, sowing more hate and fear throughout the world. I thank you for playing a small role in this conflict."
Raven still can't move but the effect of those humanoid Grimms kept her from speaking beyond small moans.
"I want to see your daughter with my own eyes and you will take me to her," Salem's voice put the bandit on edge as she now focuses her last willpower to escape.
Her mind becomes a maze as her concentration is clouded by the feeling of apathy. Yet, She has to do something, anything. She can't imagine what would happen if Salem takes her away. What form of torture and manipulation would the Grimm queen put her through?
Finally, a single thought came to her and in response, a portal opened.
A white cloak blends into the white fog.
Silver spear shifting between a longsword and a sniper rifle.
Her eyes hardened at the sight of Grimm but softened seeing her old friend.
"Raven," She spoke under bated breath.
A silver wave of light spread throughout the forest destroying all the Grimm. Including those hidden far beyond the Apathy.
Meanwhile, Salem sees a brief glimpse of the silver eye warrior before the seers were destroyed alongside the other Grimm.
She sighed in disappointment at the last bit of fight Raven had. Even when surrounded by Apathy Grimm's meant to keep the bandit unable to think.
"I shouldn't be surprised," Salem spoke respectfully," Even when pushed against the blink of defeat, Humanity always finds a way."
Back at the forest, Raven felt soft hands pull her up.
"Raven," Summer's soothing voice hid malicious intent.
The bandit stood on her own two feet before she twisted her body sideways to allow Summer leg to pass.
"Crafty little brat," Raven growled. She locked the silver-eyed warrior outstretched leg with both arms and pulled.
Summer found herself suddenly flying through the forest. She adjusted herself to land both feet on the side of a tree, then she launched toward Raven like a missile.
Summer lands a full-force punch into Raven cheek. The bandit slid across the ground, hitting rocks and twigs.
"We haven't talked*cough," Raven coughed out blood," To each other in six years and this is how you welcome me?"
"I have a lot of pent-up frustration dealing with you Rave!" Summer Rose tosses her weapon aside," And as your leader, I need to teach you a lesson."
"Fine," Raven unlatches Omen and her mask. She sets them near a boulder," Get it out of your system. It is the least I can offer you."
"The only rules are no aura unless we plan to fight another round," Summer raises her fist like a boxer.
"And until one of us surrenders," Raven got into a Mistralian martial art stance," Or drop unconscious."
The two women charge at each other and exchange blows.
"You shouldn't have left!" Summer threw a left hook.
"What choice do I have?!" Raven counter by targeting the upper arm.
Summer stumbled back grabbing her left arm.
She gritted her teeth but kept a determined expression on her friend.
"That lying wizard would lie and order us to our death. We are puppets to him," Raven snarled.
"This isn't about that! I don't care about Ozpin's war!" Summer engaged," It is about abandoning your husband! It's about abandoning your daughter! You even separated the twins! You abandon us!"
Raven remains on the defensive by choice.
An open palm strike deflected an uppercut. Raven used an elbow block to meet Summer's high kick. More fury of punches counters with precise strikes to Summer forearm and upper arms. Raven takes advantage of Summer's shorter reach by simply leaning back.
But as Summer unrelenting attacks continue, She found it more difficult to block or evade. Summer attacks were equivalent to a living dart, weaving in and out of Raven defense and vulnerability.
"You should have stayed Raven," Summer roared," I am not asking you to listen to Ozpin. I'm asking you to bring Akame and yourself home."
"And leave my people to die?!" Raven had enough and shot a hand out to grab Summer's throat.
Summer felt a stinging sensation on her back as she was slammed into another tree.
Gasping for air, She squirmed in Raven gasped. She could smell the blood of her recent kills on her arm.
"You don't understand I have a responsibility to my tribe. A tribe I rule over instead of being a pawn for him to discard. And a strong warrior like Akame is worthy to take my place as its next leader," Raven fiercely countered," I left because I'm not bound by false idealism you naive brat. I left because I understand a no-win situation."
Summer swings both legs up and locks the arm choking her.
Raven responded by punching Summer in the thigh.
It was too little, too late. Summer arch her back and an intense pain course through her veins. She releases the grin on Summer's neck and drops to her knees.
Raven decided to push through the pain of a broken arm. She continues assaulting Summer's leg with rapid, brutal haymakers in a single spot until the huntress softens the grip.
Raven painfully yank her arm out of the hold as Summer limps away.
Raven activates and focuses her aura on healing the broken arm while Summer did the same.
The two analyze each other's condition.
Raven shook the mended arm. She can't overpower Summer as easily anymore.
While Summer flexes her thoroughly tenderized leg. She can't outmaneuver Raven.
Wordlessly, the fight resumed.
Two hours and countless rounds later
The section of the forest in Yuma Pass the Huntress of team STRQ were fighting became indistinguishable from how historians would describe the first major battle between Vale and Mistral during the Great War. An entire tree has been uprooted and used as a baseball bat. While solid rock walls have body shaped imprints. There were small craters dotting the landscape as well as more body shape imprints. The two fighters even prolonged their fight by taking breaks to regenerate their aura.
"Rav-*huff*-en," She panted between breaths," If I win you have *huff* to come back home. I won't *huff* tell Ozpin about you."
Raven threw a weak jab that was sloppily sidestepped by a barely standing Rose.
"And what*cough," She tasted copper in her mouth," What about-Akame. Will she become *cough* a mere puppet for *huff* the old wizard?!"
Summer aimed a backhand only to nearly fall to the ground. It wasn't anywhere near hitting Raven.
"Let's take a breather *huff," Summer wanted to collapse but it would mean she'll lose the fight.
"Finally *huff* got it out of your system brat?" Raven winced.
"Yes," the silver-eyed warrior answers," Rave, Drop…first."
"No!"
They both hit the ground at the same time.
They didn't know how long they had been knocked unconscious. But when they woke up, the forest had darkened.
"Summer, Why hasn't Qrow arrived yet?"
"I left my scroll back at the hotel. I knew you were in trouble with how unstable the portal was. Secondly, I doubt I could wake Qrow on time since he just did a night op investigating Haven and how the Spring Maiden escapes," Summer explains," Thirdly, I could sense the Grimm on the other side."
The two women lifted themselves off the dirty ground and made their way to their weapon.
"Raven," Summer uttered," I-I'm starting to agree with how you view Ozpin."
Raven quickly put on her mask trying to act unsurprised.
"But I can't condone what you did," The righteous huntress raised her voice.
"I don't expect you to. I want you to hate me but yet you aren't here to seek justice and take my daughter away from me," Raven visage was hidden yet her tone betrayed her," What got you to change your mind?"
"I wanted to see your viewpoint in all of this and you're right. Remnant has been caught between their war for too long," Summer confirmed," But between Salem ultimate evil and Ozpin's greater good, I would still prefer his side."
"Of course you would," Raven narrows her eyes," You are his perfect huntress after all."
"Even if Salem can't be killed. She can be defeated and I will find a way to stop her," Summer exclaims.
"Foolishness," Raven accused," You are a fool, Summer. Ozpin spent thousands of years trying to stop her. What difference could you make?"
"I don't think Ozpin even has a plan besides stalling her. That's why I must find a way for the sake of everyone on Remnant."
"Enjoy your Martyrdom hero," The bandit shook her head," I will not save you this time."
"So...different topic," Summer whispers," How's Akame doing?"
"Improving each day," Raven smiles underneath the mask," I'm starting to see why you enjoy this mothering thing."
"You already know about Ruby right?"
"Yes, I come and visit once in a while," Raven admitted," And I think you are more fit to be Tai's wife."
"Oh thanks, Rave," Summer added," But I think you could be a good mother too."
"Doubtful," She counters," Even among my own they see me as more of Akame's boss. Akame doesn't even love me the same way she loves her nanny."
"Maybe you should try harder, show her more love and affection. You should sit down and get to know her. Try to see what she likes and doesn't like," Summer explains," Love and affection don't make you look weak. You have seen enough of the world to know a mother bird caring for her chick is normal."
"Of course you would know the love and affection of a mother," Raven huffed," I only felt the cold stare of my father."
"It's a natural instinct Raven," Summer relay," There is nothing wrong to ensure the best for your child. You know Raven, I would be harboring a fugitive if you come with me. Qrow wouldn't be happy either since he wants you arrested."
"They all try and I always escape," Raven bragged," Maybe the innocent little Rose got a criminal side. What a bad girl."
"I'm not a criminal! I just care about you," Summer ranted and changed the topic again before Raven decided to really tease her, "It seems like you also took care of Salem men. Thank you."
The Rose silver eyes wander over the bloody and mutilated bodies.
"They were too easy."
"Good job anyway, I would have done the same."
"The general public wouldn't like the image of the world's greatest huntress killing people."
"Salem's henchmen are an exception. A secretive exception," Summer promptly added," Speaking of Salem. Why did she appear to you?"
Raven closed her eyes and sighed.
"Akame is a prodigy," She said," I'm not saying this because I'm her mother. I really mean she will be stronger than me. That's why Ozpin wants her the same way he scouted Qrow and me."
The bandit left out the part about Akame having a strange soul.
"Oh, I understand completely," Summer stares down," Qrow lies to Ozpin. He lied about Ruby having silver eyes."
The weight of those words hit the black bird like a Mammoth Grimm.
"He lied to Ozpin," Raven repeated," Qrow, the most loyal, lies to Ozpin. Qrow lied to him. Qrow did something disloyal."
"A-are you okay?" Summer asks her short-circuited friend.
"Summer, Finding the Spring Maiden playing with Akame is more likely," Raven compared," It seems like Ozpin doesn't have a firm grasp with his bullshit. Why is that? I thought you wanted Ruby to grow up like you."
"I don't know anymore," Summer shook," I don't want her to waste her life in vain."
"Yet, if you do nothing things could get worse. I want the same for Akame too. I also hope Yang doesn't fall for Ozpin manipulation. As a matter of fact, I heard Ozpin was attempting to use Yang as a catalyst to find me," Raven revealed.
"I know," Summer growled," And I hate him for it. You may be a liability to him but you are still my family and my teammate. He shouldn't have done something so intrusive."
"I'm glad you are seeing the big picture," Raven stroll towards the bodies and remove a bag," It's time for you to leave. You can't fight me alone and I'm well-rested enough to escape."
"I guess so," Summer brushed off her cloak now stained with grass, dirt, and blood," One last thing If anything happens to me make sure the family and Qrow are okay."
"I'll ask you the same if something happens to me," Raven admits," I can't be forgiven in the eyes of the law, Sum. If I or the tribe dies before Akame can come of age, She is free to choose her own path so long as that path doesn't sacrifice her freedom."
"This isn't going to be the last time we see each other Rave," Summer smiles brightly.
"Cut that smile Summer," Raven opened a portal back to Qrow," We are both too strong to die."
"It's time to say goodbye," Summer waves goodbye as she walks into the portal," Please take care of yourself."
"Goodbye, Summer."
Unfortunately for the huntress of team STRQ, This is the second to last time they will see each other.
Summer stepped out of the portal with a bad limp.
"Ouch," She grimaced," Always the same spot."
The huntress straightened herself and hurried toward the hotel before some people noticed her. She cursed the PR campaign Ozpin and his inner circle did. She was never in it for fame or fortune, Summer only wanted to help people.
By the time he made it to the hotel room, She caught the attention of bewildered employees and guests.
"Is that Summer Rose?"
"Why does she look so beat up?"
"Do you think she'll sign an autograph?"
The huntress quickened her pace into a full-on sprint as she left trails of white rose petals behind her. She took the back rooms and the emergency stairs to reach the top floor.
Their hotel room was the best suite in Mistral and at the same time one of the safest. It would normally be served to wealthy guests on the level of the Schnee's but since Summer has built her fame from dealing with the impossible, the room was free.
When she finally reaches her room, Summer rushes in and closes the door behind her.
"Summer!" Qrow grabbed the smaller huntress shoulders," Where were you? Why do you look like this? Who beat you up? Who's the bastard you want me to kill?"
The aging man was still wearing the clothes from last night's mission. Summer knows he recently woke up by his unbrushed hair, being sober, and bad breath.
"Qrow! Calm down!" Summer raised her hands defensively," Raven needed my help and we got into a fistfight afterward."
The frantic bird calms his feathers.
"You lose a fistfight?" Qrow understood the situation," You know what, I'm going back to bed. A good night's rest could fix everything but a hangover."
"I didn't lose, It was a draw!" Summer defended," And drink more water to deal with a hangover!"
"Here, Your scroll has 50 miss calls," Qrow handed over the device," The housewife won't shut up!"
Summer looked into the mirror and decided she needed to prep herself first before her husband and kids saw how beaten up she was.
Raven PoV
By the ancestors, Tai taught Summer well. How could that tiny frame of her crack my ribs?
My aura has been stretched to its limit and I barely have enough to open two more portals. For now, whatever injury she inflicted, It has to heal the old fashion way until my aura recovers.
That little brat...I'm proud of her. She has grown so much since we first met. Tai, I hope you're happy. You should have proposed to her first.
Why can't I be related to her instead of Qrow?
I shoo away some wolves trying to make a meal and continue to collect my reward and place them in the bag.
The distance howl of Beowulf's reach my ears. I didn't want to see another Grimm because of today. I quickly open a portal and step into the portal.
Milly welcomes me back and I toss her the bag. She looked inside it and nodded to one of her henchmen.
A woman with fox ears handed me the card containing the money. I know they wouldn't cheat me because they still have to keep up a good reputation.
"I didn't expect you to be beaten up this badly," Milly observes smugly," I thought these kidnappers are small fries."
"I got into a fight with Summer Rose."
That sentence alone ended Milly's smugness.
"Did you win?" She seemingly asks on behalf of the other curious patrons.
"Yes," I responded and was about to open a portal.
I thought it was going to be the end of our conversation until she opened her mouth.
"Raven," She spoke tentatively," I'm going to shut down our formal business talk real quick. Everyone, I need some space."
"Boss, You know how easily she can kill-," Milly lifted her hand and the bodyguard behind her stopped talking.
"I'm aware of that. But this is personal," Milly ordered and the bar was soon vacant.
I pull up a chair and remove my mask.
"Milly," I set Omen on the table," Why the sudden kindness?"
"You were a lot nicer back in the day."
And you were a lot skinnier.
"I would be nicer now if you didn't backstab me. If I wanted to I could split your head open with my bare hands," I spoke calmly," And believe me, I want to do it."
"I thought you hated your father?" She questions," I did you a favor. If he succeeded we would have too much heat on our hands."
"I wanted to kill him myself," I partially lied. I hated him but I respected what he was doing," Get to the point Milly Malachite. This is unlike you to drag out conversations."
"I want you to train my little girls," She answered with conviction," You are right about one thing. I'm a woman relying on the protection of others. If a team of veteran huntsmen came to my door right now, there's nothing I could do but surrender."
"What do you have to offer me?" I needed more details. There is always a clause to her dealings.
"I know how strong you are and how strong your daughter is," She listed," I want my twins to be strong or at least be able to defend themselves. The condition for this deal is that they have to train within my compound and I or an agent of mine will supervise it. I'll pay you, offer manpower, and even protection if you so desire. You're currently sleeping in an abandoned house with an overused mattress right? Located on Mistral South Side Outskirts?"
"I sometimes think your information gathering is omnipotent," I said impressively.
"You do realize before you kick out the last squatters. Those two drug addicts fuck each other daily on that very mattress you slept on?"
"Why did you reveal that?" I attempted to keep a straight face at her disturbing revelation. I'm still skeptical because this implies I'll be crashing at her place until my tribe is reformed. I haven't done that since we were kids. It's uncomfortable back then and even weirder now.
"Extra incentive," Milly offers a handshake while sliding wad of lien towards me," Deal?"
"Betray me one more time and I'll kill you," I reached across the table and shook her hand.
Once the business is done, I need to still find the Spring Maiden. It could be months or even years assuming the child doesn't get herself killed.
The skies are blanketed by stars and the roads are completely empty. I approach the old house to grab Akame and move into Milly mansion immediately.
As I got near I saw Flax and Akame with a little girl.
Akame was teaching her how to shoot a gun.
I specifically told Flax to only bring herself. I didn't want any unwanted guests. How much extra work I have to give Flax? I can't even physically punish her without it sounding perverted.
I walk beside Flax.
"Flax," She jumped," Who is that little girl?"
"Eep!" She yelped," Stop sneaking up on me! Hey, Why do you look like shit?"
I kept silent waiting for her answer.
Blond and green hair.
Green clothes.
Could it be?
"Eh, That little girl is Vernal," She dropped the bombshell," Can we keep her. I promise to take care of her."
"What's her last name?"
"Easter."
I looked at her and handed Flex the advance payment from Milly.
"W-what with all this money?!" She screamed happily. The Faunus eyes sparkled in delight.
"All is forgiven."
I can't believe everything has aligned in my favor for once.
A/N: Let see…
Part 1 sets up the conflicts.
Part 2 resolves Summer and Raven's side of things.
Part 3 is the last part because I will wrap up the conflicts and set up the start of team AKME. It will be set directly after this chapter.
I'm going to do a time skip afterward and it is not going to be an immediate time skip, but around 4 years The only hint is that before the night ends, Akame will learn that all her actions have consequences.
About the story, We can only guess at the kind of relationship Summer and Raven had. But I believe they at least respected each other and their ideals.
I plan for team AKME to be rivals to team RWBY and I don't mean they hate each other's guts rivals.
A and R are obvious. Both are leaders, have a similar color scheme but are polar opposites in world views.
K and W will make sense once I write K backstory. K is also someone who could canonically beat W.
M and Y are good friends in this timeline and the sanity of their respective teams.
E and B is an interesting one. Because it deconstructs another flaw of the WF organization.
There are more author notes I wanted to add but I don't want to drag it out. Since I'll expand upon it in the story.
RR