"Nothing would please me more, your Majesty..." the Queen of Grimm said with a smile and a bow of her head.

Summer's smile could literally brightened the darkest of places, which warmed the heart of the pale woman. Aurora herself was smiling at Salem while giving her a look of approval. Meanwhile, Ancalagon nodded his massive head in acknowledgement while Fawkes thrilled in approval, happy by her choice.

"VERY WELL… AURORA, LADY SUMMER, I WANT YOU TO STAND ASIDE FOR A MOMENT..." The Black Dragon said to the other two females in the room with a calm but firm tone.

Summer, despite her curiosity and slight fear, nodded her head in reluctant acceptance before following Aurora as the green Dragoness lead her toward another spot in the room. It was close enough to see everything but far enough away to avoid disturbing the Dragon King and Phoenix in whatever they had planned.

Once they were sure Aurora and Summer were out of range, the mighty Dragon King turned his head to look at Salem.

"FIRST OF ALL, COME CLOSER TO FAWKES… " he said simply.

Confused by the order, Salem shot a look toward her friend before slowly making her way toward the majestic bird of fire, whose black eyes followed her approach. Once she was standing in front of him, Salem turned her head to glance at the Dragon King with an expression that clearly said 'What now ?'.

Ancalagon huffed before saying "JUST OPEN YOUR MOUTH… FAWKES WILL DO THE REST..."

Once again confused by this strange request, Salem however shrugged, before doing just that: opening her mouth while looking at the beautiful crimson bird, her tongue darted out to give him more access. Fawkes thrilled softly as he twisted his head to look directly down at the Queen of Grimm before closing his eyes.

Summer and Aurora, from their spot, watched in awe as a single tear-drop fell into Salem's open mouth. Back in Salem, she was confused and watched silently as the Phoenix released a tear that fell directly into her open mouth. When the tear made contact with her tongue, Salem instinctively closed it quickly before gasping in shock as warmth suddenly flowed through her.

But quickly enough, the warmth turned into pain as she felt like her blood was on fire. She was unable to stop herself from screaming in pain and agony as every part of her being ached like hell. Summer, at the sight of her friend in pain, gasped in shock and horror before rushing forward to help her… only to be stopped by Aurora who grabbed her with her right foreleg.

"Let me go !" the Huntress hissed at the Dragoness while trashing like mad to escape the grip.

"I can't ! We need to wait !" Aurora retorted in a stern but gentle tone.

Summer wanted to protest, but after seeing the look in Aurora's purple eyes, she reluctantly stopped squirming before looking back toward her friend, who was still in pain. While Salem suffered in pain, Ancalagon the Black remained impassive as he opened his mouth to speak in a deep, resonant voice.

"NOW COME CLOSER TO ME FOR THE NEXT PART OF THE RITUAL..."

Despite the pain and agony that filled her entire being, Salem, after a look at her worried-looking friend, slowly approached the Black Dragon before stopping at the same place where she was previously. When she looked up at the powerful being before her, Salem's heart almost stopped beating when she saw that he had stood upright, his wings spread wide, making him more imposing and majestic.

"DO NOT FEAR ME, LADY SALEM… WHAT I'M GOING TO DO NEXT MIGHT SCARE YOU… BUT YOU WON'T BE HURT..." Ancalagon said in a deep tone as his torso started glowing in a green light.

Before Salem could ask what he meant by that, the mighty Black Dragon opened its jaws to release a torrent of green flames at her. The Queen of Grimm was paralyzed with fear as the flames engulfed her.

"SAAAALLLLEEEEEEEEMMMMM !" Summer cried out in horror and pain as she watched her friend being burned down by Ancalagon' green flames.

The silver-eyed Huntress almost rushed to try to save her companion but was once again stopped by Aurora who grabbed her by her cape, preventing her from going anywhere.

"LET ME GO ! I HAVE TO SAVE HER !" Summer said to the green Dragoness with a glare.

"You have nothing to fear ! Lady Salem is fine ! Look !" Aurora said with a hiss before sharply moving her head to point forward.

At first, Summer wanted to protest but, at the last words, the silver-eyed Huntress turned her head toward where her friend, Fawkes and Ancalagon were… and gasped loudly in shock.

The first thing she noticed was that the green flames had dissipated as a current of wind washed over her, accompanied by a feeling of power... before revealing Salem completely unharmed. However, while her clothes were still the same, she looked completely different.

Where previously stood a woman with pale skin, red eyes, and white hair, now stood a beautiful young woman with light skin, pale blond hair, and light blue eyes. Her hair was styled in a half up bun with a simple little bun on top and the rest of her long, straight hair hung down at the bottom.

Seeing Salem's new appearance, Fawkes spread his wings as wide as possible before opening his beak to emit a loud song. Its song sounded like a joyous, triumphant bugle through the air, and to those who listened, it was as if the noble bird was both happy and defying the very foundation of the universe.

But for everyone present, they knew who this challenge was for : the Twin Gods.

Once the Phoenix stopped his song, with a groan, the young woman slowly went back on her feet, a hand pressed against her head. Aurora, seeing that the woman needed some help, released her grip on Summer and the Huntress quickly rushed toward her friend to help her, to which Salem thanked her.

"Salem… you… you look different..." Summer said to her friend with shock and awe.

"How do I look ?" Salem asked her curiously.

"Like a normal person…" was her answer.

The sound of someone clearing its throat caught their attention and they both turned their heads to look at the Dragon King, being the one responsible for this.

"THE RITUAL IS DONE… THE DARKNESS WITHIN YOU IS NO MORE… AS IS THE CURSE..." Ancalagon announced with a tiny smile and gleaming eyes.

Fawkes released another song, a melody of joy, fierce pride and simple kindness, a sound that passed through the ears and souls of the people present in the room. It was a magic beyond anything anyone had ever seen , even Salem.

"Thank you… Thank you so much, Lord Ancalagon… I am forever in your debt..." Salem said to the mighty Black Dragon as tears fell down her cheeks in happiness.

"IT WAS MY PLEASURE, LADY SALEM…" Ancalagon nodded his large head in acknowledgement.

Salem and Summer, who were watching the Dragon King with smiles, turned their heads at the sound of coming footsteps and saw Aurora approaching them. The green Dragoness was looking at the both of them for a moment before her purple eyes seemed to scrutinize the former Queen of Grimm. For a few seconds, nothing was said until Aurora opened her jaws to say.

"You know… I prefer the new you..."

Laughs echoed after those words were said and even Ancalagon couldn't restrain himself from chuckling in amusement. Fawkes himself was amused by the green dragoness' comment as he thrilled loudly to the sky, his beautiful song echoing throughout the massive room they were all in at the moment.

But then the moment was broken by Salem herself as she looked at everyone present with a somehow sad smile on her face.

"Well… I think it is time to say goodbye..."

At those words, everyone stopped laughing and amusement turned into sadness and/or seriousness depending on the person. Aurora looked genuinely sad of the prospect of seeing the two leaving, while Ancalagon looked solemn and firm. Fawkes, him, released a song that soothed everyone from their dark thoughts.

As for Salem ?

She also looked unhappy about leaving but it has to be done as Remnant was their home.

But maybe they can come back for friendly visits ?

"INDEED, IT IS…" Ancalagon began to say in a deep tone before pausing when a new voice echoed in the air, preventing him from saying more.

"Wait ! How can we come back ?!" Salem asked them loudly before stiffening when she realized that she had interrupted the Dragon King.

Fortunately, the mighty Black Dragon didn't seem bothered by this at all as his green eyes landed on her with curiosity and intrigue. Around the former Queen of Grimm, Aurora, Fawkes and Summer looked just as intrigued as the Dragon King… even if the latter also seemed excited and anxious of the possible answer her friend will get.

"You… you want to come back ? Why ?" Aurora asked the newly changed woman with disbelief and confusion… along with hope (?).

"I'M CURIOUS ABOUT IT AS WELL…" The Black Dragon mused with narrowed eyes, but not in hostility but intrigue.

Salem took a deep breath to calm her nervousness before looking back and forth between the two Dragons. The moment she opened her mouth to answer them, Summer decided to step in.

"While it's true that we want to go home, we want to be able to visit the people we've befriended... Besides, and I think my friend here will agree with me on this , we also want to know more about the Hidden Realm and its inhabitants..."

Salem, who was shooting a small glare at her friend for interrupting her, smiled before taking over by saying calmly.

"It is true, your Majesty... However, being strangers, we will not go against you, because as the ruler of this world, the final decision is yours... If you forbid us from returning, then we will respect his Majesty's decision..."

A short silence followed this declaration as Ancalagon the Black looked back and forth between Summer and Salem, deep in thought. Soon enough, after a minute or two, the mighty Black Dragon turned its massive head to look at Fawkes who had opened his beak to let out a melodious sound, as if to say something to his friend.

The Great Black Dragon looked at his friend as the latter continued to sing, his melody reverberating against the walls of the large cavernous room and calming the beating hearts of all the souls present. Summer and Salem, as well as Aurora, remained silent, knowing that, somehow, Fawkes and Ancalagon were in the middle of a conversation, although it seemed inaudible to our two heroines.

After a few moments, the powerful Black Dragon let out a deep sigh as he nodded gravely towards the firebird before turning back to the two women, who were patiently awaiting the King's decision. Our two heroines didn't show it, but inside, they were nervous. Both hoped that the King of Dragons would let them return to this world, despite being human.

So imagine their relief and joy when Ancalagon said those next words :

"AS I SAID BEFORE, YOU HAVE BOTH PROVEN THAT YOU ARE NOT LIKE THE HUMANS OF OLD AND YOUR PLEAS ARE GENUINE… YOU ARE BOTH FREE TO COME BACK ANYTIME..."

Salem and Summer looked at one another with pure happiness before bowing down at the mighty Dragon King, thanking him again and again for his generosity. Ancalagon the Black accepted their words with a nod of his head before adding

"FROM THIS DAY ON, ME, ANCALAGON THE BLACK, KING OF DRAGONS, I DECLARE THAT YOU, LADY SALEM, AND YOU, LADY SUMMER, ARE NOW FRIENDS OF THE DRAGON FOLK ! AS SUCH, YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF, NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ALSO ALL THE DRAGONS OF THE HIDDEN REALM ! SO MOTE IT BE !"

At the last words, Ancalagon's voice sounded like a roar, shaking the very earth itself while echoing throughout the area. Unknown to our two heroines, the Black Dragon's declaration was heard by all the dragons of the Hidden Realm and they all roared loudly, accepting their King's decree.

Back to the chamber, Salem and Summer, once again, bowed respectfully before the mighty Dragon King, accepting the honor bestowed upon them. Aurora, for her part, looked overjoyed as her new friends were now free to come back anytime they wanted !

"Thank you, your Majesty… You honor us with your kindness and generosity..." Summer said to the Black Dragon while Salem nodded her head in agreement.

Ancalagon nodded solemnly at them before looking over at Fawkes

"READY TO TAKE THEM ?"

The Phoenix released a soft song, clearly answering in the affirmative. Satisfied with this answer, the mighty Black Dragon then turned his head to look at the two women.

"DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL AREA WHERE FAWKES SHOULD TAKE YOU ?" The King asked them calmly.

"Yes/No..." Summer and Salem said at the same time before looking at one another with wide eyes.

Ancalagon raised an eyebrow at them at those answers while Aurora and Fawkes seemed amused. Seeing this, the two women cleared their throat before facing the Black Dragon again.

"I have lived for millenniums now… The only person I know is Ozma… and he wants to kill me… I have no one else and my home was destroyed a long time ago..." Salem explained with a sad expression on her face.

"You can live with me, then !" Summer instantly said with a bright smile.

At those words, Salem looked at her with wide eyes of shock and surprise, completely taken aback.

"Would you really let me live with you ? But, what about your family ?" the former Queen of Grimm asked her friend and companion, still not completely out of surprise.

"Of course, I would let you live with me ! You are my friend ! Beside, I'm sure Tai and the girls won't might having someone else around !" Summer retorted back with confidence while waving a hand in a dismissive manner.

"What if your husband DOES mind my presence ?" Salem couldn't help but asking with a raised eyebrow.

The smile that appeared on Summer's face after those words were spoken made everyone present (except the king) stiffen in slight fear. That smile looked innocent but they could sense something dark behind it.

"If Tai says something about you, I will... persuade him to change his mind, don't worry about that~" the silver-eyed huntress retorted with a sneer, making everyone present shiver slightly while drops of sweat could be seen falling from their foreheads.

"If that the case, then I would gladly come live with you… my friend~" Salem said with a warm smile in an attempt to get rid of the dread inside her.

At her friend's response, the smile appearing on Summer's face could light up the darkest places… but the squeal she released caused everyone to wince in pain.

"That was something..." Aurora commented while shaking her head to get rid of the dizziness she felt.

Ancalagon the Black nodded his head in agreement : this woman sure had a good pair of lungs. Fawkes, him, opened his beak to release a soft song as if agreeing with the green Dragoness. Clearing his throat, the mighty Black Dragon then looked back at the two women before opening his powerful jaws to speak again.

"NOW THAT IT IS SETTLED… LADY SUMMER, LOOK AT ME..."

Surprised by the request, the silver eyed Huntress blinked a few times at the Black Dragon but soon, she shrugged before doing what he said. Once her silver eyes locked with his luminescent emerald eyes, Ancalagon spoke again.

"NOW, I WANT YOU TO THINK OF WHERE YOU WANT TO LAND…"

Once again, Summer was confused about this odd request but did it regardless. The silver eyed Huntress thought about her home in Patch and a small smile appeared on her face. Noticing this, Ancalagon seemed pleased before his face turned serious again.

"GOOD… KEEP THINKING ABOUT YOUR HOME, BUT LOOK AT ME IN THE EYES..."

Once again, silver and emerald green met and just a second or two later, the Black Dragon whispered something completely foreign to both her and Salem.

"Legilimens !"

For a moment, nothing happened as Summer's eyes were locked with Ancalagon's. Around them, the spectators were watching the scene in silence. Salem, her, was intrigued and concerned for her friend and so, unable to restrain herself any longer, she turned her head to look at Aurora before asking.

"What is happening ?"

The green Dragoness didn't turned her head away from the scene as she answered calmly "The king is searching Lady Summer's mind to find the place she has chosen... I am sure that, once found, he will pass it on to the Phoenix..."

Salem wanted to protest because delving into someone else's mind was nothing short of a violation of privacy, but she kept silent. She knew that the Dragon King will not do anything inappropriate as he had done nothing against them so far. As crazy as it sounds, the former Queen of Grimm decided to stay back and watch, trusting in the King's action.

Back to the King, he was searching for Summer's home… and soon, he found it. It was nothing impressive really : it was a two-story log cabin with what appeared to be a sheet metal roof in dull red located in a forest on an island. However, he would be lying to himself if he said it didn't look nice to see.

A few seconds later, Ancalagon the Black broke eye contact with Summer who gasped audibly as she regained her senses. Seeing her friend's legs shaking a bit, Salem rushed toward her to help her while Ancalagon shook his head to regain his own sense.

"IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I LAST DID THIS…" The Dragon King said with a slight chuckle before adding while looking at the silver eyes Huntress.

"THIS IS A NICE HOME YOU HAVE, LADY SUMMER..." The Black Dragon commented with a tiny smile.

"Thank you, your Majesty..." Summer responded kindly in a soft tone as she pressed herself against Salem's shoulder.

Nodding at the woman, Ancalagon then looked at the Phoenix who, in return, looked him straight in the eyes. For the next few seconds, as Salem, Summer, and Aurora looked on, they seemed engaged in a short staring contest... before blinking, showing that they were back in the world of the living.

Fawkes released another song while nodding his head firmly at the Dragon King who nodded back at his old friend with a serious expression on his face. Then, Ancalagon turned his head to look back at the two humans before saying

"NOW, FAWKES KNOWS WHERE TO TAKE YOU…"

"How is he going to take us there ?" Summer asked him with curiosity while Salem looked just as intrigued.

"AS I SAID EARLIER, FAWKES CAN GO ANYWHERE HE WANTS VIA APPARITION… HE CANS TAKE PEOPLE WITH HIM… YOU JUST HAVE TO BRAG HIS TAIL…" The Black Dragon answered in a calm tone despite how deep and resonant it was.

Both women nodded in understanding before looking at everyone present while sadness was written on their faces.

"Well… I suppose it is time to say goodbye…" Summer said in a soft tone.

Salem simply nodded in agreement, before the two women walked towards Aurora who lowered her head so that they could look at each other face to face. Sadness and sorrow could be read in her violet eyes.

"I will miss you, my friends..." the green Dragoness said in a soft tone before her snout was hugged tightly by Summer.

"We will miss you, too..." the Huntress whispered back softly with her face buried into the scales of the large snout she was hugging.

Salem, her, gently putted a hand on the snout, looking at Aurora in the eyes before whispering softy "We will come back soon… I swear it..."

"I know you will..." the green Dragoness said with a tiny smile despite her sadness.

Then, the two women stepped away from Aurora to look up at the mighty Dragon King who was looking at the two of them with a solemn expression of his dark face.

"Lord Ancalagon, I tell you again: thank you for helping us and thank you again for allowing us to return to this wonderful world..." Salem said to the Dragon King with a bow while Summer did the same.

Ancalagon nodded deeply at the before saying "BEFORE YOU GO, I HAVE ONE MORE THING TO ASK YOU..."

When the two women looked at him questioningly, the Black Dragon spoke again in a stern tone "I HAVE TO ASK YOU TO NOT TELL ANYONE IN YOUR WORLD ABOUT THE HIDDEN REALM…"

Summer and Salem blinked at this, but before they could voice what they had in mind, the mighty Dragon King spoke again.

"THIS WORLD STILL EXISTS BECAUSE YOURS DOES NOT KNOW OURS… AND I WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY… I DO NOT WANT TO SEE MY SUBJECTS THROWN INTO ANOTHER WAR WITH HUMANITY…"

The two women both nodded in agreement as those were valid reasons. However, one of them had still had doubts about it…

"What about my family ? Don't they need to know about it ? They will surely want to know where I was this whole time !" Summer said to the Dragon King with concern and worry.

A humming sound was heard as Ancalagon went deep in thought for a moment before nodding his head.

"VERY WELL, YOU CAN TELL YOUR HUSBAND… BUT THAT IS ALL…"

"What about the children ?!" Summer asked him with wide eyes.

"FOR NOW, THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO NOT TELL THEM ANYTHING… FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, YOUR DAUGHTERS ARE TOO YOUNG TO KNOW SUCH A SECRET… THEY MIGHT ACCIDENTALLY REVEAL IT TO SOMEONE…"

At those words, Summer wanted to protest but she had to agree on that. Children weren't the best to keep secrets… especially big ones. This point was valid, either she liked it or not.

"ONLY WHEN THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH AND RESPONSIBLE, YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION TO TELL THEM…BUT NOT BEFORE !"

The silver eyed Huntress sighed deeply at this but nodded in acceptance at the mighty Dragon King. While it pained to not say anything to her daughters about this whole new world, it was for the best. If people with bad intentions get wind of this new world, then they will stop at nothing until they have not only found it... but also exploited it.

"MAY YOUR RETURN BE SWIFT AND SMOOTH..." Ancalagon said with a nod, changing the subject once he noticed how uncomfortable she was.

"Thank you, Great King…" the two women said with a final bow before looking over at the Phoenix.

Hand upon hand, the two friends approached the majestic bird before stopping right in front of it. With a slight smile addressed to each other, they looked at the Phoenix again before saying at the same time

"We are ready !"

At these words, the firebird let out a magnificent song as it took off from its perch with a few beats of its red and golden wings. Fawkes spun in the air, circling the room... before swooping down on them.

Remembering Ancalagon's words, the two women raised a hand to the sky before catching the long golden tail of the phoenix in flight. At that moment, there was a flash of fire and then, nothing. Bird and women had completely disappeared in a whirlwind of flames, leaving behind two Dragons.

"I miss them already..." Aurora whispered with sadness as she looked at the spot where the two humans and Phoenix previously stood.

"THEY WILL COME BACK… BE PATIENT..." Ancalagon said to the green Dragoness before melting into the shadows, disappearing from sight.

Aurora looked at the spot where her king had disappeared before slowly leaving the room, beginning her journey back to her own territory.

At the same time, in the world of Remnant and to be more precise, on the small island of Patch, Summer, Salem and Fawkes appeared in a whirlwind of flames. When their feet touched the ground, the two women looked at their surroundings in shock: they were no longer in the great cavernous hall of the Dragon King... they were at the edge of a forest. The ground was covered with green grass and the sky was a magnificent blue. In the air, we could hear the chirping of birds. They both understood that they were no longer in the Hidden World... but back on Remnant.

"We are back !" Summer cried out in joy and happiness while Salem released a few tears of joy.

"We are..." she whispered softy to herself before looking at Fawkes who was perched on a rock standing next to them.

"Thank you for your help, Noble Phoenix..." Salem said to the majestic bird who opened his beak to release a soft song, accepting her thanks.

A gasp from Summer caused the two to stare at her in concern. But she didn't looked hurt in the slightest… in fact, she looked overjoyed.

"Look !" the silver eyed Huntress said while pointing at something in the distance.

Following her gazes, they found themselves looking at a nice looking two-story log cabin with what appeared to be a sheet metal roof in dull red.

"THAT'S MY HOME !" Summer cried out loudly with tears of joy as she rushed forward, as if forgetting that she was not alone.

However, instead of being upset, Salem looked amused by her friend's reaction and quickly went after her. Fawkes, seeing no harm in accompanying them, flew after the two. Soon enough, just as they were a few meters away from the cabin's entrance, Summer called out loudly

"HONEY ! I'M HOME !"

Salem and Fawkes exchanged an amused look as they stopped a few feet away from the silver eyed Huntress. Suddenly, the cabin's front door opened revealing a man with blond hair (one who had two small strands sticking out from the top) and blue eyes was looking at the horizon with worry and concern. He had a soul patch and small stubble along his jawline and a tattoo on his right hand which resembles a heart. He was wearing brown cargo shorts with a brown belt, black shoes, a red bandana and a brown leather vest placed over a tan dress shirt.

And said man, had a look of pure shock on his face as he looked at Summer.

"Summer ? Is that really you ?" the man asked her and there was a hint of hope in his voice.

"Yes, Tai, you big goof ! It is me !" Summer replied with tearful eyes before she found herself being hugged tightly by the man who was also shedding tears.

"You are back..." the man whispered softy while looking at her with pure happiness.

"I promised I will, didn't I ?" Summer whispered back with a tiny smirk on her face as tears couldn't stop falling from her silver eyes.

"Indeed, you did..." Taiyang said with a chuckle before he looked at her from head to toes, examining her.

"Nice outfit, by the way…" he commented with a curious raised eyebrow.

"My, than you !" Summer replied while giggling pleasantly.

Salem couldn't retain herself from snorting in amusement and the sound caught the man's attention. Blinking a few times at the new sound, his eyes soon landed on the blond woman behind his wife.

"Who is she ?" he asked her with curiosity while pulling himself away to have a better look at the stranger.

"She's a friend... She helped me come home !" Summer answered with a smile as she went to stand with Salem, who smiled back at her.

"Truly ? Then, allow me to thank you for bringing my wife back to me and the girls !" Taiyang said to the blond woman with a smile of gratefulness.

Salem smiled at the man before retorting gently "I thank you for your kind words… but I'm not the one who bring us here… He did~"

At the last words, the former Queen of Grimm turned her head to look at a tree where Fawkes was, proudly perched on one of the branches. Blinking in surprise at the words, the man turned his head to follow her gaze… before gasping in awe at the majestic creature.

"What is this ?" he asked his wife and her friend with awe, unable to look away from the crimson and golden bird in the tree.

"Well, my dear husband, allow me to present me Fa-" Summer began to say to her husband… only to be interrupted by a new voice.

"Mommy ?" It was young voice… and definitely feminine.

Turning their heads, the three adults (and Phoenix) found themselves looking at two little girls with one holding the other. The girl being hold looked like a carbon copy of Summer and looked be around 2 or 3 years old while the other, definitely older, had lilac eyes and long, thick, wavy bright golden hair. It was the blond child who spoke as she looked at Summer with wide eyes of shock and surprise.

"Yang ! My little Sun Dragon ! Come to Mama~" Summer cooed at the blond child who happily rushed toward her before burying herself into her, crying.

"Shhh shhhh, I'm here, sweetie… I'm home~" the silver eyed Huntress cooed at the crying blond while using a hand to caress her hair.

"You are back..." Yang whispered to her mother while looking up at her with tearful lilac eyes.

"I am… and I'm not going anywhere..." Summer replied motherly before kissing the child's forehead.

Smiling up at her mother, she then looked at the bundle in her arms, whose wide silver eyes were locked on Summer's face with childish happiness

"Mama !" the baby cried out in joy while extending her hands toward the woman.

"Hello, Ruby~" Summer cooed back as she gently took the baby out of Yang's arms before rocking her back and forth.

Taiyang and Salem both watched the scene with warm smiles on their faces while Fawkes watched on with interest and curiosity. However, he quickly caught the attention of Yang whose eyes widened in wonder at the sight of him with a slight gasp.

"So pretty !" the blond girl cried out while looking at the Phoenix with shining eyes.

Ruffling his crimson and gold feathers, Fawkes beamed at the praise before opening his beak to release a melodious song that echoed throughout the air, touching the heart of those present. Salem and Summer, used to the Phoenix's song, merely smiled as they listened to it while the others were staring at the fiery bird with stars in their eyes. Even Ruby looked at the bird with childish curiosity.

"Taiyang, Yang, Ruby… Allow me to present you, Fawkes the Phoenix !" Summer said with a smile as she made the presentation.

The Firebird released another song as he spread his wings to show himself in all his glory. Yang's eyes shone once again at the beautiful sound while Taiyang looked just as amazed. However, he quickly regained his senses to return to the matter at hand.

"There is a story behind all of this, isn't it ?" Taiyang asked Salem and Summer with a curious raised eyebrow after a few seconds of silence.

"There is ! But first, how about we all go inside ? I don't want to stay awake anymore !" Summer's declaration caused everyone present, Phoenix included, to laugh loudly in amusement.

Once they regained their composure, everyone entered the wooden building. As they walked through the front door, ignoring the way Yang couldn't stop cooing at Fawkes, Salem and Summer couldn't help but smile at each other: their mission was accomplished...

They were back in their World…

And soon, they'll have to tell the man why it took Summer so long to get home.

Hopefully Taiyang won't have a heart attack because of this... or the fact the woman she befriended was the very being Ozpin wanted them to destroy…

But that's another story !

(To be continued…)

END OF PART 1

Note : Here is the last chapter of the first part of this story, folks ! I dare hope that you enjoyed it like I did writing it ! I'm still thinking about what should happen in the second part but I won't be against listening some suggestions.

If you have ideas of your own, then don't hesitate to share them to me via reviews or private messages !