Author's note: Hello everyone, it is I once more (and I appear again from six feet under!). First off, apologies if you did follow and favorite me for EPP. I have not updated that in so long that you might think that I have abandoned it. In truth, I kind have did but also I was a shit writer back then - I had no barely any inspiration and English class in spring 2014 sucked the life out of what's left in it. I might start something in EPP but no guarantees.

Even so, I had an idea of doing a story for Summer Rose. It started as Blackout, a digitally drawn then traditionally drawn comic but scrapped all together immediately. I've worked over the plot numerous times over the years, creating some of the characters, trying to draw some inspiration from somewhere, imagining where the story would go until I rediscovered the power of reading. Plus, I've waited until RWBY came with more characters as a baseline. And so, here it is.

I'd like to thank my beta-reader, interdimensionalmeatpie, for trudging through this long chapter premiere, my writing would be even more bleh without you. Special thanks to the late Monty Oum for creating this wonderful universe and awesome characters to write with.

Disclaimer: until RWBY comes with (a LOT) more canon information in vol 4, please take into consideration that some towns, big names, and anything that are non-canon are of my own design unless otherwise noted. Also, I'm going to have to be quite creative with certain events that had happened in the past, so, keep both eyes open.

I hope you enjoy your stay~

I am frightened that this age has lost its soul, its heart, to lesser powerful men [...] We fought for freedom alongside our countrymen. It was enough for the world but it wasn't enough for us.

-Faunus Veteran of the Great War.

...

Cold filled the air. It was no winter's chill, but rather the last few weeks' worth of calm cold before the seasonal change in Vale. The shattered moon of Remnant shone high above over the city like a watchful guardian, reminding its subjects that there was still light in the perpetual darkness in the world, a darkness that still hungered to have every corner of the earth covered in shadow.

Summer was not bothered by the cold air in the room she sat in; her white coat was sure that its owner would not shrivel in the cold and huddle on the metal seat. And yet she was bothered by the prospect of how long the people who wanted to talk to her in the interrogation room. What it felt like the day had begun anew, it was only a few hours that she was stuck in her lonesome.

A skirmish had occurred when Summer intervened a Dust heist by a group of people at the warehouses near the docks. Afterwards, the authorities asked if she could be taken in for more questioning.

She felt a pang of regret for agreeing to.

Summer got up, stretching her body due to the agonizing minutes of sitting on a metal chair. Her mind now empty and clear, she spent the last few minutes pacing around in the room before a sound knock snapped her back to reality.

A man opened the door, tousled hair impressively shined silver like the moon with small shaded-spectacles sitting comfortably on his expressionless face while a woman followed him inside and stood at the corner of the room, her light golden hair tied up in a bun and a ringlet dangling on the side of her face that had eyes greener than grass in the country, her lips full and pink.

The man set aside his long black cane then sat on the opposite end of the table, motioning Summer to sit as well. Summer sat back down, waiting for the man to speak as she felt his sharp gaze piercing through her skin stronger than the chill of the room.

"You… Have silver eyes…"

Summer's brow rose, her head slightly turning. This person certainly has a way of saying hello. "Thanks. I hear an eye in the black market can run for five-hundred thousand Lien each. No tax, cash up front."

The blonde woman winced at the remark, and the man emitted a low chuckle behind his hands that were arched above the table. Summer could barely see a curl on his mouth.

"I'm sure you're not here for my eyes, right?" Summer continued, "I like my eyes - can't fight without 'em."

"A truth no one can deny," the spectacled man replied. "No, I'm here because of your actions tonight."

Summer slumped in her seat, groaning loudly enough to draw the attention of the strangers in the room. She had already given statements to the police for the past few hours, easily tired of repeating herself to the authorities multiple times, even more so when it was a different officer who had awfully similar questions than the one after and the ones after them.

"So I took down a gang that wanted to rob a Dust warehouse tonight," she said in annoyance. "Honestly, they had it coming. I gave 'em a chance to run and leave the crates behind but they opted to fight. I bet they're regretting that now."

"Also true, and yet you took them on being outnumbered three-to-one without breaking a sweat in under fifteen seconds. Miss Rose, we aren't the police, nor do we want your autograph."

The spectacled man motioned at his companion to hand him the scroll, playing videos obtained from the warehouse central control room. He then had the screen facing Summer, a playback footage of the fight mere moments before it began with Summer standing holding her weapon whereas fifteen armed thugs aimed theirs at the girl. Then, suddenly, she disappeared and reappeared at different points, white petals spontaneously appearing in the air. The thugs were filled with utter confusion in their ranks as they dropped on to the ground one by one. Summer was profoundly curious that the warehouse fight was captured in a different angle than the rest of the private lot's security footage.

"This is some of the best fighting I have seen of one who is still training in combat school, and especially against actual people. Your skill is near par with a first-year huntress, akin to a prodigy, I might humbly add."

Summer held her hand up, as if she were to make a point. "No offense, but please get to the point,?" she asked politely, yet the man could hear hint of sarcasm in her voice. She leaned over the table slightly, placing her other hand next to her mouth as if to reveal the tallest of secrets, whispering, "It's already past my bedtime," a wink flashing from her youthful face.

"Quite a witty personality you have, Miss Rose." A grin crept ever so slightly upon his mouth.

"One that might get annoying," the blonde woman grumbled.

"I am Professor Ozpin, headmaster of Beacon Academy," he gently said, ignoring his companion's comment. "Accompanying me is Professor Glynda Goodwitch who is also the headmistress of Beacon Academy. I would like to personally extend an invitation for having you to study at my academy."

Summer whistled in awe.

"Is that a guarantee?"

"Not particularly… but you could say that from a certain point of view. You'll still have to go through the initiation process like all first-year students. Seeing as you still have a year left at Signal Academy, I will bend the rules a bit and arrange have you to come to Beacon, one that I will personally oversee to make it that it does with no trouble."

"When do I start?" Summer didn't hesitate to ask.

"Two weeks and two days from now. There will be airships departing from the commercial district on-route to Beacon Academy. Show this—" Ozpin handed Summer a white card with a silhouette of a tower and the words "BEACON ACADEMY" on the header "—to get aboard. Once initiation is completed, it will be one week before the semester begins. In the meantime, you'll be staying on campus and will have the freedom to retrieve any personal belongings from home."

Summer raised two thumbs up and smiled. "Gotcha."

"Well, it seems our meeting and interview has been concluded, Miss Rose." Professor Ozpin grabbed the scroll as he stood from his seat, his free hand adjusted the edges of his green coat then to his cane. "Professor Goodwitch and I have some work to do tomorrow so it's best to head in before we pass our 'bedtime,' as you so aptly put it. I'm looking forward to have you as my student. Goodnight, Miss Rose."

The metal door was shut just as quickly as the professors left, leaving behind a very dumbfounded and silent young girl.

He got the last word on me… Damn it.

Summer stood up from the metal chair, holstered the sheath that carried her weapon behind her back, and ventured out of the interrogation room. Out of the police station, she could breathe the fresh cold air again. She stared at the stars above, marveling at the twinkling in the night sky, and for once thanked the shattered moon for not being in the way.

Summer stood up from the metal chair, her sore bottom tingling. She holstered her gunblade, Hauteclaire, upon her back, her hands adjusting the buckle for a more comfortable fit. Summer ventured out of the interrogation room, through the office where she could smell the sweet doughnuts and the aroma of fresh coffee.

Oh, I know that smell… I know very well where those doughnuts came from.

She eyed a Marley's Bakery box on a table, glancing around to see if anyone would pay attention, grabbing a piece and shut the box as quickly when she opened it, walking away as if nothing had happened. Past the front entrance of station, Summer hastily walking down the concrete stairs and away from the police station. She sighed deeply and breathed the cold air of freedom, finally walking away.

Summer's coat danced in the cold breeze, the pointed wedges waving up and down. The coat warmed her body like an internal everlasting campfire. She looked up at the stars above, marveling at the twinkles in the night sky, thankful that, for this moment, the shattered moon had shifted enough to grant her a wonderful vista of the stars. For a moment, Summer remembered a memory of her mother bringing her outside, lying down on the dark grassy knolls while gazing at the twinkles of the night sky. A small joy emerged from that memory, but only sorrow whelmed Summer's heart, eagerly wanting warmth of her mother's love and touch to quell the pain in her chest.

With each passing day came a clenching feeling in Summer's chest. Every day in the early rise of morning she counted down the days to leave Patch for Vale to Beacon. Her father was beyond ecstatic when Summer told him the news, not even questioning or being concerned that she will skip the last year of combat school and the graduation ceremony. But Summer could care less – she honestly didn't like her team and had very few friends at Signal. The days winded down until her last day on Patch, hugging her father and saying goodbye. "Don't say goodbye," Summer heard her father say. "I don't like goodbyes." Summer hugged him tighter before leaving.

The view above the city of Vale and the river to Beacon calmed Summer. When she first took her steps out of the airship, Summer could not believe her eyes. She eyed every part of the academy, from the long, wide avenue to the large tower with green lights pulsating like a beacon in the distance. While carrying only a few things, Summer traveled down the avenue past a large statue of a two hooded figures, a triumphant male and a female looking off in the distance whilst standing on top of a rock with a Beowulf below them.

In the amphitheater, Professor Goodwitch introduced Professor Ozpin who gave a rather short and distant speech. Summer thought it odd he acted that way, like he spoke in riddles rather than a direct manner like her first visit with the headmaster. Nevertheless, she tossed away her suspicions and proceeded to bring her belongings to the ballroom where everyone would be staying for the night, eyeing the new cadets far from her corner. There were a few figures that had caught her attention but did not have the capacity to introduce herself to them just yet.

She did not linger long in the building. Summer stood and grabbed her music player from a white bag and went outside, wasting the hours away by walking the academy grounds and listening to her music until it was dark, until she was tired and hungry. Back in the ballroom, Summer set down a blanket and a pillow. The night hours waned, the lights of the chandeliers dimmed slowly until nothing but the light of the moon shone through the windows. Summer's eyes fluttered in the darkness until they closed, giving in to the sweet slumber of dreams.

Summer had woken up and got up quietly, walking around the sleeping students to the exit of the ballroom.

The walk during the day before gave Summer a sense of direction of the academy – she knew the route to the locker room from the ballroom. The morning long broke dawn yet the campus remained quiet and empty, and slightly damp from the morning mist. The sun peaked over the mountains to the east, the splash of orange mixing in with the dark-purple morning sky over the horizon; morning light would come soon to Beacon. Summer had thought she was in an art master's painting of Beacon.

There was no one in the locker room leading to the showers this early, which Summer liked – no one to bother her and all the space to herself. She undressed herself while the water ran on the tile floor, patiently waiting until the shower was warm and steam engulfed the room. She sighed in relief as streams of warm water rushed over her and her head, the aches in her body seemingly melting away. The aroma of strawberry shampoo and body soap, a smell she never got tired of, incensed the warm air, reminding her days as a child in the fields.

She stood there under the faucet. Her mind wandered aimlessly, wiling away the minutes of her life away - people she had met, people she had hugged and said goodbye at Signal, places she had been to and places she needed to visit. And she too imagined of a life if she were not a huntress. She had always wanted to be a baker and running her own store but she had never dreamt of being a huntress, let alone becoming one so soon early in her life. She was grateful, of course, for Ozpin's generosity of letting her study at Beacon.

A thousand thanks wouldn't be enough, she thought.

She remembered the stories her father told her, great adventures he told of her mother's time as a huntress, stories that Summer never got to hear from her. Summer had imagined herself as a hero like her mother, and so with a wooden stick and dirty feet with mud between her stubby toes, she frolicked outside in the field, leaping and dashing as fast as she could while slaying fake enemies Summer had conjured in her mind

Summer smiled. That was the day she discovered her semblance, how proud and happy she had become. "Daddy, daddy!" she called out. Her father was not in fear when Summer called for him, for he had heard excitement in his daughter's voice, not anguish. He witnessed his daughter's semblance, a blue wisp and white petals in her wake as she traveled a few feet away multiple times until exhaustion captured her body. But also, that was the day her father told about her eyes.

Destined to become warriors, she remembered her father saying.

"Let the petals fall where they would lie," she muttered.

Her hand turned the handle of the shower; the only remaining sounds of water being drips falling from her body. Within moments her hair and entire body was dry, save for her feet. With caution, Summer stepped out of the shower room, one towel covering her body and another to further dry.

Her eyes were pale silver, her hair dark and lustrous as if woven of the finest strands of Remnant. The sides of her hair beautifully shaped the contour of her face, the left almost mirroring the other slightly, however negligibly longer locks.

From the locker that withheld her clothes, she donned a piece of short-sleeved underclothing before her red leather corset and comfortably tightened the laces before tying a knot. Her leggings were next, a new set thanks to her previous encounter before meeting the headmaster, and then a white skirt. Combat boots shone brightly under the lights, with hands tightening the two buckles on each of them. Lastly came a white coat draping down just above the ankle with sleeves short above the elbow

Her head turned to see the brightening blue sky through the window. Wow, I really took my time in the shower. At least I'm not paying the water bills.

The few students that had risen ventured the grounds, dressed up in their combat attire for today's initiation and headed towards the cafeteria for a morning's breakfast. Her stomach growled for the need of food. If they're going for food…. That's where I'm going, Summer thought to herself.

As she expected, the cafeteria was packed with many first-years. Her feet paced faster than usual past the short queue that waited to pay for their food.

Selections of breakfast were taken and then restocked. The smell of food furthered her hunger, and she thanked herself that she was not a picky eater. She picked what was readily available (and hopefully still fresh), and placed it on the lunch tray along with carton of milk. Her endless affinity for strawberries filled two small containers on the side. Summer paid for her meal (for an unnecessary amount) and all that was left was to find a table, an open table, if at all possible. Summer scanned the cafeteria for any but unfortunately there wasn't a free table for her alone. "Damn it," she muttered. She looked to her right, noticing a stranger alone in a table. Other tables were packed with students. With a small sigh, she approached the stranger.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked. The lone man directed her to sit for his mouth was still occupied with food, his hand beggingly waved for Summer to come to the table. Nodding thanks, Summer adjusted her coat and sat, placing her food on the table and removing the plastic wrap that safely guarded her food from falling.

She took a bite of her food, secretly judging the quality of the eggs. Not bad, she thought. Then again, it wasn't her father and grandmother's cooking. Homemade cooking was far away from Beacon, unfortunately.

Summer stared at the man in front of her as he took another bite of his breakfast burrito, bits of the filling fell down on the table. Oh, that is second burrito, she corrected herself, noticing the crumpled wrapper next to his own carton of milk. He was a stocky man, his arms shaped and built to fight the toughest of Grimm. His eyes were pure lilac, his hair were rough golden locks brighter than a lion's wool. An orange bandana was tied on his left bicep, and metal shoulder pads adorned the right arm. Summer wondered what his weapon was, that is, if he chose to have a weapon.

"I see you love strawberries," he remarked, his eyes casting over at the containers of fruits next to Summer..

Summer smiled. "Yes I do. I grew up growing them with my parents… Well, with my dad, mostly. They were like currency and a delicacy in one where I'm from."

"And where's that?"

"Patch," Summer smiled.

The eyes of the blond man widened. "Oh, you lived in Patch? So did I," he exclaimed. "Wait, which part of Patch did you live in? I'm surprised I didn't see you on the island." His mouth shut as he remembered something important; his manners. He brought forth his clean hand and said, "Forgive me, I'm Taiyang, Taiyang Xiao Long. But you can call me Tai if you want."

Summer took his hand with hers and lightly shook.

"Pleasure to meet you, Tai. I'm Summer, Summer Rose."

Taiyang repeated her name. It was a way for him to remember; he would easily forget names as if they were written on sand and liable to being washed away so soon. Somehow he remembered that name, but it was long forgotten. Fragments remain in his mind, small details that were important but out of place that didn't fit to a cohesive piece.

"Wait, didn't you go to Signal Academy? Were we in the same year?" Taiyang asked.

Summer's face had a pensive look. She recollected her memories but none of them had an image of Taiyang. "No, I believe we were not in the same year. When did you graduate?"

"Six months ago," he answered.

"Oh, You're over a year older than me." Summer paused, remembering that student in Beacon was at least a year older her senior. Her hand touched the back of her head, her face tinged with small embarrassment."I, uh, I kind of graduated early than everyone in my class by a year."

Taiyang held his hands up. "Woah, woah, woah. Wait, are you serious? Did you forge your transcripts?"

"What? No, I hadn't done such a thing like forging my transcripts. I would get caught and barred from being a huntress," Summer snapped. "Professor Ozpin admitted me early to Beacon Academy."

Taiyang's face was painted with confusion. "Why in the hell did he do that?"

Summer simply shrugged her shoulders. "I never asked why; I accepted his offer without question. I mean, being invited to one of the world's finest academies a year early, how could you not say that you'll accept the offer?"

His eyes widened until it could not widened any further. "Wow, Summer… The headmaster of Beacon Academy has invited you? You must've done something awesome," Taiyang said amusingly.

Summer answered with a quick smile. She did not want to indulge the events that transpired over two weeks ago. It was a Dust heist that beforehand she had the fortunate chance of getting the necessary information to stop it. Some people run their mouths way too often in the lower parts of the city. Summer wasn't trying to be hero, she was just doing her job.

"Have you heard the rumors of teams?" he asked.

Summer nodded. "Yeah, I wonder how they're gonna do it. I hated how Signal does team selections."

"Oh heavens, I hated that too: putting you into teams solely based on grades rather than choosing who do you think you will work best with," Taiyang recalled. "Like, this guy who was on my team. Total girl-chaser he was. The dude spent most of his time chasing girls instead of studying and learning how to fight as a hunter. And that horrid 'bow-chika-bow-wow' line he used, goodness… Another was a total dimwit! I thought he was decently smart at first but no, the guy couldn't tell the difference a dog and a machine. And his gun fires confetti – who in the hell has a gun that shoots confetti?! And the last one… Ah, nevermind about her. But damn, I hope I get into a better team, man." A pause. "Y'know, a girl like you would be awesome with a guy like me."

Summer stared silently at Taiyang, her attention returning to the blond man. Her brows narrowed.

"I mean, you and me in a team." He waved his hand between him and Summer, his smile bright with confidence. "We'd be the best hunters in the academy. Top guns, top grades, top looks," Taiyang exclaimed, winking at the girl.

Summer stayed silent.

This guy sure runs his mouth…

What confidence on Taiyang's face had left and fallen to a sulking manner. Summer's loud silence was apparent enough. "Or maybe not…" Taiyang trailed off. "Sorry."

No words were yet uttered by Summer, waiting to see if Taiyang were to speak again, but to his credit, he didn't. She leaned on the table, her shoulders straight and eyes dead straight on Taiyang's. "If we're going to be on the same team, you're gonna have to learn to shut your mouth. Okay?" Her voice was low and stern.

"We?"

"I'm considering it. But seeing as I don't know anyone here besides you, and you're not with your old team, I guess I'll have to bite the chip and make my luck."

"So… I have a chance?"

"If we can find each other. But seriously-" Summer pointed at Taiyang, "-you need to learn to stop ranting."

"Would all first-year students please report to the Beacon Cliff for initiation. Again, all first-year students please report to the Beacon Cliff immediately."

"Oh, it's show-time, I guess."

"Indeed it is," Summer spoke softly. "I guess we should go now."

"Wait, what about your strawberries? You haven't eaten them yet."

Summer waved his hand at him as she got up, throwing the empty plate away instead and placing the tray on top the trash can then opening one of the small tray of strawberries, the other kept between her arm and body.

"I am now," she sang.

Summer and Taiyang walked with the first group of students, trekking along the long avenue of rolling stones towards the Beacon Cliffs. There were fields of green as far as Summer could see, rows of daisies and lavender on the hillsides waved in the calm breeze, and the land was spotted with trees of green dancing leaves Summer breathed in the fresh air while taking in the sight of scenery around her, seeing the distant mountains of Vale touching the clouds This place is so beautiful. It's like I'm in a fairy tale, she thought to herself.

The stone path ended before a hillside where Summer and the rest of the group walked over it, reaching their destination and yet again meeting the headmaster and his associate of the academy. There were twenty gray-silver platforms engraved with the kingdom's logo: two crossed hatchets over a band of two separate braided smooth leaves. Each student took their places on the platforms.

"Good morning everyone," Ozpin greeted nonchalantly, calmly taking a sip of coffee from his mug before continuing. "Today, you will prove your skills and survival as a hunter in the initiation in the Emerald Forest.

"Most of you have heard the rumors of being in teams," Glynda said. Let me put that rumor to an end. All of you will be in a team and be given team names… Today."

Really, Summer thought disapprovingly

"These teammates will be with you for the duration of your time at Beacon. It is in your best interest to find someone who you can work well with. That being said, the first person you make eye-contact with will be your partner for the next four years."

"Are you taking the piss...?" Summer mumbled to herself. She looked to her side where Taiyang stood. His face bore the same look as hers. She had a feeling that Taiyang had the same thought as her – to find each other on the moment they would step foot in the forest.

"After you partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. There will be opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy anything in your path, or you will die. You will be monitored during the initiation, but our instructors will not intervene.

"You will find several relics in an abandoned temple. Each pair must take one and bring it to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

None had the courage to speak up.

"Good. Now, take your positions."

Everyone stood at the ready. Within a few moments, one by one the initiates were catapulted into the air. Summer's heart started to beat quicker as the clanging sounds of the pads crept closer to her. Her breath was shaky, her hand twitching from nervousness, but took deep breaths to calm her senses.

She looked at Taiyang, standing with his foot forward and other back as if he were about to fight. Summer raised her brow as he winked at her again and donned a yellow-tinted shade before watching him get launched into the air.

Summer readied herself, hearing the moving gears below her before the pad sent her flying hundreds of feet into the air. Adrenaline rushed through Summer as the sky.

She unsheathed her gunblade from her back and unlocked the safety of her weapon. When the top of the trees began to envelop her vision, she fired shots towards the ground. One after the other, with every shot, she felt her speed slowing down at a significant pace, and then activated her semblance through the green leaves. Past a dozen meters, she was finally at a safe falling distance, landing on her feet with a sound stomp.

She stood still for a few moments, waiting for anything that would jump out of the bushes, but nothing came about. Releasing the safety, she sheathed Hauteclaire and walked through the bushes.

It was eerily silent in the forest. No sounds of gunfire or roars of Grimm echoed. And yet, there was something creeping in the back of her head.

A tingling feeling that something was here, with ill intent...

Her brows narrowed. She slowly took Hauteclaire in her hand as her steps became light and her legs tightened with caution. The weapon switched form, a blade that was as long as her arm, the edge sharper than Summer's wit that curved towards the tip of the blade.

Her Aura warned her of an impending attack. Her hands raised the weapon as quickly as they could. Hauteclaire struck, an acute sound ringing like a bell, holding its own against the owner of the blade. Summer looked up, her eyes meeting up with another – the same nameless woman that she had seen the night before. Eyes red as roses, her nose soft and small, and glossed lips that Summer could only describe as perfect. Her hair was black as the darkest night, knotted in a long ponytail like a strand of feathers that ran along her back. There were five necklaces with assortment of beads of varying lengths hanged around her neck and lay above her chest.

"Not many blades can withstand mine," she said. "Impressive."

Summer chuckled. "Not many blades are as long and thin as yours. I feared it would break like a twig."

Red eyes narrowed at the remark, lips forming a thin line that tilted upwards. Her weapon was lowered as well as Hauteclaire, both being immediately sheathed into their respective holsters.

"Smart mouth. You sound like my brother," she said. "Raven Branwen is my name."

"I'm Summer Rose. Nice to meet you."

Raven nodded in welcome. "I was supposed to meet him, but I guess he got a bit lost."

"I was hoping to find my… friend. But I didn't see where he landed."

Raven shifted her head at the slightest. "You sounded a bit hesitant there. Is he not your friend?"

Summer shot up in defense. "He is! I think… I don't know him that much. I just met him today."

"I see. Well, as it appears, I believe we are partners now. A partner that might be mirror version of my brother…"

A pause stilled the air.

Summer asked her gently. "I-is that a compliment or an insult?"

"Yes," she smiled amiably. "Come, we wasted enough time standing around. We must find my brother and your friend, should we not?"

Summer nodded. She accompanied Raven as they passed through the thick woods of the forest. If this place wasn't crawling with Grimm, it would've been a decent camping experience. But there weren't many forests in the world that wasn't teeming with Grimm – a blight in the world that humanity had yet to extinguish.

"So, where are you and your brother from, if I may ask?" Summer asked.

"A long, long way from here. I do not wish to talk about it now, if that is okay."

Summer noticed her voice falling silent near the end. She had a feeling, an assumption but only just. "Of course," she said empathetically.

"Thank you. What about you?"

"I was born in Patch in the northern part of the island. My mother was a huntress. Father is a farmer and a hunter – not Grimm, animal hunting."

Raven paused for a moment. "Was?"

"Another story for another time," Summer murmured.

"My apologies."

"No worries."

Summer and Raven suddenly stopped in their tracks, their attention taken elsewhere as they heard explosions and gunfire in the distance – more students that had paired up were in trouble. They looked at one another, an unspoken question that both had answered. Towards the sounds of battle they ran as fast as they could through the dense bushes, having their weapons at the ready.

They arrived to see two others fighting a pack of Beowolves and an Alpha. Two Beowulves lunged at the redhead but she dodged in time, firing off a shot from her bow mid-air. Her shot true to its mark, the arrow hit the ground and exploded between the Beowolves, sending pieces of their carcasses in the air.

"Need help?" Summer called out.

The red-headed woman gave a quick wave. "Glad to see more. We have a bit of a situation here."

"Orion and I were having a good walk when these guys started to show up,"

"When there are no Grimm around, please, Aris." Orion faced towards the pair that arrived. "I don't know about you guys, but I want to get this over with. There are sixteen left plus the Alpha."

"The Alpha is at the back. We couldn't get to it ourselves; the risk was way too high."

Summer eyed the battlefield. They were in a small area, Grimm were packed tightly and if they could have come one by one, it would be a manageable fight. She doesn't know what the other three were capable of yet, making her final judgment harder than her mind and the impatient Grimm would allow.

"We could take them on," she said.

Summer looked at the other two huntresses- a markswoman with a bow, and a staff user that she has had yet to see what she's capable of. But she could see the potential in both of them and trusted in her own judgment. "Raven and I will fight them. Aris, cover our flanks and support us however you can. Orion, use that explosive arrow you shot before we go in, and see if you can flank that Alpha and take it out from the trees and give us more covering fire."

"Got it," they shouted.

Summer and Raven ran towards the oncoming Grimm, minding the whiz of the arrow passing by. An explosion erupted in the front of the horde; a number of the creatures fell but the rest carried on without them, eager to kill, to maul, to consume.

One Beowolf jumped at Summer, its claw swinging towards the huntress. Summer dodged under it and to the left, shooting it in the head before turning to another and delivering another fatal shot. Her thumb flicked the selector to auto, firing at the creatures with controlled bursts, weakening and staggering them but not fully outright killing them.

Raven saw that opportunity as she pulled her sword from a Beowolf, before sheathed it in the scabbard. The rotary chamber moved and locked before Raven drew the sword quickly as she dashed forward, pulling the trigger on the hilt when she swung the blade in a slashing motion. The Beowolves were quickly cut down as did the trees behind them.

Summer would thank her later. Hauteclaire transformed, the gunblade swinging through the deathly limb of a Beowolf. Raven however bided her time; timing and counterattacking her enemies were most useful to her, capitalizing the mistakes of her adversaries for her own gain on the battlefield.

The number of Grimm on the field shrunk immensely, and the Alpha dead thanks to Orion. Aris protected the fighters in the front, staying at a reasonable distance behind them. She wasn't very agile at close quarters like other Faunus hunters, but agile enough. And so she had always preferred to stay in the middle with Orion covering her back.

Her fox ears twitched. Aris aimed her scepter at the Beowolf that ran to Raven, and quickly rotated the chamber in her scepter Teumessian. It emitted a low hum, crackling like ice in Aris' hands. Her left foot stepped forward as a counter-balance for the upper body as her arms swung the scepter, hurling two white bolts in the air and froze the Beowolf in place. The scepter grew taller than Aris, her hand rotated the chamber once more and slammed the bottom of scepter to the ground. A cackling sound was made as ribbons of lightning instantly hit the frozen Beowolf and shattering it into a thousand tiny pieces.

She readied her next shot, threading the needle between Summer and Raven who both felt the heat as it soared near them. The bolt hit the Beowolf in the head and cut right through its skull. The last Beowolf of its pack fell on its back, slowly dissipating like its fallen brethren.

Summer and Raven breathed a sigh of relief, sheathing their weapons. Aris and Orion joined them. The girls' chests heaved slightly in exhaustion. It was a moment of triumph.

"Not bad for our first time," Orion remarked.

Raven couldn't help but hummed in agreement with her. Glancing at Summer, the huntress in battle certainly impressed her as a partner. "And there will be many more like this. Let's go, our objective shouldn't be far."

The summer heat had them slow on their feet, the warm air becoming increasingly unbearable and uncomfortable to breathe in. The tall trees of the forest did their best to grant protection from the sun. Summer could feel herself heat up even though the coat did its best to keep its wearer cool, and noticed that Raven swiped her forehead many times. Orion struggled with the heat, having Aris helping her walk when she fumbled in her steps.

Damn this summer heat, Summer cursed. Summer weather in Vale was reasonable most of the time unlike in Vacuo, though it was an unfair comparison as the Vacuo kingdom was in a desert. How they managed the desert heat, Summer would never know. The weather here would be a relatively pleasant paradise for them.

Out of the thick of the woods, the pairs stumbled in an open green area. No Grimm lay in sight. The abandoned broken temple that Ozpin had mentioned before the initiation and a pair that stood inside. Twenty stone pedestals stood in a perfect circle with some relics missing atop.

One of the women in the new pair noticed the incoming group, giving a welcoming wave.

"Nice to see some other students have made it. Take your pick."

Summer closely inspected the relics. "Chess pieces."

"How cliché," Raven added.

Aris marveled at the black chess piece, quickly forgetting her exhausted partner. She picked it up and showed it too close to Orion's face. "Look, it's a castle like yours," she sang.

Orion pushed down the intruding hand away from her face. "My home is… Not a castle… Oh forget it. Just hang on to it, okay? And who are you guys?"

"My name is Athena and this is Rhea. We got here moments before you arrived; other students have gotten their pieces already."

"What do you think?" Summer turned to Raven, holding a white knight piece. Her partner gave an approving nod and nothing else. She watched Raven walk out of temple, standing in the grass. Summer stepped to the woman's side, noticing her darting eyes scanning the forest beyond them.

"What's up?" Summer asked. Is she worried about her brother that much? Should I be worried about Taiyang like Raven is with her brother?

"Qrow and your friend Taiyang… They're supposed to be here by now." Raven's voice was filled with annoyance. "Where is my brother? Where in the hell are they?"

Summer shrugged her body. "I'm sure they're—"

Oof!

Taiyang fell from the sky, grabbing his ass in pain and cursing in a language nobody could understand. The faces of everyone present were a mix of confusion and astonishment.

"Nice of you to drop in, no pun intended," Summer said as she smirked. "Where were you?

"How did you even get here?" Raven incredulously asked. She was even more confused by Taiyang's arrival.

Orion pointed towards the sky. "Look above."

Aris looked up, her faunus eyes easily found a man falling, his hands grabbing the air as if they wanted something to latch on to. "Is that your—"

"Yes," Raven interrupted.

Summer looked at her. "Are you even gonna catch him."

Raven shook her head as she watched Qrow fall. "No."

Summer watched her brother fall. In an instant, at some high distance above the ground, his body shrunk to a black object – a crow of abnormal length. He regained his momentum and swung around before touching down on the grass, his tumbling body shape-shifting back to its former self in front of Raven and Summer not long after.

"Idiot," Raven mumbled, bending down to help her brother stand. "Did you really just carry him all the way here?"

"Yes, yes I did," Qrow breathed out. "Damn, that dude weighs a ton."

Taiyang stood on his feet, regaining his balance and still rubbing his bottom side. "My ass hurts now, thanks to you."

"Shut it. It was your idea, you prick." Qrow walked from his sister's help, a hand on his back like an old man without a cane. Standing in front of the relics, he didn't waste any time thinking what to pick. He was already pissed off and had no care in the world what team he and Taiyang would be in. "Shit out o' luck", he would say to him. "Let's fucking go. I feel like shit now."

"I concur. We already have what we need," Athena said.

Summer nodded in agreement. "Indeed. We should head back before any Grimm threat arrives."

The eight hunters were fortunate in their return travel to the Beacon Cliffs, traversing through the forest with almost no creatures of Grimm in their vicinity. Back on top where they first started the initiation, the pairs had shown their totems to the headmaster and headmistress. "Keep it," Professor Ozpin said, and so they did.

Beyond the hill, there were transports waiting for them. Summer had recognized the make of them from the military magazines and books she had read. There were two Sparrows, twin turboprop aircrafts that were smaller variants of its larger sisters, the Bullhead. The Sparrow can transport a fully equipped fireteam of hunters faster but with less range and can provide fire support in most weather conditions. Its crew consists of a pilot and typically two gunners, and five passengers. For now, there was no need for gunners, and so the mounted machine guns were stowed inside.

The ride back to the campus was quick as it began. From the landing pad to the amphitheater where the initiates had waited, it felt like déjà vu for Summer. Her head wavered and her stomach slightly churned like yesterday after she had arrived from the airbus. Nevertheless, Summer and the others past the entrance of the building and stood among rest of the initiates. Conversations and small talks erupted as they waited until the rest of the initiates poured in until the floor was filled. Professor Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch arrived after them, standing on the raised stage in front of the crowd.

"Congratulations, everyone. You have passed the initiation test here at Beacon," Ozpin said impressively. "Today marks the birth and formation of the team you will work and live with during your time in this academy. I hope all of you made the choice. So, without further ado, let us acknowledge the first four individuals to come up to the stage."

Summer had lost count how many teams were formed. Her hands were bright red from the constant clapping of her palms, her smiles now turning to quick smirks each time a new team was named and created, although she did mentally compliment how some of the hunters and huntresses were very good-looking and beautiful, respectively so. Nearly a half hour had past; yet Summer and Raven's name were not called up yet nor were of the other six they had arrived with. Nevertheless, Summer was awed by the numerous teams that stood alongside her.

This is amazing. There are so many hunters and huntresses here at Beacon already – more people to meet but also a hell lot more to beat to climb up the ladder, Summer thought to herself.

"Ikoza Foncée, Violet Van Stone, Riedel Seigbert, and Yensen Eilon. The four of you have retrieved the black bishop piece. You will be known as Team Ivory, led by Ikoza Foncée," Ozpin announced.

"We're coming up or close to," Raven whispered in Summer's ears.

"How do you know? I lost track with all of these people in here."

"I kept count," Raven replied. Summer looked at her face to see if she was joking in the slightest manner. She wasn't.

"Athena Chrysós, Rhea Thalassia, Orion Fenix, and Aris Mires," Ozpin called. The four girls marched to the stage, standing next to each other in front of the headmaster. "The four of you have retrieved the white rook piece. From this day forward, you will work together as Team Aurora, led by Athena Chrysós."

Raven patted Summer's arm and looked at Taiyang and Qrow. "The headmaster is going call us next. We should head to the stage now," Raven urged.

"And finally: Summer Rose, Taiyang Xiao Long, Raven Branwen, and Qrow Branwen." Summer's heart raced slightly as her name was called. Her portrait alongside her would-be teammates emitted on the screen above the stage. At least I look nice, thank goodness for that.

The final four stood on the stage as Professor Ozpin carried on. "The four of you retrieved the white knight piece. From this day forward, you will work together as Team Stark led by Summer Rose."

Summer felt her heart dropped and jumped out of her chest at the same time, surprised that she was named team leader. Raven gave her a congratulatory smile and a nod. Taiyang held two thumbs up with the biggest smile Summer had seen while Qrow nodded his head understandably. Summer looked back at man who created her team, the spectacled man giving a simple nod.

"Congratulations, young lady," was all he said to the young leader.

Summer felt something inside her, a feeling she could not comprehend. But for the first time in her life her smile was lively, genuine and as true as a flower blossoming in the spring. Let the petals fall where they may.