Somewhere Over The Rainbow: Chapter 9

Don't Fear the Reaper

Summer was no stranger to close calls, having scraped by quite the number of them over the years as a huntress. That ambush however, which their transport had barely limped away from, might just be the closest, one that brought memories she wished she never had to remember.

With just a single engine still working and almost half the plane missing, it was a miracle that they managed to slip away to safety. If not for Ozpin's quick thinking, their pilots bravery and her eyes, she wasn't sure if they would have gotten out of that one alive. "Or in one piece."

Frowning, she shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. They were safe, now tucked away in some remote corner of the Emerald Forest. Pausing briefly, she gazed out of the window and out to the sea of green bathed by the warm light of the afternoon sun.

They were so far away from civilization, that as she gazed out in the forest, she saw neither signs of ruin or even sensed the presence of the grimm. There was only green, broken by the occasional color as far as the eye could see.

The foliage was so thick, with jagged veins and treacherous terrain, that she doubted even the restless Grimm themselves could traverse the forest. If some were to go through, she wasn't all too worried. "They're going to be in for a nasty surprise." She chuckled as she eyed the turrets she could see from her part of the building,"Ozpin always did come prepared,"

Closing her eyes, she breathed in the filtered air of the facility before sighing. It was just serene and peaceful, exactly the place the boy needed right now. "If only you hadn't fucked up," A traitorous voice whispered in the back of her head, making her frown.

"Damn it," she whispered as she turned away. With her footsteps echoing in the brightly lit hallway of the facility, she walked towards the infirmary where her ward rested. They might have gotten out that ambush, but that didn't mean they came out unscathed.

All of them were just a bit banged up, but it was the boy that came out worst for wear. Thankfully, for all of them, he was just unconscious, but that doesn't mean she could rest easily. "At least I can trust Ozpin to always come prepared," She noted wryly as she stared up at the white cross hanging over the doorway.

As she stepped inside, she'd find herself on a windowed balcony overlooking a fully furnished medical facility, one that was easily capable of taking in dozens of huntsmen. The only one there, however, was Charon whose unconscious form was hooked up to various monitors and all manners of medical instruments while a whole team of doctors tended to him.

She would also find a familiar sight there with her, one that brought a smile up to her lips. "Glynda," she greeted as walked up to the blonde, "How's Charon doing?" She didn't expect her to be her, but she was a comforting sight in times like this.

Crossing her arms across her chest, she gazed down, watching as the boy's chest rose and fell while the steady beep of the instruments rang in the background. "Did… did Ozpin find anything wrong?" She asked. It's been some time since they arrived, yet he hadn't woken up yet.

"Fortunately, no," Glynda replied, as she gazed back at her with a smile, "He's merely unconscious, nothing more so you can rest easy for now, Summer."

"That's good," Summer sighed as she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. It had been a long day, and the good news was a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.

"Summer, the boy's fine," Glynda assured her, "The best doctors in Vale are looking after him." Smiling, she noted, "If anything, I should be worried about you with those dark rings around your eyes." It hasn't been that long right?

She's been only up for 36 or so hours, nothing she hadn't done before. She could handle it. The weary and tired reflection staring back, however, told otherwise. "You should get some rest," Glynda whispered as the promise of rest whispered sweetly into her ears, but she couldn't, not before he woke up.

"Let me just watch over him for a bit," She replied before a yawn escaped her lips. Rest could wait. "Just to give me some peace of mind, you know?" She wasn't being paranoid and all. She just needed to make sure he was ok and there was no better suited for the task than her. She wasn't alive after all.

Glynda, however, seemed unconvinced. "Summer," she sighed, "If the good doctors and Ozpin himself couldn't find anything, then there should be nothing to worry about." Reaching up, the blonde laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "All he needs right now is a bit of rest, and a bit of time and so do you."

"I know," She answered, frustrated. Even now, she fought her body just to stay awake. "But can't a girl be a bit worried about the boy under her care?" He was her responsibility. She can't just get up and abandon him, not after everything.

"I suppose not," Glynda frowned as she pulled her hands away and gazed back down the medical ward, "But this is not just about the boy, is it?"

For a moment, she stayed silent and not a word was spoken between them. She was just worried about the boy, she told herself, but those rang hollow as memories of the ambush, as well as deeper scars welled up.

"Yeah… yeah, it's not," She answered shakily before she forced a smile up her lips, doing her best to hide her trembling hands, "Was it really that obvious?"

"With the way you keep frowning and staring off into the distance, no, it was not," Glynda answered with a teasing smile, "You could even say it took all my deductive reasoning to figure it out."

"Oh haha, very funny," Summer rolled her eyes. Still, the little jab lifted some of the weight upon her shoulder. She needed that.

"So, what seems to be bothering you right now?" Glynda asked as the smile on Summer's face slipped away, replaced with a frown.

Turning away from the boy, she rested her back against the cool surface of the glass she opened up to her rival. "It's just…" She gritted out, "It should have been easy." She was better than this. She was supposed to be this fearsome huntress, but her body betrayed her.

"Oum, I feel so sluggish and weak," She hissed as she held herself, loathing how far she had fallen from her prime.

"I've faced hundreds of monsters like them before," She recounted, "Grimm that were faster and stronger even." Those Flying Beringels shouldn't have been a problem. "But there I was flailing around like some fresh faced huntsman that just left the Academy." It was embarrassing.

"I should have wiped them on my own, but I couldn't," She chuckled bitterely. She was just a shadow of her former self, or rather just a ghost of who she once was. "Heck, if it wasn't for my eye, things could have gone way worse."

"But it didn't," Glynda replied, cutting her off. Smiling light-heartedly, she added, "I'd even go as far to say that your performance was exemplary and to think that just a few weeks ago, you were as dead as a door nail."

"Glynda, I'm being serious here!" Summer snapped, her hackles raised.

"And so am I, Summer Rose," Glynda replied, her expression now solemn. "If not for your presence, Ozpin and I might have been overwhelmed and the boy whisked away by our foe," She pointed out, giving Summer pause.

"Just because you were a bit slower or that your charge was knocked unconscious, shouldn't detract from what you did," said Glnda as a soft smile graced her lips once more. "You stood your ground and showed her that you are still alive, you are still a force to be reckoned with."

Shaking her head ruefully, she added, "And, Oum I hate that I have to say this, you were kickass as a certain mischievous boy loving huntress used to say."

"You did well Summer, and… thank you," said Glynda, making Summer's throat clench up.

"Who are you and what did you do to Glynda?" Summer replied with a shaky smile as her eyes got a bit teary. "The witch I knew at school wouldn't have missed the chance to scold me."

"Oh don't get me wrong, Summer," Glynda replied with a mischievous smirk."I'm still the same witch you knew in school." Brushing a stray hair from her cheek, she added, "I just had some time to grow a bit wiser."

"And a bit bustier," Summer noted, chuckling, before she was met with a scolding whip from her fellow huntress. "Ow!" She laughed as she raised her appeasingly at the irate blonde, "But seriously, you grew!"

She's been gone for what? Ten years and her rival was now bigger than her. "It's unfair you know," She shook her head before smiling at her, "But you're really growing into this headmistress stuff huh?"

"Oh Summer," Glynda laughed softly, "Whatever shall I do with you?"

"Maybe take me out on a date with my cute husband?" Summer waggled her eye brow, making the blonde blush for a moment, before the blonde shook her head.

"While I appreciate the offer, I do like my partner who's a bit more mature," She replied as she glanced towards the boy. "Is he… no, perhaps it's best to keep things professional even if his white mane is rather… fetching."

Smirking, Summer pointed out, "You know, he's decades your junior~" This quickly stole the wind out of Glynda's sail as she paled, much to her amusement. "He's probably around my kid's age if my count is right."

"I-! You!" Glynda sputtered, her cheeks now burning up, before she let out a groan of frustration, "Must you always be this insurable?"

"You wouldn't love me, I wasn't~" Summer winked as Glynda glared back at her before both of them burst out laughing. It was just too silly and for a moment, the world felt just a bit lighter and all was well. Both of them needed this.

"Never change, Summer Rose," Glynda chuckled as she wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eyes, "Never change,"

"And I never will," Summer replied smugly, "But that's just because I'm dead so I'll never have wrinkles~" Just one of the perks of being one of the undead. "But a lot of things sure changed around here," She noted as her smile fell slightly, "Oum, I missed a lot of things.."

"But not too much since you've returned just in time to watch your daughters grow into a pair of fine young huntresses," said Glynda before nodding at her, "Just like their mother."

Grinning, she replied, "I hope they're not too much of a handful like I was." All the mess she made and the trouble she caused were memories she remembered fondly. "Ozpin already had enough headaches after all the stuff my and I did way back then."

"Fortunately, no," Glynda replied, her relief palpable in her tone, "Quite the opposite really,"

"... I don't know if I should take that as an insult or a compliment," Summer deadpanned, annoyed that Glynda considered her that much of a menace (and to be fair, she was), but also proud that her daughters were not like her.

"They might just be my finest students I ever had the honor of teaching," The blonde replied proudly, "That is if I could rough out their edges."

"Ruby can be absent minded at times and she had some slip ups, but no one knows their weapon more than your daughter," She said with a smile, "She is a brave and charming young lady, one I knew you would be proud of."

"That's my girl," Summer beamed, before she asked, "How about my cute little Yang?" Ruby might be her sweet daughter, but so was her cute little goldilocks.

"She's much like her sister, but rougher," Glynda replied with a rueful smile that she knew was only reserved for her, "She's rumbunctious and far too carefree for her own good, but she has quite the spirit and quite the temper; No doubt something she got from her mother."

"Glynda, you're making me blush here!" Summer laughed. She had been prouder in her life, making their absence all the more painful to her. "Oum, I miss them so much," She whispered. She was so close, but so far away.

"Why don't you visit them then?" Glynda offered, "I could hold my next class near the edge of the Emerald Forest. Of course, we can't have them see you just yet, but you could always watch them from a distance."

It was tempting, it truly was, but not. "Perhaps another time, at least until I meet my husband again," She replied. It has just been so long that even precious memories have faded. She just wanted to see her beautiful husband smile again and perhaps something else. "She and I have a lot to catch up on…"

"There is not a day she doesn't miss you, you know?" said Glynda, making Summer's heart ache in longing, "Qrow likes to complain about Taiyang being mopey without you."

Frowning, she hissed, "Those idiots." She loved them dearly, but why must they torment her so? "I told them I'd never want to see them frowning, and look at what they did the moment I went away!" She complained.

Perhaps she was being hard, but can someone fault her for being angry? "I swear the moment I see those two again, I'll! I'lll…"

"You'll what?" a deep feminine voice asked, making Summer's breath hitch as her heart leapt up to her throat, "Hug us and never let go?" No, it can't be…

As she turned around, however, her tears fell freely as that ever so annoying, yet familiar smirk, one she never thought she'd see again, greeted her once more. "Qrow?" She choked out before she rushed to her scruffy, raven haired idiot and cried in her arms.

"Took you long enough to get back home," Qrow whispered as she stroked her hair comfortingly, "Almost thought you were gone."

"I-I thought I'd never see you again," She choked out half hysterically as she laughed and cried at the same time, "But why do you have to smell like alcohol?" It wasn't even dark yet, and her Qrow was already out drinking. "Did you really miss me that much?"

"Yeah," Qrow smiled as Summer pulled away, "But not as much as this other girl I know. I think you know her."

Blinking, she gazed up to her in confusion before realization dawned on her. "I was told by my wife that she was going to give me the biggest, warmest hug when she came back," Another voice called out.

"...Tai?" She whispered in disbelief as she found her sunshine beaming at her through a tear streak smile. "I'm still waiting all this time you know," Tai choked out as he held out her arms, one which Summer rushed to.

"Tai!" She cried happily as her lovely husband pulled her into a bone crushing hug, "I missed you so much." She thought she'd never feel the warmth, but as she melted into her arms, she never felt so content. Finally, her heart beat once more even if only in spirit.

"I missed you two," said Tai, making Summer laugh. She was still the same old jokester as well, but that wasn't going to stop her from what she was about to do. Holding her back tightly, Summer delivered a swift but harsh kick to her husband's shin.

"Ow! What was that for!" Taiyan hissed in pain as pulled away and grabbed her aching shin.

"That's for moping around!" Summer scolded, "And don't tell me you weren't because Glyanda told me about all the complaining Qrow did!" Just because she missed them, doesn't mean she was going to let them go easily.

Her Taiyang, ever so stubborn, refused to apologize as she shot a look of betrayal to the ravenette that had been slowly inching away from the scene, "Qrow!"

"Hey, don't look at me," Qrow raised her hand as Summer marched towards her, her foot now cocked, "It's not my fault that you can't handle your drinks!- Yeowh!"

"You think I didn't try stopping her?!" She cried as she fell to the floor, holding her knee, "Oh Oum, why does her kick hurt so bad!"

Letting out a huff, Summer dusted her hands before crossing her arms across her chest. "I know you tried, but that's not what it was that for," She sniped back, "That's for being meanie to my sweet Tai!" Nobody bullies her husband other than her!

"Fine, I'm sorry," Qrow pouted as she got up, shying away as Summer cocked back her foot again, "You haven't changed one bit, huh?"

She wanted to remain angry, but try as she might, the way she curled up on herself was just too much for her to resist. "Oh come here you!" She called out, pulling the ravenette into her arms. She was spoiling them, but to hell with it.

"And don't you think I forgot about you my sweet little sunflower~" She grinned as she grabbed Tai by the arms and pulled her over, making to shower her with all the love she had been missing, plus extra much to Qrow now caught between them.

"Summer!" Tai cried out, blushing up a storm. Her tune, however, quickly changed as Summer reached down. "Oh! Summer~" She giggled as Summer gave her a squeeze. Just as firm and round as she remembered them.

Their little fun, however, would be cut short as Glynda cleared her throat. "Ahem." As Qrow pulled away, her feathers slightly ruffled being caught between them, Glynda continued, "While I'd hate to interrupt your heartfelt reunion I do have to remind everyone that while we are in a hidden facility, you are still very much in public and it would be best for everyone that they keep their hands to themselves."

"Spoilsport," Summer pouted. Still, she was right. Best her little fun in private. "But Speaking of the facility," She said before turning to Glynda, "Did you bring them along? I thought Ozpin said we need to keep it hidden."

"Hidden away, yes," Glynda replied before a smug smile stretched across her lips, "But he never did promise that he wouldn't bring other people in to help protect your little ward."

Without a second thought, she pulled away from Tai before launching herself at Glynda, making the woman seize up, "I'm never going to call you a Witch ever again!" She promised as the woman sighed out and gave her a pat on the back.

"As much as I appreciate the gesture, it should be Ozpin. He should be the one you give a hug to," Glynda replied with a tight expression. Still, she didn't let go, making Summer giggle. "And please keep your hands to yourself."

As she pulled away reluctantly, Qrow pipped out. "So, who's the little cutie over there? Is that the kid we'd be teaching?"

"Y-yeah," She replied, coughing at Qrow's bold words. "His name is Charon and he's the reason why I'm back," She explained before she paused as she walked over a light fixture and waved her hands in front of it, showing how light filtered through her translucent form, "But as you can see, I'm not all there. The other foots still on other side if you will,"

"Oh…" Taiyang whispered as her expression dropped and shoulder sagged.

"Don't worry though!" Summer replied frantically, trying to cheer her sunshine up, "I'm already halfway through so maybe… maybe I could come back for real." It wasn't even that far-fetched of an idea given the boy's growth.

Pulling Tai once more, she waggled her brow and purred, "But even if I don't, that doesn't mean we can enjoy it while the moment lasts."

"Ahem," Glynda cleared her throat once more, making Summer cringe and for Tai to pout. Must she always ruin her fun, something which Qrow agreed with.

Arms crossed, the brunette scoffed, "Oh lighten up Glynda. Just because you still haven't found someone doesn't mean you have to be such a sourpuss." Flashing the irate blonde a smile, she said, "Just give them this once, will ya?"

"Funny hearing that from you," Glynda huffed as she eyed them, her expression softening to a more sullen, and somewhat envious look, "But I suppose." Shaking her head, she strutted off. "Just do make it quick, because Ozpin and the others are expecting you for the meeting"

"We have much to discuss after all, especially after such a close call…" said Glynda as she slipped away, giving them some much needed privacy.

-x-x-x-

After a short nap in Tai's and Qrow's arms and her head now clear, she was now ready to join Ozpin in the meeting. With Glynda walking ahead, she guided her team towards the conference room and as they approached, she heard their muffled voices.

"You can't keep him in Vale, Ozpin," A strong, firm voice shouted loud enough that she could hear it behind closed doors as it echoed down the hallway, "It's simply far too dangerous and you know it!"

"On the contrary, I feel like Vale is the safest place he could be right now," Ozpin argued, his voice but it was no less firm, refusing to yield to the other's demand. "Moving so soon would only open him up to dangers."

"Dangers which nearly took them from right under your nose!" the voice pointed out as Summer looked at Glynda, wondering if this was a good time.

"No one should have known that flight plan aside from those within this room and perhaps the villagers," Another voice, one that was equally as young, but with softer timber argued in favor of the first one, "No one should have known, yet here we are discussing that very matter."

Just before things boiled over, Glynda nodded before pushing the door and disrupting the meeting. "Apologies for the interruption, but Summer Rose and her team are here," said the blonde as the occupants of the room all turned to them.

"Ah, Summer, Taiyang, Qrow, Just in time." Ozpin smiled as he greeted them,lightening the somewhat tense atmosphere that descended on the room. Still, an air of unease lingered in the room, one directed at her, something which she couldn't fault them.

Ignoring their stares, she gave the four headmasters a slight, but respectful bow as he greeted them. "Good Evening Headmasters. I trust you are all in great health."

"We were just discussing matters involving you and your ward." Gesturing at the seat beside him, he offered, "Come, join us."

"Thank you Headmaster Ozpin," She thanked her mentor before taking seat just beside him. Qrow meanwhile opted to lean on the pillar near the window while her Tai stood guard beside the entrance. As for Glynda, she remained by the door with Tai, choosing to let her handle things.

"Ok Summer, you can do this," She whispered to herself as she gazed up towards the holographic figures of the other headmasters.

Even with Ozpin being the only one physically present, Summer could still feel the presence especially as that of the Atlas representative; James Ironwood. For such a handsome man, she found him cold and harsh, almost like the winter snow that protected Atlas.

Turning away from the man, she glanced at the other occupants of the round table. To Ozpin's right was the youthful headmaster of Shade Academy, Theodore if she remembered correctly, and to Ozpin's left was the magnificent, albeit greying, mane of the much renowned Lionheart, the headmaster of Haven.

There were more seats at the table but they remained empty at least for now. Those were seats that were reserved for those that were closest to headmasters, seats she had a feeling that would get filled soon.

"Summer Rose…" Leonardo whispered, his tone somewhat unsettled as he gazed at him with an expression she couldn't decipher. "So it really is true then," He murmured, her brow furrowed as he leaned back against his seat, "The boy could bring back the dead…"

For a second, Summer thought this was a double. Was this really Leonardo? He was still the charming headmaster, but there was an air of weariness around him, like he was afraid. That can't be right though, right?

Before she could dwell further on this, Ozpin cut through the awkward silence. "Leo, you wound me," Ozpin replied, his playful tone and easy going smile lightening it somewhat, "Did you truly doubt my words?"

"It's not that I doubted you, Ozpin," Lionheart replied as he raised his hands appeasingly while his gaze never lingered away from her, "It's just that seeing proof with my own eyes unsettles me deeply and I don't think we should even dabble with! This! This Necromancy!"

Almost immediately, the room's atmosphere got icy. "Lionheart," Ironwood chided, his brow furrowed, "I suggest you think carefully before you speak further."

"Tell me I'm wrong Ironwood," the Haven Headmaster fired back, his voice half hysterical as he gestured at her, "Tell me that this is natural, that this is not us dabbling with powers which we shouldn't mess with in the first place!"

"To conjure elements and perform miracles is one thing, but to bring those that we lost in a facsimile of life?" He argued before turning to her with a look that made her heart sank, "Is she even truly alive, or is she just a mere puppet."

"Leonardo, that is uncalled for!" Ozpin snapped, before pausing as she raised her hand.

"No, it's alright, Ozpin," She replied with a hollow smile, "He's right, I am dead, deader than a doornail in fact." She can't deny it. She can't run away from what happened that fateful night. "But that's fine. There's no shame in admitting that I am no longer one of the living."

"Yes, I am dead!" She hissed, glaring at the man, "But got one thing wrong, Headmaster Lionheart. I am no puppet." With her jaw seat and her knuckles white, she continued, "Just as you and everyone else in this room have a will of their own, as well the freedom to choose our actions, so do I."

"I am free," She said to the man as he flinched away, unable to look back at her, "The question is, are you?"

With all eyes now on him, Lionheart sputtered before his shoulder sagged. "I apologize Miss Rose. That was insensitive of me," He replied, bowing his head in shame, "It seems that my fears have gotten the better of me."

"It's alright to be afraid, headmaster," Summer replied with a smile, "We are human after all." Still, a part of her couldn't believe what he saw before her.

The once proud headmaster reduced to this. A lot of things can happen in a decade, but this might just be the worst change she has seen so far. "What happened to you…"

Shaking her head, she turned away as Headmaster Theodore spoke up, "While Lionheart might have been a bit too eager, he does bring up a point which I want to discuss " Pausing briefly, he turned to her before he asked "Is there a possibility that the boy could learn how to control those that he raised?"

"I'm…" Summer spoke up, but her words failed her as the question wormed its way inside her. Could the boy learn to control those that he raised? Could he control her? "I'm not sure."

"Now this is all hypothetical, but do have some reservations especially with the reports which Ozpin shared to us," Theodore noted. "By your own claims, the power of this boy seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, gaining abilities which seem to revolve around the manipulation of the soul and its energies."

With unease building her chest, she swallowed as the man slowly leaned forward, his hands clasped together before he asked, "So if, and this is a big if, the boy does ever gain this ability, What can we do to stop him?"

Silence soon reigned in the room as the man's words sank in. What can they do? Summer knew just how destructive this power could be left unchecked, but she never considered the boy any danger. She knew should defend the boy, but her words failed her as a question fluttered at the back of her mind; Should she be afraid?

Just as doubt was starting to take root, Ozpin spoke up, his voice speaking with an authority bought by age and wisdom, "There is nothing to fear." Turning to the wizened headmaster, she found him as calm as ever.

"While the boy's power and growth can be one of concern, I doubt that we would ever fear having to turn against the living," The man chuckled, earning him a look from Theodore, one he met with a serene smile.

"Did Summer Rose's report not show the strength of his character?" He asked, "That he chose to resolve the issue rather than run away from it?"

Shame filled Summer's chest as she glanced away. How could she have easily forgotten. Yes, his powers were terrifying, but he was a good boy, a boy that she seen had seen chose the right thing time and time again even if it was detrimental to his own,

"From the way I see it, He's just an innocent young man saddled with powers beyond his reckoning, "The headmaster continued, earning murmurs of agreement from the room. "So long as we do not alienate him and cause him to fear and falter, then his powers are in good hands don't you agree, Miss Rose?"

With her heart no longer clouded by doubt, she nodded. "Cha-My ward is one of good character, and I believe, with the right guidance, could be a great asset to our cause."

"Will you give us your word on this matter then, Miss Rose?" Headmaster Theodore asked as all eyes fell on her.

She had nothing to doubt about nor anything to fear from the sweet boy who wore his heart on his sleeve. "On my life, I swear," She replied before a small mischievous smile graced her lips, "Or should it be un-life?"

This earned her a small chuckle from the Shade Headmaster as he leaned back and nodded, "Either way is good." The matter was now decided, and Summer could breathe easily. Despite her small slip up, the boy was no longer in danger.

"Now with that said and done, let's move on to our last agenda for the day," Ozpin clapped, calling upon everyone's attention as he asked, "What are we going to do now?"

"The boy needs to be trained," Headmaster Lionheart nodded gravely.

"Someplace safe, if I might add," Headmaster Ironwood grunted as he crossed his arms.

"The question is where?" Headmaster Theodor hummed as he glanced around.

"Atlas is the best option," the Atlesian bluntly stated as he made his case, "Not only does Atlas have more resources to spare, but with the backing of the Atlas Military, he will have seasoned huntsmen to protect him as well as train him."

"And to indoctrinate him no doubt," The Shade Academy Headmaster sniped, making Ironwood bristle. Just as it looked like things would boil over, she stepped in.
"If I may," She raised her hands, making everyone pause.

"Yes Miss Rose?" Ozpin asked.

"Wouldn't it be better if we ask the boy himself?" She answered, making all parties aside from Ozpin to frown. This didn't dissuade her in the slightest however, as she reminded them, "This is his life after all, and there is no guarantee that he'd want to stay…"

For as good as the boy's presence would, The boy wasn't from here. This was not her world nor his fight. They can't force him, but for a moment she feared for the worse as she saw Ironwood tense up, only for the man to relent.

"She's… She's right," The man sighed as he slumped against his seat before he reached up to massage his brow "Let the boy decide."

"There's still the matter of his current security," Leonardo brought up once more, before he glanced at her and her team, "While Summer Rose and her team are a formidable group, if the Queen ever does make her move…"

"I understand your concern and I agree," Ozpin nodded, something which Summer agreed with. She was under no illusion that she could take everything the Queen could throw at them. "He needs more protection, thus I ask that you lend me some of your hunters so that we could safeguard the boy while he is here."

"That is acceptable," Ironwood accepted with the other two headmasters nodding in agreement.

"So that's settled them and and what luck, for the Vytal Festival is just around the corner," Ozpin smiled. "I'm sure your respective councils wouldn't balk at the idea if I were to invite some of your hunters early."

"We'll see what we can do," The Shade Academy spoke up with the other two nodding along. Finally, they came to an agreement, something which everyone was somewhat satisfied with.

"That's all I could ask," Ozpin nodded, and that's all they could hope for. Dark times were up ahead, Summer could feel it, and all they could do now was prepare for what's to come. The question now was, would they be ready when that day comes?

-x-x-x-

While the major matters involving the boy were resolved, there were still some minor issues, some related and some otherwise. They were here after all, so might as well get it done. By the end of it though, Summer wished she was dead again. At least she wouldn't feel so tired.

"Well that was a shitshow," Qrow grunted as she walked over before plopping herself down on one of the empty seats and resting her feet atop the table.

Summer, at this point, was far too tired to scold her. Thankfully, she had Taiyan for that as the blonde shot a glare at the brunette. "Qrow!" Taiyang scolded as she sat down beside Summer, taking her in her warm embrace, "Rude."

Still, despite her disapproval, her words rang true, something which even their mentor agreed to. "No, she's right despite how crude her words are," Ozpin sighed, "They fear the boy and rightfully so." Grimacing, he added, "Legends do speak of necromancers unfavorably."

"But that shouldn't color their decision involving Charon," Summer grumbled.

"It shouldn't," Ozpin replied before pausing briefly as Glynda came over with a cup of piping hot coffee. "Thank you dear," He thanked her, taking in a small sip before leaning back on his seat with a frown on his face.

"Despite our best efforts, fear has a way of twisting one's mind to often self-destructive cases," Ozpin whispered, his gaze distant for a moment before it grew pained as he rested his cup aside, "Such as the one who leaked our flight."

This immediately silenced the room as everyone looked at the Headmaster. She knew that it was the most probable reason, but to hear the man confirm still rattled her. He was barely ever wrong when it comes to this matter. "You don't mean…"

"That there's a traitor in our midst?" Ozpin replied, "Yes, I do."

"I doubt it was the villagers given how long you stayed there, which only leaves 3 possible candidates," Ozpin deduced as he linked his fingers together while his frown deepened, "A shame really, but nothing I've dealt with in the past."

"The only question is who they are and how I should deal with them," He asked as the knowledge hung over their heads. How does one deal with a traitor when revealing such information could rattle the very Kingdoms themselves?

A/N:

Getting sick while writing this was not fun. At least it's done. Now, to write Lawman...