7 Fairy Tales

I could join the team sooner with my semblance, but choose not to reveal the specifics behind my trump card to Ozpin. What we encounter, however, makes me wish I did. Seeing the scene, the scouts last night never stood a chance. On our approach, the ground was scattered with countless bodies of lesser Grimm, along with several empty eyes that I recognized from Beacon.

When Ozpin and I finally arrive, my suspicions are confirmed. Those Huntsmen we passed weren't a patrol. They were reinforcements.

I calmly assess the situation in front of me—though the chaos ahead can scarcely be described as calm. Multiple teams are engaged between two Death Stalkers. Ozpin immediately charges at one of the two enormous scorpion-like Grimm, allowing my team to concentrate on the other.

Taiyang is on its head and repeatedly smashing into the massive ten-eyed skull, while Qrow and Summer distract the ominously glowing stinger. Given his position and the pressure, the scorpion can't stab Taiyang without potentially killing itself. I don't expect that exoskeleton to last much longer, either.

I couldn't determine which was louder—the grotesque bone cracking after Taiyang's last punch, or the Grimm's final screech as Qrow stabbed into the hole Taiyang left in its head.

I join the remaining huntsmen against the second Death Stalker. My team follows suit, preparing to repeat the same strategy, but there's a problem.

"Taiyang, move back!" I shouted at him, but at least my legs moved sooner than my voice. Noticing the trap, I stopped him from advancing. However, the Grimm's movement tells me I'm too late—we're already too close. I only witness the scorpion's body turn halfway before the tail smashes into both of us. I land on my feet, but Taiyang crashes several meters away. I don't even have time to replace this broken blade before I notice the growing shadow. Next, my sight goes blank and my feet lose the ground.

"Raven!" The sudden white flash recedes from my vision as I watch myself falling further from Summer. Those outstretched arms that pushed me away seem to wave goodbye as the massive stinger approaches our team leader's bittersweet smile.

Summer's body bounced from the intensity of the resulting tremor. Ozpin, however, stands unphased beside the now pinned tail. Before it hit, Ozpin had unexpectedly slammed the tail from behind, angling it away from Summer. The added force drove the stinger into the dirt, burying it, as well. I seize the opportunity to switch into a different blade as Ozpin pulls Summer away. Taiyang rises to his feet in the distance when Qrow suddenly advances.

"Raven, I need Tai for this!" Qrow shouts.

Oh.

My sly brother. He knows he's not strong enough to pierce the armored Grimm himself. Who'd have thought Ozpin would be able to teach us something new? I turn to Taiyang. He doesn't get it yet, but we just need him to keep running. I sprint in his direction, readying my sword.

Before the beast can free its tail, I slash in front of Taiyang—activating my semblance. The portal I create teleports him directly behind my brother, already mid swing. Finally grasping the situation, he violently punches into the back of Qrow's scythe. Copying Ozpin's example, the combined momentum penetrates the armored exoskeleton, forcing the scythe deep into the Death Stalker's head.

No celebration followed the sudden silence. Too many people died today.

I join the survivors in relief, grateful to not join them in their grief. Some of the teams head straight for the camp, while others tend to the dead. I see Huntsmen thanking Ozpin, but they shouldn't be. Apparently none of them noticed that, throughout this entire battle, Ozpin protected only team STRQ. I dismiss the thought for now.

"Summer." I offer her my hand, abandoning my scorn for leaving me behind. "Why? I..."

My sentiments are interrupted by a jab in the arm and gentle laughter. "Geez, Raven. Always so dark and brooding!" She says with a smile. "Sorry for leaving you earlier," and after a brief silence, she adds, "I'm glad you made it, though. You look better."

Because I'm ready.

Tai just finished helping Qrow remove his scythe from the Grimm's body. He caught me staring and smiled, eyes filled with apology and relief. He must have had it hard, too. I've been so caught up in my own head that I've neglected what must be going on through his.

This man is Yang's father. And I'm about to tell him that I'm not his family.

I wish I could hear her sweet laughter just one more time, but that gentle lilac smile would destroy what composure I have left. Qrow and I won't be going back to the Huntsman camp after this. I was planning on parting discreetly, but gratitude and guilt sway me to tell Summer, as well.

I turn to Summer. However, she's staring at Ozpin, reminding me of my last observation. After dismissing the rest of the Huntsmen, he approaches us with an unusual sense of serenity about him. He's too calm.

Things don't add up. Anyone else could have been our babysitter, and he seemed like he was expecting me earlier. He could have come here right away, but he waited at the house instead. I have a feeling he isn't here for the fallen Huntsmen, either. Summer seems to share my suspicions. Though I'm not exactly in a fair position to judge, I can't help but assume ulterior motives.

The sudden change in Summer's tone takes us all by surprise. "Professor Ozpin. Why exactly did you come here?"

He sighs. After a look of puzzlement at Summer, his eyes turn to measure the rest of the team. Finally, he asks, "What's your favorite fairy tale?"