Family will finally be complete

Ironwood touched his chin, the gears in his mind clearly turning as he tried to formulate his thoughts. The flickering lamp in the tent cast deep shadows across his face. He finally let out a long, drawn sigh—more of resignation than weariness—and broke the heavy silence.

"We need to tell Ozpin," he said, voice firm yet quiet, his eyes shifting between Summer and Raven. "I think… he needs to know. Sooner rather than later."

Summer's brow lifted in confusion. "What do you mean?" she asked, her tone cautious. "What does any of this have to do with the Headmaster of Beacon's Hunter Academy?"

She leaned forward slightly, her maternal instincts on edge—already wary from the recent battle, now spiked by the idea of involving a man known for keeping secrets.

Ironwood glanced at Qrow. The scruffy Huntsman, who had been lounging in his seat with his arms folded, gave a slow nod in response—grim, resigned. That was all the permission Ironwood needed.

"To be honest with you," Ironwood began, his tone shifting from tactical to conspiratorial, "Amber and Lumi are not the only Monarchs."

The words fell like a thunderclap.

Summer blinked. Raven's eyes narrowed sharply. The two sisters, fierce warriors in their own right, exchanged a quick glance before turning their full attention to Ironwood.

"…What are you talking about?" Raven asked, her voice low and laced with suspicion.

Ironwood stood straight, his arms now clasped behind his back in the posture of a commanding officer bearing secrets too dangerous for reports.

"There have been others. Scattered across Remnant. Young individuals who, through unknown circumstances, awaken to power not governed by Aura, Dust, or conventional Semblances. The military called them anomalies at first. But then… a pattern emerged."

He took a step toward the table, lowering his voice.

"They're all different. Their abilities, origins, behavior. But there's one constant: each of them was marked… by a System. One that grants them titles—Monarchs."

Summer leaned back slowly, heart sinking. "How long have you known?"

"Years," Qrow answered in Ironwood's place, voice rough. "I've seen two. One girl who have magic skills beyond this world . Another girl wiped out a monster horde without moving from her position. She called herself the Monarch of the Seventh Horizon"

Raven's lips thinned, fists clenched at her sides. "And Ozpin knew?"

"He's been tracking them. Quietly. Some willingly work with him. Others… disappear."

Ironwood finally sat, his eyes landing on the sleeping forms of Amber and Lumi once more.

"That's why we need to tell Ozpin," he said grimly. "Because if Monarchs are appearing again, and *these two* are as powerful as we think… then this is no longer an isolated case. It's the beginning of something bigger."

Summer stared in silence, the weight of his words pressing on her chest. Her daughters—already carrying more than any child should—were now part of a hidden war the world didn't even know existed.

And it had only just begun.

Ironwood exhaled slowly, then fixed his gaze on Summer. "There's something else you need to know… about Ozpin's plans."

Summer crossed her arms, eyes narrowing with unease. Raven, silent but alert, stood nearby like a coiled blade. The atmosphere in the tent grew heavier.

"Because of the appearance of Monarchs—and their… unparalleled strength—Ozpin intends to gather them," Ironwood explained. "A unit. A team composed entirely of Monarch-class individuals."

Summer blinked, stunned. "Gather them? You mean… make them into a strike force?"

Ironwood gave a firm nod. "They would be deployed against high-level Dungeons. Ones too dangerous for even elite Huntsmen teams. But they wouldn't be alone," he added quickly, seeing the concern flare behind Summer's eyes. "Each Monarch team would be accompanied by an S-Rank Hunter personally chosen by Ozpin. Not to overshadow them—but to lead, coordinate, and keep them grounded."

He paused, letting the words settle.

"These S-Rank Hunters… they're not as powerful as the Monarchs. Not by a long shot. But they're skilled. Strategic. Experienced. The idea is that these veterans can keep the Monarchs focused—and stop them from burning out… or losing control."

Summer's fists clenched at her sides. Her eyes flicked toward the sleeping forms of Amber and Lumi, the steady rhythm of their breath reminding her how young they still were—no matter how powerful.

She didn't speak for a long moment.

Then, softly: "She destroyed half a Dungeon… by accident."

Raven looked away, jaw tight.

Summer's voice was quieter now. "My training methods won't help her anymore. I knew it the moment I saw her standing in that crater… She's already past me. Past us. If she doesn't learn to control that power…"

"She'll hurt herself," Qrow muttered, arms folded again. "Or someone else."

Ironwood nodded solemnly. "That's why Ozpin wants to act now. Before more Monarchs awaken. Before someone—or something—starts targeting them. Or worse… before they start fighting each other."

"I have a request," Summer said quietly, her fingers lightly fiddling with the edge of the table. The weight of the moment made her words feel heavy. "I want to be included in the mission they'll take."

Ironwood raised a brow, but remained silent, letting her speak.

"After thinking it through… I understand your plan. And honestly, it's a good one," she admitted. "I see the goal behind it. I know it's necessary. But—" her voice wavered, "as a mother, I can't just sit back and stay calm knowing my daughter is out there… endangering her life while I'm not with her."

Her gaze drifted toward the sleeping girls—Lumi and Amber, both resting peacefully, unaware of the future being decided for them.

"I promised Raven that I'd treat Lumi and Yang like they were my own daughters," Summer continued, her tone growing softer. "Even if I broke that promise before… I still want to make up for it. I want to be there—for Lumi. To ease Raven's concern… and maybe ease some of my guilt."

She glanced toward Raven, expecting a frown, a glare, maybe even silence.

But instead, Raven met her eyes with a calm, almost serene smile.

No anger. No bitterness. Just quiet understanding.

Summer's heart ached.

Her guilt… lifted slightly, like a weight loosened from her chest. 

Ironwood glanced toward Qrow once more, silently asking for his opinion. Qrow responded with a simple nod, arms crossed and expression calm. Ironwood let out a smug sigh, the tension in his shoulders loosening as he turned back to Summer and Raven with a lighter tone.

"I understand," he said. "I'll allow it. Ozpin won't see this as a problem either."

The heavy atmosphere that had loomed inside the tent finally lifted. Summer felt a quiet relief wash over her, and Raven's subtle breath mirrored the same.

Then Ironwood shifted his attention to Raven, his expression changing to something more composed—calm, but serious.

"Raven… I need to tell you something. I think this might finally solve your biggest problem."

Raven narrowed her eyes, her voice measured. "And what is it?"

"The rogue Branwen Clan leader, Reinner, is dead," Ironwood said with steady confidence. "He died during our latest operation. The rest of the rogue clan members are now detained. Which means… you can return to your family without fearing for their safety anymore."

Raven froze. Her red eyes widened. She stared at Ironwood in disbelief, then turned sharply toward Qrow.

Qrow, still leaning back with arms crossed, gave her a slow, deliberate nod.

Her lips parted, confusion and disbelief clashing in her voice. "But… how? Even with the combined strength of ten S-rank hunters, Reinner couldn't be weakened, let alone defeated."

Summer shared her shock—but deep in her gut, she felt a strange certainty. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"…He was defeated by a Monarch," she muttered aloud without even realizing it.

Raven caught the words and immediately turned to Summer, then to Ironwood again.

Ironwood simply nodded, confirming her suspicion with a small smile. "You're right. It was the Monarch of the Seventh Horizon—Eira Valkyra. Reinner couldn't even activate his Semblance, 'Death Touch.' Eira kept her distance the entire time. He died by one of her basic ranged attacks."

Raven stood still, stunned, as the weight she had carried for so long—the fear of being hunted, the burden of abandoning her family—finally cracked and fell away.

For the first time in years, Raven felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel.

Hope.

Hope that she could finally go home.

Summer gently patted Raven's back, her smile warm and comforting.

"I can't wait for you to meet Yang and Taiyang," she said softly.

Raven smiled, a faint glimmer of tears in her eyes, though she held them back, not wanting to create a scene. Qrow stood from his seat and walked toward the tent's entrance, with Ironwood following behind. But before leaving, Qrow paused and glanced over his shoulder at Raven.

"You know you should come back right away. Taiyang and Summer have been racking their heads raising the four of them," he said with a teasing grin.

Raven looked confused for a moment, turning to Summer for clarification. Summer just gave a tired chuckle and nodded.

"Yes, please come back. I don't know how to handle them anymore. Even Taiyang is worn out by their shenanigans. Last time we left the four of them in the kitchen to make snacks on their own… ten seconds later, the kitchen was a wasteland. They were all on the floor, passed out from a sugar rush," Summer said, gripping the front of Raven's clothes with both hands in mock desperation.

Qrow burst out laughing, and even Ironwood had to stifle a chuckle. Raven looked at Summer, her eyes brimming with emotion, but this time with gratitude and laughter. She let out a small chuckle, shaking her head.

In that moment, the warmth returned to the tent. The heavy tension surrounding Lumi and Amber's condition lifted, replaced by hope. Raven could finally see her child and

husband again.