Chapter 7

When I opened my eyes, I saw myself surrounded by an abandoned town. I wasn't sure how long it had been abandoned, but there were long vines of ivy growing along the buildings as well as moss.

This has to be a dream, I thought. I've never seen this place before.

I saw Raven standing several feet away from me, examining the area around her. Before I could call out to her, a large Ursa leapt out from the shadows and lunged strait towards Raven's throat. I heard a piercing shriek of agony.

"No!" I cried out.

I screamed and I sat up in my bed. I was breathing heavily and drenched in sweat.

"Summer... are you okay?"

I turned and saw Tai and Qrow looking at me with worried looks in their eyes.

"We heard you scream. Did you have a nightmare?" Qrow asked.

I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. "Yeah... I'm sure it's nothing. I'm going to try and forget about it. Did Raven already go to class?"

Tai nodded. "Her class started a little while ago. Qrow and I have class in a few minutes."

"You two better get going then."

After Qrow and Tai left, I took out my schedule and glanced at it. My next class would start in a few hours and I had it with Raven. I sighed and managed to get ready before Raven came back into to the dorm room.

"Hi Raven, how was class?" I asked, trying to sound as polite as I could.

Raven threw her books on her bed. "Fine, I guess."

"Well, we have a class together in an hour. I thought maybe we could—"

"I don't need to be reminded Summer," she snapped at me. "Now leave me alone while I study."

I sighed in defeat and left her alone. I did my best to keep myself busy until class, but I didn't have a lot to do. I made my bed and studied until I felt Raven tap on my shoulder.

"Sorry to interrupt, but it's almost time for class." 

I silently got up and followed her to our next class. It was a Grimm biology class. What a coincidence considering the dream I had earlier...

I took a seat next to Raven and took out my supplies for notes. I turned my head to glance at Raven. Before I could look away she noticed that I was looking at her.

"What?" she snapped.

"Nothing..."

I focused on taking notes as Professor Peach lectured. I was caught off guard when I heard my name.

"Summer?"

I looked up, a bit startled. "Yes, professor?"

"Could you tell me what type of Grimm this is?" she asked, pointing to a Grimm on the board.

The Grimm in question was sphere shaped and had long appendages that looked like tentacles.

"That's... a Seer. They have the ability to float and they are used as a method of communication for certain individuals," I said.

The professor nodded. "That is correct. Well done."

"Show off," Raven hissed under her breath.

The rest of my classes came and went without any issues and before I knew it, the day of our mission arrived.

"All we all set?" Tai asked, slinging the backpack of supplies over his shoulder.

"I think so," I said. "I am a little nervous. This is going to be our first mission."

"If we work together, I'm sure it'll work out just fine. That's what this school is all about, right?" Qrow asked.

I smiled nervously. "I guess you're right. We should hurry. Ozpin is waiting."

Ozpin was waiting for outside in front of an airship. He greeted us with a nod before speaking.

"I hope you're prepared for this mission. Know that I will be monitoring your progress very carefully until the mission is complete. And I can order you back here if I find your performance to be unsatisfactory. Usually, on the first mission, I would have you shadow a huntsman. But I would like to see how you all work together on your own. Be sure to listen to your leader and to look after one another. Good luck, team STRQ."

We thanked him and boarded the airship. We sat in silence while the airship took off and headed outside the area of Beacon.

"I hope we get to kill some Grimm," Tai said, breaking the silence.

"We will. That's our entire mission," Raven replied.

"I just hope we do well. I would hate to disappoint Ozpin on our first mission," I said quietly.

Qrow placed his hand on my shoulder, causing me to blush a little. "Don't worry about it. We have the best leader to guide us after all."

After a few hours, the airship landed outside an abandoned town. After we got off the ship, we walked towards it to get a better look. I noticed that the buildings were run down and had ivy and moss growing on the sides. I became light-headed as the realization hit me. This place was the one I had seen in my dream. I staggered a bit and fell back.

"Summer!"

Qrow caught me before I could fall to the ground.

"Are you feeling okay?" Tai asked, concerned.

I nodded weakly. "Yeah... I just felt a bit light-headed. Thanks for catching me, Qrow."

"Should we head back to Beacon? I don't want you strain yourself," Qrow said.

"No! We have to complete this mission."

"I don't think it's worth the cost of your health," Tai said. "You're our leader. We'd be lost without you."

"Thank you for your concern. I'll be okay," I said, standing to my feet.

We walked further into the town. Raven was walking ahead of us, examining the the place.

"This place looks like it's been abandoned for decades," she said.

I quickly ran to her side. "Raven... be careful."

She glared at me. "Why? There's nothing here."

"There will be. I saw it myself!"

"Saw what?"

Just like my dream, an Ursa leapt out from the shadows and lunged toward Raven. My battle instincts kicked in and I quickly drew out my sword and jumped in front of her. I stabbed the Ursa in the neck and watched as it disintegrated.

I looked back to Raven. "Are you okay?"

Raven's face was mixed with shock and surprise. "You... you saved me," she whispered.

"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?"

"After all those rude things I said. I don't understand why you would help me after all that."

I lowered my sword. "You and I are teammates. If we're going to make this team work. We have to work together. That includes looking out for one another. Don't you agree?"

Raven stared at me for a while. Then she smiled at me for the first time. A true genuine smile.

"Yeah," she said.

I smiled back and embraced her. She stood still for a brief moment before embracing me back.

"That was nice. Glad you two are finally getting along," Tai said.

"I never thought I'd see the day," Qrow replied.

After a few moments Raven and I pulled away.

"Should we spilt up?" Raven suggested. "We'd cover more ground that way."

I shook my head. "No. That's not safe. A Grimm almost killed you!"

"Fair enough. What should we do, fearless leader?"

"Please don't call me that. To answer your question, I think we should begin where the Ursa came from. There could be more of them."

Tai and Qrow nodded in agreement.

"That sounds like a good plan," Raven replied.

"Let's get started team," I said, leading the way.