The oceans of Remnant were an interesting place.

Thanks to sea dwelling Grimm, they were largely unexplored outside of established routes, leaving vast areas entirely unexplored by man. Anything could be out there, it only took a dedicated enough soul to uncover it.

One such explorer flew lazily above the waves, staring down into the water. It was a rather peculiar looking Nevermore, the creature only managing to reach a size somewhere between the average human and Ursa. The Nevermore kept flying forwards, as if it had some goal or destination in mind.

Onwards the small Grimm went for several hours, darkness beginning to creep into the sky as night fell. The Nevermore continued onwards, ignoring all fatigue and never wavering from their beeline path. Finally, a landmass slowly began to form some distance away.

A tropical island. Sandy white beaches dotted with palm trees were visible, with the tree cover becoming significantly denser a short ways from shore. The Nevermore let out a sound akin to a relieved sigh as it made landfall, talons sinking into the wet sand. After a short rest, the Grimm walked into the trees ahead of it.

For any other Nevermore, walking among the relatively dense palm forest would be impossible without bulldozing the entire thing. However, for the smaller Grimm, it was not more than slightly challenging to do so. The Nevermore continued the journey forwards, weaving its way through the trees with a sense of familiarity.

A couple of minutes of walking brought the small Grimm to a clearing. There were no trees here, trampled stumps showing signs that wasn't always the case however. The Nevermore looked around before unfurling its wings and letting out a long caw. The ground shook slightly. In the distance, the sound of trees snapping and breaking was clearly audible as something large approached. The Nevermore seemed unworried, picking at its wings as it waited.

A Deathstalker pushed down several trees in front of it, stepping into view. The Grimm was large, even by Deathstalker standards, dwarfing the small Nevermore by several times. Strangely, it featured an inverted color palette, sporting white flesh protected by black plates of armor.

The Deathstalker approached the Nevermore, tail swinging back and forth as it neared. The two Grimm locked their pale eyes, four meeting seven, as the Deathstalker came to a halt.

Slowly, the larger Grimm's mouth parts moved. "Dawn... you've returned."

Dawn, despite having a beak, gave off the appearance of grinning. "Yep! Did you miss me Sheer?"

"No."

"Oh come on, I know you did!"

"Do not waste time on such matters. Our lord is anxiously awaiting your report."

Dawn moved her wing, as if to dismiss the notion. "Ah, you make it sound so dramatic! Alright, I'll come, but…"

"What is it now?"

"Can you carry me? My wings are sore from flying so far…"

"..."

Sheer the massive, killing machine that he was, crumpled under the pleading look of his companion.

"Fine…"

"Hooray!"

With a few flaps, Dawn perched herself on Sheer's back. With a happy coo, she sat down, getting comfortable. Chittering irately, Sheer began to travel down a beaten path. As they went, several other Grimm appeared, becoming more common the further they went.

The entire island was full of Grimm, all sporting the same pale eyes as Dawn and Sheer, and nearly every type imaginable was present. All of them had been brought here by their leader, Manslayer, who often went on expeditions to the mainland to rescue more Grimm.

The island, while also a good base of operations, also acted a safe haven. It was fairly remote, and offered nothing of value of humans, so they never bothered to explore it. As such, a Grimm could come here from the mainland and never see a human for the rest of their lives if they so choose.

Of course, some did choose to go back to the mainland with Manslayer, and help him on such expeditions. Dawn had joined the team around two years ago, being the most recent addition. Sheer had been on the island and on Manslayer's team long before Dawn ever arrived, having built up quite the reputation among the Grimm there.

Dawn sighed. She hoped that someday she could live up to Sheer's reputation. Manslayer hadn't yet sent her out on any solo missions, always sending at least one other Grimm to accompany her outside of these simple recon missions. Dawn didn't mind the company, but she really wanted to prove herself. Everyone just thought of her as an innocent, sweet little thing, which she wasn't denying, but she could be good in serious situations too!

Eventually, Dawn and Sheer reached another clearing. This one was far more deliberate then the first, and an empty chair that was fashioned from logs and fines sat in its center. A King Taijitu was curled around the chair, as if protecting it, asleep.

Dawn dismounted from Sheer's back and walked towards the sleeping serpent Grimm. Quickly, she pecked its side.

"Wake up lazy bones!"

The King Taijitu was roused from its slumber, slowly uncoiling to face Dawn. While most King Taijitu had a head on their front and back ends, this particular one had both heads towards the front, splitting off from a grey body in a v shape.

"I was having the most wonderful dream too…"

"Ah! You've returned! Manssssslayer was looking for you!"

Both heads spoke of their own accord, addressing Dawn separately. The white head of the King Taijitu looked at the black head with irritation.

"Why did you bother dragging out the s? We don't have to speak like that."

"I dunno, it just felt right…"

Sheer walked forwards, interrupting the conversation. "Tai, Ju, where is Manslayer?"

Tai and Ju turned their attention towards Sheer, Ju speaking for them both. "He had to go settle some problem between two Beowolves and a Gheist awhile ago. Haven't seen him since. Why?"

"Dawn has some important information to relay to our lord. She's just arrived from the recon mission."

Tai looked down at Dawn. "Ah, so that's where you went off to!"

Ju once again looked annoyed with her brother. "Did you seriously not know? Manslayer told us all about the mission."

"I… may or may not have been paying attention…?"

Sheer let out an angry snarl. "You should be following Manslayer's every word with focus!"

"Jeez, sorry Sheer, but you know how Manslayer gets when he's giving a speech."

"The habits of our lord to not excuse your shortcomings."

"Come on Sheer, go easy on him!"

Sheer turned his attention to Dawn. "This isn't just some simple, kill a few humans matter, these two are Manslayer's personal guard. Tai should have been paying much closer attention."

Tai seemed to wilt under Sheer's words. "S-Sorry…"

"I will have to report this failure to-"

Ju's tongue flicked outwards idly. "Brother dearest has learned his lesson. I think that's quite enough."

"Very well then..."

Things became a bit awkward. Tai looked downcast while Ju and Sheer exchanged heated glances. Dawn picked at her feathers, intent on staying out of it.

"Hello, sorry to keep you waiting."

Sheer, Dawn, Tai, and Ju all turned in surprise towards the suddenly appearing voice voice.

The figure before them was alien, not being like any documented species of Grimm. It stood like a human would, with two arms and legs and a generally humanoid body plan. The similarities stopped there, however, as the entire body was jet black except for two glowing white eyes that stood out from the rest of the figure's shape.

Sheer was the first to react, hastily bowing. "My lord. Welcome back."

The newcomer smiled, revealing a glowing mouth that matched their eyes. "No need for such formalities."

"Yes my l- Manslayer."

Manslayer turned to Dawn. "I'm glad to see you've returned safe from your mission."

The little Nevermore puffed her chest out proudly. "Yep! And the info you wanted!"

The smile faded from Manslayer's face, blank eyes gleaming with interesting. "Do tell."

"Alright so here's the deal, that Ozpin guy you wanted me to keep an eye on has gathered up a bunch of Grimm and put them in the Emerald Forest for… some reason. I didn't try and contact any of them in order to keep my cover, but I was able to pick out a lot of Beowolves and Ursai from the air. Mighta been some others, too."

"...I see. Thank you Dawn."

The small Nevermore looked pleased with herself, nodding. Manslayer moved to address the group.

"There's a reason Ozpin has been gathering Grimm, I suspect. You're all aware he's the headmaster of Beacon Academy, one of the largest hunter training schools in all of Remnant, correct?"

Sheer hissed unhappily. "Butchers, the lot of them. We should wipe them out."

"Now now Sheer. I know hunters are unfriendly at the best of times, but not only is launching an assault on Beacon and surviving an impossible task, but even if we could somehow succeed, it would be foolish to mount such an attack. We have powerful enemies already, making all of Vale join the list is a poor idea."

Sheer looked unsatisfied with the answer, but did not object.

"As I was saying, Ozpin leads Beacon. I suspect the reason he's gathered Grimm in the forest is for newcomers to test their mettle against them and prove themselves to the academy."

Dawn let out a gasp. "So wait, he's going out of his way to collect these Grimm, who are minding their own business, just to have them killed as a show?!"

Manslayer nodded gravely. "Indeed. It's nasty business, and that's exactly why I intend to disrupt it."

Ju flicked out her forked tongue again, looking dubious. "You just said making an enemy of Ozpin was a foolish idea, how is you going in and attacking his students any less foolish?"

"I'm glad you asked. Obviously, I cannot do this myself, as my presence would attract too much attention from Ozpin, so that's why I'm planning on sending Dawn to do it for me."

Tai and Ju both exchanged worried looks while Sheer pounded a claw on the ground. "Dawn is not up for such a task! You'd send her to her death!"

Dawn shrunk a bit. "Yeah boss… I don't think I can take on that many hunters at once, even if they're just newbies."

Manslayer sighed. "I'm not asking you to storm in, kill every single hunter, and fly away. Instead, a mere disruption is all we need. Enough to send Ozpin a message not to trifle with the Grimm in such a sadistic manner, but nothing risky enough to put Dawn in any serious harm's way."

Dawn tilted her head slightly. "So what exactly do you want me to do?"

"I want you to travel to the Emerald Forest during the initiation tests and liberate as many Grimm as you possibly can. Do you remember how to do it?"

"Yeah, you look them in the eyes and will it right?"

"Correct. I will also ask that in doing this you give any initiates a bit of a roughing up if you encounter them, but absolutely under no condition are you to use lethal force, nor keep fighting if you are hurt. We want to rustle Ozpin's feathers and make him not want to put innocent Grimm in harm's way, not send Dawn to her death."

Dawn puffed out her chest once again. "Now that sounds like something I can do!"

Sheer took a step forwards. "My lord, are you sure about this?"

"Yes, Sheer. We've sat around and twiddled our thumbs beyond minor missions to the mainland. I think it's finally time we make some larger moves."

"Very well then, my lord."

"Please, Sheer, you don't have to call me that."

"..."

"Anyways, you are all dismissed. Dawn, you are to leave tomorrow morning once you've rested."

The four Grimm gave their leave before departing. Dawn flew off into the sky, while Sheer trundled off back the way he came, and Tai and Ju slithered away into the forest. Now alone, Manslayer took a seat in his chair, staring off into the night sky.

…

Stretching her wings, Dawn opened her eyes. The sun was just beginning its rise, staining the sky a brilliant shade of orange. The little Nevermore stood in awe of the beautiful sight for a few moments before running over to two other Nevermore roosted nearby.

"Nightwing! Darkfeather! Look at the sunrise!"

The two much larger Grimm squawked unhappily as Dawn practically threw herself into their sides, waking them up.

"Ugh… what…?

"Really Dawn?"

Dawn somehow managed to pull off a pout. "Don't be slouches! Isn't it beautiful?"

Nightwing and Darkfeather both looked off into the sunrise, while Dawn squeezed her way in between them, getting cozy.

"Yeah, it's alright."

"Mmmm. Very average."

Dawn let out an indignant squawk. "It's not alright or average, it's freakin' majestic!"

Darkfeather let out something akin to laughter, while Nightwing pulled Dawn under his wing. "Ahh you guys are the worst! Let go of me!"

The small Nevermore struggled, but was no match for the loving embrace of her much larger counterpart. "This is punishment for waking us up so early, Dawn."

"You can't hold me here forever! I have to go on a super duper important mission for Manslayer!"

"Oh?"

Nightwing's grip slacked and Darkfeather looked down at Dawn curiously.

"Yeah! I'm going back to Vale to fight some hunters and save some Grimm!"

"Awh, Lil sis is really moving up in the world!"

"She is, isn't she?"

"Hey! We're all from the same flock! You aren't older than me!"

"But you are the smallest."

Dawn headbutted Nightwing's flank out of annoyance, causing the larger Nevermore to chuckle.

"Boo! You know I'm not good at fighting big stuff, don't make fun of me!"

The only answer Dawn got was a large wing wrapping around her again. She let out a defeated sigh, giving in to Nightwing's clutches. The trio of Nevermore sat in silence for some time, watching as the sun slowly crept its way higher into the sky. Eventually, Dawn managed to worm her way out of Nightwing's grip.

"Alright guys… I probably should be going now. Manslayer wanted me to travel as soon as I could, since the new hunters will be at the forest in a couple of days."

Nightwing looked down at Dawn with worry in his eyes. "Dawn… please be safe. Humans are very dangerous creatures."

Darkfeather nodded, mirroring the sentiment. "There's a reason we stay hidden on this island. If the humans knew where we were, they'd wipe us all out. Not even Manslayer would be able to save us."

"I know, I know! I'll be careful! Besides, I'm way better than you two at fighting humans! I'm quick, agile, and not a massive target unlike you two!"

"Are you calling us fat?"

"Uh… no…?"

Dawn tried to look innocent as Darkfeather and Nightwing looked down at her sternly. After a few moments, he siblings burst into laughter.

"Good luck Dawn."

"Yeah, come home in one piece, okay?"

"I will, don't worry! Those humans couldn't take me if they tried!"

The three Nevermore touched their beaks together as a sign of parting. Dawn closed her eyes and cooed softly. She was going to miss her brothers, even if this wouldn't be a long expedition. After a short time of enjoying the moment, Dawn pulled away and began to take off.

"See you two soon! Keep an eye on Sheer for me! Bye!"

Nightwing and Darkfeather waved to Dawn as she flew back towards the ocean, slowly fading away to black specks in her view. Dawn began to pump her wings faster, soaring over the island with lightning speed. While she was a bit nervous about all of this, Dawn knew she could handle it. She was one of Manslayer's elite Grimm, and the worst she'd be up against were some inexperienced huntsman.

What's the worst that could happen?

Thank you for reading the first chapter of "The Manslayer!" This is my first venture into RWBY fan fiction, so I hope the idea of Grimm that act independently from Salem isn't too crazy or out there. Trust me, there are reasons, but they won't be revealed for awhile.

In case anyone was wondering, the reason why the Grimm speak in bold text is because they have their own language, Grimmspeak. Outside of authors notes, any text in bold is this language, which while understood by pretty much every Grimm, is unrecognizable by humans. Grimm, likewise, cannot understand or speak "English" with a key few exceptions.

I can't wait to see everyone's comments and reviews! Cya'll next time!