RWBYond the Sea
AN: Welcome to a brand-new story. So, this is by far the quickest idea-to-page story I've done. I didn't have anything like this planned until we got the Volume 4 opening. Then, I didn't know what to do with it until I was doing RWBYond War. The key idea for this story came when I watched Moana a few weeks ago. So, this is only going to be three chapters long, beginning, middle and end. That's it. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1: The Mysterious Island
Blake was in darkness. She couldn't remember how she got here. The world was pitch black and not even her night vision helped. Then there was fire, fire and screams lit the path in front of her. Her friends were lying, beaten and broken. Only one figure stood. He laughed as he choked the life from Ruby, until her body went limp.
"Finally," Vile said as he turned towards Blake. Blake found her pistol and started firing frantically at him. She tried running but the ground beneath her was like a thick syrup. Vile's helmet folded up. His features became obscured by a glowing white light. Blake fell over, still firing up at him. The bullets flew right through him as if he were a ghost. Then, the Sword of Damocles fell into his hand. And he stabbed her throat.
Blake woke up in a panic. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she pieced together where she was. She was safe…relatively speaking. She was in bed. A mostly-naked and snoring Sun was sprawled out beside her. They were in a room, on a boat, in the middle of the ocean. Yang was down the hall. Rio and Natalie were in the Captain's Quarters with their daughter.
It had been six months since the siege of Vale. Six months since Vile, or Levi, tore the city asunder in his grudge match with RWBY. Six months since Adam died, beaten by her, strung up, then impaled by Phos. By now, Ren and Nora would be holding their newborn, Weiss would be well on her way to giving birth and Citrine would be seven months old. Right now, Blake was four months pregnant and starting to really show.
There journey started in Menagerie. They scoured the two major cities for any info they could get. In Blake's childhood home of Kuo Kuana they found a sea chart. When compared to the globe that once belonged to Cipher's founder Avis Bran and some notes uncovered by Rubrum during the siege, they found an island. It was a long shot, and further than any human ship had gone before.
Blake grabbed Sun's hand for comfort. She knew the risk of having a moment this far out at sea. Rio has advised against her making the journey. But this was her family. If they really were on this island she had to find them. She had to bring them back home. She wanted her child to have grandparents.
She got dressed and made herself some tea. She lit a candle to better see herself in the mirror. She hadn't been eating well. This far out at sea and most of what they ate were fish. Blake had been overjoyed at first. She could never imagine being sick of fish. Though, weird cravings had been getting increasingly unavoidable and so rarely did she crave anything on the ship.
She decided to walk up to the deck. It was still dark out, but the feintest bit of sunlight popped from the horizon. Rio was at the helm. His gaze was focused ahead as he guided the ship. There were noticeable bags under his eyes. The Grimm out here had been powerful but mostly docile. When they did decide to attack, Rio was the only one on board who could handle them. Yang and Sun would too, had they been better equipped for such monsters.
"Trouble sleeping?" He asked.
"Just a nightmare." Blake said. She pulled up a chair and took a seat to look out at the sea.
"It'll get worse when you have a kid." Rio said. "Take my advice and take every chance to sleep you can get." He laughed. Blake nodded and closed her eyes. She drifted back off to the feeling of the boat swaying on the waves. When she opened her eyes, it was much brighter out.
"We made it." Yang said as she put her hands-on Blake's shoulders. Sure enough, in the distance was an island. There was a massive tower of stone sprouting from the sea. At its base base a jungle of green and yellow.
"I can see some boats too." Natalie said.
"What do the people look like?" Sun asked.
"Big, brawny, bronze skin, black hair, they all have tatoos as well."
"Oh great, we just traveled back a thousand years." Yang groaned.
"It's likely this island hasn't had any influence from the kingdoms in centuries." Rio said.
"Save for our quarry." Sun said.
"Do you think my mom and dad are really there?" Blake asked.
"It's our best bet." Yang said. The boat began to slow down.
"It's best if we don't go in looking like a war ship." Rio said. "Natalie, I'll stay here with the ship. The rest of you go."
"Alright." Natalie scooped up baby Topaz. "I'll make sure to send you some fruit." She said. Natalie let the boat down easily.
They set sail on the small boat. Natalie took the reins, passing Topaz to Blake. They got closer and closer to the island. It looked as though people were gathering on the beach. Sun looked over the edge into the water and dragged his hand along the surface.
"The water is so shallow." He said.
"It's probably how they've survived." Yang said. "Patch and Vale are the same way."
"It keeps large sea-Grimm from invading the land." Natalie said.
They arrived on the beach. Dozens of natives brandished fishing spears. But not even one of them had a frown on their face. They all seemed really happy. A small girl pushed her way through the crowd. She couldn't be any more than twelve years old.
"Welcome to Matanui." A large man with a headdress said. "To what do we owe this visit?"
"We have gone on this long journey to the eastern most reaches of human contact." Sun said. "We, uh…we come in peace?"
"We're looking for someone." Blake stepped out.
"We haven't had any visitors from across the sea in quite some time." The man said. "I am Tui, Chieftain of this island." He waved the crowd away. Only the little girl stayed. "If it's refuge you want we have it. If it's food or supplies, we have it. But if you wish to spread bad luck here, I may ask that you leave."
"We want no trouble." Natalie said.
"This island wasn't easy to find." Sun said. "It's completely hidden from all the maps and charts."
"Aye…like I said…we don't get visitors." He motioned for them to follow. "Between this island and the main-lands there are deep seas with large monsters."
"It was quite the perilous journey." Blake said. "But for…reasons…the Grimm have dwindled in quantity and quality. We would not have been able to make this journey four years ago."
"So, who is it you're looking for?" Tui asked.
"My parents." Blake said.
"I suspected as much. You look like her you know."
"You mean she was here?"
"Was? She is here. Kali and Ghira both live on this island. Though, they came by a different route."
"What do you mean?" Yang asked.
"Well, you're the first people to arrive by boat in centuries." Tui said. "No one goes beyond the reef and no one comes from beyond the great lands." Tui explained.
"So…" Yang stopped them and fired a Black Gate. "Is this how they got here?"
"Hmmm…" Tui thought. "Could be. But Ghira described it as a twisting feeling."
"Where are they now?" Blake asked.
"They are cooking in the dining area." Tui said. "I'll tell you something…they are the best cooks this island has ever seen. I may be a man of tradition, but finding new dishes is always a joy."
"I bet you have all sorts of wonderful dishes back home." The girl pipped up.
"I would think so." Tui rubbed her head. "They have a lot more in which to make food with." She groaned under his hand. "This is my daughter, Moana. She's always been fascinated with the stories Kali and Ghira would tell us. Embarrassingly, when we first saw Kali's ears we assumed she was some sort of demigoddess. It took weeks for her to explain what a Faunas was."
"That's wonderful to hear." Blake said. "Things weren't so pleasant in the history of our lands." Blake rubbed her cat ears.
"So we've heard." Tui said. "Right this way." Tui kept leading them further. Sun grabbed Blake's hand and Yang put a hand on her shoulder.
"We made it." Sun said. "Hey!" He turned. Moana had tugged on his tail.
"Can you all tell me stories as well?" She asked.
"Um…" Sun said.
"I'd gladly tell you some stories." Yang said. She picked Moana up and carried her on her shoulders. "I used to read to my little sister all the time."
"Sister?" She looked at Natalie.
"She didn't come with us."
"Why not?"
"Because she has a family of her own to raise."
"Don't you?" Moana asked.
"No, kid I don't."
They reached the village. There were people dancing and singing and playing instruments. The whole town looked to be in celebration. Blake could smell the barbecue inside a hut. Her heart was racing. She wanted to just burst through the door and see them again. Tui knocked on the door before opening it. Ghira had his back turned. He was frying something up. Gali was cutting up some vegetables. When she looked up, she dropped her knife.
"Ghira?" She said.
"These vagabonds washed up on shore looking for someone." Tui said.
"Is it…" Kali fought a tear in her eye. Ghira turned and looked to be in shock. "Oh, my sweet baby girl." Kali said. "You found us. I always knew you would."
"Mom." Blake began crying uncontrollably. She couldn't find the words to speak. Luckily, Sun always knew what was on her mind.
"She thought you were dead." Sun said. "After the altercation between the White Fang and SDC…the last time she saw you."
"I'm Yang Xiao Long. I was your daughter's partner at the academy."
"You went to an academy." Ghira said as he joined in the embrace. "I'm proud of you."
"Sun Wukong…I'm…you know what, better for her to explain."
"I'm Natalie Blanche. I'm…just sort of here because I'm married to the captain of our boat." She waved Topaz around. "This is my daughter, Topaz Azul."
"We were glad to find ou you hadn't died." Sun said.
"I'm so sorry." Kali said.
"We nearly did." Ghira said. "My old partner, Sienna Khan dragged us out of the fire. Then he told us you were with Ham. We tried to reunite with you but some girl in a brown cloak intercepted us."
"An organization called Cipher was using the White Fang to cover their tracks." Kali said. "They knew that if we returned to the Fang, we would have likely taken over instead of Shem, Ham and Japheth."
"Well Sienna Khan ended up being a figure head in the organization." Blake said. "As did Adam."
"I figured he would." Ghira said.
"I can't help but notice that Adam isn't with you." Kali said.
"Yeah, I thought you two were inseparable." Ghira noted.
"We have a lot to talk about." Blake said.
AN: Your damn right they do. What a happy reunion and a way to add Kali and Ghira into RWBYond after I had them as Blake's dead parents for my series. Next chapter ther'll be more plot and maybe even an action scene. There'll definitely be some more exploration of this island.