Author's Notes

Heeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllloooooooooooooo People! CrimsonKyuubiSage here! Happy 25th chapter-versary and happy Post-Halloween! 25 chapters is a milestone for me in fanfiction writing. Also, to any of you guys who are reading these ANs, I am issuing an artistic challenge. To any of you who want to take up this challenge, just send me a PM as soon as possible.

And Now Onto Reviewing Your Reviews:

OBSERVER01- Yep. Danzo is out of the picture, but if you've seen the latter episodes of Naruto Shippuden, Orochimaru is only temporarily dead. The last omake I did was actually based off of the Key & Peele camping sketch. As for Naruto's escape, don't worry, you'll see. I have a dastardly plan that relates to the art challenge I issued above.

ChaosDivine02- Yes, I've heard that the manga for Naruto Shippuden is almost done T_T.

Dragon and Sword Master- The one trend that I've noticed that's in every single story of mine, is that everything is connected. And when I mean everything, I mean everything. I like to base the majority of what I write on logic, well, fictional logic at least.

And Now, I Give You The Next Chapter of TMH! Enjoy! Read and Review!

Disclaimer, I do not own Naruto or RWBY.

"Hey" - Regular Speech

'Something' - Regular Thoughts/ Sarcastic Remarks

-Somewhere, 10:00 A.M.- -Statement of A Time/Place/Change of P.O.V.

"Hello" - Demon/ Grimm Speech

'I'm going to eat you' -Demon/ Grimm Thought

"Hello" - Flashbacks/Dream Text

(Encore by Jay Z) -Song Insert

Chapter - Chapter Start/ Chapter End

Chapter Start

-Beacon Academy Landing Docks-

James Ironwood looked out from the landing docks to the city of Vale at night, a few airships hovering over the lit-up buildings.
"Trouble sleeping?" Glynda called out, walking up from behind Ironwood.

"Arm was acting up." Ironwood stated, gripping his left arm with his right hand.

"Of course, so logically, you got out of bed, dressed yourself completely and decided to gaze menacingly out into the distance." Glynda stated, sarcasm present in her voice. "What's wrong?"

"I've trusted him for years. We both have. I just... I can't help but feel like he's keeping us in the dark." Ironwood replied.

"Don't be ridiculous! You know very well that we are not the ones in the dark." Glynda said, causing Ironwood to laugh humorously.
"That makes it worse! I refuse to believe that a man that I've trusted for so long would act so... passively." Ironwood said.

"You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable." Glynda stated, putting a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "But it's high time you stopped talking about trust and started showing it. Ozpin has experience that the rest of us lack. And I think that's something worth remembering."

-Amegakure, Elemental Nations-

"And what will I get out of this?" Kabuto asked. The snake-like man had forgone his dark red cloak, opting to wear the standard Akatsuki cloak instead, as he walked through the damp streets of the hidden village.

"Well, what exactly do you want?" 'Madara' questioned.

"I want Sasuke Uchiha. My master may not have been able to learn the secret to creating Sharingan, but that just means that I will finish it in place of him." Kabuto replied.

"If that is all, you have yourself a deal." 'Madara' said. "How long will it take?"

"Hmm, well, it certainly will take some time. Your request isn't exactly the easiest to fulfill." Kabuto stated.

"I didn't ask how difficult the request is, I asked how long it will take." 'Madara' stated.

"Without the bodies, I'd say two, maybe three weeks." Kabuto said.

"Two to three weeks?" 'Madara' questioned.

"Raising an army of the shinobi you requested isn't something that happens over night." Kabuto stated.

"Very well, I shall give you three weeks. No more, no less." 'Madara' stated before disappearing in a spiralling vortex.

-White Fang Headquarters-

'Madara' reappeared in the same fashion as he left inside of the prison he kept Naruto.

"Soon enough, the Kyuubi shall be in my grasps..." 'Madara' muttered. A few seconds later, the sound of high heels clicking alerted 'Madara' to the arrival of another person.

"What is it that you need, Cinder?" 'Madara' asked.

"You promised me that you would let him fix the seal on her before you extracted the Kyuubi." Cinder stated.

"Ah, yes, I did, didn't I?" 'Madara' questioned. "Well, no matter. After we extract the beast, we can have him fix the seal on your subordinate."

"You're lying to me! When a Jinchūriki has their Bijuu extracted they die!" Cinder exclaimed.

"You would not be able to handle the truth." 'Madara' stated.

"Stop lying to me! I want to know if the boy will fix the seal on Emerald!" Cinder said.

"You want the truth? Fine. I lied. I never intended to let the Kyuubi Jinchūriki fix the seal on your subordinate, but your cooperation was necessary for my plans." 'Madara' said bluntly, walking to the shocked Cinder. "You are still a valuable asset, but you are still nonetheless replaceable. I do hope you understand that." With the threat still lingering, 'Madara' walked out of the doorway. If he were to turn around, he would have seen Cinder's narrowed eyes.

"That's it..." Cinder murmured to herself, directing her anger at 'Madara'.

-Mountain Glenn, Hours Later-

Yang had taken up watch about an hour ago, allowing Ruby and Zwei to sleep on the sleeping bag Yang had been lying on. Zwei suddenly woke and stood up, causing Ruby to wake up as well.

"Huh? Zwei, it's late. Go back to bed." Ruby muttered before Zwei ran off. "Zwei! Zwei! Ugh!" she said, wandering out of the building in search for Zwei. Unbeknownst to Ruby, as well as the rest of the group, a pair of yellow-orange eyes watched the young red haired girl follow her dog.

"Zwei! Zwei, where are you? Zwei! Huh?" Ruby said, spotting Zwei urinating on some ruins. "Zwei, this is a wasteland! You literally could have done that anywhere!"

"Bark!" Zwei exclaimed.

"What was that?" a new voice called out. Having heard the new unfamiliar voice, Ruby hid behind some ruins.

"I thought I heard a Beowolf or something." another voice said. Ruby peaked her head around the ruins to find that the voices belong to two White Fang guards. She was so focused on the two guards that she didn't notice a third guard sneak up behind her until it was too late.

"Hey! What are you doing out here?" the third guard questioned, grabbing Ruby and hauling her out into the open.

"Where did she come from?" the first guard asked.

"Hey! Hands off!" Ruby exclaimed.

"This boss is gonna want to see this one..." the second guard stated. Before they could proceed any further, a black rigid arrow was lodged in his neck, sending him crumpling to the ground dead. The remaining guards quickly forgot about Ruby in favor of getting into defensive stances.

"Who's out there?!" the first guard called out. "Show yourself!" The only response he got was a fireball being sent his way, burning the man to a crisp and a painful death.

"That's it! I'm out of here!" the third guard yelled, dropping his gun and running in the opposite direction of the attacks. After running a few yards, an ice shard shot into his back, expanding into a larger ice crystal upon impact. The large ice crystal that came out of the guard had ruptured several vital organs and the man was bleeding profusely, dieing out in nearly a minute. Ruby stared in shock at the brutal deaths of the three White Fang members, when the sound of heels clicking was heard. Turning her head in the direction of the sound, Ruby's eyes went from shock to both shock and surprise.

"You!" Ruby exclaimed.

"I need you help..." Cinder said calmly, a hint of concern in her voice.

"Why should I?! You're the one responsible for all of this!" Ruby exclaimed, reaching for her Crescent Rose.

"I am but a pawn in an even larger chess game." Cinder stated. "Please! This concerns your friend!" At this, Ruby froze, though still kept her hand on Crescent Rose in caution.

"You mean Naruto?" Ruby asked with narrowed eyes. "Weren't you the one who kidnapped him in the first place?"

"I needed his help! My daughter, she needs the help of a fuinjutsu expert that is on the level of an Uzumaki. I was promised that he would fix my daughter's seal before his Bijuu was extracted." Cinder replied, her voice slightly pleading. "I just wanted to save my daughter!"

"... I'll help you. But only to get Naruto back." Ruby replied after a few seconds.

"This way!" Cinder motioned for Ruby to follow.

"Wait, what about the rest of my team?" Ruby questioned.

"Don't worry, I know how to get their attention." Cinder stated, pulling out three vials of fire Dust and forming a gargantuan fireball before firing it at a nearby abandoned building.

"Alright. But just in case, Zwei, go get the others!" Ruby said. Zwei running off to find the rest of the group.

-With Yang-

The blond bombshell of Team RWBY was leaning against a wall, her eyes barely open as she nearly fell asleep.

"*Boom!*" was the resonating sound that made Yang fully awake.

"Guys! There was a big explosion!" Yang exclaimed, awaking the rest of the group.

"What are you talking about Yang?" Weiss asked with a yawn.

"Someone else is out there!" Yang replied, the rest of the group arming themselves before heading out to find the source of the explosion.
"Bark!" Zwei called out, catching the group's attention.

"Zwei? What are you doing out here?" Yang asked.

"Bark! Bark!" Zwei exclaimed, running around in a circle and running off towards the source of the explosion, the group following the dog.

-With Ruby and Cinder-

Meanwhile, the odd duo hacked, slashed, burned, shot, and froze anything that came in their path, finally making their way to a familiar building.

"He's right in here! We just need to release the barrier!" Cinder stated, rushing inside the building, Ruby following in shortly after.

"It looks like a chakra barrier thingy! I don't know how to break these things!" Ruby exclaimed.

"You might not, but I do!" Cinder said, forming a familiar t-shaped handsign. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique)!" she exclaimed, forming four more Cinders.

"You're from the Elemental Nations!" Ruby exclaimed in shock. "But how?"
"Oh please, did you really think that your little friends were the first ones to cross over beyond the Oki no Okunote? No, the two civilizations have crossed paths long before the official 'discovery'." Cinder stated, placing her hand on the seal tag in front of her.

"Mom!" a new voice exclaimed. Ruby and Cinder saw Mercury and Emerald running up to them.

"Hey, aren't you two part of the students from Haven?" Ruby questioned.

"No, that was just a cover up." Mercury replied. "Mom, what's going on?"

"Yes, Cinder. What is going on?" 'Madara' asked, appearing a few dozen yards away from the group. A few seconds later, Cinder pulled the seal tag off of the wall, causing the ethereal chakra barrier to dissolve before Ruby rushed to the still unconscious Naruto.

"Mercury, Emerald, I need you to take these two and run. Run as far away from this place as you can!" Cinder exclaimed.

"Mom-!" Emerald exclaimed.

"Hurry!" Cinder exclaimed. The group did as told, Ruby picking up Naruto and following Mercury and Cinder. Cinder watched the four leave before turning her attention back to 'Madara'.

"You are a fool to try and defy me!" 'Madara' yelled.

"No! I am but a fool for not doing this sooner!" Cinder exclaimed, forming several flaming orbs that resembled small suns. "Shakuton: Kajōsatsu (Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder)!" she yelled, firing off the feiry orbs at 'Madara'. The orbs of fire did nothing but phase right through the infamous Uchiha. Just as the the last fire orb passed through 'Madara', Cinder appeared a foot away from him, forming a couple of handsigns. "Shakuton: Bureijingu Kōhai (Scorch Release: Blazing Devastation)!" Cinder exclaimed, releasing a torrent of red flames point blank at 'Madara', whose Sharingan morphed into a strange pinwheel-like pattern.

"Kamui (Authority of the Gods)!" 'Madara' exclaimed, a swirling vortex absorbing the majority of the red flames, though not enough to stop the attack from hitting him, causing a large explosion to envelope both of them.

When the smoke cleared, both shinobi were in terrible condition. Cinder's dress had scorch marks, scratches, and a few bits and pieces torn, blood dripping from her right forearm as she panted heavily in exhaustion. 'Madara' was not faring any better, in fact, he was by far more injured than Cinder. His entire right arm was missing, a strange white substance dripping out of the base of the arm, his Akatsuki cloak was missing it's right sleeve, and most importantly, the upper part of his orange spiral mask was destroyed, revealing that the entire right half of his face was scarred.

"Shakuton: Shōkyaku Furea no Jutsu (Scorch Release: Incinerating Flare Technique)!" Cinder exclaimed, using up the majority of her remaining chakra to form several flaming orbs that combined to form a single massive one, which shot forward at 'Madara', incinerating everything in its path. After the technique dispersed, 'Madara' was nowhere to be found.

"I... I did it..." Cinder said before her eyes widened, mouth slightly agape as a plain katana was impaled through her heart. "But... how...?"

"Izanagi..." 'Madara' muttered, his left Sharingan eye closing after he finished speaking. "Even as you defy me, you will still have your resourcefulness... as part of the Edo Tensei (Impure World Resurrection) army!"

Those were the last words that Cinder heard as the light began to leave her eyes, her last thoughts being on her two children as she slumped over dead.

-With Naruto, Ruby, Emerald, and Mercury-

Ruby and Emerald followed Mercury, the former carrying her still unconscious boyfriend.

"There should be an exit this way!" Mercury said whilst running, a small silence permeating the group.

"So wait, if your mother was from the Elemental Nations, does that mean you guys are from there as well?" Ruby asked after a few minutes.

"Yeah, Cinder took us in and brought us out here, away from the EC." Mercury stated.

"Cinder, I think that's her name, she mentioned something about her daughter needing an Uzumaki fuinjutsu master. What's that all about?" Ruby asked.

"My sister here has a seal on her that needs fixing." Mercury replied. "This way's the exit!" he exclaimed, pushing a pair of large metal doors open, the sunlight beamed brightly at the sudden change of lighting.

"Dammit! Why did it have to be this exit!" Emerald yelled.

"What do you mean?!" Ruby questioned.

"This exit doesn't lead into the ruins, it leads into the wilderness!" Mercury exclaimed.

"Which way did they go?!" the voice of a White Fang guard called out.

"I think they went this way!" another White Fang guard exclaimed.

"I don't think we have much of a choice in the matter!" Ruby said. Before the three could prepare to fight, the earth beneath them shook, causing them to pause. The earth shook once again, then a third time, then a fourth. And soon enough, the rumbling brought sight to a familiar looking, rather large Grimm.

"Crap! Goliaths!" the first White Fang guard exclaimed.

"We gotta get out of here!" the second White Fang member yelled.

"What about the Jinchūriki and the three others?" a third member asked.

"To hell with them! I'd rather live, thank you very much!" the first guard exclaimed.

"Goliaths?! They've never come this close to the base before!" Emerald exclaimed. Before they could say anything else, the earth began shaking as five Goliaths came through the thicket of tropical trees and approached the four Huntsmen-in-training, who froze up rigid as the massive beasts of Grimm came closer and closer.

"Come..." a booming gruff voice called out, causing the three awake members of the group to look on in confusion before looking at the first Goliath closest to them. "Come... with... us... Safe... Elder... meet..." the first Goliath said, Ruby, Emerald, and Mercury's eyes widening in shock.

"It can talk?" Mercury questioned.

"Doctor Oobleck did say that there were some Grimm that got smarter over hundreds of years." Ruby stated.

"Hurry... Much... discuss... Elder..." the Goliath stated before marching off, motioning for the group to follow.

"I... I don't know about this..." Mercury hesitated.
"If those Grimm wanted to kill us, they would have done it by now." Emerald stated, walking off after the Goliaths.

"It's either them or the White Fang and Akatsuki." Ruby said, following Emerald.

"..." Mercury said nothing, but followed after his sister and Ruby.

-With The Rest of Team RWBY, Team RHFN, and Doctor Oobleck-

"Oh no." Blake said, Zwei having lead the group to a large sinkhole.

"Do you think she fell?" Weiss asked.
"Fell?" Oobleck questioned.

"Down there." Roshi stated.
"Oh my." Oobleck said, looking down the hole to see various abandoned buildings and a scarred battlefield. "Of course! Of course, OF COURSE, OF COURSE!"

"What is it?" Fu asked.

"How could I be so stupid?!" Oobleck muttered to himself.
"Dr. Oobleck, what's wrong?" Han asked.
"Mountain Glenn! Yes, an expansion of Vale that was inevitably destroyed by creatures of Grimm! Previously home to thousands of people! Working people commuting to the city, the main city! Developed a subway system to the inner city! Grimm attacks increased! Population in danger, now desperately searching for shelter! City evacuates into the metro tunnels and what do they find? The southeast quadrant of Vale is known for wild forests and deep caves!" Oobleck exclaimed.

"Doc, what are you saying?" Yang asked.

"My dear, we're not just looking for an underground crime network, we're looking for an UNDERGROUND crime network!" Oobleck stated.

"They've been working in caves?" Blake questioned.
"No, no, Mountain Glenn was Vale's first serious attempt at expansion. It worked for a short period of time, thanks to an aggressive perimeter defense, and unique transportation; the city developed an elaborate subway system to carry citizens safely from the new territory into the main Kingdom! Sadly, without the many natural barriers Vale had to protect its borders, Mountain Glenn was doomed from the start! As the end drew near, the citizens of the territory made one last attempt at survival: They took up shelter beneath the city! In massive caves that they had cleared out for the subway. And they had cut themselves off from the surface!" Oobleck explained.

"An underground village?" Han questioned.

"In a matter of speaking, yes. A safe haven. Until... an explosion opened the mouth of another cavern, filled with subterranean Grimm. After that, the Kingdom officially sealed off the tunnels, creating the world's largest tomb. If Ruby and Naruto are down there..." Oobleck started, pulling out his thermos as it morphed into a club. "We must find them..."

Chapter End

-Omake, Doctor Oobleck's Odd Weapon-

Five seconds later, Roshi spoke.

"So... your thermos is your weapon?" Roshi questioned.
"Yes." Oobleck replied.

"And you use Dust in your weapon?" Roshi continued.

"Yes." Oobleck repeated.

"... So you've been drinking Dust with your coffee this whole time?" Roshi asked.

"Well, for the past five years, yes." Oobleck stated.

"Why only the past five years?" Weiss questioned.

"Well, before that..." Oobleck started.

-Five Years Ago-

"Run! Run for your lives!" a random person exclaimed.

"He's coming this way! He's coming this way!" another person shouted. John Ozpin just stood off to the side and watched the people flee in the direction he came from.

"Excuse me, but what are you running from?" Ozpin asked, grabbing a random person to answer the question.

"It's Oobleck! He's found his stash of-!" the man started, but saw something behind Ozpin that made his eyes widen. "Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" he yelled before running off.

"His stash of what?!" Ozpin called out.

"Mah stash of Red Grimm! WHEEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHEHEE!" Oobleck yelled, literally bouncing off the walls of adjacent buildings. "I CAN SEE SIDEWAYS IN TIME! EMIT NI SYAWEDIS EES NAC I!"

"Are you okay...?" Ozpin asked.

"OF COURSE I'M OKAY! THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD HIDE MAH STASH OF ENERGY DRINKS FROM ME! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I CAN TASTE COLORS! Oobleck exclaimed, spinning in a circle as he spoke, his speeds matching that of a train's.

"I don't think that energy drinks are the best thing for someone like you." Ozpin stated, taking a sip of his coffee. "Try coffee with some Dust in it. Gives you the energy jump you need for most situations."

-Present Day-

"-And that's when I came up with the idea of making a thermos-bat." Oobleck finished, causing the others to sweatdrop, even Zwei.

"But how did you get over your addiction to energy drinks?" Han asked.

"Get over my wha?" Oobleck questioned. "Oh, I never did. It's just that there has never been another energy drink within a fifty mile radius of me since."

"..." the rest of the group stood silent at the answer.

"Ooookkaayyy..." Roshi said.

Post Notes

AAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDD DONE! Yes, I just did that. I killed off Cinder. I really can't believe that I just pulled a Kishimoto on myself (Definition of "Pulling a Kishimoto": Killing off a main character. Relatable Sayings: "Dropping a Game of Thrones", "Clipping the Caged Bird", etc.).

Also, as I said above in the AN, I am issuing an art challenge for those who are interested. PM me if you are interested.

Anyways, I'll see you guys next time! Read and Review!

-CrimsonKyuubiSage out!