"The road goes ever on and on, and there are tons of Grimm to kill. But I keep rolling along... why am I trying to rhyme this still?"

Only you can answer that, TD. Diego, on the other hand, joins the girls on their "field trip" today. Wonder how this will end?

Please enjoy!

"Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin," Glynda announced to the crowd of Hunters and Huntresses gathered in the auditorium. It was a big day for the majority of them, for they were to receive their first missions today. Hunters and Huntresses from all four kingdoms of Remnant had gathered together to receive their tasks. It was an exciting moment for them. Unknown to them all, however, one individual in the crowd didn't belong in their category. In fact, his very presence would have been a problem should the authorities notice. As Glynda gave the mic to Ozpin, Diego Kapila listened from among the crowd with interest in what was to be said.

"Today we stand together, united," Ozpin spoke clearly and calmly. "Mistrel, Atlas, Vacuo, Vale. The four kingdoms of Remnant. On this day nearly eighty years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, of greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom, but about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self expression. And as you are all aware, that was something many could not stand for. As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself: color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither would the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is why today, while the rest of the world celebrates peace, huntsmen and huntresses will work to uphold it. As first-year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional huntsman or huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the kingdom for several days. Others may work within the walls for the rest of the week. But no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best."

The audience clapped as Ozpin stepped down from the podium. Diego chuckled.

"The members of Rooster Teeth sure know how to make a good speech if given the time," he muttered to himself, temporarily breaking the Fourth Wall. He then turned his attention to Team RWBY, who seemed to be having trouble finding a mission. Which could only mean... Diego gave the board a closer look and he laughed to himself at the irony.

"Southeast?" he chuckled, "Wow, what are the odds? But judging from the intensity of the Grimm there, I doubt that they'll be granted access. Their only hope is that Ozpin decides to play that card I talked to him about- Speak of the devil."

He muttered the last words to himself as Ozpin walked over to the team. He started talking to them about something. Wanting to get a better understanding of what the conversation was about, Diego casually stepped closer and listened in on the conversation.

"...So how about this? Instead of waiting for you all to break the rules, why don't we just bend them?"

Ozpin pressed a few buttons on his scroll, the computer beeped for a bit, and the team was officially assigned to the mission.

"We won't let you down," Ruby stated. "Thanks professor."

"Do not thank me for this," Ozpin replied, "Teamwork and persistence have carried you far, but you must understand, the things that await you beyond the kingdom will not care. Stay close to your huntsman at all times and do exactly as he says. He will be leading you on this mission and he can have you sent back to Beacon if he finds your skills to be unsatisfactory."

Ozpin started to walk off, while the girls looked at each other with serious expressions. Then Ozpin came back and said, "Good luck. And if it's thanks you want to give, that credit goes to your vigilante friend." He then walked away to attend to some other business.

"Vigilante friend?" Weiss asked. Then her face and that of her teammates lit up in realization, much to Diego's amusement.

"No way!" Yang stated, "He got Ozpin to give us a free ticket to the Southeast?"

"Well I wouldn't say that I got him to do it," Diego said, causing them to turn around, "But I have been known to be persuasive at times."

"Diego!" the girls cried, bringing him into a big group hug.

"Hey girls," he said with a mischievous grin when they broke up, "I hear you're headed to the Southeast?"

"Yep! All thanks to you!" Ruby stated.

"Well, it so happens that I'm heading there myself," he said, "I've got some investigations of my own to do in the area, so I thought I'd come along for the ride. What do ya say?"

"Of course!" Ruby said cheerfully, "The more the merrier!"

"Excellent! I'll see you guys there then. I would take the plane with you, but I'm afraid that I must travel by other means to avoid detection at the moment. Ironwood's been busy as of late."

Diego started to walk away, but stopped when Yang called to him.

"Don't get into any trouble until we show up," she said with a smirk. Diego smirked back.

"No promises Blondie. Be safe!"

Diego then turned and walked back towards the exit, blending into the crowds as he left. He did it so precisely, it almost seemed like he had disappeared into thin air.

Out in the middle of a deep forest, Diego searched around for what he was looking for. He had many ways he could travel, some of which were almost instantaneous. But he wished to avoid most of those means for the time being, as they brought back one too many painful memories that were still fresh on his mind. Finally, he heard a loud cawing from above and grinned. His ride had arrived, assuming that he didn't kill it. Moving into a clearing, Diego closed his eyes and seemed to meditate. Soon, a Nevermore dropped in front of him, cawing angrily and expecting an easy kill. However, when Diego opened his eyes again to stare at the Grimm, his eyes were now glowing a sickly color, one which the Nevermore found oddly familiar. Diego stepped forward towards it slowly, but the beast made no move to attack. In fact, it seemed to be afraid of him.

"I require your assistance, bird," Diego said to the Nevermore, but his voice had changed as well. This time, it was a dark voice, one which seemed to hold malice in its tone. The Nevermore stayed still as Diego climbed onto its back, then placed a hand on its head. As if controlled against its will, the Nevermore flew off into the sky towards the Southeast.

It was dark by the time Diego arrived, but that was mainly due to him having to ditch the Nevermore at one point and making the rest of the trek on foot. That combined with his investigation of the area slowed him down considerably. He did end up stumbling upon the Grimm Goliaths at one point, but they barely gave him so much as a wayward glance. Diego finally ended up in the ruins of the city and looked around for anything that would give the girls away. Eventually, he found what he was looking for. Or rather, he found Ruby keeping watch and knew he was in the right place. Not wanting to startle her, he came forward slowly yet deliberately enough to be spotted. Ruby spotted him almost immediately and waved to him, not wanting to wake the others just yet.

"That's a noble deed you've done, taking first watch," he said with admiration.

"Eh, I thought that as leader I should be willing to step up," Ruby said with a shrug. Diego smiled and sat down beside her in a way so he was hidden from the eyes of those around the fire. Ruby was a bit amazed at his behavior. He seemed so nice and friendly most of the time, but tonight she saw another side to him, one which she could tell that he didn't like bringing out as much. Despite how close to her he was, Diego was almost invisible due to his choice of positioning. If Ruby didn't already know that he was there, she would've passed him several times without ever spotting him.

"So, how was your trek here?" she asked, as if to confirm that he was still around.

"Could've been worse, could've been better," Diego stated, his eyes peering out into the night always alert for danger. He seemed rather calm, as if he had been forced to do several procedures like this before. He looked to her and sighed.

"Sorry if I seem straight to the point and all, but this town..." Diego stared out at the wreckage again. "It reminds me of some of my past failures. Things I could have done, should have done. But instead I threw it all away and did nothing. It's a long story, one which will have to wait for another time."

Ruby nodded, not wanting to pester him about it. She stared out into the night with him and sighed.

"Well, it's a rather beautiful night isn't it?" she asked with a yawn. Diego noticed this and a slight chuckle escaped him.

"You look tired, Red," he said kindly, "Why don't you go get some rest for the night?"

"Uh, I don't know if I-"

"Don't worry, Dr. Oobleck and I go back a ways. He'll understand. Plus, I'll leave him a note. Unless he's already gotten the memo."

Diego looked over at the professor from behind the wall he had positioned himself at. At a glance, nothing had changed, but Diego noticed a small smile creep along the man's face when he mentioned the night-watch to Ruby. Diego knew it to be a subtle hint that he had gotten the message.

"Well, okay," Ruby said with another yawn. Gathering up Zwei and Crescent Rose, she walked back to the fire and laid down on her bedroll. She soon fell asleep, much to Diego's satisfaction. A smile came across his face as he watched her sleep for a few seconds.

"To think that I once had the chance for such a life," he whispered to himself. He then turned and looked out into the night yet again.

Some time later...

Diego heard movement from behind him at the camp. Looking back, he saw Yang just now starting to wake. She stared at him, then said sleepily, "Diego? Am I dreaming?"

"Nope, this is quite real," Diego replied with a smile. Yang smiled back, despite her still-weary state. She started to rise, but Diego held up a hand and signaled her to stop.

"Go back to sleep, Yang," he said gently, "I'll stand watch for you all tonight."

"Diego, you don't have to do this for us," Yang said with some concern. Diego smiled at her again with a loving expression.

"Maybe not, but it's what I want to do. Besides, I can tell that you're gonna need the rest. You all look beat."

Yang managed a smile again. "Alright then, but you'd better get some rest yourself. Wake me when you're ready."

Diego chuckled a bit when he heard that, then turned back out towards the streets. His expression was peaceful for a moment, as he watched the night carry on. At one point, he heard Ruby stir and leave the camp. This didn't concern him too much, for he had heard Zwei go too. But what did concern him not too long after was the fact that she didn't immediately return. Sensing trouble, he quietly left his perch and saw Ruby around a corner, probably tailing something. But what?

Diego started after her, but was surprised when he heard the ground breaking ahead. Fearing the worst, he quickened into a sprint and rounded the corner just in time to see Ruby toss Zwei out of the hole in the roads she had come across.

"Ruby!" he called, quickening his pace again. But it was too late. The slab she was holding onto broke and she fell into the chasm below.

"NO!" Diego yelled, slamming his fist into the ground in frustration. He then looked to the camp.

"I gotta tell them!"

Swiftly snatching up Zwei and Crescent Rose, he made it back to the camp.

"Wake up!" he shouted, rousing everyone in a short moment. "Wake up! Ruby's in trouble!"

That roused them real quick and they all stood to their feet.

"Where is she?" Yang asked.

"This way!" Diego shouted, leading them back to the hole. When they got there, they immediately started to ask questions.

"Do you think she fell?" Weiss asked.

"Fell?!" Dr. Oobleck answered.

"Down there."

Oobleck looked down, then said, "Oh my... Of course... Of course! Of course! Of course!"

"What is it?" Blake asked.

"How could I be so stupid?!"

"Doctor Oobleck, what's wrong?" Yang asked. Oobleck got in their faces right then.

"Mountain Glenn! Yes! An expansion of Vale that was inevitably destroyed by creatures of Grimm! Previously home to thousands of people! Working people, communicating to the city, the main city. Developed a subway system to the inner city. Grimm attacks increase! Population in danger, now desperately searching for shelter! City evacuates into metro tunnels and what do they find?! The South-East quadrant of Vale is known for wild forests and deep caves!"

"Doc, what are you saying?" Yang asked. Luckily, Diego decided to explain.

"He's saying that we're currently standing on top of a literal underground crime network!"

"They've been working in caves?" Blake inquired.

"When Mountain Glenn was overrun by the Grimm," Diego continued, "the citizens built what was essentially an underground village as a last ditch attempt for survival, using caves they had cleared out for subways. By doing so, they cut themselves off from the surface. A safe haven...until an explosion opened up another cavern mouth filled with subterranean Grimm. Afterwards, the Kingdom sealed the tunnels off, creating the world's largest tomb."

Oobleck then pulled out his coffee mug, which transformed into a club.

"If Ruby is down there... we must find her."

"Agreed," Diego stated, activating his gauntlets and greaves. He also pulled out his telescope which elongated into a kind of short club. As they prepared to enter the catacombs below, Diego was more worried about something other than Ruby. Those tunnels led all the way to the main city. If Roman and the White Fang had access to the tunnels... Diego sighed and plunged into the unknown as he finished his thoughts in his head.

I desperately hope that I'm wrong about my suspicions.

Well, this got interesting! The next chapter will have them dealing with the problem, obviously.

"Review and all that! We need it!"

TD, we're not desperate for views yet.

"Oh... my bad!"

Hope y'all enjoyed and I'll cya later. Got to tell TD the schedule again...