Intermission

World of Remnant:

Vanitas

(We begin with pitch black)

Oh boy, I knew we were getting around to this but I kind of wanted to put it off as long as possible. Seriously, do we know anyone who likes to talk about this bastard?

Fine, I guess it has to be me.

Where to start?

I guess back in the good old days…Or close enough.

Okay, over nearly fourteen years ago, this guy popped up and though it's not public yet, it was also the same time as the first recorded sighting of the Unversed.

(The emblem of the Unversed is now shown, blazing red in the dark)

The first encounter was in Anima, to the surprise of no one.

(A map of Remnant is shown with the camera zooming in on Anima)

You see, even though the four Kingdoms offered shelter and protection from the Grimm, many people took their chances out in the wilderness.

(Villages were now shown being built, surrounded by forests that were teeming with red glowing eyes)

Now, it's one thing to build a home outside a kingdom but building it without proper protection is just asking for trouble. So, most villages were usually with tall walls meant to keep the Grimm out and usually had a Huntsmen or at least a full shack of weapons in case the Grimm invade. Unfortunately, something worse was bound to appear.

(A dark figure appears, the outline that of a muscular boy wearing some sort of mask appeared)

Villages being attacked was one thing but then came news of strange creatures showing up with the Grimm and boy did they make things worse.

(Unversed were now shown appearing with the Grimm…and then to the surprise of nearby onlookers, the Grimm and the Unversed began to fight)

We didn't have a name for them at the time, but they didn't seem to like Grimm all that much and Grimm were attracted to them faster than anything I'd ever seen. Anima was close to turning into a warzone and so a few Huntsmen decided to look into the matter of what these creatures were and where they came from.

Or rather…Who they came from.

(The masked boy was shown again, wielding a strange key shaped sword)

They found him…Or maybe he found them. Whichever, it was soon found out the monsters came from him, manifestations of pure negativity which explained why the Grimm were so drawn to them. Creatures of made negative emotions do that.

And the guy who made them…a complete psychopath.

(A dark demented laugh was heard next, echoing as the scene changed)

Turns out this maniac literally fed on the negativity produced by not just his monsters, but even the negativity that came from the people who were in fear of the Grimm. So, his favorite hobby was driving the Grimm into a frenzy as they attacked nearby villages.

(Villages of Anima were shown to be on fire now, screams heard in the background)

This guy really got off on it.

So, a special team was sent in to stop him.

(A man with dark hair, holding a sword that changed into a scythe appeared, followed by a woman wearing a white cloak. Next appeared a man in a purple dark suit holding a cane, a white haired man with a club, a red haired man in a lab coat and finally a young man wearing a straw hat on his head with a blue tang coat with matching pants. He carried a bamboo staff with him.)

They went after him to take him out…

Easier said than done.

(The team was now shown to be battered and bruised while their opponent barely looked winded)

They fought as hard as they could but barely made a dent on him. If not for some unforeseen help…

(A black and red portal shot out and flaming slash that pushed the enemy back)

And a little luck…

(The eyes of the woman wearing white cloak shined and let loose a blazing light)

I don't think any of us would have walked away that day.

(The boy in the mask vanished, letting out a startled and pained cry)

He vanished and was gone for several years…before he suddenly popped back up.

(The boy in the mask appeared, surrounded by Unversed)

And now things are really messy. Unversed attacks didn't just start happening again in Anima, but all over Remnant.

(The map of Remnant is shown again, with Unversed appearing in and out of the kingdoms)

I never did find out just who or what exactly that freak was…But I'll never forget his name…

(The boy in the mask appears again, 'staring' directly at the screen.)

Vanitas.

"Funny of you to act all high and mighty, given that your poor track record as a so-called Master."

"What?"

"Oh, that's right, you can't even be called a real master. Just the girl who was the first in her class to be promoted over her two friends which she didn't let them forget. Vanitas told me all about you and how you handled being the only 'master' of your silly little trio."

"Why you-!"

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

"Someone as blind and dimwitted as you, has no right to criticize me for doing what I had to do!"

"Is that so huh? Sounds like you and Vanitas talked about a great many things. But don't tell me you actually believe him."

"Well first off, I should point out this is only the third time I've run into Vanitas."

"Third time?"

"The first time we met was a long time ago. Nearly fourteen years ago."

"Fourteen?"

"Yeah, about three years before you landed here and about seven months before Yang was born. It was a brief encounter, but I could never forget it…"

"Are you sure this is the place?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. Well, I know Albert is sure."

"Real nice, team leader. Put me on the spot."

A team of six, that's right, six Huntsmen were traveling through the jungles of Anima. The leader in question was a man about 6'5 tall with dark skin, wearing a black and purple suit with a white tie. He wore a black top hat with black feathers in it over his head, white gloves covering his hands and he carried a cane with a skull on the top. Despite the hat, it was obvious to those who looked closely that he had long black braided hair and wore a pair of aviator glasses over his eyes with one lens missing.

"Just be glad he's praising you." A tall and muscular man scoffed.

This one stood about 6'4 tall, wearing white pants, black shoes, a blue armored vest with a blue under long sleeved shirt and blue gloves with glowing serrated blades on his knuckles. His hair was white with sideburns and when he opened his mouth anyone would see razor sharp shark-like teeth. In addition to the sharp teeth, three gills could be seen on both sides of his neck, and he carried a five foot long wood and Dust carved shark toothed Koa club with a chainsaw.

"Look, I formed a hypothesis based on the information from survivors of the attacked villages and they all suggest these creatures came from here." The next man, Albert was 6'2 tall, wearing standard scientist clothing with a white lab coat, had red hair, robotic hands and glasses over his face.

"I agree. The darkness is strongest here." The fourth member of the team agreed.

He stood about 5'11, wearing a straw hat on his head but they could all see the panda ears sticking out, signaling his heritage. He wore a blue tang coat with matching pants and a black Yin-Yang symbol could be seen on the back. His eyes had black spots around them, and he possessed a bit of a pot belly. Finally, he was carrying a yellow bamboo staff with him that served as his weapon.

"You know, Qrow," The man in the purple suit glanced over his shoulder. "You and Summer didn't have to take tag along with us."

Qrow Branwen had barely changed since his student years when he first met the team he was with. His dark spiky hair remained the same, but he now grew a slight stubble on his chin. Along with a red, tattered cloak, he wore a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants and black dress shoes.

"Anything to get out of the house. Ever since my sister found out she was pregnant; she's been abnormally perky and Tai…" Qrow shuddered. "I swear he wants to light up the entire planet."

"Be nice, Qrow and be happy for them." The final member of the team chided him.

This was Summer Rose, leader of Team STRQ. She had shoulder-length hair tied back in a half-up/half-down style and wore a hooded cloak which is white outside and red underneath. Under that cloak was a high-neck décolletage blouse with studded wristbands on the arms, a black and white over-bust corset, a skirt with white tulle underneath, gray leggings, and black knee-high boots with red soles.

"So, I'm guessing they're a happy couple." The shark Faunus stoically stated.

"As well as you can expect from them." Summer admitted with a small smile. "Though I had to be careful not to mention this mission to Raven. She still thinks she'd be fine going on missions, no matter what Tai says."

"Well, let's get this over with before she finds out."

The six Huntsmen team came to a stop, coming upon a dark cave leading underground and from it came a dark misty aura that put everyone on edge.

"The darkness is most foul here." The panda Faunus stated, holding a hand in front of his face as if he was making a prayer. "Whatever is creating those creatures is in there."

"Kind of obvious, Li." The shark Faunus replied, holding his chainsaw club tightly. "What's the plan here?"

Summer narrowed her eyes. "Qrow, can you transform and see if you can sneak in there?"

Qrow nodded. "Yeah, sure."

"He shouldn't go in alone." Albert protested scientist themed man protested. "There's no telling what's in there."

"He won't be alone." Summer stated firmly. "I'll be with him with my Semblance. We'll go on ahead and scout. Once we have good idea what's in there, we'll give you the all-clear."

"Still, don't like it." Albert said. "Something could happen."

"Which is why I'll go in with them." The shark Faunus took a step forward. "My sense of smell is keener than both of yours. You can stay hidden as a bird and with your Semblance and if something does pop out, I can handle being the source of attention."

"Tiburon, no." Summer protested.

"Not my leader, Summer." The shark Faunus smirked and glanced at the purple suit wearing man. "What about it, Baron?"

The man named Baron considered it before he reluctantly nodded. "Don't think I can talk you out of it anyway. Okay, Ti you be the main course, Summer and Qrow can back you up."

Summer sighed, seeing she couldn't convince them to stand down. As Tiburon began walking towards the cave, she closed her eyes and her form emitted a soft glow as it began to scatter into countless white pedals that followed after Tiburon while Qrow jumped, changing into a literal crow and flew into the cave, leading the remaining three to wait outside for the signal. Once inside the cave, Tiburon couldn't help but suppress a shiver as he walked forward, the cave growing darker and darker with each step. If not for the white pedals with him, he would feel all alone even if he knew of his two fellow Huntsmen with him.

A dripping sound made him stop for a second but realized it was only the sound of water dripping so he continued walking. Finally having enough, Tiburon pulled out his scroll and turned on the light feature, taking a look around. The dark miasma from before now seemed all around him, permeating the very air itself and leaving a scent that the shark Faunus found disturbing. Qrow let out a soft caw, landing on Tiburon's shoulder as he descended into a cavern.

Though the mist did not harm him, the shivers he felt seemed to grow as his Faunus instincts told him something dangerous was down here. The mist grew thicker and colder with each step that took him further below the surface. Just as he felt like he was about to suffocate from the unease he felt, a light could be seen up ahead.

"Summer, go get Baron and the others. Qrow and I will check this out." Tiburon whispered to the white pedals that scattered around him.

Qrow transformed back into his human form, brandishing his Harbinger in its sword form. "He's right, Summer. Get Baron. We'll go on ahead."

The pedals seemed to hesitate before shooting back the way they had come. Qrow and Tiburon continued forward, coming into a large cavern that was partially flooded. In the center of the water, sat a single figure on a slab of rock, surrounded six of the strange creatures that had been seen attacking the villages. They wore a black and red organic-looking bodysuit and a silver helmet covered with dark glass, hiding their face from view.

The…person looked in their direction and let out a cold chuckle. "Well, well, lookie what we got. Some unannounced visitors."

Qrow glared, taking a step forward. "Are you responsible for these things that have been attacking villages?"

"These?" The stranger gestured to the surrounding dark purple creatures. "My pets…Well, they can be considered that. So much negativity that they couldn't help themselves." He picked one of them up by the neck. "They just had to have taste of it…"

Snap!

He then snapped the creature's neck, surprising Tiburon and Qrow. It dissolved into a purple mist that was absorbed into the stranger's body.

"And whenever they are killed, they are returned to me with all the negativity they fed on." The boy snickered. "I got to say, I just…LOVE THIS PLACE!" Qrow and Tiburon raised their weapons as the boy stood up and let out a cold laugh. "The fear, the terror, the anxiety, all of it is so…tasty! I am so glad he led me here to check this world out!"

"He's a freak." Tiburon nodded to Qrow who nodded to in agreement.

"Oh, that's right I have guests." The boy sat back down. "So, you must be Huntsmen, the so-called defenders of this world."

"You got that right, kid and we're putting an end to this, right now." Qrow stated. "Come quietly and there won't be any need to press charges for child beating."

The boy snickered. "Oh, I don't know…I think elderly abuse would look great on my resume."

He held out his hand and there was a flash of dark light, forming into a strange weapon. The teeth and head were black with a red outline and possessed a round, cog-like shape. The handle was red and the guard had the same coloration and cog-like shape as the teeth. The shaft was predominantly colored in shades of grey and sported a copper-colored gear in the center, with two intersecting, black chains wrapped around it.

Two more chains were wrapped around the base of the shaft in a similar fashion. It also had two blue, reptilian eyes, one located in the head of the blade and one embedded in the hilt. A Keychain hung down from the hilt, comprised of three small, copper gears, and ended in a charm resembling two halves of a gear arranged in an S-shape.

"So, come on then." The boy taunted, gesturing for the two to attack him. "Come and put an end to my fun."

Eyes narrowed, Qrow decided to waste no more time talking and shot forward, his speed a blur to the human eye.

CLANG!

And yet somehow, the boy followed his movements as he appeared behind, aiming to take down the mysterious enemy quickly. Qrow hastily blocked the kid's strange sword with Harbinger, sparks flying from the clash.

"Is that it?" The boy scoffed, glancing over his shoulder. "I could see every step you took."

He shoved Qrow back and swung his blade at the Huntsmen. Qrow dodged but his Aura shimmered from the weapon just passing him. Qrow went on the attack, his strikes swift and fast but the boy casually blocked or parried every strike with such ease. Qrow felt the strength from the boy's weapon, feeling he was much stronger than he looked.

A splashing sound was heard and movement could be seen in the water. Tiburon shot out of the water, his face now sporting a feral look as he swung his club down on the boy who shoved Qrow back and blocked but Tiburon's attack was so strong that the boy was actually pushed back.

"Oh, we got ourselves a strong one here." The boy commented.

Qrow and Tiburon went on the attack, attacking from opposite sides but the masked boy was able to keep up as he blocked, dodged, ducked, and jumped over each attack until Qrow finally managed to land a hit…

Only for the boy to vanish.

"Surprise." The boy appeared behind Qrow and delivered a kick to his back, sending him crashing into Tiburon and knocking both of them into the water. "Not bad, but I was expecting more."

"Then we got here just in time."

The boy looked up in time to block a slash, the axe form of Sundered Rose sparking from making contact with the boy's dark weapon. Summer Rose had a determined look on her face as the rest of Team BATL(Baron, Albert, Tiburon, and Li) arrived behind her.

"Well, well, what do we have here? More so-called heroes?" The boy taunted.

Summer said nothing as she retracted Sundered Rose, spinning it in one hand and went on the attack. What happened for the next few minutes was a chaotic blur. Team BATL along with Summer and Qrow fought the masked boy but no matter their skills, experience, weapons or even their Semblances the boy shrugged them off, even when he was hit. The boy's speed and agility were inhuman, as was his strength, performing nearly impossible acrobatic feats, taking little to no bodily damage, able to make instant recoveries.

The Huntsmen fought hard, and they fought with everything they had but the masked boy…As he fought, a dark aura surrounded him that seemingly increased his already formidable speed and strength. But one by one, they eventually went down, hitting the walls, falling into the water or even collapsing from exhaustion. Tiburon was panting while drenched in water while his burns and cut wounds were slowly healing but not enough, Qrow and Baron were left sprawled out on the ground, Li slid down the wall and Albert's robotic hands had been cut off and Summer…

"Dark Cannon!"

A beam of darkness collided with Summer, blasting her to the far side of the cavern and causing her to crash into the ground.

"Well, well, you survived." The masked boy approached the downed Summer as she tried to get back up. "It's been a fun workout but sadly all good things come to an end." He held his weapon over her head. "But thanks for the fun."

Just as he raised his sword…

A black and red portal shot out and a dark figure shot out, swinging a red sword that blasted the masked boy back.

"Raven!" Summer gasped as her partner stood before her, nodachi ready.

The masked boy staggered back and grunted, staring at the newly arrived woman who was glaring at him with red eyes. "Hmm…Interesting."

Raven shot forward, ignoring Summer calling out to her and swung her sword but the masked boy jumped over strike, landing on the far side of the cavern.

"As much as I'd like to keep playing, I actually have work to do." The masked boy said as a dark portal appeared behind him. "But don't worry, I think we'll meet again. It's always good to have a few playmates on the side to stave off boredom."

And with that, he was gone.

"Vanitas and I met much later after that, actually after you showed up and he told me a great deal more about where he had come from."

"So, you're old pals then."

"As if. I have no friends and I have no need for any and I certainly would never befriend that freak. Thanks to DiZ I was forced back into playing Huntress for my tribe…"