AN: Yeah, I know its only been three days. I couldn't help myself. This is one of the few stories in which I find myself actually having motivation to continue!

Review responses for chapter 2 are at the end of this chapter.

As the sun began to rise and the light in the camp grew, Vader stirred from his rest. Though his meditative trance had helped heal his body somewhat from the fight during the night, the ache in his muscles lingered. His wounds, crudely bound with leaves and vines, were healing too slowly for his liking. Without his full strength in the Force, he felt the limitations of this unfamiliar body keenly. His breaths were slow and measured as he began to come out of the trance, assessing his surroundings.

The air was crisp, with the scent of the forest heightened by the cold edge of autumn creeping in. The trees around him swayed gently in the early morning breeze, and the world seemed calm—for now. But Vader knew better than to trust it. The creature that had attacked him the night before was proof enough of this world's hidden dangers, and he wasn't about to be caught unprepared again.

Vader rose to his feet, ignoring the stiffness in his limbs. The bandages he had fashioned had held, but he needed something better—something more permanent. The pain was a reminder of his vulnerability, but also a focus for his dark side meditation. He embraced it, drawing strength from the discomfort. Each step he took forward, each moment of endurance, brought him closer to restoring his connection to the Force.

His gaze drifted to the gravestone nearby. The markings were still alien to him, his meditation revealing nothing but a faint sadness and loss connected with the stone, but that was no longer his immediate concern. He had to think logically—what was more important now was his next move.

The previous night had confirmed that this world was hostile, and also had given him the first taste of what lurked here. A creature—twisted, brutal, and driven by a mindless, animalistic rage—had sought him out. Whatever the creature was, remained unimportant. The important factor was that it had attempted to hunt him. It had been a blind spot to his senses until it was directly in his sight, which was disconcerting, but it had fallen to him in the end. Still, its mere existence raised questions. If there were more of those creatures, or worse, more powerful threats, he would need to be ready.

First, however, he needed to find more information. He needed to know where he was, what manner of place this was, and what had brought him here. This world was clearly not part of any system he was familiar with, and yet… the presence of the Force lingered, even if faintly.

He moved cautiously through the camp, casting a glance over the cliff where he had made his temporary shelter. The drop was steep, unforgiving, with the forest spreading out far below, seemingly endless in its reach. From this height, he could see no sign of civilization. But that didn't mean it wasn't nearby. Perhaps just not in this direction.

If there were gravestones, there would be people. If there were people, there would be knowledge.

And, most importantly, resources.

Clothing, weapons, technology—he would need all of these if he was to rebuild his strength and take control of whatever power governed this place. His current state was unacceptable.

Vader moved with purpose as he left the clearing around the gravestone, his senses reaching out in search of anything unusual, any sign of life. His connection to the Force remained tenuous, still too weak to give him the clarity he was used to. But his instincts, honed over years of battle and war, remained sharp.

He walked with a singular focus, his eyes scanning the ground and the trees for any sign of passage—any hint that others had crossed this land before him.

While he walked, he removed his makeshift bandages, tossing them aside. They had done the job of stopping his bleeding during the night, and to have them on any longer would only increase the risk of infection. The claw marks left across his chest stood out in relief against his pale skin, red and barely scabbed over. He inspected the wounds closely. They were not as deep as he'd first feared, but they still throbbed annoyingly. He had survived far worse. His focus was on the path ahead.

As he moved deeper into the forest, the terrain began to shift. The trees grew closer together, their trunks thick with moss, and the canopy above seemed to close in, allowing only slivers of light to pierce through. The undergrowth thickened, but he continued without hesitation.

After what felt like an hour of walking, he noticed something. The forest floor bore the faintest signs of disturbance. Leaves had been kicked up, the dirt beneath them scuffed and uneven. A trail—barely noticeable, but unmistakable.

Vader knelt, his eyes tracing the faint outline of boots pressed into the soft earth. Someone had passed through here recently. A creature with a similar gate to a human or twi'lek, wearing shoes. Average weight, and an unhurried pace. He rose to his full height, his gaze following the direction of the trail as it wound deeper into the forest.

This was the first real sign of life he had encountered since arriving in this strange world, and his mind raced with possibilities. Whoever this person was, they would know where he was, and how he could get the resources he needed.

The trail beckoned, and without hesitation, Vader followed it.

The trail grew more defined the further he went, the disturbances in the foliage becoming more frequent. The person he was following had clearly been walking this path for some time, perhaps even regularly. That thought gave Vader a sense of anticipation—if this was a frequently traveled route, it might lead to a settlement, or at least a place where he could find answers.

The wind shifted slightly, carrying with it the faintest sound—footsteps. Vader slowed his pace, silencing any small noises his own footsteps would make. The sounds he heard grew clearer as he neared them, the unmistakable sound of someone just up ahead.

He continued forward, slipping between the trees until he reached a wider path, more defined than the faint trail he had been following. And there, walking along it with no awareness of the danger lurking behind him, was a man.

The man was dressed simply, in worn clothes that suggested he was no warrior, but perhaps a traveler or a laborer. His steps were unhurried, casual even, as though he had no reason to expect any trouble.

Vader's eyes narrowed as he observed the man. This one would provide answers—whether willingly or not.

With quiet determination, Vader stepped out from the cover of the trees, his bare feet making no sound on the path. He stood tall, his presence commanding, despite his lack of armor or weapon. The man had not yet noticed him.

Vader's voice, deep and cold, cut through the stillness like a blade.

"You. Stop."

Taiyang Xiao Long had been walking this path for years, a well-trodden route that led through the quieter parts of the forest on the outskirts of Patch. The early morning air was crisp, and the first hints of autumn had begun to settle into the landscape. It was peaceful—a rare moment of calm in his otherwise hectic life of teaching at Signal Academy and raising his daughters.

His thoughts drifted as his feet followed the familiar rhythm of the path. He was thinking about Ruby, who was still in her second year at Signal. She had been excelling in her studies, though that didn't surprise him; she had always been a natural. Yang, too, had grown into a powerful young Huntress in training. Taiyang's gaze swept the forest, his mind wandering until a voice suddenly cut through the quiet, sharp and commanding.

"You. Stop."

He froze mid-step. The voice was low, cold, and unlike anything he had heard before. Instinctively, his body tensed, his Huntsman training kicking in. His hand hovered near the straps of his backpack, where he kept a small weapon hidden. He didn't reach for it immediately—years of experience told him not to escalate a situation without understanding it first. But he didn't like being caught off guard, especially this far from home.

Slowly, Taiyang turned to face the source of the voice. As he did, his eyes widened slightly, though he kept his expression neutral. Standing a few paces behind him was a man—if he could even be called that. He was tall, imposing, and unmistakably dangerous. But what struck Taiyang more was his appearance. The stranger wore no clothes, his body pale and marked with healing wounds, but the way he held himself spoke of authority and power. There was nothing vulnerable about him.

Taiyang's mind raced as he sized the man up. Who the hell is this?

"Look, friend," Taiyang began, keeping his voice calm, though his muscles were ready to react if necessary. "I don't know who you are or what you're doing out here, but you don't look like you're from around these parts."

He took in the stranger's stance—the controlled way he stood, the sharpness of his gaze. This was no ordinary traveler. He had an air about him, something Taiyang couldn't quite place but instinctively distrusted. A fighter, no doubt. A dangerous one.

Taiyang's senses stayed alert as he continued, "You need help or something? There's a town not far from here. Might be better than wandering the woods like this."

Even as he spoke, Taiyang's mind churned. The stranger's appearance was strange enough, but that voice... Even with only two words spoken, he could tell there was something unsettling about it. It carried weight, authority—like a man who was used to giving orders and seeing them followed without question.

Vader studied the man's reaction with a calculating eye. He noted the way the stranger's hand hovered near a concealed weapon, the practiced calm in his voice. This one wasn't just a traveler; he had the instincts of a warrior. But what caught Vader off guard, more than the man's behavior, was the fact that he was speaking Galactic Basic, albeit with an accent that he had never heard before.

Vader's mind whirred with possibilities. The gravestone from earlier had been written in an alien script, completely unfamiliar to him. The writing system here was clearly different from anything used in the galaxy he knew. And yet, this man spoke a language that was unmistakably Basic.

Vader's yellow eyes narrowed slightly, though he kept his posture relaxed, if only to prevent the man from reading too much into his sudden interest. The Force—while still weak in him—whispered of something unusual about this man.

He studied the man closely. The stranger was no commoner; his body language, the way he kept his hand poised near the straps of his pack, likely hiding a weapon but not yet drawing it, spoke of discipline and experience. There was no fear in his stance, only wariness. This man was familiar with danger and was clearly weighing his next move as much as Vader was.

For a moment, Vader simply stood, silent, letting the tension in the air build. He had no need to rush. His instincts told him that this man could be useful, but it would be foolish to assume anything too quickly.

"I seek answers," Vader said, his voice a controlled growl, cutting through the silence. "Tell me where I am."

The man's brow furrowed slightly, but he showed no sign of fear. That alone was unusual. Most people Vader had encountered, even seasoned warriors, recoiled when they felt the darkness within him. But this man—while cautious—held his ground.

Taiyang, for his part, kept his expression steady, even as his mind raced. This stranger—whoever or whatever he was—radiated an aura of raw power, though Taiyang couldn't quite explain it. There was something unnerving about the way the man carried himself, his yellow eyes glinting with a cold intensity. No fear, no hesitation. Just a quiet, menacing confidence.

Still, Taiyang had faced plenty of powerful enemies before, and something told him that this stranger wasn't like the other dangers of Remnant. No, this man was different.

"You're on Patch," Taiyang finally said, his voice steady. "Just a small island, west of the main continent, near Vale." He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then added, "You look like you've been through something rough. Maybe I can help."

Vader's eyes flashed, reading between the lines. He noted the way the man had answered his question—concise, direct, but also with a hint of curiosity. This man wasn't intimidated. That, in itself, was intriguing. He stepped forward again, partly closing the distance between them.

"Help me?" Vader's voice was a low, dangerous rumble. "You misunderstand."

He let the words hang in the air for a moment, watching for any flicker of hesitation from the man before continuing, his tone sharp and commanding. "I need no help. What I require is information—and you will provide it."

Taiyang tensed as the stranger stepped closer, the intensity in his voice sending a shiver through the otherwise still forest. But he didn't back down. His instincts told him this man was far more dangerous than he let on, but Taiyang had faced danger before—he wasn't about to let himself be intimidated.

He met the stranger's yellow gaze with his own steady stare, his mind working quickly. This guy isn't bluffing. He's serious—and he's powerful, even if I can't figure out how.

Taiyang kept his posture calm, but his muscles were coiled, ready to act if the situation escalated. "Information, huh? Fine," he said evenly, his voice betraying no fear. "I already told you—you're on Patch, near Vale. And if you've come out of those woods looking like that," Taiyang's eyes flicked briefly over the stranger's wounds and lack of clothing, "then I'm guessing you're not from around here."

He wasn't wrong, but his words barely scratched the surface of what Vader needed to know. The name Patch meant nothing to him, and neither did Vale, yet the man spoke with certainty, as if they should hold some significance. He took another step forward, fully closing the distance now, the air between them tense with unspoken threat.

"Vale," Vader repeated, his voice cold. "Patch. These words are meaningless to me. I require more than this."

The man's jaw tightened ever so slightly, but he still didn't retreat. It intrigued Vader—this man's refusal to show fear. Most who encountered him, even when he was weakened, faltered under the sheer weight of his presence. Yet this one stood firm. Curious.

"I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but if you want more, you're going to have to be specific," Taiyang said, still calm but his tone firmer now. "What exactly are you trying to figure out?"

For a moment, the only sound between them was the rustle of leaves in the wind. Vader's mind worked quickly, analyzing every word, every shift in the man's demeanor. This wasn't someone easily manipulated, but there were always ways to extract what he needed.

"I need to understand this place," Vader said. "What power governs here? What force drives these lands? And what are the creatures—those... beasts."

Taiyang's expression darkened at the mention of the creatures, the Grimm. The man might not know their name, but he'd clearly encountered one. No wonder he looks like he's been through hell.

"You ran into a Grimm, didn't you?" Taiyang's voice dropped slightly, as if speaking the name alone carried weight. "That explains a lot."

Vader said nothing, his silence pressing Taiyang to explain further.

"The creatures you saw are called Grimm. They're attracted to negative emotions—fear, anger, hatred. Sound familiar?" Taiyang said, his gaze flicking over the stranger again, catching something dark and brooding just beneath the surface. "They're a constant threat around here. Everyone knows about them. But if you don't..." He trailed off, trying to place where someone could have come from without knowing the Grimm. It didn't make sense. Had the man lost his memories somehow?

"Grimm," Vader repeated softly, his mind processing the information. Creatures drawn to the very emotions that fueled him. Creatures blind to the Force. He'd killed one, but not without effort. Their existence raised troubling questions about this world's nature—questions that demanded answers.

Vader's hand flexed, a ghost of his once-powerful grip as he stared down at Taiyang. "And these Grimm… what is their purpose? Their origin?"

Taiyang frowned, unsettled by the intensity of the questions. "No one knows exactly where they came from, or why they exist. The best we've got are theories. But their purpose? Simple—they destroy. They exist to wipe out humanity, civilization, everything. That's why Huntsmen and Huntresses are trained to fight them." He paused, then added, "If you've survived an encounter with one in your state, you're lucky. Or very skilled."

Vader's gaze darkened at the mention of luck. He relied on no such thing. But the pieces were starting to fit together, albeit loosely. This world, with its primitive beasts and fighters, seemed governed by forces outside the Empire's control. And yet, the dark side pulsed here, faintly but undeniably. He could feel it—there was potential in this place, power to be harnessed.

For now, though, he needed more than just vague explanations. He needed control.

"You will take me to your settlement," Vader said, his voice brooking no argument. "I require weapons, resources. I will not ask twice."

Taiyang stared at him, his mind weighing the options. He could feel the pressure of this man's presence, the authority that came with his words. It wasn't just his size or his cold demeanor—it was something more. Something Taiyang couldn't quite put his finger on. But he knew one thing for certain: refusing wasn't an option.

"All right," Taiyang finally said, his voice steady. "I'll take you to the town. But I'm not making any promises beyond that. You're not exactly the friendly type, and I'm not going to let you waltz in and start causing trouble."

Vader didn't respond, but the faintest flicker of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Control would come soon enough.

AN: *Insert dramatic sound*. So, Vader has made first contact with the humans of this world who are, shockingly, human and not alien.

I decided on Galactic Basic and English (Which is presumably what RWBY has everyone speak) sound the same but have different systems of writing. This was done for two main purposes:

1) It would be difficult to have a proper interaction in this chapter without them being able to talk to each other, and I'm not sure I could do it justice.

2) I wanted to.

Review Responses for Chapter 2:

Grand Chaos Master: "I just hope Vader doesn't go to the streets and announce that he is from another galaxy."

Firstly, you're making an assumption that it is another galaxy. I won't say if that assumption is correct or not for a while yet. Secondly, there would be no point in announcing it at large. Only when the outcome of such an act would be favorable, should it even be considered. Right now other people would probably just think he's crazy.

Noob6: "Vader doesn't have his lightsaber does he? Will he make a new one? There's no kyber crystals on Remnant, but dust could be a pretty good substitute."

Once again my friend, it seems you have read my mind. Or perhaps its just the obvious choice. No, Vader appeared in this world with quite literally nothing but his bare naked body, which means no lightsaber. He wouldn't properly be Vader without a lightsaber though, at least not as badass as he should be. Besides, haven't you seen the cover art? Spoilers.