Dark clouds loomed overhead, casting a cold, gray shadow over the rolling hills of Mistral. The soft rumble of distant thunder echoed faintly, carried on the chill wind as Ivan made his way along the worn dirt path leading into a quiet, isolated village.

His steps were slow, heavy — not from exhaustion, but from the weight in his chest.

The village was small, humble. Weathered homes with moss-covered roofs dotted the landscape. Lanterns hung silently from crooked poles, their faint glow barely fighting the gloom of the sky above.

Ivan's sharp, tired eyes scanned his surroundings until something familiar caught his attention — a small cottage near the edge of the village. What stood out wasn't its shape or size... but the pendant hanging from the door.

(Memory)
Ivan: What's this for?
Bella: You said you needed a new symbol. So, I drew you this.
Ivan pauses for a moment.
Ivan: Thank you, Bella, for everything.

Hope flickered in Ivan's heart, fragile and desperate.

As he approached, a villager — an older man with a kind, worn face — walked by, carrying a small basket of firewood.

Without hesitation, Ivan called out.

Ivan: Excuse me... sir.

The old man paused and turned.

Old Man: Hm?

Ivan: Have you... have you seen a girl named Bella? Bella Wynne?

The man studied Ivan for a moment before speaking, his expression softening.

Old Man: Were you a friend of hers?

Ivan gave a small, solemn nod.

Ivan: Yeah… I was.

The villager's face fell. He let out a heavy sigh, the kind reserved for delivering hard truths.

Old Man: I'm sorry, son... Bella passed away about a year ago.

The words struck like a blade to the heart.

Ivan's breath hitched slightly, his eyes lowering to the ground as the wind picked up, rustling the dead leaves around his boots.

Ivan: I... see.

He forced himself to look up at the man and gave a respectful nod.

Ivan: Thank you... for telling me.

The old man gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before walking off, leaving Ivan standing alone in the fading light.

The scene cuts.

Ivan now stood before a small gravestone nestled beneath a lone tree at the edge of the village. The stone was simple but well-cared for. Fresh flowers sat at its base.

Bella Wynne

A gentle heart, forever free.

Ivan's jaw clenched as memories surged — her laughter, her dreams, the promise of seeing her again.

But that promise was gone.

A cold droplet of rain landed on his cheek — or maybe it was a tear.

Ivan: I'm sorry... I should've been here... sooner.

Silence answered him.

He stayed there, unmoving, as the first drops of rain began to fall from the gray sky above — washing over stone, earth, and sorrow alike.

Elsewhere in Mistral

Crimson: Alright, now try.

The scene views Azure reeling back his bow as he carefully aims for an empty soda can that Crimson had placed for him. He then takes a deep breath and, at the same time, he exhales and releases the arrow, hitting the can so hard that the arrow went right through it and embedded itself into a tree.

Crimson: (chuckles) Good job, Mr. Aoi.

Azure: Thanks, Crimson.

Azure smiles as Crimson holds up his hand, and Azure high-fives him.

Crimson: If you keep up the good work, you'll end up being a better shot than me.

Sky can be seen standing on a tree branch as he listens for something, when suddenly he hears the sound of massive footsteps.

Sky: Hey guys, get ready.

Crimson and Azure ready their weapons as the ground begins to shake from the rapidly approaching footsteps. The scene cut to Bleu flying through the trees with her arms as bird wings when suddenly the Grimm causing the rumblings bursts through the trees to reveal a Cyclops Grimm.

Bleu flies through the trees as the Grimm continues to pursue her as she uses her Dragon's Claw to slice a vine that ends up triggering a trap. The Grimm roars as it is suddenly tripped by a swinging log hitting its legs from the trap and stumbles into an open area. The Grimm gets up as Sky is seen firing Stormfall in SMG mode at its head and blocks the bullets with its arm. Unaware of Bleu, she uses her blades to cut the Grimm's knee ligaments, causing it to drop down to the ground.

Bleu: Azure, tether arrows now!

Azure jumps out from the forest and quickly fires five arrows into the air in different directions. The arrows landed on different spots on the Grimm as they started beeping before lines made from Hard-Light Dust shot into the ground and held the Grimm down.

Bleu: You're up, Crimson!

Crimson smiles as he transforms Pegasus into hammer mode and charges at the downed Grimm until it releases an earth-shattering roar. Everyone covers their ears as Azure looks to see the tethers snapping off.

Azure: It's breaking free!

Crimson: I got it.

The tethers break, and the Cyclops swings its club at Crimson, sending him into a boulder.

Azure: Crimson!

The Cyclops looks down at Azure as it raises its club over its head.

Bleu: Azure, move now!

Azure looks up as the Grimm swings its club downward, but luckily, Sky quickly grabs Azure and moves him away before returning to the skies. Bleu tries to attack the Grimm's eye but is backhanded by the Grimm's free hand. Bleu catches herself by using her blades to swing around a tree and lands next to Crimson.

Bleu: Are you ok?

Crimson gets up and uses Pegasus to prop himself.

Crimson: Fuck no. But I'll live.

Azure joins them as they see Sky still continuing his attack, shooting at the Grimm.

Crimson: So, plan B?

Bleu: Working on it.

Azure looks at the Grimm and notices something.

Azure: Hey, I might have an idea.

Crimson: Let's hear it then, kid.

Azure: It's more protective of its head than anything else. It keeps blocking Sky's bullets, and it roared when you tried to finish it.

Bleu: Then it gave me a painful bitchslap when it tried for its eye.

Azure: Exactly, so instead of trying to go for the head, let's immobilize its limbs.

Crimson: How do we go about that?

Azure: You see the part on its back?

The trio looks to see that the spine of the Cyclops is exposed.

Crimson: We break its spinal cord-

Bleu: It will fall, so we can finish it. Let's do it.

They nod as Bleu takes to the skies. Bleu rejoins Sky as they fly higher from the Grimm's range.

Sky: What's up?

Bleu: New plan, we need you to keep it looking in one direction.

Sky: No problem.

Sky dives down and begins shooting at the Grimm, getting its attention.

Sky: At least try to hit me.

While the Grimm moves closer, Bleu lands next to Crimson.

Bleu: You ready?

Crimson: Always.

Bleu uses her Semblance to grow a pair of massive wings out of her back, wraps her arms around Crimson's, and blasts off the ground. Bleu flies high and does a backward loop to gain speed toward the Grimm as she releases Crimson. Crimson then uses his Semblance to create his Aura Clone, which throws him like a softball, gaining more speed as he nears the Grimm. He raises his mighty hammer and shatters the Cyclops' spine. The Grimm falls to the ground as the team gathers in front of its head. Bleu nods to Crimson as he raises his hammer.

Crimson: Lights out.

Crimson slams his hammer onto the Grimm's head, and it then disintegrates. The team returns to the village, and Bleu is seen shaking hands with the town official.

Official: You can't imagine how grateful we all are for your help.

Bleu: Just doing our job, sir.

Official: A few months ago, we had four others deal with a Geist that was plaguing our village, and then that Cyclops appeared. I can only assume that we're just lucky that you were coming through this way.

Sky: The Grimm might be migrating due to what happened in Vale. I understand not wanting to abandon your homes, but you may consider relocating.

Scenes of the idyllic life in the village are shown: people buy fresh produce from a cart, stand and chat on open balconies overlooking the roads, tend to their horses, and generally go about their daily lives peacefully. The village has plentiful trees and green spaces and cobbled roads.

Official: We have survived long before the Grimm started appearing more than normal, but as I said to the last four huntsmen, our way of life is safer for us.

Sky: Of course, I meant no disrespect.

Official: It is alright. You were only suggesting an option. And our blacksmith appreciates the help your colleague has provided with a proper defense plan for the Grimm. I'm sorry that I can't pay you much.

Crimson: It is alright. We have more than enough to get by. You should keep your money for yourself.

Bleu: Take care.

As the town mayor waves the team goodbye, Bleu and Azure wave back, and they make their way to the blacksmith to find Fang explaining something to the blacksmith.

Fang: So, just in case the barrier falls, just pull the lever to trap the Grimm in the ditch so they'll be easier to kill. (notices the others) Hey guys. Dealt with the Cyclops already?

Bleu: Yep. All thanks to this little genius. (ruffles Azure's hair)

Azure: Bleu, stop it.

Bleu: Oh come on, you know it's true.

Fang: I would just take the compliment, Azure. Trust me, it's easier not to argue with her.

Blacksmith: So I'm gonna guess that you're all headed to Haven, right?

Sky: Actually, we're looking for someone who may have come by here. His name is Ivan Saxe.

Bleu: I don't suppose you've seen him before, have you?

Blacksmith: Can't say I have. The last huntsman that came through town said they were heading to Haven Academy.

Bleu: Well, we better get going. We're supposed to meet our friend in Higanbana.

Blacksmith: Alright then, safe travels.

Azure: Thank you.

Fang: Take care.

The team heads out onto the trail as Sky takes one last look at the village.

Bleu: Alright, our next stop is where?

Sky: Shion Village.

Fang: Looks like it'll take us a day or two to get there.

Sky looks at the map and then flips it, showing Fang his mistake.

Fang: Oh, thanks, Sky.

Sky: No problem.

Bleu: So how far again?

Sky: Maybe a day. We should make camp in a few hours.

Crimson: No argument there.

Bleu: Then let's push on, team.

Ivan

Ivan is seen walking in the forest of Mistral until he comes across a small area that had bloodstains on trees and rocks, followed by crushed rocks and claw marks.

?: (echoing) Ivan, look out!

?: (Screaming)

?: No!

The voices echoed in Ivan's mind as he clenched his fists and continued walking. Ivan soon arrives at three graves that looked as if they've been here for a while, as he sits down in front of them. He looks at the names with sadness in his eyes.

Tori Sapphire

Angie Tevar

Naomi Becket

Ivan looks back at Tori's grave and places his hand on the soil as he begins to cry. He then gets up and walks away from the graves.

Bleu

The scene is black as the sound of a Grimm growling echoes around Bleu.

Bleu: Azure. Azure. Azure!

The sound of a Grimm roaring can be heard.

Bleu: NO!

Bleu's eyes go wide as she awakens from her nightmare. She takes deep breaths until she starts to hear a voice in the distance. She looks around and sees that Azure is not in his sleeping bag and goes over to Fang.

Bleu: (whispering) Fang. Fang, wake up.

Fang stirs awake but is still groggy.

Fang: Huh, what? What is it? Grimm?

Bleu: No. Azure is not in his sleeping bag, and I swear I thought I heard something.

Diane: (distant audio recording) Azure.

Fang sits up as he and Bleu move quietly to where they find Azure sitting by a tree, watching a recorded message on his Scroll.

Diane: (snickers playfully) Hey, Azure? Whatcha reading?

Azure: (recording) N-Nothing.

Diane: Oh come on, you know that you can't hide anything from me, y'know?

Bleu notices that tears were sliding down Azure's cheeks as if he started crying.

Diane: (shows her hand snatching the book from Azure as she starts running with it) What are you gonna do now, buddy?

Azure: (can be heard chasing Diane through Beacon Academy's halls) Diane! C'mon, give it back.

Diane: You gotta catch me first, buddy.

The recording ends, and Azure presses play again, starting the video over.

Diane: (camera points at her face) Time to mess with my partner.

Bleu tries to stand up but is held down by Fang. She looks at him with concern, but Fang just shakes his head, telling her no. They slowly walk away so Azure wouldn't hear them.

Bleu: He can't do this to himself.

Fang: He needs to grieve in his own way, Bleu.

Bleu: But he's hiding this from us. We're his friends. We should know if something is wrong so we can help him.

Fang: (sighs) When my brother and I graduated from Shade Academy, the other members of our team went on their own adventures. We joined up with the White Fang and never saw them again. I know I can't help Azure with what he is going through. And from what you told me about your team, you won't be able to help him either. Don't take this the wrong way, but I think the only person who may understand what Azure is going through is Ivan.

Bleu looks down in sadness because she knows that Fang is right.

Fang: So when we find him, we can tell him. Okay?

Bleu nods her head and wipes away her tears.

Fang: Why don't you head to bed? Get some sleep. I'll make sure Azure gets some sleep eventually.

Bleu: Okay.

As Bleu heads back to camp, Fang goes back to find Azure fast asleep and holding his Scroll in his hand with the video ending again. Fang gently picks him up and carries him to his sleeping bag. Fang clutches his left arm with a small wince before he slips back into his sleeping bag and drifts off to sleep.

The Next Morning

The team is seen walking down the trail as they near the village of Shion.

Crimson: So, Sky, what kind of hospitality should we expect from the people of Shion village?

Sky: They were well known for being a great place to go camping. There was this one time when I came here for a mission, there was this family that I swear to you, had eight kids.

Fang: Were they Faunus? Could have been a litter.

Sky: No, they were human. But I felt bad for the only son.

Bleu: Why?

Sky: He had seven sisters trying to braid his hair, so he got his own tent.

The group starts laughing, but Bleu then notices Azure falling behind. He looked tired.

Bleu: Guys, hold up.

Everyone stops, but Azure keeps going until he bumps into Crimson.

Azure: Huh, why'd we stop?

Bleu: Did you sleep last night?

Azure: Yeah, I did. Why?

Sky: Because you seem out of it. You're falling behind, and you didn't know when to stop until you ran into Crimson.

Fang: Here, let me help.

Bleu takes Azure's pack and hands it to Crimson. Bleu then bends down to the ground.

Bleu: Climb on, Azure.

Azure: I'm fine.

Bleu: Azure-

Azure: I said I'm fine!

Bleu steps back as the others just look at Azure. Azure's expression went from anger to regret as Bleu placed a hand on his shoulder.

Bleu: I can carry you so you can get some more shut eye. It's ok to ask for help, but sometimes people just want to help even if you think you don't deserve it. (lowers down again) Now, are you gonna let us help you or not?

Azure accepts and hops onto Bleu's back as Bleu carries him piggyback. They continue down the trail until they arrive at Shion village but it is destroyed.

Bleu: What happened here?

Crimson: There's no more smoke. This could've happened way before we even started our journey in Mistral.

Fang: What could've done this?

Sky: It couldn't have just been the Grimm.

Azure starts to stir on Bleu's back.

Bleu: We can't stay here.

Fang: Agreed. Let's keep moving.

The group continues on their journey as the screen fades to black.