As the day begins anew, team SAFF, Azure Aoi, and Crimson Vane are seen walking down the trail. Everyone is seemingly quiet until Bleu moves up closer to Ivan.
Bleu: So where did you go?
Ivan turns to face her with confusion.
Ivan: Hmm?
Bleu: You came to Mistral for a reason. What was it?
Ivan lowers his head in sadness.
Ivan: After what happened in Kusangawa, I lived as a recluse from the world. Then one day, this little girl, Bella, came looking for help because he village was being harassed by a bandit tribe. She had Silver Eyes, too. Ever since the events of Vale, the light of the Silver-eyed warrior, I had to be sure.
Bleu: Sure of what?
Fang: Guys.
Bleu and Ivan look back to see Fang bent down to the ground, moving his hand along some tracks. Ivan looks to see what looks like hoofprints.
Ivan: It could be the Nuckelavee. It's well known around this part of Anima.
Sky: You mean that it was responsible for Shion village?
Ivan: No, not just it. From what I heard, it is that bandits came by first, and amongst all the panic...
Azure: Grimm.
Ivan: You guessed it. The Nuckelavee is responsible for so many deaths.
Sky: We should keep moving.
Ivan: Is your Semblance still off?
Sky: I don't know. It's just strange. I've never had this problem before.
Fang: Hey Ivan.
Ivan: What is it?
Fang: Could it be our special guest who smacked us around yesterday? Do you know what his Semblance is?
Ivan: Next time I see him, I'll ask.
Crimson: How much further to the next town?
Bleu pulls out the map and looks around near Oniyuri.
Bleu: How about Kiroyuri?
Sky: That village is uninhabited. The Nuckelavee destroyed it years ago.
Bleu: Ok then... how about, Kuchinashi?
Sky: It's still active. But it's in the mountains.
Ivan: Let's take what we can get.
Everyone nods as they start making the trek up the mountain until Sky stops all of a sudden. Bleu looks back to see him staring out toward a distant village. Bleu walks over to him and places a hand on his shoulder.
Bleu: You ok?
Sky: Something is moving around down there.
Bleu looks to the village and sees nothing.
Bleu: I don't see anything.
Sky: Look to the left of the clock tower.
Bleu focuses her eyes and starts to see someone moving through the village. She turns to the others.
Bleu: Hey boys!
Ivan, Fang, Crimson, and Azure return as Bleu points toward the village.
Bleu: There's someone down there.
Crimson: But, isn't that Kiroyuri?
Sky: It is.
Ivan: I thought you said it was abandoned.
Sky: It was.
Azure: Maybe we should just keep moving.
Sky: You go ahead. I'll deal with the looter myself.
Before anyone could object, Sky takes off fast towards the village.
Bleu: Sky! (groans)
Crimson: Well, let's get moving.
As Crimson starts walking up the trail, he turns to see everyone giving a disapproving look.
Crimson: What?
Bleu: Are you kidding me? You're ok with leaving him to do something alone.
Crimson: He said to go without him.
Fang: Yeah, he did. But we're not going to listen to him.
Crimson looks to Ivan.
Crimson: And what about you? What do you say?
Ivan looks at Crimson and then back at Bleu.
Ivan: I say that I don't have a say in the matter. I think it's up to Bleu.
Bleu: What?
Ivan: You took care of things while I was gone. So, for now, I will follow your lead.
Bleu: But I-
Fang: What's the plan, team leader?
Bleu is dumbfounded by this sudden mantle of responsibility, but goes along with it and turns to Crimson.
Bleu: You can head to Kuchinashi if you want. We'll go make sure Sky comes back with us.
Fang: Azure, how about you go with him?
Azure: What, why?
Fang: It's just us getting our friend back, no fighting. We don't need everyone to go.
Azure: But I-
Bleu: Please, Azure. Just this once.
Azure looks down as Ivan steps up to him.
Ivan: I promise that we'll all come back, okay?
Azure hugs Ivan.
Azure: You'd better.
Azure stops hugging Ivan as he and Crimson continue the path to Kuchinashi while Bleu, Fang, and Ivan start heading down to Kiroyuri. As they head down, Fang starts sniffing the air intently.
Fang: Guys, I'm picking up something.
Ivan and Bleu turn to Fang.
Fang: Something is heading to the village.
Ivan: What does it smell like?
Fang: I don't know. A bull?
Ivan's eyes widen as his hands start shaking, causing his gauntlets to shake as well.
Bleu: What's wrong?
Ivan: We need to get Sky out of there now. Fang, head down there quickly. Bleu, I'll need your help with this so we can buy them enough time.
Bleu: Ivan, what is it?
Ivan: There's no time to explain, please just trust me.
Fang places a hand on Bleu's shoulder.
Fang: Just go. I'll call you with my Scroll when I get Sky out of there.
Bleu looks uneasy, but then nods as Fang jumps off the trail and slides down the hill while Ivan and Bleu head to whatever was heading to the village.
Fang arrives at the village to find Sky with his weapon out in a defensive stance.
Fang: Sky!
Sky looks at Fang and motions with his finger to be quiet. Fang moves over to Sky but remains alert.
Fang: (whispering) What is it?
Sky: (whispering) What are you doing here?
Fang: I asked you first.
Sky: People are watching us.
Fang looks around to see nothing, so he tries using his nos,e but he catches a strong perfume and sneezes.
Fang: Whoever they are, they should consider using that perfume as a Grimm repellent.
Sky: Why are you here?
Fang: I came to get you out of here. There is something coming down from where we came from, and Ivan and Bleu are trying to buy us time, so how about we leave and let whatever is coming deal with the looters?
Sky: But-
?: You think having some backup will save you from us, looters?
Fang and Sky are confused as to why the looters are calling them the looters.
Fang: Uh, we aren't looters. Were huntsman.
? 2: That's impossible, all the huntsmen from Haven to here are dead.
? 3: And we won't go down so easily, assassins.
Fang flips his guns and holsters them, and raises his hands.
Sky: What are you doing?
Fang: (to Sky) Just hold on. (out loud) Ok, I think we got off on the wrong foot here. I promise you we arent assassins. We actually had a run into another assassin. I'll admit, he kicked my ass. I holstered my weapons and I am surrendering. Now, how about we talk this out?
? 3: Your names.
Sky: What?
? 3: Tell us your names.
From the sound of the voice, Fang suggested that it was female, and so were the others.
Fang: My name is Fang Sanguise. And this here is Sky Altair. We are traveling with a full team plus two others.
? 2: Who's the leader?
Fang: Well, our normal team leader would be Ivan Saxe, but as of now, he has appointed Bleu Falls as team leader.
The area goes quiet as Fang looks around to see a pair of glowing amber eyes.
?: Did you just say, Bleu Falls?
Fang: Yeah.
A woman with amber eyes steps out of the darkness. She had amethyst colored hair and red lipstick, as two tail-like weapons swayed around her back. She also had a pair of claws that were mostly for her fingers.
?: Where is she now?
? 3: Eve, get back.
Fang recognized that name. Eve, for Evelynn. Bleu told him about her old teammates from Beacon.
Fang: Evelynn Shade?
Evelynn: You know who I am?
Fang: Yeah, Bleu told me about you.
Evelynn: Where is she?
Fang: She's nearby. (looks at Sky still holding his weapon) Oh, for Brothers sake, Sky, put it down.
Sky lowers his weapon when, all of a sudden, Ivan is seen flying through the air screaming until he crashes into the clock tower, causing it to fall. Fang rushes over to find Ivan rubbing his head.
Fang: So, how's it going?
Ivan: How do you think?
The two look up to see Bleu flying toward them as Evelynn looks with tears in her eyes.
Bleu: (lands next to Ivan and Fang) Ok, so we should probably go before we- (turns to see Evelynn) Eve?
Evelynn: Bleu.
Bleu: Eve!
Bleu runs over to Evelynn, and they both wrap their arms around each other as Evelynn starts crying.
Evelynn: I thought you were dead.
Bleu: Shhhh, I'm here.
Ivan and Fang walk over to Sky as everyone but Fang looks confused. Evelynn waves her hand out.
Evelynn: Ahri, Akali, come out. It's Bleu.
The boys look to see two others walk out from their hiding places. One was a fox Faunus with two features instead of one. She had ears and a tail. She also had markings on her face to imitate whiskers. Her hair was blonde and had a long braid in the middle.
The other girl had long dark hair while wearing a lower face mask that looked similar to a Grimm. The two joined in a hug with Bleu and Evelynn as they finally reunited. Ivan walks over to them and taps on Bleu's shoulder, and they all look at him.
Ivan: Uh, so sorry to break up this tender moment and all, but we might want to leave before-
BOOM!
The group all looked to see one of the building's walls smashed through as a pair of glowing red eyes appeared through the smoke. Bleu then looks at Ivan as he starts shaking, and his face looked like he was scared. Fang rejoins the other as Sky remains on guard.
Fang: Everyone, get ready.
Ivan: No, we need to run.
Bleu: Ivan... What's wrong?
Fang looks at Ivan to see him slowly backing away in terror.
Fang: Bud? What is it?
Ivan: It's the same Grimm. The same one that killed Angie. The Minotaur.
The Grimm finally steps out from the smoke to reveal a hulking monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull as it grunts at the team. As everyone gets ready, Ivan starts walking towards it.
Fang: Ivan, what are you doing!? Get back.
Ivan didn't listen as he began to pick up speed and screamed at the Grimm. The Minotaur charged at Ivan, only for them to collide, creating a dust cloud. The group stands by to see who came out on top, and the dust cleared to view that Ivan and the Grimm had their hands locked. Ivan held his stance as the Grimm raised its forearms and decided to throw him to a nearby building. Ivan grunts in pain as the Grimm had begun its approach to him until it is blasted by fire dust rounds coming from Fang.
Fang: (whistles) Hey, cowboy! Over here!
The Minotaur grunts as it starts charging after Fang.
Fang: Oh crap.
Fang dodges to the right as the Minotaur slams into a wall. It then turns to face Fang as it is suddenly speared by Stormfall in staff form. It turns to see Sky flying towards it, and it swings its arm back and knocks Sky down to the ground.
Bleu: Sky!
Bleu pulls out her Dragon Claws and sends them to the Grimm, stabbing both its shoulders. The Grimm grabs the blades, but just before it tries to pull them, Bleu shakes them and sends fire dust energy through the blades, causing an explosion when it reaches the Grimm, staggering it. She then turns to Ahri.
Bleu: Ahri, help Sky. Akali, cover her.
Ahri and Akali nod as they both head for Sky while Evelynn raises her tail blades and opens up her hands to reveal her claw as she smiles at Bleu.
Evelynn: Where do you want me?
Bleu: Wait for an opening and strike when you see it.
The Grimm stands back up and pulls Stormfall out, and drops it to the ground. Before anyone could call out an attack, Ivan is seen running at the Grimm, screaming.
Bleu: Ivan, stop!
Ivan ignores Bleu and throws a right hook at the Grimm. He connects the hit, but the Minotaur seems unfazed and returns the right hook into Ivan's chest, sending him back. Bleu looks to see Ivan struggling to get up, but keeps forcing himself. She had to help him as she turned to Fang, who was pointing Justice at the Grimm.
Bleu: Fang, keep it busy. I need time.
Fang looks at Bleu and then looks back at Ivan before turning to Bleu and nodding. Fang then switches to normal bullets and starts shooting the Grimm's head. He knew that he wouldn't be able to hurt it; he just had to get its attention. And it was working. The Minotaur began following Fang through Kiroyuri as Bleu rushed over to Ivan, and Evelynn followed Fang and the Grimm. Bleu slides down next to Ivan as he tries to force himself up, but Bleu holds him down.
Ivan: Bleu, let go of me.
Bleu doesn't listen.
Ivan: Bleu, they are going to get hurt if I don't-
Ivan is cut off by a sudden slap to the face from Bleu. He looks at her and sees the worry in her eyes.
Bleu: What happened to your friends that day wasn't your fault. Do you hear me?
Ivan: But it was. I was too weak, and that's what got them all killed. And all I had to show for it was the need for revenge, and I killed Arinae. Just to try and make myself feel better. I won't lose anyone else, even if I have to die to make sure that doesn't happen.
Bleu hugs Ivan as he starts sobbing.
Bleu: Then let us fight together, as a team.
Ivan looks at her as she smiles.
Bleu: What do you say, leader?
Ivan wipes his eyes and smiles as the scene changes to Fang shooting the Grimm and dodging out of its way as it charges. As the Grimm slams into a stone wall, its horns get stuck, and Evelynn dashes by the Grimm, slicing with her claws and tail blades, and stops next to Fang.
Fang: Damn you are fast.
Evelynn: Thanks. This thing is one tough bastard.
Fang: Yeah, but it has to have a weakness somewhere.
Ivan: Take out its horns.
Fang and Evelynn turn to see Ivan and Bleu running toward them.
Ivan: Some Grimm like the Goliath have tough hides, so the only thing that could penetrate is their tusks.
Evelynn: So if we break the Minotaur's horns...
Fang: We'll jam those right up his alley! I like it.
Ivan looks at the Minotaur as it starts to break free and turns to his allies.
Ivan: Fang, let's try to get him stuck again. Bleu, since your blades actually got him to go down for a bit, let's see if you can do it again. Miss Shade...
Evelynn looks at Ivan as he points to her tails.
Ivan: How strong are those tails?
Evelynn gives Ivan a confused look as the Grimm breaks free and turns to see Fang standing away from him.
Fang: Hey, pal, you know my last name stands for blood, right? Blood is red, so come on you ugly son of a bitch.
The Grimm grunts and charges directly at Fang as he jumps over the Grimm, and it slams into another stone wall and gets stuck again.
Fang: (lands on the ground) Bleu now!
The scene changes to Bleu standing on the stone wall that the Grimm is trapped in as her blades are heated up, and she places them on the Minotaur's horns. The horns heat up and start to glow as Evelynn stands only a few feet away from the Grimm. Evelynn's tails were placed behind her as Ivan was holding onto them.
Ivan: Now!
Evelynn, with all her strength, uses her tails like a slingshot and fires Ivan at the Grimm as his Semblance activates and generates all the kinetic energy into his left fist and sends an earth-shattering punch to the Minotaur's head, breaking the horns. Fang grabbed one of the horns and threw it to Ivan as he grabbed the other one and stabbed them into the Minotaur's head. The Grimm cries out in pain as it looks at Ivan before he raises his arms up with his Semblance glow.
Ivan: For Angie.
Ivan brings his arms down onto the Grimm's skull as it starts to disintegrate. Ivan starts breathing heavily as he falls to his knees, and Bleu bends down to him. He looks at her and smiles as Fang and Evelynn walk over to them.
Evelynn: Now that was a very good plan.
Fang: I'll say.
Ivan: I'm sorry.
Fang: Huh?
Ivan: I haven't been myself lately, and I've acted selfish. You shouldn't have to deal with that.
Fang: Buddy, you don't get to apologize for that. Leaving us in Vale, yeah, maybe an apology for that. But this, no.
Bleu: We're your friends, Ivan. We will always be here for you, in and out of battle.
Ivan smiles as he hugs Bleu, and she hugs back. They all enjoy the moment until...
Sky: What the hell did we miss?
Ivan, Bleu, Fang, and Evelynn turn to see Sky being held up by his arms by Akali and Ahri.
Ivan: Oh, nothing much, just some ass-kicking and Grimm killing.
Sky: O,h so pretty much the good stuff.
They all break out laughing as Ahri and Akali set Sky down, and they join in. Bleu scoots over to her team.
Bleu: Boys, I would like to introduce you all to my original team from Beacon. Evelynn Shade, Ahri Light, and Akali Shadow.
Ahri: Hi.
Ivan: It is a pleasure to meet you all.
Akali: Thank you for keeping an eye on our leader while we were away. Knowing how much trouble she could've gotten into.
Bleu: Didn't you get drunk at the time you were supposed to watch over Ahri when she went clubbing with Huntsman?
Akali: Wait, you know about that?
Bleu: I was talking to Evelynn through my Scroll, and I could hear you in the background.
Akali: Oh, Gods kill me now.
Bleu, Evelynn, and Ahri start laughing as Ivan stands up and pops his shoulder.
Ivan: Alright, now, how about we get out of this place? Care to join our little group?
Bleu's teammates look at each other until they all nod.
Evelynn: Where are you all heading?
Fang: We're heading to Kuchinashi before we head over to Haven.
Bleu's team looks uneasy with that response.
Bleu: What's wrong?
Evelynn looks at Ahri and Akali before turning to Bleu.
Evelynn: Haven isn't safe for Huntsman anymore.
Ivan: Why's that?
Akali: We should probably tell you once we get to Kuchinashi if that's alright.
Ivan looks at their frightened faces and nods to them. They all then start heading to the village of Kuchinashi, where they see Azure and Crimson waiting by the front gate.
Azure: What happened out there?
Crimson: Are you alright, Sky?
Sky: I'm fine.
Bleu: We just ran into a few snags down there.
Crimson turns his head to see Evelynn, Ahri, and Akali.
Crimson: And you've picked up some friends, I presume.
Ivan: This is Bleu's old team. (looks back at them) Old in a good way.
The girls smile, knowing that they weren't just called old by age.
Fang: We all need to talk, privately.
Crimson: We have a room for all of us. Let's talk there.
A/N: This marks the end of Volume 4. Next will begin Volume 5, and our heroes will aid their troubled young companion before heading to their next battle for Remnant.