LOCATION: Mistral - City of Mistral
The airship glided gracefully above the Mistral forested landscape. Its vast size accommodated a multitude of civilians eager to explore the City of Mistral. Among the passengers were Midoriya Izuku, Team RWBY, Team JNPR, and Amber, each captivated by the breathtaking views unfolding before them. The lush greenery and towering mountains of Mistral bore a striking resemblance to Vale, creating a sense of familiarity amidst the adventure. As they soared through the sky, glimpses of quaint villages dotted the terrain below, yet none appeared particularly remarkable, blending seamlessly into the natural beauty that surrounded them. The excitement in the air was palpable as they anticipated their arrival in this vibrant new locale.
"Wow, it looks pretty out here," Ruby observed, awestruck at the scenery around her.
"On the surface, maybe," Amber replied, standing beside her. "But Mistral's got the highest crime rate out of all the Kingdoms. There are a lot of scattered villages all over the continent, with only a few big cities, including the capital. Compared to Vale, It's a little more spread out."
Blake stepped up beside Ruby to her left.
"I read about that," commented Blake. "A lot of villages don't make it past a couple of months."
Jaune frowned upon hearing this news.
"But isn't it the job of a Huntsman and Huntress to protect places like that?" Jaune questioned, concerned for the safety of Mistral's citizens.
Pyrrha glanced at him with a reassuring smile.
"Well, I'm sure we'll learn more when we reach the main city," Pyrrha said, grabbing the other's attention.
Ruby nodded in agreement.
"She's right. If we ask some of the people around I'm sure they'll tell us something," Ruby said, smiling confidently. "And maybe they may know where Liv is. Right, Izuku?"
Ruby blinked. Izuku honored her with silence, much to everyone else's bewilderment.
"Izuku?" Ruby turned toward where Izuku was standing.
The group blinked in surprise to see Izuku writing in a journal. But that wasn't what made them pause. The young hero was muttering aloud to himself, which drew the attention of all the civilians who were now staring at him. His words, a mix of calculating and analyzing thoughts, echoed in the airship, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Said muttering was creeping everyone out to the point their expressions twisted to unease. The children held on to their mothers as they listened to Izuku talking to himself, their wide eyes reflecting confusion and concern.
Some adults exchanged worried glances, unsure whether to approach him or keep their distance. A few brave souls even whispered among themselves, speculating about the young hero's mental state, while others simply shook their heads in disbelief, unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before them. The tension in the air was palpable as Izuku continued to scribble furiously. Oblivious to the growing crowd and their judgment.
"Mommy, why is that guy talking to himself?" The little boy asked, his gaze focused on the curly green-haired boy.
"Just ignore him, sweetie," the Mother told him.
Meanwhile, Izuku proceeded to mutter to himself.
"Okay, so her semblance allows her to dash with an inhuman speed in whatever direction she chooses, often leaving trails of rose petals in her wake," Izuku muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowed in deep thought. "I wonder if she can create powerful tailwinds with it? If so, then the resulting turbulence would be capable of lifting people off the ground. Maybe when we get back I could ask her to perform this experiment to see if this feat is possible or not, at least when she's not busy. Maybe I can help her and her team to see how far they can push their semblances and see which number is their limit. I'll have to keep that note—"
Izuku yelped when he felt someone slapped him on the shoulder. He whipped his head to his left, finding Weiss narrowing her eyes at him with disapproval set in them. She pulled her hand back to her side and placed both hands on her hips.
"What are you doing, you dunce?!" Weiss shouted, gesturing her hand to the audience. "Can't you see your muttering is creeping out all these people!"
Izuku scanned his surroundings. The civilians were indeed looking at him and looked a bit creeped out as well. He shifted his gaze back to Weiss while chuckling a little.
"Heh, heh, sorry," Izuku apologized sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "I have a bad habit of mumbling to myself sometimes when I'm in deep thought."
Weiss leaned back while folding her arms.
"Well, stop it. It's creepy," Weiss said, glancing down at the floor. Izuku proceeded to chuckle sheepishly.
Yang walks up to Izuku and glances down at his textbook.
"What's that?" Yang asked, looking at his book curiously. Izuku looked between Yang and his book.
"Oh, um, this is my new analysis book," Izuku replied, staring down at his book. "This is pretty much my hobby; I write about everything about heroes' Quirks and fighting capabilities back home. This allows me to form complex battle plans in a few seconds, factoring in the best ways I can utilize the Quirks of allies and enemies alike to my advantage. But since I'm in a whole other world, I decided to focus on the concept of one's semblance. I've already gotten started with Ruby's semblance."
Ruby stepped beside Izuku to take a peak. She blinked in surprise, seeing an illustration of herself while assuming a battle pose and armed with Crescent Rose. She also saw many notes written down with information detailing her semblance.
"It is a viable tactic to learn and observe your opponent's abilities; that way you can find any small openings and appropriately counter," Weiss granted, staring at the scribbled notes.
Blake nodded in agreement.
"It makes sense," Blake added.
"Hey, guys! It looks like we're here!" Nora announced.
Everyone looked out the window in the direction she was gazing. Their destination appeared to be a city that was built into two large twin mountains, with the largest building connecting the two summits. Various buildings were built all across the sides and base of the mountain. One could describe it as something of a mix to Mount Olympus with the architecture being something similar to East Asian countries.
"It's… it's beautiful…" Ruby muttered.
Weiss stared in awe at the sight.
"I've only seen sights like this in an art museum. But never in person," Weiss commented, awestruck at the magnificent sight.
Amber glanced at her friends
"We're gonna be landing soon," Amber informed her friends. "Let's get ready."
Amber turned toward the hatch with her friends trailing behind.
The aircraft glided and descended smoothly onto the landing platform perched precariously on the cliffside. The moment the engines quieted, the passengers eagerly unbuckled their seatbelts and began to disembark. Izuku, with a sense of anticipation, stepped out alongside Amber, Team RWBY, and Team JNPR, who were buzzing with excitement. They made their way toward the edge of the platform, where a barred railing provided a breathtaking view of Mistral sprawling below. The city, with its intricate architecture and bustling streets, seemed alive, and the sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, enhancing the moment's beauty. Each member of the group exchanged awed glances, feeling a mix of exhilaration and wonder as they took in the stunning panorama before them.
"Whoa…" Yang and Izuku muttered in unison.
"It looks even more beautiful up close," Pyrrha smiled.
Ruby looked down at several of the shops and stalls that were in some kind of outdoor market. She spotted various people buying and selling weapons. She immediately geeked out at the sight of them alone. Large crowds of people were going about their day - walking around, talking, and buying merchandise.
"They really made the most of these mountains," Jaune observed, smiling in awe at the sight.
"Every inch. Oh, and, stay away from the lower levels. The higher up you go, the nicer it gets," Amber said, stepping up beside Jaune.
"This… is… awesome!" Ruby exclaimed enthusiastically.
Amber giggled at Ruby's childlike enthusiasm.
"Come on, the village is this way," Amber said, turning away from the railing.
The group navigated through the bustling streets of the city. They were enveloped by the vibrant sights and sounds around them. Colorful stalls lined the pathways, each brimming with an array of goods that catered to every need. The rich aroma of well-cooked fried chicken wafted through the air, causing Jaune to momentarily forget his surroundings as he drooled over the delicious sight. Weiss was captivated by the chic and stylish garments displayed by the shopkeepers, her eyes sparkling with admiration for the latest fashion trends. Ruby, on the other hand, was entranced by an assortment of gleaming weapons, her imagination ignited by the possibilities they represented, as she dreamt of heroic adventures waiting just around the corner.
"Just a heads up, watch what you buy," Amber advised everyone. "Some of this stuff is good; but other times, people will try to either sell you cheap stuff or rob you with the most expensive prices."
Everyone understood by nodding their heads. After a few hours of walking, they made it to their destination. They stood at the village's entrance and stared at the many old apartments that lined the dirt street. People of two genders navigated their way across the dirt road in pairs and small groups. A number of the residents were carrying baskets of laundry, and others were simply wandering around on their own.
"Okay, we're here," Amber announced after surveying the area.
Amber retrieved her scroll and began tapping away at the screen. Team RWBY, Team JNPR, and Izuku felt their pockets vibrate when a jingling tune rang. They pulled out their devices and found their screens came to life revealing a photo. The photograph showed Liv as a tall and tanned-skinned young woman. She had mid-back length, brown thick, and wavy hair with varying shades of color, having been seen as bright brown, black, and, ultimately, plain brown. Two shoulder-length strands of hair frame her face, with the left one starting from a prominent, high fringe.
Liv had large brown eyes and visibly long eyelashes. She possessed a voluptuous figure, with a large bosom and curvy hips. She wore a cyan-colored sweater with frilled sleeves and a long dark blue skirt with a white apron and small tan boots. A beaded necklace encircled her neck which completed the beauty of her appearance. In the photo Liv had her arm draped over Amber's shoulder while holding the camera up. The pair smiled brightly as they gazed into the lens.
"Is that Liv?" Ruby asked, glancing up from her screen to Amber. Amber shoved her scroll back into her pocket.
"Yeah," Amber replied. "This way it'll help refresh people's memory."
Izuku looked between Team RWBY and Team JNPR.
"Okay, let's split up. Jaune, you and your team take left," Izuku instructed, turning his gaze towards Ruby and her team. "Ruby, you and your team take right. Amber and I will go forward."
"Call us if you guys learn anything," Amber added, looking between Team RWBY and Team JNPR.
"Okay." Ruby nodded.
The trio began to walk off in opposite directions to investigate their new surroundings. Izuku and Amber started forward, taking a leisurely pace, as they surveyed the area. Izuku glanced at the space beyond the village, observing three small kids playing with a worn-out ball. He then turned his attention back to the rest of the village, watching people wandering about on the sidewalk, one of them carrying a basket over their head. The pair turned toward a small old apartment as Amber approached the door and raised her hand. She knocked on the doorframe three times, then waited, listening intently.
Amber stepped back once she heard footsteps from behind the door. A moment later, it swung open, revealing a middle-aged man with gray hair and a mustache. He held a broom in his hand.
"Ahh, hello," the elder greeted, smiling warmly at the pair.
"Good afternoon, sir," Amber returned, smiling back at the elder. "I apologize if we're intruding."
The elderly man dismissively waved his hand.
"Oh, no no no, fret not, child," the elder assured her, bringing his hand back to his side. "What can I do for you two?"
"Well, we're looking for my friend," Amber explained, pulling out her scroll to show the elder a photo of her friend. "We came to ask if you have seen her or not?"
The elder squinted his eyes, scrutinizing the image on her scroll.
"Ah, yes, I know her," the elder said, nodding. "She used to come and help me clean my house from time to time."
"Have you seen her?" Izuku asked.
The elderly man regretfully shook his head.
"I'm sorry my dear boy, but I have not," the elder replied sorrowfully. "No one here hasn't seen her in six months. And what's even more saddening, is that she's not the first to go missing."
Izuku and Amber exchanged concerned glances before shifting their gaze back to the elderly man.
"What do you mean?" Amber questioned, staring at him with concern.
"Well, this has been happening for a long time," the elder continued. "We're talking, many years, child. The first among the disappearances was an old friend of mine, Charles was his name. I remember him always venturing into the woods to collect apples to supply the food shortage for his family, it was his everyday routine. One day, however, he didn't return home. It didn't take long for his family to start worrying about his absence. So his wife left her children with her sister and began to go look for him. But the thing is… she never came back either - which designated her as the second to disappear. The fourth was my granddaughter's boyfriend. I say fourth because her boyfriend's little brother was the third victim to up and vanished."
The elderly man glanced at the ground with a frown.
"My granddaughter and I pleaded with him not to venture near the forest; to let the Huntsman and Huntresses take care of the situation. But he remained adamant, insisting that he would find his brother and bring him back home. But neither of them came back. With each passing day, more people would go missing here and there; all of them were men, women, and even young children like yourselves, who were also looking for their missing friends and loved ones. Even the pro-Huntsman and Huntresses who took up the task of looking for these missing people had disappeared shortly after the last case of missing children. It became more frequent that it made my neighbor and two others move out of Mistral because of it."
"Do you know where we could find this forest you mentioned?" Izuku asked. The elderly man lifted his head to look back at Izuku.
"Yes. However, after everything that happened, the village chief made a new strict rule that no one was allowed to venture over there," the elderly man replied, pointing in the direction he was facing. "If you continue going forward and take a right, you'll find the forest at the edge of town."
Izuku and Amber exchanged knowing glances before looking back at him.
"Thank you," Amber politely stated as the duo turned around and headed to where they had indicated.
The elderly man watched in silence as the pair turned and walked down the dirt road again. Away and disappearing from his sight.
The elder retreated into his home and closed the door.
The heart of the village was a stark contrast to the vibrant life it once knew as it felt heavy with an oppressive silence. Children, with their laughter muted, played half-heartedly, while the elderly sat in clusters, their eyes reflecting years of memories and unfulfilled dreams. Women busied themselves with sewing, their hands moving mechanically, or ventured into town, their spirits seemingly weighed down by the routine. Even the dogs, usually a source of joy, were nowhere to be seen, leaving an eerie emptiness in their absence. This was not a place where joy flourished; it was a village caught in the grip of time, where the vibrancy of life had faded, replaced by a sense of resignation as if an unseen burden had settled upon it, stifling any hope of renewal.
Team JNPR strolled through the narrow streets of the town. They couldn't help but absorb the atmosphere around them. The air was filled with the faint sounds of hammers striking wood and the soft murmur of conversations, as a few locals diligently toiled on their small projects. Others moved about their daily routines, seemingly unfazed by the group's presence, their faces reflecting a mix of indifference and weariness.
Each member of JNPR exchanged nods or melancholic smiles with the townsfolk, acknowledging the shared moment of connection, however fleeting. The quietness of the streets was occasionally interrupted by the scurrying of rats, darting into the shadows as they sensed the approach of the unfamiliar group. The juxtaposition of the lively yet somber environment painted a vivid picture of life in the town, leaving Team JNPR with a lingering sense of curiosity and empathy for its inhabitants.
Nora frowned at what she was seeing. The sight of these locals living in bad conditions brought back bad memories of her past. She knew what it was like to live in poverty, to feel unloved, unwanted, and alone. But at least when she is with Ren, there is always a semblance of companionship between them. One that she hopes will continue forever.
"Excuse me, sir," Jaune asked, stopping a middle-aged man in his tracks. "Have you seen this girl?"
Jaune pulled out his scroll and showed the man a photo of Amber and Liv. The latter leaned close, inspecting the picture for any sort of familiarity. He looked back at Jaune and shook his head before proceeding to walk past him and his team. Jaune sighed and turned his gaze toward his teammates.
"Alright guys, let's spread out, and ask anyone else if they have seen Liv," Jaune instructed. His teammates nodded.
The members of Team JNPR spread out along various parts of the town. Nora and Ren started by approaching a group of kids, who were running around in a circle playing tag. Pyrrha approached an elderly couple who were just walking by before politely stopping the pair to begin questioning them. Jaune interrogated a nice middle-aged lady in front of a shop, asking her if she had seen Liv. However, all the citizens who spoke with the members of Team JNPR gave them the same answer:
No one has seen her.
Team RWBY walked through a single file. The four girls walked down the town's dirt road, heading in the direction of an old bar situated on the left side of the village. Despite the village's inhabitants wandering about, it was unusually quiet. A few birds tweeted from their high perches in the trees, and the wind had a chill to its bite, but it was somewhat peaceful nonetheless. The air had been thick between Ruby and her teammates since none of them had spoken since they had started walking. The only sounds they heard were their hoofsteps and the occasional breeze that seemed to blow through the town.
It's quiet out here, almost too quiet, Ruby thought.
Team RWBY gently pushed through the double doors and entered through the bar. The layout was large enough for there to be space for several booths, tables, chairs, and tables spread throughout the room. There weren't that many people inside the bar, as most patrons sat either alone or with friends chatting around the tables. It was also fairly empty save for two men, seated by the window, who both looked over at the new arrivals before focusing their attention back on their drinks. One other man sat alone at one of the tables in the corner, sipping his whiskey as he stared off into the distance.
Ruby glanced to his left and saw the bartender cleaning glasses near the front counter. She and her team proceeded into the bar towards the bartender. Said bartender noticed Team RWBY and gave them a small smile.
"What can I get you all?" He asked politely.
Ruby raised her hands and waved them dismissively.
"Oh, no, we're not here for a drink," Ruby assured him. "We just wanted to ask a couple of questions."
The barkeep nodded. "Okay. What do you kids need to know?"
Ruby and her friends exchanged glances before looking back at him.
"Well, it's kind of…personal," Yang explained. "We're looking for our friend's friend - she's missing, and we were just wondering if you had seen this girl?"
Yang pulled out her scroll pulled out his scroll and showed the man a photo of Amber and Liv. The latter leaned close, inspecting the picture before his eyes blinked open in surprise and recognition. The girls' notice of the reaction caused some concern on their part, however, they remained silent. The bartender pulled his head back and nodded his head.
"Yes, I…I know her," he replied. "She's my cousin."
Ruby and her friends exchanged surprise glances with each other again, before turning back to the barkeep.
"Do you remember the last time you spoke to her?" Weiss pressed on. The barkeep frowned slightly before speaking again.
"Yes… it was on a Friday," he replied. "She told me she was gonna be gone for a while. Said that her boyfriend went missing a couple of months ago, and she was gonna go find him. But she… never came back. And thus, another add on the list."
Blake arched a brow at the bartender.
"A list?" Blake echoed, a bit puzzled.
"Yes. Let's just say that this village hasn't been the safest place. Not since many other people disappeared before my cousin," he explained, shrugging. "It became so frequent that some people even moved away, simply because they didn't feel safe here anymore. Hmph, not that I blame them."
"Do you know what could be causing these disappearances?" Ruby inquired.
The bartender shook his head.
"No idea," he replied. "You have some folks around here that believe they're being hunted by a serial killer, or possibly a Grimm that we can't see."
The bartender glances at the entrance to see a group of men entering the bar.
"Look, uh, I have to go. I have things to attend to," he said, turning away from the girls.
Ruby raised her hand.
"Wait! One more question," Ruby interjected, causing the bartender to stop and turn his gaze toward her. "Do you know where these disappearances take place?"
The bartender paused for a moment, thinking over the question. Eventually, he sighed and looked back at Ruby.
"Go forward down the road and take a right, you'll find a forest at the edge of town," he answered. "But I suggest asking the chief for permission before entering. He's over there."
The bartender pointed toward a chubby man with brown hair and a thick beard who sat alone at a table. Upon hearing the barkeep's description of the location, Ruby and her teammates excused themselves from the bar before making their way toward the aforementioned Chief. When they reached the man's table, Yang immediately stepped up towards him, placing herself squarely across the table and directly in front of him. The Chief looked mildly startled by Yang's sudden appearance, but he soon calmed himself.
"Helloo~," Yang greeted, with a big smile on her face and a melodic tune. "We heard you're the chief of this village."
The Chief blinked at her in puzzlement.
"I am… why?" The Chief questioned suspiciously.
Weiss pulled out her scroll and showed the Chief the photograph.
"We're looking for this girl, she's been missing for six months," Weiss explained, pointing her finger at Liv in the photo. "We've learned that she disappeared somewhere near the forest where the disappearances take place."
"We came to ask you permission to enter," Ruby chimed in. "So will you allow us to go?"
The Chief squinted his eyes at the four girls before giving them a thoughtful stare. Suddenly, he frowned and turned away from them.
"Why..?" The Chief asked, sounding a bit tired.
"Huh?" Ruby was confused.
"I mean… why bother? You girls aren't the first that tried to search for a missing friend or loved one," the Chief informed. "All attempts from the search party have failed miserably, to the point that all parties have decided to abandon the search. Why waste your time? There's nothing you can do."
Weiss, Blake, and Yang exchanged looks before turning their heads back to the Chief. They stood still, trying to figure out how to respond to the man's statement.
"There is something we can do," Ruby asserted firmly. "It's too soon to just give up and lose hope. For all we know the people of this village who went missing could be still out there, alive. I don't know where they could be. I don't know if they're alive or dead. But what I do know is that I have hope that they are alive, and waiting for someone to come and find them. So we're not gonna rest until we find them and bring them home."
The Chief stared at the determination set in Ruby's silver eyes. There was something about them that made the Chief believe Ruby's words, despite knowing better than anyone else that the chances that she would accomplish her goal were slim. However, for whatever reason, the Chief couldn't help but agree with the girl. He took a moment to think things over before letting out a tired sigh.
"Well, it's not like I can stop you," the Chief finally replied through a statement. "You have my permission to go."
Ruby and her teammates smiled upon hearing the approval from the Chief.
"Thank you, sir," Ruby replied as she placed a hand on her heart. "Me and my friends will be back with all of your people intact. I promise."
Ruby and her teammates turned toward the bar's exit. The Chief watched them leave, his countenance now showing sadness before redirecting his gaze back to his glass filled with whisky.
"Don't keep a promise you can't keep, kid," he mumbled.
The Chief brought his glass up to his lips for another sip.
The vibrant hues of green and brown enveloped the entrance and created a tapestry of shadows that danced under the flickering light. Midoriya's heart raced, each beat echoing the primal rhythm of the jungle. He exchanged a glance with Amber, whose eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The air was thick, not just with humidity, but with the weight of anticipation. What lay beyond those twisted roots and towering trees? The allure of adventure tugged at them, yet the unknown loomed like a dark cloud, threatening to engulf their courage. They could almost feel the pulse of the jungle, urging them to step forward, to uncover its secrets, but a shared hesitation kept them rooted in place, caught between the thrill of exploration and the fear of what awaited them.
"Hey!"
Izuku and Amber looked over their shoulders. They smiled upon seeing Team RWBY and Team JNPR approaching them. Ruby smiled back whilst waving her hand before bringing it back down to her side once they reached the pair.
"Did you guys learn anything?" Izuku asked, looking between Team JNPR and Team RWBY.
"Yeah," Ruby replied.
"We found out Liv isn't the only one missing; there were multiple people unaccounted for in this village," Weiss informed the pair.
"We also learned that both Huntsman and Huntresses have disappeared upon searching for the missing inhabitants," Pyrrha added. The rest of her teammates nodded.
Amber frowned upon hearing the new information.
"The man we've spoken to said the same thing," Amber said. "And all of it leads to… here."
Everyone shifted their gaze towards the forest's edge. Silence descended upon their group as they took note of the vast expanse of forest before them. The wind whispered to them, inviting them to venture deeper into the depths of the forest, beckoning them to explore its mystery.
"So, uh… we're going in there, are we?" Jaune nervously asked, darting his eyes between his teammates, Team RWBY, Izuku, and Amber.
"Yup," Yang replied, popping the word 'p.'
Izuku took a step forward. Amber trailed after him, with Team RWBY, and Team JNPR following the pair. It loomed over the group, ominous and ancient like a massive beast waiting to pounce on its prey. They cautiously stepped into its mouth, submerging themselves into the claustrophobic undergrowth.
The jungle was untamed and primordial at heart. The roots of towering trees gripped the earth akin to tentacles and twisted them into strange knots. Their branches stretched upwards like grasping hands and tangled with their neighbors. Listless serpentine vines dangled from the tree tops, green shaggy moss grew thickly along them, and sunlight filtered through the layers of canopy. Vegetation choked the earth's ground; big ferns sprouted from the forest floor in clusters, and waxy-leaved rubber plants grew intertwined in berry bushes with thick thorns that could easily slice skin.
The vast array of flora and fauna that the jungle had offered amazed Ruby. The untouched splendor of pure wilderness left him in awe, as she marveled at the intricate details of each plant. Even Yang was awestruck at the sheer amount of foliage that existed in this particular location; they had never been to so much of a tropical biome before.
Izuku kept his gaze ahead of him. He led the way with steady strides, occasionally glancing past the trees and the space beyond, making sure to keep an eye out for any dangers. The canopy was loud with birdsong; all around were small chirps and tweets that echoed throughout the forest. The air smelled of mildew and mold, along with the decay of plants.
"Liv! Where are you?!" Ruby called out in the forest.
Amber quickly stepped up to Ruby and placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Hey! Keep it down," Amber hissed, causing Ruby to face her. "We don't know who or what might be listening."
"She's right. There could be Grimm out here for all we know, and the last thing we need is to draw unwanted attention to ourselves," Weiss stated, placing one hand on her hip.
"We should all stick close to each other just in case," Izuku suggested, nodding along with Weiss. "It would be safer if we didn't stray too far apart. That way we can…"
Izuku trailed off mid-sentence when he looked over his shoulder. He blinked in surprise, which caught Amber and Team RWBY's attention, causing them to look behind them. They gasped at the sight that greeted them.
Team JNPR was gone. Without a sign or sound of what had happened. No Jaune, no Pyrrha, no Ren, no Nora. They all vanished without a trace in a matter of moments.
"Huh?" Yang was genuinely shocked.
"Oh, no," Amber muttered worryingly.
"Guys?!" Ruby shouted with urgency, scanning the immediate vicinity.
"Where did they go?" Blake asked aloud, her tone laced with concern.
"They… They were just behind us," Weiss murmured, her countenance contorted into worry.
Danger Sense suddenly thundered on Midoriya's brow. He snapped his gaze down to Ruby's feet, and his eyes shot wide. A black puddle formed beneath the silver-eyed girl's feet, followed by black claws phasing through the black mud.
"Ruby!" Izuku cried out, snapping the silver-eyed girl out of her trance.
Ruby looked down at her feet to find her shoes now submerged in the muck. The poor girl didn't have time to scream as she was wrenched down into the puddle with a splash. Disappearing from everyone's sight, much to Yang's horror.
"Ruby!" Yang screamed, taking off immediately to try and reach for her sister.
Another black puddle appeared beneath the blonde girl's feet. Black claws shoot out of said puddle, grabbing Yang with a vice grip. At the very last second, Blake and Weiss grabbed Yang by her arms, trying desperately to pull her away from the deadly pool. In the blink of an eye, all three girls were pulled underneath the surface with a synchronized shout of shock and disappeared from view.
Izuku looked down to see a pair of black puddles forming beneath his and Amber's feet. He quickly jumped high in the air by activating Float. Tendrils of Blackwhip shot out of his back, snared Amber by her waist, and lifted her in the air along with him. But to the pair's shock, the claws from the puddle extended their arms up in the air, trying to grab Izuku and Amber. Only to grab nothing but air for purchase due to Midoriya dodging and maneuvering around every clawed limb.
"Wait, stop dodging," Amber urged.
"What? Why?!" Izuku asked in confusion.
"If we let them take us, it'll lead us to where our friends are being kept; the people in the village, and Liv," Amber reasoned.
Izuku pondered for a moment upon her words. If Amber's guess was correct – then they were most likely venturing into the unknown, where not only their friends had been taken but possibly the missing people and Liv as well. The idea was terrifying, to say the least. But, there was only one way to find out.
Izuku took a deep breath. He slowed down his movements and began hovering midair. The pair of claws finally snared both Amber and Izuku by the legs and yanked hard. With a sudden jerk, the pair were dragged downward towards the earth's floor. The wind whipped past their ears as they descended straight through the mass of black water, landing with a loud splash. In Izuku's last fleeting moment of consciousness, he glanced above to see the outside world from the water's surface quickly distancing itself farther away from his sight.
Darkness enveloped Midoriya's world and the bubbles gave way to silence.
LOCATION: Unknown - Unknown Area
Izuku felt a breeze slowly rouse him from unconsciousness. The feel of rock against his face alarmed him, causing him to quickly face forward and bolt upright. The first thing he saw was Amber's unconscious body lying on the rocky ground beside him, and a clothed human skeleton on top of a rock. Black clouds shrouding a darkish blue fiery sky hovered above, smoke rising from below him as he realized he had woken up on a mountaintop in an eldritch location torn straight from the darkest of nightmares.
"Ruby?! Yang?!" Izuku called out, hoping someone would answer. Only silence returned his call.
A roar akin to blasting napalm pierced his ears and shook his whole being. Izuku slowly turned to look behind him, as a giant figure appeared from behind the clouds, billowing smoke as it soared at high speeds straight for him. Said figure was followed by three more until they landed on the ground with a powerful thump. Standing in front of Izuku was Grimm, whom he had never seen before. It's as if someone had taken the wings of a Nevermore and attached it on the back of a Beowolf. The four behemoths glared down at him with bright red eyes, opening their jaws slightly as smoke billowed from them.
Followed by four low long growls.
Izuku quickly utilized One for All as emerald energy crackled around his person. One tendril of Blackwhip protruded out from his back, grabbing the unconscious Amber by her waist out of precaution, and slowly assumed a battle stance.
The four Beowolves growled and took a step forward.
A/N: We have finally arrived, young readers! RWMBY's Underworld arc has finally begun! Hope you all enjoyed the publication of this twentieth chapter. I'd like to thank all of you so much for the amount of support and love that you all have for this story. This story is the first to have reached the twentieth number of chapters for all to read; which was done with a lot of hard work for both the plot and quality in its writing. I've also been considering giving Izuku a possible semblance in the future, however, he won't get it in this volume. I won't say which volume he'll unlock a semblance. But think of me confirming Izuku getting a semblance as a small tease of what's to come in the future. With all of that said, I'll be taking my leave.
See you in the next chapter, young readers!