Chapter Text
It was supposed to be a simple extermination mission.
The early Saturday morning saw Team RWBY accepting a simple request. Their mission would deploy them to the northwestern part of Vale where reported sightings of Grimm were made.
This congregation didn’t pose a threat currently, possessing only a few common variants of Grimm like Beowolves and Creeps. However, if left neglected then this amassing force would grow to become much of a threat to Vale's security, as, with each passing day, more and more Grimm would flock to this growing horde.
This is why such early sightings of gathering Grimm are immediately reported and disposed of as soon as possible. Should a more well-formed horde be found then it would fall to the mobile Atlesian Military to deal with it.
With that in mind, Team RWBY; comprising of young inherent huntresses; Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long agreed in going on this simple mission.
The only problem is, that it was supposed to be a simple mission.
Their simple extermination mission quickly turned into a struggle for survival.
It was supposed to be only a handful of Grimm present there, mainly Beowolves and Creeps species, however, that information is false. There weren’t any Beowolves or Creeps, just a massive horde of Imps and Apathy.
They attempted to cull their numbers but to no avail. They were simply too many. Even worst, was that their fight attracted other nearby groups of Grimm. Hence, they were forced to flee, desperately trying to put as much distance from the growing horde of Grimm as possible.
Now here they are, trapped within an abandoned home built on the side of a hill. They barricaded the place as much as they could, intending on defending until their transport arrives. The Grimm had surrounded the premise. Patient and in no hurry, they have their victims were they want them.
Team RWBY did the best they could, warding off the Grimm from their barricades. This became much more difficult as the Apathies soon got involved, using their powers to weaken the young huntresses.
One of them; Weiss nearly succumbed fully to their effects and was only saved from it thanks to Yang blowing them up with her weapons.
As they struggled against the Grimm and the barricades crumbled under their assault, unknowingly, the lone T.v sitting idly behind them began to flicker.
The Grimm finally broke down the barricades, but when they entered the house, the humans that they were looking for were nowhere to be found.
The orphanage was his home. It was the only place he knew, somewhere to call home, and now it was on fire.
A young boy with a paper bag on his head awoken to the sounds of crackling and panic. He peered out from under the wooden floorboards of the orphanage, all manner of sleep disappearing. He hid here at times to be alone, to avoid the bullying of the other boys, but now his home was in flames.
He could see the other children running. Yelling in fear, some tugged at the boarded windows of their prison-like orphanage, others scampered around looking for any places to escapes.
Climbing out from his spot under the floor he made his way near the front door, where a couple of other children were attempting to pry the door which was locked with a lock and chain. This was to prevent them from escaping and it was working very well.
There was no use in trying to open the doors. Instead, he made his way to the other side of the room, passing by patches of flames and burnt wood. He winced at the burning sensation in his feet.
A thumping noise above, like a giant walking around above them, made all activity cease. They all looked up at the ceiling, wondering what is above them. The sprinkler system came to life, spraying water and extinguishing the flames. The boy with the paper bag sighed. Maybe now he can go back and-
A scream.
He whipped his head around in time to see one of the boys being dragged into the rafters by a huge hand. They all froze in fear and horror at what happened.
Monsters ruled this world, and one had taken the opportunity of the fire to snatch up the children. Whether it ate them, trap them or kill them he did not know, and he doesn’t want to find out.
Panic returned. Most of the boys still stood in terror whilst others desperately looked for a way out. But where exactly can they go? The door? The boarded-up windows? The leech filled waters in the basement? There was nowhere to run.
Except for one...the window. However, the window was high up on the next floor. It would be very much of a big risk to jump from there, but where else can he go? And so the boy with the paper bag snuck away, ignoring the cries of the other children as one by one they were plucked by the Monster.
He quickly made it to the room with the open window, a bit of relief filling the young boy. If he could climb that window, then maybe-
Fear caught the boy’s heart. He heard the sound of movement behind him. A tall humanoid shadow cast on the wall behind him - a monster with reaching arms. The same thumping sound bouncing around the concrete walls as it shambled up towards him.
A gasp slipped from his lips. What does he do? Does he take the chance? Freedom, his freedom, was only a couple of steps in front of him. Would he be able to make it to the window?
Thump
Thump
The sounds were getting closer. Spurred in acting swiftly, he hauled himself into a broken t.v. hugging his knees, he fell silent just as the monster strolled into the room.
He heard the monster inhale and exhale with snarling breaths. Once. Twice. The quiet was deafening. It then strode deeper into the room. Boxes, books, loose floorboards were overturned and scattered. The thing’s body twisted left and right as it searched the room, grunts of frustration escaping its mouth.
He squeezed himself, attempting to make himself as small as possible whilst also giving himself some form of reassurance.
A quiet gasp of pain.
He had accidentally touched a sharp piece of glass.
He quickly retreated his arm into his coat’s sleeve and wrapped it on the wound.
Please, please, he thought, that thing didn’t hear that. He couldn’t have heard that…?
Right…?
Thump
Thump
Hope immediately died. Fear returned to his heart. The monster was slowly, strolling towards the t.v, towards him. His little heartbeat quickened. He didn't dare lookup. He placed his hands over his paper bag, where his ears were. He closed his eyes as the monster stretched an arm towards the broken t.v, breathing ecstatically.
Time slowed. Unknowingly, the boy’s body crackled and stuttered.
Then suddenly, a bright light emitted from the t.v and when it faded the boy inside was gone.
He found himself in an unknown hallway. Its walls cracked and paint neglected.
He didn't know where he was or what happened. The monster that came to nearly take him was gone.
There is a door at the end of the hallway, with an ominous eye staring down.
A way out?
He did not know.
Slowly he walked towards it, then broke into a run.
The hallway seems to be getting longer, the door becoming farther and farther.
He put whatever strength he has into his skinny legs. Desperately trying to reach it but to no avail can he reach it.
And then-
He awoke, dazed and confused. The image of the hallway with the door still in his mind.
That was the least of his worries though, as the boy realised his situation.
The first, he was in a dark, eerie forest. No birds chirping in the trees or creatures of any kind. A cold dead silence, broken only by the rush of wind.
The second, he wasn't alone here. Sprawled out in front of him, also confused and dazed were four adults each in different, vibrant colours and strange metal objects in hand. Slowly, they rose up, dusting and fixing themselves, confusion still painted on their faces. They looked around, seemingly trying to make sense of the situation before their eyes found him.
He froze.
What does he do?