The day before. 7:00 pm~

Ike and Star look over the landscape from the bullhead to see several structures in the area. Knowing that team CFVY may have ran into trouble and taken shelter in one of them, the boys decide that it's best to get closer.

Ike: We'll take it from here! Head back to beacon!

Ike calls out to the pilot who gives him an unsure look.

Pilot: Are you sure? How will you get back without transport?

Before he could get an answer from the blond boy, Ike had already jumped. Star shook his head and looked at the pilot reassuringly.

Star: We'll be fine! Trust us!

Star says and jumps after his brother. The two land gracefully onto the ground with loud thuds. Ike looks around while Star looks at the sky to see the orange hue envelop the sky as the sun began to descend slowly past the horizon.

Star: We should hurry, you'll be searching alone in two hours.

Star reminds Ike as he looks at his watch.

The two begin walking with their eyes constantly darting around in look out for Grimm as well as team CFVY. Suddenly, Star came to a stop and looked around.

Star: Ike, wait...

Ike stops and looks at Star.

Ike: What is it?

Star: Noticed anything suspicious about the area?

Ike looks and listens to his surroundings. His guard stays up at all times.

Ike: Yeah, actually. It seems strangely quiet. I mean, I know we're in the middle of nowhere, but there's usually some kind of wildlife or signs of Grimm activity. It's like everything is just...gone.

Ike's words send a shiver down Star's spine. This sudden silence and absence of life was unnerving.

Star: I have a feeling there might be mutants...Keep your guard up, Ike. We need to stay alert.

Ike nods, his expression serious. They both continue walking, scanning the area for any signs of danger or the whereabouts of Team CFVY. As they're walking, Ike makes conversation to ease the tension in the air.

Ike: Valentine's Day just passed huh?

He questions. This gets a nod from Star.

Star: Yeah. Would have loved to spend it with Rebecca....If, that's how time works while in this world...

Ike notices the tinge of sadness in Star's tone and smiles.

Ike: Hey, we will get home Star. Just need to be patient. You can pay her back for that missed Valentine's Day.

Ike says in a chipper mood.

Star: Oh yeah? How?

Star questions which causes Ike to tilt his head as he shrugs.

Ike: Could make me an uncle.

Star blushes hard as he snaps his head in Ike's direction.

Star: Ike!

Ike chuckles and continues on. After a few minutes, they come to an abandoned village. Ike suddenly stops again, his eyes narrowing as he looks ahead.

Ike: Star, do you see that?

Star follows his gaze and see a faint glow in the distance. It's coming from one of the abandoned buildings.

Star: Yeah, I see it. Let's check it out. It might be CFVY.

Star and Ike quicken their pace, making their way towards the building. As they get closer, they stand on either side of the entrance. Ike points up at a window to which Star nods climbs up to the window and sneaks in quietly. Ike takes a deep breath as yellow flames envelop his arms and he quickly bursts through the door.

Ike: Spread your shit!

He yells as everything stops when he sees the scene in front of him. Team CFVY is huddled together. Velvet looks at the sudden intruder in panic. However, her panic turns to relief when she realises who it was.

Velvet: I-Ike!

Velvet gets to her feet and almost tackles the blond in a hug which catches him off guard.

Ike: Whoa, hey. Was not expecting a hug when we found you guys, hehe.

Velvet looks up at him.

Velvet: We...?

Ike notices Star with his white desert eagles drawn with black smoke emitting from the barrel.

Ike: Star it's okay. We found them.

Star looks at the surroundings before finally relaxing and dispersing his guns.

Star: We made it just in time.

Velvet looks at Star.

Velvet: Oh yeah, Your brother.

Star looks at her and gives her a smile. He walks to them but is immediately stops after a loud thud shakes the ruined building.

Yatsuhashi: It's coming back!

Yatsuhashi calls out which causes Coco to hold her head and prompts Velvet and Fox to pull back a carpet revealing a hidden door.

Velvet: In here, quickly!

Velvet whispers shouts. Without hesitation, Ike and Star follow the beacon students to the hidden room of the building as Star carries Coco down.

Ike closes the door quickly just in time before a giant glowing yellow eye peers into the room, the owner of the eyes letting out a bellowing sound.

In the basement, Ike looks around but only sees darkness. Ike ignites his hand in flame and sees team CFVY huddled together after Star sits Coco down.

Ike's heart sinks as he takes in the sight of the terrified girl in the basement. Star moves closer to Coco.

Star: What happened?

Star says as he puts a hand on Coco's shoulder who just shy's away.

Velvet: Claustrophobia attack. We found a surviving family in a cave and...you can probably guess where that got Coco...

The two boys look at Coco who's still shaking. Star comes in front of her and touches her shoulder gently. His hand began to emit a small white glow that seemed to somehow calm Coco's nerves.

Coco looks at the boy who gives a soothing look to her as she just tears up and breaks down. Velvet massages her teammates shoulder. Coco looks at her faunas friend and holds her hand tightly.

Coco: It wasn't....the voices Velvet...

Velvet looks down sadly and nods in understanding. Ike and Star glance at each other, confused about what she was going on about. Just as Star kept the light going, his alarm on his watch goes off.

Star: Damn...

With a sigh he lets go and backs off into the dark. Velvet and Coco watch this and are confused. Ike looks around and gathers loose furniture around in the basement and starts to break them apart.

Yatsuhashi: What are you doing?

Ike grunts as he pulls off the leg of a table and places it in the middle of the room.

Ike: It's safe to say that we're not going anywhere, especially in Coco's current condition. Gonna make a small fire so we can at least stay warm while we rest here for the night.

Coco looks at Ike in fear.

Coco: What? N-no! We should leave as soon as possible!

Coco shouts but then covers her mouth and looks at the ceiling. Everyone does the same as loud thuds begin to move again. However, they seem to be moving away.

Ike: Let's just stay quiet for now.

Ike recommends as he gets all he needs to light a fire to brighten up the room so he isn't the human torch for them entire night.

As the room lights up, Star comes back into view but in his Seeker form. The sight is first off putting to the group but upon fully taking in the sight of him, recognised that it was just Star.

Star gives a nervous chuckle and rubs the back of his head.

Star: Yeah. See, I have this condition...

Timeskip. 8:30 pm~

Everyone was laying on the cold floor using dusty old blankets that were left in the basement. Seeing as how Star couldn't go to sleep till nine, he decided to keep first watch in case that...thing, came back.

He heard shuffling from behind and looks back to see Coco sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She looks at Star and almost has a heart attack upon seeing his glowing yellow eyes in the dark environment.

Coco: I'll never get used to the dark Star.

Star chuckles.

Star: I'd be rich if I had a dollar for every time someone has said that to me.

Coco shuffles next to him with her blanket draped over her shoulders.

Coco: What time is it?

Star looks at his watch and hums.

Star: eight thirty-one. From all the tossing and turning you did, I say you only got about twenty minutes of bed rest.

Star points out causing Coco to groan.

Coco: Sorry Dad.

She joked which got a chuckle from the boy. Star noticed her shaking only slightly compared to an hour ago. This prompts Star to nudge her with his shoulder which gets her to look him in the face.

Star: You okay?

Coco nods and looks at the fire that's dying slowly.

Coco: Yeah...

Star could tell she was trying to mask her emotions. This however wasn't overlooked by someone like him who won't let 'yeah' be an answer.

Star: Coco, we all have our fears. There's no need to feel bad about having one.

Star says hoping to break through her barrier and get her to open up more. To his luck, it did as Coco looks him in the eyes.

Coco: It's just...when you're training to become a Huntsman...a lot is expected of you, especially if you're the leader of your own team. You gotta have Integrity, strategy, discipline. The list goes on.

Star raises a brow.

Star: Trauma is a whole other factor though. It can destroy that list in an instant.

Star says as he leans back against the wall.

Star: Not that it's any of my business...but what caused you to get claustrophobic?

Coco looks at him. Star puts his hands up.

Star: Sorry, just trying to keep conversation. Could tire you out.

Coco shook her head and put her hands up.

Coco: No no. It's okay. Just that no one has really asked me about it. I do kinda have a hot temper.

Coco reassures the boy. She turns to look at the fire and reminisces about the past.

Coco: When I was Eleven, I had a crush on this boy...one day both our families traveled outside Vacuo. Him and I found ourselves run too far away from our families and played hide and seek. However, we got to comfy with the area, not being aware of a Grimm stalking us. A king taijutsu to be exact. It got ahold of me and wrapped me up to the point I couldn't see the area around me. If it wasn't for Toma, my older brother. I would be dead.

Star raises a brow.

Star: How did they find you? Did that guy you like tell your parents and brother?

Coco's head moves left and right, denying the fact.

Coco: Turns out he just ran...unfortunately into the talons of a ravager.

Star looks at the ceiling while trying to remember what a ravager was. It soon dawned on him that it was those giant bat like Grimm and shivered.

Star: Christ...what a way to go...

Coco nods in agreement.

Coco: He abandoned me and paid for it...I'd say it was deserved but that's...well-

Star: -Ill will against the dead?

Star cut her off. Coco nods slightly. Star leans back.

Star: My...Ex was kinda the same. Threatening to break up with me if I didn't give him more attention than my training....almost cost me my life. Got too worried about my life instead of the other lives that were bound to be lost if I didn't step up.

Star looks at the palm of his hand then the back of his hand.

Star: Didn't open up to anyone else besides Jasper and Ike after that.

Coco stares at Star. A small smile gracing her lips.

Coco: Guess we both have bad luck with guys huh? Did...he uh...

Star looks at Coco and then looks down sadly.

Star: No....What happened to him was...well, I wouldn't call it a fate worse than death, but it's certainly not what I would have chosen as option B.

Star explains as he looks over at a dust covered mirror, just barely seeing his dark features and golden eyes.

Star: ...Never.

Star emphasises as he looks at his dark sleeves that would usually be brown in the day time. He looks at Coco who looks at him and puts her head on his shoulder.

Coco: You eventually found someone else though, right...?

Star nods which brings a smile on her face.

Coco: Good...people like you...deserve to be happy....

Coco said slowly as she began to drift off to sleep. Star makes sure she's asleep before gently laying her down

Star: We all get there eventually Coco. Just need to be patient and make the right decisions...even the hardest decisions...

Star says, his words falling into deaf ears besides his own. Star hears another beep from his watch and looks at the time. He sighs and goes to wake up Ike.

Timeskip. 7:10 am

Coco's eyes fluttered open, seeing the sun shine through a small glass window in the basement. She sees Ike pacing and talking on his scroll.

Ike: Awesome, see you in twenty.

Ike says before hanging up and taking notice of Coco's awakening.

Ike: Morning Coco. Wanna wake up the Sugar, cream and milk?

Ike says causing Coco to groan.

Coco: That was terrible.

She states before shaking Velvet, Yatsuhashi and Fox awake. Ike walks up to Star and slings him over his shoulder.

Coco: Aren't you gonna wake Star?

She asks. Ike shook his head left and right.

Ike: Can't even if I burnt him. Lil bro stays asleep at all times till eight am.

Coco gives Ike an unsure look.

Ike: Genetics Coco. Now come on, let's get top side.

The group of six begin to exit out of the basement. Coco peeps out of the door of the building and sees the coast is clear and waves everyone to press on. As Team CFVY and Ike carrying Star, made their way through the dense forest, their senses were heightened, their guard up. Coco led the way, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger. Velvet followed closely, her hand on her camera case. Yatsuhashi walked with his sword drawn, always prepared to defend his teammates. Fox moved silently, his head turning at just the slightest sound.

Suddenly, Yatsuhashi's head perked up. He heard a faint sound coming from a nearby cave. It sounded like a girl's voice. Curiosity piqued, he turned towards the cave and started making his way towards it. The whole group stopped as they heard the bullhead in the distance. Ike smiles and fires a yellow flame into the air.

Ike: We're nearly there.

Ike says which cause Velvet, Coco and Fox to ease up.

Velvet: Thank goodness.

Pilots POV~

I see a yellow flame shooting up into the sky and start to look for an LZ. Don't see anything so far. Need to contact the Ike kid and get him to meet me at a clearing in the for-

Normal POV~

Everyone except Yatsuhashi who was looking inside the cave, looks up in shock and horror as a tree was thrown into the bullhead with enough impact to split it in two.

Ike: No. NoNoNo!

Ike calls out as the four watch the bullhead disappear on the horizon before letting out a loud boom. Yatsuhashi looks away from the cave and looks around.

Yatsuhashi: What was that?!

He yells out.

Ike: Our way out of here...

Coco puts her hands behind her head and starts to pace. Her pacing comes to a stop as she sees Yatsuhashi going to a cave.

Coco: Y-Yatsuhashi...

Yatsuhashi: There's a survivor in here Coco. I can hear her crying.

Yatsuhashi says as he turns to look at them only to see complete fear plastered on their faces.

Coco: Yatsu, stop! Get away!

Velvet runs forward.

Velvet: It's not a cave!

Yatsuhashi gives an unsure look until he sees the cave start to visibly shake. It suddenly lost its rocky colour and became pitch black and the stalagmites became white like fangs.

With quick thinking, Ike whipped his chain around Yatsuhashi and pulled him back to the group as the 'cave' chomped down on him.

The group look as two glowing yellow eyes open wide and blink before a huge mass rose up from the ground.

Ike: ...That's not a Grimm...

The beast rose up on its four limbs that carried a body covered in bone-like armour as a large dorsal fin going from its tail all the way along its back and up to its head. It puffs out its chest before letting out a horrifying scream.

Ike: MUTANT!!!

Ike immediately conjures up a fire ball and aims it at the new mutant Grimm's head. It makes impact which implodes the beasts head.

CFVY, who were about to turn and run, stopped and looked in surprise that Ike's attack worked. Even Ike himself was surprised.

Ike: ...Ha...Hahaha! Yeah bitch! Take that!

He triumphantly shouts as the beast falls to the ground.

Ike: Yeah. Went down like a bitch! You ain't tough, you ain't-

He's cut off as the beast lifts itself back up. It skin where its head used to be begins to bubble as it then splits into three long necks before growing back three heads. The three heads look at each other, taking a few snaps at one another before they stop and slowly turn to look at CFVY and Ike.

Ike sweat drops and gets a better hold on Star.

Ike: Oops. Okay guys ru-

Ike turns on his heel only to see CFVY already had a head start.

Ike: Oh! Thanks!!!

Ike yells offended at the fact they were already running. The 'Hydra' mutant Grimm begins its chase as Ike catches up to CFVY. Ike pulls out his scroll.

Coco: Ike, Can't you just turn into a bird and get us out of here?! I really don't wanna be eaten by a mutant King Taijitsu!

Ike takes a look at Coco before returning his attention back to his scroll.

Ike: And I don't wanna be knocked out by a tree!!

Ike looks at his scroll and jumps over a log with the team. He sees you pick up and puts the scroll up to his ear.

Ike: (Y/n)! Thank god! We need one of those airship thingies. Uhh....Bullheads! That's it!

Ike says to you.

(Y/n): What happened to the one you were deployed with?

You answered back.

Ike: Gone! Destroyed along with the pilot! We need another. Or something for all six of us!

(Y/n): It's gonna have to be an air bus. Think the general could spare one for us?

You say to someone on the other side of the call.

Bianca: He's gonna have to.

Ike hears Bianca which causes him to look up and notice a collapsed tree in the way. Ike throws Star over the collapsed tree while he slides under it. He catches Star then proceeds to keep running.

(Y/n): Why are you running? Is it Nightmare?

You questioned as Ike looks back to see the Hydra hasn't let up.

Ike: No! It's some sort of....I dunno! The Coco chick said it looked like a King taijutsu at first! You know, the snake Grimm!

(Y/n): Turn on your scroll's tracking beacon! We'll be there soon!

Ike: Please hurry!

Ike says as he and CFVY run through the ruins of an abandoned building in a village. Pebbles and abandoned houses shook as loud stomps are heard behind the six man group. Suddenly, the Hydra smashes through the building letting out a demonic battle cry as its dorsal fin stand up.
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Until next time :)