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X-X

It was already late in the morning when he woke up. Faint rays of sunlight peeped into the room through the white curtains that covered the windows. A few of it fell on his face highlighting his eyes, which evinced the sorrow he felt in his heart.

It was one of those days where he was waken up as a result of the terrible nightmares of his past. Even after all these years, those memories still haunted him. He never knew what had become of everyone. His friends and family. Where were they?

Deep inside he believed he was not a hero and could never become one. He never relished the thought of combat. All he desired was a peaceful world where everyone could live in harmony.

"So, you are awake?" A familiar voice scored his train of thoughts. He turned to his right to see his raven haired friend with an apron on his waist.

"So, today you are responsible for cooking?" He smiled at his dear friend.

"Yes and so you better not be late or the other two would gladly finish your share."

He smiled at that comment. "I'll be right there." He affirmed.

But that was not the truth. In all honesty, he did not want to move from where he was. He just wanted to be lost in his thoughts. In days like these, they mollified his mind more than anything could. In days like these, he would reflect upon his past and the decisions he made. And the questioned that always seemed to haunt him. Did he do the right thing?

"One of those days, huh?" His raven haired friend was watching him closely. He knew that during times like these, he was best left alone to reflect upon things. Without awaiting for a reply, he gently closed the door and left him to his own thoughts.

Was he right in doing that? These always haunted him whenever the memories of those days came flooding back. Constantly, he hoped that he could find that elusive answer to his queries.

His dad, the strongest and the greatest hero of his world passed away before he was even ten. Six months later, the androids attacked. They took everything from him. His mentor Piccolo and his friends Krillin, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Tien everyone was murdered. Since then he began, fighting a never ending battle against his foes. He never had the battle lust like his father or his father's rival, Vegeta. He wanted to go to school, become a scholar, make his parents proud, these were all he ever wanted. But he sacrificed his entire life to protect those of the innocent. The fate of the entire planet fell upon his shoulders. He could never run away from his responsibilities. But sometimes…, he wished he could.

On that fateful day, he knew there was little chances of his survival. They were far stronger and also had the strength in numbers. But he couldn't drag Trunks into the battle. Trunks was still a kid who had a lot ahead of him. Deep down him, he believed that one day the young saiyan prince would surpass him. He believed that even though he were to perish, another warrior would take his place to dismantle those heartless androids.

Still, was that the entirety of the truth? Often he pondered upon that. Was he running away from everything? Did he abandon everything onto Trunk's shoulders and run away? Some nights those cold eyes of the machines startled him from his sleep. Did the world get saved while he was gone? Did Trunks succeed?

What if? No. He never wanted to fathom such an outcome. All he could do was to hope for the best. But hope is paralysing. Unlike tragedy, which stops you for a while, until you are strong enough to move on, clinging on to hope was like being chained to your past with no strength left in your legs to break free.

"Gohan, you ok" His raven haired friend's voice was laced with concern. Gently placing hand on the saiyan's shoulders, he again apprised him to come for breakfast. He had returned although he thought it would be best to leave him to his thoughts. Unlike previous times, this time this seemed too heavy on him. Today, he thought he would finally let his opinion be known. It has been weighing upon his mind at this time.

"You were right in what you did? If you were never there, think of the endless lives that could have been lost" His friend's eyes showed how much he meant that. There was a fiery emotion that burned in it. Gohan couldn't quite decipher what it was. But he knew for sure how much he meant when he said that. He could do nothing but cogitate upon these words.

He was right. It never crossed, Son Gohan's mind. What if he had backed away that day? The countless lives that would have been lost. There were many lives that couldn't be saved but what of the thousands he had saved.

"I always held back from talking to you. But I have to tell you now. You did die a hero, Gohan. You were the greatest hero of your world. You never ran away from your fights. You never let fear cloud your judgement. Every day, you put your life on the line, so that the smiles of millions would never fade. The greatest honour in my life is to have met a hero like you."

These words affected him deeply. His best friend believed in his decision to have been the right one. His fight did have a purpose. Even though the truth was bare before his eyes, that death was all that awaited him in that battlefield. He never hesitated. Never did he once try to run away. He did not perish in vain. He died paving the way for the new flowers to blossom.

"Believe in yourself. Believe that the best had happened. Your brother, Trunks would have definitely saved your world. He carried on your will. There is no way, he would have failed."

Gohan smiled in reply. Most of the sadness that showed in his eyes had vanished. Only a few traces lingered here and there. Did he find that fleeting answer that had for so long evaded him? He was not sure, but his friend's words brought deep relief to the pain he felt deep down in his heart.

He rose up from his bed where he was seated. Ready to follow his friend to the dining table where breakfast was laid for him.

X-X

The atmosphere in the city was gloomy and depressing. The feeble sunlight that shined upon the streets, now threatened to give way to rain clouds. People hurriedly tried to get back to their homes to escape from the impending shower. Other scurried to find shelter. Some, who were not so lucky, prepared themselves to brave the downpour.

Son Gohan changed into his regular attire which consisted of a black t- shirt and regular brown shorts. His friend himself wore green military shorts with a blue tank top. The apron that had adorned him before was not present anymore.

Gohan followed his friend to the dining area.

"His friend." His friend was someone he could look upto to derive strength. Thinking more on it, he had it worse than him in many aspects.

He was forced to slaughter his family and his entire clan. When he was just 14 he had to make a choice. Would he side with his family to usurp authority over the village or kill them to protect his village? To preserve the harmony and the smiles of his beloved home, he painfully chose the latter. That decision made the entire world view him as a villain. He lived the entirety of his life as a wanted fugitive. But only a few knew he was one of the hidden leaf's greatest shinobi who willingly sacrificed his happiness for the sake of theirs. With all these bearing down upon him, he still awaited the day his brother would come to avenge their family. The only thing he ever desired was to die by his beloved brother's hands.

The disease had started to weaken him, slowly eating away at his life. But he held on awaiting his brother's arrival. So that his precious little brother could kill him and return home as the hero who avenged his clan by killing the villain that was him.

Even after his supposed death, he was revived to fight against his allies. Even then, he only thing on his mind was on how to aid his beloved villagers. He lifted the reanimation jutsu that was a plague to his comrades. Only a few knew what he had done. They lauded the hero who lifted the Jutsu, oblivious to the fact that it was he who was their saviour. He died a second time, but, this time he was able to tell his brother what he always wanted to say to him. He died as an unsung hero but with no regrets. Even after everything, after all the pain and agony he had to endure all his young life, he still called himself, a proud shinobi of the hidden leaf.

"Gohan! Lost again, are we?" Itachi shook his friend who had spaced out in the hallway.

"Sorry about that. I was lost in thoughts." He replied scratching the back of his head with his traditional son grin making its way onto his face.

"The day itself feels really gloomy. Don't try to add to that now." Itachi joked earning another smile from the saiyan.

"Those two have already started picking a fight. Let's go stop them before they blow up the building."

"I really don't want that." Gohan chuckled as he wrapped his hand around Itachi's shoulders. "Let's go stop those two."

Itachi felt that Gohan was returning to his normal self, which alleviated him to no end.

Never in his life did he fathom that he would meet someone like Gohan. A warrior who sacrificed everything he had to protect his world. At first, he found it hard to believe that someone like him existed. The villains in his world were candy compared to the ones Gohan had to face.

People capable of blowing up planets on a whim, how was that possible? But that never deterred him. He laid down his life heroically for the better cause. Itachi felt really honoured to be able to call him his friend. The best thing about this second chance at life was to have met people like his teammates. Gohan still continued to fight against the monsters of this world when he could have laid back and just enjoy all the pleasures life had to offer him. Everything, his previous life denied him. Unlike him, Gohan had some regrets of his past haunting him. He could have let his past cloud his judgements. But he chose not to like a true hero should be. When Itachi had suggested, they become hunters to upkeep the peace of Remnant, Gohan immediately consented. Together all four of them had helped a lot of inhabitants of this world. Itachi could say with all his might that they were his family. Even though one of them was extremely ashamed to admit it, he knew he cared for them and was willing to lay down his life for them.

At the table, the two other members had already began the morning routine of constant bickering. One of them always seemed to be in a foul mood while the other was just too optimistic about things. He would always find a way to piss off the other who had no qualms about starting a fight.

"Guys, that's enough. Break it off." Itachi ordered at the two.

"Me, fight against this buffoon. Please, he would die if I fought him." One of the two culprits remarked pointing to a raven haired teen.

"You know, you keep getting grumpier each day tribal man." The spiky raven haired teen shot back.

"Don't call me tribal man, you over cheerful monkey.'

"Why not? With that weird markings on your face, anyone would mistake you for a tribal."

Frankly, he did not know why he bothered asking for an explanation. This guy seemed to have an answer for everything. No matter how much he irritated him, he was his comrade and his friend. Though he did not want to show it, it was clear to him that everyone knew that fact.

Accepting defeat Tribal Man, heaved a sigh and sunk back in his chair.

"Yo G- man, you holding up alright. We were all worried about you. Even Grumpy here showed some anxiety."

"I am fine Zack. Thank You for your concern. I just had one of those weird nightmares."

"Good to see you back in your usual self so soon. Usually, after those nightmares you spent the entire day sulking. Like Tribal Man over here." Zack replied in his usual cheerful self.

That was like the last straw that was needed. The so called Mr. Grumpy jumped at the former soldier's throat and a comical fight erupted between them.

Itachi jumped in to break it up while Gohan kept laughing at his friends antics. Every one of them had a doleful past. Zack was more like him. He always wanted to be a hero. He looked upto his icon Sephiroth who was his inspiration. He worked hard to achieve his dream. But life was not a fairy-tale ride like he had hoped. He was forced to kill off his mentor who had turned rogue. His idol tried to kill him. The very organization for which he dedicated his life to, hunted him. Finally, he laid down his life to protect the future of his best friend.

Like Zack had told him any times before, he died with no regrets. If it was to protect those dear to him, he would lay down his life even a million times over.

Gohan sometimes, felt a pang of jealousy towards his comrades. They had learned to accept their past and only thought of moving forward. Unlike him, who, still continued to remain a slave to his past. But all these years had somewhat healed the scars that were imprinted on him. Except on days like these, where he would experience those terrifying nightmares, Gohan could force himself to forget everything and just enjoy this life for what it was worth. These nightmares would bring him back to the same state of sorrow he tried so hard to escape from.

But today felt different. Itachi's words let a lasting impression on him. He realized he could no longer let himself tied down by his past. He had faithfully carried out his duties. This was a second chance for him. He had to live for his new family. He had to become a hero for this world.

Meanwhile Itachi had successfully separate the two of the others. Zack kept sulking, blaming it upon the other. While the other one got up and went back to his chair. He could only confirm Zack's mind was still 5 years old while his body was that of a 17 year old.

The teen sunk back to his chair letting his long blue hair hang behind. Gohan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"He really had changed a lot." He thought. A feeling of blissfulness began to develop in his visage.

He was the only one different from the rest. His entire family was killed by dragons that roamed his world. From that day he took a vow that he would get stronger and eliminate all the dragons. He became someone known as a dragon slayer, a wizard who specialized in hunting and killing dragons. But, he let this vengeance consume him. He slaughtered multiple dragons irrespective of either friend or foe. He bathed in their blood and himself turned into the one thing he so loathed and hunted. This vengeance ate away at his heart turning him blind to the endless agony and misery he had wreaked. He continued to hunt dragons and dragon slayers, never bothering to look upon the countless lives he took along the way, until the day he met his end at the hands of another dragon slayer.

"Captain, Gohan's spacing out again." Zack motioned Itachi to Gohan. Itachi gently tapped Gohan on his shoulders to bring him back to reality.

"Sorry about that." He replied with a goofy smile.

"You better start eating Gohan or scary dragon over here would eat your food." Zack motioned towards the food, while giving a sly grin to the dragon king.

Acnologia scoffed at that comment not bothering himself to formulate a reply. He might have been the mighty Dragon of the Apocalypse but his skills in throwing insults was better only to Gohan, who himself was too kind to even hurt a fly.

"I better start then." Gohan retorted, as he sat down on his chair and prepared to finish off his share of food.

X-X

7 years had passed since that day. The four of them found themselves in the middle of nowhere surrounded by Grimm on all sides. They were strangers who had no idea on who the others were, nor any clue on how had they ended up here. They were just four 10 year old kids who were easy prey to the Grimm. But that was not the case, the mindless Grimm did not know that these kids were stronger than even the best huntsmen of their world and were armed with unparalleled strength and a lifetime of endless life or death battles. Within a few moments only the fading carcasses of the monsters remained. There was not even a scratch to be seen on the composition of these kids.

Things did not get off to a great start at first. Gohan and Itachi bonded fairly easily while Zack felt like the easiest person to make friends with. It took some time for them to settle down and take in what had happened. After wandering for some time, they were able to figure out that this was a new world where they had ended up. Since they were as strong as the time they died, all of them did not have any problems getting by. Within a span of six months they shared their life stories with each other and decided that they would stick together. Everyone except Acnologia that is. He made it clear from the start, he was sticking together with them only for his gain. He had apparently lost his power to transform, which at that time didn't make any sense to the others. The four of them wandered around the world of remnant, learning about the geography, culture and political standings of this new world.

Only Itachi and Gohan worked to know more about this world while Zack was more or less goofing around and getting on Acno's nerves.

It was two years later that the former dragon king started opening up to the group. On that day, the four of them decided that they would become hunters and uphold the peace of this world. They would become the heroes that they so dreamed of.

At 12 years old, they ended up in the Alsius academy of the kingdom of Atlas. Itachi recommended that they attend the Atlas academy as it was more disciplined and was far better equipped, much to the woe of Zack. Acnologia surprisingly agreed to that. His only demand was that he needed things to destroy.

They did not want to arouse suspicion of their origins and had decided to keep their histories only among themselves. Itachi suggested that their powers too, be kept limited. Zack and Acno was totally against it but after making a lot of allowances, they agreed. They faked themselves to be orphans from the Vacuo Badlands who wanted to become hunters to avenge their families who were taken by the Grimm. Zack went even further changing his last name to Knight, the reason to that he never once revealed to anyone. The former soldier first class just lied that it gave more oomph to his name.

Another major hurdle was aura. Itachi had chakra, Gohan had ki and Acno had magic. Acno sometimes bragged about how he could still use magic without the etherion content in this world.

Zack was the only person who had aura just like the denizens of this world. But his aura reserve was like an endless ocean compared to the other inhabitants. He had a semblance too, like the people of remnant. His semblance was that of imitation. He could acquire any semblance that he saw in action. Itachi advised him to not show off this but it was all in vain. But since he had a semblance it was overlooked as an extremely rare one and did not evoke much suspicion.

Itachi agreed upon his semblance to be the ability to create illusions. Gohan did not have any special ability, so it was decided that his semblance was to ability to channel aura directly from his body to attack and to modify the shape and size of his aura.

The biggest headache came in the form of Acnologia who wanted his semblance to be Dragon Slayer magic. After a lot of pleading and nagging he agreed upon his semblance to be the ability to convert his aura into the main 5 elements. With further pleading, finally he agreed that he could convert his aura to the five elements only after he had contact with that elemental dust. Another stroke of luck was that the machines mistook Ki, Chakra and magic for aura. This helped the cause of laying low or so they believed. Itachi and Gohan had major doubts executing this plan. But luckily, it went on without much of a hassle. Surprisingly, people who tried to dig into their pasts ended up forgetting everything after meeting up with Itachi.

It was already decided that they would not stand out much in the academy. They were a year younger than the other students as Alsius. People did not except them to be stronger than veteran huntsmen.

This ended up failing miserably. Acnologia and Zack were not the ones who would hold back. Gohan and Itachi tried to act as normal as possible in fights. But the other two would end fights before it even started. Zack was a show off while Acno was a narcissist. In a span of two years, they became renowned around the other academies as the invincible team.

Team IZANAGI (IZAG) lead by Itachi Uchiha. The tales of their strength reached its peak when Acnologia effortlessly killed a harbinger singlehandedly, an ss class grimm that closely resembled a Dragon, albeit smaller than one.

Itachi unsurprisingly proved to be extremely popular with the girls which pissed off Zack. Luckily he had Acno by his side to scare off his fan girls for him. His eyes that turned a red used to scare the hell out of Zack but these fan girls swooned over them. Poor Itachi had to deal with these wherever he went.

Acnologia was mistakenly believed to be the strongest member as no one had lasted more than a minute with him on the battlefield combined with the fact he easily killed an ss class grimm. Someone lasting a minute was when he spent time bragging about himself.

The three of them knew that Gohan was miles ahead of them in strength capable of blowing up planets. Itachi and Acnologia were almost equal in strength. Acno won in terms of sheer strength but Itachi had a lot of tricks up his sleeve. Zack was the weakest among them which he himself had accepted. The truth seemingly was too bitter for him.

When they had graduated at 16 years old, they had some catchy nicknames to themselves.

Itachi was called Demon eyes Itachi due to the fact that his eyes turned red when he activated his so called semblance.

Acnologia amusingly was called the Dragon Slayer of Atlas after he killed the ss class grimm.

Zack was called the nightmare of atlas derived from his new last name.

Poor Gohan was called as the Aura Monster because of his large inexhaustible aura reserves. That name did not suit the poor saiyan at all. He was on the opposite end of the spectrum of a monster. He would willingly, never even hurt a fly. If the grimm were ready to mend their ways (Which seems highly unlikely), he would even forgive them.

In these 7 years they had grown so close that they considered each other as family. They came to the understanding that this was like a second chance for them to live life again.

X-X

A year had passed since they graduated. They spent the last year travelling around the world. Another reason was to escape from the strict life at Atlas. They were given free pass to enter the Atlas academy but Itachi had decided against it. He wanted some time for themselves to ponder upon everything that had transpired.

"So, we go back to school in a few days. Man that sucks." Zack expressed his opposition to Itachi's idea.

"We already talked about this earlier. We have to attend these academies if we were to become huntsmen. So do not complain."

"Look, Even Acno agrees." The leader of team Izanagi replied, now pointing to the former dragon king whose face showed how disinterested he was.

"But why Beacon, caps?"

"To be honest, Atlas was doing some digging into our lives. On top of that I don't trust Ironwood. Ozpin of Beacon seems more of a reasonable guy. Even if things get out of hand, we can expect him to keep it a secret. But, I seriously have no intention on spilling out anything."

"Zack, we have to undergo some sort of initiation if we are to be admitted to the school." Gohan cut in.

"So don't go thinking we are already in."

"Don't make me laugh Aura Monster" Zack shot back in a mocking tone somewhat annoying Gohan. How he hated that name?

"There is no way they won't admit us. We are super famous. Every academy in remnant wants to have us. Beacon is lucky that we chose them." The former first class soldier expressed haughtily.

"Zack…"

"He is a lost cause." Before Gohan could reply Acno intervened.

"I don't mind going to some academy, but we better end up in the same team. Itachi make sure of that" The dragon slayer's arrogant laces tone came through.

"Looks like Dragon man can't bear to be separated from us." Zack began his never ending quest of irritating the latter. "Maybe we should start calling him…"

"I am going to kill you, you pea brained idiot." Acnologia got up to grab Zack who quickly moved away. The former dragon king was then held down by the saiyan who tried desperately to calm him down.

"Stop this guys." Itachi barked bringing order back into the room.

"When we reach Beacon, do not go showing off. We will keep our identities a secret until the initiation. Otherwise most likely everyone else would want to be on our team. Like Acno mentioned, I too prefer that all of us end up on the same team."

"Ok Beacon. Here comes IZANAGI." Zack screamed out while he raised his hands into the air.

Gohan asked him to pipe it down while Itachi smiled at the proclamation. The dragon king simply scoffed at this.

"Hope we don't end up causing a lot of destruction." The leader of team IZAG prayed in the background.

X-X

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We part now only to meet again next chapter.

Have a great day, all you lovely people out there.