Gunshots can be heard throughout the city, with explosions dominating over most other sounds, save for the inhuman, and ungrimm sounds that most machinery makes. Buildings collapsing, and soldiers dying, the Striders have subdued the city, and claiming it for the ever expansive Combine. But the mysterious soldiers aren't done resisting, for they brought out their astounding Airships to attempt and stop the colossal giants that tower almost all that this Kingdom has to offer, in terms of an army. But just as the Airship had prepared to open fire upon the dismal creatures, it was crushed into a trillion little pieces, by a block of solid, unidentified metal, coming from a hole in what can only be described as reality itself at this point.

The mighty structure had tore open a hole through the ground, only stopping after entrenching itself some 400 meters deep. And yet, it still towered for over five kilometers into the air, releasing a... deafening aura from itself. The citizens were scared, in fear, and panicking. And where there is fear, there is Grimm. Many Nevermores came to the city, along with a vast majority of other Grimm creatures, for they sensed fear, possibly from a long way away... That however, didn't serve to stop the invaders, nor slow them down.

"Attention all units. Nomad Alpha is now roaming. Counter-biotics removal is secondary objective. All units: alert. Overworld notice: UNION-3 is now in effect. Cauterize potential ripcord routes. All units. Initiate round-up of potential political conscripts."

In the midst of the chaos, one man stood inside a building overlooking the battlefield of a city, which has been miraculously spared. He is witness to the chaos of war, on a scale never before seen by man. Yet, the man's vision suddenly turned into that of overlooking the same city from atop a Citadel, in the safety of his new office. Another flashback, it would seem, as the thing that snapped him out of it was an incoming transmission from City 12, which was rerouted onto a large screen that has pasted itself upon the now blackened glass.

"General Ironwood, sir!"

"At ease, Administrator. What did you want to tell me?"

"Sir, I have something to report concerning a potential breach in our security systems."

"A breach? Explain."

"Sir, I have located a virus that is capable of controlling Citadel functions. If left unchecked, it can most certainly destroy the entire system."

Ironwood seemed phased by this, however, he dismissed it rather quickly.

"Forget about it, its nothing more than a simple virus that can't do any harm."

"Sir, I don't think its a wise idea to leave it alone. I do not trust this virus."

"I can fully assure you that this is not a matter you should be worrying about. If this is related to your sister coming, rest assured, it will do no harm."

"Yes, sir. I am sorry for wasting your time over paranoia."

"Now, if that's all you wanted to report, it would be best that you return to your duties, you have a busy week ahead of you."

Upon the transmission's end, another transmission momentarily began. This time, on the screen was a grub-like entity, with a protective sack over the majority of its body, a breathing apparatus of some sort, and metallic appendages.

"Do you think she suspects something?"

He stood in silence for a few moments, before breaking it.

"I know. Still, I would very well wish for this to be avoided, if it can be. She is one of our best operatives, and City Administrators. Losing her would hinder us quite a bit, but losing sight of her can cause paranoia. I don't wish for any of that to happen."

"Then you will make sure it doesn't, Administrator."

The voice said, just before the transmission ended. This left Ironwood dumbfounded, as he did not know who, or what, said what it did. However, he had his suspicions...

Once more, the Xiao Long/Rose residence was in sight, as Ruby had activated her Semblance once more to speed her way towards her mother, whom had just finished helping Taiyang with collecting the right type of berries for a pie that they will be making this evening. Once Ruby had reached Summer, she turned back normal, and hugged her.

"Hi."

"Oh, sweetie. It's nice to see you again. I take it that your little field trip was successful?"

"It was. We just encountered some problems on the way, but we took care of it."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Indeed, miss Rose. Young miss Rose here, including miss Xiao Long show great potential. They would have made for excellent students at Beacon Academy if it was still standing."

Oobleck had added as soon as everyone else had caught up with Ruby. Everyone had gotten inside to hear what had exactly happened during the trip. All the while, Summer and Taiyang offered the two professors to eat some pie later that night, however, they refused, stating that they need to get back to Glynda and Ozpin. And they do just that, as they leave shortly after they described the events of the morning, but remembering to mention that they will be back again, whenever that may be.

Not too far from the house, yet far enough so that any sound made cannot be heard at the house, a woman in hellenic styled armour, red hair in a ponytail, and a shield and spear in hands, was fighting a peculiar looking creature. Looking similar to the Strider in terms of design, yet vastly different, it sports a blue colour scheme, an antenna of sorts on its back, a pair of 'eyes', if one can call them that, as they shoot out flechettes infused directly with Dark Energy, and a sort of pair of 'arms'. A Hunter is dangerous, especially in the open, as the woman doesn't look exactly like she is unscathed.

However, this one seemed to be on its last legs, as a greenish ooze is dripping from it at an alarming rate, yet this doesn't stop the Hunter, as it begins charging at the woman at a fast speed, presumably 55 kilometers an hour, only for it to find itself crashing into a tree, dislodging it from the ground, and sending it dropping. The woman has gotten out of the way, and throws her spear into the Hunter just as it was turning around. Before it could fire any flechettes, or charge again, it was met with the cold steel of her spear crossing through its skin and armour, lodging itself into one of the flechette launchers/eyes. It lets out a high pitched howl, before collapsing to the floor, and going limp. The woman walked towards it, huffing as she was just beginning to relax, knowing that no more Hunters will be coming after her for a long while. She took out her spear, and started walking away from the corpse of the Hunter, passing by two more corpses. She has noticeable scratches and bruises, but nothing that can't be treated or healed.