*** Top of Beacon Tower ***

Bursts of crimson and emerald light erupt on top of the Tower like fireworks, and in the midst of this display, two figures are engaged in fierce battle.

Whilst floating in the air, Cinder's hand glows dark orange, and when she swipes it through the air, wisps of fire lash out from her fingertips to smite her enemy. Standing across and below her, Ozpin holds his cane out and furrows his brows. He quickly gathers and molds his magical energy to form a series of transparent hexagonal panels around him that accurately intercept Cinder's whips of fire. The sheer heat generated by her attack begins to melt the stone floor around Ozpin.

Once the remnants of the fire fades out of existence, Ozpin lowers his cane and stares up at Cinder with an unflinching gaze.

Likewise, Cinder lowers her arm and arrogantly glares down at the headmaster. Despite the intensity of her attack, her figure glows strongly with magical energy trailing off of her like ethereal mist. Her once pristine clothing has been damaged and ripped during their earlier clashes, but in terms of sustentative injuries, she suffers from none, thanks to the immense defensive qualities granted by her Maiden powers.

"She is right. Your magic is weak," she says with a confident, yet soothing voice. "To be able to stand up against my power up until this point is impressive. But what a shame, that a once great and mighty sorcerer is now nothing but a candle flame threatening to be snuffed by a breeze."

Ozpin's grip around his cane tightens.

"Perhaps," he firmly replies. "My power is not what it once was, but you will have to do much better than what you've demonstrated so far in order to best me, child."

A glint flashes across Cinder's eyes and she licks the tip of her finger.

"Well, I do enjoy a challenge," she smirks. "I am going to enjoy breaking you apart."

She flicks her wrist out and snaps her fingers together. As a result, a large bolt of lightning shoots out from her hand and strikes down at the headmaster like a hungry viper.

Ozpin slams the end of his cane against the ground and conjures up a defensive barrier. Though his shield holds up against Cinder's bolt, tremors run through him as he bears the force of this latest attack. Like rainwater falling upon a surface, the bolt of lightning splashes off his barrier and strikes out his surroundings, charring the ground black and electrifying the air. Though Ozpin's expression remains steady, several drops of sweat trails down his cheek as he strains himself with what little energy he has left.

He takes a deep breath and pushes out with all of his strength. A large pulse of pure magic erupts through the air like a sonic wave, making Cinder stumble backwards in the air. Just as she is about to recover her bearings, Ozpin has already leapt into the air in front of her and swinging down his empowered cane towards her head.

Cinder's eyes grow wide as the world around her slows down to crawl. Based on the trajectory, angle, and velocity of Ozpin's swing, she instantly realizes that she does not have the time to conjure up an active defense in order to block it. Based on the density of magic she can sense on the leading edge of Ozpin's cane, her passive augmented defenses would do little to nothing.

She can do nothing but helplessly stare at the incoming blow that will, at the very least, seriously wound her. Her mind races in a panicked state as she rapidly goes through her possible options, but finds none. Just as Ozpin's cane touches upon her neck, her mind goes blank.

'Not like this! Not me! I'm destined for far more!'

She savagely roars out, and through sheer instinct, a dense well of magic explodes out from her core. Similar to Ozpin's previous counter attack, this wave of energy pushes out in all directions with great force. The explosion launches Ozpin straight into the ground, knocking the wind out of him. Cinder, as well, is blown backwards against one of the supporting columns, and slides down onto the ground.

Ozpin coughs out a mouthful of blood and breathes out raggedly. His body screams due to fatigue and pain, and barely manages to push himself into an upright position with the help of his weapon. His vision spins in all directions and is unable to focus.

Cinder's breath stutters as she slowly stands up on trembling knees. She hugs her elbows and her body begins to shiver. A small chuckle escapes from her lips before it gradually turns louder in volume and transforms into a maniacal laughter. Her eyes shine with madness and her mouth is arched up into a wide smile.

"Aaaaahahahahahahahaha!"

'I am a chosen! Destiny is on my side!'

Her laughter dies down and she adopts a cool, dignified expression before she begins to stroll towards the incapacitated headmaster.

"Oh poor Ozpin. I will admit that your final struggle caught me by surprise," she mocks. "But this results cements that you belong down there in the mud, and I am destined for far greater heights. You believed that if you somehow struck me down, all of this would stop? That Beacon and Vale would be spared further destruction?"

She cruelly smiles down at him.

"There is no saving your precious city and school, you foolish old man."

Ozpin wheezes as he struggles to remain conscious. Then, as if to rub salt into his wounds, an unearthly roar suddenly echoes through the night sky and deafens the ears of those below. A steady, rhythmic pulse of air pressure begins to pop the headmaster's eardrums, and finally, from the distance, he sees the horrifying shadow of a titanic winged creature emerging from the clouds and smoke. Ozpin's face further pales when he realizes what he's looking at.

'A... Tyrant Wyvern...' Ozpin despairs as his face drops.

"Yes! That look!" Cinder shudder in ecstasy. "Show me more of that look on your face!"

A Wyvern that easily spans the length of a football field parts the clouds as its massive wings make the air itself tremble with each flap. Its hide is covered with old scars and its bone armor is riddled with old cracks, all evidencing centuries worth of fighting over territory or hunting down human prey. Its predatory eyes stares down at the masses below with the regality of a king.

'Just based on its size, it must be nearly one thousand years old, at the very least,' Ozpin grits.

Aside from enormous size difference most Tyrant Grimm sport, what truly sets a Tyrant apart from the others is the presence of self awareness. Having lived successfully for so long, Grimm have a chance of mutating into a higher tier referred to as Tyrant variants. Strength, durability, experience, and instinct. They have it all. Unless large groups of Huntsmen and soldiers work together and plan extensively, fighting against a Tyrant is likely a suicidal proposition.

Cinder licks her lips as she relishes the growing look of despair in Ozpin's eyes.

"She prepared this one especially for you and this day," she cruelly laughs. "I'll be sure to inform her that you thoroughly enjoyed her gift."

The Wyvern utters a deafening roar that makes the very earth shake.

"This is the beginning of the end," Cinder dramatically recites.

She conjures a molten blade into her hand.

"Unfortunately, you will not be around to witness it play out," she sighs out before smiling at the headmaster. "Did I not say earlier that I would enjoy breaking you?"

The sudden sound of a pair of feet landing makes her pause.

"Woah. Is that a dragon?" A monotone voice asks.

Cinder turns to her side and narrows her eyes dangerously at the intruder. An unknown man with an unknown face, who can not be described as anything but plain, has suddenly appeared all the way up here?

She glances towards the elevator and confirms that it has been totaled, which means that this bald man somehow made it up the Tower through other means. This man's clothing suggests that he must be a civilian of sorts, and his unguarded posture further supports this likelihood.

'... No matter. Whether this is actually a civilian or something else, the end result will be the same.'

Ozpin also stares at Saitama with a look of confusion. Considering the circumstances, this man's attire and overall appearance is painfully out of place. The headmaster is even half tempted to chalk up this development as a hallucination induced by his fatigued consciousness.

"Just who..." He mutters, before his eyes grow wide with alarm. "No!"

Without saying a word, Cinder lashes out with a hand and summons a pillar of fire from underneath Saitama's feet. The violent eruption of fire roars fiercely with blistering heat for several long seconds before fizzling out, leaving nothing in that spot except for charred stone. Not even a speck of ash can be seen.

Just as Cinder smirks in satisfaction, that same monotone voice cuts into her ears like knives, nearly making her stumble.

"Geez... What's your problem? You could have burned my clothes."

Cinder reels back around to her front.

'Impossible!'

The man she was sure she'd burnt to death is casually standing beside Ozpin.

"You're Ozpin. Right?" Saitama casually asks.

"... Yes... I am," the headmaster slowly replies. "And just who... may you be?"

"My name's Saitama. I... guess I'm a refugee, kind of? Oh, and I'm also a hero. Mostly for fun though."

Ozpin stares up at Saitama's face with growing confusion. It's clear that this man isn't joking, or at the very least, these words are the truth to him.

Seemingly taking no notice to Ozpin's reaction, Saitama scratches his cheek.

"Oh right. I've been meaning to thank you for that, by the way," he says. "The whole refugee program thing. It's been a real life saver man. If I can treat you to some lunch after this, that would be pretty cool."

For the first time in a long time, Ozpin is seemingly at a loss for words. Both the city and the school are in precarious circumstances where their very existence are in danger, and yet, this unknown man who calls himself Saitama and a hero can casually talk about lunch of all things? After this is over? Is this man perhaps completely insane? Mentally ill?

The massive Wyvern dives down from the skies and latches itself onto the side of the Tower, causing the entire structure to shudder from its weight. Its head, which can easily span half the area of the Tower's platform, looks down upon Saitama with its wild, yet intelligent eyes. The creature remains abnormally still as it releases a low growl from its throat. This... creature standing before it. Something about the bald one is off-putting.

Cinder smirks as drop of sweat trails down her cheek. Despite her newfound status as a Maiden, by no means does this allow her to freely control this Tyrant Wyvern. This particular specimen was raised personally by her master over hundreds of years. It answers to no one but its creator, and it is because of her commands that it has not ripped Cinder apart to shreds.

"Flee... You must flee from here at once," Ozpin quickly says as he tries to position himself in front of Saitama. "While I haven't the slightest clue of how or why you got up here, but you must go!"

Saitama blankly stares up into the Wyvern's eyes unflinchingly.

"That's a dragon right?" He mutters.

"A Wyvern," Cinder scoffs with a confident smile. "It's a shame that you'll be long dead before you've even realized it."

"... Okay."

Saitama takes a step forward while rolling his arm and shoulder.

"Guess I'll start by taking care of this Kevin or whatever."

'... Kevin?'

Cinder's expression darkens and the corners of her eyes twitch. Her mouth slowly curls up into a smile filled with murderous intent as the Wyvern utters a guttural roar and snaps out at Saitama.

Ozpin can do nothing but stare helplessly as the beast's maw filled with razor sharp teeth, each as long as short swords, fills his view. When the Wyvern's jaw snaps shut, the expected pain and darkness never comes. To his complete and utter shock, the man who calls himself Saitama is preventing the Wyvern from closing its mouth by gripping onto a tooth in each hand. Ozpin nearly forgets to breathe as he mutely observes the seemingly complete lack of effort being exerted by Saitama.

Cinder's face pales upon seeing this impossible sight. This makes no sense! This is not just some ordinary Grimm, but a Tyrant that's lived been nurtured by Salem for hundreds of years! It is a creature that can single handedly devastate an entire city without much issue! And she is to believe that this non descript, idiotic looking man is able to hold its strike back?!

The Wyvern digs its claws against the side of the Tower, trying to draw its head back, but it finds itself unable to budge a single inch. For perhaps the first time in its long life, it feels something... foreign. A sense of absolute grave danger. That it is no longer the hunter, but the prey. Is this what fear tastes like? It frantically begins to flail its body, but to no avail, and it releases a high pitched whine.

Saitama nearly gags and wrinkles at his nose from the gust of warm air escaping from the Wyvern's throat.

"Ugh... That stinks!"

He tightens his grip and snaps the teeth in his hand into splinters. The Wyvern shrieks in pain and reels back, and Saitama, while pinching his nose with a hand, brings his other one up.

"Normal punch," he says with a nasally voice.

His fist collides against the side of the Wyvern's skull, eliciting the sound of crunching bones echoing through the air. The air itself cracks from the sonic boom, and the force of his blow launches the Wyvern off the side of Beacon Tower and into the Emerald Forest. Its massive body crashes and slides through the trees before it finally settles, sticking out above the forest canopy like a miniature mountain.

Saitama blinks.

"Oh. It didn't die from one hit for once."

Ozpin can not help but shudder at the implication of Saitama's casual comment.

"What?!" Cinder yells in shock. The wind and shockwave from Saitama's punch has disheveled her hair, but she doesn't take notice to that. Her head feels like it's spinning, as she is nearly unable to mentally process what just took place in front of her very eyes.

"Truly... Truly inconceivable..." Ozpin gasps under his breath. "Just who is this man? Where has he come from?"

"Well, I guess that takes care of that Kevin thing," Saitama nods, before turning his eyes towards Cinder.

"Hey."

Cinder's back breaks into cold sweat at Saitama's call. His tone is neither demanding, threatening, nor oppressive, but rather, offputtingly casual.

"You the one leading those Feet Band members down there and causing all this ruckus? And what's with you and all that fire? You an esper or something?"

'Kevin? Feet... Band? While his strength is undeniable, just what in the world is he speaking about?' Ozpin sweats.

"Im...possible!" Cinder grits her teeth tightly together. "This has to be some kind of trick!"

She snarls and hurls a fireball at them.

Saitama nonchalantly swats the ball of flames away like one would at a fly.

"Can you not?" He says with a mildly annoyed voice. "I just got this shirt recently."

"Who are you?!" Cinder demands while taking a step back. "What... are you?! This is impossible! I'm the chosen one! This night was destined to be my victory!"

Saitama raises an eye.

"Woah... Talk about typical villain speech and ego. You really should learn to chill out," he sighs. "Anyways, shouldn't you introduce yourself first before demanding for someone else's? It's basic manners."

"Shut up!"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever... I guess I'll just wrap this up and get it over with."

In the blink of an eye, Saitama disappears from his position and suddenly reappears in front of Cinder. Before she can even react to what is happening, a hand falls and chops down onto her shoulder. Cinder is drilled down into the solid floor up to her waist before her Aura and magic deplete from absorbing the blow, and the residual force cracks the ground around her. The normally graceful and fierce Fall Maiden slumps to the side with the white of her eyes showing and frothing at the mouth.

"She's like a bamboo shoot," Saitama lightly smiles.

'In one hit,' Ozpin gulps. 'I thought I'd seen it all by this point in my life... but apparently I've been ignorant.'

A flurry of rose petals fly up over the edge of the Tower's side, and from its midst, Ruby Rose and Glynda Goodwitch appear with their weapons at the ready.

"Professor Ozpin!"

"Professor!"

Ruby and Glynda exclaim.

"Ah... It's you two," Ozpin weakly nods. "I'm glad to see that both of you are fairing well, all things considered. As you can see, the conflict up here has been... resolved."

Glynda narrows her eyes at the giant mass laying in the Emerald Forest, turns towards Cinder sticking out from the ground, then finally stares at Saitama who is standing there with an unreadable expression.

"... Just what happened up here? Who is this man, and how is he up here?" She slowly asks.

"I told you Professor! He want like wooosh! and totally jumped up here!" Ruby exclaims.

Glynda gives the young teenager a doubtful look.

"Even with Aura strengthening, one can not simply just jump hundreds of meters into the air. Unless... he has a Semblance that would facilitate such a feat."

"Well, I bet that Wyvern getting knocked off the Tower earlier was him too!" Ruby quickly says. "Right?!"

She zips in front of Saitama with wide eyes.

"I'm right, aren't I?" She asks while hopping up and down. "What kind of Huntsman are you? What's your Semblance? Oh, don't tell me just yet!"

Saitama uncomfortably leans away from the girl for the second time tonight. It's clear that she does not know the definition of personal space.

"You're kind of close," he mutters. "And you're asking about that Kevin monster? Yeah, I guess that was me."

"Oops! Sorry," Ruby laughs as she skips back a step. "See Professor? It was totally him."

Glynda ignores her impending headache and sighs.

"See what, Miss Rose? And what in the world is a Kevin?"

Ozpin coughs, "I... believe that Mister Saitama here is referring to the Wyvern, if I'm not mistaken."

"... Wyvern... Wayvern... Kayvern... Kevin..." Glynda mutters with an incredulous expression, then looks back at Saitama like he's a fool. "That is not even close to rhyming. At best it's a stretch. Professor, are you sure about this strange bald man?"

"Do you have to specify that I'm bald?! I'm right here, you know!"

Ozpin releases a small laugh that is a mixture of disbelief, humor, and relief.

"I witnessed the events taking place up here with my own eyes, yet still have trouble believing them. Nonetheless, they did occur and are reality. Quite frankly, I don't blame you for having doubts, Glynda. Right when I ran out of strength to resist Cinder, Mister Saitama suddenly appeared before us and defeated both her and that Tyrant Wyvern."

Glynda pinches her brow before sighing out for the thousandth time this night.

"If you say so, Professor... If it were anyone else saying this... I'd be hard pressed to take their word for it."

Ozpin stabilizes his footing and sternly looks down at Cinder's unconscious form.

"If you would, Glynda."

The deputy headmistress nods and flicks her riding crop and carves out the portion of the tower floor where Cinder is embedded. Once extracted, she manipulates stray pieces of concrete compacts them around Cinder's torso until only her head remains exposed.

"Oh... She's like a pineapple now," Saitama observes thoughtfully.

Glynda's scroll buzzes in her pocket. When she retrieves it and flips it open, her eyes grow wide as she reads the report, then releases a deep sigh of relief.

Ozpin gives her a knowing, sympathetic look and asks, "Finally some good news amidst this chaos?"

"I've... just received the report of all those who entered Beacon's emergency shelter."

"Are they safe?"

Glynda's shoulders relax.

"Yes... Both of them are safe. Thank the gods..."

"Uh, so I can go home now, right?" Saitama asks. "It looks like those... what are they called again? Feet Fang? Those guys are starting to retreat on their ships."

Ruby raises a hand while tilting her head.

"So... I'm assuming he means the White Fang? Feet Fang... Hehe!"

Glynda looks over her Scroll and quickly scans the dozens of reports coming in from the city.

"Their leader, Adam Taurus, has been incapacitated and captured, if these reports are at all accurate. Apparently, footage and images of his capture is being spread throughout the network, and as a result has completely demoralized the White Fang forces. And..." She pauses for a moment.

"And if I am seeing this correctly... he appears to have been captured in Beacon's dining hall..."

Ozpin takes a look at Glynda's Scroll and raises an eyebrow at the sight of Adam wrapped up in a cocoon made of solid reinforced steel, then immediately glances towards Saitama.

'There is no other explanation...'

Saitama yawns into a hand and begins to walk away.

"So I'm just gonna go-"

"Mister Saitama," Ozpin calls out. "If you'd just give us a moment of your time. We... have many... many questions lingering in our minds. Namely relating to yourself."

"Well can that wait until tomorrow or something? I haven't had dinner yet and I'm starving. Besides, don't you have more important things to deal with first?" Saitama asks while pointing a thumb at the burning buildings in the city and school.

"W-Well that's... I suppose you have a point," Ozpin sighs. "You'll remain in the city?"

"Yeah? I live here," Saitama raises an eye at him. "I also owe you lunch too. So anyways... See yah."

Ruby scrambles after him, but fails to catch him as Saitama jumps off into the distance.

"W-Wait! You still haven't told me what your Semblance is! Aw... There he goes."

Ozpin and Glynda exchange amused looks before they turn their gaze onto Cinder with darker expressions.

"Now. How to properly deal with this one?"


*** Back in Saitama's Apartment ***

"Oh. Lucky, the fighting didn't reach this part of the city," Saitama comments.

He unlocks the door and opens his fridge door, then blinks.

"Wait. Where are the lights? Is the bulb dead?"

He grows slightly concerned, then turns to his stove and attempts to turn it on. However, he does not hear the distinct hiss of gas releasing from the valves, meaning that the gas lines are not functioning at the moment.

"W-Wait. Seriously?"

He repeatedly turns the knob for his stove, but to no avail. As he continues to do so, his face pales and drops of sweat appear on his head.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? MY DINNER!"