The Grimm that breached the city are much larger and more numerous than the ones in the Emerald Forest. That was the first thought that entered Jeanne's mind. Sure, she had trained with the rest of her team there and with her experience, there was no doubt that she could handle many of these Grimm. Still, it was interesting to note that such creatures are normal in this world that those like her team are needed to quell such beings.

The spearhead on her flag impaled a large Beowulf—strange name, if you ask her—and it had begun to dissipate into smoke when its body had gone limp. It was still rather odd to her since every other living thing seems to rot away normally. It helps with the cleaning after, she supposed. Less likely to spread any sort of disease if they do vanish much quicker than say a person.

Turning to check on her team, they all seemed to be doing well. Ren and Nora had a partner synergy that Jeanne had never seen anywhere else. It was a testament to those two. Pyrrha was more in her zone when fighting human opponents compared to these beasts. Sure, she was doing well but her showy fighting style is definitely something one would see in tournaments than fights for survival. Then again, pretty much all the huntsmen and huntresses who were just arriving seemed to fight like that. Even her own little brother was like that, albeit more akin to those who rely on brute force than any acrobatics. Like a slugger in boxing, Jaune's swings had a lot of weight behind them which compensated his lowered mobility. That was fine as most of the Grimm come towards him rather than run away.

Speaking of running, there was a Boarbatusk that was barreling towards him with great speeds. Jaune saw it raised his shield, he could not move out fast enough as the boar-like Grimm slammed into the metal. Jaune nearly fell back but kept his balanced by moving his other foot backwards. The Grimm on the other hand, stuck in the air, had left its underbelly exposed. It was weakness that Jeanne capitalized on.

Before the Boarbatusk could disappear like the others, Jeanne swung it like a hammer, striking the nearby Creeps. The few that passed or got behind her were struck by Jaune's shield and sword.

The two blondes were back-to-back. The Grimm horde was less now as the numbers that came out of the hole were less than the huntsmen and huntresses that were arriving. Still, their job wasn't finished. As more Grimm closed in on them like a pincer, the two moved with Jaune's shield leading the way. They broke through before they were closed in on. As metals sung, the horde's numbers dwindled by the tens.

They were not finished yet though for a large, serpent-like Grimm called Taijitsu had appeared. Along with them were these birds called Nevermore. The avian Grimm would be impossible for the two of them as neither have many ranged options, unless they decide to fly towards them. As such, the two decided that it would have to be the Taijitsu. Before they did, they looked to the sides. On one side there was Nora and on the other there was Yang, two powerhouses that are certain to be able to take on this Taijitsu. The Arc siblings nodded and charged.

It seemed to have chosen them as well for it met them head on. The plan was to split and have the Taijitsu chase one of them. If it went to Jeanne's side, then it would be led to Nora and Yang if it went to Jaune. As they came close, they split. The Grimm chose Jeanne.

"Nora!" she called out, instantly grabbing the girl's attention. "Batter up!"

Nora quickly readied her stance. Holding her hammer like a baseball bat, she eagerly awaited the giant serpent. Jeanne kept herself materialized so that it would continue to chase her. She then dematerialized just as she was a few feet away from her teammate.

With a resounding boom, the Taijitsu's head was struck with a full swing of Nora's hammer. It didn't help when the Grimm was also charging at her at full speed. A splattered remains of a giant reptile is all that remains.

Jaune then shouted, "Pyrrha!"

Pyrrha only turned and upon seeing the Taijitsu, she knew already what to do. Shifting her sword into its javelin form, she threw it to where the Grimm's head was going to be. A perfect shot as the javelin went in one end and came out the other. The Taijitsu then fell to the ground and began to dissipate.

There was a moment of celebration as the large Grimm fell but their duties were still not done for there were still more than were exiting the hole in the ground. It had gotten lighter now, though. More huntsmen and even the military from Atlas had arrived. When they had revealed their weaponry, it was Jaune who shouted the loudest.

"Everyone, get under cover!"

No one objected. Aura and armor gave some kind of protection as both professional and in-training huntsmen and huntresses made their way to the nearest cover. Some of the Grimm, drawn to their emotions, followed suit only to be met with spears, swords, hammers and daggers. Those that did not were met with the rain of bullets.

Cold and emotionless, the different human-like machines descended from the skies. There was an uncaring efficiency as the robots dispatched what Grimm remained. No rips and tears other than that of the Grimm could be heard. From the skies, the airships unloaded a rain of bullets that tore down more Grimm than what could come out.

Amongst the professional huntsmen and huntresses that arrived, Glynda Goodwitch had come and with her semblance, closed the hole and sealed it tight. The Grimm horde has been halted and the day had been saved.

The ships then changed and flew away. They were probably going back to dock somewhere. It was fair as there wasn't much place here for them to land and survey the area.

"Alright," said Jaune, gathering the rest of team JNPR. "Let's check the area for any survivors and stray Grimm. Let's spread out, I'll take North. Pyrrha for South. Ren to the East and Nora for the West."

Team JNPR nodded and split apart. Most of the others, those in-training, rested instead. The teachers and professional huntsmen and huntresses have their hands full at the moment and so the team volunteered.

As Jaune and Jeanne move northwards, Jaune checked his scroll. His aura was in the yellow, bordering on red. "That much, huh?" he commented.

"It was the most demanding one yet, Jaune," replied Jeanne. "Both defensively and offensively."

"Right." He nodded. "We're not meant to be fighting long and intense fights like this. It has to be one or the other."

If there was ever a chance for Jeanne to be more independent, she would do so. Ending fights quickly had to be how they operate at least during these sorts of fights. Any longer with little change to intensity would then result in both of them being in danger.

As the two proceeded deeper into the city streets, they could see the damages done by the Grimm. Parts of the walls were broken and shards of glass littered the ground. Vehicles were destroyed with some leaking oil. Those closest put out any fires however they could. But the worst of them all were the people; civilians who were either too close or couldn't move fast enough lay there on the streets. Teeth and claw marked what left of their lifeless forms. Their faces contorted into a permanent fear would haunt Jaune in the years that will follow.

Jaune and Jeanne looked for survivors. Jaune in particular, cursed at himself for not having been there fast enough.

"Oh no," a familiar voice said. Jaune turned and it was indeed the voice of Ruby. She seemed to have joined him at some point, it seems. But the sight of the civillians caused the young girl to fall down. "I wasn't fast enough," she repeated. It didn't take long before Ruby started to shrink into herself like a terrified baby.

"Oh, dear," Jeanne said. "Too soon."

"Hey," Jaune repeated. He couldn't bear to see his friend like that. Ruby wanted to be the hero and with that semblance of hers being speed-based, the thought of being too slow must have been foreign to her. Jaune's hands held her gently as he stroked her hair. His hoodie had gotten wet. "Come on, there has to be more survivors yeah? Let's look for them together.

Ruby made no verbal response. Her legs were shaking as she walked. It is one thing to fail in fighting the evils of this world. It is another to fail in protecting the innocent from it.

"It's inevitable, Jaune," Jeanne commented. "Even if one had the perfect plan, one could never guarantee that everyone will come out of it safe."

"So what do we do, Jeanne?"

"Be better. Make sure things like these never happen again. This… breech will have to be closed both on this end and on the other end. Any connections to and from Mountain Glenn, no matter how old, needs to be closed."

Sadly, that was something Jaune could not do. It was up to the ones in power to do that. With a precedent like this, they just might.

"Hey!" A child's voice shouted. "Please help!"

Ruby, with her Semblance, was there practically on an instant. When Jaune caught up to her, he was met with the familiar sight of Gillian, the little girl from the café. She seemed unhurt, minus a few bruises and the bleeding on her forehead stopped.

"Jaune," said Ruby. "Her mom is stuck beneath some rubble."

"Then, let's go."

Rais Family Café was less damaged compared to most other buildings they have seen, thankfully. Being far away from the breech was a blessing. Still, parts of it had broken apart. The side closer to the breech caved in. It looked to be more the effect of the quakes that the heavier Grimm had when moving about. As Jaune and Ruby moved closer, the figure of Gillian's mother, broken concrete resting on her from the hips down, was there. Gillian immidiately rushed to her side but the mother was clearly unwell as she was delayed in her response.

"Let's hurry." Jaune wasted no time. "Ruby, on my count pull Gillian's mom out. Jeanne, let's drain the rest of my aura."

"Yes, Master." Jeanne dropped the sibling and acted as a Servant should.

Jaune had the strength to back it up. With Jeanne being less restrictive in her use of his aura, it didn't take long for the mother to be pulled out. With haste, Ruby carried the mother and made their way back where medical professionals should be ready by then. There was a silent resolve as Ruby made little conversation and focused more on what she had to do.

Luckily for them, Jaune later learned that the mother would survive. She would be confined and would be in a wheelchair for a time but she will be well. Gillian thanked them both. His eyes drifted towards Ruby. There was no pride but a humbled smile in her expression. A hardened resolve as Ruby seemed to have grown much faster in this moment more than any other.

As more survivors were found, their resolve grew. In the end, there was little in terms of lost as most of the Grimm were attracted to the huntsmen and huntresses. Ruby certainly looks better after that. She wasn't as she was before but she would be well. Even stepping up into her leadership as she checked on her team and had them help out the rest.

When team JNPR reunited with Professor Mulberry, he praised them saying, "I heard a certain team took quite the initiative. Excellent. Forgive me for not joining you but being a place full of civillians, I had to prioritize those who couldn't defend themselves. Still, you four performed greatly. I look forward to seeing you students fight alongside me as professionals."

Team JNPR stood taller. But that only lasted a moment. There was still more to be done here.

AN: I wonder if insurance in Remnant also include Grimm attacks. Curious about these sorts of things, tbh.