The team was exhausted by the time they returned to the station.

As their frames shut down, their souls were transferred back into their human bodies.

Tsuranuki was the first one to wake up. His eyes fluttered open and he gasped, taking in a breath into his lungs.

He slowly raised his shaking hands and grasped the helmet, removing it from his head before he hit the LinkPod's open switch.

The cover of the pod hissed up and he sat up, rubbing his hand through his hair as the other pods hissed open as well.

He could see Shinobu and Miku looking a bit worse for the wear, and he guessed he was the same way. Tsuranuki rubbed his face with his hands before he looked over at the last pod, which was now adorned in the same color scheme that Matagi had

The cover hissed up and a familiar figure sat up, groaning as he rubbed his head with one hand and removed the helmet with the other.

"Wait..." Tsuranuki narrowed his eyes as he got out of the pod. "Is that...?"

The newcomer turned to all of them, and their mouths fell open.

"Akita?!"

(Shows a pair of eyes opening before the eyes morph into optics)

START Kaitei no Orchestra (Precious Time) (ROMI)

(The optics flash as the camera pans out to show six shadowy mecha before they leap towards the camera, brandishing their weapons)

Hiroi aoi kono basho de tokiga nagarete yuku my precious time (The image fades to show a cat Faunus boy with brown hair and magenta eyes walking down a street close to the ocean, looking down at an image of his mother in his hand. He perks up as he spots a rabbit Faunus girl with light green hair and eyes hugs him, making him yelp. A boy with brown hair and brown eyes joins the girl on the cat Faunus's other side, and gives a thumbs up. A boy with dark purple hair and eyes approaches from the left and smiles a bit before a ninja youth leaps down on the right, his dark grey hair and purple eyes standing out with the purple highlight on the right side of his bangs. The five look up at the sky as a shimmering image of a cheetah Faunus with blue hair and eyes appears behind them. The title appears below them all.)

GRIMMFALL: SHINKALION RISING

Itsu no manika kiete shimatte kakegaeno koega (The image fades to show the cat Faunus standing beside his mother's grave, his eyes fixed on her name)

Tsumaranai hibimo sorega sukide ikitetanda (Memories of her and his family march past as he bows his head)

Higa sashiteru tokomade omoikkiri hashitte (A wind blows past and he perks up as he sees something ahead of him, making him break into a run to try and reach the shadowy, winged humanoid shape as it looks back with yellow optics, holding out a hand)

Shinjirarenai koto bakari menomaeni okiru (The two embrace hands and then a flash of light engulfs the screen, fading to show a large Kaiju-class Grimm being attacked by a blue and white mecha wielding a drill before the two clash)

Taiyou no hou wo miagate tachiagaruno tsurakute (The impact throws off a light that engulfs the screen, dissipating to show the cat Faunus, but battered and wounded, looking at the sky, the sun shining down on him as he reaches up a hand, as if grasping at it)

Susumu koto dake omouto (He tries to stagger to his feet, only to collapse briefly before he lifts his gaze, a yellow optic forming in place of his eye as it glows brightly)

Setsunai tabiwo tsuzukeru kawatta me no okuniwa (The light of the optic fades as the camera moves out to show a green and white mecha armed with a sword and wings on its back attacking a porcupine Kaiju-class Grimm in close combat, only for the Kaiju to fire off a slew of spines from its legs and back, making the mecha block with a shimmering tri-colored Aura)

Natsukashii itoshisa wo motomete (On my way) (Behind the mecha appears an image of a cat Faunus woman, and the mecha lunges forward, its sword glowing as it traps the Grimm in an energy cage before slicing it in half)

Kizutsuke attanowa nikui wake janai nosa (The Grimm explodes before a Faunus Ultra gorilla lunges from behind, making the mecha spin to block with its sword, images of a peaceful world appearing behind it before punching the Faunus Ultra and sending it staggering back)

Sokoni kibouga arunonara my precious time (The images coalesce around the mecha's chest as it fires a blast of green energy from a hidden chest cannon at the screen)

Itsukaraka onaji keshikini kakomarete sugoshite (The screen comes back into view, this time showing the cat Faunus as he stands atop a building in Tokyo, his friends beside him as they eye the distant horizon, a shadowy shape behind Mt. Fuji in the distance)

Akinonai koega sukoshizutsu chiri hajimeta (The boy looks down at an image of his mother in his hands, his friends placing their hands on his shoulders to comfort him as tears streak down his cheeks)

Ameni utareta mamade omoku seouno tsurakute (The camera zooms in on his eyes before panning out to show him looking at the window, the same green and white mecha on the other side, both touching their hands to one another before it shifts to show the cat Faunus's mother as a transparent image behind the mecha)

Ushinau koto dake omouto (The camera zooms in on the mecha's face before panning out to show two Faunus, a fox woman and a bull man, standing atop a hotel in downtown Tokyo)

Togirenai omoino nakade hisshi ni tsukamunosa (The two Faunus lunge for the mecha, only to be blocked by a red and white mecha with two guns and a purple and white mecha wielding two shuriken in its hands Beside them is a white and green mecha armed with a sword and the blue and white mecha with the drill is close by)

Dokomademo dokomademo sagasunda (Find your way) (The five mecha charge towards a large shape as it looms out of the shadows of the two Faunus, and behind them is the shape of a white and blue mecha armed with twin energy blades)

Otagaini motomeatte kakera wo tsunagunosa (Shows the six mecha as they stand in a line, each of them holding their weapons at the ready before they charge forward; the green and white mecha fires off its chest cannon as the blue and white mecha spins its drill up, a blue aura engulfing it, the red and white mecha fires its twin guns in a rifle configuration as the purple and white mecha uses its shuriken as weapons, the white and green mecha swings its sword as heat radiates from the blade and the white and blue mecha swipes with its energy blades, releasing a shockwave)

Sokoni kibouga mierukara wow oh wow (The blasts combine to generate an explosion as it hits something before the smoke parts to reveal a scenic image of the city of Tokyo, the tendrils of Satyra retreating from it)

Kimiga tsukutta monogatari saikou no omoide ni nattanda (The image shifts to show the cat Faunus looking down at a photo album of his mother and his friends and family, tears pricking at his eyes before he sees his friends beside him and they hold out their hands, a smile crossing his face as he takes their hands and they pull him out of the darkness into the light)

Bokurano nakani ikitsuzukete soshite arigatou wow (They all hug before a flash of light envelops them, fading shortly after to reveal the six mecha, this time images of the six kids behind them as they charge at a shadowy shape as it looms over them)

Setsunai tabiwo owarasunda miraiwo kaete tsukuruno sa (The image pans to the right to show them all charging, this time transparent scenes of new enemies marching past them - Dr. Robotnik, Sammael, and Moloch - before fading to show the city of Tokyo at sunset, a light shining in this darkening world)

Istumademo akiramezuni oistuzukete (On my way) (The green and white mecha with the wings thrusts its hand out towards an image of the cat Faunus's mother as she reaches out, and their hands clasp before it shows the green and white mecha firing off its chest cannon, the beam this time a shining gold color)

Tashikani kanjitanda kimiga kureta yuuki wo (The blast strikes the enemy before them - Dr. Robotnik - before it shows the mecha with its companions as they join in on the attack with their own moves)

Bokuno subete wo gisei ni torimodosunda bokurano precious time (The image fades to show the six kids standing in front of Tokyo, the title of the series appearing below them)

GRIMMFALL: SHINKALION RISING

OPENING FILES:

CLASSIFIED

DECRYPTING...

FILES DECRYPTED

OPENING FILES: SHINKANSEN DEFENSE INSTITUTE

The Shinkansen Defense Institute is a top secret organization that was developed in the aftermath of the First Wave of Kaiju Grimm attacks as a means to fight them more effectively. The SDI is connected with the Ministry of Defense, which allows them to obtain the latest state of the art technology to create weapons to fight the Grimm on an even footing. The SDI has long since tried to develop a weapon that used the shinkansen of Japan in its fights, but due to the limits of the technology at the time, it was deemed unfeasible. The only technology that was able to be perfected was the Grimm Containment Barrier, or capture field.

Using a scientific mission into orbit as its cover, the SDI was able to launch their capture satellite into orbit so as to give them a fighting edge. The satellite is nearing its second decade of operation, but it is still going strong. However, in spite of this, they fell behind in several other aspects. When the Second Wave began, the SDI decided to try and develop more effective countermeasures, so they turned Tokyo Station into a command center for when the shinkansen were transformed into combat weapons. The Defense Minister and the Minister of Transportation however rejected the proposal, calling it downright crazy and even suicidal at the time.

However, that all changed with the arrival of the Third Wave. Unlike the First and Second Waves, these Kaiju Grimm were much larger, stronger, and more powerful. The SDI had to ramp up its efforts to defeat these Grimm before any lives or property were lost. But due to their increased size, the Third Wave Kaiju Grimm were almost impossible to defeat without superior numbers. The attacks got more brutal, and more deadly. No one was sure if there would even be any hope in this situation.

Thankfully, a chance discovery on Iwo Jima proved to turn the tide, and give the SDI the technology needed to finally commence their project at long last.

CLOSING FILES

TERMINAL ENTERING STANDBY PHASE

"When it comes to government agencies, many know what they can do and cannot do. But what if someone has ideas that a certain agency can do more than what it can? That right there is in line with conspiracy theories, although sometimes government intelligence agencies like the CIA may play up that myth to ensure secrecy," the figure said as they tented their fingers. Their glasses glinted in the light as the leaned back at their desk.

"Such as the Shinkansen Defense Institute, who were formed to combat the Grimm. But many see them as a top secret group that may even be trying to create Grimm." The figure showed the logo of the SDI before it faded to show the CIA's emblem. "Or the CIA, who some say are really evil bad guys. It all depends on one's perception of things. But deep down, there are real answers, and these agencies have real people, real financial limits, and real resource limits as well. Their agents have limits, too. They are not super spies. They are just like you and me. No fancy cars, no spy gadgets, no getting the girl at the end of a spy mission, and no archvillains trying to take over the world. Spies are just as human as you and me."

The emblem faded and the figure adjusted their glasses. "So when you expect a spy to come in and take down the villain, maybe question if they even exist in the first place."

CHAPTER XII - DEBRIEF

"Okay. Let me get this straight. I sent Akita back to the Marunouchi Building thinking he'd get help, only to find out that he hid in the pod room to avoid getting caught by a guard. Then he tripped into a pod and managed to Link with the E6, and that was him that saved us," Tsuranuki summarized.

Director Hokuto nodded. "That's it," he said.

The boy looked to Akita who sat on a nearby chair, his arms folded as he looked at the other three Drivers. His eyes were narrowed as they shifted in their seats. "So you mean to tell me this is what you were doing all these months?" Akita asked.

The kids looked down, shame flooding their features. "Yeah," Tsuranuki finally admitted. Then he looked up. "But in all honesty, this was something we uncovered on accident."

"And you got recruited," Akita summarized.

Miku ran a hand through her hair. "Yes. But to be fair, Japan is in desperate straits," she said. "And they need a symbol of hope to rally around, what with the Emperor's Sword missing and all."

The purple-haired youth pursed his lips. And actually, he could see where this was headed, and why Japan needed a symbol of hope. "So to be precise, the project, Project SKL, is meant to give Japan hope, as well as buy time for the seal to be strengthened, yes?"

Director Hayasugi nodded. "Yes. As well as to try and protect my son from any Satyra members, which is its third objective. Once he is bonded to his Shinkalion frame, Satyra will not be able to recruit him," he added.

"Hold on! This whole time it was just a ruse to get-" Tsuranuki was cut off by the director before he could go into a rant.

"No. It was the least important objective compared to trying to deter and stand against the Kaiju-class Grimm!" the cat Faunus said. "But it is an unintended side effect that I have added in as a third objective. Project SKL's primary - and critical - objectives are to stand against Kaiju and buy time for the seal to be strengthened. That is the main reason it was developed."

Tsuranuki was about to protest when he realized that Hokuto had a point. While the primary objectives came first, the unintended side effect of his son's protection was just a benefit. He finally sighed, looking down. "I... Sorry, sir," he murmured. "I just... I was just surprised..."

Hokuto ran his hand through his hair before placing a hand on Tsuranuki's shoulder. "I understand, Tsuranuki, and if I had been in your situation, I would've been surprised as well," he said. "But that is not the reason we are here having this meeting."

"Then what is it?" Shinobu inquired.

Hokuto stood and walked back to his desk before pulling up a screen. He turned it to face the foursome. "This."

The kids all gathered around and their eyes widened as they stared in shock at the sleek plane departing from Narita International Airport. On the side of the rudder was a familiar emblem, that of a carrot with a rifle behind it. The kids all knew who that emblem belonged to, as they had heard of him and his resort in America. Hell, Tsuranuki had stayed there with his mother once back when his dad was alive! The youth's brown eyes widened as his mouth fell open. "Is that... who I think it is?!" he rasped.

Miku's hands flew to her mouth in realization. Akita's eyes widened a bit and Shinobu pursed his lips, his eyes narrowed.

"Yes. That jet belongs to the very same," Hokuto said.

"But why tell us?" Shinobu asked. "We can't exactly protect him, can we?"

"No. I'm not telling you because I want you to protect him. He can handle himself," Hokuto explained. "Instead, what I want you to do is keep an eye on his companion."

The kids all looked confused as Hokuto brought up an image of a man clad in a white body suit. His armor was greyish-blue and silver with hints of black. His chest plate was silver with blueish-grey accents on it, and his gauntlets were silver with a greyish-blue underside. He wore white lower leg guards and had boots on that were modeled after a wolf's foot, complete with three black claws for each. His helmet was silver and modeled after a wolf's head while on the back of his waist was the holder for his beam sabers. On his shoulder guards was the Kanji for Light as well. He also wore a light blue and dark blue striped scarf around his neck. His hair was short and blonde, but what really threw them for a loop were his red eyes.

"Oh, shit...!" Tsuranuki muttered. The way the director was looking at the man with a hard gaze in his blue eyes indicated that this guy could potentially be trouble. "I take it this guy's bad news?"

"I'm not sure, to be honest," Director Hayasugi admitted. "But I'm not about to take any chances. If this guy is with the enemy, it's best to be on the safe side and be on high alert. If he's not, then you are to leave him be."

"So like a recon operation," Akita deduced.

"Yes." Hokuto nodded. "But do not stray too far from the station. Last I heard the owner was coming to meet with the Sanban family."

The kids nodded, saluting as one. "Yes, sir!"

"However, if a Grimm does show, come back here at once for deployment!" Director Hayasugi ordered.

"Hai!" they said in unison.

The director watched as the kids ran out of the room, disappearing down the hallway that would take them back to the staircase leading up to the main floor. He sat back in his seat and tented his fingers as he observed the two newcomers.

He knew one of them right off the bat: a grey-furred rabbit Mobian wearing a black business suit with a red tie. His feet were bare and his tail was exposed through his pants, but that was not very noticeable in actuality as most Mobians did wear some form of covering on their lower body. He wore a pair of white gloves on his hands, although usually for business meetings and other formal events; he took them off when prowling the grounds of his resort for Grimm, rogue Hunters, and Fallen. This Mobian was none other than Bugs Bunny, the owner of the Duck's Burrow resort complex down in San Diego.

Behind him was his new companion.

Hokuto's eyes narrowed as he watched. He wasn't sure if this red-eyed man was a Fallen or not. But for all he knew, he could be, and Bugs was in danger. He hated having to send the kids out into danger, but in this case, it wasn't so much for combat as it was for observation. And the kids, he knew, were quick learners as to what the situation called for.

He just hoped to Glob that the newcomer with Bugs wasn't a Fallen.

NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Bugs Bunny rolled his shoulders as he made his way back from the baggage claim with his shotgun and suitcase in hand. He would've asked his chauffer to do it, but the poor man was sick with a nasty bout of pneumonia back stateside, so he was having to do it himself. Not that he minded; actually he liked doing things like this sometimes. It was proof he wasn't some elite, despite having enough wealth to be considered among the richest individuals in the world.

The Mobian glanced over at Lobomon, his eyes flicking around the airport.

"Everything's so different... and yet the same as well," he mused.

"Yeah? What's it like back where you're from?" Bugs asked as he smirked.

"Definitely lacking in diversity," Lobomon stated as he watched a Faunus family meeting up with a pair of humans and a Mobian. "There's much more here than I expected."

Bugs gave a knowing grin. "Well, you're about to see a lot more," he said as he held out a hand. "I already called a cab, and we don't wanna be late now, do we?"

Lobomon was surprised, but took Bugs' hand as the Mobian guided him towards the main entrance of the airport.

The Warrior of Light had to admit that to see as many Faunus, Mobians, and humans in this world as he was only drove home how... normal... his world was. And normal was in a relative sense. The human species back in his world didn't know about the Digital World, and what few that did know tended to keep it quiet - those few being him and his friends. Plus the fact that animals didn't act in a humanlike manner only drove home that his world was a parallel version of this world.

He could only wonder how many worlds existed out there beyond the dimensional boundaries.

Hell, he wondered if the Celestial Angels knew of this!

His gaze spotted a nearby Faunus who looked like he was ready for a fight and off to the side stood a cloaked figure, looking at a map in their hand. The figure looked up, sensing that the Faunus was watching and they turned to face him, only Lobomon couldn't see what was going to happen next as Bugs pulled him down a nearby hallway into the main lobby where the entrance was.

The rabbit Mobian finally let go of his hand and the Digimon darted after.

"So, you ready for a tour of Tokyo in this world?" Bugs asked with a grin.

"I guess," Lobomon said. "But aren't you here for something more than just a tour for my sake?"

"Yeah, but we can take a tour of the city on the way to our destination," Bugs explained as he held out a hand and waved for a cab waiting just a few meters down.

The vehicle pulled up shortly after and the driver opened the door. The driver, much to Lobomon's surprise, was a mouse Mobian. He looked like he had seen a few incidents in his career, with the fact he had perched on the seat a nasty looking knife. His gaze locked onto Bugs and he spoke in Japanese, which Lobomon understood."Baguzubanī, watashi wa suisoku suru?"

"Hai." Bugs nodded, speaking the same language.

The Mobian nodded and opened the other door for Lobomon to enter. The Warrior of Light slid in as Bugs got in the front seat. He closed the door and buckled in as Bugs did the same thing.

Within minutes the cab was on its way towards their destination: the Sanban Estate.

The trip there was not that eventful, and to be honest, some of the buildings Lobomon didn't even recognize, primarily because of the fact that they were either undergoing renovations or had been completely remodeled to withstand a Kaiju-class Grimm attack. To the Digimon, the mere thought of such Grimm even existing was enough to make chills race down his spine. He shuddered a bit as he grimaced. He looked down at the map of the city Bugs had given him prior to leaving the airport and he skimmed it over. Sure a lot of things were the same, but there were also key differencs, such as the lack of the Tokyo Skytree.

Lobomon was very tempted to ask Bugs what the deal was with the lack of the Skytree, but he squashed the urge as he remembered this was a parallel world. So maybe the reason it didn't exist or get built was because of the Grimm. And actually, now that he thought about it, it did make sense, especially given those Nevermore Grimm he had read up on back in Bugs' penthouse. The map also pointed out something unusual, something he had not expected in his entire time living in Japan or Tokyo.

"Uh, Bugs?"

The rabbit looked back over the seat. "Yes?"

Lobomon outlined the area surrounding Tokyo Station on the map. "What's this... Central Intercept System?" he asked.

The driver looked up, and his eyes widened before he burst out laughing. "Oh, you mean that thing? Eh, everyone 'round here knows what that is!" he remarked. "Unless ya be from the States, that is."

"Y-Yes. I'm... from America," Lobomon stuttered, trying to keep it from being too noticeable. "So, what exactly is this system, anyway?"

"It's a system designed to contain any Kaiju Grimm that happen to be near the station," the cab driver remarked as he turned down a side street. "That place actually used to be a holdout for the Imperial Family back before the Time of Awakening, but it became a shelter after the Emperor erected the seal in Mount Fuji. See, back then there was a fear of someone finding a way to break the seal, so people were trying to find some ways to keep their lineage and heritage alive. That was where the bunker came in. It actually was just a bunch of holes in the ground that were linked together through underground tunnels."

Lobomon was surprised at this. "But if it were to be used as a shelter, then why...?" His voice trailed off as the driver rolled his eyes.

"Well, kid, the shelter was not meant to be used indefinitely. The thing was in disuse after the Pool was sealed. But only for a short time. It was reinstated and used as a shelter for the Imperial Family and some commoners so some part of humanity could be saved. It was reinforced and stabilized thanks to better engineering and materials. Of course, despite this, it was still very primitive. Only by the time the Industrial Revolution came around did it really expand into what it would become today," the driver continued. "The invention of the steam train surprised everyone when it was used as a temporary stop, so the government planned a contingency for using the railways to get people to the bunker in case of an apocalypse. In fact, Tokyo Station was built right where the first station for the bunker once stood."

The cabbie turned down a busier street and merged into traffic on the freeway. "Of course, during the 1900s it wasn't very safe, despite being carved out and reinforced with steel gantries. The thing was, no one expected it to be used during the Second World War. It held up, but people did die down there, mostly with trying to keep the place intact and stable due to the bombings. The bunker was shuttered after the war, and became something of a storage space until 9/11 when terrorists from Satyra hijacked a few planes and slammed them into the WTC and Pentagon. The goverment reopened it and modified it heavily over the next few years after the First and Second Wave Kaiju Grimm were stopped."

"Of course the work took a while, but it did lead to a surprising innovation: turning an entire sector of Tokyo into a redoubt shelter for an apocalypse," the driver stated. "The whole space beneath that section of the city was hollowed out and a massive elevator system installed, complete with concrete and steel blast doors laced with gravity Dust so as to make them light, but strong. The blast doors are actually below ground level and the system has not just guns, but also a containment field so as to keep any Kaiju Grimm from delivering collateral damage to the city's infrastructure." He looked back at Lobomon with a grin. "Of course, that's just a summary. You really wanna know more, go to the library."

The Digimon nodded, shocked at what he had just learned.

The driver finally pulled up beside a large gate that was heavily reinforced. A pair of security cameras were locked on the vehicle as Bugs and Lobomon exited the cab. The mouse Mobian waved a bit before he pulled away from the gated entrance. Bugs walked up to the gate's wall where an intercom rested. He pressed the button and it beeped.

"Bugs Bunny, here to see Genki Sanban," the rabbit said.

"Voice Identification confirmed. State number of persons in party," came a female, computerized voice.

"Me and one other," Bugs replied.

"Number confirmed. Welcome to Sanban Manor. Please enjoy your stay." The gate unlocked and with a loud groan, began to swing open to let the two inside.

SANBAN ESTATE

Genki sat before her desk, sipping her tea as she pondered the latest series of events in her mind's eye.

The arrival of a new Shinkalion had turned the tide in their favor, but the fact that those Grimm had even shown up...

That was worrisome. And to learn of what they were covered in was even more worrying.

Those kinds of scales were not organic, let alone natural.

She briefly pondered studying any remains if they were found, but then she brushed that aside. No Grimm left remains behind. What few were found usually vanished soon after being collected. It was the Grimm's final act of defiance and defense, to keep people from studying their biology and physiology to find a weakness.

And no one had figured out how to replicate the preservation process that had been used in Outpost Prima. It was truly beyond their skill and tech levels at the moment. To be honest, to study the technology used in those scales would be dangerous, if not outright disastrous given how they looked to be a perfect fusion of the Dark Substance, technology, and organic matter in one.

Genki opened her eyes and set down her tea as she tented her fingers in front of her mouth. "Just what are we dealing with?" she muttered.

Her musings were interrupted by a chirping from the speaker on her desk. She pressed the button with one finger. "What is it?" she asked.

"Lady Sanban, your visitor has arrived," the voice of the security officer said. "He also brought someone else with him. Should I let them in?"

Genki nodded. "Yes. Send them both in."

The Lady of Sanban Industries removed her finger from the button as she turned to the main monitor showing the exterior of the estate. She could see the image of her guest, Bugs Bunny. The rabbit Mobian also had a newcomer with her, and Genki frowned. He looked a lot like a newbie Huntsman. Given how some of them donned unusual costumes, it made sense that he would be trying to go for a unique theme. The only thing was, she couldn't even begin to guess what his theme was.

She knew of a few whose themes were different from what they expected, two of whom were Dracon and the Grimm Slayer.

The Grimm Slayer, she knew, was supposed to be a man wielding a holy Semblance and weapon, riding a white horse called Adam or something like that. But the reality was far different, as she had learned from Sebben and Sensei Splinter. She knew that he was actually a Digimon, an entity from another world that got desposited in their own world after Van Kleiss's experiments dragged him and a friend from their home against their wills. He was also one of the toughest foes anyone had faced, as the Grimmnoid Cult had found out the hard way.

Then there was Dracon.

He was a unique case, preferring to remain in the shadows, and yet his accomplishments were the stuff people liked to read about. So in truth, while people knew of him, very few knew what he looked like, or what his abilities truly were. That cloak of his made it hard to see his true form, and that was just the way he wanted it. Even she had no idea as to what he looked like. But she had a theory that he had to be some form of dragon Faunus, or even wearing a suit of draconic armor to disguise himself if his cloak got torn off. She also knew he had a full arsenal with him at all times, something that many Huntsmen did not have. As for his skill with his ranged arsenal, Genki had a feeling he had a sort of telekinetic Semblance that let him use those funnels of his. But that didn't explain the rumors of him being able to see the deceased.

So in truth, he was an enigma.

And yet she had a feeling that someday she'd be seeing him up close and in person.

She just had no idea as to when.

A knock drew her from her thoughts and she looked up as the door opened and a maid entered. "Ma'am, your guests have arrived," she said with a bow.

Genki nodded. "Thank you, Kyoko. That will be all."

The maid nodded and drifted out of the room as her guests entered.

Bugs smirked as he pulled out a carrot and nibbled on it. "Eh... What's up, Sanban-san?"

"Bugs Bunny." Genki lowered her hands to rest on her desk as she gestured. "Please. Take a seat."

The rabbit Mobian shouldered his shotgun before he sat down. He propped the gun against the chair before the desk, and his companion sat down on the couch closest to the door.

"So, what brings you to my home?" Genki asked.

"I didn't get your email regarding the invitation I sent," Bugs remarked as he continued to eat his carrot. "I figured something had to be up, so I came personally since you didn't respond to my last few emails."

"Ah. Well, about that. We have had some recent incursions with Kaiju Grimm outside of the usual two month attack pattern, so we have had to step up our efforts in containing and stopping them," Genki explained. "It has really taken much of my time and with having to run Sanban Industries, as well as train my children, I haven't had too much time to respond to emails as of late."

"Oooh. Yep. Kinda figured as much," Bugs drawled as he tossed the carrot stub into a trashcan. He folded his arms across his chest. "Those Grimm are a real menace."

"Yes." Genki's eyes hardened into jade as she looked him in the eye. "So you can see why I have been unable to respond."

Bugs nodded subtly.

"But seeing as how you came all this way, then I shall give you my answer," Genki said as she leaned back in her seat. "We shall hold our next business gathering at your resort, provided that the security will be increased given how some of my clients are of the wealthier sides."

"Sanban-san, our security is some of the best," Bugs remarked with a smirk. "And nothing, not even a Fallen, has been able to really breach it."

"Never say never," Genki cautioned.

"Goods words to live by."

The two looked to the rabbit's companion as he locked his red eyes onto them. "From what I've experienced so far as a Hunter, Fallen are notable to adapt. So, you can never really tell what they will do," he said. "One minute they may be unable to breach your security, next they may be able to. Best to be on high alert at all times, even with the best security measures money can buy."

"Yes," Genki noted. "But there are those that have never been breached."

The man narrowed his eyes as he scowled. "So they say."

Bugs finally cleared his throat. "So, back on topic. Mind me asking if you picked out the day?"

The Demon Blade of the East nodded as she opened a desk drawer and pulled out a calendar. She flipped it to the next month and pointed. "This is the day."

The Duck's Burrow owner looked at it and he frowned. "Hmm... That's kinda be a bit of a squeeze," he said. "The head of the Vist Foundation and Sebben are having a meeting there with the heads of Fullbright Corporation and DexLabs. But if the meeting goes smoothly, we should be able to get you in."

The white-clad man blinked, but said nothing.

"I understand, but surely you can host two at once," Genki pressed.

"True, but given the situation, it'll be kind of hard to squeeze you in, given how long your meetings go for sometimes," the rabbit pointed out.

Genki pursed her lips and closed her eyes, realizing the situation. She finally put the calendar away. "Well, it seems that I will have to wait until a better opportunity shows itself."

Bugs nodded. "Sorry, Lady Sanban."

The Lady of Sanban Industries nodded. "May I ask who your companion is?" she asked, startling both of them.

"Uh... Oh! This is just someone who I rescued," Bugs explained. "He's... not from around here, actually. He's from another town back in the States, but it was recently attacked by Grimm, so..." He shrugged.

For Lobomon, this was unexpected. Bugs was actually trying to cover for him?! He made a mental note to thank the rabbit once they were headed back to the states.

"I see. And his name?"

"You can call me the Blazing Light," he said, having come up with a cover name on the trip over with help from Bugs. "I'm just starting out as a Huntsman, so I hope to make an impact where I go."

"Blazing Light. An unusual, but very catchy name," Genki mused with a smile. "I think you will go far, providing you learn how to fight the Grimm effectively."

"Oh, believe me, I have been training for that," Lobomon said as he pointed to his beam sabers. "Bugs has been making sure of that!"

The Mobian winked at him and Lobomon returned it before Genki finally leaned back in her seat. "And I assume, rightly, that you are taking him on a tour of Tokyo?"

Bugs nodded. "Yep." He lifted one of his hands and examined his glove. "As well as take him on a sightseeing trip to Hokkaido."

Lobomon was a bit confused. Why bring him to Hokkaido? He was about to ask, but then Genki began to speak, making him sit back down, crossing his arms in confusion as he bowed his head.

"That is a good idea. But it would be best to also be extra alert given the recent Kaiju Grimm attacks," she said.

The rabbit nodded, his eyes hardening into onyx shards. "I know, Sanban-san..." he stated.

TOKYO - SURFACE LEVEL

"...but that's the least of my worries."

The kids bolted down the sidewalks, trying to avoid any pedestrians as they made their way to a nearby intersection.

"And why is that, Bugs Bunny?"

The foursome looked left and right before crossing, unaware of the eyes watching them from above.

"Just call it a hunch. A big hunch, Sanban-san."

The black snake hissed as its red eyes flashed... watching the kids as they headed off in the direction of the Sanban Estate...

And the next site of attack.

The snake slithered down from the tree it was huddled in and made its way towards the Marunouchi Building.

Now was the time to find out just where those kids disappeared to during attacks made by its much larger kin. And then their secret would be revealed...

Once and for all.

The black shape stuck to the shadows as it sneaked its way into the building's main entrance. There was no one watching, as it was getting close to sunset. The workers had gone home for the evening, and the night shift wasn't scheduled to start until eight that evening. And that was the perfect window of opportunity to sneak in. It would wait patiently from here on out until the next attack.

And then it would strike.