While the train was heading off, Winter watched Artyom sitting in the front seat before the controls. He was far more silent than she usually wanted, but she noticed he was focused on the path ahead. Maybe it wasn't the time to talk to him right now.

The specialist turned away from the Ranger, only to find the faunus girl and the blond boy remain silent throughout their trip. Winter had seen their faces before during the festival, but never met them in person. As she observed their behavior, Jaune looked out from his seat and looked around at the empty seats. "Um, why isn't this train full?" The young huntsman-in-training questioned.

She turned her head back to the Ranger, only to find him turn his head to meet him. "The monorail is one of the few surviving pieces of transportation in the Metro. You're lucky to see a working one like this being used."

"What happened to them?"

"I don't know. The last inhabitants of D6 used to ride these, but were never found. So seeing why its still maintained is a mystery in its own right." Artyom answered. "We should be arriving soon, but I hope none of you didn't get harmed while in captivity."

The faunus girl was quick to reply. "You said you knew the old man." She began.

"I did."

"What happened to you?"

Artyom shrugged his shoulders. "Since we still have some time I might as well tell the story. I stumbled upon the old man when I was trying to look for D6. Problem was that his followers knocked me out and a couple others into captivity and were about to eat us. However, we were lucky enough to hold out until the Rangers arrived and saved me." He added. "We let the old man go once we were out of cannibal territory."

"I don't know how I could manage the thought of being imprisoned and becoming food for someone."

He chuckled at her statement. "I know how that feels.. Being helpless and knowing that you're going to be beaten up just be tender for their teeth. It's not a pleasant thought."

When the train slowed to a stop beside a platform. Artyom was quick to rise from his seat.

"We're here. Let's get both of you back to Remnant."

When the party of four ascended from the elevator, Winter noticed the curiosity amongst the children as they reached the designated level. However, Artyom didn't seem to have any of it. "Don't try to explore. It's a bit busy today." Artyom stated. Once the elevator opened, he lead the way while Winter followed behind the Ranger and the two hunters-in-training.

They walked quietly, only to bypass an entire room filled with people working at consoles with headsets on. It appeared that there were overseeing many operations in the Metro.

"Windmill, do you copy?"

"Sending reinforcements, hold out!"

"3rd Company moving to support."

"Repeat, respond damn it!"

Winter took in the information and noticed the organization of the Rangers. After she knew that Artyom was part of the Rangers, she noticed that they always under constant danger and keeping contact with the remains of the world. It's not like she would never know, but it made her curious about this organization that safeguarded the remains of humanity. What was it that made them drive to becoming the defenders of their station? It certainly was not money that was for sure.

To the specialist's surprise, she heard the voice of Hunter speak once more. "Winter, I need you to do something for me. It's important." He began. "Find Khan it will help you in the future."

"Khan? Why should I find him?" She questioned within her mind. Ever since Hunter arrived into her mind, she absolutely hated the idea of having a second voice talk to her.

"An explanation will come after, trust me."

She conceded to Hunter's recommendation as the group finally left the communications room. "Fine. I'll find Khan as soon as possible." Winter replied.

Artyom stopped near the edge of an elevator, only to find two Rangers dismount. "Oh Artyom, it's good to see you again." He began. "I thought you were gone in the Botanical Gardens for good."

"It's fine." Artyom replied. "Colonel Miller and Uhlman was able to find me. So you should be seeing me still around until then."

Winter noticed the second Ranger staring at her as if he had seen a ghost. However, his attitude changed when he spoke. "Artyom, isn't that the girl you drew."

He nodded in acknowledgement. "Yes, that is the picture."

"Perhaps I should apologize for my behavior the last time we met." He said. "I thought you were being delirious, but to see you bring her here. I'm a bit… surprised."

"Apology accepted."

"So, why is she here?"

"Order's business as usual."

"As usual?" The unnamed Ranger questioned. "I highly doubt it's usual. Did you hear about the portal to the other world? It's beyond usual at this point. I don't know whether the Order is crazy about becoming the defenders of mankind when were stuck dealing with the weird strange shit." Soon he stepped off the elevator and departed with his companion. "See you later, Artyom."

The party heard Jaune talk. "Another elevator? How long until we finally get back?"

"Soon." Artyom answered. "It's a level above us. All we just need to do is get up there. Get on." He took his first steps as he leaned beside the lever mechanism. "Welcome to D6, kids, the home of the Spartan Rangers.

Winter leaned back against the railing as the lever was lowered, allowing the elevator to rise. "Who was he?" A question referring to the previous Ranger in question.

He glanced over to the specialist. "Do you remember that drawing I made of you? He was quite skeptical that someone like you existed." Then he formed a smile on his expression. "Until now, I think he feels like shit for trying to piss on me."

"I'm surprised that someone such as yourself would have problems. Didn't you save the Metro from the Dark Ones?"

"Yes… Yes I did." Artyom answered her question. "However, I did cause some issues when Colonel Miller awarded me and gave me a Ranger's promotion. The problem is that there are some Rangers here who spent years as a cadet in Polis and bust their neck off to become the defenders of the Metro. Then I come along and become a Ranger in the blink of an eye."

"Rangers?" Jaune asked. "Are you some sort of huntsman?"

Winter was quick to speak up. "In some way, Artyom is. While huntsmen and huntresses fight the creatures of Grimm, the Rangers - here - fight the various monsters that attack the few remaining stations in the Metro."

"That's not counting the fact that we also ensure that the Red Line and the Fourth Reich don't conquer the entire Metro at the cost of human lives." Artyom added. "While we're few in number, we are the ones that take notes about those two factions who happen to have fanatics as their soldiers."

"Who is the Red Line?" Velvet questioned. "I never heard of them."

"The are the eternal enemies of the Fourth Reich. The Nazis and the Reds follow certain political ideas, but their ideas conflict with each other and decide to fight it out to show who has the best ideology."

The faunus girl seemed disturbed by the idea. "They're willing to kill for it. That is horrible."

"Worst of all, everyone else is caught in the middle of it. Thankfully, none of you have to worry about dealing the secret police or some eugenics team measuring your head." Artyom replied. "We should be able to return to Remnant soon."

Professor Goodwitch stepped into the academy's library, only to be surprised the sheer amount of people there. Usually the students would be present, but this was different. Instead, she saw dozens of grown men inspecting the books off the shelves and reading them in their own little areas. While she was no Oobleck, the professor seemed to think that they didn't get enough reading back in their own world.

Then she recognized Colonel Miller sitting down in a chair with his helmet off with a beard that surpassed any she had ever seen. Yet, she also noted the scars on his face while his eyes were focused deeply on the book at hand. Whatever he was reading, it seemed to interest him. Realizing she was not here to observe the Rangers, she began to make her way towards the colonel. When she came closer, the professor was surprised to find a packet of files set up inside one of the pages, but the colonel closed them before she could get a closer look. "Professor Goodwitch, is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes." Glynda answered. "I've gotten word that Artyom as returned with two of our students."

Colonel Miller nodded and accepted her news with little emotion. "That is indeed good news. I hope your academy doesn't have to undergo something like that ever again."

"Likewise."

"Professor, what do you know about the Grimm?" He asked.

Now that was an unusual question. "The Grimm are creatures of darkness that will not stop until mankind and the faunus are destroyed once and for all. Why do you ask?"

"We once had something like that in the Metro. I doubt something like what we faced would be comparable to these Grimm you speak of."

She raised an eyebrow. "You had something like the Grimm."

"Yes, Dark Ones." Miller stated. "Creatures of unknown power. They're very hard to kill and very easy to die from."

"Where are you going with this conversation?"

"I'm wondering, did you ever wonder about the Grimm whether they were something you didn't expect."

"I don't understand."

"Did you have any strange feeling whenever you killed the monsters?" Miller expanded.

She shook her head. "No, not at all. After all of my years as a huntress, the Grimm are not creatures of understanding. They feed on fear and negative emotions. Is it because of these Dark Ones?"

"How do I put it, have you ever had those moments in your life that you think you made the wrong decision."

"Once, but that was a long time ago."

"I see." Miller nodded. "My apologies for bringing out a random idea out of my ass."

"It is of no consequence, colonel. You do not have to worry about it." Glynda turned away from the colonel, but she glanced over her shoulder and noticed the officer take one more look at his files while he was unaware of the watchful eye of the witch.

Author's Note: I have returned with an update. Apologies for the late update, but in-between school and Mojave Roulette, I never got around to getting another chapter done. Hopefully, you guys enjoyed this little jumpstart back into the fic.

TheShadowOfZama: Good to read your review. I appreciate it. The Fourth Reich will show up later, I can guarantee that.

blaiseingfire: It's a reference to a scene in Last Light right before confronting Lesnitsky.

Frostdromeda: Sorry, got too busy making my Metro/Fallout crossover. It's becoming a staple for me on SB.