The Emerald forest dimmed the sun light to an unamusing amount today. Qrow as he knew the place lazily eyed the surroundings mostly aloof toward his other cohorts.

The first member of his newly hired team was, or rather he has recruited was Ozpin. Ozpin, a headmaster of the nearby Beacon Academy which had trained him in his youth took charge of this strange expedition into the lesser explored parts of the ancient forest for some reason or another. It was rare for him to leave the campus but with how certain events had left the Academy as well as the surrounding town with nearly Crippled defenses seemed like an unwise time for him of all people to be taking a holiday and go hiking into some area even more grizzled huntsmen like himself rarely venture.

Beside the aged Headmaster where two separate figures. A blonde woman Named Glynda Goodwitch, a hard on everyone kind of person who lacked a sense of humor just focused on her tablet marking what could only be the amount of estimated damages the Grimm had caused in this massive attack. Across to Ozpin's left was one of the heads of the Atlas Military, General James Ironwood. If one thing could be said about him this expedition was more likely his work rather than Ozpin's. He looked him over more so. He was out of his usual formal military clothing meant for most occasions in favor of a standard Atlas armor. Granted it did not protect from much to begin with since it was easier to hit opponents at high speeds than gun them from a distance. Aura, more often than not, was the only shield you need.

He glanced to his left only to see the other Atlas official. He groaned in his head as he continued looking at Winter's cold presence. He never enjoyed working with people and Winter as well as many Atlas officials generally were high on that list.

The wind's unsettling arm combed his hair and re adjusted his coat as they continued their travels. "Alright Ozpin, Spill." He grumbled unamused at his situation. Ozpin did not even as much as gesture to show some sign to acknowledge he heard him. He continued his investigation on their situation. "Why are we out this far?"

"You are aware what happened the night of the assault on Beacon?" He asked much to Qrow's chagrin. "A powerful ancient Grimm capable of producing Grimm through the black pores that fall from its wings came from this direction.

"So, it somehow was destroyed I'd say that was a win, right?" He responded still not sure where he was going with this.

"Yes, and that is what concerns us." Ironwood voiced up as he looked back toward Qrow and his suburbanite. Qrow looked at him unamused still waiting for him to talk. "None of the ships we brought could have brought that thing down."

Qrow looked at the two of them and gave a shrug as he was waiting to hear why this is important detail to note. He was there the day Beacon was attacked having fought on the frontlines with many students drones and soldiers who at the time were enjoying the Vytal Festival at the time of the assault. He watched the creature awaken from the mountain and begin making its way toward their location.

The Vytal Festival (seventy-two hours ago.)

The main plaza of the town has burning soot blinded Qrow's eyes as the onslaught of Grimm and White Fang members charged at his position. He was way out numbered it would need a miracle to save them from death. Fortunately, Qrow's curse doubled as a double edge sword for such an occasion. A dust line underneath the Dust till Dawn store had sprung a leak expectantly and collided with an open electric current.

The explosion cascaded through the city's main road toppling building bottle necking the White Fang's attack options. However, movement for Qrow as well as his allies had become severely limited from the sudden discharge forcing them to traverse the hidden underground minefield set to the tune of a hair trigger.

He was about to move when a loud roar pieced the chaos that encircled the city. Above them lied a gigantic Black Dragon like Grimm. It's presence unlike anything he had ever seen.

"Hunter!" an Atlas soldier yelled looking at the creature. "We have to retreat Beacon is lost." Qrow looked at the Facilitated guard angrily as he drew his attention toward the gigantic Grimm currently flying over Beacon Academy.

He was inclined to agree and begin to try to find his two nieces and try to get them to safety. No doubt it was what Winter at the time was focusing on. After all she seemed to be here to do her old man's dirty work only.

The creature roared again as he looked up curiously at the Grimm again to see it glowing. He was not sure what it was doing. Red lighting had begun to surround it as it was charging up an unknown attack. He got ready to see what it was doing. To his shock however his vision was glued on the dragon as the red light began to connect onto the dragon forming red cybernetic like lines onto the creature. Suddenly it disappeared into a red void without any answer as to where it went.

Qrow Had to rub his eyes in disbelief at what he saw. It was either that creature could turn invisible or it had somehow been captured by some unknown force. His mind was in so much of a confused state he failed to notice a pulsing red light come cratering toward the Emerald Forrest. He found out about it later that night.

Normal time.

"So, we're trying to track down that red pulse, right?" Qrow moaned with annoyance this was too much of a hassle to him.

"If you are not wanting to we can always just leave you." Winter suggested as she kept her eyes forward.

"Fine let's just get this over with." Qrow grumbled miserably as he kept his head forward scanning the brush for signs of Grimm.

Most of the trip side from Qrow's underwhelming conversation starter was uneventful. Qrow could tell by Ozpin's body movement he was not liking it all too much. The reason for the concern stemmed from the lack of Grimm at all especially this deep into the forest, normally they would have had an incursion with a few Beowolves at best by this point. They have not even heard a bird call for nearly an hour. The forest for an area as dense and less traveled was extremely quiet.

In the distance, an opening to a small grotto began to pierce light onto the derelict path. Qrow shielded his eyes from the sun's rays as they entered the area. It was a natural area with fewer trees. Arguably a good area for a group to defend themselves from an attack should be needed. Someone was already in the small opening in the woods when they arrived a blonde-haired man around Qrow and Winter's age. His Blonde hair was well kept as well as his road warrior looking get up with his armored shoulder pads and leather breast guard. As well as a pair of brown cargo shorts. Qrow could tell it was TaiYang, Yang and Ruby's father. He rolled his eyes a little after seeing who it was "(course they brought him in." He kept thinking as Ozpin approached the veteran huntsmen.

"Taiyang. Any updates regarding whatever it was?" Ozpin asked as the other began to establish a perimeter.

Taiyang shook his head. "I have no idea what is going on. I saw signs of impact but it was like it just decided to get up and walk away." The others turned to look at him for a second. "It gets weirder, Grimm presence has been dropping quickly for no reason." Qrow and Ozpin saw the look in TaiYang's eyes it was a form of concern. True while Grimm where the enemy they don't just get up and walk away. "Ozpin whatever is doing this cannot be on our side."

Ozpin nodded in agreement. He seemed aware of this He took a long gaze toward the other end of the small grotto. "We should wait till night fall the light will be easier to spot then."

Ironwood nodded as he began to open his scroll to finish some of the work that by now has piled up to a very unfavorable amount. He kept his eyes focused on the screen without as much as a word spoken.

Goodwitch noticed the way he and Winter have been acting the entire time. Shortly after the attack was repelled from Beacon they had to answer how all of this had happened under their watch. She was wagering to herself that they were putting blame onto Ozpin for insisting that they kept the security detail to a minimum to strengthen the idea of a time of coming closer together as the Vytal festival always has been. That said Ironwood was smart for bringing the troops since they were clearly outnumbered the day of the invasion. She was also certain that Ozpin's ability to teach was currently on the chopping block in Vale since he had done little to stop the White Fang from attacking.

Most of the day went by uneventfully, Qrow began to get a little unease since they had not one encounter with Grimm since the entered the old growth of the forest. This area was generally a sees pit for such creatures. He stood up agitated getting everyone's attention "Alright something is wrong." He voices while tired clearly was having bits of his sixth sense showing. "We have not seen a single Grimm since reaching this part of the woods."

Winter looked at him ore annoyed than in agreement. "So, what more ammo for a real fight then."

Qrow glared angrily at her. "You don't find this the single bit odd?" Winter nodded showing little of the problem. Ozpin however looked at the two of them with much needed agreement.

Rustling in the bushes caught the entire party's attention. Winter glanced back at Qrow with a stern look on her face. "Well it looks like we found your Grimm Qrow." She scoffed as she drew her rapier from its holster.

A red flare came flying from the brush as it made contact with the ground just a few feet away from Winter and Qrow's position. Followed by a red dust arrow flying right past Ozpin crashing into a rock instantly turning it to ash. The group turned back toward the area where the two projectiles where launched. A heavy smoke was formed right where the projectiles emerged from.

Standing in the smoke stood four shadowy outlines. Two females and two males based on the sizes of their outlines. Qrow began to recognize two of the shadows. One of the shadows he recognized had a Bowler hat while holding a cane. Most of his body was encased inside a trapezoid like shape suggesting a long trench coat. Part of his face began to show more detail as his cigar lite up a bit of his face showing traces of his red hair.

The other figure is too hard to forget. After all who could forget the girl that defeated the Fall maiden. If he recalled correct her name was Cinder. It was confirmable from the Tattoo that extended from her arm toward her back. The red tattoo was glowing with the force of the fall maiden. Ozpin failed to mention that she succeeded at killing the Fall Maiden. She must had retreated once the Dragon Grimm was mysteriously destroyed.

"So." The bowler hat man spoke. "I'm guessing they are here for the same reason?" He asked looking at Cinder's outline. She seems to give a slight nod to his direction. He let out a sigh as he pointed his cane again in their direction. "I'm guessing we all know where this is going." He spoke unenthusiastic about this job.

"Roman Torchwick." Ironwood's voice had anger in his voice. "You are under arrest for acts of terrorism." He demanded angrily toward the man. "Come quietly and we will let you"

Roman's unarmed hand went to massage his forehead. "Again, with the self-righteous banter. I swear it must be required at this point." He began to point his cane directly at the group. "Tell you what? Let's just skip to the point where we have our weapons drawn. Oh wait, I'm ahead of the game." He opened fire at the group scattering them into the woods.

Cinder looked at Roman. "You go after the blondes." She ordered Roman as she redirected to the other two figures. "Mercury chase down the general." The male figure just walked off toward where Ironwood was thrown. "Emerald Get the two-hired help."

The female figure looked at her. "What about you."

Cinder turned her attention into the direction of Ozpin's disappearance. "I have a score to settle." She began to glare at the woods She continued to walk off through the grotto that was now engulfed in flames.

Somewhere in the woods.

The explosion sent Qrow and Winter careering down a steep hill side pushing them deeper in to the wooded area. Qrow tumbled with no chance of stopping. Eventually he felt weightless as the ground was pulled from underneath him. He looked to see that he had rolled off a cliff side. He took this moment to observe his free-falling world to spot Winter in the same situation though it looked as if she was knocked unconscious.

"Common wake up." He yelled only to his dismay of not getting a single response. Quick on his feet he pulled his weapon, a scythe with an elastic rope like blade. He hurled it with what strength he could muster lassoing Winter and pulling her closer to him. He held onto her as he felt a hard impact as if he came into a hard contact with a set of shingles. Sure, enough his vision went dark.

Winter began to stir as Qrow looked up at the hole. It looked as though they uncovered an abandoned log cabin. Winter stood up looking where she would have fell. If the trajectory was correct she would have landed on the jagged remains of a bed. She closed her eyes as she turned toward Qrow "Guess I should be grateful." While she meant it, she was clearly annoyed about admitting it.

Qrow got up without saying much as he turned to see that the Cabin had to be around… Nothing but woods big shocker. He leaned against the table he missed by mere inches Letting his aura heal himself. He thought for a moment that he could rest when he heard Winter let loose a powerful red dust based blast toward what he guesses was the kitchen catching the place on fire.

He turned to see that she was staring at the fire with a look of fear. To his confusion there is no reason as to why she would do either of those actions. She then pointed her rapier at Qrow. "Whoa this is the thanks I get?" He asked looking at her confused.

"You won't get away for killing Qrow." She said coldly toward Qrow making him confused.

"Um, I'm right here." He said confused looking at her.

Winter looked at Qrow confused. "Your alive?" She asked still in a state of panic.

"Yeah Obviously."

"But the Deathstalker."

Qrow gave her a look of confusion "We're the only ones here. Why would a" His train of thought was cut off by Winter suddenly falling to the ground as a Ursa toward behind her. Qrow thought quick on his feet attempting to attack the creator to have it fade in a blink of an eye. "What?" His memory went back to the second and final day of the Vytal festival. Pacifically to two fights Yang vs that gray haired student and the prodigy vs the Atlas drone, Penny. He grinned a little. "Now I get it." Winter looked at him confused. "So, this is how you instilled fear at the festival." He turned around to see a dark skinned green haired woman looking at them smiling.

"Your quicker than I thought." She complimented as she pulled two small scythes from her back holster. "To bad it won't help you." Suddenly Qrow's perception went black as if the world ceased to exist.

He could tell it was another illusion but he was close to useless in this situation. He felt his Perception of the world was around him. It seemed she simply plunged him into darkness. He heard her laugh as he was struck square in his gut. Luckily it seemed she was not aware of what his Semblance was since she lost her balance as well as her concentration when a heavy thud came from the ground.

All Qrow saw once he regained his eyesight was Winter's feet as she was facing the green haired assailant. She had the same cold look that must be required to be a Schnee family member. He should thankful it was not facing him. He took a standard practice pose as the woman looked at them. All the group was oblivious to red lights glowing outside the cabin.

Qrow dashed in at the assailant first missing her by several inches as she countered with a strike from her twin daggers. His aura took the whole blow as Winter blasted the floor with ice dust freezing the floor of the building they were in. The attacker was losing her balance as Qrow's bladed whip tripped her as she tried to dodge a heavy thrust from Winter who collided with the wall breaking clean through it.

Beyond the wall was a bunch of red firefly like creatures that began to spew into the room. Qrow looked at it for a minute before ignoring it thinking it was another illusion. He took his stance again as the woman in front of him looked at the lights almost if in a trance. Her face turned to one of complete fear as the room for several seconds shined a bright red. Qrow turned around confused to see that Winter was nowhere in sight.

"HEEELLLP!" The girl yelled in fear as Qrow turned to face her. Fear now the primary looks across her face looking down at the swarming red lights that now had engulfed the lower half of her. Within seconds she was fully devoured by the red lights as she suddenly disappeared in front of him.

Qrow began to step away from the machines as they noticed his presence in the room. The mass horde began to surround him Qrow bean to fight back to no avail. The lights just kept getting bigger engulfing him before he felt as if he was being converted into a form of energy as he saw the room around him disappear.