The next morning, on an airplane ride to the airport that the UNE made heading to Vacuo. Held the troops, huntsmen, mercs, bandits, and Ooarai. The ride is 6 hours long.

Albert is listening to music as he sleeps.

Shino, Jie, Mari, and Dae are talking.

Igor was seen reading the Holy Bible with reading glasses as Elm rested her head on his shoulder.

Ryan was talking to his sister, Katerina, on the phone.

David, Jonas, Kenji, and Rigel are playing cards.

Anthony and Felix are eating peanuts.

The flight attendants were walking between the aisles as the troops were either sleeping or chatting.

"Me, I had a choice... either join the Marines or go to jail." A US Marine said, speaking to Karma and Hyena. "And you know what the shit of it is?"

"Yeah, if you'd gone to jail..." Karma spoke, but the Marine stopped her.

"Don't spoil the joke, little lady. If I'd have gone to jail,"

"I'd be getting out today." The Marine and Karma said at the same time. Hyena giggled a bit.

A flight attendant came up the three's seat, "Would you like some nuts?"

Karma denied while Hyena grabbed two, "No, thank you."

The marine leaned forward, "Yes, are they warm nuts?

"No, I believe they're room temperature." The flight attendant said.

"Well, maybe later you can come and warm up my nuts." The flirted as Karma and Hyena rolled their eyes.

"You know, I don't really like the little ones." The flight attendant said mockingly as Karma and Hyena laughed at this. "Okay, is that all?"

"Yeah." Hyena nodded as the flight attendant moved, passing out the peanuts to the other roles.

"Would you like some nuts?" The flight attendant asked another

The seat next to was Vincent, who saw and heard the entire deal spoke up, "You poor bastard. I bet your recruiter promised you a whole wide world of pussy, huh?"

The Marine nodded, "You fucking A. Cocksucker knew the price of every whore from Olangapo to Stockholm."

"And here we are, headed to the desert."

The Marine nodded, "Fucked by the green wienie again."

"Say, what would you be doing if you were a civilian?" Vincent asked the Marine, "Staying up late, jacking off... playing Insurgency: Rainstorm, trying to get to that tenth level?"

"You know what happens when you get there?" Japanese Marine Corps Sergeant Mina Takahashi said catching many eyes. Including Karma. "Nothing. You just start all over again."

"How long you think we'll be there? Two to four weeks?" Hyena asked"

"Less, Hyena." Karma answered, "We'll be back so fast... we'll still be shitting out those nuts."

"Oh, how bout a game of Two truths, one lie, I'll start. I killed before. I will kill again. And it burns when I pee." Her smile widened, her eyes blinking twice as she stared directly at them with a look that could only be described as deranged.

Everyone, including the flight attendants, stops and stares wide-eyed at Mina. Mari stood up a bit and said what probably everyone is thinking right now, "Holy shit."

"That last part is a lie, isn't it?" Anthony asked.

The cabin was filled with mixed emotions after Mina's unexpected, dark humor; the chatter from moments ago was replaced by a shocked silence. Some people stared in disbelief, others chuckled nervously, while a few—like Anthony—tried to defuse the situation with humor.

Mina smirked, looking at Anthony as if assessing whether he was brave or foolish to ask. "Maybe," she said, winking at him before settling back into her seat.

"Jeez, Takahashi, you gotta stop scaring the newbies," Karma said with a roll of her eyes, her lips curving into a half-smile.

"Newbies need some scaring," Mina replied, crossing her arms. "Makes sure they're awake when things start blowing up."

Hyena laughed awkwardly, her tension dissipating. "I'd rather be scared now than find out about her habits the hard way."

Anthony shook his head and returned to eating his peanuts, a grin playing on his face. "It's good to know everyone has such unique coping mechanisms."

Felix, sitting beside Anthony, nudged him. "I think we might be the only normal ones here," he whispered, shaking his head.

Anthony gave a snort of laughter. "Normal? We're on a plane to Vacuo to face both Ultranationalists and millions of Grimm. There's nothing normal about this."

"Touché," Felix said, tossing a peanut in his mouth.

A few rows behind, Ryan continued his phone conversation with his sister, Katerina. He was trying his best to sound calm and nonchalant despite the impending chaos. "Yeah, Kat, just another day at the office, you know?" Ryan smiled at his sister's concerned voice, trying to reassure her. "I'll be back soon. I'll tell you all about it."

Katerina's voice crackled from the other end, expressing her worries. "You better come back in one piece, Ryan. You promised."

Ryan nodded to himself, though she couldn't see it. "I always keep my promises."

Meanwhile, the game of cards being played by David, Jonas, Kenji, and Rigel was heating up. Jonas squinted at his cards, then looked at Rigel. "You know what, Rigel? You're bluffing."

Rigel smirked, leaning back in his seat. "You sure about that? Because I've got the hand of a lifetime here."

David narrowed his eyes. "If you're bluffing, I'm gonna be pissed, Rigel. I've already lost half my stash of snacks."

Kenji glanced at his own cards, then back at the others. "Alright, boys. Let's find out. I call."

The group collectively leaned forward, revealing their cards in a dramatic fashion. Jonas groaned loudly as Rigel triumphantly spread his cards on the tray. "Told ya, fellas," Rigel said, chuckling.

"That's the last time I trust that grin of yours," David muttered, shaking his head in mock frustration.

Shino, Jie, Mari, and Dae, meanwhile, were talking about their plans after the mission, trying to stay focused on something beyond the impending battle. Mari was in the middle of explaining her dream vacation when Dae nudged her and pointed at Mina. "I swear, Takahashi gets crazier every time we go on deployment."

Shino laughed. "It's her way of getting into the zone. You know that."

Jie smiled thoughtfully. "She might be intense, but you know what? I'd want her on my side in a fight. No one messes with Mina."

Dae nodded. "True. But still... that joke? Damn."

Across the aisle, Igor gently turned a page of the Holy Bible he was reading, the words offering him a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Elm, resting her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes. She spoke quietly, "I think... I'd like to see a quiet village after this, Igor. Somewhere peaceful."

Igor glanced down at her, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I think we all could use that, Elm."

As the plane cruised through the sky, everyone found their own way to prepare — mentally, emotionally, or just to distract themselves. The chatter resumed, quieter but determined, as the reality of the mission settled in once more.

In the dim light of the cabin, the troops, huntsmen, mercs, bandits, and Ooarai members knew they were flying towards an uncertain battle. Yet the humor, camaraderie, and banter carried them forward, one moment at a time, reminding them of the bonds they shared, the battles they'd won, and the ones they were yet to fight.

The flight attendants moved quietly down the aisles, offering small comforts like snacks and drinks. One of them reached Anthony and Felix's row again.

"Would you like anything else, sirs?" the flight attendant asked, her voice polite.

Anthony looked at Felix, then back at the attendant. He grinned. "You wouldn't happen to have a sense of normalcy, would you?"

The attendant chuckled. "Sorry, sir, fresh out of that. But I can offer you more peanuts."

Anthony laughed, shaking his head. "Peanuts will do. Thanks."

The attendant handed them another pack of peanuts and moved on. Felix opened his bag and looked at Anthony. "I swear, once this is over, I'm done with peanuts for life."

Anthony gave a tired smile. "I hear you, man. But until then, we'll take what we can get."

Six hours to Vacuo. Six hours to a fight none of them could predict, facing enemies and monsters alike. But for now, they had each other, their jokes, and their peanuts.

And that was enough.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vacuo Desert

On the ground, the Vacuo desert is vast and arid. The desert is dotted with oasis, which provide a variety of habitats, and is also home to Shade Academy, one of the four Huntsman Academies, located in the city of Vacuo. The desert is home to a variety of Grimm, including the Deathstalker, which burrows beneath the sand, and the Griffin, which flies over the sand dunes.

Right now, the UNE and it's allies were exiting planes in a desert like area in a airport.

The flight attendants began saying their goodbyes to the troops, huntsmen, mercs, and bandits.

"Good luck, now."

"Goodbye, now."

"Good luck, now."

"Goodbye, now."

The same US Marine from earlier stopped to flirt with one of the female flight attendants, "Wanna keep me company for two weeks?"

The attendant just smiled at him, "Goodbye, now."

"You don't know what you're missing." He said as he blew a kiss to her.

The UNE Troops, Atlas soldiers, and White Fang swiftly fell into formation, their training and discipline evident as they readied themselves for the mission ahead.

Amidst the preparation, some moments of levity emerged, like the Marine's attempt at flirtation with the flight attendant. His playful gesture drew a chuckle or two from nearby Huntresses before they refocused on the task at hand.

The diversity of forces gathered spoke to the magnitude of the upcoming operation, showcasing the unity among different nations, kingdoms, and species in pursuit of a common goal. Each group brought its own unique strengths and skills, ready to collaborate in the mission ahead.

The airport offered a stark backdrop to the preparations, a visual reminder of the challenges awaiting this coalition of forces. Yet, as they readied themselves, a sense of solidarity and purpose permeated the air, signifying the collective resolve to face whatever lay ahead.

As the troops, mercs, and Nomadic tribesmen sat in a large briefing area with the NCOs and officers in the back and the most of the freshies and enlisted sitting in the front.

"Attention on deck!" Yelled Ryan as everyone stood up at attention as USMC Lieutenant General William R. Cole walked up to a microphone.

"Take your seats." He said as everyone sat back down, "Good afternoon, everyone."

"Good afternoon, sir!"

"Jesus, did you just land in a war zone or a funeral parlor? Good afternoon, everyone!" Cole repeated.

"GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR!!"

"Ohhhh. I just felt my dick move." Cole joked making couple of people chuckle, "For those of you who don't know me... I'm United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General William Ryder Cole, your vice senior commander. We are now a part of Operation: Phoenix Strike. Now, just north, west, east, and south of us... is 2.7 million Grimm. And some of those bastards have been fighting... since all of us were just sperm cells. And within that mess is the Ultranationalists. They are tough. They will stop at nothing. They've used nerve agents against the Russians and the Americans. Now, here's a picture."

Ryan then shows everyone a picture of Fort Arklov, leaving just bodies and corpses of American and Russian soldiers alike.

Cole continues, "I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, 'Let's kick ass and take names... and end this shit the day before yesterday.'"

"Yeah!"

"But the bureaucrats have a bit of jawboning to do. So for now, these Ultranationalists and the Grimm... who have raped(Ultranationalists) and pillaged... poor small villages and Atlas soldiers are in our gun sights. Our current mission is to protect the evacs... of our good friends in the nearby villages and Vacuo city... And ladies and gentlemen, I'm talking a lot of evacuees. A lot of evacuees." Cole said making the point across. "So you will hydrate, you will train... you will adjust to these deserts, and you'll hydrate some more. And you will be ready. You will maintain a constant state of suspicious alertness... and one day soon... them motherfuckers are gonna regret pulling this sorry shit!"

"Yeah!/OORAH!/HOORAH!/That's right!/Yes sir!"

"We're gonna kick some Ultra ass!" Yelled a voice in the crowd as Cole chuckles.

"What did you say?" Cole asked as the voice revealed to be Brody.

"We're gonna kick some Ultra ass, sir!" He repeated.

"Oh, hell, son. What, you gonna win the Medal of Honor all by yourself? What's the rest of my troops gonna do?" Cole address the crowd.

"Kick some Ultra ass!"

"You know, I think it's time for me to retire. I can't hear a FUCKING THING!!!!" Cole yelled boosting the morale.

"KICK SOME ULTRA ASS!!!!!"

"Oh, I just got a hard-on!" Cole said with a proud smile on his face as everyone got a good laugh.

"Alright. Enough of this pussy-ass shit. Let's get to work. Dismissed." He said ending his speech as the troops and White Fang salute and walk away.

Jie looks up to see fighter jets above, "There go our flyboys."

Mari watches the fighter jets, "Let's hope we can win this thing."

Kang looks to the sky, seeing the fighters jets as well, "We can't fail. That's all we can do."

The air was buzzing with tension and purpose as the troops dispersed from the briefing area. The sun was already beginning to set, casting a burnt orange glow over the Vacuo desert, with its vastness stretching seemingly endlessly in every direction. The dunes rippled in the distance, painted in shades of amber and crimson.

The aircraft roaring overhead gave everyone a sense of reassurance—those were the flyboys, the airborne division, ready to take on whatever dangers awaited them in the sky. They were ready to provide cover, drop payloads on any Grimm hordes, or engage Ultranationalist positions. Watching the jets fly gave a sense of camaraderie across the forces.

David and Ryan regrouped with Anthony, Jonas, and Rigel after the briefing. They each carried their gear, weapons strapped and eyes scanning their surroundings as they moved to their designated gathering points.

"Man, that speech," Ryan said, still chuckling. "Cole sure knows how to pump up a crowd."

"Yeah," Rigel nodded. "You could almost feel everyone getting ready to smash through a wall."

"Well, we'll get our chance soon enough," Anthony added. "We just need to hold the line and buy enough time for the evacuees. That's priority one."

Jonas sighed, his eyes flicking from Anthony to the dunes in the distance. "Easier said than done. The Grimm alone are a nightmare, but with the Ultranationalists mixed in... We're going to be in the middle of hell on Earth."

"We signed up for it," David replied, his tone resolute. "And honestly, there's no one else I'd rather face it with."

The group shared a nod, their resolve unspoken but understood. Nearby, Dmitry approached, accompanied by Kenji and Jonas, their silhouettes sharp in the desert sunlight.

"Everyone ready to head out?" Dmitry asked, his usual stoic expression present, but his eyes were focused.

"We are," Anthony confirmed. "Let's get moving."

Elsewhere, Winter Schnee was organizing her platoon of Atlas soldiers, giving clear and crisp orders. Beside her, Qrow Branwen, his usual lazy demeanor replaced by a rare intensity, was checking his weapon, the glare in his eyes matching the setting sun.

Sienna Khan was speaking to a group of White Fang members, her voice low and commanding, as they prepared for the upcoming operation. The Faunus troops seemed fiercely motivated; they knew the stakes were not only survival but proving themselves on this larger stage.

Ironwood walked over to Miho, who was speaking with Raven Branwen. Raven still bore the sting of her earlier encounter with Anthony, her posture stiff, but she seemed determined. Miho, for her part, was calm, giving Raven a firm nod before turning to Ironwood.

"I assume you've heard the orders?" Ironwood asked.

"Of course," Miho responded. "Our Ooarai forces will be setting up along the western perimeter. Our job is to secure the flanks and make sure nothing sneaks through."

Ironwood nodded. "Good. I've got troops setting up barricades and artillery. We'll need to coordinate with Atlas, Oorai, and the Huntsmen to make sure we cover all possible angles."

Miho gave a sharp nod, glancing back at Raven. "And the Nomadic Tribes and the White Fang?"

"Integrated into the outer defense ring," Ironwood replied. "They're not exactly conventional forces, but they have their strengths. We're going to need every advantage we can get."

Miho sighed, her gaze drifting to the horizon. "It's going to be a hell of a fight."

Night was beginning to fall as the combined forces took up their positions. The bustling airport had been transformed into a fortified zone, with tents set up for evacuees, and barricades built along the main entrances. Troops were stationed along the perimeters, their silhouettes moving purposefully in the growing shadows.

Hyena and Karma stood side by side, their rifles at the ready, as they looked at the desert beyond. The Grimm, it was said, could sense fear, and they both knew that fear was a natural response to what was coming.

"Think we'll make it out of this one, Karma?" Hyena asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Karma turned, her usual smirk softened. "We'll make it, Hyena. We always do."

Nearby, the group of UNE Marines gathered, their nerves held in check by the camaraderie shared amongst themselves. The laughter from earlier had faded, replaced by a sense of steely determination.

Vincent, the Marine who had been flirting earlier, adjusted his helmet and glanced at Mina Takahashi, who was sharpening her weapon. "So, Mina, two truths and a lie, huh? I still haven't figured out which one was the lie."

Mina looked up, her eyes glinting in the low light. "Why don't you stick around long enough, Vincent? You might just find out."

Vincent laughed, shaking his head. "I think I'll pass."

In the command tent, Cole, Reeves, and Dustin stood over a large map of the area, coordinating their next moves. Ironwood joined them, his eyes studying the map before shifting to the communication equipment beside them.

"Once the Grimm hit, it'll be a matter of keeping them off the walls and giving our air support the chance to thin their numbers," Reeves said. "The Ultranationalists, though... they're another story."

"Which is why we have MAC-SOG and the Huntsmen focusing on taking them out directly," Cole added, glancing at Ironwood. "We're relying on your men, Ironwood."

Ironwood nodded, his jaw tight. "They'll get it done."

Dustin looked at the horizon, where the sun had finally dipped below the dunes. "All units, stay alert. We're in for a long night."

As darkness swallowed the desert, the troops and allies watched as the first ominous howls of Grimm echoed through the night. The sound was unmistakable—a dreadful reminder of what lay beyond the dunes.

Anthony took a deep breath, his hand tightening around the grip of his rifle. "Here they come."

The lights of the camp flickered, casting shadows across the barricades. In the distance, they could see the faint, glowing eyes of the approaching Grimm horde.

And somewhere, beyond the sea of monsters, lay the Ultranationalists, waiting to make their move.

Ryan spoke quietly to the group, his voice low but strong. "Let's show these bastards what happens when they come for us."

"Let's do it," Anthony replied, nodding.

The line of troops, Huntsmen, bandits, mercs, and allies all stood ready, their weapons aimed toward the darkness. The tension was palpable—an electric charge that ran through every person standing there.

As the first wave of Grimm crested the dunes, the order was given.

"Fire!"

And the battle began.

The battlefield was a swirling mass of chaos as the Grimm rushed towards the UNE defensive lines. Troops, Huntsmen, Atlas troops, Nomadic bandits, and White Fang fighters held the line with all their might, the air thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder, the deafening sound of gunfire, and the roars of the advancing Grimm.

Anthony, Jie, Karma, and Rigel stood among the UNE troops, firing round after round as the black wave of Grimm neared. Anthony barked out commands, keeping his focus on the battlefield, the adrenaline in his veins helping to sharpen his senses.

"Hold the line! Don't let them break through!" Anthony called out, keeping his rifle steady as he took down a charging Beowolf. The shadows in the distance seemed endless, with the occasional flash of light from artillery or gunfire offering some clarity in the confusion.

Ryan was firing his LMG at the approaching Deathstalkers, the clinking sound of the empty shells raining around him as he cursed under his breath. "Damn it, these bastards just don't stop!"

Then, amidst the chaos of battle, the roar of aircraft engines grew louder. The sound made many of the UNE troops and allies pause momentarily. Looking up, they could see two aircraft approaching in the dim moonlit sky. From a distance, they appeared like the familiar silhouette of A-30 Thunderbolt IVs, the reliable aircraft they knew would provide much-needed air support.

"Finally, some help from above!" shouted Rigel, his voice tinged with relief as he looked up.

"Those Thunderbolts better start thinning out these Grimm soon," Jonas said as he kept firing, his eyes briefly glancing at the aircraft.

But Dae, positioned higher on a dune and using her DMR's high-powered scope, had a different view entirely. She squinted, her eyes widening in shock. They weren't the A-30s they had expected.

"Wait!" Dae shouted, her voice frantic. "Those aren't ours! Those are A-10 Thunderbolt IIs!"

Anthony glanced over, confused. "What? Are you sure?"

"Positive!" Dae's voice was strained. She kept her eyes on the aircraft as they roared closer, the unmistakable features of the old A-10 Warthogs coming into view through her scope. "The Ultranationalists! They still use those aircraft, and they're coming right at us!"

Anthony felt a chill run through him. He turned and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Incoming hostile aircraft! Everyone, take cover!"

But the A-10s were already upon them.

The whine of their engines grew deafening, and then came the chilling growl of their infamous GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannons—a sound that could turn the strongest warriors' blood cold.

"BRRRTTTTT!!"

The rapid-fire cannon unleashed its devastating power. Explosions erupted across the UNE lines, dirt, sand, and shrapnel bursting into the air as the Grimm, troops, Huntsmen, and equipment were shredded by the immense firepower of the A-10s.

Anthony dived behind a pile of sandbags just as the ground in front of him was obliterated. The shockwave shook him, and he felt his ears ringing as he pressed his body into the dirt.

"Karma, Hyena, get down!" Anthony shouted, struggling to look back at his comrades amidst the chaos.

Karma grabbed Hyena and tackled her to the ground, shielding her with her body as another volley of rounds tore through a nearby barricade, obliterating it completely.

Ryan barely managed to get behind cover, cursing loudly. "Where the hell is our air defense?!"

Miho, alongside Winter and Raven, was positioned on a higher ridge. Miho's face was a mix of anger and urgency. "We need to bring those birds down now!" she shouted to her team. "Get the Stingers! We need to neutralize them!"

A couple of Atlas soldiers scrambled to retrieve shoulder-mounted Stinger missile systems from their supply cache, their hands shaking as they hastily prepared the weapons.

Meanwhile, the Grimm horde, seemingly undeterred by the carnage caused by the Ultranationalist aircraft, continued their advance. The Grimm had no allies, no sense of allegiance, and they saw only prey—be it human or otherwise.

David looked over at Anthony, his face grim. "We can't hold out like this. If those A-10s keep strafing us, we're done!"

"Where the hell are our jets?!" Felix yelled as he fired at a charging Beowolf, the tension in his voice mirroring the desperation in everyone else's.

From behind the main line, a missile finally streaked upward, fired by one of the Atlas soldiers. The Stinger missile left a trail of white smoke as it locked onto one of the A-10s and closed in.

The A-10 tried to break away, flares shooting out, but the missile found its mark. The aircraft erupted in a ball of fire, the burning wreckage crashing down into the desert below, taking out a cluster of Grimm in the process.

Cheers erupted among some of the UNE troops, a brief moment of triumph amidst the chaos. But the celebration was short-lived.

The second A-10 came around for another pass, its cannon spooling up again. The sound of the rounds ripping through the air was deafening, and Anthony could only hope that they could survive the onslaught long enough for their own air support to arrive.

Miho looked to Winter, her face determined. "We need to hold this line until help arrives. No matter what."

Winter nodded, her eyes steely. "Then let's make sure these bastards regret coming here."

In the midst of the chaos, Raven, with her bandit instincts, knew this was the time for drastic action. She glanced at Qrow, giving him a look. Without words, the two launched into action, rushing toward the direction of the A-10's flight path.

Qrow shifted into his crow form, soaring upwards to get a better vantage point, while Raven opened a portal—one of her semblance's abilities—ready to intercept at just the right moment.

As the A-10 came around for another pass, it suddenly found itself directly in Raven's line of attack. With a roar, Raven leaped through her portal, her sword flashing in the moonlight as she brought it down on the aircraft's wing.

The A-10 lurched, the sudden impact and damage sending it spiraling. Raven pushed off, disappearing through another portal just before the aircraft slammed into the ground, exploding in a massive fireball.

"Holy shit!" Anthony muttered as he witnessed the incredible maneuver, his respect for Raven momentarily overriding their previous confrontation.

With both hostile aircraft down, there was a momentary lull in the chaos. But they all knew it was far from over—the Grimm were still surging, and the Ultranationalists were somewhere out there, watching, waiting for their chance.

Anthony stood, rallying the troops around him. "We're not done yet! Hold the line! We can't let them through!"

Cheers and renewed battle cries echoed across the defensive positions as everyone focused on the task at hand. They were bruised, battered, and exhausted, but the fight was far from over. They would hold the line, no matter the cost.

And as the night wore on, the war drums of the Grimm and the Ultranationalists beat louder, promising that this was just the beginning.

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a blood-orange glow across the desert as the battle reached a fever pitch. The Grimm surged relentlessly forward, their twisted, nightmarish forms rushing towards the UNE defensive positions like a relentless tide of darkness. Amidst the chaos, the deep, rhythmic thumping of rotor blades cut through the cacophony of battle.

Flying in tight formation, a group of AH-64GX Apache Warchiefs roared across the sky. At the helm of one of these formidable attack helicopters was French Foreign Legionnaire Elise "Murdock" Alarie, her eyes focused, her grip steady on the controls.

Her fingers danced across the instrument panel, her voice crackling through the radio.

"Warchief-2, engaging targets. I have a cluster of Beowolves on my ten. Rockets away." Elise's voice was calm, her French accent evident even through the static. The underbelly of the Apache let loose a salvo of Hydra rockets, streaking downwards and slamming into the mass of Grimm below. The explosion sent shrapnel and debris in all directions, decimating the monsters in a fiery blast.

Flying just beside Elise was the Scottish Army First Lieutenant Franklin "Little Giant" Graves, his own Apache weaving in formation. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield below, catching glimpses of troops, bandits, and Huntsmen holding the line. He couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration as Elise's helicopter opened fire, the disciplined precision with which she flew and attacked showing why she was one of the best.

"Good hit, Elise," Franklin called over the radio, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and adrenaline. "Keep up the pressure. Those bastards just keep coming!"

Below, the troops of the UNE, Huntsmen, and bandits all bore witness to the aerial assault. The explosions from the Apaches lit up the sky, each strike eradicating dozens of Grimm in one fell swoop. It was a welcome sight, a reminder that despite the overwhelming numbers, they had the firepower to push back.

Seeing this, a wave of determination surged through the UNE troops. The roar of battle mixed with the calls of the commanding officers.

"Bayonets! Fix bayonets!" Ryan's voice boomed, and it echoed through the ranks as troops reached to attach the sharp blades to their rifles.

Anthony, standing at the front line, saw the troops preparing themselves and quickly activated his exo-suit's "Speed Up" mode. His heart pounded, the adrenaline washing away any trace of fear or doubt. "All units! Speed Up! We are charging those bastards!"

The UNE troops activated their exo-suits, the mechanical whine indicating the boost in strength and speed. One by one, they rose from cover, their bayonets gleaming in the fading sunlight. With a war cry that seemed to echo across the desert, they charged.

The sight was magnificent, almost mythical—thousands of troops rushing forward, their exo-suits propelling them at incredible speeds. The ground seemed to quake beneath their collective advance, and even the ever-resilient Grimm seemed momentarily stunned by the sheer audacity of the human charge.

The Huntsmen and Atlas troops watched the spectacle, momentarily taken aback by the ferocity of the charge. Their own training had taught them to value strategy, coordination, and careful engagements. This kind of head-on rush was unexpected, almost reckless. And yet, it exuded a power that spoke of unyielding determination.

Raven Branwen stood among her tribe members, her crimson eyes narrowing as she watched the troops barreling toward the Grimm. For a split second, she saw something she rarely did—a vision of true strength. This was not the calculated strategy of a Huntsman or the cunning tactics of a bandit. This was pure, unbridled willpower. Raven turned to her tribe members, her expression hardening.

"Are we just going to stand here?" she called out. Her tribe looked to her, uncertain. Raven unsheathed her sword, her gaze fixed on the advancing wave. "Follow their lead! Charge!"

The Branwen Bandits let out cries of affirmation, charging down the dunes after the troops. The sight of Raven leading her tribe headlong into the fray emboldened others. Miho, standing at the command post of her Ooarai Battalion, saw the unfolding chaos and made a quick decision.

"Battalion! Follow them! This is our chance!" Miho shouted, her face set with determination. The tank commanders under her command revved their engines, their heavy machines rumbling forward as the Oorai Battalion joined the charge, their cannons already loaded and prepared to support the infantry.

Winter Schnee looked at the unfolding situation and exchanged a brief look with Clover, who nodded back. "Ace-Ops, let's move out! We've got Grimm to clear!" she called. Beside her, Harriet activated her semblance, the yellow lightning flashing around her as she rushed forward, eager to join the fight.

In the skies above, Franklin and Elise saw the wave of troops below, and they moved in tandem, providing air support as the charging forces collided with the advancing Grimm. Elise could hear Franklin's excitement through the comms, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Now that's what I call fighting spirit," Franklin laughed, firing off another burst from his autocannon, the rounds punching through an Alpha Beowolf.

"Looks like I picked the right boyfriend to flirt with," Elise responded, her voice playful even as she unleashed another salvo of rockets. She glanced down, watching as the forces below collided with the Grimm in a frenzy of dust, sand, and violence.

The UNE troops, with their bayonets fixed, slammed into the Grimm, the metallic clashing of steel meeting monstrous flesh reverberating through the desert. The soldiers fought like men possessed, their exo-suits giving them incredible strength as they stabbed, shot, and bashed their way through the Grimm hordes.

Anthony plunged his bayonet into the throat of a Beowolf, the beast gurgling as it fell backward. With a swift motion, he ripped the blade free and swung the rifle like a club, smashing it into the skull of another creature. He barely had time to catch his breath as a Deathstalker rushed forward, its massive stinger poised to strike.

"Watch out!" Ryan yelled, appearing beside Anthony. He fired a shot from his LMG, hitting the Deathstalker's eye, causing it to reel back. Together, they lunged at the beast, stabbing and hacking until it collapsed.

Not far behind, Raven slashed her way through a pack of Creeps, her sword blazing red as she cut through them with ruthless efficiency. Her eyes darted across the battlefield, watching the movements of the UNE troops, admiring their unflinching ferocity. She had to admit—these soldiers were unlike any she'd seen before.

Karma fought back-to-back with Hyena, the two women moving with a natural synchronicity. Hyena's exo-suit, enhanced her speed, allowed her to dart between the Grimm, striking with deadly accuracy, while Karma unleashed brutal strikes, her eyes alight with fury.

Miho and her Ooarai Battalion pushed forward, their tanks providing vital cover for the advancing troops. Shells fired from the heavy cannons exploded in the distance, sending Grimm flying. The coordinated attack between infantry and armor allowed them to create a path through the chaos.

And above them all, Franklin and Elise kept the skies clear, swooping in to pick off any Grimm that dared to cluster too closely to their comrades.

Together, the UNE, Atlas forces, Huntsmen, bandits, and White Fang fought as one, their strength, determination, and unity pushing back the Grimm horde. Despite the overwhelming numbers, they stood strong, and for every Grimm that fell, a spark of hope burned brighter in the hearts of those fighting.

The Grimm might have numbers, and the Ultranationalists might have tactics, but on this day, the combined might of the human spirit, aided by the technology of the UNE and the bravery of their allies, proved to be a force that no monster could withstand.

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, the desert was lit not by the dying light of the sun, but by the fire of battle, the roar of war, and the unbreakable will of those who refused to fall.